Travel Briefs

May 2011 issue

Dry shampoo

For travel situations where there’s little water to be had, Invisible Dry Spray Shampoo from Salon Grafix can get hair clean in one minute. The shampoo is sprayed onto the hair, allowed to sit one minute to absorb oils, then brushed out. The product is clear and leaves no residue. Available in drugstores, a four-ounce can may cost $7.99 and the one-ounce travel size, “good for about 10 uses,” $2.99.

November 2011 issue

Pittsburgh Int’l speed lane

Pittsburgh International Airport in Pennsylvania is one of the first in the US to set up a special security screening lane for travelers with one item of carry-on luggage (no larger than 22"x14"x9") — with no extra purse, briefcase or camera bag — or no carry-on at all.

This is not related to any TSA program, nor is it part of any perks program for first-class ticket holders or elite frequent flyers. All passengers still go through full security screening and metal detectors.

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June 2011 issue

Florence for slow walkers

“Florence: Easy Sightseeing — Easy Visiting for Casual Walkers, Seniors & Wheelchair Riders” by Donald H. Bowling (2011, CreateSpace — 256 pp., $16.95 on Amazon.com) offers advice on seeing the sights of Florence, Italy, for mobility-impared visitors.

Using efficient trails in six historic neighborhoods, the book guides readers on three- to five-minute walks. It includes info on the new light-rail system and other transportation plus entertaining anecdotes. (A “Venice: Easy Sightseeing” guide costs $15.95.)

August 2011 issue

Yorkshire gallery

Located in Wakefield, Yorkshire, England, the new Hepworth Wakefield (phone +44 [0] 1924 247360) is England’s largest art gallery outside of London.

Housing artwork by 20th-century sculptors Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore, both born and raised in the Wakefield district, as well as exhibitions by contemporary artists, the gallery will feature workshops, family activities, talks and tours. Free admission. Closed Mondays.

July 2011 issue

SE Asian Games

The South East Asian Games will be held in Palembang, South Sumatra, Indonesia, and Jakarta, Indonesia, Nov. 11-22, 2011. Palembang, the main host, will welcome 6,000 athletes from the 10 countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations and Timor-Leste. Athletes will compete in 44 disciplines, including archery, diving, judo and volleyball, at various venues.

September 2011 issue

‘Visit Korea’ app

For iPhone and Android smartphone users, a free “Visit Korea” app provides Korea travel info, recommended itineraries and travel tools (including exchange rates and local weather). It is gps-integrated, so users can find the nearest tourist information center. By linking to the “1330 call center” feature, travelers can reach information and interpretation services. Download at the Apple App Store or the Google Android Market by searching for “Visit Korea.”

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May 2011 issue

Menu translators

A series of menu translator e-books is available for Italian, Dutch, French, Portuguese, German, Spanish and Swedish. Each “Passeport Gastronomique,” from Travelight Books, has hundreds of items listed alphabetically plus a phrase book (vegan and vegetarian phrases too) and a pronunciation guide.

Download each onto a Kindle or to a smartphone with a Kindle or Nook app. $6.99-$9.95 from Amazon.com or BN.com or your mobile Nook or Kindle store.

November 2011 issue

Helsinki Airport card

In a test program in Finland, Helsinki Airport is handing out “guidance cards” on selected flights to help transferring passengers with tight connection times.

The thin, plastic card is made with e-paper (designed to mimic paper imprinted with ink) and, by way of RFID technology with which information is transmitted, can receive personalized, real-time updates regarding gate numbers, walking times and info about cafés and services along the way.

The cards are to be returned at the boarding gate to be reused; they need no batteries and last about three years.

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