Beaches and Islands

8 days, 7 nights in NORWAY. Daily choice of “easy” or “moderately challenging” walk. Departures, Sept. 4 & 18, 2019. Highlights: Towns of Svolvær and historic Kabelvåg/explore Vestvägøy island’s coastline, Stamsund fishing village/Annstad valley/islands of Hadseløya and Skrova/Merrvika Bay, home to sea eagles. £1,699-£1,899 (near $2,235-$2,500) per person. Nonmember associate fee, £10.

Indonesia is closing Komodo Island to tourists starting on Jan. 1, 2020, in order to protect its famous endemic lizards, the Komodo dragons. The rest of Komodo National Park, which also comprises two other large islands and 26 smaller ones, will remain open.

It was reported that a group had attempted to smuggle 41 of the dragons to sell on the black market, prompting the decision to close the island. The closure will also allow the dragons’ population to grow.