July 2007

Through the Thailand Longstay Company, travelers can arrange with the Thai government for stays of up to a year after a standard 30-day tourist visa expires.

Through Oct. 31, 2007, Laguna hotels in Phuket, Thailand, have a “Golf Unlimited Package” offering unlimited daily rounds at the Laguna Phuket Golf Club; breakfast, and free transport between all six Laguna hotels, the golf club and shopping center.

Per-night prices range from a suite at Allamanda Laguna Phuket for $85 single or $100 double to a villa at the Banyan Tree Phuket for $370 single or $380 double.

The German Christmas Museum in Rothenburg ob der Tauber features old-time Santa Clauses, nutcrackers and Christmas decorations and describes the history and customs of the holiday. Entry €4 ($5). Open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April to Dec. 23 and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 24-31. German Christmas Museum (Herr­engasse 1, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany).

In Tewkesbury, England, the 16th-century half-timbered property known as The Hat Shop is now a Tourist Information Centre and the hub for all events, walks and tours. Visit www.tewkesbury.gov.uk or www.cotswolds.com.

The town of Serpa, in southern Portugal, has a clock museum housed in a former 14th-century convent. The collection includes more than 1,700 watches and clocks dating from the 17th century, including many rare Portuguese watches.

Contact Museu do Relógio (Convento do Mosteirinho, Rua do Assento, 7830-341 Serpa, Portugal; phone 284543194).

“The Paris Shopping Companion” by Susan Swire Winkler with Caroline Lesieur (fourth edition, 2006, Cumberland House Publishing, Inc. ISBN 13978581825121 — 257 pp., $14.95 paperback).

Celebrating the 500th anniversary of King Henry VIII’s accession to the throne, Hampton Court Palace, London, opened on June 28 a permanent exhibition telling the story of his early reign. There are historic paintings from the Royal Collection plus audiovisual and hands-on displays.

A fire on May 20 burned for over two hours aboard the historic 19th-century Cutty Sark, kept in dry dock at Greenwich in southeast London. The skeleton was substantially damaged and much of the deck was destroyed.

The damage could have been worse; the masts, the coach house and half of the planking had been removed for restoration. The figurehead was rescued.

The government of Tanzania has banned further construction of hotels and lodges in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCAA). They now will be built outside the area and visitors will be driven into the parks. Also, after this season’s harvest, farmers will not be allowed to grow crops in the NCAA.

The Madagascar government has proclaimed 15 new conservation areas, adding 2.65 million acres for a total of nine million acres under protection.