TRAVEL Q & A

Q While traveling in Britain this past summer, I parked my car in a Scottish parking garage at a mall and received a $130 ticket for parking in a designated disability spot, even though my California handicapped parking placard was displayed. Officials told me the placard was either a fake or not valid. If I didn't pay the fine, I would be taken to court. I had checked before I left the United States and was assured my placard would work. What could I have done?

A When I contacted VisitBritain, Katrina Sutton, a spokesperson, said Visit Scotland had offered to reimburse the parking fine.

Britain's system that allows drivers to park in designated spots is called the Blue Badge Scheme. The "badge" is recognized in European Union countries and some other partners. But "there is no reciprocal arrangement for countries outside [Europe] with regard to recognizing disabled badges," said Brian Seaman, a representative for Tourism for All, a British nonprofit that provides information for disabled travelers. Seaman said his group had been in touch with Britain's Department of Transport to see whether the regulations might be changed "particularly in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics" but added that changes, if they occurred, would come slowly. Seaman said travelers need to "make arrangements locally" to make sure their placard is recognized, but noted that travelers going to more than one place would find a hassle. For information go to tinyurl.com/49rr5k.

Scotland's publication on the Blue Badge (www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/03/28155511/1) also advises: "If in doubt at any time, you should check with the Local Authority." That's common sense that could keep anyone out of court.

LOS ANGELES TIMES

Answers to travelers' questions appear weekly in Travel and at startribune.com/escapeartists; send your question by e-mail to travel@startribune.com.

Upscale hotel rolls dice Operators of Las Vegas' newest upscale casino resort, the Cosmopolitan, are targeting an audience they describe as the "curious class."

"They're interested in seeing what's around the next corner," Cosmopolitan CEO John Unwin says.

Competition remains fierce amid the economic downturn, but the new hotel offers one rarity: About three-quarters of the rooms will have balconies. A quick review finds midweek rates of $160 to $215, and weekend rates of $210 to $315. (www.cosmopolitan lasvegas.com or 1-877-551-7772).

PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

TripAdvisor facing suit? If you are one of the millions of travelers who have used TripAdvisor.com to check out the reputation of a hotel, you know many of its anonymous customer reviews are highly critical.

Now, a British company, KwikChex, is gathering unhappy hotel owners and others and threatening to file class action suits in Britain and the United States for defamation and libel unless TripAdvisor changes its policies. Trip Advisor won't comment on "threatened or pending litigation," says spokeswoman Amalie Hurst.

DETROIT FREE PRESS

New grand art stage The Museum of Fine Arts Boston just opened an impressive $345 million, four-story wing to display the Art of the Americas. The ground floor kicks off the wing's chronology with an absorbing display of pre-Columbian objects from Mesoamerica. The second and third floors house the museum's well-known collections of Colonial, Revolutionary and 19th-century paintings, sculptures and decorative arts. The fourth floor is the only disappointment, with a dreadful selection of 20th-century art. (1-617-267-9300; www.mfa.org)

LOS ANGELES TIMES

Starwood offers online deals Starwood Hotels -- whose brands include Sheraton, Westin and St. Regis -- has a Cyber Monday sale Nov. 29-Dec. 3, with special rates on future travel at more than 60 properties in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. For example, the Westin Cancun has rooms from $99 per night vs. the usual $199. Several hotels have additional offers available only on Nov. 29. Sample: The St. Regis Aspen has rooms at $399 a night, regularly $749 (add $44 in taxes). All deals are for stays Jan. 1-April 30. Book only at starwoodhotels.com/cybermonday.

WASHINGTON POST

Science museum is hands-on A human-sized hamster wheel, a flying carpet, solar-powered model airplanes and a skeleton riding a bicycle are inspiring budding scientists in Poland. The exhibits are among hundreds in Warsaw's $131 million Copernicus Science Centre, whose opening this month featured a Peter Greenaway multimedia show, "Big Bang."

The science center breaks with Poland's communist-era tradition of objects kept out of reach behind glass. The building encourages laboratory-style interaction and demystifies the scientific principles behind everyday life. A planetarium and a rooftop garden will open next year at the center, which is part of a revitalization drive in Warsaw's riverside Powisle district. Named for the 16th-century astronomer, the center has English-language labeling that makes it accessible to international visitors.

BLOOMBERG NEWS

Up North holiday fun Join the holiday fun Saturday during Weihnachtsfest, an annual winter lighting festival, in Biwabik, Minn. After a children's musical at 11 a.m. at Covenant Church, stop by Main Street and the city's park pavilion for live music, lighted holiday displays, art and crafts and ethnic food. Horse-drawn carriage rides and a community sing-along will be held in Schuster Park, and the festival wraps up there with a tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m., followed by fireworks (1-218-865-6646, www.cityofbiwabik.com).

COLLEEN A. COLES