Travel Briefs

November 2009 issue

Jersey Pass

The Jersey Pass offers free admission to 15 attractions in Jersey, including Elizabeth Castle, on an island in St. Aubin’s Bay, the Jersey War Tunnels, built by the Germans in World War II, and AquaSplash, a water park. A 2-day pass costs £32 (near $53); a 4-day, £45, and a 6-day, £59. It can be ordered online or by phone but must be picked up at the visitor center. Jersey Tourism Visitor Center (Liberation Place, St. Helier, Jersey JE1 1BB, U.K.; phone +44 0 1534 44 88 77, www.jerseypass.com). 

February 2008 issue

Libya passport snag

As of Nov. 11, 2007, any Western visitor to Libya must provide an Arabic translation of his passport, even if he has a valid visa.

The change in policy was instituted without any notice, and several planeloads of tourists were turned away. Libya is currently the only country in the region with this requirement. 

July 2010 issue

Edible plants, Cornwall

Seek out and identify native edible plants in the Cornwall countryside in classes offered by the Wild Food School (phone 01208 873788). A half-day introductory session costs £30 ($44) per person and a weekend-long course, £140 ($206).

December 2009 issue

Wine bus from Santiago

A full-day tour of the wine country around Santiago by Vinobus includes the Maipo Valley; tour/tasting at Pérez Cruz Vineyard; Vineyard Santa Rita; the Andino museum, and Vina Santa Rita wine cellars. Lunch at Dona Paula restaurant is not included in the price.

Tours run daily from 9 a.m.  $50 per person (minimum, three persons). Enotour Chile (A. Luis Thayer Ojeda 0130, Of. 1204, Providencia, Santiago, Chile; phone [56 2] 481 4081, wwwenotourchile.com).

October 2008 issue

Bridgwater fireworks

Every year on the Friday after Guy Fawkes Day, the city of Bridgwater, Somerset, England, hosts a nighttime carnival with brightly lit floats and a “squibbing display” down the main street. Squibs are fireworks that are mounted on poles and held aloft by volunteers lining the road.

The event will be held in 2008 on Nov. 7 (and in 2009 on Nov. 6) starting at 7 p.m., with the fireworks at 10. Contact the Bridgewater Carnival Committee (phone +44 0 1278 421 795, www.bridgwatercarnival.co.uk).

June 2009 issue

Sigiriya wasps

The rock fortress archaeological site of Sigiriya in Sri Lanka was closed temporarily in April after wasps attacked tourists three times in one week. Dozens of people who were stung were taken to hospitals. The problem occurred each of the previous two years in May.

April 2009 issue

Saga Rose’s farewell

The Saga Rose, built in 1965 (as the Sagafjord), will depart Southampton, England, for its 44th and final cruise, a 37-night voyage through the Mediterranean, on Oct. 30, 2009. The 587-passenger ship will visit Barcelona, Venice, Rome, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Rhodes, Alexandria and Casablanca.

Highlights include the Pyramids of Giza, a Venetian masked ball and a celebration in Vigo, where the Saga Rose will be joined by her sister ship, Saga Ruby. Fares run £8,999-£16,629 (near $12,260-$22,655).

Contact Saga Holidays (Folkestone, Kent, UK; phone 0800 096 0081, www.saga.co.uk).

February 2009 issue

Air France: Paris free

With the “+Paris Offer,” Air France (800/237-2747, www.airfrance.us) now offers a free stopover in Paris on any flight between the US and almost any other Air France destination in Europe, the Middle East, India or Africa. 

In either or both directions, the stopover is included at no additional cost, whether flying in first, business or economy class and no matter what fare is paid.