Travel Briefs

November 2008 issue

TourCrafters’ Paris

TourCrafters (Libertyville, IL; 800/482-5995, www.tourcrafters.com) has a 5-day/4-night “Paris City Break” package from $575 per person, double, out of New York.

Valid Nov. 1-March 31, 2009 (except second half of December), and subject to availability, it includes airfare, hotel, buffet breakfasts, service charges and taxes but excludes airport taxes of $112 and fuel surcharges. Restrictions apply.

March 2015 issue

Bachfest in Germany

In 2015, Leipzig, Germany, will host its annual Bachfest, June 12-21. Its focus will be Leipzig’s millennium, as the city was founded in 1015. 

Among hundreds of concerts and events in dozens of locations, a symphony opens in the Nikolaikirche, and there are outdoor concerts in the Market Square.

Information and downloadable programs can be found at www.bach-leipzig.de/en/bachfest. Purchase tickets online or through ticket sellers in Europe. Ticket prices for various events run €2-€102 (near $3-$114). Some events are free.

August 2015 issue

Ultra Fast-Dry Towel

The Ultra Fast-Dry Towel is lightweight and absorbent, dries up to three times faster than a cotton towel and is treated with an antimicrobial solution that reduces foul smells. 

Available in 16 colors, it comes in four sizes: large (58 by 34 inches and weighing 9 ounces, $34.95), medium (34"x28", $24.95), small (28"x16", $19.95) and extra-small (13"x10", $12.95). Shipping/handling cost is extra (example — $8.13 on an extra-small towel shipped to Miami).

Contact Discovery Trekking Outfitters (Campbell River, B.C., Canada; 877/551-6577 or 250/286-6577, www.discoverytrekking....

CONTINUE READING »
October 2008 issue

Norwegian Cruise Line flight hotline

Norwegian Cruise Line (866/234-7350, www.ncl.com) now has a hotline for their guests to call if they are aware of a flight delay before arriving at the airport en route to their cruise.

If the guests are already at the airport, they should rebook through the airline, specifying they are meeting a cruise ship, then call the hotline to alert NCL of the changed itinerary. 

The hotline is 800/456-7179 (toll-free) within the U.S. and Canada or 305/468-2029 internationally. The hotline can assist in rebooking hotel packages.

December 2008 issue

VAT refunds in Colombia

Travelers to Colombia now can request a refund of the VAT (Value Added Tax) added to purchases of the following items: clothing, shoes, leather goods, toys, CDs, food for human consumption, liquor, perfumes, crafts, jewelry and handmade Colombian emerald jewelry.

A visitor needs proof of his nationality and receipts in hand to process the application at a National Directorate of Taxes & Customs (DIAN) office in an international airport. Refunds are paid to the credit card used for purchase and should be posted within 90 days.

December 2008 issue

Save in Lisbon

The Lisboa Card allows free unlimited travel in Lisbon, Portugal, on Carris buses, trolleys and funiculars, the metro and the CP train lines Rossio-Sintra-Oriente and Cais do Sodré-Cascais. Cardholders also receive free admission at 25 museums and historic buildings plus 10%-50% discounts at some 40 restaurants and shops.

Available at many locations, including rail stations and the Lisbon airport, the card comes in one-, 2- and 3-day increments and costs €15-€32 (near $20-$43) adult or €8-€16 ($11-$21) child. Phone +351 218 4 50 660, www.askmelisboa.com.

November 2008 issue

Lonely Planet on Nokia

People with phones that run Nokia Maps now can download Lonely Planet guides directly to their phone.

From inside Nokia Maps 2.0, select “Extras,” “Guides” and then “Download more Guides” to browse the catalog of city guides. If you’re already in your target country, local guides will appear in the list. If not, click on “Options” and “More Destinations” to browse the 56 countries for which guides are available.

Example — the Berlin guide includes the locations of embassies and consulates as well as 46 eateries, 59 hotels, 34 shops and 44 sights. These points of interest can...

CONTINUE READING »
June 2015 issue

Extra passport pages nixed

In late March, the US Department of State announced that, as of Dec. 31, 2015, it no longer will add additional pages to existing passports. Instead, travelers who need more blank pages will have to renew their passports. (No other country allows visa pages to be added to passports.) Currently, the standard passport has 28 pages, 18 of them blank, though travelers may opt for a passport with 52 pages, 43 of them blank. Reportedly, starting next year, the standard passport book will contain 52 pages, but travelers may opt for the smaller, 28-page passport at the same cost. Travelers who...

CONTINUE READING »