Message Center

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Old York

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I AGREE WITH Christine O'Toole that the York Viking Centre really isn't worth your time or money ["In York, Name That Century," June 11]. I particularly didn't like the acrid smell of fake fires. Instead, spend the time you'd waste in line enjoying afternoon tea at Betty's Tea Rooms in the town center. I'd also highly recommend a tour of York's "Snickleways" -- the maze of hidden alleyways, with their colorful stories. Information on the Snickleways tour can be found at http://www.visityork.org/ .

Fran Larkins, Springfield

O'TOOLE'S ARTICLE didn't do the city justice. The National Railway Museum in York is one of the finest railroad museums in the world. It merits more than serving as a reference point for finding the Yorkshire Wheel.

O'Toole failed to convey the amazing wealth of historic structures in the city, including Clifford's Tower and the many half-timbered buildings. Huge segments of the medieval city walls and bars (gates) are still standing.

Frank C. Branchini, Edgewater, Md.

The Eric Wolf Club

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JUST A COMMENT on your Coming and Going item about the U.S. Transportation Security Administration's no-fly list [May 14]. This Eric Wolf, of Reston, shares the same headaches as the Eric Wolf of Falls Church who was referenced in your article. Oh, and this Eric Wolf is not a terrorist!

I have experienced the headaches you mentioned firsthand at Dulles and other airports.

Eric Wolf, Reston

Family Travel, Cont'd

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I WISH TO DEFEND the Travel section after two negative letters criticizing publication of "Paris With Kids" [May 14]. I saved this article, which we will use during future trips through Paris, where we travel regularly for family reasons.

As a mother with elementary school-aged children, this is the kind of article I love to read, in addition to other articles about adult-oriented destinations. Our extended families live at opposite ends of the earth, so travel for us is a must to maintain family connections with grandparents and cousins. Our children have been complimented for their behavior on planes, and I have yet to see them get drunk, stuff oversized bags into overloaded overhead bins or recline their seatbacks into others' laps, unlike so many adults.

Sarah McDougall, Arlington

NYC Under $200, Cont'd

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I READ your recent articles on New York City hotels with interest, as I am planning a trip for October ["Miracle on 42nd Street," May 7, and New York Hotels 101, May 28]. Without taking anything away from your recommendations, I found the recommended hotels much more expensive in October than in May. However, by using the Web sites you recommended, I found accommodations under $300, which seemed to be as good as it gets for the area I need.

One of the reader-recommended add-ons was the Park Savoy. I have to let you know that I made reservations there over the Internet about five years ago. The Web site looked okay and the price was right. I am not a person with extravagant hotel requirements, and I am aware that New York City hotels are usually pretty shabby, even the expensive ones -- and I set my expectations accordingly. However, the rooms the Park Savoy assigned to me were unacceptable at any price. Unless there have been major renovations, there are no circumstances under which I would return.

Your readers should know there is another view of the Park Savoy.

Mike Morton, Ocean Pines, Md.

I COULD NOT believe the inclusion of Riverside Tower in your list. I stayed there once. It is a "no-star" hotel. What was touted as a suite was two single bedrooms joined with a bath. Old and filthy. Neither of us wanted our heads to touch the pillows. We actually slept on towels for one night and then moved. Starving students would do better at a hostel.

Better recommendations are the Best Western Seaport Inn, the Carlton Hotel near Herald Square and the Best Western President near Times Square.

Best value is the Hilton Newark (on weekends). It is next to Newark's Penn Station and a 20-minute train ride to New York Penn Station via NJ Transit, or 15 minutes on the PATH train.

Doug Kleine, Alexandria

Curacao, Cont'd

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THANK YOU for the beautiful article by Gary Lee about my home island ["Curacao: On This Dutch-Flavored Island, Ill Winds Rarely Blow," June 4]. It has been almost 10 years since I left my island to study and work in the Netherlands, so this article reminds me that it's time to visit again. It's nice to see that Curacao can still enchant others, as it has been a longtime secret for many Americans. As we say in Papiamentu: Masha Danki! (Thank you very much!)

Harvey Servania, Groningen, the Netherlands

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