The Pomskizillious Museum of Toys (10, Triq Gnien Xibla, Xagħra; phone +356 2156 2489) in Xagħra, on the Maltese island of Gozo, displays toys from around the world in a converted 18th-century farmhouse. The earliest objects include a late-18th-century Maltese doll and some Italian Presepio (nativity) figurines from the 1790s. Open hours and days vary year-round.
The Budapest Card, valid for 48 (HUF6,300, or $29) or 72 (HUF7,500, or $35) hours, offers more than 150 discounts for visitors to Hungary’s capital.
Holders of the London Sightseeing Pass — giving access to more than 55 attractions, including Kew Gardens, Churchill’s War Rooms and City Cruises’ Thames River Cruise — can “skip the queue” at busy sites. Add the travel option (only if purchased online) and ride the Tube and buses free.
A one-day London Pass costs £40 (near $54) adult or £27 child (5-15); a one-day pass with travel costs £48 adult, £29 child. A six-day adult pass costs £90 or, with travel, £137. Two- and three-day passes available. 120-page guidebook included.
In the Eilandje district of Antwerp, Belgium, Museum Aan de Stroom (MAS), or Museum on the River (Hanzestedenplaats 1, Antwerp; phone +32 3 338 44 34), will open May 17.
The new home for the collections of the Ethnographic Museum, the National Shipping Museum and the Folklore Museum, it will have exhibits showcasing the port city’s relationship throughout history to the rest of the world. (An information point is currently open.)
In 1610, artist Peter Paul Rubens rebuilt to his own design a residence in Antwerp, Belgium. Now a museum, Rubenshuis (Wapper 9-11, Antwerp; phone +32 3 201 15 55) will host “Palazzo Rubens — The Master as an Architect,” an exhibit on his architectural accomplishments, Sept. 10-Dec. 11, 2011.
Among some 50 items will be architectural prints and writings and works by Michelangelo, Guilio Romano, Van Dyck and Jordaens. €8-€10 ($11-$14); free on last Wednesday of the month.
“Christ the King,” a 118-foot-tall, white-plaster-and-fiberglass statue with a golden crown, was completed on Nov. 6 in Swiebodzin, Poland (about 50 miles east of the German border).
Over southern Namibia’s Fish River Canyon, a new viewing platform opened on Oct. 21. Located in Ai-Ais Hot Springs Game Park, in the Karas region, the facility also has a picnic area, informative display panels and bathroom facilities.
At 99 miles long and up to 1,804 feet deep, the canyon is the world’s second largest, after the Grand Canyon.
The 2011 Asian Winter Games will be held in Almaty and Astana, Kazakhstan, Jan. 30-Feb. 6, hosting 2,500 athletes from 32 countries plus 10,000 visitors. Events include alpine and cross-country skiing, speed skating, figure skating and ice hockey. Visit www.astana-almaty2011.kz.
The National Brewery Centre (Horninglow St.; phone 01283 532 880, national brewerycentre.co.uk.), an interactive museum and visitor center showcasing England’s brewing heritage, opened Sept. 21 in Burton upon Trent in Staffordshire.
Visitors will see hundreds of exhibits, rare artifacts and multimedia presentations plus the brewing process and, of course, may sample beers. Open 10-6 daily except Christmas. £8.50 ($13.40) adult, including tour and four beer samples.
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi opened on Oct. 28 on Yas Island (10 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport).