Short and sweet
The number of short breaks abroad taken by Britons has increased by 75% over the past five years, and an NOP survey for American Express reveals that nearly 10 million will take a short-break in the next 12 months. Nearly a third of single men and women, but only 17% of married people, intend to jet off for a weekend in the coming year.
City slicker
A flight to Bordeaux via Clermont-Ferrand is the latest route available from London City Airport. The service, three time a week, from Air France subsidiary Regional Airlines starts on September 11 from £155.75 return. Reservations 0800 834163 or 0845 0845111
Take no prisoners
Hotel Portmeirion, which comprises most of the Italianate Welsh village, has been awarded five stars by the Wales Tourist Board. Prices start at £110 for a double or twin in the village. 01766 770000
Solar powered
The solar eclipse over Zambia on June 21 next year has led to unprecedented demand for holidays from Britons wishing to see the four minutes of darkness (twice as long as the UK event). Sunvil Discovery Africa has added extra trips, starting at £2,541 for a 10-day safari. 020-8232 9777.
Record numbers
The number of passengers travelling through Luton Airport reached 629,631, an all-time record and 17% up on last year.
Main attractions
Eight attractions which get fewer than 100,000 visitors a year are finalists in England's Visitor Attraction of the Year. They are: The South Lakes Wild Animal Park, Cumbria (01229 466086), Eltham Palace and Gardens, London (020-8294 2548), Manor House Museum, Bury St Edmunds (01284 757072), Flamingo Park Waterfowl and Water Gardens, the Isle of Wight (01983 612153), The World of James Herriot, Thirsk (01845 524234), Farming World, Boughton, Faversham (01227 751144), Nature's World, Acklam (01642 594895) and Rand Farm Park, Lincoln (01673 858904).
Cape crusader
Virgin Atlantic is to introduce a second weekly service between London and Cape Town from October 29, using the Airbus A340 already used on the flight that leaves London Heathrow on Fridays at 5.05pm. The new Sunday service leaves Heathrow at 5pm, arriving in Cape Town the following day at 6am. Virgin Atlantic: 01293 747747.
