Travel Briefs

December 2010 issue

Dengfeng sights

The Historic Monuments of Dengfeng, China, were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in August 2010, and now — to protect the buildings from damage caused by excess carbon dioxide, incense smoke and humidity levels — the government plans to restrict the number of tourists during peak travel times, according to China Daily.

The cluster of 11 monuments in the Songshan Mountains includes the Shaolin Monastery, Three Han Que Gates and the Observatory.

December 2010 issue

Azerbaijan entry visa

Azerbaijan has ceased providing transit and short-stay single-entry visas (for up to 30 days) to visitors. (There are exceptions for diplomatic and official visitors.) Travelers entering at Heydar Aliyeve International Airport in Baku must obtain a transit visa in advance through an Azerbaijan embassy or consulate.

December 2010 issue

Beerseum in England

The National Brewery Centre (Horninglow St.; phone 01283 532 880, national brewerycentre.co.uk.), an interactive museum and visitor center showcasing England’s brewing heritage, opened Sept. 21 in Burton upon Trent in Staffordshire.

Visitors will see hundreds of exhibits, rare artifacts and multimedia presentations plus the brewing process and, of course, may sample beers. Open 10-6 daily except Christmas. £8.50 ($13.40) adult, including tour and four beer samples.

March 2011 issue

Antwerp history museum

In the Eilandje district of Antwerp, Belgium, Museum Aan de Stroom (MAS), or Museum on the River (Hanzestedenplaats 1, Antwerp; phone +32 3 338 44 34), will open May 17.

The new home for the collections of the Ethnographic Museum, the National Shipping Museum and the Folklore Museum, it will have exhibits showcasing the port city’s relationship throughout history to the rest of the world. (An information point is currently open.)

March 2011 issue

Outback quad biking

Ride a four-wheel motorbike on bush tracks and dry riverbeds of the Outback at Undoolya Station, the Northern Territory’s oldest cattle ranch, 17 kilometers east of Alice Springs.

All bikes are fully automatic and easy to ride, with no license required. Year-round, a 3½-hour rental costs AUD195 (near $197) and includes hotel transfers, water, quad bike training and a two-hour adventure.

Outback Quad Adventures (P.O. Box 2733, Alice Springs, N.T. 0871, Australia; phone [08] 8953 0697 [int’l +61 8 8953 0697], fax 8953 5408).

December 2010 issue

United/Continental

United Airlines and Continental Airlines will be using a new logo after the merger of the two airlines in early 2011. The logo will incorporate the name “United” and Continental’s globe image.

The airlines’ frequent-flyer programs are set to merge in 2011 as well, but the joining of the companies’ reservation systems and websites will be delayed until 2012.

December 2010 issue

Asian Winter Games

The 2011 Asian Winter Games will be held in Almaty and Astana, Kazakhstan, Jan. 30-Feb. 6, hosting 2,500 athletes from 32 countries plus 10,000 visitors. Events include alpine and cross-country skiing, speed skating, figure skating and ice hockey. Visit www.astana-almaty2011.kz.

March 2011 issue

London Sightseeing Pass

Holders of the London Sightseeing Pass — giving access to more than 55 attractions, including Kew Gardens, Churchill’s War Rooms and City Cruises’ Thames River Cruise — can “skip the queue” at busy sites. Add the travel option (only if purchased online) and ride the Tube and buses free.

A one-day London Pass costs £40 (near $54) adult or £27 child (5-15); a one-day pass with travel costs £48 adult, £29 child. A six-day adult pass costs £90 or, with travel, £137. Two- and three-day passes available. 120-page guidebook included.

For online purchases, shipping to the US costs £5...

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