Travel tips

Jun 28, 2011, 3:06 GMT

New bridge makes California hiking easier

Redding, California (dpa) - A new bridge connecting the trail across the east end of the Lake Siskiyou in California opens up completely new vistas to tourists visiting the Mount Shasta area. The 80-metre-long construction at the mouth of Wagon Creek is the last piece of the puzzle that connects the various segments of path around the lake, adding to the hiking experience. Tourists can now walk or bike the trail all the way around the water's edge (there are seasonal bridges currently in place on the South Fork delta). Internet: www.shastacascade.com.

Fannikers have fun on Fano

Nordby, Denmark (dpa) - The Danish island of Fano celebrates a time-honoured tradition next month with Fanniker Days in the town of Nordby. This larger-than-life village fair from July 8th to 10th is also a tribute to past generations and to the history of the island, whose residents call themselves Fannikers. It revolves around processions and shows where the locals dress in the many variations of traditional Fano costume. Folk music and dancing are also essential parts of the fun. A week later on July 17 the event is followed by Sonderho Day which is marked in the south of the island. Here too many Fannikers don traditional costume in order to attend.

South Tyrol opens first slackline park

Munich (dpa) - Holidaymakers in the Dolomites resort of Val Gardena in South Tyrol can test their balancing skills at the region's first slackline park. There are 13 slacklines up to 30 metres in length to choose from, graded im difficulty from easy to strenuous. Akin to tightrope-walking, slacklining is a new sport which involves walking a tubular elastic web that moves under the weight of the body. Participants need concentration, balance, and coordination and the activity is seen as an ideal training technique for sports such as climbing and skiing. Internet: www.valgardena.it.

Doha's new airport terminal due to open any day now

Doha (dpa) - The new Terminal B at Doha International Airport in Qatar, is preparing to open before the end of June. Terminal B, developed on the site of the former arrivals terminal, will be dedicated to the 30-plus foreign airlines operating services from Doha and covers 2,000 square metres, Qatar Airways announced. The upgrade is designed to cope with increased passenger traffic until the New Doha International Airport opens in 2012. The new interim building includes an enlarged check-in area with 35 counters and a bigger immigration hall with 10 counters and three e-gates. The aim is to prevent long queues and ensure faster passport clearance. Internet: www.dohaairport.com.

New brochure brings US Civil War battlegrounds to life

Raleigh, North Carolina (dpa) - A new brochure guides tourists through 232 American Civil War-related stops in North Carolina. Marked on it are the sites of major battlefields as well as scenes of skirmishes and other clashes. The locations of wartime field hospitals, cemeteries and even prisons are all included. The brochure marks this year's 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. The harrowing conflict raged for four years at the cost of more than 600,000 lives. The brochure is available at US Civil War visitor centres in North Carolina. It can also be downloaded along with an extensive range of other map material from www.civilwartraveler.com/maps.