Christmas at Kew, Egypt advice, and the contactless Palma Pass: Travel agenda
Where to go and what to know
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.1. Aman in Japan
Amanresorts opens its 27th hotel next month. Occupying the top six floors of Tokyo's new Otemachi Tower in the financial district, it will also have the city's biggest hotel spa and a 30m swimming pool with dazzling views from its lofty perch. Doubles from Y90,950 (£490) room only.
2. Palma Pass
Palma de Mallorca has joined the growing bunch of cities offering a tourism card. The contactless Palma Pass costs €34 for 48 hours or €41 for 72 hours, and gives free admission to the cathedral, the Joan Miró Foundation and more than 30 other attractions. It also provides a round-trip from the airport by bus, and 10 city journeys.
3. Festive express
National Express is the only long-distance land transport running in Britain on 25 December, and this year it has almost doubled scheduled services linking Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff, Leeds, Liverpool, London and Manchester. It will also run extra buses between central London and Gatwick and Heathrow airports.
4. Philly buster
British Airways gets new competition on the Heathrow-Philadelphia link from 8 April, when Delta starts a daily service to the "city of brotherly love". The Delta flights on narrow-bodied 757s are slightly slower than BA's wide-bodied departures, but fares are likely to be lower.
5. Kew here
"Christmas at Kew" begins this week at the Royal Botanic Gardens in south-west London. Until 3 January, you can explore a night-time trail (5-10pm) that includes a "garden of fire" and plant-themed light installations. Admission for a family of four costs £45; buy timed tickets in advance.
6. Egypt advice
The entire Nile Valley of Egypt is now regarded as safe by the Foreign Office, which this week withdrew its advice against all but essential travel to the governorates of Beni Suef, Minya, Asyut and Sohag. However, the FCO says: "We believe that terrorists continue to plan attacks in Egypt." North Sinai remains off-limits.
7. Gulf course
Abu Dhabi is to become a base for Celebrity Cruises for the first time in 2016, when Constellation is deployed in the Gulf city for six winter voyages. Destinations include Dubai, Oman and India (Mumbai, Cochin and Goa), with a final departure on 11 January – a repositioning cruise to Singapore.
8. More Malay
The competition between London and Kuala Lumpur is set to increase further. Air Asia boss Tony Fernandes has tweeted: "The reopening of KL-London is definitely on the cards. Will be discussion with Boris Johnson next week." His airline dropped its service from Gatwick in 2012.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments