Travel views: May 19 to 25, 2012 Aged 85, I am still a keen traveller, and Richard Grant's article ("Blown away by the roof of Europe," May 19) brought back wonderful memories of Chamonix. Over 60 years ago I was based at Fontainebleau Palace plotting Russian troop movements during the Cold War. My boss was Col. John Hunt (later of Everest fame) and he took me and two colleagues to join a mountain guide to what was at that time the tiny village of Chamonix, in order to climb Mont Blanc and ski back down the glacier, the Mer de Glace. We had an exhilarating climb, wearing our usual civilian winter garb with heavy leather boots and with skins attached to long wooden skis. I, too, recall being "blown away" by the views. Although Chamonix has become a large ski resort, the mountain scenery cannot change. Keith Mackenzie, by email A technical point Why do so many people feel they must attach themselves to some kind of technical device while on holiday and make such a fuss about the lack of internet connection? I fail to see the need for a computer/laptop/iPad during a holiday (except in exceptional circumstances). Never mind the football scores, Facebook or emails. What's wrong with these people? Why can they not free themselves for a few weeks to enjoy time away? To me a holiday means an escape from the mundane and a chance to have new adventures, meet new people and benefit from the experience of different cultural situations. Di Dobson, by email Montenegro: two views My wife and I have just returned from Croatia and Montenegro - one week near Dubrovnik, the other in Becici/Budva. Julia Warren's article last Saturday ("Is this the new beauty of the Balkans?") was timely and I feel the answer is a resounding "no." Croatia was delightful, but Montenegro was a huge disappointment, with Becici/ Budva being overdeveloped and covered in building sites. Much of it was scruffy and, as Julia Warren said, littered with unfinished projects. It seems as if no lessons have been learned from the Spanish and their overdeveloped resorts. The people of Montenegro are in danger of obliterating the very thing visitors want to see - their beautiful coastline. Philip Button, by email Like Julia Warren we flew with Montenegro Airlines direct from Gatwick to Tivat. We bought huge bags of sticky, sweet green figs on the steps of the airport as we waited for our onward transport. We spent 10 wonderful, sun-soaked days in Kotor, the highlight being a wedding in the magical setting of the grounds of an ancient watermill, Stari Mlini, on the shores of Kotor Bay. We travelled north to Dubrovnik, and on to the island of Hvar, before eventually flying home from Split. Montenegro is not ruined or spoilt in our view. We found it beautiful, beguiling and welcoming. Daphne Price, by email Rail luxury DS Purvis (Travel views, May 19) says the Orient-Express isn't properly luxurious because you have to share a bathroom. The idea is to step back in time to the train's heyday; the trip shouldn't be compared with a modern rail journey. When we travelled some years ago we were told what to expect. In the restaurant car in the evening the diners were all elegantly dressed and entered into the spirit of the occasion. A Chamberlain, by email My husband treated me to supper on the British Pullman for my birthday; we shared a carriage with 14 other guests (and a bathroom) and had a wonderful five-course meal travelling between Exeter and Kingswear. We were drawn back into the Thirties when train travel was done in style. It was about the ambience, the opportunity to relax and enjoy the scenery but, most importantly, about keeping these exquisite old trains alive. R Pearson, by email Here are a few of our most recent articles on which you may wish to comment: