July 2014

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In Abu Dhabi, the package “Desert Safari Half Day,” 2-8 p.m., visits the Rub' al-Khali, the world’s largest sand desert, and includes pickup and drop-off, Arabic coffee and dates, sand boarding, ATV dune bashing, horse and camel riding, a goat farm visit, a falcon show, henna tattoos, a barbecue dinner and a viewing of the desert sunset. $68 adult, $48 child (age 4-12). 

Visitors to Japan who are looking for a home-cooked meal can sign up with Nagomi Visit (based in Japan), a nonprofit service that matches visitors with local families.

Hikers in Iceland can enter the massive, empty magma chamber of the dormant volcano Thrihnukagigur, which rises 100 feet above Bláfjöll County Park and last erupted 4,000 years ago. 

From May 15 to Sept. 30, five tours a day are led by 3H Travel (phone +354 863 6640). On a 50-minute “moderately difficult” hike, the group walks two miles across hilly and uneven but mostly level lava fields; the last 10 minutes to the top of the volcano are the most challenging.

A 3-day walking break featuring three circular walks through the peaceful Cotswolds is offered in the village Bourton-on-the-Water by Compass Holidays (Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England; phone + 01242 250 642).

With departures year-round, this tour includes accommodation in a bed-and-breakfast (£128, or near $214, per person, double occupancy) or hotel (£196, or $328, per person), route directions, a map and emergency telephone assistance. A 2-day option is also available.

In the Strait of Magellan, off South America’s southernmost tip, the discovery of a feeding ground of humpback whales near Isla Carlos III led to the creation of Chile’s first protected marine area, Francisco Coloane Marine Park.

While on a group safari in Botswana in June 2013, my wife, Sandy, and I stayed in the jungle at Stanley’s Camp, located in the Okavango Delta near the Moremi Game Reserve and operated by Sanctuary Retreats. Intrigued by a brochure in the hotel lobby for a camp that retrains “bad boy” elephants and allows visitors to see the rehabilitated animals up close, we paid $428 each to see the elephants (charged to our closing bill at the camp).

Until Dec. 31, 2014, in Beijing, exquisite examples of traditional Chinese furniture from the Qing and Ming dynasties (1368-1911) are on display at the National Museum of China (16 East Chang’an Ave., Dongcheng District, Beijing 100006, P.R. China; phone +86 10 6511 6400). The free exhibit “Splendid Art of Wood” includes elaborately carved beds, couches, screens and chests. 

Admission to the museum is free, except for some special exhibits. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sun.

Marking the 100th birthday of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas (1914-1953), events celebrating his life and work are being held this year in England, Wales, Australia and the US. 

Activities are centered on the city of Swansea, southern Wales, where he was born. The Dylan Thomas Festival runs Oct. 27-Nov. 9 (the dates of his birth and death). The Dylan Thomas Center (Somerset Place, Swansea; phone +44 01792 463980) will host a free exhibit of Dylan manuscripts and photographs, Sept. 5-Dec. 24.

At the mouth of a new extension of the Forth and Clyde Canal in Falkirk, Scotland, two 98-foot-tall horse head sculptures, called The Kelpies, opened to the public in April at The Helix outdoor recreational area. Made of stainless steel and weighing 300 tons each, the sculptures were built by artist Andy Scott.

Guided tours of The Kelpies operate daily and cost £4.95 (near $8) adult or £3 child. Buy tickets at www.thehelix.co.uk (under “Plan your visit,” click on “Book Kelpie tickets”) or phone +44 1324 506 850.