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From Totally Thames to Captivating Kashmir: Travel agenda
Where to go and what to know
1. Look east
Over-50s specialist, Saga, has added a range of new tours. One of the most appealing is a 10-night "Captivating Kashmir" itinerary, which visits Delhi, Agra and the Taj Mahal, followed by a five-night houseboat stay on Kashmir's Lake Dal. Departing from April, it costs £1,799pp with flights.
2. Visa rise
From 1 October, the price of a 30-day visa for visitors to Cambodia will rise by US$10 (£6.25). The current rate of US$20 (£12.50) for tourists, and US$25 (£15.60) for business travellers will increase to US$30 (£18.75) and US$35 (£21.80) respectively, available on arrival or from the Cambodian embassy.
3. Drift off
A month-long, London-wide festival celebrates the River Thames in September. The "Totally Thames" event features regattas, river races, and shoreside activities across the capital's 17 riverside boroughs. Look out for a new sculpture by Florentijn Hofman, that will be unveiled on Tuesday.
The first Mondrian-branded hotel outside of the US opens on 30 September. Located in the iconic Sea Containers building on London's South Bank, it will feature interiors by British designer Tom Dixon, a Dandelyan cocktail bar and a Seamus Mullen restaurant.
5. Reserve price
BA has introduced a new facility which lets travellers reserve a flight for up to 72 hours, paying £5 for short-haul destinations and £10 for longer routes. The option allows travellers to hold the price before proceeding, but it only applies to bookings made at least 21 days prior to departure.
6. Boot camp
Equinox Fitness, which has a gym in London's Kensington, has teamed up with Wilderness Reserve to deliver a three-night "Mind and Body" retreat from 25–28 September at Sibton Park, a luxurious Georgian manor in Suffolk. It costs from £975pp, with meals, transfers, accommodation and training included.
7. Movie magic
If you thought Salzburg was all about The Sound of Music, a new short American Express film presented by Alex Zane seeks to show the city and region in a different light. Alex visits the 5 Fingers viewing platform that reaches out over the Austrian Alps and the vast Werfen ice cave.
8. All in
The Chilean Lake District gets a new hotel in September when Hacienda Vira Vira opens near Pucón. A stay at this all-inclusive retreat comes with activities such as horseriding, kayaking, fly-fishing and sailing, plus the chance to help out on the farm.
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