Travel Briefs

June 2014 issue | Appears on page 76

Biggest aquarium, China

On the coast of Hengquin Island, a 15-minute drive from Macau, the ecological theme park and hotel Hengqin Chimelong Ocean Kingdom (Fuxiang Bay, Hengqin New District, Zhuhai City, Guangdong 519031, People’s Rep. of China; phone +86 756 299 8888) opened in January. 

The park is separated into eight areas, Ocean Main Street, Dolphin Cove, Amazing Amazon, Ocean Wonders, Polar Adventure, Colorful World, Mount Walrus and Hengqin Sea.

The park contains the world’s largest aquarium...

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June 2014 issue | Appears on page 76

John Muir trail, Scotland

Near the birthplace of conservationist John Muir in East Lothian, Scotland, the trail John Muir Way opened in April. 

From Helensburgh in the east to Muir’s birthplace of Dunbar in the west, the route is 134 miles long and takes seven to ten days to walk in its entirety. The trail is divided into ten sections, and the website has listings of hotels, campsites and attractions for each part. For maps, call 0845 370 0067.

May 2014 issue | Appears on page 4

United and bag-size limits

Enacting a stricter policy regarding carry-on luggage, in February United Airlines instructed its employees, and even security checkpoint workers, to check the sizes of carry-on bags before passengers try to board the plane with them. Passengers caught with oversized bags are being asked to return to the ticket counter to check them for a fee.

United said these measures were enacted due to late-boarding passengers often being left with no room for carry-ons in the overhead...

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May 2014 issue | Appears on page 4

France and Eurail Select Pass

The French national railway company SNCF (phone +33 8 92 35 35 35) as of April 1 once again is participating in the 4-Country Eurail Select Pass. In January 2013 the country withdrew from the pass (Dec. ’12, pg. 68). A 4-Country Eurail Select pass is valid for two months and costs from €407 (near $560) for five travel days to €592 ($814) for 10 travel days. 

Also, Eurail has eliminated its 3- and 5-country passes. 

May 2014 issue | Appears on page 4

Eurail planner app

For travelers using Eurail, the app “Rail Planner” offers a European trains timetable and trip planner that can be used without a data connection. City maps for all participating countries are included, as are details on each train’s amenities, such as first-class seats, bicycle transport and bar cars. The app is available free on the App Store and Google Play.

May 2014 issue | Appears on page 4

Ancient masks, Jerusalem

Until Sept. 11, 2014, in Jerusalem, 11 of the world’s oldest masks, dating from 9,000 years ago, will be on display at the Israel Museum (Ruppin Boulevard, Jerusalem, Israel; phone 972 2 670 8811). The stone masks, which were found in a 20-mile radius of the city, were created in the Neolithic period.

Open 10 a.m.-5p.m. Sun., Mon., Wed., Thurs.; 4-9 p.m. Tues.; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Fri. and 10-5 Sat. Entry, NIS50 ($15).

May 2014 issue | Appears on page 4

Brian Ború in Ireland

In County Clare, Ireland, the town of Killaloe on the Shannon River is celebrating the 1,000-year anniversary of the Irish king Brian Ború, who defeated the Vikings at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014.

From his palace in Killaloe, Ború ruled over a large area of present-day Ireland, AD 1002-1014, commanding a fleet of more than 300 vessels.

Though no traces of the king’s court remain, visitors can follow in his footsteps with an exhibit at the Brian Ború Heritage Center (Bridge...

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May 2014 issue | Appears on page 4

Durango-Mazatlán Hwy 40D

The 140-mile drive from Durango to the coastal city of Mazatlán on Mexico’s Federal Highway 40D, inaugurated in October 2013, takes about 2½ hours, as opposed to the 6- to 8-hour drive on the “Devil’s Backbone,” Mexico’s Federal Highway 40, whose route it roughly parallels through the western Sierra Madre Mountains. 

A toll highway (with four tolls totaling MXN506, or near $39), the 40D features 63 tunnels and 32 bridges. Eight of the bridges exceed 300 feet in height, including the 3...

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