Travel Briefs

May 2008 issue

Mobile translator

With the service chinaONEcall, travelers in China trying to understand someone who speaks only Chinese (a taxi driver, for instance) now can call a translator to interpret over the phone. The company is based in the U.K., and service is available 24/7 through mobile phones.

Prepaid packages of minutes are available starting at £39 (near $77) for 60 minutes. You can add more minutes in 30-minute segments while on the road. For info, in the U.S. call 877/660-2838 or visit www.chinaONEcall.com.

September 2009 issue

Guide Gecko.com

There are many online booksellers (Barnes & Noble, Borders, etc.). With search results on Amazon.com, you may have to sort through 30 pages of used copies to find that one useful book.

What sets GuideGecko.com apart is it pulls up manageable 2- to 11-page lists without all the repeats and older-edition clutter, AND it includes major publishers (Frommer’s, Budget, etc.) as well as smaller publishers with more esoteric and specialized guides.

There are multiple filters, allowing you to trim a list from “Asia” to “Indonesia” to “Indonesia, luxury” or “Indonesia, low budget...

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August 2010 issue

Sambor Prei Kuk

Predating Angkor Wat by 500 years, the Sambor Prei Kuk archaeological site — halfway between Phnom Penh and Angkor Wat, Cambodia — contains over 100 temples and other structures dating from the seventh century AD.

Located in Kampong Thom province, the complex consists of three groups of temples spread over a three-square-mile area. The temples are dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The site, once called Isanborei, was the capital of the kingdom of Isanapura.

English-speaking guides are available for a small fee, as are bicycle rentals. Entry to the complex costs $3. There is...

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October 2010 issue

Gmail international calls

Users of Google’s free e-mail service Gmail, with accounts registered in the US or Canada, now can make free or low-cost calls. (Log in to your Gmail account and use the “call phones” button on the left side.)

The service allows free calls to the US and Canada as well as rates as low as two cents per minute to landlines in France and the UK and six cents per minute to India, etc.

Credit can be bought in increments of $10 via a credit card, and calls are conducted through one’s computer’s microphone and speakers. For more info, visit www.google.com/chat/voice.

January 2009 issue

Lake District steam Railroad

The 7-mile Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway (Ravenglass, Cumbria, CA18 1SW, U.K.; phone 01229 717171, fax 717011, www.ravenglass-railway.co.uk) shows the sights of England’s Western Lake District from Ravenglass to Dalegarth year-round.

The world’s oldest working, 15-inch-gauge steam locomotive departs multiple times every day from April to October; other months (except January) have departures only on weekends. A ticket costs £10.20 (near $18) for one day’s unlimited rides or £6 ($11) for a single ride (children £5.10 or £3, respectively).

April 2008 issue

Jewel River Cruise Line

The new Jewel River Cruise Line (401 East Las Olas Blvd., Ste. 2270, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33301; 866/342-7607, www.jewelrivercruises.com) will launch its first ship on May 15, 2008, offering 7- and 10-day cruises along the Seine between Paris and Rouen until Nov. 20. The 80-passenger, 45-suite Jewel Imperial Blue will have undergone a $3.5-million redesign. Prices start at $5,129 per person.

February 2008 issue

Batteries on board

As of Jan. 1, 2008, the U.S. Department of Transportation has new rules regarding loose lithium-ion batteries in travelers’ airline baggage. (This rule does not affect alkaline batteries.) The ruling is to prevent any possible fires from accidental overheating or short-circuiting.

In carry-on luggage, any batteries actually installed in electronic devices (cameras, laptops, etc.) are allowed, but only two more rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are allowed as spares and they must be packaged in a plastic bag or the original retail packaging.

In checked luggage, lithium-ion...

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July 2010 issue

Seniors: free Irish Rail

Through Dec. 31, 2010, people 66 years of age or older from any country can ride Irish Rail-operated trains in Ireland (but not Northern Ireland) for free with the “Golden Trekker” pass. Each pass is good for four days, and visitors may apply for up to three passes each (all at once, if desired).

Riders are restricted to economy class, and they must apply for the pass at least 48 hours in advance. Call 800/742-6762 or e-mail goldentrekker@tourismireland.com. Print out the confirmation e-mail and present it at any Irish Rail ticket office to receive the pass. Stations and routes are...

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