Fast track

France's answer to the bullet train, the lightning-fast TGV, made its South Korean debut on Wednesday. The Korea Train Express, which uses the same locomotives that tear through France at nearly 200mph, now connects the South Korean capital, Seoul, with Busan in almost half the time of conventional rail. The new KTX cuts the current four-and-a-half hour journey to a mere two hours, 40 minutes. And with Korail's recent extension of its Korean rail pass to EU tourists (which must be bought before you leave), the so-called 'Land of Morning Calm' might begin to tempt more UK tourists looking for a cheaper east Asian alternative to Japan.

STA Travel (0870 160 6070, statravel.co.uk) is about to announce prices for its Korean rail passes. For example, three-day pass: standard £42 (student £34); one week £79 (£63).

Wild at heart
Had enough of staying in hotels? Bored of B&Bs? How about trying a Tipi? Tipi West, overlooking Cardigan Bay in Wales, gives guests a chance to get back to nature. Walk out of your tipi onto a path that leads down to the beach, cook on an open fire, dine under the stars and go to sleep to the sound of the breaking waves.

£15 per adult per night; tipiwest.co.uk