Letters: Newfoundland Found, Inn the Hamptons

In Slovenia's Capital
I spent two years stationed at Aviano Air Base in Italy, during which time I became an adopted Slovene and Ljubljancan, so I was happy to see Robert S. Boynton's "Is Ljubljana the Next Prague?" [August]. For years, the city has been my best-kept secret. Slovenes are the friendliest of people; they take you into their homes and show you the true beauty of their country. But I was disappointed by the restaurants mentioned in the story. To eat as the locals do, leave behind the "black-clad hipsters" and head for a gostilna (neighborhood restaurant) — the Sestica, on Slovenska Cesta, which opened in 1776, is my first choice — where you can have a real Slovene meal with a cold glass of Union beer. Save the tapas for Spain and the Cuban for Miami; after all, I don't think you'll find a gostilna in Madrid.
Brendan C. Vargas
Misawa, Japan

Hamptons Haven
For more than a decade, my sister and I have spent a weekend together each summer in the Hamptons, on New York's Long Island. This year, on T&L's recommendation, we stayed at the Ivy, in Southampton [Inn of the Month, April]. The owners were lovely; the grounds, rooms, service, and food were superb; and the pool was a great bonus. In our many trips to the area, we had never before come across such high-caliber lodgings. Thanks for finding this gem.
Dawn Gorski
Greenwich, Conn.

The Far Northeast
I read Barbara DeWitt's "On the Edge of the Earth" [August] a few days before I left on a canoeing and hiking trip in Newfoundland. She is certainly right about the unpredictability of the weather: high winds, low water, fog, and cool temperatures were the rule during my trip. Nevertheless, like her, I fell in love with the beautiful, isolated terrain and the warm, straightforward Newfoundlanders.
Diane E. Judge
Chicago, Ill.

Latte in Space
As a resident of Titusville, Florida, I found Alan Brown's account of his visit to the Kennedy Space Center [August] both interesting and humorous. It's fun to read an outsider's perspective on our town, considering that there's not much here. I'm glad he came to appreciate the KSC — it's a great American institution. And I'm sorry he never located any latte in Titusville. In fact, a shop called the Sunrise Bread Co. [2825 Garden St.; 407/268-1009] makes a good one.
Lindsay Parker
Titusville, Fla.

Reader's Find: Italy
In the Tuscan town of Chianciano Terme, my husband and I recently discovered an extraordinary spa. The decoration at Spa'Deus [39-0578/63232; doubles from $274, including treatments] may be a bit overdone, but the staff is welcoming, and the classes and treatments are excellent. Every morning before breakfast we walked in a different part of the glorious landscape, amid sunflowers and olive groves; in the evenings we visited the surrounding hill towns. We loved Pienza and Bagno Vignoni and Montepulciano. Not only did we lose weight, but our minds were fed — the perfect holiday.
Constance Spahn
New York, N.Y

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