Travel Briefs

June 2010 issue

Stamps of Macau

At the Macau Communications Museum (Estrada S. Maria II No. 7, Macau SAR, China; phone +853 2871 8570), more than 100 years of stamps are on display, many relating to the city’s history.

The museum is open 9:30-5:30 Tuesday-Sunday. MOP10 ($1.25) adult, MOP5 child or senior.

February 2010 issue

In honor of Robert Schumann’s 200th birthday, a concert will take place at Schumann-Haus (Inselstraße-18, 04103, Leipzig, Germany; phone 0341 393 96 20, fax 96 22, www.schumann-verein.de [in German]) on June 8, 2010. Ticket, €12 ($18).

• Schumann-Haus, the 16-year residence of Robert and Clara Schumann, has exhibits on their lives and work. Open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday. €3 ($4.50) adult.

• The Robert Schumann Festival will be held in Düsseldorf, Germany, May 28-June 14, featuring 10 performances of the composer’s works. Tickets run €15-€140 ($23-$211), depending on...

March 2010 issue

St. Paul’s Cathedral

The London landmark St. Paul’s Cathedral (phone 020 7246 8357) turns 300 years old this year. Construction of the Anglican cathedral, designed by architect Sir Christopher Wren, began in 1675 and took 35 years.

Its restoration and cleaning of the stone interior has just been completed after four years at a cost of $64 million. One grimy slab of stone near the west entrance was left untouched. Open to sightseers 8:30-4, Monday-Saturday. £12.50 adult, £11.50 senior.

February 2014 issue

Handmade in Hong Kong

“Hand Made in Hong Kong,” a day tour exploring traditional manufacturing, is available through HS Travel (phone +852 3759 7022).

By tram, ferry and on foot, participants will visit the workshops of Hong Kong’s master craftspeople, from shoemakers to sign makers and tailors, then go on a trip to the Ladies Market in Mong Kok.

Breakfast and lunch are included in the 8-hour tour, which costs HK850 (near $110) and departs Tues., Wed. and Thurs. at 9:15 a.m.

May 2010 issue

Accessible-hotel hunt

Hotel rooms with amenities for mobility-impaired travelers can be found online using new tools added to the websites Expedia.com and Hotels.com.

On each website, after the initial search for date and city choices is performed, a drop-down menu is available (on top right of page on Expedia and on right side of page on Hotels.com) showing options such as Braille signage, roll-in shower or accessible bathroom. Choices are then narrowed to hotels with those features, which can be requested on the booking form.

April 2010 issue

Camões Garden, Macau

The 18th-century Camões Garden is a public park on the northwestern waterfront in Macau. The Portuguese owner of the garden built a grotto around a bust of the Portuguese national poet, Luís de Camões. Among walkways and flowering trees, other attractions include a Chinese pavilion and a fountain sculpture symbolizing China’s relationship with Portugal. Open 6 a.m.-10 p.m.

January 2014 issue

Chariot races in Jordan

In the restored hippodrome of Jerash, Jordan, reenactments of Roman battles, gladiator contests (not to the death) and chariot races are staged twice a day at the Hippodrome, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday-Thursday. JOD12 (near $17) adult and JOD2 child.

Roman Army & Chariot Experience, or RACE (Jerash Heritage Co., Ltd., P.O. Box 1074, Jerash 26111, Jordan; phone +962 2 634 2471, fax +962 2 634 2481).

February 2010 issue

Torino + Piemonte Card

The Torino + Piemonte Card offers free admission to over 160 museums, monuments, castles and royal residences in Turin and Piedmont, Italy; free travel on above-ground public transport; 10%-20% off guided tours and tourist trains, and 20% off Avis car rentals.

Covering one adult and one child under 12, the card costs €20 (near $30) for two days; €25 for three; €31, five, and €35 ($53) for seven days. A two-day pass for those under 18 costs €10 ($15).

It can be purchased at any of the three offices of Turismo Torino e Provincia (phone +39 011 535181), located at the Porta...