Something To Declare: Woodbridge; Tensions in Trindad; New York Bargains

Destination of the week: Woodbridge

Destination of the week: Woodbridge

Next Sunday, 12 December, the East Suffolk line from Ipswich to Lowestoft will have through trains from London. The journey from Liverpool Street to Woodbridge - one of England's loveliest market towns - will take 100 minutes and cost £21 for a Super Advance Return.

The town's attractions include plenty of good restaurants, a tide mill and nearby Sutton Hoo - one of the country's most important archaeological sites, which has been recently opened with an award-winning exhibition centre by the National Trust (01394 389700).

Anthony Lambert

Warning of the week: Trinidad

The leader of the Jamaat al-Muslimeen, which attempted to overthrow Trinidad's government in 1990, is due to stand trial in early January. "There is likely to be an increase in tension around this time and hence a tightening of security," says the Foreign Office. It also warns of "A worrying increase in attacks, some involving the use of firearms, at tourist sites, including Fort George. Do not resist robbers or muggers. In some cases, foreign nationals have been shot."

The US State Department urges caution when travelling from the island's airport, Piarco, because of what it says are many instances of "armed robbers trailing arriving passengers and then accosting them outside the gates of their residences".

Bargain of the week: quick trips to New York

Most airlines flying between the UK and New York insist on a minimum stay of a Saturday night, and charge prices around £860 return for those who cannot meet this requirement. But three airlines offer cheap deals for short midweek trips.

The most useful is Continental, which flies from Birmingham, Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow to Newark airport, just west of Manhattan. At times when its cheaper flights are sold out, the alternative is Air India or Kuwait Airways from Heathrow to JFK.

Both offer low-season fares starting at around £230 return through discount agents, and increasing only slowly as demand rises.

"I wouldn't have any qualms about flying with either airline," says The Independent's fares expert, David Orkin, "but if there were delays or if the food and inflight entertainment wasn't up to much I wouldn't complain afterwards."

Competition from Heathrow to New York will increase next year when Cathay Pacific takes up its right to link the two cities, awarded in return for allowing Virgin Atlantic to fly from London via Hong Kong to Sydney.

Simon Calder