Something To Declare: fly to Copenhagen; tip top in Philadelphia; your own private hostel

Bargain of the week: fly to Copenhagen while stocks last

Britain's biggest no-frills airline, easyJet (0871 750 0100; www.easyJet.com), is having a row with the airport authorities in Copenhagen about landing charges. As a result, five weeks from today the airline is ending flights from Bristol and Newcastle to the Danish capital. As with any route nearing the end of its life, bookings are dwindling and consequently fares are dropping. For travel in the first weekend in December, flying out on Thursday 2 December and back on Monday 6 December, the return fare from Bristol is £68 and from Newcastle £78. But from Stansted, from where flights will continue, fares are going even lower - and if you are flexible about your departure time, run as low as £48 return. This is less than half the lowest fare when the route was first flown (by Go, later swallowed by easyJet) in 1998.

The pleasure garden at the heart of Copenhagen re-opens next Friday for the Christmas season. The Tivoli Gardens (00 45 33 15 10 01; www.tivoli.dk) will open 11am-11pm daily until 23 December, admission Dkr65 (£6).

Warning of the week: tip top in Philadelphia

A new study of tipping levels in the US shows that waiters' and waitresses' expectations are rapidly moving towards the 20 per cent level. The most generous restaurant patrons are in the city of Philadelphia (below), where the average tip is currently 19 per cent. The website www.tipping.org recommends a tip of 15 per cent of the bill - but this increases to 20 per cent in more up-market establishments. It also suggests that the appropriate tip for the supermarket staff who bag-up your purchases is $1 or more per bag.

Destination of the week: your own private hostel

In winter, families or friends can hire one of 109 youth hostels in locations throughout England and Wales. Most are "simple" hostels with what is termed "background" central heating. At Marloes Sands in Pembrokeshire, for example, you can book the whole 10-bed hostel for £220 for two nights - just £11 per person per night, if you fill it - and enjoy the excellent sea views. To make a booking, or for a rent-a-hostel brochure, call 01629 592708.