Trains link Boston, Brunswick
Travel between Boston and Freeport, Maine, just got easier thanks to expanded service aboard the Amtrak Downeaster. The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, which manages the Amtrak Downeaster, added two additional round trips between Brunswick and Boston and one additional round trip on weekends. New departures from Boston leave at 11:25 p.m. northbound on weekdays and weekends whenever Boston holds a major concert or game, and the 9:05 a.m. northbound train now extends to Brunswick daily. New departures from Brunswick heading southbound leave at 4:30 a.m. on weekdays (great for commuters) and 6 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on weekends. One-way fares range from $6 to $30; roundtrip fares $12 to $60. 800-872-7245, www.amtrakdowneaster.com.
Try out telemark skiing in Vt.
Bring your whole family to Bromley Mountain for a weekend of free-heel fun and clinics for skiers of all ages. The 34th annual Kare Andersen Telemark Festival runs Feb. 23 and 24 and features instruction for beginner to expert skiers. A classic-style, sanctioned race on Feb. 24 includes two runs on a course with 20 gates, a small drop jump, and a 360-degree banked turn. The event celebrates Andersen, a Norwegian who emigrated to Connecticut in the 1950s and taught telemark skiing at Bromley until he was in his 90s. Tickets $45 race only; $45 per clinic; $76 (under 18) to $87 for lift ticket and two clinics, or lift ticket, one clinic, and Sunday race registration; $141 (under 18) to $164 for lift tickets Feb. 23 and 24, three clinics, and race registration. 802-824-5522, www.bromley.com/winter/telefest.
rules for visiting Machu Picchu
The world’s most popular destinations risk being overloved, at times, which is why the Peruvian government has established a new system for regulating visitors at Machu Picchu. To visit this famous 15th-century Inca site, you must now book tickets for a specific time — every hour from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. — for a visit that cannot last longer than four hours. Reentry will no longer be allowed. Additionally, visitors to Machu Picchu, the National Park of Huascarán, and 74 other protected areas across the country can no longer enter with single-use plastic containers due to new legislation approved by Peru’s Ministry of the Environment.www.machupicchu.gob.pe
good laughs in Jamestown, N.Y.
Learn about your favorite comedians at a new state-of-the-art museum in Jamestown, N.Y. — Lucille Ball’s hometown. The National Comedy Center chronicles the history of comedy in America, offering more than 50 interactive exhibits. See performances in the Hologram Theater, perform a stand-up routine in the Comedy Karaoke Lounge, and record a classic “Saturday Night Live’’ skit. The center looks at the careers and work of America’s top comedians, from Charlie Chaplin to Amy Schumer, and includes comedy clips, memorabilia, and famous props such as Harpo Marx’s trench coat and Jerry Seinfeld’s puffy shirt. As a visitor, you wear an RFID wristband programmed with your favorite comedians and comedic styles — this helps personalize your museum experience. While in town, visit the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum, which houses rare memorabilia from “I Love Lucy,’’ including props, costumes, and replica studio sets, and don’t miss this year’s Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, Aug. 7-11. 716-484-2222, comedycenter.org
Boost audio with this mini device
Listening to your favorite tunes or movies on your mobile device can be tricky with the drone of airplane engines, voices, or other intrusive background noise. AudioQuest’s latest digital to analog converter (DAC) and headphone amplifier, the DragonFly Red, provides significantly better sound than your laptop or smartphone’s DAC can produce (those simply aren’t designed to create amazing high-fidelity sound). It also offers more powerful headphone output, boosting volume, richness, and detail. Plug the thumb-drive-size DragonFly into your computer’s USB port or into your Android or Apple device using the compatible DragonTail adapters (USB-A, USB-C, or micro USB) and listen to anything from MP3s to 24-bit/96kHz high-resolution files. The DragonFly Red’s more advanced DAC chip and 2.1-volt output enable it to handle demanding headphones. $199 DragonFly Red; $19.95 per adapter, www.audioquest.co.
Carriers that keep camera gear safe
Protect your photo equipment from dust, snow, and rain with Matador’s new base layers — essentially high-tech puffy jackets for your camera gear. The Camera Base Layer and Lens Base Layer have a synthetic down filling and a durable shell that cushion your equipment and help shield it from the elements. The Lens Base Layer has a waterproof inner liner that prevents moisture from seeping through, while the Camera Base Layer has a built-in rain cover that unfolds from a small external pocket and slips over the padded camera. Each carrier has a roll-top closure with a buckle on top, allowing you to adjust for different size cameras or lenses. The 3-ounce camera case can hold a DSLR and lens up to 7 inches long total, while the 1.5-ounce lens holder can accommodate a lens up to 6 inches long. $39.99 lens layer, $59.99 camera layer. 720-242-6437, matadorup.com
KARI BODNARCHUK
