Travel agenda
From CBeebies Land and The Shard to the Indian Himalayas and Brasilia
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.Art house
The Quin re-opens on the south side of New York's Central Park on Monday. A block away from the shops of Fifth Avenue, it first opened at the height of the Arts and Crafts movement, when it acted as a home to visiting artists such as Marc Chagall and Georgia O'Keeffe. After a year-long renovation, it now reveals 208 rooms, a spa and seafood restaurant (thequinhotel.com).
Palatial pad
Water Meadow Cottage is a new two-bedroom rental property which offers you the chance to share the grounds of Blenheim Palace with the 11th Duke of Marlborough. The 18th-century hunting lodge costs from £325 per night (watermeadowcottage.co.uk).
Tiny Towers
CBeebies Land will be the newest attraction at Alton Towers when it opens next spring, with rides, play areas and characters such as Bob the Builder and the Teletubbies (altontowers.com).
Just the ticket
From 31 March, Air France will launch three flights a week from Paris to Brasilia, with connections from a range of UK airports (airfrance.co.uk).
Wave hello
Surf and Soul, the new surfing hotel which opened this month in the South Indian state of Kerala, has announced it will host a pop-up retreat on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka next February. A week's stay with villa accommodation, lessons and all-inclusive meals costs £650pp, flights extra (bit.ly/SLwaves).
Happy snappers
Fujifilm has two stylish new bags for its X-Series cameras. Designed for the road, they come with pockets for passports, boarding passes, phones and laptops; £99-£199 (johnlewis.com).
On your hike
Exodus has a range of new trekking holidays that include guided itineraries in the Indian Himalayas, volcano hikes in Iceland and two-footed adventures in Brazil. Shorter options include the five-night "Jordan Walking Weekend", which traces the shores of the Dead Sea and the sands of the Wadi Rum desert from £999pp with flights (exodus.co.uk).
1,016
The height, in feet, of The Shard. From Monday to 3 November, the observation deck has a half-term offer which entitles two children per paying adult to visit for free (theviewfromtheshard.com).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments