Travel Briefs

May 2013 issue

TSA and body scanners

The US Congress passed a law requiring that by June 1, 2013, all full-body scanners used in US airports must produce only a generic outline instead of an image of a naked body. 

The maker of one of the two types of full-body scanners is unable to meet that deadline, so the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been removing 250 backscatter x-ray scanners from the 30 airports where they were used and replacing them with millimeter wave scanners. 

The TSA currently has 669 millimeter wave scanners, and some are being transferred from smaller airports to larger ones....

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November 2012 issue

Gas prices in Europe

In Europe, fuel prices are reported to have risen more than 30% over those of 2011. Rising oil costs and additional fuel taxes applied by revenue-strapped governments are attributed as the cause. In September 2012, prices for unleaded petrol ranged from a low in Romania of (an equivalent) $1.64 per liter ($6.21 per gallon) to a high in Norway of $2.63 per liter ($9.95 per gallon). Diesel fuel ran even higher. Visit www.theaa.com and click on “Driving,” then “Latest Fuel Prices.”

July 2013 issue

Madrid Royal Guard tour

The 500-year history of Madrid’s Royal Guard is the focus of a 2-hour guided walking tour, available in Spanish and English. At the end of the tour, walkers can watch the Solemn Changing of the Royal Guard, which involves 400 troops and 100 horses.

The tour is not given in January, July, August or September or on days with official events. In other months, walkers simply meet at the Plaza Mayor Tourist Center (Plaza Mayor 27, Madrid, Spain; phone +34 91 454 44 10) at 10 a.m. on the first Wednesday. Tickets cost €5.90 (near $8).

December 2012 issue

China’s Zhangjiajie

A karst region covering over 50 square miles of Hunan province in south-central China, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is notable for its thousands of towering quartz-and-sandstone pillars (many over 650 feet tall) and dozens of stalactite-filled caves.

For info on what to see and do in the park, year-round weather conditions (snow in winter), where to stay (hotels from 2- to 5-star) and tour packages, visit www.zhangjiajietourism.us.

Most tours include park entrance fees and airport pickup. Example — a 4-day tour from Zhangjiajie International Travel Service (phone 0086 744...

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April 2013 issue

Silk museum in China

In downtown Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, southeastern China, the China National Silk Museum (73-1 Jade Hill Rd., Hangzhou City; phone 0571 87 035 150) covers the development of the silk industry from ancient to modern times. Among exhibits (labeled in Chinese and English) are ancient weaving patterns, silk garments and toys. Open noon-5 p.m. Mon. and 9-5 Tues.-Sun. Admission is free.

November 2013 issue

Red Star Line Museum

The new Red Star Line Museum (Montevideostraat 3, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; phone +32 3 298 27 70), located in the historic warehouses of the shipping company in Antwerp, Belgium, opened on Sept. 28.

Mirroring the Ellis Island story, the museum brings to life the journey of more than two million people who emigrated via Antwerp to New York, amongst them iconic passengers such as Irving Berlin and Albert Einstein.

Wheelchair accessible. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m, Tues.-Fri. and 10-6 Sat. and Sun. Purchase tickets online, at the information desk of Antwerp Tourism & Congress (Grote...

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June 2013 issue

Saint Lucia guide

Online, a new guide for the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia, “Definitive Saint Lucia” (2013, Definitive World Guides, $8.78), is available on the Amazon Kindle Store and the Apple iBookstore. The 158-page guide offers sections on the island, itself, where to stay, local food and drink and what to do plus five maps.

The guide series also includes “Definitive Barbados” (2012, 213 pp., $11.09).

February 2013 issue

Historium in Brugge

Demonstrating life in Brugge (Bruges) in 1435, the Historium Brugge (Markt 1, 8000 Brugge, Belgium; phone +32 [0] 50 270311) provides a combination of sets, film, special effects and scents in seven rooms.

Open daily (except Jan. 1 & Dec. 25) 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (tickets till 5) and Thursday until 9. Adult €11 (near $14.50), child (under 15) €5.50 or Family Pass €30.