Travel Briefs

United Kingdom-based budget airline flybmi filed for bankruptcy on Feb. 17, immediately canceling all of its future flights. The sudden bankruptcy caused a number of passengers to become stranded throughout Europe. At press time, flybmi had refused to offer any refunds on canceled flights.

On Feb. 25, the Transportation Security Administration expanded its Preê (Pre-check) program to include nine more airlines, making a total of 65 airlines whose passengers qualify for Preê.

The new Preê-approved airlines are Air India, Asiana Airlines, China Airlines, Eastern Airlines, Elite Airways, EVA Airways, Japan Airlines, TAP Air Portugal and Volaris.

Travelers who have enrolled in Preê and are flying on an approved...

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Budget Irish airline Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) announced on Feb. 14 that it would implement a frequent-flyer program, Ryanair Choice, beginning "end of summer 2019."

The program does not involve earning miles. Instead, for a flat rate of €199 (near $227) per year, members will always get the cheapest seat rate, one bag checked for free (up to 22 pounds) and priority boarding. According to Ryanair, free seats will sometimes be available to Ryanair Choice members.

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Milan, Italy, is hosting a "Milan and Leonardo" program in 2019 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci's death. Visit www.visit-milano.net/en/appointments/leonardo-500 for a list of events.

One significant event is the "Leonardo e la Sala delle Asse tra Natura, Arte e Scienza" exhibit, May 16-Aug. 18, at Sforza Castle (Piazza Castello, 20121 Milano; phone +39 02 8846 3703, www.milanocastello.it/en), where visitors can witness the restoration of a vaulted ceiling...

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Using the app Refundit, free on Apple and Android, travelers can easily apply for and receive VAT refunds in Belgium, with other EU countries to be added soon.

To be refunded, a user first takes a photo of his receipt, then uses the app to upload the receipt along with a photo of his passport and boarding pass. A confirmation should arrive within minutes. There is no need to visit a Customs desk or fill out any forms at the airport.

Using Refundit incurs a 9% handling fee on...

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Travelers with a layover of more than six hours at Atatürk Airport (IST) can take a private guided tour of Istanbul’s Sultanahmet district, including Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar and more, in a Mercedes van. The “Istanbul Layover Tour” must be booked in advance, costs $275 for up to six people and includes transfers from and to the airport but not entry fees or food. Visit istanbultourstudio.com/tours/istanbul-layover-tour to book. A custom tour can be...

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The Australian travel company The Good Scout Travel Company (thegoodscout.com.au) specializes in helping travelers with impaired mobility plan trips and activities Down Under. Anyone who signs up for the free email newsletter will receive a link to download the PDF book "101 Accessible Australian Adventures." In the PDF, the title of each adventure links to the webpage describing the activity.

The stem segment of the Renaissance-era English ship Mary Rose, along with a pump and an anchor, were put on display with the rest of the ship's remains at the Mary Rose Museum (Main Road, Portsmouth, England; phone +44 23 9281 2931, www.maryrose.org) on Feb. 20.

The Mary Rose was one of the largest warships in King Henry VIII's navy. It was sunk in the Solent, the strait that separates the Isle of Wight from England, by French ships in 1545. Rediscovered in 1971, it was...

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