Travel Briefs

October 2010 issue

Great Wall accessible

The Badaling section of the Great Wall of China was made wheelchair accessible prior to the 2008 Olympics. A 400-meter-long ramp was built. In addition, elevators are available; alert the attendant at the Badaling ticket stand for a security escort.

January 2009 issue

iPhone Frommer’s guides

Frommer’s travel guides for Paris and London are available for download on the iPhone and iPod Touch. Each point of interest can be plotted on the map relative to others, with reviews and contact information. Items like restaurants can be sorted by price, cuisine, rating or neighborhood. The guide includes suggested itineraries, with details of each stop.

At $9.99 each, the guides are available through the iPod Touch and iPhone’s built-in App Store. Once downloaded, the guides do not require an Internet connection. Visit www.frommers.com/go/mobile.

July 2009 issue

Free in Switzerland

Free sightseeing and free activities are among suggestions from Switzerland Tourism (New York, NY; 212/757-5944, www.myswitzerland.com).

• When purchasing an adult Swiss Pass, Swiss Card or Swiss Transfer Ticket, you can ask for a free Swiss Family Card, which allows children under 16 to travel for free when accompanied by at least one parent. The pass allows travel throughout the rail, bus and boat Swiss Travel System network as well as on trams and buses in 37 cities.

• For a refuge from summer heat, enjoy free entry to Bern’s swimming area Marzili (Marzilistrasse 29, Bern...

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May 2009 issue

Orient-Express in UK

Orient-Express (20 Upper Ground, London SE1 9PF, U.K.; phone +44 20 7960 0500) offers train trips and tours in England.

Example — on select dates until Oct. 21, a day trip on a British Pullman from London Victoria Station to Bath costs $650 and includes a coach tour of the city, a visit to the Roman baths and pump room and, aboard the train, brunch, champagne and dinner with wine. “Smart” day wear is appropriate — no jeans or trainers (athletic shoes).

December 2009 issue

Visit active volcano

Out of Guatemala City, there’s a popular half-day trip 30 kilometers south to Volcan Pacaya, an active volcano with trails open to the public. After a two-hour steep hike, visitors can get very close to lava flows and roast marshmallows over hot rocks.

Leaving at 6 a.m. or 2 p.m., tours with guides are recommended and are easily arranged for $15-$20 per person at hotels and travel agencies in Antigua or Guatemala City. The trailhead begins at Pacaya National Park’s visitor center in San Francisco de Sales. Park entry, about $5. Take water, snacks, flashlight (evening), long pants, a...

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September 2010 issue

Hiroshima streetcars

In Hiroshima, Japan, the one-day Streetcar Pass (unlimited rides) costs ¥600 (near $7) adult or ¥300 child; the one-day Streetcar/Ferry Pass (unlimited streetcar and ferries to/from Miyajima) costs ¥840 adult/¥420 child, and the two-day Miyajima Pass (unlimited rides on streetcars, ferries and aerial tram at Miyajima) costs ¥2,000/¥1,000.

Visitors can buy a streetcar pass at the streetcar terminal in front of JR Hiroshima Station (south side), in some hotels or on a streetcar that has a conductor.

August 2010 issue

Dickens World

In Chatham Marine, Kent, England, the indoor visitor complex Dickens World (phone 016 34 890 421, www.dickensworld.co.uk) shows Charles Dickens’ England, with streets, courtyards, dockside, shops, a school room and a themed restaurant. One of Europe’s largest themed dark boat rides transports visitors from (in a re-creation) the depths of London’s sewers through streets, courtyards, markets and shops and on a “flight” across the rooftops.

A 250-seat “theater” provides an animatronic performance during the day and a live “supper” show in the evening. 

Open 10-4:30 Tues.-Fri....

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April 2008 issue

Midway Atoll reopens

After six years’ closure, the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, over 1,100 miles WNW of Honolulu, once again is admitting visitors. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is allowing Oceanic Society, a nonprofit marine conservation organization, to offer educational tours during the months November to July.

In 2008 there are several week-long tours for groups of 16 people. $4,890 per person, double, includes the flight from Honolulu, guided natural history expeditions, bird-watching, one lagoon boat trip and unlimited beach snorkeling. Participants also can help on habitat...

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