Travel Briefs

December 2019 issue

Kyoto photo ban

As of Oct. 25 in the Gion neighborhood of Kyoto, Japan, photography is banned in privately owned alleys near Hanamikoji street. Gion is known for its traditional Japanese houses and streets and is home to many geishas. The ban was voted on by residents in response to a number of reports of bad behavior by tourists, including walking into private residences and touching geishas.

Anyone caught taking a photograph in a restricted area could be fined up to ¥10,000 (near $92).

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November 2019 issue

‘Accessible Rome’ tours

For travelers with mobility issues, Italian tour company Roma Experience (phone, in the US, 719/266-2360) introduced two private tours in September: “Accessible Vatican” (including St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel) and “Accessible Rome” (including the Colosseum and Roman Forum).

At four hours each, the customizable tours include a guide (English-speaking available), a driver and site entry fees. The Vatican tour costs €729 (near $797) for one or two people and up to €1,255 for seven, with the Rome tour €719 up to €1,175....

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November 2019 issue

Massive China airport opens

Daxing International Airport (PKX), serving Beijing, China, opened on Sept. 25. Shaped like a 6-armed starfish, with terminals in five of the arms, it is the largest single-building airport in the world, measuring 700,000 square meters.

Twenty-nine miles south of Tiananmen Square, the airport is expected to welcome more than 170 million passengers a year. At press time, six domestic Chinese airlines were flying to and from the airport, with British Airways, Finnair and Cathay Pacific expected to begin international service shortly.

The majority of international air traffic...

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October 2019 issue

New museum at Petra

The Petra Museum, located at the entrance to the historical city of Petra in Jordan, opened on April 18. Including interactive displays and videos in English, it exhibits nearly 300 artifacts — from the Stone Age to the Roman period — that were found at the site. Open daily, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

A pass for the Petra Archaeological Park (www.visitpetra.jo/Default.aspx) costs JOD50 (near $71) for one day, JOD55 for two days or JOD60 for three.

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October 2019 issue

Venice bans cruise ships

The Italian government announced on Aug. 8 that cruise ships will no longer be allowed to travel through the city of Venice’s main canal; they now will be rerouted around the city.

Venice has been fighting to keep cruise ships out of its canals for years, citing damage to buildings from the wakes of ships plus the unsightly image of cruise ships towering over its picturesque setting.

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July 2019 issue

Supersized US embassy in Austria
McDonald's restaurants partner with US Embassy in Austria

Thanks to a deal struck between the US Embassy in Austria and the restaurant chain McDonald’s, US travelers to Austria now can visit the nearest McDonald’s if they need assistance, such as replacing lost or stolen passports. Each of the country’s 194 McDonald’s outlets has a 24-hour hotline direct to the embassy, and restaurant staff have been instructed on how to help US travelers in distress.

This agreement is not in lieu of a staffed embassy or consulates but in addition to.

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September 2019 issue

Public transportation app

Covering some major cities in Canada, Latin America and Europe, the CityMotion app allows users to see real-time updates for nearby public transportation options, along with maps and estimated walking times to stops. Also included are station maps to help users find the correct platform for trains or metros. The app is available for free on Android and Apple.

September 2019 issue

Bent Pyramid opens

Egypt’s Bent Pyramid, built for the pharaoh Sneferu around 2600 BC, opened to visitors on July 13. It is the oldest pyramid in the Dahshur necropolis, which is near the pyramids at Giza. Its unusual bent shape is the result of builders having to change the angle of the pyramid to compensate for the unstable ground on which it was being constructed.

Also opened is a neighboring, 60-foot-tall pyramid that may have been built for Sneferu’s wife.

For info, contact the Egyptian Tourism Authority (11 Abassya Square, Cairo, Egypt; www.egypt.travel).

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