Travel Briefs

March 2014 issue | Appears on page 77

Yodel Trail in Austria

Visitors to Königsleiten, Austria, in the Wald-Königsleiten hiking area, can ride the cable car to the top station on the Gerlospass and walk back down to town, via Larmachalm, on the Jodel (Yodel) Trail (www.jodelweg.at).

At each of eight stations, a tape can be played that teaches a bit more yodeling technique. Practicing, you can hear your echo. At one station, you can play cowbells, and another has a huge alpine horn to blow. 

The Gerlospass, 4,900 feet above sea level,...

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February 2014 issue | Appears on page 4

TSA Preê for US citizens

Adding to sites in over 100 airports, the Transportation Security Administration announced in December that it will be opening more than 300 centers across the country at which US citizens can enroll in the TSA Pre√™ (Pre-check) system, which allows for expedited security screening at airports for approved travelers. 

By submitting an application and a fee of $85 (good for five years), a traveler may be certified for the program after providing background interviews, fingerprints and...

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February 2014 issue | Appears on page 4

AA and US Air merger

American Airlines and US Airways finalized their merger deal on Dec. 9, becoming the world’s biggest airline. Under the name American Airlines, it will offer 6,700 flights daily to 330 destinations in 50-plus countries.

US Airways’ shuttles may operate under the old name for up to two years, as it will take many months to merge the airlines’ booking and code-sharing systems and sort out routes and terminals. However, the frequent-flyer programs were expected to be merged in January,...

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February 2014 issue | Appears on page 4

London tourists harassed

In London’s West End, 20 to 30 Roma people have been aggressively begging in the Oxford Street, Marble Arch and Park Lane areas. They set up camp in the park, occupying benches in the area during the day. 

Merchants have complained about harassment of their customers and thefts from stores. Some people have been intimidated by the Roma into withdrawing cash from ATMs. Police forcibly removed a similar group in July 2013, transporting some home to Romania, but Roma have returned. 

February 2014 issue | Appears on page 4

Kyoto museum reopens

The Kyoto National Museum (527 Chaya-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Japan 605-0931; phone 075 541 1151) will partially reopen April 21, 2014, with a special exhibition of early Buddhist art. The entire museum was closed December 2008 to make way for a new main building to hold its permanent collection of 12,000 pieces of art and archaeological objects. The main Collections Hall, designed by Yoshio Taniguchi, will open Sept. 13.

The Kyoto National Museum, originally opened in 1897, is...

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February 2014 issue | Appears on page 69

Mendelssohn in Leipzig

In Leipzig, Germany, the Mendelssohn House (Goldschmidtstraße 12, Leipzig) will reopen Feb. 3, 2014, with a new floor of exhibits.

Devoted to the composer Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847), the museum, located in his last apartment, now includes interactive exhibits and a library with audio and video material. Admission, €4.50 ($6). Open daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Concerts held Sundays at 11 a.m.

February 2014 issue | Appears on page 69

Handmade in Hong Kong

“Hand Made in Hong Kong,” a day tour exploring traditional manufacturing, is available through HS Travel (phone +852 3759 7022).

By tram, ferry and on foot, participants will visit the workshops of Hong Kong’s master craftspeople, from shoemakers to sign makers and tailors, then go on a trip to the Ladies Market in Mong Kok. 

Breakfast and lunch are included in the 8-hour tour, which costs HK850 (near $110) and departs Tues., Wed. and Thurs. at 9:15 a.m.

February 2014 issue | Appears on page 77

World War I centenaries, Belgium

In a 4-year remembrance project mirroring notable dates of World War I, which lasted from July 28, 1914, until Nov. 11, 1918, events timed to the 100-year anniversaries of various events are being planned in the Flanders region of northern Belgium. For a list of events, contact Tourism Flanders-Brussels (1a Cavendish Sq., London W1G 0LD, U.K.; phone 020 7307 7738).

In one event on Oct. 17, 2014, called Light Front, 8,750 volunteers will hold torches along what was the front line...

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