Something To Declare: Spain; repellent myths; Moscow

Destination of the week: The train in Spain

From next month, travelling by rail between three of northern Spain's finest cities should be much easier. A new express is to connect Barcelona, Zaragoza and Bilbao. Only the section from Barcelona to Zaragoza is on a dedicated high-speed track, but the overall journey time between Barcelona and Bilbao, the largest cities in Catalonia and the Basque country respectively, will be much reduced from the present direct train, which takes more than nine hours.

According to the new Thomas Cook European Rail Timetable, the new service is due to begin on 20 October. You can book at www.renfe.es or through specialist operators such as Trainseurope (0871 700 7722; www.trainseurope.co.uk).

The timetable also notes that, from the start of the new winter schedules on 14 December, easier connections will be available from Lille to Barcelona. "Unfortunately, the departure time is too early to benefit passengers from London," says the timetable's editor, Brendan Fox.

Warning of the week: Repellent myths

The October edition of Wanderlust magazine warns that travellers' lore on how to avoid mosquitoes and malaria can be dangerously flawed.

Some backpackers perpetrate the belief that Marmite keeps away mosquitoes, but the magazine says that "the high vitamin B content in Marmite probably reduces the itch after being bitten, but doesn't repel bugs or prevent bites". Another myth: that a gin and tonic will prevent malaria: "The quinine in the tonic is insufficient to stop the parasite developing, nor does the bitter taste discourage biting."

One assertion is correct, though; wearing denim of the right colour can repel the tsetse fly. "Tsetses don't like blue," reports the magazine.

Bargain of the week: Look east

BMI's September sale ends on Tuesday; until then, if you book online at www.flybmi. com, you can pick up some attractive fares from Heathrow in both economy and business class.

Moscow looks excellent value at £199 return, with Damascus (pictured) at an enticing £279; Cairo is priced at £299 return, as is Tel Aviv. Strangely, Beirut is priced at £399 even though it is much the same distance. These are all for travel before the end of March 2009, though fares will be substantially higher on some dates. Under-12s are charged at 75 per cent of the adult fare.

In business class, the best deals are from Manchester, with Chicago good value at £1,804 return. Some premium-economy deals are also available: Las Vegas is £1,041 return.

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