Travel Briefs

October 2013 issue

Commercial space flights list

Virgin Galactic hopes to be the first company to offer commercial space flights.

Upward of 500 people have paid deposits of $250,000 each to be one of the first space tourists. 

No date is set for the first launch, but the company’s future astronauts have access to a variety of events held by the company, including G-force training and attendance at test flights.

Guests may book online or contact one of the Space Agents listed on the website.

CONTINUE READING »
September 2013 issue

Dromoland Castle

Outside of Shannon, Ireland, a 19th-century Gothic revival castle has been operating since 1963 as the Dromoland Castle hotel (phone +353 61 368144 or, from the US, 800/346-7007). Room rates at the 5-star hotel run €378-€1,044 (near $493-$1,361) in summer and €176-€585 in winter.

It offers families getaways with many activities on its 410-acre country estate, including golf, falconry, horseback riding, tennis, archery and biking. Some activities have extra charges; for example, guests can fish on the bank for free or hire a guide for €100 for a half day.

CONTINUE READING »
January 2014 issue

Mexico VAT increase

On Jan. 1, 2014, the Value Added Tax in the border regions of Mexico increased from 11% to 16%. The increase may affect prices of tourism goods, services and transportation for cruise ship visitors and other travelers. 

CONTINUE READING »
May 2013 issue

China rail app

The tour company China Travel Guide has launched a new free app for iPhone, China Trains, which allows users to check China’s train schedules, plan trips to many cities, look up trains by number and check ticket availability, all in English.

Tickets cannot be purchased from the app, but the schedules can be downloaded for offline use. The app is available on the Apple App Store on iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

November 2012 issue

Resort­For­­aDay

For their time in any of eight Caribbean ports (Cozumel, Jamaica, Nassau, Freeport, Grand Cayman, Barbados, St. Maarten and Roatan), cruise passengers can get passes for resorts from ResortForaDay (Long Island, NY; 631/630-3907). Guests of any cruise line are welcome; book in advance, as each pass is mailed.

The company has just expanded its offerings in Cozumel, Mexico, to two resorts (El Cid Ceiba Beach and Cozumel Palace) and added Club Natale Bay Villas in Roatan, Honduras. Prices at Club Natale Bay Villas are $35 for beach-and-pool access only or $75 for an all-inclusive pass...

CONTINUE READING »
December 2013 issue

Bastogne War Museum

The Bastogne War Museum (Colline du Mardasson), a new museum dedicated to the Battle of the Bulge and WWII, will open on March 22, 2014, in Bastogne, Belgium, just 1½ hours from Brussels. This modern, interactive museum is located close to the famous Mardasson Memorial. 10 a.m to 5 p.m. daily (until 6:30 p.m. on weekends). €12 (near $16) adult, €9 senior and €8 child (6-18 years).

April 2013 issue

Korean garden expo

A 3½-hour ride from Seoul, South Korea, via bullet train ($36 each way), the International Garden Exposition in Suncheon Bay runs until Oct. 20, 2013. It will include indoor gardens, urban gardens, herb gardens, forest paths and exhibits on ecology and wetland management.

Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and 9-7 weekends. Tickets cost KRW15,000 (near $14) and can be purchased in advance (phone +82 61 749 2851 3 or online). The expo site is a 10-minute bus ride from the rail station.

November 2013 issue

Hamburg WWII museum

In downtown Hamburg, a new museum has been built in the former crypt of the famous St. Nikolai Church (last rebuilt in 1846), which was partially destroyed during World War II.

Opened on Sept. 1, 2013, the new permanent exhibition (presented in English and German) is divided into four themed sections: St. Nikolai Church’s history, Hamburg before and during the war, consequences of the city’s destruction, and memories of the war plus its impact.

Inside the one remaining spire of the church, there is a 76-meter-high observation deck reached by a glass-enclosed elevator.

...

CONTINUE READING »