Travel Briefs

May 2008 issue

Tristan da Cunha
By Eric Wagner

Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic is about 2,400 kilometers from Cape Town, South Africa. A small volcanic island with an area of about 100 square kilometers, it is dominated by a central peak and is mostly surrounded by sheer rock cliffs. Only a sloping plateau on the northwest side of the island is inhabitable. Weather, which was beautiful on Valentine’s Day 2006 when I visited during a world cruise on Holland America’s Prinsendam, is subject to sudden change and can be accompanied by fierce winds. It is rare to visit this place, as the weather almost always makes it...

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December 2009 issue

Carmelite Priory Museum

In Malta, the Carmelite Priory Museum (Carmelite Priory, Villegaignon St., Mdina, Malta; phone +356 2702 0404, www.carmelitepriorymuseum.com) opened its priory and church to the public in June. 

The Carmelite Church, built in 1675, has an unusual elliptical floor plan, and the newly restored priory shows how the Carmelite friars lived. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. €4 adult.

September 2010 issue

Buzzroam SIMs

Buzzroam (Level 19, Two International Finance Centre, 8 Finance St. Central, Hong Kong, China; phone, in the US, 415/829-5219) offers global SIM cards with attractive rates.

Examples — calls from France to the United States cost 41¢ per minute, while Mobal.com charges $1.36 per minute. Calls from China to the US cost $1.36 per minute with Buzzroam as opposed to $3.59 with Mobal.

Instructions are given on how to forward your mobile phone number in your home country to ring your prepaid SIM number.

August 2010 issue

Edinburgh convent to B&B

Dating from the 15th century and a convent for 150 years, historic Gillis House (phone 0131 623 8933) in Edinburgh, Scotland, is now a guest house.

Set in the Bruntsfield area, it offers three-star bed-and-breakfast accommodation with 19 bedrooms, all with bathrooms en suite. £40 (near $60) for one person or £60-£70 for two.

In 1834 the building was extended to include St. Margaret’s Chapel, and there is a large garden full of apple trees.

October 2010 issue

Tour under Colosseum

In Rome, after a $28-million renovation, part of the Colosseum’s underground system of tunnels and galleries was opened to the public late this summer for the first time in decades.

Small groups of visitors, accompanied by a guide, now can enter the underground complex through the Porta Libidinaria, the gate that gladiators once walked through to meet their fate.

Under the partially reconstructed floor of the 2,000-year-old amphitheater, the backstage apparatus is visible that once sent lions, buffalo and other surprises up slave-powered elevators and through trap doors into...

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April 2008 issue

Hilton HHonors ups ante

The Hilton Family of Hotels (800/446-6677, www.HiltonHHonors.com) announced on Feb. 1, 2008, “No Blackout Dates” for all members of its HHonors guest reward program. At more than 2,900 hotels worldwide, as long as a standard room is available, members will be able to confirm that room using their HHonors points.

No additional points are required to avoid blackout dates. Also, guests can earn both Points & Miles® for the same stay. Membership in HHonors is free.

November 2009 issue

Family Cuba visits

Although the general travel ban against visiting Cuba continues for all American citizens, in September the US government eased some of its restrictions. 

Americans who wish to visit family members in Cuba no longer will be restricted to one trip a year but may visit as often and as long as they like. Americans now can send unlimited amounts of cash to relatives on the island and when traveling can carry more personal baggage and certain electronic items.

February 2008 issue

Drivers on cells in UK

British laws passed in 2003 ban holding and using a cell phone while driving in the United Kingdom. In December 2007 the penalties were increased.

Drivers used to receive an automatic fine and have points removed from their driver’s license when caught. Now they face up to a 2-year sentence and an unlimited fine.

The ban does not cover using hands-free phones, but drivers still can be charged if police think they are not in control of their vehicle.