In post-WWI Ljubljana, Slovenian architect Jože Plecnik designed and built many city landmarks in a neoclassic Greek style. Six works have been nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status, including, in Ljubljana, his promenade and bridges on the Ljubljanica River, the National & University Library, the Church of St. Francis, the Church of St. Michael and the Garden of All Saints in Žale Cemetery.
The city of Kyoto, Japan, released an online “Akimahen (Do Not) of Kyoto” visual etiquette guide for visitors, warning that “Kyoto-ites are pretty fastidious!” Behaviors listed are each given an “Akimahen rate,” expressed in frowning faces. Tipping is ranked at one slightly frowning face (instead of tipping, one should say “O¯kini”), while smoking in an undesignated area ranks three angry frowning faces.
A German “Enigma” coding machine used in WWII is among more than 1,000 items at the Spy Museum Berlin (Leipziger Platz 9, 10117 Berlin, Germany; phone +49 30 206 203 54, www.deutsches-spionagemuseum.de/en), which opened in September 2015.
With over 28 miles of trails through Cape Pillar, Cape Hauy and Cape Raoul in southeastern Tasmania, the Three Capes Track (for Tasmanian Parks Department, phone +61 1300 827 727, www.threecapestrack.com.au) opened on Dec. 21, 2015.
Only 48 hikers per day are allowed, and they all must follow a set, 4-day, 3-night journey. Treks must be booked ahead and are recommended only for people who can walk at least four hours a day.
In Kakadu National Park, on the northern coast of Australia’s Northern Territory, the “Algohgarrng Experience” is a stargazing billabong cruise from Kakadu Tourism (Kakadu National Park, Australia; phone +61 8 8979 1500, wwwkakadu tourism.com).
Lasting 1½ hours and lit only by the stars, the cruise is guided by an indigenous member of the Kakadu clan, who will share his people’s stories of the night sky. It runs during the dry season (June-September). AUD90 (near $66) per person. On the website, under “TOURS & ACTIVITIES,” click “Yellow Water Cruises.”
In Lapland, Sweden, the Aurora Sky Station (STF Abisko Mountain Station, SE-981 07 Sweden; phone +46 980 402 00, www.auroraskystation.com/en), located in Abisko National Park, north of the Arctic Circle, offers great winter views of the northern lights, when they’re active.
Polar snorkeling and scuba diving at an additional $975 per person will be offered on all 2016 and 2017 Arctic and Antarctic sailings by Aurora Expeditions (Suite 12, Level 2, 35 Buckingham St., Surry Hills, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; phone +61 2 9252 1033, www.auroraexpeditions.com.au).
All necessary equipment will be provided, including a dry suit designed for polar diving, flippers and snorkel or scuba masks. Divers can expect to encounter sea anemones, urchins and arctic cod as well as surreal ocean ice formations.
The Association of Independent Tour Operators, or AITO (www.aito.com), represents 122 tour operators based in the United Kingdom.
AITO-member tour companies must provide financial protection for their customers in case a tour is canceled or interrupted, they must maintain accurate brochures and tour descriptions and they must provide quality customer service. If a dispute between a traveler and a tour company cannot be resolved, AITO also can arrange for the services of an independent arbitrator (with some cost to the traveler).
In Whitehorse, Yukon, July 1-7, 2016, the annual Adäka Festival (www.adakafestival.ca) celebrates First Nation culture and traditions, with music, dance and storytelling performances plus demonstrations of art, weaving and carving. Most events are free. Traditional-craft workshops are each offered for a fee.
The festival is held at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Center (1171 Front St., Whitehorse, Yukon, Y1A 0G9, Canada; 867/667-7698).
Flyers on KLM Royal Dutch Airlines departing from the US or Canada with a layover of six hours or more in Amsterdam, Netherlands, can meet up with locals by using KLM’s “Layover with a Local” app, free on the website.
Through the app, a traveler is matched with an Amsterdammer based on shared language and interests. After arriving at Schiphol Airport, the app provides the traveler with instructions on where to meet the local plus a free ticket for a Dutch Railways train to the city center. Visit www.klm.com/layover.