Travel Briefs

October 2009 issue

Orange tossing in Ivrea

The main event at the Carnival of Ivrea (Antico Palazzo della Credenza, 10015 Ivrea, Italy; fax 0125 641521, www.carnevalediivrea.it), to be held in 2010 on Feb. 13-16, is the Battle of the Oranges in the public squares of Ivrea, 30 miles north of Turin.

The battle has its roots in people who would throw oranges along with confetti and flowers from windows above the parade. During the battle, the teams on foot represent the commoners in revolt while the teams in the carriages represent the feudal lord’s men.

January 2009 issue

Pageant in Brussels

Brussels hosts the 3-day Ommegang Pageant annually in the first week of July. Reenacting the spectacular entry of Charles V into Brussels in 1549, 1,400-plus Belgians take part. Dressed as nobles, guildsmen and jesters, they move on horseback or on foot in a procession from the Sablon to the Grand Place.

The pageant and a sound-and-light show at the Grand Place take place on two evenings (tickets required). There are also jousting tournaments at the Place du Sablon on certain afternoons (free).

Visit www.ommegang.be or contact the Belgian Tourist Office (New York, NY; 212/758...

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July 2009 issue

Vienna New Year’s

Austrian Airlines Vacation Center (800/790-4682, www.austrianair-vacations.com) is offering a 6-day/5-night “New Year’s in Vienna” package, Dec. 28, 2009-Jan. 3, 2010.

At $3,999 per person, double occupancy, it includes tickets to the preview of the New Year’s Day Concert by the Vienna Philharmonic and a performance of Strauss’ opera “Die Fledermaus,” tickets to Beethoven’s “Ninth Symphony” at the Konzerthaus, dinner at Hotel Sacher and a half-day tour in Vienna. 

It also includes round-trip economy-class air from New York or Washington, transfers, the 4-star Europa Hotel and...

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May 2009 issue

Entry fee (non) changes

ITN reported on new entry fees being imposed by Argentina (Dec. ’08, pg. 19 & Feb. ’09, pg. 83) and Costa Rica (Feb. ’09, pg. 84, with correction April ’09, pg. 76 [consulate decided not to implement fee]).

Eleanor Mayo of Dallas, Texas, wrote, “I flew into EZE at Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Feb. 15 fully prepared to pay the $134 ‘entry fee’ described in ITN and which, indeed, is authenticated on the Argentine website. However, no fees were collected from anyone on the flight. We returned to the States on Feb. 29 and had to pay only the usual departure tax of $18.”

The US...

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December 2009 issue

Eurail adds website

Eurail’s new website, www.eurailtravel.com, suggests itineraries throughout Europe focusing on culture, adventure, shopping, design, etc. Each has a map, city highlights and info on which Eurail pass will be needed. Eurail reps are listed on the “Book Now” page. 

The original www.eurail.com still lists all the Eurail passes. 

September 2010 issue

Ghana trees in UK

The stumps and roots of 10 massive trees commercially logged in rainforests of Ghana, part of the “Ghost Forest” art project, are being displayed in England until July 31, 2011, on lawns of Oxford University’s Museum of Natural History (Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PW, U.K.; phone +44 1865 272 950). Free entry.

August 2010 issue

Yorkshire Pass

The “Yorkshire Pass” is good for admission to more than 70 attractions in northern England’s Yorkshire County, including castles, museums, amusement parks, train rides, canal boats and more. 

It’s available in one-, two-, three- and six-day increments (must be used on consecutive days). A one-day pass costs £28 (near $42) adult or £18 child, and a six-day pass, £68 adult.

To have the pass shipped to you before your trip, allow at least 10 days; overseas shipping costs £3.45. Or pick up a pass on arrival at the Yorkshire Pass office (1 Museum St., York, North Yorkshire, Y01...

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April 2008 issue

Golf/cruise South Africa

Hapag-Lloyd (East Meadow, NY; 877/445-7447, www.hl-cruises.com) is offering free airfare from New York City on one of the line’s 15-day golf-and-cruise packages on the 408-passenger MS Europa.

The Nov. 25-Dec. 9, 2008, sailing from the Indian Ocean’s Mauritius to South Africa includes play on courses such as Richards Bay Country Club on the shores of Mzingazi Lake and Humewood Golf Course near Cape Town. Prices range from $11,735 to $21,510 per person, double.