Travel Briefs
Jamaica health insurance
The Caribbean island country of Jamaica introduced compulsory health insurance for all foreign visitors, called Jamaica Cares, on Nov. 1. The insurance will cost $40 per person and cover up to $50,000 in medical expenses in Jamaica.
Tokyo train viaduct shopping center
Located under a 100-year-old elevated train viaduct in Tokyo between Yura kucho and Shimbashi stations, near the Imperial Palace, visitors will find the Hibiya Okuroji (Hidden Alley) shopping center.
Animal rides ended at Giza
After videos of animal mistreatment in Egypt’s Giza archaeological area, which encompasses the pyramids and Sphinx, caused international outcry, the country’s tourism ministry announced that it would ban camel, horse and donkey riding around the complex.
New metro in Pakistan
The only metro train in all of Pakistan began operating in the city of Lahore on Oct. 25. The 17-mile line runs east-west and has 26 stations. It is expected to carry roughly 250,000 passengers a day. The fare is PKR40 (near 25¢) per trip.
Cruising returns to US
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) moved to allow some cruise ships to dock in US ports as of Oct. 31, upon the expiration of the last no-sail order. Sailings will begin with a series of “test” cruises, to ensure that ships will be able to meet requirements for testing and safety.
‘Ultimate’ Sydney bridge climb
The Sydney Harbour Bridge introduced a new, 3½-hour “Ultimate Climb” that allows climbers to walk the entire length of the bridge’s arch, south to north, and back again. The regular climb takes guests only to the summit of the arch and back.
Venice floodgates in action
Flood-prevention gates in Venice, Italy, were used for the first time to prevent flooding on Oct. 3.
Norway waterfall bridge
Near the Hardang er fjord in Norway, a hiking bridge across a canyon and above the Vøringsfossen waterfall opened on Aug. 21. The 154-foot-long footbridge includes 99 steps, as one end is at a different elevation than the other.
2021 Rio Carnaval canceled
The 2021 weeklong celebration of Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, scheduled for Feb. 12-17, was canceled on Sept. 24 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rio’s Carnaval has not been canceled since 1912, having weathered a flu pandemic, two world wars and a military dictatorship.
London mini postal train
At London’s Postal Museum (15-20 Phoenix Pl., London, England, WC1X 0DA, U.K.; phone +44 300 0300 700, www.postalmuseum.org), visitors can ride on a more-than-100-year-old underground postal railway in replica miniature trains.
Haiti Voudo museum
At Haiti’s Bureau d’Ethnologie (2 angle rue Magny et Oswald Durand, Port-au-Prince), visitors are immersed in the religion and ritual of Voudo, seeing artifacts, art and photographs of Voudo practices in the country. Signs are in Haitian French only.
Airlines offering COVID tests
On Oct. 15, United Airlines began to offer COVID-19 testing to passengers before they board flights from San Francisco to Hawaii. Passengers are required to pay for the tests themselves; the cost is $250. If the program is successful, United hopes to expand testing to more routes.
Ireland food experiences
Good Food Ireland (www.goodfoodireland.ie), a website designed to assist travelers in finding eateries and shops across Ireland, launched a new “Experiences” webpage on which travelers can browse and book food experiences in the country.
Portugal offers travel insurance
Anyone traveling to Portugal can buy nationally sponsored travel insurance that includes coverage, with restrictions, for full medical care, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation as well as, unlike most insurers’ policies, coverage when a trip provider cancels or interrupts a trip because of COVID-19.
Saba hiking trail
On the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba, visitors can hike the Elfin Trail from the town of Zion’s Hill (Hell’s Gate) to the top of the island’s highest peak, Mount Scenery (2,910 feet), in about an hour.
US airlines require masks
All passengers on US-based airlines must wear face masks during flights except when eating and drinking. In accordance with advice from the Centers for Disease Control, airlines have banned face masks made of lace or mesh, face masks that do not completely cover both the nose and mouth and face masks with vents.
Luggage storage app
With the Radical Storage app, free for Apple and Android, travelers in cities in more than 70 countries can find locations nearby that will store their bags for small fees.
Sydney visitor consultations
Sydney, Australia’s Visitor Centre (phone +61 2 8273 0000, visitorcentre.com.au) is helping potential visitors learn more about local COVID-19 restrictions and assisting with future trip planning via digital consultations.
PASMO Passport card, Japan
Visitors to Japan can get a reloadable PASMO Passport smart card with which to easily pay for public transportation and some taxis and for purchases at some vending machines and stores (look for the “PASMO” logo at checkout).
Prague food tour
On the “Traditional Czech Food Tour” with Taste of Prague (Hastalska 15, Prague, Czechia; phone +420 603 252 810, www.tasteofprague.com), visitors can taste 10 to 12 traditional Czech recipes at four restaurants, with local beer and wine included.