Don't take the tablets
Taking aspirin to prevent DVT probably does more harm than good, says a report by the British Medical Association this week. Only effective in some cases, 17,000 passengers would have to take the drug in order to prevent just one case of DVT - while one person in 40 would develop symptoms of irritation and bleeding in the stomach, the report says. "Patients [are] advised against the use of aspirin just for the prevention of travel-related DVT," it adds.
A bridge too low
An ambitious new footbridge erected this week at Gatwick airport as part of a £100 million project - but not due to open until spring 2005 - is already out of date. The 32m high, 197m long covered bridge linking the new pier six with north terminal, spans a "live" taxiway, and will allow 747s to pass underneath it - but not the new Airbus A380s, which will have to be routed around it.
Head south by train
Eurostar's summer service to the historic Provencal town of Avignon starts on July 10. Trains leave from Waterloo and Ashford with return prices from £129; eurostar .com. The Avignon festival runs July 3-27.
Cruising for a bruising
A price war has broken out between cruise lines. Follow ing Carnival's reductions of up to 40% on next season's brochure prices (carnivalcruise.co.uk), Fred Olsen this week announced early booking discounts of up to 45% for summer 2005 (fredolsencruises.co.uk), while P&O is offering up to 50% off through cruisecontrolcruises.co.uk.
Greek bargains
Accommodation specialist Apartments Abroad (apartmentsabroad.com) is offering cut-price deals to Cyprus and the Greek islands to mark the launch of a new programme. The one-bedroom Pathos Gardens in Cyprus, for example, costs £7pp per night. The deals are available throughout June.
Kent gets ready to fly
Manston airport in Kent is undergoing a £3m refurbishment in preparation for the launch of flights by low-cost carrier EUjet, starting September 1. The airline will operate to 17 European destinations. Flights start at £7 (to Edinburgh and Amsterdam) one-way, excluding taxes. The airline also offers car hire from £9 a day.
Northern link
The first ever non-stop service from Scotland to Russia started this week. Transaero (transaero.com) flies Edinburgh-Moscow from £243 return.
