Letters: Untours.com helps solo travelers

A tour website for solo travels

Regarding the reader in “Ill-Prepared?” [On the Spot, Feb. 14] who was concerned about traveling alone and the possibility of illness, etc.: Another good option would be www.untours.com, “Independent Travel With Support Since 1975.”

On its Web pages you can find a variety of places to visit on your own, with your own rental apartment and with English-speaking help to assist you with travel problems.

My husband and I have used Untours seven times and would not consider traveling any other way.

-- Leslie Richardson, Fullerton

Tucson by train from L.A.

Thanks for the nice article on Tucson and the Congress Hotel [“Tucson’s Got an Ear for Music,” by Charlie Vascellaro, Feb. 14]. One thing I wish he had mentioned is taking Amtrak from Los Angeles’ Union Station to Tucson. It leaves L.A. at 2:30 p.m. and arrives about 1 a.m. three times a week. It is much less stressful than dealing with airports.

-- Gary Eidecker, West Hollywood

Moscow up close and personal

It is true that the Moscow subway is a cultural phenomenon in its own right [“When in Moscow Do as the Locals Do,” by Sasha Vasilyuk, Feb. 7]. But as the article points out, the locals make good use of the subway, which from my experience gave new meaning to “packed like sardines.”

-- Ruth Kramer Ziony, Los Feliz

Cheap thrills worth noting

I very much enjoyed Christopher Smith’s article [“Hear an Elephant Purr for Only $2.55,” Feb. 7], and it got me thinking about all the other inexpensive adventures out there. Maybe this is something the Travel section could do as a reader survey. My vote: the 10-cent ride on the St. Petersburg, Russia, Metro. The underground train is fine, but the real treat is the “escalator to hell” that needs to be taken to get underneath the Neva River (more than 300 feet at one station!).

-- Caitlin Guyan, Placentia

United earns a big thumbs up

I always hear complaints about United Airlines. Well, I have not had the same experience, and a recent trip was a wonderful example. I had to fly to New York for a funeral. I had only 24 hours’ notice. I was able to get a reservation using my miles so there was no cost, everything was on time. Then I lost my wallet on the plane on my return flight. As soon as I realized it, I called United Airlines. The next day they called to tell me they found it and everything was in the wallet.

My travels with United have always been excellent, and I have never had a problem. Life is good.

-- Clarann Goldring, Sherman Oaks