Leonardo da Vinci Airport (www.adr.it), at Rome, Italy, opened its new Terminal 5 in May solely to screen passengers of airlines with more stringent security rules. Passengers departing on the airlines American, Continental, Delta, United, US Airways and El Al will go through security checks and baggage and boarding pass check-ins in the new terminal, then take a shuttle bus back to the original main airport boarding gates for their flights.
The last link on a cross-border road system leading from Singapore to Beijing, a new all-weather highway, Route 3, opened in Laos in March 2008 between China’s Yunnan province and northern Thailand. The previous highway was closed for four months each year during the rainy season.
Talking on cell phones while driving in Kuwait became illegal as of May 1. Violators will be fined 15 dinars (near $56). The law does not apply to people using hands-free calling equipment.
A law passed earlier prohibits eating or drinking while behind the wheel.
For its 19-day Suez Canal transit cruises, visiting Egypt, the Sinai, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, Overseas Adventure Travel (Cambridge, MA; 800/493-6824, www.oattravel.com) has added two new ships.
Available January-April 2009, cruises on one of the three 50-passenger ships cost $5,495-$6,395 (plus tax), including airfare from New York.
Princess Cruises (800/774-6237, www.princess.com) has announced that all 2009-2010 Panama Canal transits of 15 days or longer will include a second day at port in Fuerte Amador. The stopover allows travelers to visit Panama City, the Panama Canal Railway and the Soberania National Park rainforest.
Eurail Pass is valid in Europe but not in Britain. Throughout 2008, travelers ages 16 to 25 who purchase any Eurail Pass (about $69-$2,089) can get a 50% discount off the regular adult price of a standard-class BritRail Consecutive Pass, BritRail FlexiPass, BritRail England Consecutive Pass or BritRail England FlexiPass.
Examples — with the 50% discount, the “all-access” standard-class 4-Day BritRail Consecutive Pass costs $130 and the FlexiPass version, $165. Contact BritRail (866/938-7245, www.britrail.com).
The Francisco Godia Foundation (Diputació, 250, 08007 Barcelona, Spain; phone 93 272 31 80, fax 31 81, e-mail info@fundacionfgodia.org) opens in Barcelona in October 2008 with more than 100 pieces from the 12th century on.
The focus is on medieval art, ceramics and contemporary painting, and it includes works by Joan Miró, Picasso and Ramon Casas. Open 10-8. Closed Tuesday. €6 ($9) adult, €4 student/senior.
Air Service Berlin (Berlin-Schönefeld Airport, Building G 005, D-12521 Berlin, Germany; phone +49 030 60 91 37 30, fax 60 91 37 31, www.air-service-berlin.de) offers a 35-minute flight on a restored DC-3, the plane the Allies used to supply West Berlin with food, coal and medicine during the East German blockade.
Allowing mo-bility-impaired travelers to stay independent, the company Flying Companions (645 Greystone Park, Atlanta, GA 30324; 888/350-8886, www.flyingcompanions.com) provides experienced and insured companions to accompany them through airports and on national or international flights.
The service includes booking of travel arrangements, transportation from home to the destination, coordinating check-in, carrying luggage, wheelchair assistance and retrieving luggage.
On selected 2008-2009 Antarctica cruises of the mv Discovery, Voyages of Discovery (Ft. Lauderdale, FL; 866/623-2689, www.voyagesofdiscovery.com) is offering, from selected North American cities, airfare for from free to $199 as well as discounts up to 34% on bookings made at least 120 days before departure.
Example — the 38-night sailing from Lisbon to Antarctica, Nov. 13, 2008, also visiting Rio de Janeiro and Montevideo, is discounted to $8,395-$17,950 including air.