Travel briefs

HOBOKEN, N.J. -- They include the last of their kind, unique landmarks, places threatened by rising or falling seas or development, and homes for species or phenomena that might not last forever. These are some of the things you'll find in Frommer's 500 Places to See Before They Disappear (Wiley's, $19.99).

The book features natural and historic sites, from ancient places of worship, to disappearing landscapes, to one-of-a-kind cultural treasures like Boston's Fenway Park, one of America's last original ballparks.

The list includes Fraser Island, Australia, made entirely of sand and threatened by rising sea levels; the Grove of Osun-Osogbo, a sacred primeval forest in Nigeria and UNESCO heritage site; the Dead Sea in Israel, where water levels have been dropping; and the chestnut tree that Anne Frank gazed upon while hiding from the Nazis in Amsterdam. The tree has a fungal disease but work has been undertaken to preserve it.

WASHINGTON -- A few venues have lowered ticket prices in response to the economy.

Madame Tussauds Washington D.C., which showcases lifelike wax figures of celebrities, has reduced its admission price twice since April, and in Manhattan, the Sports Museum of America announced price reductions, too.

Even pro sports teams are trying to keep their cheap seats affordable. The Washington Nationals lowered some of their season ticket prices for next season. The Oakland A's are doubling the number of $2 seats for Wednesday games next season -- and throwing in $1 hot dogs for the whole stadium. The San Francisco Giants indicated they might have reductions, too.

Even at Boston's Fenway Park, which has been sold out for every game since May 15, 2003, the Red Sox have been able to freeze ticket prices in some sections by adding premium seating areas or giving those customers more add-ons.