Travel Briefs | International Travel News

August 2014 issue

A brighter Taj Mahal

Sections of the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, northern India, will undergo a mud-pack treatment in an effort to reverse pollution damage that is yellowing the white marble building. Authorities began discussing this in June, with no starting date set yet.

Affected portions of the Taj Mahal will be covered in lime-rich clay overnight. The clay will be removed with soft nylon brushes and distilled water, hopefully taking stains and grime along with it. The process will be done one section at a time over six months in order to maintain the building’s appearance for visitors.

June 2010 issue

TaxBack in Mexico

With locations in nine Mexico airports, TaxBack (www.taxback.com.mx) refunds travelers’ value-added tax (VAT) for purchases made in stores displaying the orange TaxBack sticker. A visitor must spend at least MXN1,200 (near $90) to get a refund, filling out a form and providing the shopping receipts.

For refunds of MXN10,000 ($740) or less, up to 50% can be given in cash, with the rest electronically transferred to a debit or credit card account after 40 days. Refunds of more than MXN10,000 are entirely electronic.

April 2010 issue

Pottery, Shigaraki

Shigaraki, 27 miles southeast of Kyoto, is one of six medieval pottery centers in Japan. The Shigaraki Art Festival, Oct. 1-Nov. 23, 2010, will display ceramic designs by avant-garde artists plus centuries-old pottery.

During the festival, the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park (2188-7 Shigarakicho-Chokushi, Koka City, Shiga Pref. 529-1804, Japan; phone +81 748 83 0909) will exhibit contemporary and ancient pottery. Open 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. ¥700 ($7.75).

Running Sept. 4-Dec. 12, “Ceramics of Medieval Japan” will be at the Miho Museum (300, Momodani, Shigaraki, Shiga 529-1814, Japan...

May 2013 issue

Snow park in China

In China’s Heilongjiang Province, 800 miles northeast of Beijing, the Ice & Snow World Theme Park is open every year from late December through February in the capital, Harbin. It features ice carvings and sculptures by artists from around the world. Among structures built from ice and/or snow for 2012-2013 were a 157-foot-high palace, an ice maze, an ice hotel and an ice bar.

Visitors also can enjoy rock (ice) climbing, skating, skiing, ice golf and ice archery. At night, multicolored lights illuminate the park.

Open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. In 2012 the park opened on Dec 24. The...

November 2012 issue

Vietnam War bunker

In 2011, workers laying the foundation for a new bar near the pool at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi (15 Ngo Quyen St., Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam; phone +84 4 3826 6919) broke into a 50-year-old air-raid shelter.

Hotel guests can take a free guided tour of the bunker, offered daily at 5 p.m. Among the residents of the bunker during the Vietnam War were an Australian diplomat, Jane Fonda and Joan Baez.

Nightly hotel rates run from $225 double to $580 Prestige Suite to $1,660 Grand Luxury Room.

December 2013 issue

PACforKids.com

The website www.PACforKids.com, run by a nonprofit organization, provides details for travelers who want to take gifts or financial support to children in developing countries. The site includes sections on what to give and what not to give plus tips on locating appropriate recipients. It also lists a few other websites helpful to those wishing to give charitably when traveling.

April 2013 issue

2014 Sochi Olympics

All tickets for the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, Feb. 7-23, 2014, are being sold online through CoSport; only Visa cards are accepted for payment.

CoSport began accepting “Expressions of Interest” applications for tickets Dec. 14, 2012, and tickets went on sale Feb. 11, 2013. At press time, individual event tickets were no longer for sale, though more may be released. Still available are ticket/hotel packages.

Example — a 3-day/2-night “Flex” package, including hotel, breakfasts, a single-entry pass to CoSport’s Hospitality Center and two Olympic event tickets “self...

November 2013 issue

Tomatina festival fee

Forced by budget restraints, the town of Buñol, Spain, will charge an entry fee for tourists wishing to take part in the annual “La Tomatina” tomato-throwing contest, held the last Wednesday of August. The fee is €10 (near $13.50). Local residents still can participate for free.