September 2013

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Auto Europe (888/223-5555) now allows travelers to rent motorcyles in Cancún, Mexico; Spain, and France. Models available include Harley-Davidson, Ducati, Honda and BMW. Rates vary by country, make and model but typically run $300 to $1,000 per day, including insurance. 

Bookings must be made by phone; info is not on the website. A US motorcycle driver’s license is required to make a reservation. There is no upper age limit. Some bikes come with a “saddlebag” for a backpack or small duffel. 

There is now a free emergency phone number to provide assistance to people visiting Nicaragua. Travelers may dial “101” if they need attention because of an accident, loss of travel documents or any other situation that requires an immediate response.

The hotline is manned 24 hours a day and will be answered by a bilingual police officer, who will assess the situation and contact either the local police department or the Nicaraguan Tourism Board.

For bird-watchers, the third International Hula Valley Bird Festival, organized by the Israel Ornithological Center, takes place Nov. 10-17, 2013. Visitors to the valley, which is a 2½-hour drive north of Jerusalem, have logged over 200 different bird species.

A festival package costs $2,165 per person (sharing) and includes seven nights at the Pastoral Hotel, breakfasts, dinners, guided birding tours, evening lectures and all transportation within Israel. Visit the website. 

Outside of Shannon, Ireland, a 19th-century Gothic revival castle has been operating since 1963 as the Dromoland Castle hotel (phone +353 61 368144 or, from the US, 800/346-7007). Room rates at the 5-star hotel run €378-€1,044 (near $493-$1,361) in summer and €176-€585 in winter.

Crystal Cruises (800/337-9568) is instituting a more restrictive smoking policy.

Effective with the first cruises in 2014, smoking indoors will be permitted only in each ship’s Connoisseur Club smoking lounge. Smoking will be prohibited in all other public rooms, lounges, corridors and restaurants as well as in all staterooms, suites and verandahs. If smoke is detected in a stateroom or suite, a cleaning fee of $250 will be charged. 

I had always dreamed of taking a trip above the Arctic Circle. My chance to visit came in June 2011. On the second day on board the ship, someone spotted a creamy lump on the white snow. The captain slowly maneuvered the ship for a closer look and I spotted my first polar bear! It was about 11 p.m., but, in this land of the midnight sun, it was still light out. This picture was taken from the ship’s deck.

HENRIETTA HALLAQ

(First of two parts)

(Part 2 of 2 on the Netherlands)