Travel Briefs

March 2010 issue

Mobile guide to Amsterdam

The Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions has created a guide to Amsterdam optimized for mobile devices. For the iPhone and iPod Touch, there is the free Amsterdam Mobile Guide app, which contains the locations, descriptions and contact information for more than 200 attractions in the city, not to mention various itineraries and an interactive map with points of interest.

The app does not need a data connection to function; all information is stored in the application.

For those without an iPhone or iPod Touch, the same information is available on the mobile-...

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January 2010 issue

Bedbugs, be gone!

Rest Easy is an all-natural, cinnamon-scented nonpesticide that kills and repels bedbugs and other small insects, such as bed mites. It is available in two-ounce travel-size bottles (twin-pack, $13.95) at retail stores such as Bed, Bath & Beyond or online (www.pestproductsonline.com).

May 2010 issue

Picasso in Zürich

Seventy-plus works of Pablo Picasso will be shown in Zürich’s Kunsthaus museum (Heimplatz 1, CH-8001, Zürich, Switzerland; phone +41 [0] 44 253 84 84), Oct. 15, 2010-Jan. 30, 2011. The selection, from international collections, is based on Picasso’s self-curated first showing in 1932. 10-8 Wednesday-Friday and 10-6 Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday. CHF18 ($17) adult.

April 2010 issue

St. Anthony’s in Egypt

In the Red Sea Mountains of Egypt’s Eastern Desert, the Monastery of St. Anthony, at more than 1,650 years old, is reputed to be the world’s first Christian monastery. Egypt has completed its eight-year, $14.5-million renovation, restoring and conserving the fortress walls, several outbuildings and the two main churches and installing a modern sewage system. 

Boasting the burial places of four saints plus paintings dating back to the Middle Ages, St. Anthony’s houses 120 monks and receives a million visitors a year. 

February 2010 issue

‘Cape Town Nature Reserves’

The 30-page booklet “Cape Town Nature Reserves” profiles each of the South African city’s 24 nature reserves and areas with a photo, activities available, types of species found, hours open and entry fees.

It is available at the Rietvlei, Rondevlei and Helderberg nature reserves for R5 (near 50¢) and also at the Botanical Society Bookshop in Kirstenbosch Gardens. For a free PDF download, visit www.capetown.gov.za/en and in the Search box type “Cape Town Nature Reserves Booklet.” 

March 2010 issue

Rick Steves + Smithsonian

Travel expert Rick Steves and Smithsonian media are collaborating on a special edition of Smithsonian magazine that will hit the newsstands May 4.

Focusing on Steves’ 20 favorite things to see and do in Europe, Smithsonian Presents: Travels with Rick Steves will be written by Steves and edited by the staff of Smithsonian. The website www.smithsonian.com will have companion material, such as videos and audio guides. 

January 2010 issue

OAT & GCT woo solos

The Grand Circle Corporation companies Overseas Adventure Travel and Grand Circle Travel are offering this Best Price Guarantee: if a solo traveler booked on a 2010 OAT or GCT trip finds a comparable trip at a lower price, the company will match the lower price and take an additional $500 off.

For 2010, both OAT and GCT are offering free single supplements on all of their land vacations and “low single supplements” on GCT’s river cruises and OAT’s small-ship adventures. Also in 2010, and for the first time in the companies’ 50-year history, OAT and GCT will offer free single...

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May 2010 issue

Iceland volcano

A volcano near Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull Glacier, 75 miles southeast of Reykjavik, began erupting on March 20 and continues to erupt. Five hundred people were evacuated from the area, and planes were rerouted to avoid ash damage. Past eruptions of the volcano have triggered larger eruptions at nearby Mount Kalta. 

Volcano sightseeing tour packages are available from Reykjavik.