Escapism
From March until June, and especially at full moon, whale sharks can be seen off the coast of Belize. At Turtle Inn, in the village of Placencia and owned by film director Francis Ford Coppola, a week with three dives, meals and transfers costs $2,796pp, coppolaresorts.com/turtleinn. More affordably, a local operator such as Seahorse Dive Shop (belizescuba.com) charges $185 for two dives and lunch.
Snow watch
The end of April and we are still getting photos of powder and fresh snow in ski resorts. It snowed last weekend across the French Alps; there's three metres at the top in Avoriaz and Argentière and nearly four at Les Arcs. Saas Fee and Verbier have fresh snow; conditions are excellent in Banff, Canada, and 40cm fell last weekend in Colorado. Even Scotland remains open.
• skiclub.co.uk
Weird world
Thought holidays were about fun? Not according to Tutor House, a new service that provides private tutors to accompany families on holiday, to teach children between 11 and 18 any GCSE or A-level subject, for up to five hours a day. Tutor House says the service means families can take their children out of school during term time, and at "key revision periods like Christmas"
• tutorhouse.co.uk
What's new?
Township tour
The pound's strength against the rand means South Africa's prices for UK visitors have dropped by 10%, says Fleewinter. It has launched new bicycle tours of townships such as Masiphumelele, near Noordhoek on the Cape peninsula. Hybrid bikes are provided and the three-to-four-hour tours include visits to traditional Sangoma healers, locals' houses for tea, and a creche or church. Trips to Boulders penguin colony in Simonstown and Cape Point Nature Reserve can be added. A week in an apartment costs from £255pp, tours £50pp.
• 020-7112 0019, fleewinter.co.uk
London dance day
There's a dance marathon in Hackney, east London, next Saturday, where attendees must keep bopping non-stop for eight hours to eight decades of music, led by guides who'll teach dances, from lindy hop to moon walking. It's all to raise money for brain injury charity Headway.
• londondancemar-athon.org.uk
UK holiday rental
Got more than 60 friends and relations? This new Windermere property could be great for a big group celebration. Number One, The Terrace is one of a whole street of five Victorian Gothic houses, each sleeping up to 14, that can be rented together.
• All five from £6,440 for a three-night weekend, or from £1,360 individually, cumbrian-cottages.co.uk
Travel trash
The Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay in Turkey has a new adults-only silent beach. Music, children, phone calls and motorboats are banned, and loungers have a call button so guests don't even have to shout for another cocktail. Seven nights including flights from Gatwick costs £809pp with ITC Classics.
itcclassics.co.uk
How much?!
A fabulously decadent gulet belonging to Anouska Hempel, and previously booked only by her celebrity friends, is available for rent in Croatia. The 28m Beluga has monochrome decor, black sails, slipper baths, a deck covered in cushions, a chef and a butler. It accommodates six for a mere €45,000 a week, full-board.
• dalmatiandestinations.com).
