Travel Briefs

December 2008 issue

Handel in Halle

Halle, Germany, birthplace of composer George Friedrich Handel, holds an annual festival honoring his works. In 2009, the 250th anniversary of his death, it takes place June 4-14. Among numerous musical events is a performance of his “Messiah” oratorio on June 5, with tickets €15-€65 (near $21-$90). 

Contact Directorship of the Handel Festival (Stiftung Händel-Haus, Große Nikolaistrasse 5, 06108 Halle, Germany; phone +49 [0] 345 500 90 222, fax 500 90 416, www.haendelfestspiele.halle.de/en).

November 2008 issue

Alitalia bankrupt

At press time, Alitalia continued to teeter on the edge of total collapse. The national airline of Italy is in bankruptcy and has been unable to find buyers to keep the airline flying much longer.

November 2015 issue

Dinosaur tracks, Australia

3,300 fossilized footprints from three species of dinosaur — an herbivorous ornithopod similar to a duck-billed dinosaur, a chicken-sized carnivore and a tyrannosaurus-type carnivore — which paleontologists have determined were created during one predatory event, have been preserved in a climate-controlled building at the Lark Quarry Conservation Park on Winton Jundah Road, southwest of Winton, Queensland, Australia.

The Dinosaur Stampede (www.dinosaurtrackways.com.au) reopened for visitors on July 3 with an extended viewing walkway and new audio exhibits. Access is by guided tour...

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October 2008 issue

Biking in Kruger

At the Lebombo and Sweni lodges in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, you can explore the park via mountain bike. A guide will lead bikers into the wilderness.

All activities are included in the rate of R8,850 (near $1,152) per night, double, at either lodge (the 2009 rate will be R9,950, or $1,295), as are all meals, all drinks except champagne, two Land Rover safaris per day, walking safaris and transfers to/from the airstrip.

Call Singita Game Reserves (based in Cape Town) in New York, NY, at 212/967-5895 or visit www.singita.com.

December 2008 issue

Passion Play, Oberammergau

In Oberammergau, Germany, the Passion Play has been reenacted every 10 years since 1633. The 41st play will be held May 15-Oct. 3, 2010, and involve over 2,000 actors, singers and musicians.

Tickets cost €49.50 ($69) to €165 ($229) and are charged a 10% booking fee unless bought in person the day of the play. Packages, which include a ticket to the play, are available: one night, €199-€575 (near $276-$798), and two nights, €275-€839 ($381-$1,164), depending on accommodation.

Contact Oberammergau und DER Reisebüro oHG, Geschäftsstelle der Passionsspiele 2010 (Eugen-Papst-Str....

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November 2008 issue

Eurail pass extras

Purchase it before the end of November 2008, and the 15-day Eurail Global Pass (good in 21 countries) will extend to 21 days and the 21-day pass will be good for a month, while the Eurail Select Pass (three countries) will be valid for six or eight days’ train travel within two months (two extra travel days). Travel can start March 1 and must be completed by May 31, 2009.

Visit www.eurail-acprail.com; www.eurail.com; www.flightcentre.com; www.octopustravel.com; www.statravel.com or www.raileurope.com (in North America) or www.rail europe.fr (outside North America).

December 2008 issue

‘In Pursuit of Caravaggio’

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571–1610) revolutionized painting in Italy with his passionate style, and his works and life are the focus of a 13-day/12-night cruise of MS Columbus, Sept. 20-Oct. 2, 2009.

The Columbus, built to carry 420 passengers, will have only 236 on this cruise, which includes Rome, Naples, “Magna Graecia” (classical-era Greek colonies) and Sicily in Italy; Valetta in Malta, and Tunis, Tunisia. There will be private concerts, lectures on art and volcanoes, and chances to see Caravaggio’s works in their original settings.

Including airfare from...

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November 2008 issue

Händel cruise with Deilmann

Marking the 250th anniversary of the death of composer Georg Friedrich Händel, a 13-night “Baroque Music Festival” cruise is being offered by Peter Deilmann Cruises (Alexandria, VA; 800/348-8287, www.deilmann-cruises.com/theme), May 21-June 3, 2009.

Enjoying on-board concerts, MS Deutschland passengers will sail from/to Hamburg and visit London, Aberdeen, Ullapool, Dublin, Cobh and Brugge.

Fares run $5,965-$16,815 per person, double, including a $125 port charge. International airfare from any of 73 North American gateways, transfers and shore excursions, including a concert...

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