European Headlines for Travelers
What's happening in Europe? Check this page every weekday for links to news of special interest to travelers...
Friday, May 9
- EU issues airline website threat (BBC)
- Venice pigeon feeders turn to potato chips and bread sticks (IHT)
- Cost of flying keeps soaring (The Seattle Times)
- Delta closing 9 airport VIP lounges; Seattle’s already gone (The Seattle Times)
Miss a day? Check out this week's archived headlines
...and here's a summary of recent European and travel news...
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.