Travel Briefs
Public transport guides
Michael Brein’s “Travel by the Metro” series of 4"x9" foldable guides helps travelers sightsee in major cities using public transportation.
Haydn in Austria
2009 is the 200th anniversary of the death of composer Joseph Haydn, and his home province of Burgenland, Austria, is holding dozens of concerts in Esterházy Palace in Eisenstadt plus special programs, many free.
Argentina tourist fee
CORRECTION — After reading the item “Argentina Tourist Fee” (Dec. ’08, pg. 19), a reader pointed out that he had never had to pay a visa-application fee to get into Argentina as a tourist.
Special Needs at Sea
For travelers with special requirements to accommodate their handicaps, Special Needs at Sea (2860 West State Rd. 84, Ste.
Air show in New Zealand
“Italian Invasion” is the theme of the “Classic Fighters Air Show,” April 10-12, 2009, at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Center (79 Aerodrome Rd., Blenheim, Marlborough, New Zealand; phone +64 3 579 1305, fax +1306; www.omaka.org.nz).
Baths of Diocletian
After a 30-year restoration effort, a large hall in the Baths of Diocletian, or Terme di Diocleziano (Viale E. di Nicola 79; metro stop Termini; phone 06 39 96 7700, www.roma2000.it/munaro.html), has reopened to the public.
Travel ID for kids
The Kids Travel Card is a customized photo ID card for children, with information such as home address, food allergies, parents’ names and emergency contact. It costs $10.95 plus $10.99 shipping (in CA, add 7.75% tax) and includes a lanyard. Duplicate cards in the same order cost $4.95 (plus $3.25, lanyard).
Universal power ‘brick’
If you travel with several electronic devices (camera, GPS, music player, phone, laptop, etc.), the Tumi Ultra Slim Universal Power Adaptor Kit may come in handy for recharging.
Crystal Cruises savings
Book a 2009 Europe, Asia or transatlantic cruise aboard the Crystal Symphony or Crystal Serenity by March 31 and receive 20% off on one of more than 50 Crystal itineraries in 2010. The 2010 cruise must be booked by Nov. 30, 2009.
Royal Oak Foundation
By joining the Royal Oak Foundation (New York, NY; 800/913-6565, ext. 205, or 212/480-2889, www.royal-oak.org), American visitors to Britain can enjoy unlimited free entry to more than 350 National Trust destinations: historic houses, gardens, castles, nature reserves and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Air France: Paris free
With the “+Paris Offer,” Air France (800/237-2747, www.airfrance.us) now offers a free stopover in Paris on any flight between the US and almost any other Air France destination in Europe, the Middle East, India or Africa.
Costa Rica entry fee
Costa Rica dropped its 3% hotel tax in November 2008, then scheduled an entry fee of $15 to be charged to tourists arriving by air. Over all, stays now will be less expensive. [See correction in the April issue. —Editor]
Cruising guide
“Stern’s Guide to the Cruise Vacation” by Steven B. Stern (2009, Pelican Publishing. $26 paperback) covers the history, vital statistics, physical details and price categories of nearly 430 ships from more than 50 cruise lines and rates the ships and lines (1 to 6 stars).
Versailles’ Petit Trianon
Located on the grounds of Versailles, about 25 kilometers southwest of Paris, the Petit Trianon — the small château commissioned by Louis XV for his mistress and used by Marie Antoinette — has officially reopened to the public after more than a year’s restoration.
Orient-Express special
Book before March 31, 2009, and get a free night’s stay (subject to availability) at one of the world’s best hotels before or after an overnight train or boat journey with Orient-Express Trains & Cruises (Orient-Express Hotels, New York, NY; 212/302-5055, www.orient-express.com)
Country health / medical ratings
Available only in conjunction with any of their travel insurance or medical evacuation plans, Medex Global Group, Inc. (Baltimore, MD; 800/537-2029 or 410/453-6300, www.medexassist.com) offers analyses of the quality of health care and medical facilities in any of 237 countries.
15th-century wedding
Every four years in Landshut, Germany, a historical pageant is held with about 5,000 participants dressed in period attire reenacting the celebrated 1475 wedding of Hedwig, a Polish princess, and Georg, a son of Landshut’s powerful Wittelsbach family. It is to be held June 27-July 19, 2009.
Rare ritual in Nagano
A sacred ritual that takes place once every seven years will take place April 5-May 31, 2009, at the 1,400-year-old Zenkoji Temple in central Nagano: a window of the three Buddha statues will be opened.
Free air with Silversea
Silversea Cruises (Ft. Lauderdale, FL; 800/722-9955, www.silversea.com) is offering free airfare for cruises in Europe and South America on bookings made before March 31, 2009.
Kayak the Thames
Thames River Adventures (32 Whitmore Close, London N11 1PB, U.K.; phone 020 8361 3009 or mobile 07773 720 860, www.thamesriveradventures.co.uk) offers kayak and canoe trips along the Thames, April through October.