Chris Hadfield in the Arctic, Isles of Scilly ferries, and new Colombia tours: Travel agenda

Where to go and what to know

Astronaut Colonel Chris Hadfield will be exploring by ice breaker (Getty)

Star turn

Canadian astronaut Colonel Chris Hadfield will join a group trip with Exodus in August, exploring Greenland and the Canadian Arctic by ice breaker. The 18-day expedition departs 22 August and currently costs £9,900pp for bookings made before 15 April.

bit.ly/ExodusArctic

Scilly season

After the winter break, ferry services begin on Monday 14 March between Penzance and St Mary's in the Isles of Scilly. Scillonian III will make one return voyage a day on most days up to 6 November. A day-trip to the islands from Penzance costs £39.50.

bit.ly/Scillink

Catching Krabi

In time for Christmas, the Thai resort of Krabi will be accessible without a change of plane in Bangkok. From 6 December, Qatar Airways will make the seven-hour flight from its hub in Doha four times weekly, with connections from Heathrow, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh.

qatarairways.com

Falls rise

Access to Zimbabwe's prime tourist spot, Victoria Falls, becomes easier from 25 March when Fastjet Zimbabwe starts flying from Johannesburg, in competition against Comair. The 100-minute flight to and from South Africa's main aviation hub will initially operate on Fridays and Sundays. Fastjet is Africa's leading budget airline.

fastjet.com

Colombia: Increasingly popular

Latin lessons

Capitalising on Colombia's growing popularity among holidaymakers, new tour operator Amakuna offers specialised itineraries and tailor-made trips across the country, including to the multi-coloured river Caño Cristales, plus horse rides in coffee country and pink dolphin spotting in the Amazon.

amakuna.com

Lisbon lux

AlmaLusa Baixa/Chiado is a new boutique addition to Lisbon's hotel scene. Opening on 17 March, the 28 rooms and suites are all individually designed in a modern “Portuguese aristocratic style”, while the restaurant, Delfina, specialises in regional cuisine.

almalusahotels.com

Stop and go

Explore Singapore for £1 this spring. Singapore Airlines' offer is for passengers transiting in the city-state from Heathrow or Manchester to any of its 60 destinations between 1 April and 30 June and includes a night's accommodation, transfers and entry to 15 attractions. Book by 30 April.

singaporeair.com/ssh

Tag team

My Buddy Tag is a waterproof wrist band for children that allows parents to monitor their whereabouts on mobile devices via Bluetooth technology. It features a panic button that can be pressed if a child feels fearful and an alert if the band is submerged in water for a long period of time, or if the child goes out of range. Price: £39.99.

buddytag.co.uk