Travel Briefs

In a test program in Finland, Helsinki Airport is handing out “guidance cards” on selected flights to help transferring passengers with tight connection times.

Pittsburgh International Airport in Pennsylvania is one of the first in the US to set up a special security screening lane for travelers with one item of carry-on luggage (no larger than 22"x14"x9") — with no extra purse, briefcase or camera bag — or no carry-on at all.

This is not related to any TSA program, nor is it part of any perks program for first-class ticket holders or elite frequent flyers. All passengers still go through full security screening and metal detectors.

From November 2011 through February 2012, BritRail (866/274-8724) offers low-season discounts of up to 20% off its passes. Example — the classic BritRail Pass, at $179 for three days in the high season, costs $145 in low and allows travel throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

The first all-volunteer Greeter guide service began in New York City in 1992. Now 22 cities worldwide have Greeter programs, the most recent being Moscow in June 2011.

Enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of Victoria Harbour from Hong Kong’s highest indoor observation deck, Sky100 (phone +852 2613 3888).

Wild Earth Travel (P.O. Box 7218, Christchurch, 8240, New Zealand; phone +64 0 3 365 1355) offers cruises through the Northwest Passage, which has recently been made more navigable by climate change. The sailing includes views of Greenland’s fjords, the Arctic Circle and the site of the lost Franklin Exhibition. The cruise, Aug. 19-Sept. 2, 2012, costs $6,995-$16,195 per person, double.

Accor Hotels will consolidate its budget brands starting in 2012. The least-expensive chains — Formule 1 and Etap — will be renamed Ibis Budget and have blue signage and logos. Current Ibis hotels (red logos) will retain their designation. Accor’s All Season chain will be renamed Ibis Style and sport green signage and logos.

Travelers at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol might try a tour on the Floating Dutchman, an amphibious bus that holds 48 people. For the tour of two hours and 45 minutes, passengers transiting Schiphol should allow at least a four-hour stopover, timing it for one of the tour departures daily at 9, noon and 3 from Schiphol Plaza.

On the Saturday closest to the full moon, enjoy dinner at sunset in a field on a hilltop farm in Jamaica’s St. Elizabeth parish. The monthly dinner, prepared at tableside, has a rotating menu. Among dishes that have been served are local fruit cocktail, lamb with coconut milk and penne with lime basil.

Almost 9,000 guided day trips in more than 150 countries (mostly in Europe, the Caribbean and South America) and most major cities are listed on the booking and review website Viator.com. Users can build an itinerary for a location and book all the tours online.

Searches for the excursions can be filtered by location, region, city, dates, type of activity and more. Search results can be sorted by price, best sellers and travelers’ ratings. Each tour listing shows the itinerary, times, price and inclusions and exclusions.