International Travel News

Travel Briefs

May 2015 issue | Appears on page 69

Ballycotton lighthouse

Completed in 1850 in southwestern Ireland, Ballycotton Island Lighthouse is now open to visitors for the first time.

Lighthouse tours run by Ballycotton Island Lighthouse Tours (Ballycotton, Ireland; phone +351 21 4646875, www.balleycottonlighthousetours.com) depart daily at 10 a.m. onward from the Inn By The Harbour, a pub located at the pier in the village of Ballycotton, about 25 miles east of Cork.

Tour members ascend to the 144-foot-high summit of the island as a guide...

May 2015 issue | Appears on page 69

Burj Khalifa sunrise view

On weekend mornings, visitors to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, now can ascend to the 124th floor of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, to watch the sunrise. With early-morning visits lasting 30 minutes each, access is from 5:30 to 8 a.m. Tickets, purchased at www.atthetop.ae, cost AED125 (near $34) adult or AED95 child 4-12.

To find the exact time of sunrise in Dubai, go to www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/sunrise.html and type “Dubai” in the search box, then, under “...

May 2015 issue | Appears on page 69

Vodka museum

At the Museum of Russian Vodka in St. Petersburg, a 30-minute tour covers the history, production and traditions of vodka and concludes with an optional tasting of some of the 213 varieties. Tour, RUB300 (near $5.30); tour plus tasting, RUB450. Open daily 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

The museum is attached to the restaurant Russian Vodka Room No. 1 (4, Konnogvardeisky Blvd., Saint Petersburg, 190128, Russia; phone +7 812 570 64 20, www.vodkaroom.ru [click on the Union Jack]), specializing in vodka...

April 2015 issue | Appears on page 4

Lithuania adopts euro

On Jan. 1, 2015, Lithuania became the latest European Union country to adopt the euro. Lithuania’s previous currency, the lita, was exchanging for 3.45 to the euro. The final day to exchange the old currency was Jan. 15.

April 2015 issue | Appears on page 4

Cancún changes time zone

Cancún, along with the entire Mexican state of Quintana Roo, switched from Central Standard Time (CST) to Eastern Standard Time (EST) on Feb. 1, 2015. It is the only Mexican state currently on EST.

The change will provide an extra hour of daylight in the evening and may reduce electricity usage in places like hotels and restaurants.

April 2015 issue | Appears on page 4

Baraccia fountain damaged

The Baraccia fountain, at the foot of the Spanish Steps in Rome, was damaged on Feb. 19 by Dutch soccer fans rioting before a Europa League match.

The fountain — which was built in 1627, depicts a sinking boat and had recently been restored — had pieces chipped off, some as large as 8x3cm, and garbage was thrown into the pool.

Police arrested 23 people. The Embassy of the Netherlands blamed the incident on a subset of particularly disorderly fans.

April 2015 issue | Appears on page 4

New Eurail services

Eurail now offers these.

• For a total of 28 countries, the Eurail Global Pass now includes Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Poland and Serbia.

• The new “5 in 10 days” pass allows travelers five days’ travel on Eurail in any 10-day period within the 28 countries Eurail services.

• The new Attica Pass allows six ferry crossings within one month (two trips between Italy and Greece and four ferry trips within the Greek isles) plus a rail/bus transfer from Patras to...

April 2015 issue | Appears on page 4

No. Korea cancels Arirang

North Korean authorities have canceled the 2015 Arirang Festival, also known as the Mass Games, which typically are held between August and October.

Recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest event of its kind, the festival has tens of thousands of participants and features synchronized gymnastics on the field plus mosaics created with cards held by audience members in the stands.

No reasons were given for the cancellation, but in October 2014 North Korea closed its...