Travel Briefs

In Tsarskoye Selo, Russia, near the Catherine Palace, about 15 miles south of St. Petersburg, the Alexander Palace opened as a museum on Aug. 13, 2021.

In Rome, Italy, the Mausoleum of Augustus, former resting place of the first Roman emperor, reopened to the public in March 2021 after 14 years of restoration. The circular structure, dating back to 28 BC, was also the burial place for other members of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, which lasted until Nero died in AD 68. Near the Tiber River, it stands in the Piazza Augusto Imperatore, off Via dell’Ara Pacis.

A 250-mile bike route following the river Seine in France from Paris to Rouen to the shores of Le Havre, Normandy, was completed in 2020. La Seine à Vélo is split into 12 stages — the longest being 29 miles — all suitable for casual cyclists. Along the way, riders will encounter historic châteaux, market towns, parks, gardens and more.

For a map, info on renting a bike and a list of restaurants and accommodations along the route, visit www.laseineavelo.com.

Travelers can rent e-bikes and equipment throughout Scotland with eguide Scotland (Aboyne, Scotland, UK; www.eguidescotland.com). E-bikes have battery-powered motors that assist with pedaling during climbs or in rough terrain. Batteries typically last about 35 miles on one charge.

On Dec. 2, 2021, a train connection between Kunming, China, and Vientiane, Laos, was completed. With that, it now is possible to travel from Lagos, on the southern tip of Portugal, to Singapore entirely by train (allowing for short treks between train stations in some cities).

When the shortest route is calculated, which still measures at least 11,654 miles, the trip includes 13 countries and requires multiple connections and travel visas. It is estimated that, with some required overnights while switching trains, the journey would take a minimum of 21 days.

Delta Air Lines has removed the ability to earn miles in its SkyMiles program on Basic Economy fares. On Dec. 9, members of its frequent-flyer program ceased earning miles for Basic Economy seats purchased on or after that date on flights departing on or after Jan. 1, 2022. Basic Economy seats also no longer qualify toward maintaining Medallion Elite status, for which a certain number of miles must be flown each year.

At press time, Delta’s Basic Economy seats still earned reduced miles on the partner airline programs Air France-KLM Flying Blue and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.

On Dec. 9, the European Union (EU) agreed to allow Croatia into the passport-free Schengen Zone Agreement. Croatia has been a member of the EU since 2013, but because it was not a member of the Schengen Zone, travel between Croatia and EU or Schengen countries still required passport control. (Confusingly, while not all Schengen countries are EU countries, EU approval was still necessary for Croatia to join.) At press time, it was not known on what date Croatia would officially become a member state.

An agreement between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), announced on Dec. 22, allows the FAA to share, with the TSA, information identifying passengers facing fines for unruly behavior. The TSA said that any of those passengers who are members of their Pre√ program will have that membership revoked.

It was not known, at press time, whether Pre√ members will have their membership restored if the FAA fines are later rescinded after an appeal.

In Almere, Netherlands, the Floriade garden expo, held once every 10 years, is scheduled for April 14-Oct. 9, 2022. It will feature flowers and plant-growing innovations from more than 40 countries, and visitors will be able to sample and buy fresh fruits and vegetables.

Almere is a planned city that was built on land reclaimed from the IJsselmeer starting in the 1970s. The Floriade will be held in the new Floriade Park. A day pass will cost €29 (near $33) adult. A Floriade Pass, granting unlimited visits during the expo, will cost €79. Visit floriade.com.

The cost of renewing a US passport book increased by $20, to $130, on Dec. 27. For those over the age of 16 applying for their first passport, or for those replacing an existing passport that is lost or has no empty pages, an additional $35 will be charged for a total of $165.

To download a renewal application, visit travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/renew.html.