Travel Briefs

July 2010 issue | Appears on page 68

Smoking ban in Syria

In April, Syria became the first Arab country to implement a ban on smoking in public places. Smoking is now outlawed on public transportation and in schools, cinemas, theaters, restaurants and cafés. The traditional Arab nargile, or hubble-bubble pipe, is included in the ban. Fines for violating the ban run SYP500-SYP100,000 (near $11-$2,769).

July 2010 issue | Appears on page 68

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.

July 2010 issue | Appears on page 68

Europe Travel Pass

Discounts in Europe on guided coach day-tours and walking, biking and boating trips plus cooking classes and more are available with the “Europe Travel Pass” from Travel to Europe (Box 439, Lexington, MA 02420; 781/863-0125).

In Germany, discounts include 10% off bike and Segway tours, 20% off guided walks in Hamburg and Munich and 10% off hop-on/hop-off sightseeing buses.

The pass, good with 55-plus companies in 25 cities, costs $15 per person and is valid for one month from...

CONTINUE READING »
July 2010 issue | Appears on page 68

Costa Rica wildlife guide

“The Wildlife of Costa Rica, A Field Guide” (2010 Comstock Publishing Associates [Cornell University Press]. ISBN 0801449057 — 360 pp., $29.95) covers 450 of the region’s most common and interesting species.

With 600-plus illustrations, the 8½"x5½"x½" book provides details on animals’ habitat, range and behavior as well as tips on identification.

From Amazon.com for $19.77 + $3.99 shipping or from Cornell University Press for $29.95 + $6 shipping (607/277-2211).

July 2010 issue | Appears on page 68

Tallest deck

After a two-month closure due to an elevator breakdown (April ’10, pg. 80), the At The Top deck on the 124th floor of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, reopened in March. A prepurchased ticket costs AED100 (near $27) and immediate entry, AED400. Contact Burj Dubai (phone, int’l, +9714 8888124, or, in UAE, 800 28843867).

July 2010 issue | Appears on page 68

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).

July 2010 issue | Appears on page 76

Sleep with the fishes

Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, located 16 feet below the surface of the Indian Ocean, opened in 2005, part of the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island resort (2034, Maldives; phone 960-6680629, e-mail maldives@conradhotels.com). Dinner in the 12-seat, transparent, Quonset-hut-shaped restaurant costs $320 per person.

Now visitors can spend the night under the sea. On request, the restaurant becomes a suite for two. The stay includes a private champagne dinner and breakfast in bed. The rate is $...

CONTINUE READING »
July 2010 issue | Appears on page 76

Espionage in London

“The Intelligence Trail” is a guided walk that visits sites in London where key intelligence decisions and operations took place over decades in MI5 and MI6 history.

At 7 p.m. Wed. and 2 p.m. Sat. and Sun., tours start at Royal Marines Memorial on the north side of The Mall beside Admiralty Arch. Groups of 30, maximum. Call (more than two hours ahead; may sell out) +44 [0] 1753 290 007 or visit www.intelligencetrail.co.uk. £10 cash, on site.