Q&A WITH CARLY ALLEN, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
In our June issue, our executive vice president and associate publisher, Carly Allen, discussed weekend solo trip ideas. She mentioned her recent wellness inspiration to head to Sedona, or pack a bag and use her miles for a trip to Maui. This inspired the questions: Have you traveled solo? What are your favorite solo trip destinations?

I find myself traveling solo on nearly every other trip. It normally begins as a business trip and becomes an extended weekend away. My most recent was Rome, but I love Berlin and Las Vegas.
BRENDAN WILLARD, via email

I traveled solo to Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia last year, but I have Japan and Indonesia on my list for this year.
CRAIG DONALDSON, via email

Solo travel is a regular occurrence for me. My work requires it, and when you become so accustomed to traveling a certain way, it’s just easier to keep up with traveling alone. You meet new people and get to travel at your own pace, where and when you want.
REAGAN ASHBURN, via email

LETTER TO THE PUBLISHER
In the July 2019 issue, Francis X. Gallagher mentioned his upcoming birthday (October) in his publisher’s letter. He discussed a few vacation ideas to celebrate, including cruise excursions and luxury dude ranches. One reader wrote in with a suggestion:

I just finished reading the July version of Global Traveler and learned of your upcoming birthday. I think you would enjoy golfing at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, which hosts some prestigious tournaments.

And then stay at its Cloud Camp lodge at the top of Cheyenne Mountain. It is the most amazing lodge I’ve stayed at. My wife, Celeste, took me there for Father’s Day last year, and I was so impressed that we booked a follow-up business meeting a few months later.

Lastly, writing you from the MS Paul Gauguin — we’re in the final day of our Tahiti & Society Islands cruise. Surprisingly easy to get here with United’s nonstop from San Francisco (SFO).
TOM AND CELESTE LINHARD, via email

THAILAND’S NEW TRAVEL INSURANCE POLICY
In our July 10 issue of eFlyer Asia, we discussed the compulsory travel insurance coming to Thailand. This premium requires travelers to purchase travel insurance prior to their arrival or they will be forced to pay a fee. Some avid travelers and readers wrote in:

Are you sure the “hefty premium” of 20 Thai baht is less than $1? If that is, in fact, the premium, it is certainly much less expensive than buying travel insurance from a U.S. provider, and I would certainly take advantage of that. So to answer your question, the insurance requirements would not deter a visit to this wonderful country.

FYI, I have been to Thailand 12 times and always for at least a month.
RUSTY CARLSON, via email

Requiring travel insurance will likely impact how often we visit Thailand. We usually visit Thailand two to three times a year. We are in the United States.
HAROLD HERMAN, via email

RETURN TO SENDER
In our July 17 issue of eFlyer USA, we reported on the unaccompanied minor who was almost flown to the wrong country by United Airlines. One reader wrote in with some thoughts:

Back in another century — 1986, actually — before the ubiquity of mobile phones, my 11-year-old son was flying from Los Angeles to Newark on deservedly defunct People Express, a pioneer no-frills carrier whose low fares bought (as I discovered) low-quality service. When he did not arrive in late afternoon as scheduled, I asked one of the People people why. She had no information for me. When I asked her to call or electronically contact LAX, she said there was no way to do so because the company did not have the necessary equipment (even a telephone!). Eventually, by reaching a California family member, I learned that despite getting to LAX early, my boy had been bumped (with no compensation offered; only a seat on the next flight, a red-eye).

After hanging around EWR much of the day, I went to a hotel to await the early-morning arrival.

Moral No. 1: You get what you pay for.

Moral No. 2: Even low-fare airlines must deliver decent service lest the market impose the “capital punishment” suffered by People Express.
BERNIE WEISS, via email

It seems these airlines are pretty careless and disorganized when it comes to unaccompanied minor travelers. This happened on Frontier last year, and with several teens.
LINDA SEDGEWICK, via email

Q&A WITH ANGELIQUE PLATAS, ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Weather-wise, September is a fun transitional month. With one last summer holiday, lingering sunshine-filled days and enough chill in the air to get excited about the fall, September proves a perfect time to get in one final “summer” vacation.

What’s your favorite way to celebrate the end of summer? Do you send off the season with a classic beach cookout or go a bit further and plan a family trip? Any new inspiration from our WhereverFamily award winners?

Email us: letters@globaltravelerusa.com