Travel Briefs
Thailand beach reopening
The beach at Maya Bay, a famous swimming spot in Thailand’s Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, is scheduled to reopen on Jan. 1, 2022, after having been closed since June 1, 2018, to allow the cove’s sea life to regenerate (May ’18, pg.
Tokyo accessibility guide
Anyone with mobility issues visiting Tokyo, Japan, can view or download for free the 53-page “Tokyo Sightseeing Accessibility Guide 2021.” Including information about accessible transportation, as well as tips, it maps out suggested routes for visiting popular historical, natural and cultural sites.
Marriott to disclose fees
Marriott International (marriott.com) announced on Nov. 24 that it would begin disclosing any and all resort fees, as part of the nightly rate quoted, before a room is booked. It is the first major hotel chain to decide to reveal these fees up front.
Dartmoor Line reopens
In southwest England’s Devon County, the Dartmoor Line (dartmoorline.com), the first line to be reinstated in the country’s “Restoring your Railway” initiative, reopened on Nov. 20, 2021, after having ceased regular passenger service back in 1972.
Oldest vegetarian restaurant
In Zürich, Switzerland, the restaurant Haus Hiltl (Sihlstraße 28; phone +41 44 227 70 00, hiltl.ch/en) holds the the Guinness World Record for oldest continually operated vegetarian restaurant, having served only meat-free dishes since 1898.
Palace mosaic in Palestine
One of the world’s largest floor mosaics was unveiled on Oct. 29 at Qasr Hisham, or Hisham’s Palace, in Jericho, West Bank Palestine, after a 5-year restoration. The more than 1,000-year-old mosaic depicts animals such as lions and gazelles as well as repeating geometric patterns.
Canyoning in Scotland
At Dollar Canyon, 45 minutes from Edinburgh in southern Scotland, visitors can take a 3-hour canyoning course with The Canyoning Company (Perthshire, Scotland, UK; phone +44 7725 813 729,
US land borders reopen
The US opened its land and water crossings along the Mexico and Canada borders to vaccinated foreign travelers, regardless of their countries of origin, on Nov. 8. The borders had been closed to all foreigners except essential workers since March 2020.
Japan steam train
In an onsen (hot spring) resort area two hours north of Tokyo, Japan, visitors can book a ride on the steam locomotive SL Taiju.
Royal Caribbean preboard COVID tests
For vaccinated travelers only, Royal Caribbean International (866/562-7625, www.royalcaribbean.com) is offering preboarding rapid COVID-19 antigen tests at select US ports: Miami, Canaveral and Tampa Bay in Florida as well as San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Tauck vaccine requirement
On Sept. 7, the tour and river cruise company Tauck (Wilton, CT; 800/788-7885, www.tauck.com) began requiring tour members on all of its tours and cruises to be vaccinated for COVID-19.
Haneda automated service chairs
In Tokyo’s Haneda Airport in Japan, passengers with mobility issues can hop on automated electric wheelchairs. The WHILL Automated Mobility Service chairs can be found at stations after the security check and in gate areas.
Ethical homestays website
On the short-term-rental website Fairbnb (fairbnb.coop), each property listed must conform to a set of ethical rules so rentals are not harmful to communities.
Portugal pedestrian bridge
The world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge, called 516 Arouca, opened in Arouca Geopark in northern Portugal on April 30. The 516-meter-long span (1,693 feet) is suspended between two concrete pillars 175 meters (574 feet) above the Paiva River and near the Aguieiras Waterfall.
Some EU restrictions return
After the European Union recommended, on Aug. 30, that member states not allow entry to nonessential travelers from the US because of the increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations in the US, some EU countries strengthened entry requirements for, or began outright denying, US leisure travelers.
Bird guides website
Private guides for birding tours can be booked through Birding Direct (www.birdingdirect.com).
Sweden moose safari
In central Sweden, visitors can take a 5-hour moose safari with Amazing Nature Scandinavia (Fagersta, Västmanland, Sweden; phone +46 70 230 68 70, www.amazingscandinavia.com).