Travel Briefs

July 2004 issue

Royal Oak Foundation

The Royal Oak Foundation is the American membership affiliate of Britain’s National Trust. The National Trust owns and operates over 200 historic houses, gardens, castles and sites in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Royal Oak members enter these properties free of charge, saving on admission fees. The Royal Oak membership card is also honored at over 100 properties of the National Trust for Scotland.

Royal Oak individual and family memberships cost $50 and $75, respectively, and are tax-deductible. Members receive the “National Trust Handbook” (with visiting hours and...

CONTINUE READING »
June 2004 issue

Chimps in the wild

At Kibaale National Park in western Uganda, near the municipality of Fort Portal, visitors can join a guided trip to observe chimpanzees in the wild. For groups of, currently, not more than four members per day, the primates’ denesting in the morning and the nesting in the late afternoon can be observed at close quarters.

The special guided trip commences at 5:00 in the morning and ends as late as 9 at night, offering complete insight into the primates’ behavior from daybreak until nightfall.

The cost per day is $125 per person, with food and extras excluded. A 5-day venture...

CONTINUE READING »
July 2004 issue

Hampton Court Palace gardens

Hampton Court Palace, the former home of King Henry VIII, has a new permanent gardens exhibition. Situated off the East Front Gardens, it shows how the palace gardens evolved from the early 16th century up to the present day.

On Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 26, 2004, costumed interpreters dressed as courtiers in the days when William III and Mary II were in residence will lead 30-minute tours of the East and South Front gardens.

Contact Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9AV, England; phone +44 (0) 870 752 7777.

March 2012 issue

Solar eclipse over Australia

If weather cooperates, it will be possible to view a total eclipse of the sun on Nov. 14, 2012, from land locations in Queensland, Australia, including beaches around Cairns (anywhere between Cooktown and Innisfail) and areas of the Great Barrier Reef. For a detailed map, visit http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov. A festival and other events are planned. For info, visit www.destinationqueensland.com/eclipse or www.eclipse2012.org or contact Tourism Australia (6100 Center Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90045; 310/695-3200). Cruise lines will have ships in the area as well.

August 2012 issue

Big Ben’s tower renamed

In honor of Queen Elizabeth II — on the occasion of her 60th year since ascending to the throne — the tower in London’s Palace of Westminster that houses Big Ben (which is the name of the Great Bell inside the 4-faced clock atop the Clock Tower) has been renamed the Elizabeth Tower by the House of Commons.

March 2004 issue

Tower of London salutes

A number of parades, salutes and rituals are coming up in which traditional ceremonies will be held at the Tower of London. April 21 — at 1 p.m. a 62-gun salute for HM The Queen’s birthday. June 2 — at 1 p.m. a 62-gun salute for the anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. June 10 — at 1 p.m. a 62-gun salute for HRH Prince Philip’s birthday. June 4 — at 1 p.m. a 62-gun salute for HM The Queen’s official birthday.

August 2004 issue

Golf hotels in Britain

The hotel group Best Western has a website that features hotels around Britain with excellent golfing facilities. Tee times can be arranged online. Visit www.bestwestern.co.uk/hotelsforgolf or phone 0845 6340 559.

November 2010 issue

Cruising guide

With reviews of 285 ships, the “Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships - 2011” by Douglas Ward (www.berlitzbooks.com — 688 pp., £16.99 [near $29]) compares lines’ cabin facilities, food and service; reveals common ripoffs (such as hidden gratuities and overpriced bridge tours); offers tips on value; covers specialty cruises, and more.