Travel Briefs

October 2008 issue

Mobility aid for EU travelers

As of July 26, 2008, under guidelines set by the European Union’s Equality & Human Rights Commission, or EHRC (in England, phone 0845 604 6610, www.equalityhumanrights.com), mobility-impaired or otherwise disabled passengers who are citizens of EU countries and travel by air to, from or within the EU have greater rights to access and assistance.

If they request assistance, either directly or through tour operators or travel agents, then airports and airlines must accommodate their needs, from arrival at the airport through check-in, getting on and off the plane and leaving the...

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June 2009 issue

Hong Kong light show

In Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbor, on every night with good weather there is a light show involving 44 of the city’s waterfront skyscrapers. The 14-minute “A Symphony of Lights” starts at 8 p.m. and uses orchestrated lasers and lights set to music.

Good places to view the show (and where there is narration in English on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays) include sightseeing ferries and the “Avenue of the Stars” on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront. It also can be viewed at the waterfront outside Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai.

Contact the Hong Kong Tourism Board (2nd Floor, East...

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April 2009 issue

Royal greenhouses, Belgium

In Laeken, a 15-minute drive from Brussels, the Royal Greenhouses (61 Domaine Royal, Avenue du Parc Royal, 1020 Brussels, Belgium) open to the public for three weeks every year, as the flowers are in full bloom. The tallest of the towering glass structures is large enough to contain full-grown palm trees.

In 2009 they are open April 17-May 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 1-4 p.m. and 8-10 p.m. Friday and 9:30-4 and 8-10 Saturday and Sunday. Entry, €2.50.

Contact the Brussels tourism office (phone + 32 0 70 221 021, www.bruxelles-tourisme.be).

February 2009 issue

Haydn in Austria

2009 is the 200th anniversary of the death of composer Joseph Haydn, and his home province of Burgenland, Austria, is holding dozens of concerts in Esterházy Palace in Eisenstadt plus special programs, many free.

“Storm and Stress” concerts, June 18-21, focus on pieces written 1768-1772; day tickets, €15-€59 (near $19-$74). Variations of the piece “The Seven Last Worlds of Our Savior on the Cross” will be performed Aug. 13-14 (€15-€26). “Haydn Days” features music composed in London and Paris, Sept. 9-27 (€15-€59).

For a complete listing, contact Haydn Festival (Esterházy...

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October 2008 issue

Antarctic Dream

Adventure Life Voyages (Missoula, MT; 800/344-6118, www.alvoyages.com), an eco-based adventure travel company, is offering 11-day/10-night Antarctic expedition cruises aboard the Antarctic Dream through February 2009. The 78-passenger vessel provides passengers hands-on access to wildlife, glaciers and icebergs typically unreachable by larger ships.

Embarking and debarking in Us­huaia, passengers will visit the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Pricing starts at $6,450 per person, double, plus a fuel surcharge of $400 per person.

January 2008 issue

Schiphol smoke-free

As of Jan. 1, 2008, there is no smoking allowed in any public area of Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. This includes bars, cafés, restaurants, airline lounges and passageways to/from the parking area. There will not even be any “substitute smoking facilities for passengers.”

February 2009 issue

Special Needs at Sea

For travelers with special requirements to accommodate their handicaps, Special Needs at Sea (2860 West State Rd. 84, Ste. 107, Dania Beach, FL 33312; 800/513-4515, www.specialneedsatsea.com) provides equipment to rent or buy, including mobility aides, patient lifts, oxygen equipment, devices for the blind or deaf and even materials for companion dogs.

The company will deliver to a cruise ship or hotel room or can meet the traveler at the airport. The price includes delivery, setup, pickup and 24-hour on-call emergency assistance for any equipment problems. 

Prices are based...

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September 2008 issue

Travel­Chums

The website www.travelchum.net matches people up with like-minded travel companions. With more than 40,000 members, the site is free and offers detailed searches of users’ profiles, messaging with other users, and discussion boards.

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