Built on the shore of Lake Titicaca, within Bolivia and near Peru, is a basilica that was built in the mid-16th century. The full name of this Spanish-colonial shrine — the subject of our January 2018 mystery photo — is the Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana. Originally built by the Dominicans, it was first rebuilt between 1610 and 1651. The present basilica was completed in 1805.
If you are a traveler of advanced years who has rented a vehicle outside of the US recently, particularly in Europe, please share your experiences.
If you have information about visiting anyplace outside of the US for $100 per day or less (not including international airfare), tell us how you did it!
Dear Globetrotter:
Saudi Arabia announced on Jan. 11 that it would begin accepting applications for tourist visas from solo women travelers over the age of 25, allowing them to travel to and within the country without male escorts. The visas are single-entry and good for 30 days.
Also, the Saudi visa form no longer requires the applicant to declare a religion.
The fourth and fifth levels of the Colosseum in Rome opened to visitors for the first time in 40 years in October 2017. These top levels, reserved for lower-class citizens when the Colosseum was operational, are about 260 feet above the ground.
The upper decks can only be visited on a guided tour, which costs €9 (near $11), booked in advance by calling +39 06 399 67 700 or online at www.coopculture.it/en/colosseo-e-shop.cfm.
The tour includes a previously unopened corridor with remains of first-century Roman toilets.
In celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the People Act 1918, which gave women the right to vote in the United Kingdom, events are scheduled throughout the country.
In celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the founding of an independent Latvia, the National History Museum of Latvia (Brīvības bulvāris 32, Rīga; phone +371 6722 1357, lnvm.lv/en) has collected historical artifacts from around the country for the exhibition “Latvia’s Century,” running May 4, 2018, through the beginning of 2021. Open 10 a.m.-5p.m. Tues.-Sun. €3 (near $4) adult or €1.50 senior or child.
In a partnership with France, the Louvre Abu Dhabi (Saadiyat Cultural District, Abu Dhabi, UAE; phone +971 600 56 55 66, www.louvreabudhabi.ae/en) opened to the public in November 2017. In addition to temporary exhibits, it features 12 permanent galleries, with works of art from the ancient world to the modern.
Open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tues.-Wed. & Sat.-Sun. and 10-10 Thurs.-Fri. AED63 (near $17).
