I've just spent six weeks in Europe staying in a variety of accommodation from hostels to four-star hotels. And not in one of them was I asked for a pre-authorisation on my credit card or a cash bond amount. Something I have never experienced in Australia – when I stay in Australia I always add an extra $200 on to accommodation expenses for this purpose. And they wonder why people won't travel locally! My accommodation was a mix of pre-paid or just booked, either through a third party or direct with the hotel, and for one of them I even paid cash and they didn't even ask for my credit card details. The Australian hotel industry could learn a lot from Europe – and I haven't even got to Wi-Fi yet. I travelled for six weeks and didn't pay once for Wi-Fi. And only had one hotel where Wi-Fi wasn't available in room, but was still free in the public areas.

Jen Cutler, Goulburn, NSW

LETTER OF THE WEEK

In Cambodia last month, we always ate at restaurants run by NGOs as hospitality training centres for young people who have experienced a lifestyle we in Australia can't imagine. We wholeheartedly recommend restaurants Le Lotus Blanc (a must) and Romdeng in Phnom Penh, both easily accessible by tuk tuk, as well as the well-known Friends, and cafe Sugar 'n Spice near the waterfront. In Siem Reap, visit Marum for exquisite Khmer cuisines. Bookings are recommended and outside tables are best. You'll enjoy quality food and service but more importantly, you'll be helping these wonderful young people.

Kate Bromley, Wahroonga, NSW

THAT'S THE SPIRIT

We recently travelled on their ship from Devonport and got caught up in the delays caused from the accident to the Spirit and wharf in Melbourne due to strong winds. Though our trip time was nearly doubled everyone knew the staff were doing their best. They were extremely professional and friendly in trying circumstances having worked many extra hours. As well as serving breakfast and straight onto a full buffet lunch for all on board the captain kept us up to date with the repairs on the Melbourne side and our estimated time of arrival. Like most passengers we made the best of it and quite enjoyed the cruising and dining experience.

Mary Yule, Forster, NSW

THE SLOW LANE

Our family of six joined the growing queue at the Singapore Airlines check-in at Sydney Airport at 9am on December 8. Out of the 20 or so counters available, only three were staffed, and the people staffing them seemed oblivious to the large, agitated crowd that was growing by the minute in front of them. After moving along slower than a snail's pace, we were finally through in just under two hours. On the return leg, at the Singapore Airlines check-in at New Delhi Airport,  there were also 20 counters, but there were 20 smiling faces getting the job done. Total time to get through: 20 minutes. Yes I'd rather live in Australia, but seriously, why isn't someone paying attention to this recurring theme?

John VanderJagt, Waterfall, NSW

POLES APART

On returning from my Three Capes Walk in Tasmania I neglected to properly secure my hiking poles to my rucksack and didn't realise until back on the South Coast that they were missing. Fearing there would be little chance of recovery I still went ahead and contacted the Jetstar lost luggage helpline. Within an hour they called back to say they had located them in Hobart and were flying them back to Sydney. By that night they had been delivered to my sister's address in Sydney. For me that rates Jetstar Customer Service A1!

Joe Nethery, Vincentia, NSW

LESSONS LEARNT

It is mandatory for all German schoolchildren to visit a concentration camp as part of their education, whether this is comfortable for them or not (Horror to Humanity, January 23-24). Yes, it is uncomfortable to face man's inhumanity, but it is this uncomfortableness that makes us realise that we need to learn, so we can speak out and educate, in the hope that these atrocities never happen again. When visiting the Cu-Chi tunnels an American veteran among the touring Australians was given a heartfelt apology from the tunnel guide (presumably a former Vietcong) when he was explaining the use of booby traps and how they performed their deadly work. Once we see these atrocities first hand, we can't choose to pretend they never happened.

Jill Phillips, Ettalong Beach, NSW

THE SECRET'S OUT

I normally enjoy Ute Junker's articles (Europe's best-kept secret, January 23-24), especially about places I have not been to. However, I found her statement about Poland bring largely undiscovered but for the most intrepid travellers to be slightly ridiculous. While I am admittedly of Polish descent and principally travelled there because of that connection, I know many people who have been there, some more than once, friends and family from Australia and also from England. None of them would describe themselves as intrepid.

Also it's worth mentioning that Auschwitz is the German name for the Polish town Oswiecim.

Barb Gale, Thornbury, Vic