International Travel News

Travel Briefs

August 2011 issue | Appears on page 47

Yorkshire gallery

Located in Wakefield, Yorkshire, England, the new Hepworth Wakefield (phone +44 [0] 1924 247360) is England’s largest art gallery outside of London.

Housing artwork by 20th-century sculptors Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore, both born and raised in the Wakefield district, as well as exhibitions by contemporary artists, the gallery will feature workshops, family activities, talks and tours. Free admission. Closed Mondays.

August 2011 issue | Appears on page 47

Firenze Card

The Firenze Card provides a visitor to Florence, Italy, free admission to 33 museums, including the Uffizi and the Accademia, with entry to their permanent collections, special exhibitions and scheduled activities. While its price of €50 (near $71) may seem steep, cardholders can avoid queues and booking limitations and may use public transportation for free within the city.

Valid for 72 hours from its first use, the card can be used only once at each museum. For a list of...

August 2011 issue | Appears on page 47

Bermuda walking tours

A free walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site town of St. George’s, Bermuda, is given 10:30-11:30 a.m. every Mon., Tues., Wed. & Thurs., beginning at the town hall.

It is one of many free summer activities offered to visitors from May to October by the Bermuda Department of Tourism (Global House, 43 Church St., City of Hamilton, Bermuda; 800/237-6832).

August 2011 issue | Appears on page 74

Ecuador departure tax

As of Feb. 9, 2011, the departure tax charged to passengers on international and domestic flights departing Ecuador is included with other taxes in the price of the airline tickets. (Out of Quito, the tax is $40.80 and from Guayaquil, $29.78.) Previously, passengers had to separately pay the departure tax in cash within the airport.

(ITN thanks Mark Grantham of Galapagos Travel [Aptos, CA] for bringing this to our attention.)

August 2011 issue | Appears on page 74

Beijing-Shanghai bullet train

China’s new high-speed rail link between Beijing and Shanghai began commercial runs in July. The new bullet trains can travel 190 mph, and the average trip time is five hours 30 minutes.

Daytime trains depart daily every 20 minutes between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Overnight trains run at reduced speeds, so the trip can take the normal 12 to 13 hours.

A ticket costs 935 yuan (near $145) in first class; 555 yuan, second class, and 179-499 yuan ($28-$77), sleeper. Reservations are...

August 2011 issue | Appears on page 74

Beijing rodeo

Rodeo China (1 Apple Orchard Ln., Clover, SC 29710), along with the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, will be holding a Western-style rodeo in Beijing, Oct. 3-10, 2011.

The event will be held in the National Stadium, the “Bird’s Nest,” with over 150 horses, bulls and livestock. 105 competitors will attempt to win $8 million in prize money.

August 2011 issue | Appears on page 75

Titanic exhibit

“TITANICa: The Exhibition,” on display in the Transport Galleries at Northern Ireland’s Ulster Folk & Transport Museum (phone +44 [0] 28 9042 8428) — on the main Belfast-to-Bangor road [A2], near Holywood — features 500 artifacts, including items from the Titanic’s parent company, White Star Line, as well as objects recovered from the wreck site of the ill-fated ship.

The museum’s outdoor Folk Museum transports visitors to the streets of Belfast in the past, with trains and trams...

August 2011 issue | Appears on page 75

St. Petersburg Card

The St. Petersburg Guest Card, the first city discount card available in Russia, provides a free city tour by bus or boat, free entry into 17 state museums and a 10%-50% discount with participating hotels, restaurants, taxi services and cultural and entertainment centers.

Among special privileges it offers to travelers, at the State Hermitage cardholders may participate in tours and have the opportunity to take photos and video footage.

Valid within seven days from the date of...