Travel tips

Sep 20, 2011, 3:06 GMT

Pumpkin art: October's the month for it in New England

Jackson, New Hampshire (dpa) - In the vacation resort of Jackson in the north-eastern US state of New Hampshire, visitors can take in a whole lot of carved pumpkins. In the annual 'Return of the Pumpkin People' some 50 hotels, inns and bed-and-breakfasts will be displaying the creative things done with the orange-coloured vegetable, the New England Tourism Office reports. Those interested in making an excursion to the surrounding White Mountains can download a road map showing a tour of carved pumpkin works and then choose their favourite one. On Halloween, October 31, the funniest, cutest, scariest and most family-friendly pumpkin creations will be honoured. (www.discovernewengland.org)

Fun in the Playmobil museum in Norway

Kragero, Norway (dpa) - A new Playmobil museum has just opened in Norway, and by its own account is the first one of its kind anywhere in the world. Located in the former Post Office of the harbour town of Kragero, the museum houses, among other creations, entire farmsteads, police stations and space centres with moving parts driven by 76 motors, the Visit Norway tourism office says. The Playmobil world is founded on the collection of Erik Skaarup, who received his first Playmobil truck as a present at the age of three. The museum also has an exhibition of early sketches and designs.

Freestyle-Sports festival in Switzerland

Zurich (dpa) - Snowboarders, free-style skiers, motorbikers and skateboarders will be convening on the Swiss city of Zurich on September 24 and 25 for the international Sportfestival Freestyle competition. Competitors from around the world will be showing off their latest tricks and stunts in direct competition against each other. Among other attractions, the festival will also display the latest trends and products in the various freestyle sports. (http://zurich.freestyle.ch)

Food & Wine and Rum Festival on Barbados

Bridgetown (dpa) - Good food, wine and rum will be awaiting vacationers to the Caribbean island of Barbados from November 18 to 21. At the ' Food & Wine and Rum Festival'� eight international prize-winning cooks - including Tom Colicchio, Bruno Loubet and Ming Tsai - will be showing off their talent. Besides international cuisine, traditional dishes from the island itself will of course have their place at the festival.

Off to Sao Miguel for surfing championships