Travel Briefs | International Travel News

October 2012 issue

Mayan city private stay

In Belize, the Ka’ana resort (P.O. Box 263, San Ignacio Town, Belize, Central America; phone, in US, 877/522-6221 or 305/735-2553) offers a private overnight stay for up to four guests in luxury tents at the base of a Mayan temple.

After all visitors have left, the guests will arrive at dusk for dinner cooked on a traditional Mayan stove and a tour of the site. After breakfast, the guests will take a boat to visit Mayan ruins across the lake.

The package includes transport between the resort and temple, a private tour with an archaeologist, a personal butler and a luxury tent...

March 2013 issue

Botswana brochures

The Botswana Tourism Organization has created four brochures, each showcasing a region’s attractions. They’re available in print or PDF format or on CD. In addition to maps, photos and articles about sites to visit, the 42- to 46-page guides have info about Customs, border posts, communication and national parks. Visit www.botswanatourism.us and click on “Request Literature.”

January 2013 issue

Stieg Larsson sites, Sweden

A guided tour of the real-life locations in Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy (“The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” “The Girl Who Played with Fire” and “The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest”) is available in Stockholm.

The 2-hour tour departs from the home of the main (fictional) character, Mikael Blomkvist, at Bellmansgatan 1, and ends at the Stockholm City Museum.

It is offered 11:30 a.m. Saturday, October-May, with an additional tour at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June-September. Buy tickets (120 kronor, or near $18) at the Stockholm City Museum (Ryssgården, Slussen, Sweden; phone +...

November 2012 issue

Gas prices in Europe

In Europe, fuel prices are reported to have risen more than 30% over those of 2011. Rising oil costs and additional fuel taxes applied by revenue-strapped governments are attributed as the cause. In September 2012, prices for unleaded petrol ranged from a low in Romania of (an equivalent) $1.64 per liter ($6.21 per gallon) to a high in Norway of $2.63 per liter ($9.95 per gallon). Diesel fuel ran even higher. Visit www.theaa.com and click on “Driving,” then “Latest Fuel Prices.”

July 2013 issue

Madrid Royal Guard tour

The 500-year history of Madrid’s Royal Guard is the focus of a 2-hour guided walking tour, available in Spanish and English. At the end of the tour, walkers can watch the Solemn Changing of the Royal Guard, which involves 400 troops and 100 horses.

The tour is not given in January, July, August or September or on days with official events. In other months, walkers simply meet at the Plaza Mayor Tourist Center (Plaza Mayor 27, Madrid, Spain; phone +34 91 454 44 10) at 10 a.m. on the first Wednesday. Tickets cost €5.90 (near $8).

December 2012 issue

China’s Zhangjiajie

A karst region covering over 50 square miles of Hunan province in south-central China, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is notable for its thousands of towering quartz-and-sandstone pillars (many over 650 feet tall) and dozens of stalactite-filled caves.

For info on what to see and do in the park, year-round weather conditions (snow in winter), where to stay (hotels from 2- to 5-star) and tour packages, visit www.zhangjiajietourism.us.

Most tours include park entrance fees and airport pickup. Example — a 4-day tour from Zhangjiajie International Travel Service (phone 0086 744...

April 2013 issue

Silk museum in China

In downtown Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, southeastern China, the China National Silk Museum (73-1 Jade Hill Rd., Hangzhou City; phone 0571 87 035 150) covers the development of the silk industry from ancient to modern times. Among exhibits (labeled in Chinese and English) are ancient weaving patterns, silk garments and toys. Open noon-5 p.m. Mon. and 9-5 Tues.-Sun. Admission is free.

November 2013 issue

Red Star Line Museum

The new Red Star Line Museum (Montevideostraat 3, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; phone +32 3 298 27 70), located in the historic warehouses of the shipping company in Antwerp, Belgium, opened on Sept. 28.

Mirroring the Ellis Island story, the museum brings to life the journey of more than two million people who emigrated via Antwerp to New York, amongst them iconic passengers such as Irving Berlin and Albert Einstein.

Wheelchair accessible. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m, Tues.-Fri. and 10-6 Sat. and Sun. Purchase tickets online, at the information desk of Antwerp Tourism & Congress (Grote...