Travel Agenda

From mapping Manhattan and California cool to leather luggage

Cruise news

Sukoon is a new luxury houseboat that has just started sailing the waterways surrounding Dal Lake in Kashmir. A three-night trip in a double room costs Rs15,000 (£182), with breakfast on board, dinner and cocktails accompanied by Sufi musicians, and return transfers from Srinagar airport (sukoonkashmir.com).

Road rules

The Foreign Office has teamed up with the AA on a new website which offers advice for travellers who plan to drive abroad. Country-by-country guidelines are available (fcowidget.com).

1959

The year the children's book This Is London was published. Excerpts and illustrations are on display in the West Walkway of Tower Bridge, giving a child's-eye view of the capital (towerbridge.org.uk).

Light fantastic

The Vivid Sydney Festival takes places in Australia's harbourside city from 24 May to 10 June. Buildings along the waterfront, including the Sydney Opera House, will be illuminated with light displays, accompanied by live concerts from Kraftwerk, fringe events and guided walks (vividsydney.com).

California cool

The new-look Oceana Beach Club Hotel was unveiled in Santa Monica this week following a restoration by designer Anthony Baratta, with revived rooms, a pool and a new Tower 8 restaurant by Michelin chef Josiah Citrin (hoteloceanasantamonica.com).

Case study

The Bojola collection of classic leather luggage from Italian designer Bric's launches exclusively at Harrods in April from £135 (harrods.com).

Wild at heart

The Portuguese tourism board has a new website to guide travellers around the Algarve's natural wonders, with tips on the best bird-watching spots, walks and scenic places (algarvenatural.pt/en).

Mapped out

Mapping Manhattan is a new book of 75 maps of the city created by anonymous residents and notable New Yorkers, including Man on Wire aerialist Philippe Petit. They chronicle personal details, from childhood memories to encounters at legendary hotels. Published next month by Abrams Books, £12.99 (abramsbooks.com).