Travel: Check In

A train

A weekend trip on the oldest operational steam locomotive in the world costs around pounds 100, including a night of "fun, food and luxury" at the Sariska Palace Hotel. The catch with this trip, which is aboard the Fairy Queen, is that you have to get to Delhi first. Find out when the next trip is planned at http://www.icindia.com/fairy, or call the International Tourist Bureau at New Delhi railway station on 11 373 4164.

A boat

May Day sees the start of the summer schedule on the ferry from John O'Groats to Burwick in Orkney. A day trip from John O'Groats costs pounds 30; from Inverness (starting 1 June) the price is pounds 40, including bus connections. The service is bookable through John O'Groats Ferries (01955 611353).

A plane

The telephone number for British Airways' new low-cost offshoot, Go, is carefully designed: after the 0845 prefix denoting a local-rate call, the next two digits are intended to look a bit like GO, before the 5-4- 3-2-1 countdown familiar to older Manfred Mann fans. So the number comes out at: 0845 60 54321.

A room

Accommodation within Britain for pounds 2 per night is still possible, specifically at three camping barns in the West Pennines operated by Lancashire Countryside Service. The barns, at Rivington, Darwen and Entwistle Reservoir, have no heating or lighting. You must book in advance by writing to the Great House Barn Information Centre, Rivington Lane, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7SB.

Details of low-cost accommodation elsewhere in the British Isles is contained in the Independent Hostel Guide 1997, itself a bargain at pounds 3.95. Order through the Backpackers' Press, 2 Rockview Cottages, Matlock Bath, Derbyshire DE4 3PG.

A meal

"Perhaps the most important restaurant in recent Dublin history, the E&C first cracked the idea of serving spirited, capable food at good prices in an informal context. Dubs have had a love affair with it since day one. The specials of the day allow whoever is in the kitchen to show their newest influences; the spicy chicken wings are legend, the soundtrack is fixed at mid-period Miles Davis, and you can't book." - A review of the Elephant and Castle restaurant in the new Time Out Guide to Dublin (pounds 9.99).

A drink

Also in Dublin, the Old Jameson's Distillery, founded in 1780, is now offering tours to the public; the Irish prime minister will open it officially on Monday. It opens daily (except Good Friday and Christmas Day) 9.30am- 5.30pm. Adults pounds 3.50, students and OAPs pounds 3, children pounds 1.50. It is located close to (and signposted from) the Four Courts. Call 00 353 1 872 5566 for more details.

A week from now ...

A month from now ...

A year from now ...