Travel Briefs

August 2004 issue

Buy four nights, get eight in Nevis

Through Nov. 30, 2004, those booking Mount Nevis Hotel’s “Match Made in Nevis” family package at $375 a night for four nights get four more nights for free. Families who stay and pay for five nights get an additional five nights for free.

That’s in a 2-bedroom superior suite, with kitchen, that accommodates a family of four. Babysitting services are available. The 28-room property in the Leeward Islands of the eastern West Indies recently completed a million-dollar renovation. Call 800/756-3847.

November 2010 issue

Kyoto events, 2011

The year 2011 marks, respectively, 750 years and 800 years since the deaths of Shinran and Honen, important founders of two Japanese Buddhist sects. Memorial services will be held in Kyoto, Japan, March through January, with many events from March to late April. Most daily events will not be open to non-Buddhists.

Vacant hotel rooms in Kyoto will be scarce. Try near Osaka (30 minutes from JR Kyoto station) or Otsu (10 minutes). Contact the Japanese National Tourism Organization (in NY at 212/757-5640 or in CA, 213/623-1952, www.japantravelinfo.com).

July 2012 issue

‘Star Wars’ in Canada

“Star Wars Identities: The Exhibition” is being hosted at the Montréal Science Centre (at the foot of Saint-Laurent Boulevard, on King-Edward quay; 877/496-4724) until Sept. 16, 2012 (CAN26.50 [near $27] adult or CAN23.50 senior), then at the Telus World of Science (11211 142nd St., Edmonton, Alberta T5M 4A1, Canada; 780/451-3344) from Oct. 27, 2012, until at least April 1, 2013. The 5-year exhibition continues to Europe and Asia.

On exhibit are “Star Wars” props, costumes, models and artwork from the Lucasfilm archives, including C-3PO, Darth Vader’s costume and a full-sized...

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May 2012 issue

Parahawking in Nepal

Here’s a new type of excursion: parahawking, which is paragliding with birds of prey. In Nepal, tandem parahawking adventure flights, which last 20 to 30 minutes each, are offered November through March at the Parahawking center (Maya Devi Village, Kapaudi, Lakeside, Pokhara, Nepal). It costs £115 (near $182) plus an additional £15 ($23) for souvenir in-flight pictures and video.

Participants must weigh under 220 pounds and be able to run a few steps. A trained bird from Himalayan Raptor Rescue accompanies each flight and can land on the participant’s gloved hand during the trip....

July 2007 issue

Rail Europe’s Pass Finder

Rail Europe’s websites now offer an easy-to-use Pass Finder function. Type in the name of the country or countries you’re planning to visit and specify the number of days you want to use the train and the number of days you’ll be in each country, and you will be presented with both first- and second-class options. Visit www.raileurope.com (U.S.) or www.raileurope.ca (Canada).

April 2011 issue

Medieval in France

Daily life and events of the 15th century will be reenacted by some 60 Middle Ages enthusiasts, Aug. 7-15, 2011, at Château de Crèvecoeur (phone +33 [0] 231 630 245), located in Crèvecoeur-en-Auge in France’s Normandy region. Period-inspired food will be available. In 2010, entry cost €8 (near $11) adult, €4 child (7-14) and under seven free.

April 2011 issue

Paris cooking school

Within Hôtel Ritz Paris, cooking classes are held at Ecole (School) Ritz Escoffier (15 place Vendôme, 75041 Paris Cedex 01, France; phone 33 [0] 1 43 16 30 50), named for Auguste Escoffier, the hotel’s first head chef.

Examples — prepare and eat lunch in a one-hour “Ritzy Break” (€55, near $77). Saturday holds two four-hour workshops, one on seasonal dishes, the other on pastries, each €140 ($196). On Sunday is the four-hour “Extreme Chocolate” (€250, or $350). At the hotel, students enter at 38 rue Cambon.

February 2012 issue

John Cage exhibit

2012 holds the 100th anniversary of the birth of composer, musician and artist John Cage. In Vienna, Austria, the art-and-culture venue quartier21 (Museumsplatz 1; phone 01 5235 8811 717) is hosting “Membra Disjecta for John Cage: Wanting to Say Something About John,” Feb. 17-May 6, 2012.

The free exhibition will feature more than 50 of Cage’s works and present concerts, performances, lectures and a workshop for children and teens. Open 10-7 daily.