Visiting Tuscany in the off-season The photo of Siena, Italy, on the front page of the Travel section [\"Tuscany in Repose,\" March 15] brought back warm memories of our family trip in October 2000. In fact, we were so enchanted with Siena that we vetoed moving on to San Gimignano. One of the ...
Visiting Tuscany in the off-season
The photo of Siena, Italy, on the front page of the Travel section ["Tuscany in Repose," March 15] brought back warm memories of our family trip in October 2000. In fact, we were so enchanted with Siena that we vetoed moving on to San Gimignano. One of the reasons for this had to be the very same Palazzo Ravizza. I felt lucky to have discovered it back then, and happy to know Susan Spano found it to her liking. No matter the weather, traveling in the off-season allows cities and towns to reveal themselves in ways just not possible when overrun with tourists.
--Carolyn Clark, Newport Beach
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Thank you, Susan Spano, for your poetic piece on Tuscany's winter warmth.
I joined you and your sister as you uncovered the awe-inspiring soul and charm of Siena and the Tuscan countryside in cold, wet winter. Reading your piece, the adventurer that took me to Tuscany a decade ago was reawakened in a single moment, reminding me that travel is not a luxury, but a necessary part of my exploration of life.
--Cynthia Michel, Playa del Rey
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Even though I've never been to Italy, it is at the top of my "dream trip" list. But like most readers, even articles about favored subjects must grab me in the first couple of paragraphs, or I am on to other endeavors. I stayed with Susan Spano's to the end and was glad to do so. When I read the phrase "two sisters with the temerity to go tooting around Tuscany," I knew I was in the article for the long haul.
When I discover good writing, I like to tell the writer. So to Spano I say, "Job well done!"
--Buz McGuire, Macon, Miss.
Another option for snowshoers
I found Hugo Martín's article about Royal Gorge interesting ["Time to Make Fresh Tracks," March 15]. I have been going to Royal Gorge for more than 20 years. In the interest of saving money, I suggest readers check out Clair Tappaan Lodge at www.sierraclub.org/outings/ lodges/ctl/.
It is close and inexpensive, with a wonderful history and legacy. There are also ski huts where you can spend the night for a small fee.
--Joe MacDonald, Long Beach
Memories of the Riviera Hotel
While most kids growing up in the 1950s and 1960s were tanning in Palm Springs, my family was hearing "paging Elmo Ellsworth" over the loudspeaker at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas.
My sister and I always wondered who he was and what he did there. What a treat to see his snapshot in the Travel section ["Snapshots of Sin City," March 15].
It brought back the fun times my family shared at the Riviera Hotel. Mr. Ellsworth was a top executive there, and hearing him paged was just part of the atmosphere, along with the noise of the slot machines and the dark casino. The Riviera remains a special memory for a lot of us baby boomers.
--Frances Terrell, Lippman
