Travel Briefs

September 2008 issue

Eiffel tower renovation

The Eiffel Tower will be getting a $267-million renovation over the next 10 years.

Plans call for upgraded elevators, improved handicapped access, a larger restaurant with lower prices, a champagne bar and more shops.

In 2009 the government will introduce Internet prepaid ticketing for groups, in preparation for a system in which all visitors will reserve 30-minute time slots on the Internet instead of waiting in line.

March 2008 issue

Berlin museums night

Twice a year, about 100 of Berlin, Germany’s, museums open from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Patrons can see the art and also sample lectures, music, theater, culinary events and more. “Long Night of Museums” takes place Aug. 30, 2008, and Jan. 24 and Aug. 29, 2009.

One ticket gives unlimited access to all venues and use of a special shuttle. A 25-page PDF program listing the events, performances and where to catch the shuttle can be downloaded from www.lange-nacht-der-museen.de.

The price is €12 (near $18) adult or €8 senior for prepurchased tickets or €15/€10 on day of event; children...

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August 2008 issue

Oz Tracks Pass

For travel until March 31, 2009, Great Southern Railway (422 King William St., Adelaide, S.A. 5000, Australia; phone reservations 13 21 47, www.gsr.com.au) has an Oz Tracks Pass for AU$690 (near $663) that allows users 14 city-to-city trips in six months of travel on the Ghan, Indian Pacific and Overland rail routes, which cover Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Alice Springs, Darwin, Melbourne and other stops. 

January 2008 issue

Inspect hotels from home

The website www.TVTrips.com offers video tours of many hotels in Europe. On city maps, visitors to the site can click on a numbered hotel and a video pops up showing the surrounding area, the hotel’s public areas and each class of room. Sample prices are listed.

May 2008 issue

Essential London kit

VisitBritain is offering an Essential London Kit, which contains a 3-day London Travel Card (Peak, Zones 1-2), one London Eye ticket, one Tower of London ticket and an Original London Sightseeing Bus tour ticket, which includes a river cruise on the Thames.

The kit costs $119 and a children’s kit is $66; add $10 shipping/handling. Call 800/462-2748, www.visitbritain.com/onlineshop.

September 2008 issue

Butterfly farm, UK

In Stratford-upon-Avon, the Stratford Butterfly Farm (Swan’s Nest Lane, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 7LS, England; phone +44 [0] 1789 299 288, fax 1789 415 878, www.butterflyfarm.co.uk) is an indoor tropical garden with many butterflies.

Other exhibits show leaf-cutter ants, caterpillars, spiders, scorpions, etc. Open 10-6 in summer and 10 a.m.-dusk in winter. £5.50 (near $9).

August 2008 issue

Eyre Peninsula

On the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia, you can spend AU$89 (near US$82) on a “Seafood & Beyond…” rewards card and get AU$100 (US$92) worth of discounts at participating hotels, attractions and tours along the “Seafood & Aquaculture Trail.”

When you present the card, not only do you receive a 10% discount, you also earn AU$1 reward point back for every AU$10 spent. The reward points can be spent at seafood restaurants along the trail.

A guide is included that lists businesses and the benefits offered. The discounts are available on trips like boat cruises in Port...

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October 2009 issue

Hop-on / hop-off Potsdam

In Potsdam, Germany, Rail Europe (800/622-8600, www.raileurope.com) offers a hop-on/hop-off double-decker bus tour which stops at 12 sites of cultural interest, including Luisenplatz (for its fountains), the Film Museum (€3.50) and the palace gardens of Sanssouci Park (entry to Sanssouci Palace, €8 or €12).

A pass for one circuit, including live commentary in English, costs $21 adult and $16 senior. Tours operate 9:20 a.m.-2:20 p.m. April 8-Oct. 31, 2009.