Travel Briefs

October 2008 issue

North Queens­land hiking

In the Misty Mountains south of Cairns, over 80 miles of walking tracks take walkers through a high-altitude rainforest and past waterfalls. Walks range from easy (7.4 kilometers round trip) to bushwalker difficult (23.4 km one way).

You don’t need a car to reach the trails; the Bally Knob Trailhead is a short walk from the township of Ravenshoe, and there are accommodations in Mission Beach, Tully, Ravenshoe, Malanda and Millaa Millaa.

The best time to walk the mountains is late March to October. Some areas are inaccessible during the wet season, November to March. Check...

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June 2009 issue

Fun in feudal Japan

In Nikko, two hours north of Tokyo, the theme park Edo Wonderland Nikko (www.edowonderland.net) shows Japan as it was in the time of the Tokugawa Shogunate (1603-1868). Visitors can watch battles between samurai and ninja, try archery and see traditional plays, magic shows and acrobatics.

Open daily 9-5, March 20-Nov. 30, and 9:30-4, Dec. 1-March 19. Day pass, ¥4,500 (near $45) adult, ¥2,300 child. Half-day pass, ¥3,900 adult, ¥2,000 child. 

February 2009 issue

Universal power ‘brick’

If you travel with several electronic devices (camera, GPS, music player, phone, laptop, etc.), the Tumi Ultra Slim Universal Power Adaptor Kit may come in handy for recharging. This single kit can replace several of those clunky AC/DC power-adaptor “bricks” (which go between the wall plug and the gadgets to be used or recharged) because it has output tips to fit many different devices.

Also, two power input cords are provided for connecting to the power source, one for using wall receptacles (North American-style plugs) and another for automobile or airline power sources.

...

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March 2008 issue

FAA demotes Philippine Air

The Federal Aviation Administration has downgraded the status of Philippine Airlines to Certificate 2, citing a lack of regulations that comply with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s safety standards.

Philippine Airlines can continue its schedule of 33 weekly flights to the USA under increased FAA scrutiny, but it cannot expand or change the types of planes flying its routes.

The Philippine government is working to develop a Civilian Aviation Authority designed to address the issues involved.

August 2008 issue

U.S. Embassy, Berlin

In Berlin, the new U.S. Embassy (Pariser Platz 2, 10117 Berlin, Germany; phone 030 2385 174 or visit http://germany.usembassy.gov) opened July 4, 2008.

The lot for the $130-million building, near the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag, has been owned by the U.S since 1931; the original diplomatic mission was destroyed in World War II. The embassy is closed on American and German holidays.

January 2008 issue

Windjammer money troubles

The precarious financial status of Windjammer Barefoot Cruises (www.windjammer.com) forced it to cancel certain sailings in November and December 2007, and more sailings may be canceled.

Rumors and conflicting statements abound as to whether the company will formally enter bankruptcy or struggle on with a ship or two. Passengers holding tickets for future cruises should contact their travel agents.

Passengers who have had cruises canceled and are seeking refunds should call Windjammer’s reservation center at 800/327-2601. Those unhappy with Windjammer’s response might dispute...

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February 2009 issue

Royal Oak Foundation

By joining the Royal Oak Foundation (New York, NY; 800/913-6565, ext. 205, or 212/480-2889, www.royal-oak.org), American visitors to Britain can enjoy unlimited free entry to more than 350 National Trust destinations: historic houses, gardens, castles, nature reserves and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

At hotels and holiday cottages owned by the National Trust, Royal Oak members also get a 25% discount on all published room-and-breakfast rates and a 10% discount on all published seasonal breaks, plus a free room upgrade.

Foundation membership costs $55 annually ($90 family),...

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July 2008 issue

Princess in Panama

Princess Cruises (800/774-6237, www.princess.com) has announced that all 2009-2010 Panama Canal transits of 15 days or longer will include a second day at port in Fuerte Amador. The stopover allows travelers to visit Panama City, the Panama Canal Railway and the Soberania National Park rainforest.