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.
Brazil’s first confirmed case of COVID-19 was discovered one day after Carnaval ended in 2020. That festival attracted five million locals and two million foreign visitors.
Flood-prevention gates in Venice, Italy, were used for the first time to prevent flooding on Oct. 3. After all 78 gates were raised, the tide reached over 4 feet outside of the lagoon in which the city is located, but within the city, which floods when the tide reaches at least 3 feet, the water remained below street level.
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. Open 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Mon.-Sat.
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. The higher end of the bridge is near the Fossli Hotel (www.fossli-hotel.com). Amenities at the top of the falls, including new paths and lookout points, will be added in 2021.
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.
Wearing safety harnesses, climbers ascend to a height of 440 feet. Anyone taking the climb should be physically capable of such activities. Afterward, climbers each receive a group photo from the summit, a BridgeClimb hat and a certificate of achievement.
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.
A 15-minute ride on the “Mail Rail,” located 70 feet under the former Mt. Pleasant Royal Mail sorting room, is in cramped conditions (carriages are 51 inches from floor to canopy and 31 inches side to side), with portions in total darkness.
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. Face shields worn without face masks are also not allowed.
Major US airlines Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines all announced in late August and early September that they will be permanently eliminating ticket change fees in most airfare classes.
The airlines differ regarding the seating classes and air routes where change fees will not be charged. For the most part, passengers on international flights to non-North American countries and/or in the lowest fare classes will still be subject to change fees. Check with your carrier for details.
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.
To schedule a consultation, email sydney@visitorcentre.com.au or call the number above. Digital video consultations can be scheduled via Skype or Zoom. Those without access to a computer with a camera can schedule a phone consultation.
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. (A traveler canceling or interrupting his own trip due to fears of COVID-19 will not be covered.)