Something To Declare: Munich; out-of-bounds cities; Le Havre
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Your support makes all the difference.Destination of the week: Munich in bloom
Destination of the week: Munich in bloom
"Buga 05" may not sound too enticing, but this is the acronym for the Bundesgartenschau 2005, the German National Garden Festival, which begins next Thursday. The event runs until 9 October, and opens 9am-7.30pm daily (an hour later June to August). The admission price, €14 (£10), covers free transport for the day within Munich. For details contact the German National Tourist Office (020-7317 0908) or visit www.buga05.de.
Warning of the week: out-of-bounds cities
World leaders tend to disrupt travel when they venture out. The 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe is set to limit the movements of visitors to Moscow and Maastricht around 7 and 8 May.
It is common for Red Square to be off-limits during official events, but this time the restricted zone will extend much further. Neil McGowan, Moscow-based director of The Russia Experience (0870 068 1000; www.trans-siberian.co.uk) says that the centre of the Russian capital will be "pretty much a no-go zone on 7 and 8 May. Officials say that you'll need a security pass to get anywhere within three or four kilometres of the parades."
The problem for Maastricht is the visit of President Bush, whose jet, Air Force One, will be flying into the city's airport. Reports in the Dutch press suggest that the motorway that passes Maastricht airport will be closed for 36 hours. As a result, the city will effectively be cut off by road from the rest of the Netherlands - with access only via Belgium or Germany.
Bargain of the week: last call for Le Havre
P&O Ferries (08706 009 009; www.poferries.com) has announced the closure of all of its French routes from Portsmouth, and no other company has yet come forward to take over the historic Le Havre service. So the ferry link is likely to be cut at the end of September. But for this summer, there are some good fares available for motorists. P&O has adopted the pricing policy of low-cost airlines: book early and online for less popular sailings to qualify for the lowest fares. If you book within the next five days, by 28 April, the lead-in fare is £150 return for a car plus four people on a day-sailing. For a peak-season departure on Saturday 30 July, returning a fortnight later, the fare is £514.
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