With the Untour Group

Jerry Hulse’s recent articles on Hal Taussig’s Untour program and Kandersteg (Switzerland) prompts me to describe our “L.A. Times Vacation” last August/September.

1. Two weeks in Sachseln with the Untour group. One of the highlights was a trip to Kandersteg on a cloudless day. We had lunch at the Victoria, rode the chairlift and walked down the wooded trail to Oeshinigensee just as Jerry described. This was our second Untour, the first being two years ago when we spent three weeks in Meiringen. I don’t think enough can be said about the efforts of Hal and his crew (particularly the Swiss) to provide a truly memorable vacation. We shall certainly go again.

2. After leaving Sachseln, getting a car in Geneva and stopping overnight in Annecy, we spent one night at Hotel Mistou in Pontempeyrat, one of the mill hotels which were the subject of a Times article a year ago.

3. A week’s stay with Daphne Gorse at Castang (France), again the subject of Times articles by Paul Dean and Gloria Lopez two years ago. This is a delightful place, ideal for exploring the Dordogne country. Mme. Gorse and her husband Maurice are charming hosts, and the excellent and unusual meals feature local products and vegetables from their own garden.

RICHARD C. HARTMAN

Fullerton