In the Ardèche department of France, in the Rhône-Alpes region, a replica of Chauvet Cave, known for its many prehistoric paintings, will open in late 2014. Chauvet Cave, whose paintings predate those of the famous Lascaux Caves by about 19,000 years, contains more than 1,000 representations, including 424 depictions of 14 animal species.
An exact replica of Tutankhamun’s tomb was scheduled to open in Luxor, Egypt, on April 30. The facsimile was a gift to Egypt from the Factum Foundation of Madrid, Spain, the Society of Friends of the Royal Tombs of Egypt in Zürich, Switzerland, and the University of Basel.
2014 marks the 100th anniversary of the start of World War One. The war officially began on July 28, 1914, when the Austro-Hungarian Empire declared war on Serbia. Through 2018, nations throughout Europe are holding events, including battlefield tributes in Belgium and France, reenactments, remembrances at war cemeteries and museum exhibits.
Starting Dec. 1, 2014, cruise ships of 96,000 tonnes or more will no longer be allowed to enter Venice, Italy’s, Giudecca Canal to pass by sites such as St. Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace.
This agreement between the government of Italy and the Cruise Lines International Association comes after years of complaints from Venetians and environmentalists, who claimed that the presence of the large ships threatens the lagoons and that the high numbers of passengers overwhelm local sights.
“Volcano boarding” is riding a sled down the ash slope of Cerro Negro near León, Nicaragua. Thrill seekers are driven to the volcano and climb with their boards for about 45 minutes up the ash-and-gravel slope to the top. Wearing coveralls, gloves and goggles, they sit or stand on plywood sleds and descend about 1,500 feet at speeds up to 50 mph.
The 2014 British Birdfair takes place Aug. 15-17 at the Rutland Water Nature Reserve (Egleton, Oakham, Rutland, England, LE15 8BT, U.K.; phone 01572 770651, fax 755931).
Supporting international conservation projects, the 26th-anniversary event will feature workshops and hundreds of exhibitors, including nature reserves worldwide plus tour operators. Children’s activities include bug hunts, pond dipping and crafts. Tickets went on sale March 1.
For women and children, Parasol™ (New York, NY; 866/981-6381) offers sun-protective clothing made of natural materials. The product line includes hats, shirts, shorts, dresses and swimwear, with costs ranging from $65 (children’s swimwear) to $285 (women’s dresses). The beachwear can be found in major department stores or purchased directly.
An “Ennis Walking Trails” app from the town of Ennis in County Clare, Ireland — which was granted a municipal charter in 1613 — shows a map with five walking routes along the town’s Heritage Trails and offers audio info on a total of 13 points of interest. Routes vary from a half mile to two miles and take from 35 to 80 minutes to walk. The app is free on Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
A panoramic, site-specific painting depicting the siege of Istanbul by Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II can be found in the museum Panorama 1453 (Topkapı Cultural Park, Istanbul, Turkey; phone 0212 415 14 53, www.panoramikmuze.com [in Turkish only]).
Including images of 10,000 individuals, the painting covers the entire interior of a dome 131 feet in diameter and depicts the siege as it might have appeared on May 29, 1453, from the museum’s location. Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Museum entry costs TRY10 (near $4.50).
In southeastern England, a collection of rare trees and shrubs from exotic locations can be found at Borde Hill (Haywards Heath, West Sussex, England, RH16 1XP, U.K.; phone 01444 450326). In 2014, open daily 10-6, March 22-Nov. 3.