Travel Briefs

January 2012 issue

Visit a volcano in DR Congo

In November, Virunga National Park (phone +243 991715401) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo began offering escorted, overnight trips to observe a newly forming volcano erupting. Travelers hike three to four hours over treacherous, muddy jungle trails to a site (chosen by volcanologists from Goma) within 400 meters of the lava spurting from the black mound. The eruption may continue for months or just weeks.

The trek is dangerous due to natural hazards, mountain gorillas, other wildlife and armed gangs in the park. A guide and four armed guards escort each group of visitors....

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August 2004 issue

Royal Opera tickets

Some of the best seats at London’s Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, will cost just £10 (near $18.40) for the 2004-2005 season, thanks to a sponsorship deal with Travelex. One hundred top-price stalls and stalls circle tickets will be made available every Monday, 1½ hours before a performance. In some cases, this will mean a saving of up to £165 on the price of a ticket.

For those not able to take advantage of this offer, at least half the tickets for every performance of the Royal Opera and Royal Ballet will cost £50 or less, and the average ticket price for the ballet has been...

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November 2010 issue

Cruise West closes

Cruise West (Seattle, WA), a USTOA member, ceased operations on Sept. 18, canceling all cruises in 2010 and beyond. Their partner, Canodros (www.canodros.com), which operates the Galapagos Explorer II, is working on alternatives for passengers booked in the Galápagos in 2011.

For passengers booked on Cruise West cruises who have not yet traveled, steps to take are shown at www.cruisewest.com.

July 2012 issue

Macau fireworks

The 24th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest will take place in the sea in front of the convention center Macau Tower, Sept. 8, 15, 22 & 29 and Oct. 1, 2012. Each night, two teams from various countries will present a fireworks show for spectators. For info, contact the Macau Government Tourist Office (501 Fifth Ave., Ste. 303, New York, NY 10017; 646/366-8162).

July 2007 issue

Naypyi­daw’s debut

Naypyidaw, the new capital city of Myanmar that was built at the behest of the military ruling party, was opened to journalists for an Armed Forces Day parade in March.

Two years of construction have produced a military complex plus ministry buildings, hotels and apartment blocks for government workers. Employees who have been forced to relocate to the new city, about 300 miles north of the old capital, Rangoon, have complained about the lack of stores and restaurants.

August 2004 issue

Shark Bay/Monkey Mia

Monkey Mia in Western Australia is known as the place where dolphins approach the shore to fraternize with the crowds, but there are other attractions in the area.

A few miles south is Shell Beach, comprised of billions of crushed shells. And farther along is Hamelin Pool, where hypersalinization (it’s twice as salty as seawater) has contributed to the formation of strange, domed stromatolites; they are known as “living fossils” because these cyanobacteria formations are probably as old as any form of life on Earth.

Denham, the main town in the region, has a number of...

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August 2004 issue

Insect-repellent clothing

Among new products in Magellan’s summer 2004 travel supplies catalog is “Buzz Off” Insect Shield clothing. It repels mosquitoes, ticks and other biting insects without lotion or spray; offers 30+ SPF sun protection, and wicks moisture away from skin for comfort. The protectant lasts through 25 or more machine washings.

Contact Magellan’s, 110 W. Sola St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101-3007; call 800/962-4943 or visit www.magellans.com.

July 2012 issue

Inhotim garden and art in Brazil hills

In southeastern Brazil’s Minas Gerais state, the botanic garden and art gallery Centro de Arte Contemporânea Inhotim (Rua B, 20, Inhotim, Brumadinho, MG, Brazil 35460-000; phone +55 31 3571 9700) spans 5,000 acres and offers two dozen art pavilions with contemporary art by Brazilian and international artists.

Admission is free on Tuesday, BRL20 ($10) Wed.-Thurs. and BRL28 ($14) Fri.-Sun. Extra, a BRL10 pass gives use of hop-on/hop-off electric vehicles driven by staff between three stops in the park.

For BRL25 ($12.59) round trip, a direct bus leaves Belo Horizonte at 9:15 a....

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