City on March, rain-driven adverts and real-time translation

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This week we have lots of interesting and technologically exciting travel news to share. Dubai has opened a new astronomical science centre, part of a vision to build a city on Mars. Apollo has launched a mobile ad campaign that only appears when it rains. And, as if that wasn't enough, Google has developed a pair of wireless headphones that translate between 40 different languages in real time as you speak.

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New guides for accessible holidays

The Swedish booking service Handiscoverwhich provides holiday accommodation for people with disabilities, is launching new guides to accessible accommodation this autumn. The latest guides provide tips on the Canary Islands and Croatia, including beaches with wheelchair ramps and accessible excursions, such as an underwater excursion for people with disabilities off Lanzarote.

Trendy Christmas destinations

During the Christmas holidays, many Swedes take the opportunity to seek warmth in more distant destinations. Thailand has long been a favourite, but recent booking statistics from Ticket Privatresor show that Swedes are also beginning to discover other destinations. This year's newcomers are Sri Lanka, Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and Costa Rica.

Dubai wants to build a city on Mars

A brand new astronomical science centre recently opened in Dubai: the Al Thuraya Astronomy Centre. This UFO-shaped centre allows visitors to see distant galaxies up close through a giant telescope with a lens measuring one metre in diameter.

There is also a small telescope that can be connected to a smartphone to take pictures of planets in our own solar system. The centre is part of Dubai's 100-year vision to build a city on Mars by 2117.

Rain-driven ad campaign

Apollo's new mobile ad campaign is now up and running, according to TravelNews.se. But don't expect to see it if the sun is shining. The campaign only runs when it rains. Apollo is the first in Sweden with this type of rain-controlled advertising, which is now being shown in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö.

The weather forecast is checked in real time via GPS positioning and the films are only shown when the forecast shows precipitation of 0.1 millimetres of rain or more. The reason, according to Apollo, is that more trips are booked in bad weather.

Headphones translate languages in real time

Google has developed a pair of wireless headphones that translate into 40 languages in real time, reports Dagens Analys. For example, if you're travelling to Paris and want to talk to some locals, just plug in the headphones and chat away.

Well, if it's going to be a dialogue and not just one-sided, both parties need to wear the headphones. Google actually used English and Swedish on stage to showcase the headphones, as Swedish designer Isabelle is behind the design. The headphones cost $159 and will be released in November.

Did you miss the last travel news? Read the Hottest weekend trips and best theme parks

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