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Many museums in Berlin do not charge admission or on certain days are free.
The Friedrichswerdersche Kirche-Schinkelmuseum (Bodestraße 1-3, 10178 Berlin) is an annex of the Nationalgalerie, located in a deconsecrated church designed in 1828 by Karl Friedrich Schinkel, who designed many buildings in Berlin. The exhibit contains memorabilia and documents from his many buildings as well as neoclassical portraits and sculptures. Free admission. Open 10-6 Tues.-Sun.
Injini Travel Toesocks — over-the-calf socks with five toe “sleeves” — provide light compression that aids circulation during long plane flights. Available at outdoor gear and footwear stores or online at www.injinjistore.com ($24 plus $7.55 shipping; with orders $40 or more, shipping is free).
For the iPhone, the software applications mPassport London and mPassport Paris allow travelers to locate medical help in those cities (in Paris, English-speaking). The apps pull up lists of hospitals, pharmacies, paramedics, doctors (by specialty) and dentists. Users can find each on a map and make an appointment using the screen.
The Steigenberger Kurhaus Hotel (Gevers Deynootplein 30, 2586 CK Den Haag, Netherlands; phone +31 [0] 70 4162636, fax 646) has hosted heads of state, painters, film stars, etc. Built in 1818, the monumental, North Sea beachside resort hotel has withstood fire, wars and getting trashed during a Rolling Stones concert.
With VAT but excluding city tax and breakfast, nightly room rates range from €295 (near $360), superior, to €1,050 ($1,282), Presidential Suite. Packages available.
As ITN went to press, the State Department had travel warnings on 29 destinations: Haiti, Israel/West Bank/Gaza, Guinea, Nepal, Nigeria, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, Mexico, Georgia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Philippines, Algeria, Lebanon, Iran, Kenya, Colombia, Eritrea, Central African Republic, Yemen, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Sudan, Somalia, Mauritania, Chad, Mali and Uzbekistan.
For details, call the State Department at 202/647-5225 or visit http://travel.state.gov/travel/warnings.html.
The official Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June through November. For 2010, the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a 70% probability of 14 to 23 named storms, with eight to 14 becoming hurricanes and three to seven of those becoming major hurricanes.
In East Asia and the West and Central Pacific regions north of the equator, typhoons may occur year-round; historically, the most active months are June through November.
Since a 2002 failed coup attempt, Côte d’Ivoire has been a divided country with two distinct military/peacekeeping forces. Despite an accord, elections have been postponed repeatedly. The US Department of State urges travelers to exercise caution, especially outside Abidjan. Political unrest could escalate into violence.
In early February, the government began rolling power cuts throughout the country, the first in over 15 years, which may add to the tension. In Abidjan, there is high risk of crimes such as mugging, robbery, burglary and carjacking.
In Ecuador, nonviolent crime is common, with hundreds of travelers robbed each year, but violent crime has been rising dramatically. Be alert at ATMs on streets as well as everywhere from beaches and hiking trails to crowded streets and markets, especially after dark.
The State Department strongly urges refraining from all travel to the Gaza Strip. The security environment within Gaza and along its borders, including its border with Egypt and its seacoast, is dangerous and volatile.
Rockets and mortars are still occasionally fired into Israel from Gaza, and the Israel Defense Forces continue to conduct military operations inside Gaza, including air strikes. Border clashes occur.
Caution should be exercised in the West Bank. Violence has decreased there in recent years. Still, demonstrations and violent incidents can happen.
Fifty-five of the 60 hostages taken by militants on May 15, 2010, in the Kummar region of northwest Pakistan were released within two days. Negotiations over the others were ongoing.
The government continues fighting the Taliban in northwest Pakistan, and retaliation kidnappings, roadside bombs and suicide bombers continue. Persons traveling in restricted areas without official permission are subject to arrest.