Travel tips

Aug 30, 2011, 3:06 GMT

Hungary's wilderness: Wild horses and aurochs

Budapest (dpa) - Hungary's national park Hortobagy now features a new wilderness attraction. Visitors can take safari excursions to get a closer look at animal species threatened by extinction such as the Eurasian wild horse or aurochs, the Hungarian Tourism Office reports. Such animals as jackals, wolves and wild donkeys also can be spotted moving through the tall grass of the steppes-like salt plain landscape known locally as the puszta. Pelicans and vultures also can be seen. An exhibition provides information about the animal life in the park. The Hortobaby park was set up in 1973 as Hungary's first-ever national park and since 1999 has been a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. (www.hungary.com)

Alpine flora and fauna in Pitztal

Wenns im Pitztal, Austria (dpa) - For the first time, the nature park in the Austrian alpine area of Pitztal will host a series of events to help visitors learn about the region's plant and animal life. Running from September 4 to October 8, the five-week programme includes hiking the trails with park rangers, photography workshops run by professional photographers to help amateurs get a better take on such animals as mountain goats and chamois, and hikes to collect herbs and mushrooms used as ingredients for cooking, followed by courses in cooking. (www.pitztal.com)

Using your smartphone while on Hawaii

Honolulu (dpa) - For vacationers on Hawaii, the search for events and festivals has become much easier. A new app called 'Festivals of Hawaii' helps people learn about events taking place on all six of the islands. The free app offers information both about specific festivals as well as events taking place in the nearby area. The app is available for download at: www.gohawaii.com.

The Louvre comes to northern France

Bethune, France (dpa) - Bethune in northern France is hosting an exhibition of major art works from the Louvre museum from October 8 to the end of December. A highlight of the exhibition is the work 'Drei Grazien' (Three Graces) by Lucas Cranach the Elder. The exhibition will set the stage for Bethune's tenure as the regional capital of culture for 2011. Under the slogan 'L'art+Toi' (Art and You), numerous other events are planned. (www.bethune2011.fr)

For a change of pace and taste: Slow Food in Finland

Helsinki (dpa) - Finnish cuisine awaits visitors to the Slow Food Festival taking place October 1-2 in Fiskars Village outside of Helsinki. Cooks and biological farmers will be presenting regional food specialties in numerous booths, the tourism organisation Visit Finland reports. There will also be a number of exhibitions and cooking shows. The festival venue is about a one-hour car ride from Helsinki. (www.fiskarsvillage.fi/en)

Vienna to stage major exhibitions of Austrian, international artworks