Tips For Travellers

The hostel

Like hostel prices but not sure about the comfort and style? Now you can scope out your digs before you book with movie clips of about 100 properties from Hostel Bookers ( hostelBookers.com), including boutique hostels such as Oops in Paris.

The book

Get yourself a Little Black Book of London. Published this week by Time Out ( timeout.com/shop), this guide costs £7.99 and aims to uncover the capital's best kept secrets with insider tips from chefs, fashion designers and hoteliers.

The gadget

Perfect for the beach, the pool or, let's face it, a downpour in the back garden: the new waterproof iPod speakers ( firebox.com) come built into a sturdy case which is designed to protect your MP3 player from short circuiting splashes, and costs £59.

The sale

The British Airways sale includes thousands of discounted business and economy fares to long- and short-haul destinations, such as return fares to New York for £299. Book by 23 September, for travel by 30 June 2009 with BA.com.