Welcome to the Flyer. This week:
As America holds its midterm elections, we visit the personal presidential libraries that give a real insight into the country's past leaders; Anna Pickard boards the great silver trains on a "soul calming" 66,511-mile, 17-state journey across America's heartland; plus Kevin Rushby goes wolf watching in Yellowstone National Park.
On Been there we're looking for cities that come alive during winter, and join our Flickr Friday readers' photography club. Plus win a hotel stay in our fiendishly difficult Viewfinder competition and find the latest news and comment, holiday offers and more.
THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS
Amtrak adventures: 15 days and 6,511 miles across America's heartland
All the presidents' libraries: a unique insight into past US leaders as the midterms take place
Audio slideshow: Walking with wolves in Yellowstone National Park
The big London quiz: Test your knowledge of the capital
Video: A green light for Thailand's tourism
On the trail of the real Dracula in Romania
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Fly to Romania from £16.54 one way
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THIS WEEK'S NEWS AND COMMENT
Ryanair fares to rise almost 10%
Mövenpick's West Bank hotel is testament to political stability
Legoland visitors freed from rides in power cut
Ferrari World opens in Abu Dhabi
Maldives hotel apologises over marriage blessing abuse
Passengers warned over imminent rise in flight tax
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Enjoy the quiet side of the mountain
Do you dream of quiet days skiing in pristine snow before returning to your hotel to relax in front of a roaring fire? Are you planning your first winter holiday or looking for something a little bit special this time around? If so, Inntravel offers fantastic skiing (both cross-country and downhill) as it's meant to be – away from the crowds, fun and carefree. High-quality, family-run hotels offer delicious local cuisine and a host of other activities on the "quiet side of the mountain". Choose from winter walking, snowshoeing, dog-sledding or sleigh rides. Call Inntravel on 01653 617042 or visit inntravel.co.uk/ski
ON BEEN THERE
Win a camera: winter cities
Send in your top tips on cities which come alive during winter. A Sony digital camera is at stake.
Photo club: Flickr Friday
Dave Scattergood talks us through the inspiration behind his favourite travel shot and the Been there Flickr group gets creative
TRAVEL BLOG
Ask Tom
This month's lively online clinic with Tom Hall tackled questions ranging from avoiding the crowds and rains in Indonesia, West Africa overland, and planning an Argentine adventure
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Round The World Experts – the UK's biggest round the world specialist – can continue the scare across the globe. On your round the world adventure why not visit New Orleans which has more ghosts than anywhere else in the US, Aokigahara Forest in Japan, which is reportedly populated by ghouls and monsters and check out Sydney's Rockwood necropolis, resting place of more than 1 million people?
The world is your haunted house with Round The world Experts, with flights round the world from £778 and the Travel Butler to act as a free "spirit guide" while you travel. Check out their website, roundtheworldexperts.co.uk, or call and talk to an expert on 0844 499 9315
LATE OFFERS
Save £190pp on a week's Christmas ski holiday in Alpe D'Huez, France
Pay £599pp (was £789) for a week's stay at the Chalet Hotel L'Escapade, which overlooks the pistes. Departing 19 Dec the price includes seven nights' catered chalet accommodation (daily breakfast and a five-course evening meal six days a week), flights from Gatwick and transfers. skieuropeonline.co.uk, +44 (0)1350 728 869
White truffle break in Italy, from £451pp
Save £122pp on this two-night autumn spa weekend in Tuscany during the La Sagra del Tartufo Bianco white truffle festival which is celebrated with music, marching bands and food. Departs 26 Nov and includes two-nights at the four-star spa hotel Bagni di Pisa in San Giuliano Terme on a B&B basis, return flights from Gatwick to Pisa and car-hire. Based on two sharing. sardatur-holidays.co.uk, +44 (0)208 940 8399
Save £400 on a week's stay at Lee Bay, North Devon
The Mill House now costs £875 for a week's stay starting 13 or 20 Nov and sleeps 10. This 16th-century listed property on the water's edge has an inglenook fireplace, woodburning stove, boathouse and the drawbridge over the mill race. wmarsdens.co.uk, +44 (0)1271 813 777
Seven nights for the price of three in Egypt, from £945pp
Save up to £200pp on this offer for a stay in a deluxe suite at Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh on the Red Sea. Valid from 8 Jan-15 Feb and includes breakfast, flights and transfers (based on two sharing). itcclassics.co.uk, +44 (0)1244 355 527
GUARDIAN COTTAGES AND VILLAS
Guardian Cottages and Villas service
Search 10,000 UK cottages and 5,000 villas and gites across Europe
COMING UP
On the way on theguardian.com
Coming up: Britain's best budget eats goes to Leicester for Indian cuisine over Diwali; audio slideshow: an Arctic adventure in Spitsbergen; plus Tom Hall's weekly travel cinic
DID YOU MISS ...
In Saturday's Travel Guardian
My travels with travel writer Gavin Francis in Iceland; star gazing in Nova Scotia, Canada; Halloween capers in New York; plus Sally Shalam reviews Jamaica Inn in Cornwall
GUARDIAN HOLIDAY OFFERS
Guardian holiday offers
Our site brings you the best holidays available from our hand-picked suppliers. We use specialist companies that we trust to look after our readers
Half-price Paris Eurostar breaks - from £139 for three nights
