Something to declare: A late bath in Bath

The Column That Gives The Global Picture

Destination of the week: Expo.02

The Swiss National Exhibition is moving into top gear for peak season. It is taking place in four attractive lakeside towns in Western Switzerland – and aboard a floating space known as the Arteplage Mobile du Jura.

Each of the fixed locations explores an individual concept. The town known either as Biel or Bienne considers Power and Freedom; Murten-Morat contemplates the Moment and Eternity; Neuchatel dwells on Nature and Artifice; and Yverdon-les-Bains looks at the Universe and Me. The AMJ stages theatre, discussions and music as it drifts.

To reach the region, the obvious airport is Geneva, with flights from Gatwick, Luton and Liverpool on easyJet (0870 600 0000, www.easyJet.com); from Birmingham, Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester on British Airways (0845 77 333 77, www.ba.com); and from Heathrow and London City on the new airline of Switzerland, Swiss (0845 601 0956, www.swiss.com)

For more information visit www.expo.02.ch, or call (00 41 900 02 02 02). Expo.02 ends on 20 October.

Warning of the week: a late bath in Bath

The thermal waters in Bath were enjoyed by people for millennia until the baths were unceremoniously closed in 1978. A rejuvenated spa was originally due to open in 2000, but now it looks as if the public will have to remain unwashed until 2003 – a full quarter century after the closure. After a series of setbacks to this "Millennium Project", the earliest date being discussed is mid-December – but it seems unlikely that an opening will take place so close to Christmas, and the new year is a more realistic proposition. For more information on the £22m development, call 01225 22 1234 or visit www.bathspa.co.uk.

Mystery of the week: has Ciao Fly bid farewell?

Europe's newest airline was due to start flying this week, serving two destinations from Luton. Ciao Fly (0800 169 1687, www.ciaofly.com) has been offering flights to Parma in Italy; initially, some were advertised as going via Liege in Belgium; a week ago, this changed to Beauvais, north of Paris. But calls made to the UK number and its HQ in Switzerland failed to connect or went unanswered, and a test booking made on the website failed.

Bookings made direct with scheduled airlines do not normally offer consumer protection in the event that the company stops flying (or fails to start). Paying with a credit card can provide protection, but only for transactions valued at £100 or more.

Bargain of the week: Spain in style

Take a luxury train to Spain – and you could save cash as well. The Elipsos Train Hotel departs each night from Paris, allowing passengers to sleep all the way to Barcelona or Madrid. Rail Europe (08705 848 848, www.raileurope.co.uk) is selling discounted tickets, including a Eurostar connection from London Waterloo to Paris, to either city. If you book a month ahead, and stay over a Saturday night, the price to Barcelona is £203 return, and £4 more to Madrid. These are for second-class travel, which means a four-berth compartment. First class provides a double sleeper, with shower and toilet. This costs £375 to Madrid, and £348 to Barcelona. All tickets allow a 24-hour stop in Paris.