Chain link
Next Wednesday sees the official opening of the first 5,000 miles of the National Cycle Network. Rides from the UK's four capitals will converge in Birmingham. The aim is to have 10,000 miles of routes by 2005.

Branson's palace
Virgin, which last week launched the first scheduled non-stop flights between London and Las Vegas, is negotiating to build a hotel on the edge of the gambling town's airport, only a block away from the strip. Planes from London would be able to park directly beside the hotel, and passengers would step out into it without time-consuming transfers.

Eastern appeal
The Caribbean has lost out to the Far East recently in the list of most popular long-haul destinations, according to American Express offices in the UK. St Lucia has lost its top 10 placing to Thailand. The list (with last year's placing in brackets):

1 California (2)

2 New York (3)

3 Florida (4)

4 Australia (1)

5 Thailand (-)

6 Barbados (5)

7 Canada (7)

8 Hong Kong (9)

9 South Africa (10)

10 Singapore (7).

Veggie Paris
A pocket guide to meat-free Paris has been published by Travelscene (0870 777 4445) listing bistros, museum and gallery cafés and shops where the vegetarian can be happy.

Tourist billions
Britain's tourism industry is now worth £63 billion a year, according to latest figures from the British Tourist Authority. There were 25.7 million foreign visitors to the country last year who spent £12.6bn, with £3bn going to UK carriers. UK residents spent more than £14bn on staying visits within their own country. Day-visit spending in the UK added £31bn. The authority claims that Britain is fifth in the international tourism league, behind the US, Italy, Spain and France.

Pets abroad
It had to happen. Now that pets can travel to Europe, the AA has introduced Five Star Pet Travel Insurance. The cost is £9 for eight days or £15 for more than three weeks. Details: 0800 444 500.

Cats at home
If you don't trust the neighbours to feed the cat when you are away, Cat Calls will do it for you if you live in south London. They can also put you in touch with other cat-sitters in other parts of London and beyond. Details on 020-8761 7907, www.catcalls.co.uk