The World Snail Racing Championships have been held for more than 25 years in Congham, England, 50 miles north of Cambridge. About 300 snails compete for the title “fastest in the world.” In 2010, the contest will be held July 17 at 2 p.m.
In Japan, Kawagoe, or Little Edo, is an old castle town with a river running through it. Full of pre-WWII architecture, the streets still show traditional merchants’ warehouses and temples.
It’s a 24-minute train ride from Tokyo to Ikebukuro Station by JR Yamanote Line plus another 33 minutes to Kawagoe Station by Tobu-Tojo Line (regular express), for a total cost of ¥640 ($7).
In Rome, a cooperative of cab owners has set up a book-ahead system for travelers to assure them of reliable drivers and fixed rates.
Using a phone or a computer (or a “smart” cell phone), a traveler can book and prepay for a taxi with the co-op Radiotaxi 3570 (in Rome, dial 06 3570; visit www.3570.it/en.servizi.htm).
It’s possible to request a driver who speaks English, French, Spanish or German and to make other requests (for a van, for example, or to take extra luggage). Other cities with the service in Italy are listed on the website.
Burj Khalifa, at 828 meters (2,717 feet) the world’s tallest building, opened in downtown Dubai on Jan. 4. On Level 124 it has the world’s highest outdoor observation deck, At The Top, with panoramic views of the city, desert and ocean.
The At The Top experience (open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday and 10 a.m. to midnight Thursday-Saturday) includes a multimedia presentation and lasts about one hour. Tickets are time-stamped at 30-minute intervals, on specific days, to manage crowds.
Bungee jumping from the Transporter Bridge on Ferry Road in Middlesbrough, Tees Valley, northeast England, takes place year-round every third and fourth Saturday or Sunday morning of the month from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
“Jumpers” (ages 16 to 50 or over 50 with doctor’s certificate) report to the visitor center on site and book the jump in the morning. Each signs an indemnity form and is weighed, then fitted with a harness and taken up to the top walkway of the bridge.
In honor of its 25th anniversary, the Israeli Opera Company will present two sunrise performances of Verdi’s “Nabucco” on a stage at the foot of Masada, June 3-5, 2010, and a special concert with diva Jessye Norman atop Masada, June 4.
Limited one- to seven-night ticket/hotel packages (from $688 per person, double, one night) for Masada Opera Weekend may be purchased at www.nabuccoatmasada.com. For info on Israel, visit www.goisrael.com.
The people in the region of Viengxay in northeastern Laos survived the US bombing campaigns of 1964-1973 by living in a network of large caves, each of which functioned as a hospital, bakery, school, shop, theater, government offices, etc. In an area of limestone mountains and rice paddies, some of the caves are now open to the public.
Air France encourages obese passengers to prebook a second seat at a 25% discount, and as of Feb. 1 the airline will refund the price of the extra seat if the flight is not full.
For overweight passengers who did not book a second seat in advance, the airline does try to accommodate them whenever empty seats are available, but seats are not guaranteed. The airline reserves the right to prevent a large passenger from flying if it might impede evacuations. The decision is left to the captain.
The Venezuelan government devalued its currency on Jan. 8, setting the bolívar at 4.3 to the dollar for nonessential items and 2.6 to the dollar for food, medical supplies and other essential products. Venezuelans swarmed stores to buy imported goods before prices essentially doubled.
Ordering the first devaluation since 2005, Chávez hopes the measures will boost the competitiveness of Venezuela’s exports and discourage locals from buying all but “strictly necessary” imports.
Israel’s Museum of the Good Samaritan (phone 02 541 7555) has opened on the Jerusalem/Dead Sea Road, several miles east of Ma’ale Adumim. Along with many mosaics, some from Samaritan synagogues, there are religious artifacts and items from cave dwellings. Open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sun.-Thurs.