Travel Briefs

February 2013 issue | Appears on page 76

Bavarian kings

An exhibit on the history of the Wittelsbach dynasty in Bavaria (1180-1918) is at the Museum der Bayerischen Könige, or Museum of the Bavarian Kings (Alpseestrasse 27, 87645 Hohenschwangau, Germany; phone +49 [0] 8362 92 64 64 0), near Neuschwantstein Castle, on the Alpsee.

Among items exhibited in the 2-story, 1,000-square-meter space are jewelry, portraits, porcelain, a 90-piece carved tableware set and a sumptuous cloak worn by Ludwig II.

Open daily, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., April 1-...

CONTINUE READING »
February 2013 issue | Appears on page 76

Treasure-finding moles

Twelve miles south of Hadrian’s Wall in northern England is Epiacum, a ruined Roman fort on the grounds of Whitley Castle in Alston, Cumbria. Epiacum is protected by the English Heritage commission and no excavating is allowed. However, moles have been unearthing bits of pottery, jewelry, nails, etc.

Free, guided walks can be arranged for small groups by contacting the land owner, Elaine Edgar (phone 01434 381733 or e-mail elaine.edgar@btinternet.com).

Artifacts from a small...

CONTINUE READING »
February 2013 issue | Appears on page 77

‘Downton Abbey’ tours

Fans of the TV series “Downton Abbey” can tour locations used in filming the show. A one-day tour (£95 [near $155] per person) includes morning coffee in the Berkshire town of Bampton and afternoon tea at Highclere Castle, with transport from a local hotel or the train station, and a guide and entrance fees.

A three-day tour (£747 [$1,214] each) includes two nights’ hotel, selected meals, transport, more location visits and a chance to dress in period costume.

Book in advance...

CONTINUE READING »
February 2013 issue | Appears on page 77

Sea City Museum in UK

Sea City Museum (Havelock Rd., Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 7FY, U.K.; phone 023 8083 3007) has two permanent exhibitions. “Southampton’s Titanic Story” focuses on 500-plus families who lost family members in the tragedy and on the city’s role in the steamship industry. “Gateway to the World” tells of the various peoples who passed through the city, from Roman traders to Victorian industrialists. £8.50 (near $14) adult or £6 senior. Open 10-5 daily.

February 2013 issue | Appears on page 77

Belfast Titanic museum

At the slip in Northern Ireland where the Titanic was built, the Titanic Museum (47 Donegall Pl., Belfast, BT1 5AD, Northern Ireland; phone +44 28 9076 6399) offers visitors nine galleries full of interactive exhibits chronicling the building, maiden voyage and 1912 sinking of the ocean liner. Purchase tickets in advance. £13.50 (near $21) adult.

Open 9-7 Mon.-Sat. and 10-7 Sun., April-September, and 10-5 daily, October-March.

January 2013 issue | Appears on page 60

‘Experience Spain’ app

Turespaña, the Tourism Institute of Spain, is offering a free app for iPads, iPhones and iPods, “Experience Spain.” Using data gathered from Minube, the social network for travelers (with 450,000 members), the app includes information about 350 destinations and includes maps, 800 photos and 950 experience stories from travelers plus lists of “favorites.” Download on the Apple App Store.

January 2013 issue | Appears on page 69

Attend Oxford

You can take a one-week residential course at Christ Church, one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. The 2013 Oxford Experience (Rewley House, 1 Wellington Sq., Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 2JA, U.K.; phone +44 [0] 1865 270360) runs June 30-Aug. 10, 2013. Classes fill quickly; registration deadline is May 1.

Anyone may attend; there are no prerequisites, no papers and no exams. Choose from 60-plus courses in archaeology; early history; art; music; film;...

CONTINUE READING »
January 2013 issue | Appears on page 69

Lanzarote webguide

Lanzarote, one of Spain’s Canary Islands, is located 80 miles west of Morocco’s southern border with West Sahara. For planning an island visit, the website www.lanzaroteguidebook.com includes maps plus info on transportation, accommodations, finding a guide, dining, events, museums, attractions, festivals and climate. Download the info as a 51-page booklet for free.