Travel Agenda: where to go and what to know in travel this week

From new flights to visa-free travel

Vietnam has extended visa-free travel for Brits (Shutterstock)

Hip hostel

Generator has opened the latest branch of its hip hostel chain in Stockholm. The new property, next to Norra Bantorget square, has 796 beds in 233 rooms, as well as a restaurant, bar and communal spaces for working and events such as Generator’s “GenTalks” series. Beds from 280SEK (€30). generatorhostels.com

Fly south

American Airlines is adding new flights to Belize City that will eliminate the overnight connection for travellers flying from the UK. From 4 November, AA will fly between Heathrow and Belize City via Miami, with just a few hours’ stopover at the US airport. aa.com

Heritage house

Visitors to Down House in Kent, the last home of Charles Darwin, can now see a recreation of the scientist’s bedroom. English Heritage curators have attempted to match closely the bedroom’s original late-1850s appearance, with period furniture, books Darwin read and Old Master prints. english-heritage.org.uk

Darwin's bedroom

Visa-free Vietnam

Vietnam is extending its visa exemption program for UK passport-holders until 30 June 2017. The exemption, which also applies to French, German, Spanish and Italian nationals, is valid for single-entry stays of up to 15 days. gov.uk

Take flight

easyJet is starting two new routes from Manchester this winter. A weekly service to Turin, Italy, begins on 10 November, departing on Sundays, while a twice-weekly flight to Gran Canaria launches on 2 December (Wednesdays and Sundays). easyjet.com

Train gain

Eurostar is offering a 30 per cent discount on certain Standard Premier fares booked between 7 and 18 July. The special offer is available on direct services from London to Lyon, Avignon and Marseille between 11 July and 29 October 2016, and those from London, Ashford or Ebbsfleet to Paris, Lille, Brussels and Any Belgian Station between 18 July and 10 December. eurostar.com

Eurostar's Business and Standard Premier seats

Canadian connections

A new budget airline, New Leaf Travel, has launched in Canada, opening up access to some of the country’s more remote destinations, such as Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon and Fort St. John. The first flights take off on 25 July. gonewleaf.ca

Room service

GLH Hotels has created a new website, Choose Your Own Room, that lets guests pick their exact room and see pictures of it before checking in. Users can search by price, hotel, location, by type of travel (such as business or family) or by feature (views, suites, etc). The service, which also features reviews of particular rooms, will be available across the group’s London hotels by August, including the Thistle, Guoman and Amba brands. chooseyourownroom.com