International Travel News

Travel Briefs

July 2008 issue | Appears on page 78

Rome’s Terminal 5

Leonardo da Vinci Airport (www.adr.it), at Rome, Italy, opened its new Terminal 5 in May solely to screen passengers of airlines with more stringent security rules. Passengers departing on the airlines American, Continental, Delta, United, US Airways and El Al will go through security checks and baggage and boarding pass check-ins in the new terminal, then take a shuttle bus back to the original main airport boarding gates for their flights.

July 2008 issue | Appears on page 83

TSA ‘Diamond’ lanes

To reduce the overall delays at security gates, the Transportation Security Administration (www.tsa.gov) has started a system of Diamond Self-Select security screening lanes at select U.S. airports.

Travelers decide if they are “Expert” travelers (need minimal screening or assistance), “Casual” travelers (know the procedures but have multiple items needing screening) or “Family/Special Assistance” (need more time or help).

The new lanes are marked with signage similar to ski...

July 2008 issue | Appears on page 83

Heathrow Express e-tix

Purchase your Heathrow Express ticket online at www.heathrowexpress.com, print it out at home (or at the hotel) or have the bar code sent to your mobile phone, then board the train straightaway; you do not have to stop at the desk or at the ticket machine. The bar code will be scanned on board.

The online fare for a one-way Express-class trip is £14.50. The train leaves every 15 minutes for the 15- to 20-minute ride from Paddington station to London Heathrow Airport.

July 2008 issue | Appears on page 83

Zambia visas

In Zambia, the visa requirements no longer will be waived for tourists traveling with a tour group, and visa costs have increased.

The multiple-entry (3-year) visa is the only one offered to U.S. tourists, and it costs $135. U.K. travelers pay £75 for a single- or £240 for a double/multiple-entry visa (each valid three months). All other nationals pay $50 for a single-, $80 for a double- or $160 a multiple-entry visa (three months each).

Visas must be purchased prior to...

July 2008 issue | Appears on page 96

Australia railpass

In Australia, the Oz Tracks Pass allows six months of travel on the trains The Ghan, Indian Pacific and The Overland. Costing AU$690 (near US$606), the pass can be used to explore cities such as Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Alice Springs, Darwin and Melbourne.

Contact Great Southern Railway (Ground Floor, 422 King William St., Adelaide, S.A., Australia; phone 13 21 47, www.oztrackspass.com.au).

July 2008 issue | Appears on page 96

Self-drive boats in Europe

European Boating Holidays (86 Averyville Lane, Lake Placid, NY, 12946; 866/606-5278, www.europeanboatingholidays.co.uk or call a travel agent) offers self-drive boating vacations in the waterways of France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Italy and Poland. No experience necessary — training is provided. All boats have fully equipped kitchens and entertainment systems.

Prices range from $50 to $100 per person per day, depending on the boat selected and the group size (two to 12). Example —...

July 2008 issue | Appears on page 96

Camping in Belize

There are many low-cost campgrounds in Belize.

The Boat Yard (San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize; phone 011 501 226 3245 or 501 600 2262, http://ambergriscaye.com/camping) is a private campground that is a 10-minute walk from downtown San Pedro. Camping on a private beach costs $7.50 including tent rental, $5 without.

The Belize Audubon Society (12 Fort St., P.O. Box 1001, Belize City, Belize; phone 501 223 5004/4987/4988, fax 501 223 4985, www.belizeaudubon.org) offers camping...

July 2008 issue | Appears on page 96

Bike Thai vineyards

On a 2-day/one-night “low-intensity” bike tour in Thailand, ride in Khao Yai Park (with a short jungle trek) and through Asoke Valley to two wineries for tastings. Day two, bike to a restaurant, then back to the resort for a swim before the 2-hour drive back to Bangkok.

Departs every Saturday. 6,750 baht (near $209); single supplement, 900 baht ($27). Spice Roads (14/1-B Soi Promsi 2, Sukhumvit 39, Klongtan Nua, Wattana, Bangkok, Thailand 10110; phone 66 02 712 5305, fax 5306, www....