Travel Briefs
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).
Tour companies require vaccines
The following is a list of tour companies that, at press time, were known to require all tour members to be vaccinated: • The Travel Corporation (ttc.com) family of brands, including Trafalgar, Costsaver, Insight Vacations, Contiki, Uniworld and others.
Magical Lithuania map
Lithuania Tourism has created an online map of “magical” objects and locations around the country. Visitors to the webpage can click on any of the 52 numbered locations to see a photo and a description of how the magic works there.
New art museum, Paris
In Paris’ 1st arrondissement, a new modern art museum, the Bourse de Commerce: Pinault Collection (2 rue de Viarmes; phone +33 1 55 04 60 60, www.pinaultcollection.com/en), opened May 22, 2021.
Alitalia to end operation
Italy’s national airline, Alitalia, will cease to fly on Oct. 15, 2021. Anyone who purchased a ticket for an Alitalia flight taking place after Oct. 15 was given the choice of changing their flight to a date before Oct. 14 or receiving a full refund.
Historic German synagogue renovated
The Görlitz Synagogue in Görlitz, Saxony, Germany, has been restored, and in July 2021 it reopened to the public as Cultural Forum Görlitz Synagogue (Otto-Müller-Straße 3,
EU urges no Americans
On Aug. 30, the European Union Parliament recommended that its member countries deny entry to travelers from the US because of the increase in US hospitalizations, which on that date was more than 10,000 new hospitalizations per day.
Hidden House in Porto
On the Rua do Carmo, in central Porto, Portugal, two churches stand side by side, so close that they appear to be one building. They are the 17th-century Igreja das Carmelitas nunnery and 19th-century Igrejo de Carmo monastery.
Thailand bans harmful sunscreen
Sunscreen containing any of four ingredients — oxybenzone, octinoxate, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor or butylparaben — has been banned in Thailand. Each of those ingredients has been shown to kill coral larvae.
Venice tourist fees
Starting Jan. 1, 2022, day-trippers to the city of Venice, Italy, will each be charged an entry fee. The entry fee is expected to be €3-€10 (near $3.50-$12), depending on the season and the anticipated number of visitors on that day. Those who are overnighting in the city or visiting relatives will be exempt.
Vaccine passport for France
Vaccinated US and Canadian travelers planning to visit France can apply for digital vaccine certificates allowing entry to the country as well as to indoor venues. To qualify, you must have been vaccinated with one of the four vaccines recognized in the EU: Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson.
EU booster requirements
On Aug. 26, Austria and Croatia announced that COVID-19 vaccinations administered more than 270 days prior to entry to the country would no longer be accepted as valid for entry. Anyone wishing to travel to those countries who was vaccinated beyond the cutoff point would first need to receive a booster shot.
Alpine platform in Austria
On Krippenstein mountain, near Hallstatt, Austria, the 5fingers Observation Deck offers views of Hallstatt and the Hallstättersee from nearly 7,000 feet in elevation.
Vaccinated Americans welcome in Canada
On July 19 Canada announced that, starting Aug. 9, 2021, fully vaccinated travelers from the US will be allowed to enter the country by land or air. Vaccinated travelers from other countries will be allowed entry starting Sept. 7.
Indoors, vaccinated only in Italy and Greece
Italy and Greece announced in late July that only vaccinated individuals will be allowed inside most businesses and venues, including restaurants, theaters and museums.