We stopped by PP Coffee in Mangwon yesterday, a small corner shop a few blocks off the Han River. James, the owner, gave us a tour of the basement, which is where he roasts his beans over charcoal, an old method that's nearly gone in Seoul.

In the same room he makes chocolate and repairs espresso machines. The coffee alone justifies the trip. The charcoal roast comes through dark and clean, with none of the scorched bitterness you'd brace for. Go early if you want a seat. It's a tiny space, and he's usually working the whole thing himself.

What to order: PP Coffee is known for nel drip, the cloth filter method, which leaves more body in the cup than paper.

Flying in 2 weeks from SFO to Nice via Frankfort. How has the E/ES been working out in Frankfort, where we switch from United to Lufthansa?

My wife and I are 80+ years old, and we want/need to "Exit" or "Cancel" our timeshares. We've struggled off/on for many years to rid ourselves of our timeshares. We've tried this with an attorney back in 1970 and they scammed us. We've tried with the Timeshare Company, but they were reluctant to help us. We heard there is a new "Law" that makes it easier to get rid of our timeshares. We do not want our kids to inherit these timeshares. Can you help guide us with the experience and knowledge you and your team have so we can be rid of our two timeshares? Thanks, in advance, for your response.🙏

It has been my experience that travel insurance companies exist to deny claims. I'm planning a 2-week trip to Costa Rica for January 2027, and it is (for me) an expensive trip. I will buy refundable airline tickets and am considering arriving a day early in case of weather delays in the U.S. I'm also considering an annual medical evacuation policy rather than paying for travel insurance that the company will probably deny any claims on. Are there any reputable travel insurance companies? Has anyone ever gotten a payout?

I have an early morning flight out of LIN in mid September. Does anyone know if passengers are experiencing processing/flight delays when departing? I have a connection in London that has not been an issue in the past but these are different times.

Invest in some merino wool long underwear. It’s attractive, lightweight, doesn’t hold odors and doesn’t take up much space in luggage.

I am concerned about a one hour layover in Iceland on our flight from Minneapolis to Berlin in late September. With the new EES rules entering the Schengen countries I am seeing on the internet that we should be allowing 2.5-3 hours for this layover. My travel agent tried, then I tried to change our flight to leave 3 hours earlier but Iceland Air wouldn’t budge on our economy tickets even with these unusual circumstances. Do you know anything about delays entering the EU countries and what recourse do we have if we miss our connection? We have hotel and other reservations we would be penalized for not canceling ahead as the next flight isn’t until the next day. Also would Iceland Air have to pay for our overnight lodging, food and transportation?

It's Friday and we're staring a new tradition on Backchannel. You can ask me anything, and I will try my best to answer. (Hat tip to Reddit for the concept.)

One of our readers booked a studio apartment in Penang, Malaysia, through Booking.com and walked into what looked like a crime scene.

My husband and I are planning to take a cruise (Oceania) in May 2028 from England to Ireland and Scotland and return to England. It's been a bit since we traveled internationally. After reading, probably too much, I am looking for clarification on taking medications on our trip. Things I've read are:

--All RX and OTC medications have to be in their original bottles/containers.

--A doctor's written script is also required for each RX.

--Any RX that may contain a controlled substance, which I haven't seen a list of anywhere, so far, must be declared when going through Customs, boarding the ship, etc.

--I've looked at the UK Embassy website but will do so many more times I'm sure to be sure I haven't missed anything. However, things are overly clear.

--What are the VISA requirements?

Our passports are currently good, but one of them will expire before the six-month window of return, so it's on the list to be renewed.

Thanks for any insights you can offer and references for us to research!

My wife and I prefer to drive on most of our European visits (with exceptions for some of the largest cities) but have started running into a problem of cross border restrictions. Recently, we rented a car in Budapest, and drove into Croatia, where we had to drop the Hungarian car (for a substantial fee) and then rent a car in Croatia so that we could drive to and stay in Montenegro. Just wondering if anyone is find some work-around (legal) that allows more cross border rental car use? In May next year I had hoped to rent a car in France, use car ferries to visit Corsica and Sardinia, then cross to Italy and drop the car there -- oops, none of that works with restrictions to the islands, etc.

This 70-year-old is taking her first trip, solo, no less, to Glasgow in January. I have a passport, I know about the ETA, otherwise, any suggestions? The flight booking, hotel, all done. Oh, and I'll be there for the Robert Burns' birthday celebrations!

If I've registered for EES on my first entry, when I enter to another country, will it take a long time again?

I am curious as to how others handle serious allergies on flights? I have a very serious allergy to cats (not as severe for dogs). When a fellow passenger is transporting a pet or another allergen is known to be present (particularly airborne), how do you handle it?

I was just on a flight with a cat across the aisle from me. The woman with the cat did her best to keep the cat calm, and she did pet it a lot. The flight was completely full. Once I realized why my eyes were itchy, I got out my rescue inhaler for easy access if needed, paged a flight attendant and asked if they could request the captain use maximum fresh air for the cabin mix. I always travel with emergency rescue inhalers and meds just in case.

I’m open to ideas and suggestions.

I have learned much from following Chris' posts and groups, picking up a gem of a tip here and there. There is a rhythmic comfort and quiet confidence in traveling knowing you having learned from others and can manage almost anything. I look forward to learning more as travel evolves, for better and for worse.

We are permanent roaming expats traveling the world and meeting amazing, kind people. Many have given us gifts of food, or invited us to celebratory and ceremonial meals like Ramadan iftar. My husband will eat anything but I don't eat meat, game, or heavily spiced food. I have not found a gracious way to turn down a plate of food that has been presented with kindness and pride. Any ideas?