Something To Declare: Hotel stays in Canada; Lima to Huancayo; Commonweath Games in Delhi; Japan

Bargain of the week: Hotel stays in Canada

The average night in a New York City hotel rose last week to an extraordinary $294 (£196), according to the hotel industry analysts, STR Global. The answer: go north of the border. The highest average in Canada – for Toronto – is exactly half as much, at C$157 (£98).

Vancouver (above) is now better value than Montreal; British Columbia's largest city averages C$148 (£92). But for the very lowest rates you need to aim for Canada's smallest province. Last week, according to STR, the typical visitor to Prince Edward Island paid a modest C$110 (£69). Accessible via Montreal or Halifax, PEI has a wide range of attractions packed into a small area.

Hotel rates in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick are also good value, at C$123 (£77) a night or less. And over the past year rates in Newfoundland, have fallen to C$139 (£87).

Destination of the week: The top of the world

Peru's great rail journey, from Lima to Huancayo, will run three more times this year. The 335km track includes 66 tunnels and 59 bridges. The 12-hour journey (averaging 28km/h) includes a stop at Galeras – 4,781m above sea level.

The Ferrovias Central railway was built between 1870 and 1908 to transport farm produce and ore from the Andes. Guerrilla violence halted passenger trains in 1992, but it is now operating as a tourist service.

There are departures on 8 and 29 October, and November 19.

A roundtrip ticket costs the equivalent of around £40. You can try buying one through reservas@fcca.com.pe, or via 00 511 226 6363, extension 222 or 235.

Sam Russell

Warning of the week: Commonweath Games in Delhi

"Hobbies that involve cameras and binoculars, such as bird-watching or plane-spotting, may be misunderstood particularly near military sites, government buildings, airports and railway stations," warns the Foreign Office in its advice for people attending the Commonwealth Games, which begin in Delhi tomorrow and run to 14 October.

Spectators will be banned from bringing a wide range of possessions into the venues, including "Bottles and cans, food, backpacks, briefcases and large handbags, perfume and video cameras".

Beware of touts who appear to have tickets to sell; seats for Commonwealth Games events mayonly be purchased online (tickets.cwgdelhi2010.org), by phone, or at designated retail outlets.

Tip of the week: Click into Japan

The latest film in The Independent Traveller's series of 48 Hours (independent.co.uk/tokyo) reveals the perfect weekend in Tokyo, with a side-trip to the attractive Hakone National Park. The film is accompanied by an online version of 48 Hours in Tokyo, as well as a radio programme – Something to Declare – featuring everything from food to etiquette in Japan.