Staycation breaks, Persepolis, and how to win a ski holiday: Travel agenda
Where to go and what to know
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Ramblers Worldwide Holidays has introduced new itineraries for 2016, including a walk along the Settle to Carlisle Railway, which celebrates 150 years this year. The four-night break includes walks through the Yorkshire Dales and the Cumbrian countryside. From £355pp, half-board. ramblersholidays.co.uk
Summer sun
British Airways has added several new European destinations for summer 2016. From late April/early May, the airline will fly twice-weekly to Biarritz in France, four times a week to Mahon in Menorca, and twice a week to Palermo in Sicily. ba.com
Seasonal cheer
The Oban Winter Festival lights up western Scotland from 20 to 29 November. Events include a haggis competition between seven Argyll butchers at Oban Distillery, in which visitors can sample whisky and haggis, as well as a reindeer parade, street markets and live music. obanwinterfestival.com
Iran away
Cox & Kings has reintroduced Iran to its Middle East collection for the first time since 2011, following recently improved FCO advice. The 10-night group tour starts at £1,995pp and includes the former Persian capital of Persepolis, Tehran, and Unesco-listed Golestan Palace. There are 10 departures in 2016, with the first on 3 March. coxandkings.co.uk
La vie en Rose
Villa Rose, a new boutique hotel in Samoëns, in the French Alps, has opened ahead of the ski season. It can be booked either as individual hotel rooms or rented out as a six-bedroom villa. The renovated property has an in-house ski adviser to arrange passes and ski hire, as well as a private chef. villarosesamoens.com
Stay the night
Staycation Holidays is a new website offering self-catering homes and cottages across the UK. The collection includes properties in regions including Cornwall and the Cotswolds, and will expand to include international locations next year. staycationholidays.co.uk
Snow how
New student snow sports website Line-S and the Ski Club of Great Britain are offering university students the chance to win a ski holiday to Rise Festival in Les Deux Alpes by writing a 500-word “How to” guide for those interested in snow sports. Five finalists will see their work put to a public vote. line-s.co.uk
On the rails
On Monday, a new rail link opens in Oxfordshire. It connects the Chiltern Railway main line from London Marylebone with Bicester Village and a brand new station, Oxford Parkway, at Kidlington to the north of the city. It is the first new rail link between London and a British city for a century. chilternrailways.co.uk
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