In western Germany, the country’s longest rope suspension bridge, a pedestrian bridge spanning Geierlay Canyon between the towns of Mörsdorf and Sosberg, opened Oct. 3, 2015. The 1,200-foot-long, 298-foot-high bridge is free to cross as part of a series of hiking trails. For photos and video, visit www.geierlay.de/haengeseilbrueck (in German only).
A nearly 1,000-foot-long, 590-foot-high glass-bottomed bridge, called Haohan Qiao (Brave Man’s Bridge), opened in September at Shiniuzhai National Geological Park in southeastern China’s Hunan Province. Entry to the park costs CNY98 (near $15.50).
Shortly after opening, a glass panel on the bridge cracked, reportedly due to a dropped cup. Officials said the cracked panel would be replaced and that visitors were in no danger. Each panel (a few feet by a few feet) is made up of three layers of 24-millimeter-thick glass, can hold up to 1,763 pounds and is encased in steel.
The Greek Archaeological Council decided on Oct. 14 to increase entry prices to some of Greece’s most popular tourist sites starting Jan. 1, 2016.
Among fee hikes are the following. In Athens, the entry fee to the Acropolis will rise from €12 to €20 (near $22), and the National Archaeological Museum will cost €10. The fee goes from €6 to €15 at the Knossos archaeological site in Crete and from €8 to €12 at the archaeological site and museum at Mycenae. The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion will cost €10.
8-day, 7-night gourmet walking tour of northern ITALY, May 18-25, 2016. Five days of walking (average of 8 miles a day). Highlights: In Milan, private tour of “Last Supper”/boat touring on Como, Maggiore, Orta lakes/walk through hamlets to Torno/climb to ridge of Triangolo Lariano/in Locarno, SWITZERLAND, ride funicular to start hike/on Isola Bella, 17th-century villa/climb Monte Mottarone/Basilica di San Giulio. Land, €2,895 (near $3,167) ppdo. Single supp., €275. Hedonistic Hiking (P.O.
10 days, 9 nights on the South Island’s west coast, October-November 2015 & 2016. Hikes 2-8 miles per day. Group-prepared meals. Highlights: From Christchurch, drive across Canterbury Plains to Southern Alps/Arthur’s Pass National Park for short hike/drive to Greymouth/Pancake Rocks/Paparoa National Park/town of Hokitika, known for pounamu (jade)/guided kayaking in Okarito Lagoon, home to black swans, herons, tui/Rob Roy Glacier. Land, $2,995 ppdo. Single supp., $400. Wilderness Inquiry (Minneapolis, MN; 612/676-9400, www.wildernessinquiry.org).
14-day, 13-night moderate-level hiking trip, Oct. 21-Nov. 3, 2015. Homestays, teahouses. Highlights: In Kathmandu, NEPAL, 15th-century Durbar Square, King Tribhuvan Memorial Museum/in Patan, Newari workshops/fly to Bhadrapur/for three days near Dobate, seek red pandas and varied birds/Mai River valley/hike 3 to 4 miles to Sandkapur/Hangetham, home to cormorants, hornbills, ruby-cheeked sunbirds. Land and internal air, $3,500 per person, double occupancy (ppdo)(15% to Red Panda Network). Single supp., $750. Last Frontiers Trekking (P.O.
8 days, 7 nights in CROATIA. Moderate-level, 3- to 5-mile hike daily. Highlights: Transfer from Pula to Buje, site of Momjan, a medieval castle/begin walk from Grožnjan along former rail route/in Livade, taste truffles/karst cave below 11th-century castle in Pazin/medieval town of Buzet/town of Hum. Land, €1,090 (near $1,350) ppdo. Single supp., €150-€250 ($186-$310), based on group size. Fiore Tours (Ulica Mate Vlašic´a, 52440, Porec´, Croatia; phone +385 52 431 397, http://fiore.hr).
