We recently returned from a seven-day road trip of southern NSW. The winter scenery was gorgeous but the accommodation was absolutely appalling. We decided to stay in atmospheric old hotels and little family-run motels. At around $135 a night I felt that it would be reasonable but most had little heating, no electric blankets, no breakfast and terrible lighting for reading.

When it is down to minus seven in Cooma, a tiny oil heater just doesn't cut it (I should have realised something was up when all the locals in the hotel dining room were wearing their winter coats).

In Tumut I burst into tears when I saw a shocking room where the door looked like a wild dog had tried to claw its way in. The Bates Motel from Psycho presented better. The owner said that "it wasn't the Hilton" – not wrong there!

Come on NSW, we can do better than this.

Dianne Thomas, Avoca, NSW

LETTER OF THE WEEK

In light of recent terrible events in America, I would like to share with readers some tips when driving in the US, based upon my extended time living there and speaking with locals, including a police officer. The gun culture in America means that police are extremely wary if they stop your car for whatever reason. They do not know if you are armed or not. For this reason:

• Never, ever, get out of the car as you would in Australia if stopped by the police. Stay seated.
• Always keep you hands on the steering wheel and in full sight. The same for your passenger's hands. Do not attempt to retrieve your licence from your wallet or from a bag. The gun culture makes them rightly cautious.
• Speak with them so they can hear your accent. It helps to call them "constable" as opposed to officer to reinforce that you are a tourist.
• Do exactly what they say. If they ask to see your licence, you tell them it is in your back pocket/bag and you are going to get it out.
• Be seriously polite. Police are often called "sir".

Americans are very generous, warm people but the gun culture there is simply mad.

Dr Loy Lichtman, Carnegie, VIC

KEEPING PERSPECTIVE

Last weekend, I was about to send a letter about a poor experience with car hire recently in Nice. Suddenly, things got put into perspective.

Roger Farrer, Hampton, Vic

SINKING FEELING

I recently booked a sailing day out at Airlie Beach, Queensland. But after leaving port on the yacht I was told that the mainsail had burst two days ago. So no sailing, no offer of an alternative and no refund. My complaints to both the booking office and Whitsunday Tourism were ignored.

No wonder Australians don't holiday in Australia.

David Farrell, Erskineville, NSW

BEAN THERE, DONE THAT

Johnny Pace (Traveller letters, July 10-11) believes overpriced coffee at Baiyuan Airport in Guangzhou represents a fraudulent and shameful (un)welcome to the new China.

Be reminded that buyers should beware. Common sense dictates a purchaser should ask the price before ordering. If you cannot afford the only coffee around, don't order it, it's too late to refuse any food or drink once it has been prepared and delivered.

My forebears from southern China would have just paid the local price, had the coffee and left with grace and civility. Let's hope China doesn't think your behaviour reflects Australian attitudes.

Joseph Ting, Carina, QLD

I'm sure that Johnny Pace will agree that Guangzhou isn't the only airport in the worth that charges well over-the-odds at food and drinks outlets. Nobody forced him to buy food and drinks there and – let's be honest here – a "wait of nearly four hours" isn't really that long.

Stay home, put the kettle on, and have a Toblerone in front of the telly watching a travel documentary and you'll probably have a much better time.

Lachlan Burnet, Dee Why, NSW

We too found ourselves in Baiyun airport, Guangzhou, and desperate for a coffee. Johnny got off lightly. At the time it was $22 each for their approximation of a cappuccino. Complaining about a $22 cappuccino, the lady indignantly said to me it was nothing like $22. It was $15, but of course she meant US dollars.

We've just come back from Italy where the going rate for a (standing) capp is one euro – amazingly good value for the planet's best.

Drew Seitam, Sydney , NSW

SOB STORY

As our descent to Sydney began a small child started to cry and didn't really stop until we landed. Were fellow passengers annoyed? No. They were very understanding and sympathetic. Well done those on VA845 last Saturday. His mother even managed to prompt him to say "sorry".

Elisabeth Hawkins, Normanhurst, NSW

BALTIC OF APPROVAL

We recently spent two days in St Petersburg as part a Baltic cruise on the Viking Star. Together with our two travelling companions we decided to maximise our stay in a city with so much to see by arranging a private tour. The Russian company we chose, Red October, was very efficient, promptly providing all the necessary paperwork including the documents needed to negotiate the Russian portside customs, which turned out to be a breeze despite the dire warnings of previous travellers.

We had a very knowledgeable guide and a very capable driver and we had preferential entry into all of the major attractions like the Hermitage, Catherine's Palace and Peterhof.

A small group tour is little more expensive but well worth it for what for most of us is a once in a lifetime visit.

Ken Baumber, Korora NSW

WE WELCOME YOUR TRAVEL-RELATED OPINIONS AND EXPERIENCES

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