Travel Briefs

December 2009 issue

Catacombs closed

The Paris catacombs are closed indefinitely because of damage caused by vandals in September.

Visited by over 200,000 people each year, the catacombs are part of a large network of underground tunnels which are stacked with human bones. Photos of the damage showed skulls and bones scattered along the walkways. 

September 2010 issue

KeyToss info access

KeyToss is a free, Web-based portal application that allows smartphone users to easily search the Internet for information (news, weather, stock quotes, etc.) 

For travelers, the app includes such tools as a 15-language translator, a flight-status finder and access to the Hotels.com database of more than 85,000 hotels worldwide with which travelers can search for available rooms and make reservations. (For example, a search for “Cairo, Egypt,” turned up 22 available rooms, showing prices, hotel names, addresses and map locations; a link can be clicked for “more details.”)

August 2010 issue

Lighthouse stay

Wicklow Head Lighthouse, by the Irish Sea about an hour’s drive south of Dublin airport, was built in 1781. The interior of the 95-foot-tall stone tower was remodeled by the Irish Landmark Trust (25 Eustace St., Temple Bar, Dublin 2, 50 Bedford St., Belfast, BT2 7FW, Northern Ireland; phone +353 [0] 1 670 4733) and now contains six octagonal rooms and a kitchen.

The cost for one week’s stay in high season is €1,575 (near $1,925) and in low, €1,260. A midweek stay, arriving Monday and leaving Friday, costs €652 ($800). 

April 2008 issue

Hilton HHonors ups ante

The Hilton Family of Hotels (800/446-6677, www.HiltonHHonors.com) announced on Feb. 1, 2008, “No Blackout Dates” for all members of its HHonors guest reward program. At more than 2,900 hotels worldwide, as long as a standard room is available, members will be able to confirm that room using their HHonors points.

No additional points are required to avoid blackout dates. Also, guests can earn both Points & Miles® for the same stay. Membership in HHonors is free.

November 2009 issue

Family Cuba visits

Although the general travel ban against visiting Cuba continues for all American citizens, in September the US government eased some of its restrictions. 

Americans who wish to visit family members in Cuba no longer will be restricted to one trip a year but may visit as often and as long as they like. Americans now can send unlimited amounts of cash to relatives on the island and when traveling can carry more personal baggage and certain electronic items.

February 2008 issue

Drivers on cells in UK

British laws passed in 2003 ban holding and using a cell phone while driving in the United Kingdom. In December 2007 the penalties were increased.

Drivers used to receive an automatic fine and have points removed from their driver’s license when caught. Now they face up to a 2-year sentence and an unlimited fine.

The ban does not cover using hands-free phones, but drivers still can be charged if police think they are not in control of their vehicle.

July 2010 issue

Uganda falls dammed

Uganda’s Bujagali Falls, which flow from Lake Victoria, are famous for white-water rafting and bird-watching. Sometimes referred to as “the source of the Nile,” the falls will close to the public in January 2011, when dam construction for the Bujagali Power Station is expected to be completed.

December 2009 issue

Transportation museum

The Technik Museum Sins­heim (Museums­platz, D-74889, Sinsheim, Germany; phone +49 [0] 7261 9299 0, fax 1391 6, www.museum-sinsheim.de) in Sinsheim exhibits over 300 classic cars, 200 motorcycles, 60 aircraft, 20 locomotives and 40 racing cars, not to mention the first Air France Concorde and a large Formula 1 exhibition.

€18 (near $27) adult. An IMAX theater screens transportation-related films (€10). Open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9-8 Saturday-Sunday. A two-hour tour in English costs €80 ($111); book at least 14 days ahead.