IN THE KNOW

What to do, see and where to play

New high-speed train from Rome to Pompeii in less than 2 hours launches

It’s now easier to visit the historic town of Pompeii, Italy, thanks to a new high-speed train route from Rome, which operates on the third Sunday every month. The train will depart Rome at 8.43am and return at 6.40pm, making viewing the ancient site in a day a feasible option for travellers. Meanwhile in late July, a 2,000-year-old fresco was discovered during excavations in the Regio IX area of Pompeii’s archaeological park. The fresco depicts a meal setting with “a focaccia-like bread,” shown alongside a goblet of wine and fruit and is not pizza as it lacks classic pizza ingredients like tomato and mozzarella.

Japan Airlines' 'Any Wear, Anywhere' initiative

Japan Airlines wants to make overpacking a thing of the past for customers, as well as cutting down on carbon emissions, with their new clothing rental initiative, Any Wear, Anywhere, will allow international travellers on JAL-operated flights to rent a set of clothes for their holiday in Japan. Travellers can choose from several different sets with clothing which are organised by season and occasion. A basic rental starts at 4,000 yen (A$43) for three tops and two bottoms. The rentals will be run by the Sumitomo Corporation, which will be responsible for collating, delivering, and laundering all the clothes. To reserve clothing, travellers must register online one month before departure, and can use the clothing for up to two weeks. The year trial is on now until August 31, 2024.

Uluru tops the list of best places in the world to watch the sunset

Bounce has just ranked the world’s top 15 spots to watch the sunset. The luggage storage company analysed hotspots based on social media popularity, pollution levels, and the total number of recommendations. Taking the top spot is Uluru, the Maldives second, followed by Haleakalā in Hawaii, Santorini, and Angkor Wat. Multiple locations across Indonesia, the United States were featured, as well as Tanzania and Spain.

Titanic Belfast named as Northern Ireland's most popular tourist attraction

Titanic Belfast was Northern Ireland's most visited tourist attraction in 2022, according to figures released by the Northern Ireland Statistic and Research Agency (NISRA). The hotspot was closely followed by the Derry Walls and the Giant's Causeway.

Titanic Belfast opened in 2012 at a cost of £77m and since then has had more than three million visitors. Located beside the Titanic Slipways, the Harland & Wolff Drawing Offices and Hamilton

Graving Dock – the very place where Titanic was designed, built and launched – Titanic Belfast tells the story of Titanic from her conception, through her construction and launch, to her maiden voyage and subsequent place in history.

This is one on your bucket list. A comprehensive journey through Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Peru. Experience diverse cultures and visit significant historical sites, all while enjoying comfortable accommodations and guided tours. • 30 nights quality hand-picked accommodation • All internal flights, coach, rail and boat transportation • Breakfast daily, 6 lunches and 5 dinners

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FROM JAN 2024 TO DEC 2025

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