Travel Briefs
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).
Nantes Cathedral fire
In western France, a fire burned parts of Nantes Cathedral, or the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul of Nantes, on July 18, destroying its organ and the large, 17th-century stained-glass window on its façade. Firefighters put out the fire before any structural damage was done.
National Trust re-openings in UK
The UK’s National Trust, an organization that works to preserve historical places and which owns many sites of interest in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, began opening some gardens and parklands to visitors in June. At press time, 135 parks and gardens had reopened to limited numbers of visitors.
France bans outdoor heaters
France’s government announced a ban on outdoor heaters at restaurants, cafés and bars on July 27, citing their environmental impact. The order also includes a ban on restaurants keeping their doors open while using air-conditioning, another waste of energy.
Direct high-speed rail in Italy
A new high-speed rail route in Italy, from Turin (Torino) in the north to Reggio Calabria, located on the “toe” in the south, began operation on June 4.
Live and work abroad
Many countries are restricting visits by US residents. However, employed Americans who can work remotely may apply for “nonpermanent resident” status in some countries, providing opportunities for them to then travel to countries closed to US residents.
Hagia Sophia a mosque again
In Istanbul, Turkey, Hagia Sophia, a museum since 1934, was declared to be an active mosque on July 10. The first Friday prayers in 86 years were held in the building on July 24.
ETIAS delayed again
On June 2, for a second time, the European Commission delayed the date for the implementation of the European Travel Information & Authorization System, or ETIAS (June ’20, pg. 4).
Iceland volcano jeep tour
Leaving from Reykjavík, Iceland, the “Eyjafjallajökull Super Jeep Tour,” operated by Arctic Adventures (+354 562 7000, adventures.is), takes guests to the Eyjafjallajökull Volcano, which last erupted in 2010, while also visiting Gígjökull Glacier
COVID border restrictions map
An interactive world map showing COVID-19-related border restrictions for almost every country and territory has been created by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Visit www.iatatravelcentre.com/international-travel-document-news/1580226297.htm.
Postojna spelunking tour
At Postojna Cave in Slovenia, visitors can take a 5-hour “adventure tour” led by expert spelunkers through parts of the cave system not open to most visitors.
Uzbekistan COVID compensation
The nation of Uzbekistan, which opened its borders to leisure travelers on July 1, announced that travelers who become infected with COVID-19 while visiting the country will be awarded $3,000 each. That amount is equivalent to the cost of COVID-19 medical care in Uzbekistan.
New Japan bullet train
A new-model shin kansen (bullet train), the N700S, began operating on the Tokaido Line, between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka, on July 1. The line is on the Japan Rail system, so a JR Pass can be used.
Virtual tour of Lascaux
France’s original Lascaux cave, discovered in 1940 and famous for its prehistoric art, can be toured online. The virtual tour consists of detailed video of each of the cave’s nine sections.
Notre Dame scaffold removal
The process of removing metal scaffolding that has encased Notre Dame cathedral in Paris for months, having melted and fused there during the fire in April 2019, began on June 8. The scaffolding was on the building due to restoration work that was being done when the fire broke out.
Australia rock art tours
To view ancient indigenous rock art in the upper peninsula of Queensland, Australia, visitors can take either a jeep or helicopter with Jarramali Rock Art Tours (Laura, Queensland, Australia; phone +61 402 805 821, jarramalirockarttours.com.au)
Cruise lines’ COVID policies
Cruise lines around the world are updating their health and safety practices in preparation for a return to cruising during the COVID-19 pandemic. Common updates include new hand sanitizer and mask policies, changes in how food is served and increases in onboard medical staff.
Australia travel restrictions map
A map of Australia that shows the COVID-19 travel restrictions for each state and territory, and which is continuously updated, can be found at www.australia.com/en/travel-alerts/australian-travel-status-map.html.