Travel Briefs

June 2008 issue

‘Bumping’ regs revised

The U.S. Department of Transportation on April 14, 2008, revised the rules (Part 250) regarding the rights of passengers who are “bumped” (involuntarily denied boarding from an oversold flight) from any scheduled-service flight within or leaving the U.S., including those of foreign carriers. (Excluded are charter flights and planes with fewer than 30 seats.) The limits on the amounts that airlines must pay in compensation have increased; other changes are subtle. In this summary, the major changes are highlighted in bold.

When a flight is oversold (too many passengers for the seats...

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April 2008 issue

Chopper over Rome

The Hassler Roma hotel’s “Roman Skyline Package” includes a helicopter ride in Rome over the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica, the Colosseum and the Pantheon. 

Until Dec. 31, 2008, the package cost of €6,570 (near $9,800) per room, double occupancy, includes three nights in a Classic Suite, airport/hotel private transfer (a charge of €50 applies 9 p.m.-7 a.m.), dinners (excluding beverages), buffet breakfasts, a 30-minute helicopter ride (additional time with supplement), hotel/heliport limo transfer and more.

Call The Leading Hotels of the World at 800/223-6800 or contact...

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November 2009 issue

Kabuki-za, Ginza

The Kabuki-za Theatre (Ginza, Tokyo, Japan; phone, for info, 81 3 3541 3131 or, for tickets, 81 3 5565 6000, www.shochiku.co.jp/play/kabukiza/theater), a landmark in Tokyo’s Ginza district, will be demolished and rebuilt, due to the structure’s age. The first theater on the site was built in 1889, and it was rebuilt three times, last in 1950 (based on the 1924 building destroyed by fire). 

Farewell performances will be held January-April 2010, then productions will move to a new venue until the theater is rebuilt. Tickets cost ¥2,500-¥17,000 ($26-$178).

February 2008 issue

Peruvian Amazon

Aqua Expeditions offers cruises near the headwaters of the Amazon aboard the 12-passenger M/V Aqua. Travelers may view pink Amazon dolphins, 3-toed sloths and giant river otters.

Cruises leave from Iquitos, Peru, year-round, with per-person, double-occupancy, prices as follows: three nights (Saturday-Tuesday), $1,950; four nights (Tuesday-Saturday), $2,600, and seven nights (Saturday-Saturday), $4,550. Single supplement is 1.5 times the rate.

Contact Aqua Expeditions (Calle La Compuerta 199, Urb. Portada de la Planicie, La Molina, Lima, Peru; phone 866/603-3687, fax 51 1 368...

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October 2008 issue

Viking museum

The Viking Ship Museum in Ros­kilde, a 20-minute drive from Copenhagen, Denmark, offers interactive programs, demonstrations and exhibitions, including five original 11th-century Viking ships excavated from Roskilde Fjord. Visitors also can explore Museum Island, which has a boatyard where period vessels are reconstructed.

The museum is open daily year-round, and admission ranges from DKK55 to DKK95 (near $11-$19) per adult, depending on the season. Visit http://vikingeskibsmuseet.dk.

June 2009 issue

Shanghai hotels checkout

Good news for tourists in Shanghai — as of May 1, checkout times in hotels, guest houses and hostels are negotiable. Previously, hotels across China’s mainland set noon as the checkout time.

The new regulation requires that Shanghai hotels confirm the checkout time with guests in writing before they check in. Hotels do not have to offer a flexible checkout time, but they are required to inform guests of the time of checkout when they arrive and to display checkout options near the reception desk.

Hotels also should provide facilities for guests who have checked out but still...

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April 2009 issue

Paris from a balloon

The Ballon Air de Paris (phone 01 44 26 20 00 or visit, in French only, www.ballondeparis.com) is a huge, tethered hot-air balloon that lifts 30 people at a time 150 meters into the air over Parc André Citroën to enjoy views of Paris.

Operating daily, it takes visitors for 10-minute rides from 9 a.m. until 30 minutes before the park closes. On weekends and holidays the price is €12 (near $15.50) adult, €10 for kids 12-17 and €6 for kids 3-10. Weekday prices are €1 less.

About a mile south of the Eiffel Tower, the park is at Javel or Balard Métro stop on the RER C line. The...

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February 2009 issue

Frankfurt festival

Along the bank of the River Main, Frankfurt’s “museum embankment” will become a festival area with stage productions, live music and events, including a dragon boat race, Aug. 29-31, 2009. Ten of the museums will hold special exhibitions. Contact the German National Tourism Office (212/661-7200, www.cometogermany.com).