In London, plans are underway to eliminate, by summer 2014, the option of paying bus fares in cash.
The new system will require all bus passengers to pay using an Oyster card, which can be purchased in Tube stations, London travel information centers, bus stations and rail stations. A full list of locations is available on the Transport for London website.
Currently, members of Delta Air Lines’ SkyMiles program earn frequent-flyer miles based on the distances they travel, but under the new program starting in 2015, the number of miles earned will be based on the cost of the ticket.
The changes will most reward those who fly less often on costlier trips. It also will benefit those who book trips on short notice and cannot take advantage of bargain tickets.
The Nicaragua Tourism Board has set up an emergency phone number that will assist English-speaking visitors in emergencies. Twenty-four hours a day, they may dial “101” for free to reach a bilingual police officer, who will provide assistance in emergencies as diverse as auto accidents, crimes and loss of travel documents.
Visitors to Königsleiten, Austria, in the Wald-Königsleiten hiking area, can ride the cable car to the top station on the Gerlospass and walk back down to town, via Larmachalm, on the Jodel (Yodel) Trail (www.jodelweg.at).
At each of eight stations, a tape can be played that teaches a bit more yodeling technique. Practicing, you can hear your echo. At one station, you can play cowbells, and another has a huge alpine horn to blow.
Off the Icefields Parkway in Alberta, western Canada, the new Glacier Skywalk opens May 1, 2014. A path has a series of stations explaining the Sunwapta Valley’s geology and history. Visitors then reach the U-shaped Skywalk, which juts out 98 feet from the cliff face. Through the glass floor of the open-air walkway, visitors can gaze down 918 feet to the valley below, which holds the 125-square-mile Columbia Icefield.
Skywalk is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in May; 9-6 June, July, Aug.; 10-5 Sept., and 10-4 Oct. 1-19. Entry, CAD24.95 (near $22) adult, CAD12.50 child.
In January, the US Transportation Security Administration stopped providing personnel to guard exits in the secure, “airside” areas of some airports, including New York’s JFK and LaGuardia. As part of a measure to reduce its 2014 budget by $88 million, it transferred control of exit-lane access to local airport authorities.
Airport advocates who object point to the shutdown of Newark International for several hours and subsequent flight delays after a nonpassenger snuck through an exit lane to kiss his girlfriend good-bye in 2010.
The company LuggagePros offers carry-ons on which travelers can have a photograph, such as a picture of a family member’s face, a pet or natural scene (not copyrighted), printed/baked on the front. On the website, travelers can preview how the bag with photo would look.
Bags, each with a lightweight polycarbonate shell, four rotating wheels and a telescoping handle, are available in sizes 22"x13½"x9" ($129.99) and 26"x17"x10" ($169.99). Shipping, in 4-5 days, is free.
Hong Kong, China’s, annual International Dragon Boat Races take place in Victoria Harbour in late June. In 2013, 180-plus teams of more than 5,000 athletes from around the world competed in the 22-passenger wooden rowboats.
To watch the races, take the subway or ferry to the East Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront promenade, where there are visitor facilities and bathrooms. Performers entertain the crowd between races. Contact the Hong Kong Tourism Board (323/938-4582 [Los Angeles, CA] or 212/421-3382 [New York, NY]).
Marking 150 years since the Charlottetown Conference, at which Canada as a country was proposed, Prince Edward Island province is holding 150+ festivals and events in 2014. In Founders Week, Aug. 28-Sept. 8, tall ships sail into Charlottetown and Summerside, with a concert and fireworks. Contact PEI 2014 (877/734-2014).
Commemorating the centenary of the start of World War I, England’s Imperial War Museums organization, which operates museums in London, Manchester and Duxford, is presenting a program of cultural events in 2014.
Example — on Aug. 4 at Westminster Abbey, a candelight vigil from sundown until 11 p.m. will commemorate England’s entering the war. For a list of WWI events in England, visit www.1914.org.