Travel Briefs

July 2010 issue

Smoking ban in Syria

In April, Syria became the first Arab country to implement a ban on smoking in public places. Smoking is now outlawed on public transportation and in schools, cinemas, theaters, restaurants and cafés. The traditional Arab nargile, or hubble-bubble pipe, is included in the ban. Fines for violating the ban run SYP500-SYP100,000 (near $11-$2,769).

May 2009 issue

Travel toesocks

The Travel Performance Toesock from Injinji provides light compression (to prevent deep-vein thrombosis) and has antimicrobial silver microfibers to prevent odor and a moisture-wicking fiber to keep feet dry. The design separates toes to decrease the likelihood of blisters and to allow more natural walking over uneven terrain. From www.injinjistore.com, the socks cost $24.95 plus $7.45 shipping.

December 2009 issue

Transport Museum

The Transport Museum Dresden (Augustusburg 1, 01067 Dresden, Germany; phone +0351 86440, fax 8644-110, www.verkehrsmuseum-dresden.de [in German]) exhibits locomotives from 1924 to 1993 (such as the Saxon Muldenthal, built in 1861), cars, trams, motorbikes (the first gasoline-powered motorcycle, built in 1885), bicycles, hot-air balloons and airplanes.

It is located at the Johanneum, a Renaissance building (1586) where the Electors of Saxony kept their horses and carriages. Open 10-5 Tuesday-Sunday. €4.50 adult. Guided tour, €40 ($56).

September 2010 issue

Bike Beijing hutongs

Two- and four-hour guided bike tours of Beijing’s sights, including the city’s hutongs (narrow streets with traditional housing), are offered by The China Guide (Building 7-1, 8th Floor, Rm. 81, Jianguomenwai Waijiaogongyu Diplomatic Compound, Beijing, China; phone +8610 8532 2274, www.thechinaguide.com).

Two-hour tours, including bike and helmet rental, a guide and pickup/dropoff at your hotel, cost $81.50 per person; four-hour tours cost $93.50. Two people minimum. Payment may be made in advance by credit card or at the start of the tour in cash.

January 2011 issue

Brits’ royal wedding

The wedding day of Prince William and Kate Middleton, April 29, 2011, will be a public holiday in the United Kingdom. Along with Easter, four public holidays will fall between April 22 and May 2. The wedding will be held at Westminster Abbey in London. Hotel rooms in the area were rapidly booked.

June 2008 issue

‘2009 British Open by Sea’

The 105-passenger MS Andrea is being chartered by PerryGolf for a “2009 British Open by Sea Cruise,” July 11-20.

Starting at St. Andrews, the cruise-tour offers opportunities to play five courses along Scotland’s coast (Kingsbarns, Royal Aberdeen, Royal Dornoch, Machrihanish and Machrihanish Dunes), ending at Turnberry for the final round of the 138th Open Championship at the Ailsa course (after the Open, course access is an option).

Prices run $7,995-$12,500 for golfers and $6,895-$11,400 for nongolfers. There are sightseeing opportunities at St. Andrews, Aberdeen, Crathes...

CONTINUE READING »
April 2009 issue

Copenhagen concerts

Every Wednesday, May through August, Copenhagen Castle Concerts (www.castleconcerts.dk) puts on free performances of classical music in the churches of historic royal residences in and around Copenhagen, including Frederiksborg and Kronborg. The concerts start at 5 p.m. May and June, 5:30 p.m. in July and 4 p.m. in August.

Contact Wonderful Copenhagen (Gammel Kongevej 1, Copenhagen V., Denmark; phone +45 3325 7400, www.visitcopenhagen.com).

November 2009 issue

Bird-watchers to Eilat

During late March, the area around Eilat, Israel, becomes a mecca for birds migrating south from Europe to Africa, and bird-watchers will flock to the International Spring Migration festival, March 18-25, 2010.

A basic festival package costs £615 ($1,017) per person (sharing) and includes seven nights at the 4-star Isrotel Agamin Hotel; guided birding tours in the mornings and afternoons; lectures, activities and banquet, and entry to the Eilat Birding & Research Centre. Single supplement, £155.

Contact WildWings (577 Fishponds Rd., Fishponds, Bristol BS16 3AF, U.K.;...

CONTINUE READING »