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Amsterdam Light Festival, Barcelona's newest boutique hotel, and ski for less : Travel agenda

Where to go and what to know

Friday 06 November 2015 11:04 GMT
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Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace

Palace plus

Blenheim Palace is set to remain open all year round from 13 February 2016, excluding Christmas Day. Since opening to the public on 1 April 1950, the Oxfordshire country house has closed for the winter to allow time for its annual deep clean, which will still take place, but with the house remaining open. blenheimpalace.com

Shine bright

Amsterdam Light Festival runs from 26 November to 1 February 2016. With a theme of “friendship”, it will feature light artists from around the country illuminating the city's canals. The lights can be viewed on the Water Colours boat route and the Illuminade walking route. amsterdamlightfestival.com

Fly west

Wow Air will begin flying to the US West Coast next summer, with flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco confirmed. The routes, which will be the airline's fifth and sixth destinations in North America, will run all year round, connecting with daily flights to Keflavik from Gatwick. wowair.co.uk

Oh, behave

Angkor has introduced a Code of Conduct, imploring visitors to act in a respectful manner. Appearing on in-flight films and hand-outs for tourists, it includes such advice as: “Any act of exposing sex organs and nudity in a public area is a crime punishable by law.” Smoking, giving sweets to begging children, and annoying monks are also frowned upon. bit.ly/AngkorCode

Ski school Ski Cool in Val Thorens

Learn for less

Ski Cool in Val Thorens has introduced a new shared option for skiers looking for lessons on a budget. Guests sign up online by entering their dates, ability and goals, and then they can form a group with other skiers. The lessons cost £62 per hour, divided by the number of participants, with a maximum of five people per group. ski-cool.com

Spanish stay

Barcelona's newest boutique hotel, Casa Bonay, will open on 1 December in the Eixample area. The late 19th-century building retains many of its original features, and its 67 bedrooms feature design touches from local creatives, including traditional textile makers. casabonay.com

Check please

US Customs and Border Protection is extending its Global Entry scheme to UK citizens, allowing “low-risk” British passengers to avoid some of the queues at US border controls for a fee of around £109. Applicants will be able to register from 3 December. cbp.gov

Lace up

If you're heading to the slopes this winter, Rocket Dog's après-ski boots might be just what you need to keep your toes warm after hours. The Snowcrush design has a faux-fur lining and lace-up detailing, giving it the classic “moon-boot” look. It is available in five colours: sand, chocolate, black, navy, and charcoal, and costs from £84.99. rocketdog.co.uk

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