Heritage Open Days, literary pilgrimage sites, and Ar Waith Ar Daith: Travel agenda

Where to go and what to know

Canopy & Stars has put together a collection of Alpine chalets for the 2015/16 ski season

Peak season

Canopy & Stars has put together a collection of Alpine chalets for the 2015/16 ski season. The 10 Peaks propterties include a ski-in ski-out chalet at an altitude of 1,500m at Grand Bornand, and a rustic Farmhouse in Serre Chevalier. The site includes availability calendars and details on the resorts, ski schools and surrounding areas. canopyandstars.co.uk/peaks

Festive train

Virgin Trains and the Book Trust are searching for a new Christmas train design. Primary school-age children (five to 11) can send in their festive drawings – anything from Father Christmas to family scenes – for the chance to see their design on a Pendolino and an InterCity 225 this December. virginchristmastrain.co.uk

Isle go

In his new book, Treasured Island, Frank Barrett describes his journeys to the country's literary pilgrimage sites, from Dracula's Whitby and Virginia Woolf's lighthouse to the homes of writers such as Beatrix Potter and Agatha Christie. AA Publishing, £16.99

Wales of a time

A free outdoor celebration of Welsh myth and culture takes over Cardiff Bay on Saturday 12 September. Taking place outside the Wales Millennium Centre at 7.30pm, Ar Waith Ar Daith is a reimagination of The Birth of Taliesin, with a 700-strong cast, choral performances, dance and a flotilla of boats. arwaithardaith.com

Blue Chip Holidays is now offering a 'Blue Chip Experience' concierge service across all its UK selfcatering properties

Chip in

Blue Chip Holidays is now offering a "Blue Chip Experience" concierge service across all its UK self-catering properties. Guests can have a personal consultation with staff, who will put together a tailor-made break using local knowledge and operators, including activities such as jewellery-making workshops and llama trekking. bluechipholidays.co.uk

Open doors

Hundreds of England's most iconic buildings are throwing open their doors this weekend as part of Heritage Open Days. The National Theatre, Canterbury Cathedral and Birmingham Hippodrome are among the venues holding free events as part of the annual festival, which runs until tomorrow. heritageopendays.org.uk

On the case

Antler has launched its autumn/winter range of luggage. It includes Juno hard cases, which come in black, blue, red and yellow, and the Tundra collection of trolley bags, hold-alls and backpacks, all with padded straps. Prices start at £49. antler.co.uk

Fly to Antwerp

Birmingham gets a direct connection to the picturesque Belgian city of Antwerp for the first time this autumn, thanks to new flights with VLM Airlines. Launching on 5 October, the service departs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Antwerp can also be used as a gateway to Bruges or Ghent. flyvlm.com