Travel news from around the world.
On tour: Manitoba
Don't be surprised to find polar bears peeking through your window if you book an adventure-study program at the newly opened Churchill Northern Studies Centre on the Manitoba shore of Hudson Bay. Participants on the Lords of the Arctic tour (Oct. 25 to Nov. 1, and Nov. 8 to 15; $2,745) study the bears alongside scientists and student researchers. On later tours, the focus turns to winter skies (Feb. 10 to 15, March 3 to 8; $1,015) and migrating birds (June 7 to 14; $1,150). For details, e-mail cnsc@churchillscience.ca.
In the room: Hyatt Hotels and Resorts
The days of hotels offering free room upgrades may be ending. Following the lead of airlines, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts is moving to a fee system for last-minute upgrades. The chain has been e-mailing its Gold Passport members asking if they would be willing to pay for standby upgrades. Fees quoted at one Orlando hotel started at $9 (U.S.) for a higher-floor room, $20 for a better view, $65 for late checkout and $125 for a suite.
On the ground: West Hollywood
If you think go-go dancing flourished and died in the 1960s, you haven't been to West Hollywood recently. The Los Angeles suburb – which boasts "more go-go dancers per square mile than any other city in America" – keeps go-go boots, mini-skirted dancers and suspended cages alive at such clubs as Whisky A Go-Go, Voyeur, Micky's and Club Eleven. The city has even set aside Oct. 29 as Go-Go Dancer Appreciation Day. Highlighting the special events will be an amateur go-go competition on Larrabee Street.
Sources: Travel Manitoba, Consumer Traveler, West Hollywood Visitors Bureau
Special to The Globe and Mail