The man who pays his way

Now... On 27 December, P&O has an 11-night Atlantic Islands cruise abroad the Azura for £999pp.The round-trip from Southampton calls at Vigo, Spain and Madeira for New Year's Eve before sailing to Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Inside cabin and meals included. Pocruises.com

Less than £200... The price of £199pp gets you three nights in the Portuguese capital Lisbon. The deal with British Airways Holidays is valid for departures between 11 and 31 January. It includes flights from Heathrow and accommodation at the Turim Alameda Hotel, but not breakfast. Ba.com

Virgin Atlantic has agreed to set up a transatlantic joint venture with Delta after the United States carrier bought a 49 per cent stake in Sir Richard Branson's airline for $360m (£224m).

Delta Air Lines buys the holding of Singapore Airlines but Virgin retains the brand name and operating certificate

Capacity problems at airports was already leading to increased fare prices, says CAA chief

Change might be slow here, but it means that cultural traditions thrive, says Mike Unwin

Tourists in 2013 will be able to experience Red China without being entangled in red tape

Swiss bliss

Simon Veness guides you around Florida’s major parks and shows

The Florida Keys were a favourite of Hemingway – and they still enchant.

Beltane Ranch, Sonoma, California

Set in the heart of the Sonoma Valley north of San Francisco, the Beltane Ranch is a family-run working farm producing wine, grass-fed beef and olive oil. Built in 1892, the romantic verandah-wrapped shingle house is one of the area's most charming places to stay. There are five airy guestrooms decorated with antiques and heirlooms and a cottage looking out over gardens of organic vegetables, flowers and orchards. The property, which grows chardonnay, zinfandel, syrah and cabernet sauvignon grapes, produced its first vintage in 2009. It's also well placed for exploring the wineries of the 17-mile long Valley of the Moon.

The US territories offer a different perspective, says Chris Leadbeater

New routes to Russia, Korea and China helped Gatwick airport fly almost 20 million passengers in the six months to October, sending underlying earnings up 4.8% to £172 million.