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In the Auvergne region in south-central France, the museum L’Aventure Michelin (32 rue du Clos Four, 63 100, Clermont-Ferrand, France; phone +33 [0] 4 73 98 60 60) is dedicated to the more than 120-year history of the Michelin tire company.
Open Africa (Cape Town, South Africa; phone +27 21 683 9639, fax 683 8013), a nonprofit organization, has helped set up 60 “off-the-beaten-track, self-drive travel routes” in six countries. The majority are in South Africa, with others in Zambia, Namibia, Mozambique, Lesotho and Swaziland.
Routes can be driven without a 4-wheel-drive vehicle in most areas. Examples — “Kalahari Oasis Route” in South Africa and the “Caprivi Wetland Paradise Route” in Namibia.
In a test program in Finland, Helsinki Airport is handing out “guidance cards” on selected flights to help transferring passengers with tight connection times.
Pittsburgh International Airport in Pennsylvania is one of the first in the US to set up a special security screening lane for travelers with one item of carry-on luggage (no larger than 22"x14"x9") — with no extra purse, briefcase or camera bag — or no carry-on at all.
This is not related to any TSA program, nor is it part of any perks program for first-class ticket holders or elite frequent flyers. All passengers still go through full security screening and metal detectors.
As ITN went to press, the State Department had travel warnings on 33 destinations: Afghanistan, Algeria, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Israel/West Bank/Gaza, Kenya, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of South Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Uzbekistan and Yemen.
For details, call the State Department at 202/647-5225 or visit www.travel.state.gov.
From November 2011 through February 2012, BritRail (866/274-8724) offers low-season discounts of up to 20% off its passes. Example — the classic BritRail Pass, at $179 for three days in the high season, costs $145 in low and allows travel throughout England, Scotland and Wales.
by Randy Keck (Second of two parts on Portugal)
The first all-volunteer Greeter guide service began in New York City in 1992. Now 22 cities worldwide have Greeter programs, the most recent being Moscow in June 2011.
by Julie Skurdenis (part 2 of 3 on the Balkans)
