Tips & Deals

The Spa

Bluestone ( bluestonewales. com), the self-catering retreat of timber lodges in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, opens its spa this weekend. The Well has salt rooms, hydrotherapy pools, and offers everything from reike to reflexology.

The Show

See new carbon-friendly ways to travel, or research eco-friendly spas with greentravelguides.tv, the internet TV channel that promotes travel without trashing the planet. Superb wildlife shows make this a must for even armchair travellers.

The Kit

The luxury travel gift for this Christmas season: the new Leica mini binoculars in a retro leather case (£540). Pocket-sized but as powerful as the big boys, this slick bit of kit works as well on safari as it does at the opera, darling. leica-camera.co.uk

The Bargain

Stay two nights for the price of one in Venice. Book before 15 November (for travel 3-31 January 2009) and you can spend two nights at the four-star Duodo Palace and fly return for £149 per person. Contact flightcentre.co.uk and quote: VCELONPAC2