Dutch scrap flight tax
A week after the British government announced its Budget decision to proceed with big increases in Air Passenger Duty, the Dutch goverment has revealed a very different approach - it is to scrap departure tax altogether. The Dutch flight tax for short-haul flights was €11.25, while long-haul passengers were charged €45, but both fees will be abolished from 1 July. While the British government sees the tax as a way of boosting revenues, the Dutch hope that abolishing it will help stimulate the economy.
Big moment for Mini
That classic of British car design, the Mini, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, and to mark it a new self-drive route across Scotland has been created by McKinlay Kidd (0844 804 0020; seescotlanddifferently.co.uk). The "Mini Cooper Celebration" route begins and ends in Edinburgh, taking in Glencoe Valley, the Ardnamurchan peninsula and the ferry to the Isle of Mull. The price of £475 includes hire of a classic Mini Cooper and four nights' B&B accommodation.
Bob Dylan as was
For fans of Bob Dylan who didn't manage to bag tickets to his sell-out gig at the O2 last weekend, we've found the next best thing. Well, almost. Head to the National Portrait Gallery from 11 May to 30 August and you can see photographs by Barry Feinstein of Dylan's 1966 European Tour on display for the first time in London (020 7306 0055; npg.org.uk). The photographs offer "a rare insight into the time when Dylan was arguably at his most controversial and iconic". Admission is free.
Colourful Umbria
Hot shot artists and those who don't know a wash pan from a palette are all welcome on Andalucian Adventures' new painting holiday to Umbria, Italy, organised with the Royal Watercolour Society. The seven-night trip is based in the fortified hamlet of Titignano, where guests get five days of expert tuition plus trips to Assisi and Spoleto (01453 834137; andalucian-adventures.co.uk). Departs 9 October. Prices from £1,149, including full board accommodation with wine, transfers from Rome and local travel. Flights can be arranged on request.
Madagascar ban is off
Now that the Foreign Office has lifted its ban on travel to Madagascar (after the political unrest early this year) there are some great deals to be had. Rainbow Tours (020 7226 1004; rainbowtours.co.uk) is offering an eight-night stay at Tsarabanjina, an elegant lodge in the Nosy Be archipelago, from £2,420 including flights, full-board accommodation and activities, a saving of £450.
Cannes' starry nights
The Cannes Film Festival kicks off on 13 May, and in these straitened times, a night or two among A-listers may be affordable. Accommodation is still available just 50m from the beach; the Residence Pierre has a three-night break from 13 May, in a studio apartment, from £328. Book through PV Holidays (0870 026 7144; pv-holidays.com).
Gulet trip and more
The founders of Skiers Lodge in La Grave, France, reputed to offer some of the most extreme ski holidays in the world, have launched a summer product in Turkey. Called Sailors Lodge (00 90 534 303 7908; sailorslodge.com), the trips offer a more active take on the traditional gulet holiday, along the south-west coast - with activities ranging from scuba diving and kite surfing to rock climbing and trekking to ancient ruins.
