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Travel Advisories

CLEVELAND ROCKS. Peace and love will last a lot longer than three days at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, which is celebrating Woodstock's 40th anniversary with a new exhibit. Through Nov. 29, the center will feature items from the legendary three-day weekend in upstate New York. The exhibit will also include the original written plan for the event from its producer, Michael Lang. There are an array of events planned to commemorate Woodstock, which took place Aug. 15-17 in 1969 and featured Janis Joplin, The Who, Jimi Hendrix and dozens of other rock acts. Details at rockhall.com. (7/2/09)

CHINA. The State Department issued a travel alert to U.S. citizens this week concerning China's quarantine measures in response to the 2009- H1N1 pandemic. Arriving passengers who exhibit fever or flu-like symptoms are being put into seven-day quarantine. Although the proportion of Americans being quarantined remains low, the random nature of the selection process increases the uncertainty surrounding travel to the country. Reports indicate passengers sitting in close proximity to another traveler exhibiting fever or flulike symptoms have been put into precautionary quarantine, as well as those arriving from areas where outbreaks have occurred (including the U.S. and Mexico) simply because they registered slightly elevated temperatures. All travelers to China, including U.S. citizens, must follow local procedures regarding quarantines; the U.S. Embassy is not able to influence the duration of stay in quarantine for affected travelers. Details at travel.state.gov.

SIX FLAGS DEAL. For the same $49.99 price of a one-day ticket to Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, N.J., guests can purchase a Big Six Pass good for six visits to the theme park this season. Passes are available at the front gate or online at sixflags.com, now through Labor Day for visits through Nov. 1. (6/12.09)

VISIT THE CROWN. Reservations for visits to the Statue of Liberty's crown, reopening July 4, are now being accepted by phone (877-523-9849) or online (statuecruises.com) up to a year in advance. Admission is $15, including a ferry ticket. (6/12.09)

FREE PARKS. The National Park Service will waive entrance fees at 147 national parks and monuments - including the Grand Canyon and Yosemite - on three weekends this summer: June 20-21, July 18-19 and Aug. 15-16. Savings will range from $3 to $25 and are not tied to other fees for camping, reservations, tours or concessions; nps.gov. (6/5/09)

MALI. The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Mali and recommends against all travel to the north of the country due to kidnapping threats against Westerners. More information at travel.state.gov. (6/5/09)

UNIVERSAL DEAL Universal Orlando Resort has just announced a deal that gives kids ages 3-9 free unlimited theme park admission when the family stays for four or more nights at a hotel near the resort (from $533 for a family of four). Must be booked by July 31 for travel through Oct. 8. Details at universalorlando.com/vacationstimulus. (5/22/09)

AIR TRAN WI-FI AirTran Airways will become the first major airline to add high-speed Internet service to all of its planes. The Florida-based airline said it would offer Wi-Fi service, powered by Aircell, on its 136 jets by midsummer. (5/22/09)

STATUE OF LIBERTY. Lady Liberty's crown will reopen July 4, once again offering sweeping views of Manhattan's skyline, bridges and seaport. It's to be the first time the 265-foot-high area is open to visitors since the Sept. 11 attacks. Officials say the crown will be open for two years before closing again for renovation. Details at nps.gov/stli. (5/15/09)

MEXICO CRUISES: Cruise lines continue to substitute port calls in California and the Caribbean for stops in Mexico because of swine flu. Some ships also are spending extra time in non-Mexican ports or adding at-sea days to their itineraries. Guests should check with individual cruise lines for the most up-to-date information on port changes. Compensation for the changes varies by cruise line and itinerary. Carnival, for example, is offering guests who don't want the modified itineraries a future cruise credit equal to the full amount paid for the trip to be applied to a trip before the end of 2010. (5/8/09)

Barbados flights: As of Oct. 1, JetBlue Airways plans to begin daily nonstop flights from JFK Airpot to Grantley Adams International Airport in Bridgetown in Barbados. Flights are expected to go on sale in June. Details at jetblue.com (5/1/09)

ONLINE BOOKING SITES. Travelocity recently eliminated airfare booking fees on tickets sold through May 31. The announcement came six days after Expedia took the same step. Industry experts believe removing the fees, which run $7-$12 a ticket, will become permanent, putting pressure on Orbitz to also drop its fees. Through May 31, Travelocity also will offer a PriceGuardian promotion, promising refunds if another user books the same vacation package at a lower price. Orbitz already has such a program for flights. Priceline, meanwhile, said it also will offer price-protection refunds on airfare and vacation packages. (4/3/09)

MEXICO DANGER. The U.S. State Department has issued an advisory on Spring Break in Mexico, where more than 100,000 U.S. citizens visit each year. The department warns of the increased violence along the border and advises revelers in Matamoros and Nuevo Progresso, popular destinations for spring breakers on South Padre Island, Texas, to "exercise commonsense precautions such as visiting only the well-traveled business and tourism areas of border towns during daylight and early-evening hours." (2/26/09)

VIRGINIA FOR WINNERS. Virginia tourism officials are giving away 40 trips in 40 weeks to mark the 40th anniversary of the state's "Virginia Is for Lovers" marketing campaign that is said to be the largest vacation giveaway in state history. Starting this week, one trip will be given away each week, with the grand prize being awarded on Nov. 23. Visitors can enter the sweepstakes at virginia.org/40. (2/20/09)

HAITI. The State Department is recommending U.S. citizens defer nonessential travel to Haiti until further notice. In the aftermath of last year's destructive hurricanes and tropical storms, there has been civil unrest that has sometimes turned violent. Kidnapping and other violent crimes are a chronic danger. Details at travel.state.gov. (2/6/09)

UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. A new edition of a map guide to 41 places and programs related to the Underground Railroad in Maryland is now available in the state's 11 Welcome Centers. The guide, "The Underground Railroad: Maryland's Network to Freedom," describes places where you can learn about the personal stories of slaves who tried to outrun slave catchers and civil authorities before the Civil War. Sites include the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway and the Frederick Douglass Driving Tour of Talbot County. Details at visitmaryland.org, 800-719-5900. (1/23/09)

ITALY TRAINS. Trenitalia last month launched a new fleet of higher-speed trains that slash the travel time between Italy's largest cities. The service, which started last month, now carries passengers between Milan and Rome in 3 1/2 hours (saving as much as two hours of travel time) on nonstop, air-conditioned Eurostar trains. High-speed trains also link other cities popular with foreign travelers, including Milan and Naples with Florence and Bologna in trips that shave off more than an hour of time in some cases. Details and tickets can be purchased at trenitalia.com. (1/16/09)