Rick Steves' Europe: European Headlines Archive

European Headlines Archives

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December 2008

Travel Industry Predicts Fewer Travelers in 2009

December 29 — A report from the Travel Industry Association found that 4.8 percent fewer Americans visited Europe during the first eight months of 2008 than did so during the same period in 2007. That downward trend is expected to continue in 2009. The International Air Transport Association predicts that worldwide passenger air traffic will fall by 3 percent in 2009.

Pound, Euro Almost At Parity

December 29 — The British pound has fallen to a new record low against the euro, with one pound now equaling about 1.023 euros. The two currencies have already reached a one-to-one parity in many UK exchange bureaus, where one pound now buys one euro. The value of the pound has fallen along with UK home values and declining consumer spending. At its peak in 2000, one pound bought more than 1.7 euros; a year ago the rate was one pound to 1.4 euros.

Travel Could Be More Affordable in 2009

December 28 — The upcoming year may bring with it good-value travel opportunities, both domestically and internationally. The strengthened US dollar buys more overseas, making a trip to Europe less expensive. For example, a euro now costs just $1.39 in US currency, down from its April peak at $1.60 — meaning the US dollar buys about 20 percent more today than it did just a few months ago. Gas prices have fallen to a four-year low, and hotels are cutting prices to attract a dwindling number of travelers. If you can afford to travel, 2009 may be a good year to do it.

Greek Riots Symptoms of Larger Problems

December 25 — Three weeks of rioting and protests in Greece, sparked by the shooting death of a teenager, are a symptom of deeper problems, analysts say. The unrest is being fueled by high employment and unpopular government reforms. So far the demonstrations have attracted college and high-school students, leftist activists, and members of the "700-euro generation," recent college graduates unhappy with the nation's minimum wage. Working-class and middle-class Greeks have not yet joined in the protests. Businesses in Athens are estimated to have lost about $1 billion due to the unrest.

Riots Continue in Athens, Greece

December 21 — A gathering in memory of a teenager shot to death in Athens, Greece turned violent today, as protestors clashed with police. The incident escalated as police used tear gas to subdue the rock- and firebomb-throwing crowd. A group of protestors attempted to set the Christmas tree in Syntagma Square on fire but were repelled by police. It’s believed that the unrest, which has gone on now for more than two weeks, is being driven by high unemployment among the nation’s young people, who are calling for the unpopular prime minister to step down.

Riots in Malmo, Sweden

December 19 — The closure of an Islamic mosque and neighborhood center has prompted two nights of riots in the Swedish city of Malmo, where young people fought with police and set cars on fire. The center was closed when the building’s owner did not return the Islamic group’s lease; young people who squatted in the building were later forcibly evicted by police.

Dollar Rises

December 18 — The US dollar defied some expert predictions as it posted gains on Thursday against currencies including the euro and Japanese yen. The euro fell to $1.4243, down two cents; and the British pound fell five cents, to $1.5011.

Twelfth Day of Protests in Greece

December 18 — Unrest continues in Athens, Greece, where protestors on Thursday clashed with police at the central Syntagma Square, causing shoppers and families to flee. Protestors set fire to a van, burned furniture, and threw rocks and firebombs at police, who responded with tear gas. Hundreds of shop windows have been smashed in what has become nearly nightly violence. Thursday’s violence followed a mostly-peaceful demonstration march of about 7,000 students. Also on Thursday, major labor unions in Greece held work stoppages, causing flight cancellations at the Athens airport.

Fuel Surcharges Cut by British Airways, Virgin Atlantic

December 18 — The falling price of oil is allowing British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways to cut their fuel surcharges, beginning with tickets purchased today. Both airlines are cutting the charge for long-haul flights of nine hours or longer from £96 to £66. Surcharges on domestic and European flights will go down by about 25 percent.

Dollar Begins to Fall as Recession Sinks In

December 17 — The euro jumped to $1.44 against the dollar on Wednesday from $1.4002 on Tuesday – the dollar’ biggest one-day drop since the creation of the euro. It was also weaker against the British pound, Japanese yen, and Swiss franc. This fall, the dollar surged from historic summer lows as investors worldwide sought a safe haven from the worldwide financial crisis. But as the depth of the US recession becomes more apparent, and the Federal Reserve literally floods the market with cash, the dollar is looking like less of a safe bet. Experts are now predicting that is value will continue to decline.

Unrest Continues in Athens

December 15 — Protestors clashed with police outside the courthouse and police headquarters in Athens, Greece today, with police using tear gas to disperse the crowds. Polls show that most Greeks are unhappy with their government's response to the violence, now in its second week. Over 70 people have been injured in the protests, which began with the shooting death of a 15-year-old boy. Two police officers have been charged in his death.

High-Speed Train Connects Rome and Milan

December 15 — The new Red Arrow high-speed train is up and running between Rome and Milan. Trains run 18 times and day and connect the two cities in 3.5 hours. Improvements to the track between Florence and Bologna in 2010 will shorten the travel time to 3 hours. The new train offers a speedy alternative to driving or flying between Rome and Milan.

Travel Safety Tips Outlined

December 14 — The terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India have heightened some tourists' concerns about how to travel safely. But the RAND Corp. reminds travelers that their chance of being killed in a terrorist attack is about one in a million, compared with the average Americans' one in 8,000 chance of dying in a car crash. Tips for travelers from the US State Department include being aware of your surroundings, knowing where the exits are, avoiding crowds, and keeping a low profile. Filing your travel plans on the State Department's web site allows the agency to contact you in case of an emergency. The Association of Corporate Travel Executives recommends that travelers carry these four items: an LED flashlight (for light or to signal for help), a handheld water purifier, a portable radio, and a mobile phone with international service. Program the phone with the numbers for the US embassy, your tour operator, and your hotel. For more safety recommendations, see www.travel.state.gov.

Greece Suffers Five Days of Riots

December 11 — Athens, Greece is recovering after five days of unrest and a strike on Wednesday that cancelled all flights to the country. The riots were sparked by the shooting death of a teenage boy. Two police officers have been arrested and charged with the homicide. Store windows were broken and cars burned in riots in the capital city and other towns across Greece. The Greek government has come under criticism for not cracking down on the violence, but government officials said a strong response would have only escalated the situation.

Pound at Record Low Against Euro

December 11 — The British pound today reached a new record low against the euro, trading at €1.123, the lowest level since the euro was launched in 1999. Against the dollar, the pound gained one cent, to $1.4967. The dollar is at its lowest point against the euro in six weeks.

Monaco to Stay Small

December 10 — The principality of Monaco will not spend billions of dollars to build an artificial peninsula, extending the country into the sea. The $5-10 billion peninsula would have held shops, tourist attractions, and homes, and had been compared with Dubai's new palm-shaped artificial island. It would have increased Monaco's landmass by five percent. The Prince of Monaco shelved the project, saying it didn't do enough to protect the environment.

Activists Strand Stansted Passengers

December 8 — Activists protesting expansion plans at Stansted Airport near London forced one runway there to close, cancelling over 50 flights and delaying others. Protestors from the group Plane Stupid said they wanted to bring attention to the impact aviation has on climate change, and chained themselves to fencing near the runway, closing it for 2 hours. British police arrested 57 people for trespassing. The airport was criticized for the security breach that allowed the protestors access to the runway.

Vatican Calls for Parthenon Marbles to Reunite In Athens

December 4 — A Vatican official is calling for the Elgin Marbles to be returned to Greece. Currently many pieces of the Parthenon are held in museums in Britain, France, Germany, Denmark, and at the Vatican itself. The former director of the Vatican Museums is proposing that the fragments of the Parthenon be reunited in the future at a new "pan-European" museum in Athens. The Elgin Marbles were taken from Athens to London in 1801 by the British Ambassador, Lord Elgin. Greece has campaigned for decades to have the Marbles returned. The Vatican proposes a compromise, wherein the Marbles will be returned to Athens but fall under European Union control and with a British director for the new international museum.

British Airport Tax Goes Up

December 5 — Already among the world's highest, the tax paid by passengers flying out of British airports will go up by 10 to 50 percent in 2010. Taxes will be higher for passengers flying longer distances, and thus having a greater impact on the environment. As of December 2010, passengers flying more than 6,000 miles from a British airport will pay a £170 tax (it's now £80).

Salzburg Says No To Von Trapp Hotel

December 3 — The City of Salzburg has turned down plans to turn the former home of the von Trapp family (of Sound of Music fame) into a hotel. The villa's current owners had hope to convert it into a 14-room hotel, but neighbors feared increased traffic in the residential area. The von Trapps lived in the villa from 1923 to 1938, and it was used by Nazi Heinrich Himmler from 1938 to 1945.

Airline Roundup

December 3 — Lufthansa will launch a new airline, Lufthansa Italian, on Feb. 2. The airline will be based in Milan and fly to European cities including Barcelona and Paris. Lufthansa is also in talks to acquire struggling Italian airline, Alitalia. Discount airline Ryanair has offered to buy out its Irish rival Aer Lingus. Ryanair already owns 30 percent of Aer Lingus.

November 2008

European Mobile Roaming Fees Capped

November 30 — New rules will cap data roaming fees for European mobile phone users beginning in July 2009. Text messages sent while roaming will be capped at €0.11, and data downloads at €1 per megabyte. The rules apply to the 27 European Union member nations.

No Passports Needed: Switzerland Joins EU's Passport-free Zone

November 27 — Passports will no longer be needed when entering Switzerland, which has joined the European Union's passport-free zone. While Switzerland is not a member of the EU, it neighbors several EU countries and has met the union's security standards to become part of the borderless Schengen zone. As of December 12 passports will not be required at land crossings; airport controls will be lifted on March 29, 2009. Switzerland will be required to increase video surveillance along its border with Liechtenstein, which is not a member of the Schengen pact.

Bmibaby Suspends Some Summer Service

November 26 — The budget airline Bmibaby has suspended five routes which fly in summer from Birmingham International Airport in the United Kingdom. Bmibaby flights from Birmingham to Rome, Milan, Lisbon, Madrid, and Bordeaux will be suspended from March 29 to October 24. Bmibaby says it is responding to decreasing demand for "city breaks" from the UK.

Horse Heads to Welcome Visitors to Edinburgh

November 24 — Two 10-story high equine heads will guard the entrance to a new park near Edinburgh, Scotland. The sculptures, designed by Andy Scott and known as "The Kelpies," will be installed in 2010 or 2011 at the entrance to a new 740-acre park of forests, bike trails, and walking paths. Each will be 114 feet tall and weigh 400 tons. The Kelpies will have a functional purpose as well, operating the first lock on the east end of the Forth-Clyde canal. Andy Scott is best known for his large-scale sculpture "Heavy Horse," located off the M8 in Glasgow.

20 Percent of Amsterdam's "Coffee Shops" Targeted for Closure

November 21 — The Netherland's new national ban on marijuana sales within 250 yards of schools will result in the city of Amsterdam closing about 20 percent of its so-called coffee shops. Closure notices have been sent to 43 of Amsterdam's coffee shops, instructing them that they will need to close before the end of 2011. Among the shops targeted for closure is The Bulldog, an tourist landmark housed in a former police HQ. The Trimbos Institute for Mental Health and Addition reports that 30 years of tolerance for marijuana usage in the Netherlands has resulted in usage rates slightly above those in Germany and Scandinavia but below the rates seen in the US, France, and Britain.

Online Library "Europeana" Launches, Then Crashes

November 21 — An online library of Europe's cultural heritage launched last week and promptly crashed when too many people tried to access it at once. Plans are for the site to reopen in December, with beefed-up technology capable of handling the 10 million hits per hour experienced last week. The website features contributions from more than 1,000 institutions. Via the Internet, users will be able to access more than two million books, maps, recordings, photographs, documents, paintings, and films made available by organizations such as the British Library, Louvre Museum, European Commission, and the state archives of EU member nations. Contributions range from digital copies of the Gutenberg Bible to 1914 film footage of the WWI battlefields in France. You can visit Europeana at http://dev.europeana.eu.

Bmibaby Suspends Some Summer Service

Horse Heads to Welcome Visitors to Edinburgh

20 Percent of Amsterdam's "Coffee Shops" Targeted for Closure

Online Library "Europeana" Launches, Then Crashes

Donatello's David Returns to Bargello

November 19 — The bronze sculpture of David by Donatello will be back on display at the Bargello Museum in Florence, Italy beginning November 28, following an 18-month restoration process. Sculpted in the 1440's, Donatello's David is considered the first major work of Renaissance sculpture.

Budget Travel Offers Menu Decoders

November 18 — Budget Travel has unveiled several handy, printable menu decoders, available for free download on its website, www.budgettravel.com. There are decoders for France, Italy, Barcelona, Portugal, Prague, Morocco, and China. Each includes translations of common food words and descriptions of typical menu items.

Boarding Passes Replaced by Cell Phones

November 18 — Web-enabled cell phones and PDA, such as the iPhone and the Blackberry, may soon replace paper boarding passes for several airlines, including Continental, British Airways, Delta, Northwest, Southwest, Alaska, and Air Canada. Each airline has a different system, but in general passengers will receive a text message containing their boarding pass, and then show their phone at various airport checkpoints where the boarding pass can be scanned. The paperless boarding pass is being tested by Delta at LaGuardia Airport and by American airlines at Chicago O'Hare, LAX, and Orange County airports.

Giant Light Sculpture to Replace Colossus of Rhodes

November 17 — German artist Gert Hof has been tapped to recreate the Colossus of Rhodes as a gigantic light sculpture. The original Colossus was built on the Aegean island of Rhodes and is believed to have stood over 120 feet tall before being destroyed by an earthquake in 226 B.C. The new €200 million Colossus is expected to exceed its predecessor in height and will be combination of metal and light. The announcement was made at the a meeting of the World Trade Center Association in Dubai.

Strikes Cause Travel Disruptions in France

November 17 — A week of transportation problems awaits travelers in France, where rolling strikes by various unions are disrupting public services. A four-day strike by airline workers, expected to end late today, has caused the cancellation of hundreds of domestic and international flights. Rail workers plan to strike on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by teachers on Thursday and postal workers on Saturday. The unions are protesting government proposals to increase the number of hours in the work week and raise the mandatory retirement age.

Solar-Powered Vatican

November 16 — The Vatican has sought help from a higher power — this week firing up 2,400 solar panels on the roof of the Paul VI auditorium, which is used for the Pope's weekly audience in winter and bad weather. The solar panels will generate enough power to provide lighting, heating, and air-conditioning to the 6,300-seat auditorium, with extra power going to nearby buildings. Pope Benedict has been praised by environmental groups for his focus on environmental problems.

Scotland Replants Its Forest

November 15 — Volunteers and conservationists are working to restore forested lands in Scotland, with the goal of creating a greenbelt of reforested and ancient forest that will stretch across the country. So far the nonproft Trees for Life has planted 750,000 trees in an effort to join up patches of forest. There's also talk of reintroducing native species such as beaver, wild boar, and even the wolf. Trees for Life offers week-long planting trips, where volunteers plant trees in exchange for a stay in rustic accommodations: www.treesforlife.org.uk.

Greek Necropolis Unearthed in Sicily

November 11 — Archaeologists have discovered a huge, ancient Greek necropolis in the town of Termini Imerese in northern Sicily. The necropolis is thought to contain up to 10,000 tombs dated from between the sixth and fifth centuries B.C., including soldiers and civilians who died in the Battle of Himera in 480 B.C. The necropolis was discovered during construction of a railway, and the finds will ultimately be displayed at a new museum.

Rome Reconstructed

November 12 — Enthusiasts of classical Rome can see the ancient city come to life in two new formats. Google Earth has unveiled its version of ancient Rome, which shows the city just as it appeared on April 1, A.D. 320. The animated map allows users to float over the city in a sort of "virtual time machine," which includes 6,700 digitally-reconstructed structures. Users can go inside ten structures, including the Colosseum. The digital project was begun in 1997 at the University of Virginia. See it for yourself at http://earth.google.com/rome/. Tourists in Rome itself can experience the city in a new 3-D attraction opening November 20 near the Colosseum. Rewind Rome allows tourists to see a simulation of Rome as it appeared in A.D. 310, with virtual visits to reconstructed monuments including the Forum and the temple of Vesta. While based on archaeological evidence, the simulation includes a visit with a virtual Emperor Maxentius and a trip inside a crowd-filled Colosseum. Cost and horus are available at www. 3drewind.com.

Europe Goes Bananas for Bicycle Sharing

November 9 — Bicycling-sharing programs in European cities are proving to be wildly popular in cities from Paris, France to Barcelona, Spain, where each bike logs about 10 rides a day. Even Rome has started a small trial program, Roma-n-Bici. The bike-sharing programs are aimed at easing congestion and reducing the environmental impact of motorized transport. They're made possible by smart-card technology that allows locals to quickly pick up and drop off bikes at hundreds of stands across a city. Most programs are not set up for tourists, and do not accept US credit cards as payment. North American cities have been slow to follow the trend, due to longer commutes and helmet laws, although Washington, D.C. and Montreal, Canada have trial programs underway.

United Drops Second Bag Fee

November 7 — United Airlines has changed course and will not institute a proposed $50 fee for the second piece of checked luggage. The fee will instead stay at $25, with a 20 percent discount to travelers who pay online for their first checked bag.

New Guidebook For Disabled Visitors to Venice

November 5 — A new guidebook to Venice offers help to travelers who use wheelchairs or have other mobility problems. The book offers detailed information on potential accessibility problems at popular sights, and short-cuts to help travelers get around (such as hidden elevators at sights, bridges with wheelchair lifts, and restaurants with wheelchair-accessible bathrooms). The book could also be of use to older travelers. For more info, see www.easytravelbooks.com.

Venice Keeps Up Its Cleanliness Campaign

November 4 — Venice is extending its campaign to keep the city clean even in the winter, posting bilingual signs at major sights and on Grand Canal water-buses. Six police officers are roaming St. Mark's Square to enforce a ban on eating there. A recent ban on birdfeed vendors has reduced the number of pigeons in the square to a few thousand, down from a high of 20,000.

Mediterranean Union Picks Barcelona for HQ

November 4 — The fledgling 43-national Mediterranean Union has picked the Spanish city of Barcelona for its headquarters. The union includes 27 European Union nations and several countries in Africa and the Middle East, and aims to improve water quality, seek renewable energy, and expand education.

Delta Airlines Adds Fee for First Bags

November 4 — Delta Airlines has given in to the trend, and will begin charging domestic passengers $15 for the first checked bag and $25 for the second checked bag. Delta, which is merging with Northwest, also announced it will eliminate some fuel surcharges for tickets purchased with SkyMiles. Several other fees have been reduced slightly to align with Northwest's fee structure.

Ryanair Hopes to Offer Cheap Trans-Atlantic Flights

November 2 — The Irish discount airline Ryanair, well-known in Europe for its rock-bottom prices, would like to begin offering trans-Atlantic flights for as little as €10 before taxes and fees. It is proposing service from airports near Dublin and London to US destinations such as New York, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Boston.

October 2008

Italian Wine Prices Fall

October 31 — About five percent more wine was harvested this year in Italy than in 2007, but the national winemakers association is predicting that prices will be about 20 percent less due to a drop in demand. The volume of exports of Italian wine to the US have fallen by nearly six percent.

EU to Approve Croatia's Membership

October 31 — Croatia could become a member of the European Union by 2011, provided it meets all the conditions in an EU report set to be approved this week. The report also outlines political reforms necessary if Turkey is to become an EU member, and says Serbia could become an EU candidate if it cooperates with the UN war crimes tribunal.

Airline Roundup

October 30 — The Denmark-based budget carrier Sterling Airlines is filing for bankruptcy and has suddenly ceased operations, stranding thousands of passengers. Sterling flew to 40 European destinations from hubs in Copenhagen, Oslo, and Stockholm. Sterling joins several other airlines that have gone belly up in recent months, including XL Airways, Zoom, Eos, MAXjet and Silverjet.

Another discount airline, British-based BMI, announced yesterday that it will be taken over by Germany's Lufthansa Airlines, which will take an 80 percent share in the airline. The remaining 20 percent of BMI is owned by Scandinavia Airlines. BMI flies to 51 destinations and is the second-biggest carrier at London's Heathrow airport.

Domestically, the US government has given the green light to a merger between Delta and Northwest Airlines. Delta hopes to complete its buyout of Northwest by the end of the year.

Amsterdam's Museumnacht is November 1

October 29 — For the eighth year in a row, Amsterdam's top museums will stay open until 2 a.m. on November 1. On Museumnacht, 41 museums remain open late with fun activities for museum-goers. After the museums close, nine nightclubs will continue the celebration until dawn. Among the activities planned: a jazz concert at the 17th-century Portuguese Synagogue, a low-budget bar in Rembrandt's kitchen at the Rembrandt House, champagne tours at the Van Loon Museum, a live concert of 18th-century music at the Tassen Museum of purses, and love potions to sample at the van Gogh Museum. Tickets are €17 and information is available (in Dutch only) at www.n8.nl/2008.

Bid to Save Red Phone Boxes

October 27 — Small towns across Britain are scrambling to save their red telephone boxes. The phone booths, one an ubiquitous symbol of Britain, are in danger of disappearing altogether as British Telecom takes them out of service. Nearly 300 town councils have applied to "adopt" the telephone boxes, paying £500 a year for maintenance and to keep the phone operational.

Avoid the Rush: Apply Now for Passport

October 26 — Travelers are being advised to apply now for US passports for travel next year. Changes to US passport requirements being implemented in June 2009 are expected to result in a rush to get passports this coming winter and spring. The changes will require travelers to carry passports or the new "passport card" when traveling by land or sea to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. (Passports are already required for all international air travel). The federal government has added staff in anticipation of a surge in applications, but recommends applying now, when the number of applications is at its traditional low point.

Rising Dollar Goes Farther in Europe

October 22 — American travelers to Europe are starting to see the silver lining in the global economic crisis, as the dollar makes strong gains against the world's benchmark currencies. The euro this week fell to $1.28, its lowest point in two years, and the British pound fell to $1.653, a five-year low.

Full Disclosure Required for European Airlines

October 22 — A new European Union rule requires airlines to clearly show — up-front — all taxes, fees, and surcharges added to the base price of a ticket. Any optional supplements and upgrades must also be presented to the consumer at the start of the booking process as "opt-in" choices. The new rules are intended to protect consumers using airline websites from "bait and switch" tactics where one price is displayed on the initial page, but a different — and much higher — price appears late in the booking process. Discount European airlines have been accused of misleading consumers in this way, often by automatically tacking on optional upgrades.

More Travelers Rely on Frequent-Flier Miles

October 21 — Airlines report that more customers are using frequent-filer miles to travel this year. For example, over 20 percent more frequent-flier miles have been cashed in at Continental Airlines this year than last. Despite a slew of new fees and restrictions on frequent-flier miles, many travelers are burning up their frequent-file miles as a way to pay for higher-priced airfare.

London's WWII Underground Tunnels For Sale

October 20 — A maze of underground tunnels in central London built to protect citizens from German bombs during World War II is up for sale. The tunnels are about 100 feet below the city and about a mile long. They were originally used by MI6, Britain's intelligence agency. After the war, the tunnels were used to store government documents and as a long-distance telephone exchange.

EU Keeps Climate Change Plan

October 16 — The European Union will keep to its plan of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by the year 2020, despite the recent global financial crisis. Poland and six other Eastern European countries had proposed pulling back from the commitment. The plan will require countries and businesses to implement cleaner technology, seek renewable energy, and reduce emissions from vehicles and manufacturers. The EU's original 15 member nations are on track to meet an earlier goal of cutting emissions by 8 percent by 2012.

Restoration Begins on Berlin Wall East Side Gallery

October 16 — A three-quarter-mile long remnant of the Berlin Wall known as the East Side Gallery will be dismantled and restored. The section of the wall was covered with murals in 1990 and attracts throngs of tourists. The $3 million restoration project will replace the original concrete with longer-lasting material, and the original 118 artists or their assistants are being asked to recreate their murals. The goal is to have the restored wall in place by November 9, 2009, the 20th anniversary of the fall of the wall.

Holmenkollen Ski Jump To Come Down

October 15 — Work to tear down a landmark in Oslo, Norway — the Holmenkollen Ski Jump — was to begin on Thursday. The jump, which was built used for the 1952 Winter Olympics, is being replaced in advance of the 2011 Nordic Skiing World Championships. Construction of the new ski jump is expected to be finished by 2010.

Fuel Surcharges Drop

October 14 — The falling price of oil has led some transatlantic airlines to reduce their fuel surcharges. According to Bestfares.com, fuel surcharges have dropped by an average of 18 percent, to about $280 per ticket, on flights from the eastern US to Rome, Madrid, and Amsterdam. Surcharges on flights from the western US to London have gone down about 17 percent, to about $366 per ticket. Industry analysts say the cuts may also reflect declining demand for flights to Europe.

Rising Seas Threaten Treasured Sites

October 13 — A recent report lists 142 ancient monuments, 111 historic buildings, and one historic garden which are at risk of flooding or erosion due to rising seas along the coast of southwest England. On the list: St. Michael's Mount, off Penzance in Cornwall; the boathouse at Agatha Christie's summer house in Devon; and Westbury Court Garden in Gloucestershire.

Top Art Museums Branch Out

October 10 — Paris's Louvre and Pompidou museums are opening branches in rural France, as well as in international destinations. The Pompidou will open a branch in the French city of Metz in 2010, while the Louvre is building an annex in Lens that will open in 2011. Another branch of the Louvre is being built in Abu Dhabi, and a branch of the Pompidou in Shanghai.

Ancient Stadium Opens to Public

October 10 — An ancient Roman stadium in Pozzuoli, Italy (near Naples) is once again open to the public, almost five centuries after it was buried by volcanic ash in the 1538 eruption of Mount Nuovo. A road was built through the center of the stadium in the 1930s. Archaeologists have dug out about half of the structure, which was built by Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius in 142 AD.

Green Light for Stansted Airport Expansion

October 9 — Stansted Airport near London has the go-ahead to expand, under a plan that would allow the airport to serve an additional 23,000 flights and 10 million passengers a year. The proposal had been shut down by a local council on environmental grounds, but the ruling was overturned by the UK transportation secretary. Long-term plans call for construction of a second runway at Stansted, which is located about 40 miles northeast of London and serves as a hub for several low-cost airlines.

Oil Prices Fall but Airfares Stay High

October 8 — The price of oil has fallen by roughly one-third since July — but it's still about 25 percent higher than it was at this time last year. Most airlines continue to struggle with high fuel costs. They have also cut back on capacity, so there are fewer tickets to buy. These two factors are keeping airfares high. Analysts say that oil must fall to $80 a barrel, or customer demand drop sharply, before we'll see any price relief on airfares.

Ryanair Considers Transatlantic Flights

October 8 — Europe's leading low-cost airline, Ryanair, is considering starting up a budget airline to fly between the US and Europe. The no-frills transatlantic service could be running within three years, according to Ryanair's CEO. The announcement drew comparisions to Canadian transatlantic start-up, Zoom Airlines, which went out business in August after only six years.

French Rail To Provide Taxis

October 7 — The French national rail operator SNCF plans to buy several hundred taxis in a bid to end the long lines for taxis at major train stations in Paris. The city currently has about 16,000 taxis — a number that has only gone up by about 2,000 since 1937. The SNCF fleet of taxis will use electric cars and be assigned specifically for use by rail passengers. The plan has drawn criticism from the taxi drivers' union, which is opposed to issuing additional licenses for taxi drivers.

US to Build New London Embassy

October 2 — The US will sell its embassy building on London's Grosvenor Square and build a new, more-secure embassy facility south of the River Thames. The US has had a presence on Grosvenor Square since the late 18th century. The relocation will take about five years.

Scots Plans Year-Long Homecoming Celebration

October 1 — Scotland will mark the 250th birthday of its national poet, Robert Burns, in 2009 with a year-long Homecoming celebration. Events kick off on Burns Night (January 25) and wrap up on St. Andrew's Day (November 30), with a country-wide program of events celebrating Scotland's culture, heritage, and contributions to the world, including Burns himself, whisky, and golf. One of the largest events will be Edinburgh's annual Gathering of the Clans, planned for July 25-26, 2009, with traditional Highland Games and a Clan Pageant.

Lower Estimate of Dresden Bombing Deaths

October 1 — A new report has pegged the number of people killed in the Allied bombing of Dresden, Germany during World War II at 25,000. Earlier estimates has put the number as high as 135,000. The civilian death toll in Dresden has long been a source of controversy. The report was commissioned by the German government and based on four years of research. Additional research will continue through 2009.

September 2008

New Bridge Could Be Dangerous

September 30 — Venice's new Constitution Bridge, the controversial Calatrava-designed glass-and-steel structure, opened at midnight on September 11. Since then at least 10 tourists have been injured on the bridge, tripping over its irregular-size stone and glass steps. The city council has said it has no plans to make changes to the steps — intended to encourage people to stop and take in the view — but may consider adding some warning signs.

Pope Urges Tourists to Travel Green

September 29 — Pope Benedict XVI today issued a call for people to live more simply and ethically, saying that people have a responsibility to protect nature and end the "indiscriminate use" of the earth's resources. The pope also urged tourists to travel in a sustainable way, with respect for the environment and local cultures.

Police Crack Down on Naples Mafia

September 30 — Police have made more than 30 arrests in a wide-scale crackdown on the Camorra Mafia ring in Naples, and have taken into custody three suspects in a recent massacre of African immigrants. Police seized automatic weapons and contraband police uniforms from a Mafia "safe house." Several hundred Army troops and extra police have been sent to the area.

Vacuum to Blame for Cutty Sark Fire

September 30 — Investigators have determined that the £10 million fire that seriously damaged the historic 19th-century ship Cutty Sark was sparked by a vacuum left switched on for two days. Some parts of the ship, which had been taken to another site for restoration, escaped damage. The fire pushed back the Cutty Sark's reopening in Greenwich to 2010. Once completed, visitors will be able to walk through and even under the ship.

Solar-Powered Vatican

September 29 — The Vatican is looking to a higher power — literally. It has installed 2,700 solar panels on the roof of the Paul VI auditorium, used for the Pope's weekly audience with pilgrims when the weather is bad. The solar panels will generate enough power to provide lighting, heating, and air-conditioning to the auditorium. When the auditorium is not in use, the power generated will be used in other parts of the Vatican facility. Pope Benedict XVI has been outspoken in support of using global resources more thoughtfully.

Brits Consider Changes to Rules of Succession

September 25 — Britain's government is circulating a proposal that would end the country's 300-year-old ban on Catholics ascending to the crown. The changes would also make it possible for a first-born daughter to become heir to the throne ahead of her later-born brothers. Current law excludes Catholics from succession and gives priority to male children. Some fear that any changes to the rules governing succession will eventually lead to the dissolution of the royalty.

Economy Puts Crimp in French Lunch

September 24 — The slowing economy has come to France, where 3,000 restaurant and bars closed their doors last month. Fewer French people are indulging in the traditional, leisurely, three-course lunch, instead grabbing a quick and cheap bite to-go at a supermarket or boulangerie. Those who still go out for lunch are ordering fewer extras such as appetizers, wine, coffee, or dessert.

Alitalia May Lose License

September 22 — Troubled Italian airline Alitalia may have to give up its aviation license this week unless its finances stabilize, the Italian government has said. A proposed bailout plan was voted down by the airline's unions last week, and the bankrupt airline could soon be forced to cancel all of its flights.

Stonehenge Dated to 2300 B.C.

September 21 — New, advanced carbon-dating has pinpointed the date of Stonehenge's construction to about 2300 B.C., about 300 years earlier than previously thought. An excavation inside the henge has also led archeologists to a new theory about the stone structure, which they now believe was a center of healing that drew people from as far away as the Alps. New evidence shows that people lived at the Stonehenge site as early at 7200 B.C.

Fire-Damaged Chunnel to Reopen

September 21 — The second train tunnel between France and Britain will reopen on Monday, after having been closed since a September 11 fire. The cause of the fire, which injured six people and destroyed a train and 27 trucks, has not been identified. The reopening will increase the number of daily trains between London to Brussels and Paris, which had been cut in half by the closure.

Cracks Return on Michelangelo's David

September 19 — Small cracks in Michelangelo's famous sculpture of David are back, less than four years after a major restoration of the statue. Experts at the Uffizi Museum in Florence, Italy blame the vibrations from tourists' footsteps, and are proposing a €1 million plan to insulate the statue.

Bankrupt Alitalia Begins Cancelling Flights

September 18 — The latest proposal by a group of investors to buy bankrupt Italian airline Alitalia has been rejected by the airline's unions. Alitalia has said it is running too low on cash to purchase jet fuel, and cancelled about 50 domestic and international flights on Wednesday due to striking unionmembers.

Resources for Americans Voting Abroad

September 15 — Several organizations are trying to make it easier for Americans abroad to take part in this fall's presidential elections. The Overseas Vote Foundation website allows voters overseas to print out an absentee ballot, filled in with the federal candidates unique to your home zip code, and return the ballots by FedEx for free or at a discount. Information on voting while abroad is also available through the websites of DemocratsAbroad, RepublicansAbroad, and the Federal Voting Assistance Program.

Eurostar Limits Service After Fire

September 14 — The Eurostar train is running again beneath the English Channel after a truck fire closed the tunnel last week. Service between Paris and London is limited to about 10 trains each way. About five trains a day are running between Brussels and London. Trains are running in one of the two tunnels; the second tunnel, where the fire occurred, remains closed. Due to the limited schedule, Eurostar is asking passengers to cancel or reschedule trips planned for this week. The tunnel remains closed to car and truck traffic.

Jumbo Hostel To Open at Stockholm-Arlanda Airport

September 12 — Sweden's newest hostel is a decommissioned 1976 Boeing 747-200 at the Stockholm-Arlanda airport. Opening in December 2008, the Jumbo Hostel will offer 25 triple rooms at about €110 per night (the cockpit suite will go for €500). The plane sits near the airport's main entrance and from the outside looks nearly flight-worthy — aside from its missing engines.

Modern-Art Exhibit at Versailles Draws Mixed Reviews

September 10 — A display of Jeff Koons' modern art sculpture has taken over the palace and gardens at Versailles outside Paris, drawing praise from some but criticism from palace purists. The 17 sculptures by American artist Koons include an aluminum red lobster hanging in the Mars Salon, a ceramic Michael Jackson in the Venus Salon, and a group of vacuum cleaners beneath a portrait of Marie Antoinette. The first large-scale display of contemporary art at Versailles will run through December 14.

Holiday Airfare Up 30 Percent

September 10 — Domestic travelers can expect to pay up to 30 percent more to fly over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, according to a report from Seattle-based Farecast.com. Fares for Thanksgiving 2008 are up 35 percent from 2007, while Christmas and New Year's fares are up 31 percent, averaging $420-490 for popular domestic routes. Farecast says that travelers flying to and from major airports may see prices drop the first part of October but everyone else should book early and be prepared to pay more than last year. Those who can extend their trip a few days beyond the most popular travel dates can save a few bucks.

British Airlines Urge Review of Liquid Ban

September 9 — Virgin Atlantic is asking the British government to review its restrictions for carry-on luggages, saying people are confused by varying restrictions at different airports across the world, and specifically asking for a review of the ban on liquids. The request follows the conclusion of a trial of eight men who allegedly plotted to blow up commercial airplanes using liquid explosives. Three were convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, four were found guilty of lesser charges, and one was cleared.

London Transit Fares to Go Up in '09

September 8 — Already among the highest in the world, London's transit fares will go up again in 2009. The least-expensive fare on the London Underground (using a prepaid Oyster card) and the least-expensive bus ticket will each go up by 10 pence, the Tube to £1.60 and the bus to £1.

Bridge to Link Denmark and Germany

September 4 — Work on a 12-mile bridge across the Baltic Sea linking Denmark and Germany could begin in 2012, with the bridge opening in 2018. The bridge would replace ferries between the two countries, and would go from Rodbyhavn, Denmark to Puttgarden, Germany. Denmark will foot the bill for the $7.4 billion toll bridge, which is opposed by some environmental groups and local residents.

London's Natural History Museum to Open New Wing in 2009

September 3 — A new wing at the Natural History Museum in London has been unveiled but won't open to the public until September 2009. Called the "Cocoon," the eight-story, temperature controlled structure set inside a glass atrium will eventually hold more than 20 million plant and insect specimens, along with labs for 200 scientists. Visitors to the museum, officially named the "Darwin Center Phase Two," will be able to watch scientists at work, researching everything from disease to climate change.

United Won't Charge for Overseas Meals

September 2 — United Airlines has changed its mind about charging coach-class customers for meals on flights over the Atlantic, and will instead continue to provide hot meal service for free on overseas flights. It will go forward with plans to replace hot meals for business-class customers with cold sandwiches on more than a dozen domestic flights.

Constitution Bridge to Open in Venice

September 2 — The controversial new bridge over Venice's Grand Canal is slated to open sometime on September 17, 18, or 19. Plagued by cost overruns and redesigns, the €11 million glass-and-steel bridge designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava will open to little fanfare. An inauguration ceremony that would have been attended by the Italian president has been cancelled, and Venice's mayor has said he'll mark the bridge's opening with a drink in a local bar. The structure has been named "Constitution Bridge" to honor the 60th anniversary of Italy's constitution, and links the Venice train station with Piazzale Roma.

August 2008

Discount Airline Shuts Down

August 28 — Zoom, a low-cost carrier specializing in flights between the United Kingdom and North America, has suspended operations due to financial difficulties. All of the airline's flights have been cancelled, leaving some passengers stranded.

Dollar Stronger Against the Euro

August 28 — This week the euro hit a six-month low, dropping to around $1.45 against the dollar. Gloomy predictions about the European economy have hurt both the euro and the British pound, which dipped to around $1.83.

Computer System Failure Delays US Flights

August 27 — Hundreds of flights were delayed yesterday when software that processes flight plans malfunctioned. The problem primarily affected flights in the northeastern US. The Federal Aviation Administration has reported that most flights are now back on schedule.

Train Derails in Portugal

August 22 — One passenger was killed and more than 20 injured when a train carrying about 50 people went off the tracks in the Carrazeda de Ansiaes region in northeast Portugal. The derailment is the fourth accident on this section of railway in less than two years. Carrazeda de Ansiaes, a wine-making region, is a popular tourist destination.

New Passport Card Now Available

August 25 — An alternative to the traditional US passport, the new passport card, can now be used for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. The size of a credit card and less expensive than a passport, it is designed primarily for people living in communities near the US border. The card cannot be used for international air travel, which still requires a passport.

Etruscan Art from Hermitage on Display in Tuscany

August 20 — Multiple masterpieces of Etruscan art collected by the tsars of Russia will make a return trip to Italy in September. An exhibit at the Etruscan Academy Museum (Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca) in the Tuscan town of Cortona will display works on loan from the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, including a unique Etruscan bronze funerary urn. The exhibit runs through January 2009.

Deadly Plane Crash at Spanish Airport

August 20 — At least 150 people were confirmed dead and 19 injured after a plane crashed today during take-off at Madrid's Barajas Airport. Spanair Flight 5022 was bound for Las Palmas in the Canary Islands. Barajas Airport was closed for a few hours following the crash.

Strike Update: Gatwick and Stansted Airports, Eurostar

August 15 — Baggage and check-in staffers at London's Gatwick and Stansted Airports have voted to hold 24-hour strikes on August 25 and August 29. Union members at Manchester, Birmingham, and Newcastle airports could also join in the strike. If the strikes go forward, passengers on Virgin Atlantic, First Choice, Ryanair, and easyJet using these airports should expect delays and possible cancellations.

Janitorial crews on the Eurostar have voted to strike on August 25, but so far Eurostar officials are saying the strike will not impact the train service.

British Airways, American Airlines Form Alliance

August 14 — British Airways and American Airlines are proposing an alliance to share fares, routes, and schedules, jointly operating flights between North America and Europe. The partnership would include Spain's Iberia Airlines, which is in the process of merging of merging with British Airlines. The alliance must gain approval from US regulatory agencies and is opposed by rival airlines such as Virgin Atlantic.

Roman Coffins Discovered Near Hadrian's Wall

August 14 — Two Roman coffins, thought to be at least 1,800 years old, have been discovered in Newcastle, England. Archaeologists from Durham University believe the sarcophagi belonged to an important family from a nearby Roman fort along Hadrian's Wall. Also discovered in the dig: foundations of a Roman town, a cobbled Roman road, and several urns. The discoveries will be displayed at the new Great North Museum, opening in spring of 2009 in Newcastle.

Brussels Airport Strike Ends; Thousands Affected

August 13 — Air travel through Brussels Airport was back on schedule today, after negotiations brought a two-day baggage handlers strike to an end. During the strike most Brussels flights were either cancelled or diverted, affecting thousands of passengers. Over 20,000 pieces of luggage remain in piles at the airport, waiting to be reunited with their owners.

Egypt Formalizes Access to Giza Pyramids

August 11 — In an attempt to modernize and protect one of the most ancient of tourist sites, the Egyptian government has fenced off the three Giza pyramids, added video cameras and motion detectors, and restricted access by vendors selling souvenirs and camel rides. Tourists now enter the site through a single brick building, and security guards monitor the site for vandalism. A visitors center, cafeteria, and gift shop are in the planning stages, along with a system of golf carts that would allow tourists to drive to the pyramids.

New Rail System Planned in London

August 11 — A new rail system has been approved in London, the biggest expansion of the city's already extensive public transportation system in half a century. Dubbed "Crossrail," the $32 billion system will begin running in 2017 and will cut across London from west to east, starting west of London in the industrial town of Slough, and ending to the east in Brentwood. It will connect to the Tube and with Heathrow Airport, and should make it easier for visitors to stay in hotels outside of the city center.

Dollar at Five-Month High

August 8 — Rising inflation and economic worries in Europe are favoring the US dollar, which posted a five-month high against the Euro today. The euro fell to $1.50 against the dollar, down from $1.53 on Thursday. The British pound followed suit, falling to $1.91 against the dollar, down from $1.94. Less than a month ago, the euro reached an all-time high against the dollar at just over $1.60.

Travelers Warned About International Driving Permit Scam

August 6 — Many European countries require that you carry not only your US driver's license but also an International Driving Permit (IDP) when you drive a car while traveling. But don't purchase a fraudulent IDP from via an unsolicited email. These fake permits can cost from $60-$400 and will land you in hot water overseas. Only two organizations are authorized by the US State Department to issue the permits: the American Automobile Association (who issues them for $15 and the cost of two passport-size photos) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance. For more information on how to avoid this scam see www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/idpalrt.shtm.

Lufthansa Strike Ends

August 1 — A five-day strike by Lufthansa ground crews has ended, after disrupting both domestic flights in Germany as well as international flights between Germany and the US, Canada, Dubai, and India.

July 2008

Lufthansa Cancels Some International flights

July 31 — Lufthansa cancelled 128 flights on Thursday, including 28 international flights to the US, Canada, and India, as it struggles with a strike by its German ground crew and cabin staff. The airline has said it will try not to cancel any flights to China in anticipation of the summer Olympics. Representatives from the airline and striking union are in unofficial talks but no official negotiations are scheduled. The strike began in Frankfurt and Hamburg on Monday, with workers in Berlin and Stuttgart walking off the job on Tuesday.

Buckingham Palace Opens State Rooms to Public

July 29 — The State Rooms at Buckingham Palace, Queen Elizabeth's official London residence, will be open to the public through September 29. The highlight of this year's summer opening is the magnificent ballroom, set as it would be for a State Banquet, with a horseshoe-shaped table laden with gilded silver and jeweled dishes. Visitors to the State Rooms can also see paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Poussin and Canaletto; sculpture by Canova; Sèvres porcelain; and fine English and French furniture. For information see www.royal.gov.uk.

Lufthansa Workers Strike

July 28 — A strike by Lufthansa ground crew and cabin staff has so far had little effect on flights, with only three percent of the airline's domestic and European flights cancelled. Long-distance flights were operating normally. The strike began in Frankfurt and Hamburg on Monday, with workers in Berlin and Stuttgart walking off the job today.

Roman Art on Display at British Museum

July 23 — A display of Roman Art is on exhibit now through October 26 at the British Museum in London. The exhibit focuses on Hadrian, with a bust of the emperor as a young man, a bronze figure of the emperor in battle, a marble faun from Hadrian's Tivoli villa, and images of Hadrian's male lover, Antinous. The works are on loan from the Capitoline and Vatican Museums in Rome, the Louvre in Paris, and recent excavations in Turkey.

More Bombings in Spain; Eight Arrested

July 22 — Eight members of a Basque separatist cell have been arrested and are accused of masterminding a series of recent bomb attacks in Spain. The terrorist group ETA had declared a cease-fire in its decades-long, violent campaign to separate the Basque Country from Spain, but resumed bombings in December 2006 after peace negotiations broke down. The cell is blamed for bombings on train stations, government buildings, and police stations. Most recently, the ETA claimed responsibility for five small bombings in northern Spain.

Beaches Open in Paris

July 21 — The annual Paris Plages has opened, transforming the riverside Seine into a summertime oasis. Started in 2002, the Paris Plages has expanded each year, and now includes 2,000 tons of sand, more than 1,000 lounge chairs, over 60 beach cabins, 950 trees, and 85 boats that people can sail for free. Activities and the resort-like atmosphere are centered between Quai Henri IV and Quai du Louvre, with pétanque, dance halls, fitness lessons, ping pong tables, concerts, cafés, and ice cream vendors. This year's beach fun kicked off with a three-kilometer long picnic, and will remain open through August 21. For information see Paris Plages at www.paris.fr.

Ryan Air Cuts Flights

July 17 — Discount carrier Ryan Air will cut back by 14 percent the number of weekly flights at Stansted Airport in Britain. It is also grounding planes at seven other European airports including Budapest and Valencia for six weeks, beginning November 4. Ryanair officials say the cuts are due to high landing fees at the affected airports and soaring fuel costs.

Louvre's Islamic Wing to Open in 2010

July 17 — French President Nicolas Sarkozy has laid the first stone for the Louvre Museum's new Islamic wing, expected to open in 2010. When it opens, it will be Europe's largest permanent exhibition of Islamic art. The $138 million, flowing glass-enclosed wing has been described as a "giant Muslim headscarf blowing in the wind." Officials hope the project will be a symbol of friendship between the secular nation of France and its fast-growing Muslim population, as well as with Islamic nations. The Louvre's Islamic art collection includes 10,000 pieces from the seventh to 19th centuries. Saudi prince Al-Waleed bin Talal has donated over $26 million to the project.

Restoration Planned at Bridge of Sighs

July 16 — A restoration project has begun at the Bridge of Sighs, the famous landmark in Venice. Scaffolding is being erected that will allow an assessment of bridge and the two buildings it links: the Ducal Palace and the Doge's prison. The restoration work is expected to take three years.

Cappucci-No: Snacks Banned at Roman Monuments

July 16 — Roman police are asking tourists to stop snacking at some of the city's most famous monuments — and issuing fines to those found in violation of the new rules. A ban on eating or drinking near several monuments in the historic city center is in effect July 10 through October. Violators can be fined $80. Officials say snacking visitors leave behind litter and hope the ban will preserve "decorum." But tourists are lamenting the loss of one of Rome's best, and least-expensive, experiences: enjoying a gelato or picnic at a famous monument such as the Spanish Steps. It's unclear whether the ban will be renewed next summer, and even less certain that Rome will be able to effectively police its many tourist sites (and millions of tourists).

British Museums Closed by Two-Day Strike

July 16 — Museums, libraries, government office, and schools closed across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland as government employees there walked off the job for a two-day strike. The union representing the government employees is seeking a larger pay increase for its members.

EU To Limit Price of Texting

July 15 — The European Union is proposing new rules that would cap the price of texting while in another country. Currently, it can coss European mobile phone users about 10 times more to send a text message while roaming in another country than to send a text message from the phone's home country. The average cost of a roaming text message in the EU is about €0.29, but can be as high as €0.80-1.50. The average cost for sending an average domestic text message is only €0.15.

Skytrax Names World's Top 10 Airports

July 15 — A survey of over 8.2 million airline passengers has ranked the world's airports based on security wait-times, baggage check, shopping, dining, and other services. Hong Kong International Airport was ranked as the world's best airport for the seventh year in a row. Rounding out the top 10 list: (2) Singapore Changi, Singapore; (3) Seoul Incheon, South Korea; (4) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; (5) Munich, Germany; (6) Kansai, Japan; (7) Copenhagen, Denmark; (8) Zurich, Switzerland; (9) Helsinki, Finland; and (10) Cape Town, South Africa.

EU Cracks Down on Misleading Airfares

July 9 — Discount European airlines, notorious for advertising come-on €1 fares on their websites, will now be required to prominently list all unavoidable taxes, fees and charges. In addition, optional items such as travel insurance must be sold on an "opt-in" basis only. A EU commission found that one in three European consumers had been misled by the websites of low-cost carriers. The rules require that all-inclusive fares must be made clear at the beginning of the booking process.

Changes Planned at Eiffel Tower

July 9 — A 10-year, $267 million plan is intended to make it easier and less-stressful to scale the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Some seven million people visit the Eiffel Tower each year, often waiting in line for more than an hour for the chance to go up. Plans call for a online ticketing system that would allow visitors to reserve 30-minute time slots. Also in the works: improved access for disabled visitors, larger shops, a redesigned first-floor restaurant, and new energy-efficient elevators.

She-Wolf Not So Old After All

July 9 — Carbon-dating has found that the "She-Wolf" statue, long a symbol of Rome, was created in the 1200s; and is not an Etruscan work dating from 500 B.C. as previously thought. The figures of Rome's founders--twin brother Remus and Romulus--suckling beneath the Lupa Capitolina were already known to have been added in the 15th century. The statue is on display at the Capitoline museum in Rome.

Public Can View Uffizi Restoration

July 8 — The copy of the Laocoon sculpture at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence is one of several pieces being restored in full view of public. Visitors to the gallery can watch as professional restorers work on the sculpture behind clear plastic screens, using lasers and de-ionized water to remove debris, wax, and dust. The pieces will also be checked for cracks and structural damage.

£100 Million in Donated Paintings on Display

July 8 — Eighteen recently donated masterpiece paintings valued at over £100 million are now on display at the Tate Museum in London. The paintings were donated by Simon Sainsbury, heir of the Sainsbury grocers fortune. The works include pieces by Monet, Degas, Rousseau, Freud, and Gainsborough, some of which have not been publicly displayed in over 50 years. The paintings will be shown at the Tate until October 5, and will then join the permanent displays there and at the National Gallery.

Strike Update: German Flights, Italian Buses and Trains Affected

July 7 — Over 200 flights have been cancelled due to a strike by a German pilots' union. The strike affects Lufthansa's regional carriers, CityLine and Eurowings, and has caused cancellations across Germany, but especially at Frankfurt and Munich.

In Italy, railway workers called a 24-hour strike at 9:00 p.m. Sunday, and were joined by local transportation workers this morning in Rome and Milan. Commuter trains continue to run but many local buses, trams, and subways have all been cancelled.

Pompeii in "State of Neglect and Deterioration"

July 7 — The Italian government has issued a state of emergency at the archaeological site of Pompeii, finding the 2,000-year-old site to be in a "state of neglect and deterioration." The move may eventually result in limits to the number of tourists who can visit each day. About 1,600 square feet of irreplaceable frescoes and plaster are estimated to simply crumble away each year. More than 2 million people visit Pompeii annually.

Denmark is World's Happiest Nation

July 3 — A new study has found Denmark to be the happiest country in the world. The World Value Survey talked with people in 97 countries to learn which nation is happiest. Puerto Rico was second-happiest, followed by Columbia. The United States placed 16th. Zimbabwe was the least happy. Also in the bottom 10 were Russia and Iraq. The survey found that personal freedom, political stability, gender equality, and social tolerance are better indicators of happiness than economic wealth. Social unrest and poverty contribute to greater unhappiness.

Smoking Ban Goes into Effect in Netherlands; Ban Proposed in Greece

July 1 — A smoking ban went into effect today in the Netherlands. It applies to all indoor public spaces, including restaurants and cafés, and even extends to the Amsterdam "coffee shops" where marijuana is bought and smoked. While technically illegal, Dutch police generally tolerate marijuana possession and smoking. But you'll have to smoke tobacco outside.

Greece plans to implement its own smoking ban, beginning in 2010. Smoking is already officially banned in Greek hospitals, offices, and taxis; that ban and a requirement that restaurants provide non-smoking seating have largely been ignored. More than one-third of all Greeks are smokers.

Fins Take Up Winemaking

July 1 — Warming temperatures have at least one Finnish farmer turning to a new crop: grapes for wine. But potential Finnish winemakers in the Aland Islands, about 1,000 miles northeast of Burgandy, have run into trouble with the European Union, which doesn't consider Finland a wine-producing nation and won't allow Finnish winemakers to sell their products — unless Finland forgoes EU farming subsidies it receives due to its harsh Arctic climate.

June 2008

US Airlines Slashing Routes; Prices Could Go Up 40 Percent in 4 Years

June 30 — The US airline industry is expected to cut the number of flights it offers by more than 10 percent, with more cuts in 2009. More than 100 US communities could lose regular commercial air service by year-end. Affected routes include second-tier markets such as Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and San Luis Obispo, California. Cuts are also being made in the number of flights to major international destinations such as London and Buenos Aires. A Lehman Brothers analyst predicts airfares could go up as much as 40 percent in the next four years.

High-Speed Trains Studied in UK

June 26 — Five routes in the UK are being considered for new high-speed trains, that would travel as fast as 180 mph. Network Rail, which owns Britain's rail infrastructure, is considering high-speed lines from London to Glasgow, London to Edinburgh, London to Cardiff, London to Bradford, and London to Birmingham. A high-speed line is set to begin operating between London and Ashford next year (on the same rails used by the Eurostar). British rail ridership has increased over 40 percent in the last 10 years. If approved, the new train lines could be operational by 2025.

Checkpoint Charlie Suggested for Cold War Museum

June 25—The former East German foreign minister has proposed that a museum commemorating the Cold War be built on a vacant lot near Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin. The famous former border crossing, a popular tourist destination, currently hosts a temporary exhibit about the Cold War and events in Berlin. An existing Museum of the Wall at the checkpoint focuses on the history of the Berlin Wall, and memorializes those who died trying to escape from East to West Germany.

Brunello Rules Go Into Effect

June 23 — New rules will require a signed certificate of authenticity for all Brunello di Montalcino wines imported to the US from Italy. The US had threatened to ban the popular wine when it was revealed that some wine producers were blending their wine with grapes other than the Sangiovese grown outside of Montalcino in Tuscany.

United, Continental Create New Alliance

June 23 — United and Continental Airlines have agreed to link both their domestic and international networks. The agreement allows the airlines to sell seats on each others' flights, link their frequent-flier programs, and share access to VIP airport lounges. Continental will join United's Star Alliance, a joint venture for trans-Atlantic flights with Lufthansa and Air Canada.

Cheap Airlines Increase EU Emissions

June 22 — The number of passengers on Europe's low-cost airlines doubled from 2005 to 2007, to 120 million passengers a year (up from 60 million). But with the cheap flights comes increased emissions of carbon-dioxide. From 1990 to 2005, total EU carbon-dioxide emissions from aviation grew by 73 percent.

Famous Bonnie Prince Portrait May Be His Brother

June 20 — New research has at least one art expert convinced that the portrait of Bonnie Prince Charlie at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh is not in fact Charles, but instead is Charles' brother Henry. An art researcher contends the painting is identical to a recently discovered portrait of Prince Charlie's younger brother, Henry, known as Cardinal York.

Florence to Revoke Dante's Exile

June 18 — The poet and political critic Dante Alighieri may be welcomed home to Florence, after 700 years of exile from the Italian city. The city council there is considering a motion to "rehabilitate" Dante at a public ceremony officiated by Florence's mayor. The ceremony would formally revoke the ruling that exiled Dante, author of "The Divine Comedy," in 1302. Dante is buried in Ravenna — Florence later honored him with an empty tomb in Sante Croce church.

Napoli Castle Stands in For Vatican

June 17 — The Reggia di Caserta palace outside Naples is standing in for the Vatican in the filming of Angels & Demons, the prequel to the Da Vinci Code. The Holy See refused to give permission to film the movie, which includes a plot to blow up the Vatican, in Rome. Tom Hanks reprises his role from the Da Vinci Code in the new movie.

British Museum Workers Walk Off Jobs

June 16 — Museums in London and York are being affected by an employee walk-out this week in a dispute over pay. The museums, including the Science Museum in London and the National Railway Museum in York, are remaining open despite being short-staffed. At issue are cost-of-living increases, which a government proposal sets at 1.5 percent.

Venice Suffers Under Weight of Cruise Ships

June 16 — A report from an Italian activist group, the Citizens Coordinating Committee Against Big Ships, has found that the big cruise ships that visit Venice on a daily basis are destroying the lagoon and creating environmental hazards. The report claims that the water displaced by cruise ships is damaging the seabed, shoreline, and Venetian buildings; and that cruise ships are major sources of pollution.

Ireland Sinks EU Treaty

June 13 — The people of Ireland voted 53 to 46 against approving the European Union's Lisbon Treaty, a document which would have served as a constitution for the EU, established an EU president, and widened the commission's authority over member countries. The treaty has been approved by 18 of 27 EU nations, with Ireland the only country required to hold a public referendum on the measure. Opponents feared the treaty would usurp Ireland's sovereignty — for instance, forcing it to overturn its ban on abortion — and require it to raise business taxes, stifling economic growth.

New Checkpoint System Rolled Out at Some US Airports

June 9 — A new system that allows airline passengers to self-select a line at the airport security check based on their "checkpoint skills" is being implemented at 21 US airports. The system, which borrows from the ski slopes, has three lines: the "black diamond" for experienced travelers, the "blue square" for infrequent travelers, and the "green circle" for families and people needing more time or help to get through security. The new system is earning mixed reviews from travelers. The Transportation Security Administration is also installing faster X-ray machines to speed up that part of the process.

French Workers To Strike Today and Tomorrow; Fuel Protests Block Several Borders

June 9 — Travelers to France should expect disruptions in public transportation and other government services today and tomorrow. French civil service workers, including railway employees, plan a 36-hour strike beginning late Monday. About half of all regional trains are expected to be cancelled, while high-speed TGV trains should be on schedule. An all-France strike has been called for June 17. The strikers are protesting government reforms to the 35-hour work week and pensions. Separate protests over fuel costs have truck drivers blocking roads and border crossings in France, Spain, and Portugal; fishing ships are blocking some ports.

Kew Gardens Opens Treetop Walkway

June 8 — A 60-foot high treetop walkway has opened at the Kew Royal Botanical Gardens in London. The 220-yard, circular aerial walkway garden gives visitors an entirely new perspective on the 18-century gardens. On a clear day you can see central London's skyscrapers from one of the walkway's viewing platforms.

Ferries Introduce Fuel Surcharges

June 8 — The Stena Line ferry system has announced a new €10 per car fuel surcharge for its Irish Sea routes including Rosslare to Fisguard, Dublin to Holyhead, and Belfast to Stranraer. The fee for walk-on passengers will be £2 apiece. SpeedFerries introduced a fuel surcharge last week on its cross-channel routes between Dover, England and Boulogne, France. And DFDS Seaways is cancelling its service from Newcastle to Norway in September, blaming the high cost of fuel.

Pompeii Comes Alive in Sound and Light

June 6 — One-hour sound-and-light shows titled "Sognopompei" will run now through November on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights in Pompeii, Italy (shows run daily August 8-17). The €20, one-hour tours culminate in the Forum with a video reenactment of the 79 AD volcanic eruption that buried the city, and include actors playing the part of ancient Romans. Saturday night tours are in English; other tours may be in Italian or Japanese. Reservations are required (tel. 39-081-1930-3885, www.sognopompei.com).

Western European Visitors to US Required to Register Online

June 3 — Beginning in August, tourists who can travel to the US without a visa will be required to register their biographical information online with the Homeland Security Department at least three days before they arrive. The requirement applies to visitors from 27 countries, including Western Europe, Japan, and Australia. It also includes those visiting from Brunei, New Zealand, and Singapore, and will soon also apply to visitors from the Czech Republic, Hungary, and South Korea.

Paper Airline Tickets Phased Out

June 1 — Paper airline tickets are no more, a move that is expected to cut the cost of issuing a ticket from $10 to $1 and save 50,000 trees a year. The International Air Transport Association will no longer supply paper tickets to most of the world's airlines and travel agents. With the rise of self-service ticket booking on the Internet, electronic tickets now account for over 95 percent of all tickets issued.

May 2008

Archaeologists Say Stonehenge Was Royal Burial Site

May 30 — Archaeologists studying cremated human remains buried at Stonehenge now say the stone circle was a burial ground for royalty. The burials began about 500 years before the first stones were erected some 4,500 years ago and continued after the stone circle was completed. The small number of graves in relation to the large number of dwellings found in a village nearby supports the theory that the buried individuals were from a single family of rulers.

Gas Price Shock Not Unique to US

May 29 — Americans are not the only ones struggling with the high cost of gasoline. With gas topping $9 a gallon in Britain, truckers shut down highways in London and Wales in protest. About half the cost of gas in Europe goes to taxes that are used to subsidize public transportation. (Combined gas taxes in Britain exceed $4 a gallon; by comparison drivers in the US pay about 50 cents a gallon in taxes). Some Europeans are calling for a rollback in fuel taxes.

Shakespeare's Grave To Be Renovated

May 29 — A renovation project is being considered for the Statford-upon-Avon gravesite of William Shakespeare. The stone grave, within the floor of the Holy Trinity Church, is beginning to crumble beneath the foot traffic of centuries of clergymen. Restorers will have to be careful: legend places a curse on anyone who disturbs Shakespeare's bones.

Leaning Tower Stops Leaning

May 28 — Seven years after a $40 million project to stabilize the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italian engineers say the tower is stable and shouldn't move again for 200 years. The project removed 70 tons of soil from the tower's north side, causing it to stand about 19 inches straighter than before. Now high-tech monitors buried in the soil beneath the tower show that it has stopped moving altogether.

More Taxis in Paris

May 28 — Strict rules on the number of taxi cabs in Paris are about to be relaxed — welcome news for travelers who often find it hard to catch a cab in the French city. The number of licensed Paris taxis will rise to 20,000 by 2012, up from the current 15,600.

New Railway to Perugia

May 27 — Like many Italian hill towns, Perugia has limited space for cars and buses. A new light rail line linking the valley floor to the town's historic center in 11 minutes is intended to alleviate traffic. Called the "Mini Metro," the train can carry 3,000 people an hour, and can move up to 72,000 people in and out of the city every day. Now Perugia's mayor is floating a plan to ban all automobiles from the city's center.

Drugged Tourist Killed by Train in Rome

May 27 — A 74-year-old California man died May 22 at Rome's Tiburtina rail station when he was hit by a train. The man appears to have stumbled onto the tracks after he and his wife drank cappuccinos laced with drugs. Italian police arrested a suspect seen on security video befriending the couple, and believe the suspect drugged the tourists in order to steal their luggage. Italian police also issued a warning about an increase in the criminal use of "narcotic spray" as a way to subdue passengers on sleeper trains and steal their belongings.

National Memorial Day for Irish Famine

May 23 — An official memorial day will be established in the Republic of Ireland to mark the "Great Hunger" of the 1840s. After the potato crop failed about one million people died of starvation and related diseases, and another million or more immigrated to the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Ireland's population was over eight million in 1841; by 1851 it had fallen to 6.5 million.

Repaired Scream Painting Again on Display

May 23 — The stolen, recovered, and repaired painting The Scream by Edvard Munch is back on display at the Munch Museum near Olso, Norway. The painting was damaged by armed robbers who pulled it from its frame during the theft in 2004. It was recovered in 2006 and museum workers have spent the last two years restoring The Scream and another stolen Munch painting, Madonna. A stain remains in The Scream's bottom corner.

American Airlines To Charge for Checked Bags

May 22 — Beginning June 15, American Airlines will charge passengers $15 to check even one bag on a domestic flight. American becomes the first major US carrier to institute a fee for the first checked bag (several airlines, including American, recently instituted a $25 fee for checking a second bag). The $15 checked-bag fee does not apply to international flights or business-class passengers. Some passengers fear that charging for checked bags will encourage more people to carry on their luggage, leading to longer airport security lines and fights for limited space in airplane overhead bins.

Rail Strike Underway in France

May 22 — Only half of trains ran in France today as rail workers there walked off the job to protest changes to pension plans. A minimum level of service was preserved on most lines, and the Metro in Paris was unaffected, as were the high-speed Eurostar and Thalys trains. Air travel at Paris' major airports was not affected but there were reported delays at smaller airports. An unrelated blockade of France's coastal oil depots by fishermen angry over rising fuel prices has disrupted ferry service between Calais in France and Dover in the UK.

Berlin Philharmonic Building Damaged in Fire

May 21 — A fire on Tuesday damaged the roof of the Berlin Philharmonic, but repairs to the building should be complete within a few weeks. The philharmonic expects to resume its concert schedule by mid-June. In the meanwhile it will play at other Berlin venues, including the Olympic Stadium. The yellow 1960s-era building near Berlin's Potsdamer Platz is a well-known landmark for its metal "circus-tent" roofline.

Borghese Gallery Hosts Correggio Exhibit

May 21 — Over 40 pieces of art by 16th-century artist Antonio da Correggio make up a special exhibit on now through September 14 at the Borghese Gallery in Rome. In addition to the Borghese's own Danaë, the exhibit includes: The Mystic Marriage of St. Catherine, on loan from Naples' Capodimonte Museum; Jove And Io and Ganymdede Abducted By The Eagle, on loan from the Kunsthistoriches in Vienna; The Education of Cupid, on loan from London's National Gallery; Venus and Cupid with a Satyr, on loan from the Louvre in Paris; The Adoration of the Magi, from Milan's Brera; Noli Me Tangere, from the Prado in Madrid; and The Four Saints, from from the Met in New York.

"Temporary" Accademia Bridge to Be Made Permanent

May 20 — Plans are afoot for the "temporary" iron-and-wood pedestrian bridge put up in the 1930s in Venice near the Accademia museum will finally be turned into a permanent structure. The Ponte dell'Accademia opened in 1933 but was intended to be a temporary bridge — now, nearly eighty years later, Venetian officials are considering making it a permanent structure.

Transportation Strike Updates

May 20 — Belgium: Eurostar service between London and Brussels was cancelled May 20 as Belgian rail workers walked off the job for a 24-hour strike. The strike also affected local and suburban rail service, including the Thalys. Eurostar ticket holders were advised to exchange their tickets locally for another date.

France: Regional train lines, flights, and access to airports will be affected by a nationwide strike this Thursday, May 22. Only about half the RER trains linking Paris to its airports will run. The Metro in Paris should continue to operate on schedule, as will the Eurostar to London and high-speed TGV trains.

Train strike advice: Essential, main-line service is generally preserved during a strike — check the rail company's website or ask a station personnel for help. If you're traveling with a railpass, don't validate it until you know you can use it (validated or partly used railpasses are not refundable). Reserved train tickets are refundable if the train does not run, generally at the place of purchase.

Imperial War Museum Celebrates Ian Fleming

May 20 — The Imperial War Museum in London is featuring a special exhibit about the life of Ian Fleming, the author who created James Bond. "For Your Eyes Only" examines how Fleming's wartime experiences influenced the plots of his Bond novels and inspired many of their heroes and villains, such as M and Goldfinger, and how James Bond fit in with the spies and technology of the Cold War. Exhibits include Fleming's desk and chair from his Jamaican home Goldeneye, where he wrote all of the Bond novels; annotated Bond manuscripts; a working Aston Martin DB5 with gadgets from the films Thunderball and Goldfinger; Rosa Klebb's flick knife shoes in From Russia with Love; Halle Berry's bikini from Die Another Day; and Goldfinger's golf shoes. The exhibit is £8 ($16) and runs through March 2009. For information visit www.iwm.org.uk.

Turkey Expands Smoking Ban

May 19 — A new smoking ban in Turkey applies to most enclosed public spaces, such as government offices, businesses, shopping malls, schools, and hospitals. Smoking is also banned on trains and ferries, as well as in taxis, and in outdoor spaces such as parks and stadiums. The ban will be extended to cafés, bars, and restaurants in July 2009.

Richard Serra Sculpture On Now at Paris' Grand Palais

May 13 — A grouping of five giant metal slabs by the American sculptor Richard Serra is on display now through June 15 at the Grand Palais in Paris. Titled "Promenade," the slabs are each 17 yards tall and weigh more than 70 tons. Serra designed the installation specifically for the space beneath the Grand Palais' monumental glass and iron ceiling. The exhibit is open Monday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Thursday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. It is closed on Tuesdays. Admission is €4. For information visit www.monumenta.com.

Barcelona Ships in Water

May 13 — Water is being delivered by ship to the Spanish city of Barcelona, where a severe drought has dried up the usual water sources. The water deliveries are expected to go on for at least three months, while an emergency pipeline is being built. Future water needs are expected to be met by a desalination plant, due to open in May 2009. Water restrictions in force due to the drought have turned off city fountains and showers at beaches, and residents have been banned from watering their lawns.

More Flights to Heathrow; But Is It Worth the Hassle?

May 12 — Sabre Airline Solutions is reporting that the number of flights from the US to London's Heathrow Airport has increased significantly over last year, to more than 95 flights a day. And ticket prices to Heathrow have remained stable (excluding taxes and fuel surcharges), while flights to the rest of Europe are up about 10 percent. But problems at Heathrow's new Terminal 5 have many passengers wondering whether the convenient new flights are worth the switch from a less-congested airport with a better reputation, such as London's Gatwick.

Traveler's Choice Awards Names Top Destinations

May 12 — The online travel website TripAdvisor has named the top 100 favorite travel destinations in the world, based on votes and popularity rankings from travelers. The top European destinations, in order from 1 to 10, were: Rhodes, Greece; Salzburg, Austria; Amalfi, Italy; Bath, England; Siena, Italy; Dingle, Ireland; Bruges, Belgium; Lucerne, Switzerland; Vatican City, Italy; and Edinburgh, Scotland. The top 10 destinations worldwide were Milford Sound, New Zealand; Queenstown, New Zealand; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Cayo Largo, Cuba; Rhodes, Greece; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Cruz Bay, St. John; Bridgetown, Barbados; Banff, Canada; and Lake Tahoe, California.

Palau de la Musica Catalana Marks 100 Years

May 8 — An eccentric line-up of musicians will help the colorful Palau de la Musica Catalana in Barcelona, Spain celebrate its centennial this summer. The 1908 concert hall has a playful Modernista interior by Lluís Domènech i Muntaner, including a kaleidoscopic skylight and mosaics celebrating music and Catalan culture. On the playbill this summer are: Marianne Faithful (June 2), Sinead O'Connor (June 11), Ute Lemper (July 1), Suzanne Vega (July 7), and a festival of electronica (July 21). For concert information see www.palaumusica.org.

EU Approves Slovakia's Euro Bid

May 7 — Slovakia has won European Union approval to adopt the euro as its currency on January 1 of next year. It will be the 16th country to adopt the euro. Several other countries — namely Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic — have slowed their movement toward adopting the euro, which has risen to record heights against the dollar.

Buyer Beware: Misleading European Airline Websites

May 7 — According to an EU report, one third of European airline and travel websites mislead customers by hiding the true cost of an airline ticket. Of the 380 websites checked, nearly 140 were identified as being in violation of consumer protection laws. Most commonly, a website will advertise a bargain-basement fare, only to tack on airport taxes, miscellaneous charges, and booking fees at the end of the check-out process. Other sites automatically add on optional services, such as priority booking or cancellation insurance. Vigilant consumers can opt out by un-clicking a preselected box.

Aer Lingus Raises Prices for Checked Bags

May 6 — Irish airline Aer Lingus will now charge £8 ($16) to check in a bag online, and £12 ($24) to check a bag at the airport. Last week British Airways' raised its fuel surcharges, and easyJet hiked bag check-in fees.

Medieval Mosaic Restored at Westminster Abbey

May 5 — After having been covered up by carpet for about 150 years, the 13th-century Cosmati pavement at Westminster Abbey is now being restored. The medieval mosaic, installed in the 1260s and made of colored tile, glass, gemstones, and recycled bits of Roman statues, includes an mysterious inscription about the end of the world. The two-year restoration includes installation of a protective coating.

Museum of Fries Opens in Bruges

May 3 — The new Frietmuseum in Bruges, Belgium traces the history of the potato, from its humble Peruvian beginning to its reign as the world's most popular fast food. The Frietmuseum claims that the first fries came out of the hopper during a bitter winter in the 1700s, when the rivers froze solid and Belgians resorted to frying fish-shaped potatoes. The museum, located at Vlamingstraat 33, includes a café serving its own special-recipe fries. For information see www.frietmuseum.be.

Rome's Mayor Threatens Ara Pacis Museum

May 2 — The new, modern museum that surrounds the 2,000-year-old Ara Pacis in Rome is again a subject of controversy, as Rome's newly-elected mayor this week threatened to tear it down. Gianni Alemanno called the arching, glassy museum "invasive" and said he would put a referendum before Rome's citizens, asking them to decide the museum's fate. The museum, which opened in 2006, is popular with tourists, averaging several thousand visitors a day.

Pigeon-Feeding Banned at St. Mark's Square

May 1 — The long-standing tradition of feeding the pigeons on St. Mark's Square in Venice has come to an end. The city has made feeding the pigeons illegal — those who break the ban could be fined €50-500. The square's pigeon-food sellers have been forced to shutter their kiosks, some of which have been in the family for generations. According to city officials, Venice's 40,000-some pigeons are a health risk and a nuisance.

No Injuries in Basque Bombings

May 1 — The ETA, a Basque separatist group, detonated three bombs today in northern Spain, damaging government buildings but resulting in no injuries. One bomb exploded in Arrigorriaga, near Bilbao, and two went off in San Sebastian. The ETA wants independence for the Basque region, and in March claimed responsibility for the shooting death of a city councilman in the town of Mondragon.

British Airways Worst for Baggage

May 1 — Problems with the new Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport have dragged British Airways to rock bottom when it comes to European airlines and baggage. So far this year, British Airways has lost 28.9 bags per every 1,000 passengers. BMI, TAP Portugal, KLM, Luxair, Air France, Finnair, Alitalia, Lufthansa, and Austrian Air also rank within the bottom 10 performers. Turkish Airlines lost the least number of bags, a mere 4.3 bags per 1,000 passengers.

April 2008

Tempelhoff Airport to Close

April 28 — Berlin's Tempelhof Airport, which figured prominently in the 1948-49 Berlin Airlift, will close in October. A public referendum to save the historic landmark won a majority of votes but turnout was too low to certify the election. Once the airport closes, it's unclear what will happen to Tempelhof's giant air terminal — the third-largest building in Europe — which is a designated historic site. Some have proposed turning it into a museum, with a park where cargo planes once roared down the runways.

Ryanair, American Bump Fees for Checked Bags

April 28 — It now costs $32 roundtrip to check a bag on Ryanair, and $16 to use a staffed Ryanair check-in desk (it's free to check-in online). And beginning May 12, American Airlines will charge domestic economy-class passengers $25 to check a second bag. The new charge does not apply to business- or first-class passengers, or international flights.

New Multimedia Tour of Berlin Wall

April 27 — There's not much left of the Berlin Wall, but a new multimedia tour called "Walk the Wall" helps visitors retrace its route. The multimedia guides can be rented at five kiosks throughout Berlin beginning May 1 ($9.50-$24 depending on length of rental). The GPS-enabled units direct visitors along the former path f the wall, with audio files and video clips at key sights: Checkpoint Charlie, the Brandenburg Gate, the Eastside Gallery, the Topography of Terror, and the Berlin Wall Memorial.

Stolen Art Shown at Castel Sant'Angelo

April 24 — An exhibit on now through the end of June at the Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome highlights stolen art recovered in recent years by the Italian art police. Among the pieces on display: the second-century marble head of Roman Empress Faustina, a letter by 19th-century poet Giacoma Leopardi, and a VanGogh drawing. The show also includes a section of counterfeit art.

Deciphering British Rail Fares

April 24 — Famously complicated British rail fares will soon be a bit easier to decipher. Passengers now are faced with a bewildering array of ticket choices, but a new system will consolidate them into three ticket types: Advance (discounted, advance-purchase tickets), Off-Peak (tickets with restrictions, bought up to time of travel), and Anytime (unrestricted tickets bought up to the time of travel).

Euro Breaks $1.60, Sets New Record

April 22 — The euro topped out at $1.6012 against the US dollar today as the US economy continues to falter and European bankers consider raising interest rates to combat inflation. The British pound also rose today to $1.99 against the dollar.

Air Travel Roundup

April 20 — United Airlines bumped its ticket prices up not once but twice last week in response to rising fuel costs. United's fuel surcharge went from $50 to $70. Southwest also raised its prices twice last week. This marks the 12th time airlines have raised prices or fuel surcharges this year. US Airways will charge passengers an extra $5 to sit in an aisle or window seat in the first few rows of the coach section. Also last week, an airline industry report found that 42 million airline passenger bags were lost in transit in 2007, a full 25 percent more than in 2006. While the vast majority of travelers and their bags reach their destination together, one in 2,000 passengers' bags were never found.

Belgian Rail Strike Set for April 30

April 22 — Two rail unions in Belgium plan to strike on April 30 in a bid for higher pay. The strike would affect not only Belgian trains, but also high-speed international trains including the Eurostar to Britian, the Thalys to France, and the ICE to Germany.

Tube Strike Set for April 28

April 18 — London's subway system, known as the Tube, may come to a halt on Monday, April 28, when operators plan to begin a 48-hour strike to protest pension cuts. A similar strike in September closed two-thirds of the Tube network. For up-to-date details on Tube schedules, check www.tfl.gov.uk.

Botanical Art Gallery Opens at London's Kew Gardens

April 17 — The Kew Gardens in London has opened a gallery of botanical art, showing works from its formidable collection of over 200,000 items. This is the first time many of the pieces have been on public display. The inaugural exhibit, on now through October, showcases the most significant botanical artists from the 1700s to today, and includes works from the 18th and 19th centuries as well as contemporary botanical art on loan from the collection of Dr. Shirley Sherwood.

Compensation Increases for Bumped Airline Passengers

April 16 — Beginning May 1, US airlines who bump passengers onto later flights will be required to shell out more for your inconvenience. If you're bumped to a flight that arrives at your original domestic destination more than two hours after your original arrival time, you'll be compensated for the full price of the fare, up to $800. (The limit is $400 if you make it there within two hours). Airlines have a four-hour window to get bumped passengers to international destinations. The previous compensation limits, of $400 and $200, had been unchanged since 1978.

Goya Exhibit Opens at Madrid's Prado

April 15 — The Prado art museum in Madrid is hosting an exhibit of 200 Goya works with the theme "Goya in Times of War." The exhibit of 90-some paintings and more than 100 etchings and drawings focuses on a period at the turn of the 18th century marked by the French revolution, invasion by Napoleon, and Spain's war of independence.

Holocaust Train on Display in Berlin

April 15 — A train filled with photos of children deported by the Nazis during the Holocaust, along with their letters and drawings, is on display in Berlin this week. It's one of the last stops on the commemorative train's journey across Germany, ending May 8 at Auschwitz in Poland where many of the children were killed. Germany's state-run rail company, Deutsche Bahn, has been criticized for its refusal to let the train stop at Berlin's main station, the Hauptbahnhof. Instead the train will be located at the Ostbahnhof for its ten-day Berlin stay.

21 Percent Jump in Eurostar Ridership

April 14 — Two million passengers took the Eurostar between London, Paris, and Brussels from January to February, 2008 — a jump of 21 percent over 2007 ridership during the same three months. Eurostar reported that half the new customers were drawn to the train because of the convenience of its new north London terminus at St. Pancras, with the others defected from ferry or air service, which can be more expensive and take more time.

Oslo Christens Opera House

April 12 — King Harald of Norway opened the new state Opera House in Oslo at a gala attended by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Denmark's Queen Margrethe. The $835 million marble building juts into the Oslo fjord across from the main train station. Daily guided tours of the opera house including the back stage are $20 per person (more information at www.operaen.no).

British Airways to Delay Terminal 5 Transfer

April 11 — British Airways will wait until June to move more flights to the troubled new Terminal 5 at London's Heathrow Airport. BA had planned to move 120 flights to the new building from other Heathrow terminals on April 30. But significant opening glitches at Terminal 5, including a baggage system that waylaid more than 20,000 pieces of luggage and led to the cancellation of 700 flights, convinced BA to delay the move. The change will affect Air France-KLM and other airlines, who had planned to move into space BA will eventually vacate in Terminal 4.

Speed Limits Set on Autobahn

April 10 — The famously free-wheeling German autobahn is slowing down a bit, as Germany's northern state of Brennan this week imposed speed limits on the freeway. The 75-mile-per-hour speed limit applies only to a 40-mile stretch of the road. Carmakers have fought against imposing autobahn speed limits, while environmental groups are pushing the limits as a way to cut greenhouse gases.

New Constitution Adopted in Kosovo

April 9 — The parliament in Kosovo has adopted a new constitution for the country, which broke away from Serbia two months ago. Supporters hope the constitution will help Kosovo establish a legitimate government and end nearly 20 years of administration by the United Nations. So far about 40 countries, including the US, have recognized Kosovo as an independent nation; however Russia and Serbia continue to protest, as do ethnic Serbs who live within Kosovo.

Medici Tapestries on Display at Pitti Palace

April 8 — Newly restored tapestries are the focus of a new exhibition at the Pitti Palace in Florence, Italy running now through September 28. The display traces the influence of the Medicis on the tapestry industry in Florence. Cosimo Medici founded Florence's first tapestry factory in 1545. Over a thousand tapestries survive, and many are still displayed in Florence's public buildings. The Uffizi Gallery has begun a project to restore the fragile and deteriorating tapestries.

Mobile Phones Approved in European Airspace

April 7 — The European Union has approved new rules that will allow mobile phone users to make calls while onboard aircraft flying over Europe. Mobile phone users would be allowed to make phone calls once the plane reaches an altitude of 9,000 feet. Before they can begin offering the service, airlines will have to install new equipment that creates a circle of coverage around the plane, routing calls through satellites to mobile-phone towers on the ground. The pilot would be able to turn off the coverage if necessary. Air France could begin offering the service within a month.

Terminal 5 Baggage Woes Continue

April 5 — The new Terminal 5 at London's Heathrow Airport, intended to smooth travel for British Airways passengers, has instead resulted in hundreds of cancelled flights and thousands of mishandled bags. In the terminal's first few days of operation, at least 300 flights were cancelled and passengers were limited to carry-on bags only, while about 28,000 checked bags were delayed. The problems were the result of glitches with the terminal's new automated baggage-handling system.

Northwest Airlines Raises Prices; Aloha and ATA Shut Down

April 5 — Citing rising fuel costs, Northwest Airlines has raised prices on international flights, is cutting back its domestic schedule, and has instituted a hiring freeze. Northwest's fuel surcharge for European destinations is now between $115 and $155. Also this week, Aloha Airlines ceased operations after a month in bankruptcy protection, ATA Airlines suddenly cancelled operations as it filed for bankruptcy, and Minnesota-based Champion Air announced it will go out of business on May 31.

But Do They Offer Hot-Stone Massage?

April 5 — Baltimore-Washington International Airport will soon be the test site for a new approach in security screening. The Transportation Security Administration is trying out a more-relaxing security screening environment, complete with softly glowing lights, soothing mood music, and posted biographies of friendly employees. Officials hope that by helping most passengers to relax, suspicious passengers will be easier to identify. Also being tested is a new machine that uses radio waves to scan passengers beneath their clothes for hidden weapons.

Vestali Back On Patrol at St. Mark's

April 4 — Agents of Venice's "Urban Decorum" office will be back on patrol this spring and summer at St. Mark's Square. Tourists will be asked to refrain from sitting on the pavement, eating sandwiches on the square, or going without shirts. The seven female "guardians of decorum" have been nicknamed "Vestali," a reference to ancient Rome's Vestal Virgins — caretakers for an important temple. Venice is also limiting the sale of fast food in the piazza to cut down on trash.

March 2008

Efforts Underway to Straighten Venice Bell Tower

March 27 — A project to install a metal belt beneath the foundations of the bell tower on St. Mark's Square in Venice began this week, in an effort to stop the tower from leaning. The 324-foot tall bell tower was built in 1912. The tower is leaning about seven centimeters to one side, likely because of a failing foundation. The base of the tower will be wrapped in scaffolding for up to two years.

Tropical Butterflies Land In London

March 26 — The Natural History Museum in London this spring and summer will host a special exhibit of tropical butterflies and moths. The giant maze and butterfly house, filled with native plants and flowers, are located on the museum's east lawn and open daily from April 5 to August 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Entrance to the museum is free; entrance to the butterfly exhibit is $10 for adults, $7 for children, and $28 for families.

Open Skies Means More Options When Flying to Europe

March 26 — The new Open Skies agreement between the US and the European Union goes into effect March 30, making it possible for more airlines to fly to more cities on both continents. Industry-watchers are split on whether the new routes will result in cheaper airfares as airlines deal with high fuel prices and a flagging economy. Some of the new flights, such as those offered by OpenSkies (a new branch of British Airways), will cater to business and first-class travelers, with only a small number of economy seats.

New routes include: Aer Lingus — Orlando and Washington, D.C. to Dublin; OpenSkies — New York to Brussels and Paris; Continental — Newark and Houston to London's Heathrow; Delta — Atlanta and New York's JFK to Heathrow, JFK to Lyon, France, and Salt Lake City and JFK to Paris; Lufthansa — Seattle to Frankfurt; Northwest — Detroit, Minneapolis and Seattle to Heathrow; Air France — Los Angeles to Heathrow; US Airways — Philadelphia to Heathrow; United — Denver to Heathrow.

Trajan's Column To Be Lit Up

March 24 — Plans are underway in Rome to use beams of light to replicate the bright colors that once decorated Trajan's Column. The military conquests depicted on the now-white marble column were originally brightly painted, as were many Roman statues and triumphal arches. The illumination of Trajan's Column is planned to begin on weekends in 2009 and will coincide with new lights throughout the Roman Forum.

World's Most Expensive City: London

March 18 — A study of prices, rents, and salaries by the Swiss bank USB found that London is now the most expensive of the world's major cities. When rent is not considered, Oslo and Copenhagen are more expensive than London. The report found that the rising value of the euro has pushed up cost-of-living expenses in cities where the euro is the primary currency. For example Dublin has jumped from 13th place to fourth. Meanwhile the cost of living in New York has fallen along with the dollar, putting it in 18th place. London is now 26 percent more expensive than New York.

Airline News Roundup

March 18 — Ryanair is offering another round of "free flights" but travelers are warned to look out for hidden costs, such as travel insurance ($12), priority boarding ($6), checked baggage ($42 for two bags), food and drink on the plane ($10 and up), and fees for using your credit card to purchase the ticket. Air France will buy the struggling Italian airline Alitalia for $215 million. The takeover is expected to be complete by 2010. United Airlines and Continental Airlines on Friday raised some round-trip fares by up to $50 in response to high fuel costs. United's fare hike is in addition to its move earlier this month to boost domestic fuel surcharges by $10, bumping the surcharge to $50 on some round-trip flights.

New Terminal Opens at Heathrow

March 14 — Heathrow Airport's new Terminal 5 begins accepting flights and passengers on Thursday, March 27. Construction of the $9 billion terminal at London's extremely busy airport began in 2002. Terminal 5 will eventually accommodate 60 aircraft with 96 self-service check-in kiosks and 54 standard check-in desks, along with a new parking garage. Officials hope the new terminal, which will be used mainly by British Airways for international flights, will simplify and speed up check-in.

Euro Sets Record at $1.55

March 12 — The euro rose to about $1.55 against the US dollar today, an all-time record high. Its 1.5 percent daily gain was the European currency's biggest in over two years.

More Delays for Rome's Third Subway Line

March 7 — Exploratory digging for Rome's long-awaited third subway line has turned up everything but the kitchen sink: ninth-century pots and pans, a sixth-century copper factory, even a Renaissance palace. Plans call for the $4.6 billion USD third subway line to open in 2011, but it could be derailed as the historical discoveries stack up. While the subway itself would run in a tunnel 100 feet below the surface, its stairwells and air ducts would pass through shallower earth, likely disturbing archaeological evidence. A Roman government official will decide whether the historical relics can be moved, destroyed, or somehow displayed within the new subway system.

House of Augustus Opens in Rome

March 7 — Four recently restored and beautifully frescoed rooms in the former home of Emperor Augustus at Palatine Hill in Rome will open to the public this weekend. A guided tour of the house is included in the new Colosseum-Roman Forum-Palatine Hill combo-ticket, but entry to the rooms is limited to five people at a time.

Fuel Surcharges Go Up at Several Airlines

March 10 — Citing the rising cost of jet fuel, British Airlines has increased its fuel surcharge to £128 ($256 USD) for long-haul flights of nine hours or more. Lufthansa is increasing its fuel surcharge to €17 ($26) for flights within Germany and Europe, but so far has left its international surcharge unchanged at €77 ($118). United Airlines and Delta Air Lines increased their domestic fuel surcharges last week by up to $10 round-trip, bringing their total fuel surcharges to about $50 round-trip on some flights.

Colosseum Exhibits Roman Conquests

March 5 — A special exhibit on now through September at the Colosseum in Rome highlights the military triumphs of the Roman empire. The display of 100 statues, bronzes, bas-reliefs, and marble slabs includes representations of epic battles, conquered cities, captured prisoners, and looted treasure, shown alongside busts and portraits of heroic leaders such as Octavian and Caesar.

Germany Disrupted by Series of Strikes

March 5 — Many domestic flights are grounded and some international flights are delayed in Germany, where thousands of workers are striking for better pay. Frankfurt airport has cancelled 80 flights and Lufthansa airline at least 150. Bus and train drivers, school teachers, and other government employees represented by the Verdi public employees union walked off the job yesterday. In Berlin, striking transport workers have caused disruptions to the city's subway, bus, and tram systems. The national train drivers' union is also considering a strike that could affect Deutsche Bahn service on Monday.

Free Entry Ends at Roman Forum

March 5 — Visitors to the Roman Forum in Rome, Italy will pay an entry fee beginning Monday, March 10. The €11 ($16 USD) combo-ticket includes the nearby Colosseum and Palatine Hill. Officials say charging for entrance to the Roman Forum will help improve security. Proceeds will be used for further restoration projects.

February 2008

Venice Considers Entry Toll

February 28 — Officials in Venice are considering charging tourists a per-person entry toll to help raise funds for needed repairs and maintenance of the lagoon city. About 20 million people visit Venice annually. The "Ecopass" requirement would apply only to those without hotel reservations.

Dollar Falls to Record Low Against Euro

February 27 — The euro is trading at over $1.50 against the dollar, a record low for the US currency that is increasing the cost of travel to Europe. The dollar has fallen 12 percent against the euro in the last year alone.

US Airways Jumps on Baggage Fee Bandwagon

February 26 — Passengers checking more than one bag on US Airways will be charged $25 for the second bag beginning May 5. The third through ninth bag continue to cost $80 apiece. United Airlines announced a similar move earlier this month. The new policy continues to allow carry-on bags and one free checked bag per passenger. The fee does not apply to preferred frequent fliers and those flying first class.

Air Travelers Could Benefit from Transatlantic Price War

February 26 — The Open Skies agreement will open up more markets to European and American airlines on March 30, ending decades-old limits on transatlantic flights. But will deregulation of the US-to-Europe routes result in a price war? Air France, Delta, Northwest, Continental, and Lufthansa are among the airlines who will begin flying new transatlantic routes in April, and a few discount start-up airlines are offering new flights from New York to the United Kingdom. As a result, some industry watchers are predicting cheaper transatlantic economy and business-class fares.

Rail Touts Its Carbon-Friendly Side

February 26 — A 30 percent increase in business travelers on Eurostar, the high-speed train between London and Paris, is being attributed to concerns about global warming. Speaking to a European business conference, Eurostar chief executive Richard Brow said worries about climate change are prompting businesses to seek more environmentally-friendly means of transportation. A record 8.26 million travelers used Eurostar in 2007, a 5.1 percent increase over 2006. According to Eurostar, traveling round-trip from London to Paris via Eurostar results in carbon dioxide emissions of 10.9 kilograms of per passenger, while traveling by air results in emissions of 122 kg per passenger.

Website Predicts International Airfares

February 21 — The website