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New viewing platform ready in the Stubai Alps

A new viewing platform located 2,160 meters above sea-level has been constructed in the Stubai Alps, giving visitors superb views of the Kalkkoegel Group of mountains situated to the southwest of Innsbruck.

The platform of the Stubai Alps can be reached from Kreuzjoch Mountain by a "panoramic route of creativity," according to the Stubai tourist office (www.stubai.at).

Endurance Rickshaw race set to go in Sri Lanka

A highly unusual rickshaw rally through rice fields and coconut plantations will take place in Sri Lanka on August 25.

Around 25 teams of two or three people have registered for the event in Negombo, Sri Lanka's tourism office said. Competitors have been issued "survival kits" which include dictionaries, maps and cell phones.

The 1,200-kilometer route, which roughly follows the island's east coast and passes through the major tourist attraction of Kandy as well as the capital Colombo, is expected to take the teams 10 days to complete. (www.lankachallenge.com)

Oregon offers free map apps for cyclists

The US state of Oregon is offering travelers free cycling maps to download for iPhones, iPod Touches or BlackBerries. As many as 10 maps with highlighted sights and routes can be downloaded at www.mthoodterritory.net/mobile, said Oregon's tourist office. The same information can also be downloaded from the Internet at www.mthoodterritory.com/biking.jsp.

Swiss pass to 12 castles opens cultural doors

A special pass will give visitors unlimited access to 12 castles and museums in the Thun area. At 25 Swiss francs ($24) the pass is much cheaper than paying entrance fees for each individual attraction. It is valid until October 10.

For an extra 10 francs ($9.50) the pass will include a two-way boat trip or a one-way bus trip between Spiez and Oberhofen. Lake Thun is located between Interlaken and the Bernese Oberland region. It takes its name from the town of Thun on its northern shore. (www.thunersee.ch/museumspass)

Off the beaten trouist trail in Atlantic Canada

When you think of vacationing in Canada, chances are the country's three most-visited cities come to mind: Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto.

But east of Quebec, the four provinces known as Atlantic Canada offer thousands of kilometers of scenic coastline and a mix of cultural attractions, from the farmhouse in Anne of Green Gables to one of the oldest French Acadian settlements. Activities range from mudsliding and golf to year-round surfing. Offbeat destinations include the Herring Hall of Fame.

The provinces that make up this region are New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Airline deals and news

More flights to Xinjiang: The Civil Aviation Administration of China announced months ago that it would launch more flights to the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. As of July 23, five airline companies opened seven routes to Xinjiang from major Chinese cities.

New Hainan routes: Hainan Airlines recently opened new routes from Urumqi to Nanjing and Dalian and China Southern Airlines opened routes between Urumqi and Harbin and between Guangzhou and Kashgar.

CSA gets makeover in economy class: China Southern Airlines will revamp economy class in several of its Airbus and Boeing planes, including its A319s, A320s, A321s, A330s, B737-700s, B737-800s and B777s.

The makeover including changing the seats in all planes, as well as the stewardess buttons, oxygen masks and reading lights.

Silk Air expands: Silk Air, a regional branch of Singapore Airlines, will increase its flights to meet growing demand for air travel in Asia.

It will add extra flights to routes to Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Medan, Kuching, Kunming and Siem Reap.

Delaware Press Association - Associtated press - China Daily

(China Daily 08/15/2010 page16)