The countries of Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia have agreed to end their 27-year impasse over the latter country’s name, compromising on Republic of Northern Macedonia, or, in Macedonian, Severna Makedonija.
2019 marks the 100th anniversary of the Bauhaus art-and-design movement, which began in Germany. Special events are being held there (www.gobauhaus.com), such as…
• In Dessau, home to the actual Bauhaus, an art school that operated from 1919 to 1933, look for guided architectural tours, public art displays and, scheduled for fall 2019, the opening of the Bauhaus Museum Dessau.
Visitors to Rome can purchase a S.U.P.E.R. (Seven Unique Places to Experience in Rome) ticket that allows entry to seven sites around the Colosseum: the Criptoportico Neroniano, the Palentine Museum, House of Emperor Augustus, House of Livia, the Aula Isiaca, the Temple of Romulus and the Santa Maria Antiqua.
On the southern coast of Western Australia, visitors can take a tour of the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse (1267 Cape Naturaliste Rd., Leeuwin-Naturaliste Nat’l Park, Western Australia; phone +61 8 9780 4811) or just enjoy the views of Geographe Bay from the lighthouse’s new observation bay.
On the half-hour tour, guests learn of the history of the structure, built in 1904, and of the surrounding area. A tour costs AUD15 (near $12) adult or AUD13 senior. Entry to the lighthouse, itself, is free.
Egypt introduced an evisa for travelers from 46 countries, including the US, UK and Canada, on June 26. Whether single-entry ($25) or multiple-entry ($60), it is good for three months after approval. To apply, visit visa2egypt.gov.eg.
In Tokyo, Japan, the Metro & Grutto Pass includes two unlimited-ride, 24-hour Metro tickets along with free or discounted admission to 92 museums in and around the city.
The 2018 version of the pass can be purchased at the Metro pass office at any Tokyo Metro station — except at Nakano, Nishi-funabashi and Shibuya (Fukutoshin Line) stations — until March 31, 2019. ¥2,870 (near $26). For more info plus a downloadable PDF of the museums where the pass is valid, visit www.rekibun.or.jp/en/grutto.
On Feb. 26, the International Standards Organization (ISO) approved six symbols that indicate the functions of electronic Japanese toilets, meaning that command buttons on all electronic toilets will follow the same graphical interface from now on. Older models still may use outdated graphics.
The pictograms, with their functions described in English, can be found at www.meti.go.jp/english/press/2018/0226_001.html.
Preceding a tour of William Shakespeare’s reconstructed Globe Theatre (phone +44 20 7902 1400, www.shakespeares globe.com) in London, visitors can enjoy an afternoon tea at the Swan Bar & Restaurant (21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London, England, SE1 9DT, U.K.; phone +44 20 7928 9444, www.swanlondon.co.uk), located on the theater grounds.
The 2-course “Midsummer Night’s Dream Tea” (sandwiches followed by sweets) is held 12-3 p.m. daily. £28.50 (near $37) per person. Must reserve table in advance.
On the Malawi side of Lake Malawi, the ferry MV Ilala travels for three days up the 365-mile length of the lake from the town of Monkey Bay (ferry is scheduled to leave each Friday at 8 a.m.) to Chilumba (arriving by 5:30 p.m. Sunday), with 11 stops in between. Each stop lasts roughly one hour.
Passage cannot be booked in advance. Tickets are sold only at the dock after the ferry has arrived, first come, first served, but for any number of stops.
New taxes aimed at tourists are being charged in Barbados as of July 1, 2018.
Guests at hotels and resorts will be charged a “room levy” of $2.50 to $10 per night, depending on overall room cost. In addition, a value-added tax (VAT) of 2.5% will be charged on all tourist services, which could include transportation and booked tours. Short-term rentals booked through services such as Airbnb, VRBO and HomeAway will be charged a VAT of 10% per night.