Travel Briefs

January 2009 issue

Ritz-Carlton ‘Give Back’

Employees of Ritz-Carlton Hotels & Resorts around the world each were challenged to identify an organization in their community in need of support. Dates then were scheduled for hands-on assistance, and hotel guests can volunteer a half day to assist the community where they are vacationing. Each of the half-day programs includes instruction by professionals. All profits go to the partner organization.

Samples of Give Back Getaways include planting trees to prevent erosion in Tenerife, Spain, Feb. 7, 2009, for €80 (near $100) adult and €40 child (rates at Abama Golf & Spa...

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April 2008 issue

Hadrian in London

London’s British Museum (phone +44 [0] 20 7323 8000 or 8299, www.britishmuseum.org) is hosting the exhibition “Hadrian: Empire and Conflict,” July 24-Oct. 26, 2008, bringing together, for the first time, objects from 35 museums and recent excavations.

Open daily 10-5:30 (last entry 4:20) or on Thursdays and Fridays 10-8:30 (last entry 7:20). £12 (near $24) adult, £10 senior, or two adults with three children, £25. 

Publius Aelius Traianus Hadrian, who ruled A.D. 117-138, is probably best known in Britain for causing the construction of a fortified wall to protect Roman...

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February 2008 issue

China in-flight thefts

China has issued a warning that thieves have been stealing items from overhead compartments during flights throughout the country. The crooks count on travelers not paying attention when someone rises to rummage in the bags.

Police advise passengers to be alert while on board. One suggestion — keep valuables on your person if you plan to nap.

July 2009 issue

Camp in Antarctica

Aurora Expeditions (Level 2, 88 George St., The Rocks, NSW 2000, Australia; phone +61 2 9252 1033, fax 9252 1373, www.auroraexpeditions.com.au), on selected Antarctic cruises, allows passengers to camp under the stars on the ice at no extra cost. Among cruises that offer this is the 12-day “Climbers and Kayakers” cruise, Dec. 7-18, at $6,090-$10,390. 

May 2009 issue

Flight crews’ travel guide

The “SAS Crew Guide 2009” is filled with tips from flight attendants and crews of Scandinavian Airlines System, Air Canada, Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, TAP, bmi and LOT Polish Airlines. It includes the best places to eat, drink, shop and relax in 32 cities on five continents.

It costs €15 (including postage worldwide) and can be purchased from the SAS Group AB (SE-195 87 Stockholm, Sweden) or online at http://p1qs017.futurize.net.

December 2009 issue

BoomerangIt

BoomerangIt (800/226-6648, www.boomerangit.com) offers a global “lost-and-found return service” in which PDAs, cell phones, laptops, luggage and even keys that are tagged may be returned to the rightful owners.

Anyone who finds a tagged item can contact BoomerangIt online or call an 800 number. Boomerangit arranges the return; the finder pays nothing to return the item and receives a reward. 

Providing service for four items, the international “Traveler’s Pack” includes two labels (for portable gadgets) and two tags (for luggage). It can be purchased at select sporting goods...

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September 2010 issue

Bamboo museum

The Damyang region in Jeolla-nam-do Province, Korea, is where many bamboo items and crafts are created, and many can be seen in the Damyang Bamboo Museum (phone +82 61 1330).

The first floor exhibits 183 antique bamboo items and the tools used to create them. The second has 1,400 modern bamboo products, over 200 of which are foreign-made.

From Seoul, take the bus from Seoul Express Bus Terminal or Dong Seoul Bus Terminal to Gwangiu, then take the bus to Damyang and walk 10 minutes. Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. 1,000 won (84¢).

June 2008 issue

Copenhagen CPH Card

In Copenhagen, holders of the CPH Card get free admission to 60 museums and attractions; free transport by train, bus and metro (including airport routes), and discounts at participating restaurants, car rental agencies and attractions.

The cost for a 24-hour card is DKK199 (approx. $41) adult and DKK129 ($27) child 10 to 15 and for a 72-hour card, DKK429 ($89) adult, DKK249 ($52) child.

It can be purchased at the airport, tourist information offices, major train stations, hotels, camping sites and youth hostels. Ten or more days in advance of arrival in Copenhagen, the card...

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