Found only in the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro, tanzanite is one of the rarest gems in the world. The Tanzanite Experience (phone +255 0 27 250 5101, www.tanzaniteexperience.com) in Arusha, Tanzania, showcases the violet-blue gemstone, with information on its extraction, processing, cutting and polishing. Visitors may purchase gems with certificates authenticating color, clarity and cut.

Located on the third floor of the Blue Plaza Building on India Street, the museum is open 9-4...

The Department of Homeland Security has announced the upcoming Secure Flight program, which will require airlines to collect each passenger’s full name, date of birth and gender when taking a reservation request. Prior to the flight, this information will be provided to the Transportation Security Administration to be checked against the terrorist watch list maintained by the US government. The DHS and TSA assert this is being done to reduce the number of misidentification issues.

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Travelers to Colombia now can request a refund of the VAT (Value Added Tax) added to purchases of the following items: clothing, shoes, leather goods, toys, CDs, food for human consumption, liquor, perfumes, crafts, jewelry and handmade Colombian emerald jewelry.

A visitor needs proof of his nationality and receipts in hand to process the application at a National Directorate of Taxes & Customs (DIAN) office in an international airport. Refunds are paid to the credit card used for...