Foreign Briefing: New events at old sites

1, France

Year in and year out, Europe’s most familiar monuments can count on a steady stream of visitors. Yet even must-do destinations offer creative new wrinkles to bring in the crowds. Here are a few innovations in France, Britain and Italy:

Eiffel Tower: Some tourists are turned off by the idea of waiting in line just to climb the Eiffel Tower’s well-worn stairs. So the Paris monument has set up an ice-skating rink on its first floor, 187 feet above ground, that will be available every night until 10:30 and operate until Feb. 9. There is no extra cost to use the rink, and skates are free. An interactive night light show allows skaters to create designs on the ice as they glide to music and views of Paris. https://www.tour-eiffel.fr.

The Louvre: Visitors to the Richelieu wing of this Paris museum will observe much more than the French sculptures permanently on display. On March 11, 18 and 25, a choreographed boxing match and hip-hop dance performance by artist Mourad Merzouki will “confront” the surrounding artwork at 7 each night. And from Jan. 13-March 28, a show on the theme of phantoms, flesh-eating vampires and just about anything that comes back from the dead will include reproductions of 18th century performances, drawings, paintings and conferences. https://www.louvre.fr.

Somerset House: This neo-classical London monument between the Strand and the River Thames operates a skating rink in its glamorous courtyard through Jan. 23. This year’s winter program has been expanded to include short dance classes for the public led by members of the English National Ballet and skating coaches. The “Big Ice Dance Lunchtime Workouts,” are scheduled for Jan. 10-21. https://www.somersethouse.org.uk.

Kensington Palace: An exhibit at the London landmark, which is undergoing restoration, offers a series of clues, such as dresses and objects belonging to royal women. Guests are invited to participate in a search for the identity of the seven princesses who once lived in the palace. The temporary exhibit is expected to last until mid-2012. https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensingtonpalace.

Vasari Corridor: This secret passageway in Florence, Italy, which is rarely visible to the public, is occasionally open to visitors who can sneak between major monuments such as the Uffizi Gallery, the Ponte Vecchio, the Palazzo Pitti and the government palace. To find out when the visits are offered, contact the Firenze Musei, https://www.firenzemusei.it/00_english/home1.html.

—Devorah Lauter

2. Egypt

Beaches at Sharm el Sheikh resort on the Red Sea were reopened with stepped-up sea patrols last week after shark attacks killed a German snorkeler and injured four other tourists. It was the first death from a shark in Egypt since 2004.

Reuters

3. Japan

For the fourth year in a row, Tokyo was awarded more Michelin stars for its restaurants than any other city. Fourteen of its restaurants received three stars, the top rating for fine dining in the latest Michelin guide. Ten restaurants in Paris, which placed No. 2, were so honored.

Reuters

4. Cuba

More than 1,000 travelers from the U.S., on average, arrive in Cuba every day, making the U.S. the second biggest source of visitors to the Communist island after Canada, travel industry and diplomatic sources said. Business has boomed since President Obama last year relaxed restrictions on Cuban Americans visiting their homeland, they said. Except in certain situations, it is still illegal for most Americans to spend money in Cuba, effectively restricting travel there.

Reuters

5. Argentina

A damaged cruise ship reached Argentina’s far southern port of Ushuaia on Dec. 10 after a large wave broke its bridge window and cut off communications and radar. The 88 American passengers and 77 crew members were reported safe after the incident aboard the Clelia II, which cut short a trip to Antarctica.

Associated Press

Caution spots

The State Department recently issued warnings or alerts for these areas:

Haiti, because of high crime, a cholera outbreak, frequent public disturbances and limited police protection and access to medical care

Mauritania, because of increased activities by terrorists