Flood alert
Frantic work is going on in the Aosta Valley region of northern Italy, where a state of emergency was declared following the floods earlier this month. The local tourism minister, Claudio Lavoyer, said the priority was to restore normal transport services and guarantee that the forthcoming winter season will not be affected. The area includes the resorts of Courmayeur and Cervinia.
A real buzz
A new theme park has opened in France, devoted to the life of insects. Micropolis is in Saint-Léon-en Lévezou, near Rodez in the Aveyron region in southern France. The town is the home of the famous French entomologist Jean-Henri Fabre. Adults Ffr53, children Ffr37. Tel: 00 33 565585050 (www.micropolis-cite-des-insectes.tm.fr).
Welcome change
Change for Good, the donation of foreign currency on board British Airways' flights, has raised in excess of £10m for Unicef projects worldwide since it started in April 1994, it was announced this week. The average donation is £1.80.
Hot spots
An estimated 3m people are set to go abroad for some winter sunshine this year. Thomas Cook predicts that the top 10 places will be: 1, Canary Islands; 2, United States; 3, Spain; 4, Caribbean; 5, Cyprus; 6, Indian Ocean; ==7, Portugal/Balearic Islands; 9, Far East; =10 Tunisia/Morocco.
National treasure
A guide for visitors to Hadrian's Wall during the winter has been produced. The guide, covering the period until May 26, will be available from all Tourist Information Centres and National Park Visitor Centres in the area, or call Hadrian's Wall Information line 01434 322002.
Sleep easy
A new edition of Bed and Breakfast for Garden Lovers, listing 103 B&Bs has been published. To obtain it send six loose first-class stamps to BBGL, Handywater Farm, Sibford Gower, Banbury, Oxfordshire OX15 5AE (www.bbgl.co.uk).
Lost and found
Atlantic, the suitcase manufacturer, has teamed up with the Yellowtag lost-property retrieval service to offer a free yellowtag.com individual e-mail address with every piece of luggage sold in November and December. Information on Atlantic stockists in the UK, 01462 832000.
