WORLD DEPARTURES

Take skirts with elasticated waistbands" was one of the top tips at last summer's Female Eye event in London. Lyn Hughes of Wanderlust magazine provided this advice for dealing with the weight changes that are inevitable when travelling in the developing world; she will be one of the speakers at this year's event, to be held on 1 June at the Commonwealth Institute in west London.

"The aim is to inform and inspire on all aspects of travelling as a woman" says the organiser, Lyn Baker. Tickets (pounds 20) should be booked in advance on 01628 62528.

The vast archipelago that comprises Indonesia stretches 3,000 miles from one end to the other. So the Visit Indonesia Pass offered by the national airline Garuda Indonesia (0171-486 3011) is well worth considering. For three flight sectors you pay $300 (pounds 200), for five $500 (pounds 333); additional legs are $110 (pounds 70) each. The airpass covers Sumatra, Java, Indonesian Borneo, Bali, Sulawesi, the Moluccas and Irian Jaya. You need evidence of residence abroad to buy the ticket.

From the end of this month, American Airlines will ban smoking on transatlantic flights. All 133 UK to US services become non-smoking, as do connecting flights to the Caribbean.

This week Air Jamaica is due to begin services from the UK to the Caribbean after a gap of 11 years. The airline (0181-570 7999) will initially offer three flights per week from Heathrow to both Kingston and Montego Bay.