Travel Briefs

The nation of Turkey requested that its name be spelled “Türkiye” in other countries in order to match the country’s name in Turkish. Potential visitors can find the tourism board’s new website at https://goturkiye.com.

After Ukraine was invaded by Russia on Feb. 22, multiple countries began enforcing travel restrictions on Russia, including closing off airspace to Russian flights and limiting Russian travel companies from doing business internationally. On March 5, Visa and MasterCard suspended transactions in Russia.

Australia opened its borders to leisure travelers for the first time since March 2020 on Feb. 21, 2022. Both COVID-19-vaccinated and (with medical exemption) unvaccinated travelers are allowed to enter, though those unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated are required to quarantine at an approved hotel for 14 days upon arrival. Regardless of vaccination status, all travelers are required to take a PCR test no more than 72 hours prior to travel or a rapid-antigen test 24 hours before arrival.

The Cameron Highlands Flora Park (lot 191, 39010 Brinchang, Cameron Highlands) in Pahang state, peninsular Malaysia, opened in November 2021. Within the park, greenhouses, winding trails and picturesque picnic spots offer views of thousands of flowering plants. The park is open daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Entry costs MYR50 (near $12).

Offering tips, maps and other assistance for visiting Zürich, Switzerland, the Zürich City Guide app can be downloaded for free on Apple or Android.

In the village of Ponte de Lima, Portugal, toys made in Portugal between the late 19th century and the 1980s — including dolls, children’s furniture and zinc and wooden cars, planes and trains — are on display at Museu do Brinquedo Português (Casa do Arnado, Lago da Alegria; phone +351 258 240 210, www.museuspontedelima.com/pages/986). Nearly 200 Portuguese toy manufacturers are represented in the collection. Temporary exhibits are regularly held.

It was reported that the city of Venice, Italy, would limit day-trippers starting in 2022, requiring anyone planning to visit for the day to reserve a day online and pay a €5 (near $5.60) fee. However, at press time, no website on which to make a reservation had been revealed.

This restriction would not affect those overnighting in the city.

The United Kingdom, Ireland and Denmark all removed certain COVID-19 restrictions in early 2022.

In the UK, digital passes and face coverings are no longer nationally required on public transportation or in public buildings. However, municipalities can require face masks on their own transit systems, including in London, which still required masks at press time.

As of Jan. 23, all non-US citizens, including permanent residents, entering the US via land or ferry are now required to show proof of completed COVID-19 vaccination. At press time, the US did not require a booster shot in order to be considered fully vaccinated.

While US citizens are exempt from the vaccination requirement, anyone crossing the border, including US citizens, must present a negative COVID test taken within the last 24 hours, regardless of vaccination status.

As of Jan. 16 in France, anyone whose completed vaccination or recovery from COVID occurred more than seven months from the present must also have gotten a COVID-19 booster shot or they will not be allowed to enter indoor establishments such as restaurants, theaters or shopping centers or indoor sporting events.