Travel Briefs

July 2010 issue

Uganda falls dammed

Uganda’s Bujagali Falls, which flow from Lake Victoria, are famous for white-water rafting and bird-watching. Sometimes referred to as “the source of the Nile,” the falls will close to the public in January 2011, when dam construction for the Bujagali Power Station is expected to be completed.

December 2009 issue

Ticket to ride (the Beatles bus)

In Liverpool, you can visit the childhood homes of John Lennon (Mendips, at 251 Menlove Ave.) and Sir Paul McCarthy (20 Forthlin Road) aboard the 14-passenger Beatles minibus. Memorabilia, photos and displays chronicle the composers’ early lives.

Both properties are conserved by and may be visited only on a tour booked through the National Trust (phone +44 [0] 151 427 7231, www.nationaltrust.org.uk). The 2½-hour tour costs £16 (near $25.50) per adult, £3 per child (5-16) or £7.50 for members of the National Trust or its American affiliate, the Royal Oak Foundation (New York, NY; 800...

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October 2008 issue

Mendelssohn Festival

Leipzig, Germany, will honor the 200th anniversary of Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy’s birth with a series of musical celebrations around the city in 2009.

Performances will include the Emerson String Quartet, Thomas Hampson and the Basel Chamber Orchestra with Paul McCreesh. Several composers, including Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, will present newly composed pieces.

The Mendelssohn Festival 2009 will be an extended version of the annual event and will run Aug. 21-Sept. 18. One highlight — the final performance of the Beaux Art Trio. Visit www.germany.co.uk and see “Leipzig.”...

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June 2008 issue

Antarctica savings

On selected 2008-2009 Antarctica cruises of the mv Discovery, Voyages of Discovery (Ft. Lauderdale, FL; 866/623-2689, www.voyagesofdiscovery.com) is offering, from selected North American cities, airfare for from free to $199 as well as discounts up to 34% on bookings made at least 120 days before departure.

Example — the 38-night sailing from Lisbon to Antarctica, Nov. 13, 2008, also visiting Rio de Janeiro and Montevideo, is discounted to $8,395-$17,950 including air.

April 2009 issue

Venice Connected

Venice, Italy’s, online reservation system Venice Connected (www.veniceconnected.it) helps visitors book and prepurchase public tourist services. It includes passes for public transportation, parking, museums, restroom cards and more. All of the passes are reduced in price if purchased online at least 15 days in advance of your visit.

November 2009 issue

Britain WWII experience

In England during WWII, Eden Camp housed prisoners of war. Today, the camp’s 33 huts comprise Eden Camp Modern History Theme Museum (Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 6RT, U.K.; phone +44 1653 697 777, fax 698 243, www.edencamp.co.uk), presenting reconstructed scenes of Britain in the war years, complete with lighting, sounds and scents.

Among displays subjects are “The U-Boat Menace,” “Women at War,” “The Blitz” and “Civil Defense.”

10-5 daily from the second Monday in January through Dec. 23. £5 (near $8) adult, £4 senior or child. (Only cash or checks with a bank card accepted...

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February 2008 issue

Cheese rolling

Every year on the second bank holiday Monday in May in Gloucestershire, England, dozens of competitors hurl themselves down the slope of Coopers Hill in pursuit of a round of Double Gloucester cheese.

Starting at noon on May 26, 2008, there will be four downhill races, with competitors from around the world and over 2,000 spectators. There is no admission cost, and parking costs £5 (near $10). Visit www.cheese-rolling.co.uk.

October 2008 issue

‘Paris Story’

A nearly 1½-hour audiovisual presentation on a 40-foot screen, “Paris Story,” tells the history of Paris from its beginnings as a Roman settlement to a modern, world-class city. Headphones allow listening in English. The center includes a 3-D, interactive model of the city plus plasma screens on special topics.

Open every day of the year; showtimes hourly, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.  €10 ($13.50) adult, €6 child (6-18). Paris Story (11 Bis rue Scribe, 70009 Paris, France; phone 33 1 42 66 62 06, fax 66 62 16, www.paris-story.com), behind the Opera.