Travel Briefs

August 2010 issue | Appears on page 38

Kurhaus, Netherlands

The Steigenberger Kurhaus Hotel (Gevers Deynootplein 30, 2586 CK Den Haag, Netherlands; phone +31 [0] 70 4162636, fax 646) has hosted heads of state, painters, film stars, etc. Built in 1818, the monumental, North Sea beachside resort hotel has withstood fire, wars and getting trashed during a Rolling Stones concert.

With VAT but excluding city tax and breakfast, nightly room rates range from €295 (near $360), superior, to €1,050 ($1,282), Presidential Suite. Packages available. 

August 2010 issue | Appears on page 38

Apps find medics

For the iPhone, the software applications mPassport London and mPassport Paris allow travelers to locate medical help in those cities (in Paris, English-speaking). The apps pull up lists of hospitals, pharmacies, paramedics, doctors (by specialty) and dentists. Users can find each on a map and make an appointment using the screen.

The provider, HTH Worldwide, provides health insurance and global medical assistance for travelers. Download the app at the iPhone store for 99 cents. For...

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August 2010 issue | Appears on page 58

Happy feet

Injini Travel Toesocks — over-the-calf socks with five toe “sleeves” — provide light compression that aids circulation during long plane flights. Available at outdoor gear and footwear stores or online at www.injinjistore.com ($24 plus $7.55 shipping; with orders $40 or more, shipping is free).

August 2010 issue | Appears on page 60

Berlin free museums

Many museums in Berlin do not charge admission or on certain days are free.

The Friedrichswerdersche Kirche-Schinkelmuseum (Bodestraße 1-3, 10178 Berlin) is an annex of the Nationalgalerie, located in a deconsecrated church designed in 1828 by Karl Friedrich Schinkel, who designed many buildings in Berlin. The exhibit contains memorabilia and documents from his many buildings as well as neoclassical portraits and sculptures. Free admission. Open 10-6 Tues.-Sun.

The modern Mies...

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August 2010 issue | Appears on page 62

Planning for Tunisia

On the Tunisian National Tourism Office website, www.cometotunisia.co.uk, you can select a type of activity (shopping, horseback riding, dining) or topic (adventure, culture, history) and a group of marker “flags” appears on a map of the country. Click on one and a description pops up. Click “add” and it goes on a list for you to print out later. You can also schedule a daily itinerary.

August 2010 issue | Appears on page 66

Netherlands Antilles disbanding

The five Caribbean islands that make up the territory of the Netherlands Antilles, in the West Indies, have voted to change their status and, as of Oct. 10, 2010, no longer will be one political unit. 

Curaçao and Sint Maarten will govern themselves as autonomous countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Opting for closer ties to the Netherlands, the islands of Saba, Sint Eustatius and Bonaire will be special municipalities and governed directly by the Dutch government,...

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August 2010 issue | Appears on page 67

Estonia to use euro

Estonia received approval from the European Union on May 12 to begin using the euro as its currency as of January 2011.

The 16 countries that use the euro as legal tender are Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain. Not part of the EU but also using the euro as their currency are Andorra, Kosovo, Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino and Vatican City.

August 2010 issue | Appears on page 67

Papua New Guinea province alcohol ban

In Papua New Guinea, a ban on the selling and drinking of alcohol was implemented in the Southern Highlands province in May. Police feel that excessive drinking has contributed to an increase in interclan violence that has killed dozens and hope the ban will reduce crime.