Travel Briefs

April 2008 issue

Golf/cruise South Africa

Hapag-Lloyd (East Meadow, NY; 877/445-7447, www.hl-cruises.com) is offering free airfare from New York City on one of the line’s 15-day golf-and-cruise packages on the 408-passenger MS Europa.

The Nov. 25-Dec. 9, 2008, sailing from the Indian Ocean’s Mauritius to South Africa includes play on courses such as Richards Bay Country Club on the shores of Mzingazi Lake and Humewood Golf Course near Cape Town. Prices range from $11,735 to $21,510 per person, double.

November 2009 issue

Jersey Pass

The Jersey Pass offers free admission to 15 attractions in Jersey, including Elizabeth Castle, on an island in St. Aubin’s Bay, the Jersey War Tunnels, built by the Germans in World War II, and AquaSplash, a water park. A 2-day pass costs £32 (near $53); a 4-day, £45, and a 6-day, £59. It can be ordered online or by phone but must be picked up at the visitor center. Jersey Tourism Visitor Center (Liberation Place, St. Helier, Jersey JE1 1BB, U.K.; phone +44 0 1534 44 88 77, www.jerseypass.com). 

February 2008 issue

Libya passport snag

As of Nov. 11, 2007, any Western visitor to Libya must provide an Arabic translation of his passport, even if he has a valid visa.

The change in policy was instituted without any notice, and several planeloads of tourists were turned away. Libya is currently the only country in the region with this requirement. 

July 2010 issue

Edible plants, Cornwall

Seek out and identify native edible plants in the Cornwall countryside in classes offered by the Wild Food School (phone 01208 873788). A half-day introductory session costs £30 ($44) per person and a weekend-long course, £140 ($206).

December 2009 issue

Solve one like Sherlock

The hotel Sherlock Holmes, located (where else?) on Baker Street in London, offers discounted room rates when booked with a “Murder Mystery Event” party held in its restaurant. 

Held twice a month, the interactive murder mystery dinner theater is performed over a three-course meal and lasts three hours. On a first-come, first-booked basis and along with a drink, clue packages and prizes, it costs £39.95-£79 ($63-$125) per person (with VAT).

The discounted room rate for the hotel is £135 (Fri/Sat/Sun) or £170 (weekdays) and includes breakfast.

Contact Murder Mystery...

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October 2008 issue

Mobility aid for EU travelers

As of July 26, 2008, under guidelines set by the European Union’s Equality & Human Rights Commission, or EHRC (in England, phone 0845 604 6610, www.equalityhumanrights.com), mobility-impaired or otherwise disabled passengers who are citizens of EU countries and travel by air to, from or within the EU have greater rights to access and assistance.

If they request assistance, either directly or through tour operators or travel agents, then airports and airlines must accommodate their needs, from arrival at the airport through check-in, getting on and off the plane and leaving the...

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June 2009 issue

Hong Kong light show

In Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbor, on every night with good weather there is a light show involving 44 of the city’s waterfront skyscrapers. The 14-minute “A Symphony of Lights” starts at 8 p.m. and uses orchestrated lasers and lights set to music.

Good places to view the show (and where there is narration in English on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays) include sightseeing ferries and the “Avenue of the Stars” on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront. It also can be viewed at the waterfront outside Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai.

Contact the Hong Kong Tourism Board (2nd Floor, East...

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April 2009 issue

Royal greenhouses, Belgium

In Laeken, a 15-minute drive from Brussels, the Royal Greenhouses (61 Domaine Royal, Avenue du Parc Royal, 1020 Brussels, Belgium) open to the public for three weeks every year, as the flowers are in full bloom. The tallest of the towering glass structures is large enough to contain full-grown palm trees.

In 2009 they are open April 17-May 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 1-4 p.m. and 8-10 p.m. Friday and 9:30-4 and 8-10 Saturday and Sunday. Entry, €2.50.

Contact the Brussels tourism office (phone + 32 0 70 221 021, www.bruxelles-tourisme.be).