Welcome to the Flyer. This week:
The word from our insider at Chamonix is that they already have a foot of snow - and the lifts haven't even opened yet, which we are taking as a good sign for the season ahead. Plan your ski holiday with our bumper guide to what's new and hot on the slopes - plus our pick of early deals.
On Been there we're looking for spooky Halloween tips and join our Flickr Friday readers' photography club. Plus download the second in our series of excellent themed podcast walks around London; and find all the latest news and comment, multimedia, holiday offers and more.
THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS
Get the ski party started in Austria at Rave on Snow
The gonzo guide to Aspen: why did writer Hunter S Thompson choose to live there?
The best new ski kit and bargain ski deals
Homing instincts: Britain's top 10 boltholes
Petra in the footsteps of Tintin
MULTIMEDIA
London walks podcast: download our coffee culture tour of the capital
Video: Where to eat Beijing's best roast duck
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Sparkling Christmas market weekends
Escape the festive rush and discover the sights, sounds and smells of a traditional Christmas market set in beautiful surroundings. Beautifully decorated squares with enchanting market stalls and glittering Christmas trees will enchant the whole family. The aromas of roasted chestnuts, grilled sausages, mulled wine and ginger bread fill the air and help create that unique yuletide ambience. Dertour offers 50 European Christmas market getaways to exciting destinations like Paris, Munich, Vienna and Prague. We can tailor-make your perfect trip to meet your exact requirements and ensure your Christmas holiday wishes come true!
THIS WEEK'S NEWS AND COMMENT
Weston-super-Mare's refurbished pier attracts 100,000 despite wind and rain
In the footsteps of Rome's gladiators
Rail fares to jump in 2012 but Crossrail and Mersea Gateway bridge spared
British travel industry boosted by 'grey gap year' adventurers
ON BEEN THERE
Spooky tips
Win a Sony camera with your top spots for getting very scared Flickr Friday
Slawek Kozdras guides us through the inspiration behind his favourite travel shot. For more tips join our Flickr group at Been there photos
TRAVEL BLOG
Ask Tom
Lonely Planet's travel expert looks at where to go in Mexico, planning a city stopover, where to stay in Fez and why veggies miss out when it comes to their in-flight meal
LATE OFFERS
Ski week in France from £133pp - save £132
Save almost 50% on a this ski break staying in the two-star Flaine Apartments in Flaine. Price includes return flights departing 29 January from Gatwick, resort transfers and seven nights' accommodation on a self-catering basis. Based on full occupation of apartment.
Neilson.co.uk, 0845 070 3460.
Four-star Singapore cruise, from £1099 - save £750
This luxurious 22-night four-star cruise from Singapore to Southampton, stops off at Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai, Lisbon and more, with P&O Cruises Oriana. Price includes ensuite accommodation, meals and flights to Singapore departing Heathrow on 24 November. Book before 3 November. Based two sharing an Inside Stateroom. Dealchecker.com, +44 (0)208 254 3592, quote 'dealchecker'.
India Himalayas and spice tour, 14 nights from £948pp
This responsible tourism holiday takes in the subtropical Western Ghats, the Himalayan foothills and the villages of the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. Over six days, guests walk between villages while their luggage is taken on ahead by porters. Price, based on two sharing, includes: Delhi airport-railway station transfer, return overnight Ranikhet Express rail journeys to Kathgodam with sleeper berths, return four-hour road transfers to Khali Estate, six-days' full board in Binsar with guided walking, five days' full board in Hulgol with guide and excursions, transfer to Hubli, overnight express to Bangalore with sleeper berth, overnight Bangalore hotel and transfer to Bangalore airport. Flights not included. Book from November 2010. Villageways.com, +44 (0)1223 750049.
GUARDIAN COTTAGES AND VILLAS
Guardian Cottages and Villas service
Search 10,000 UK cottages and 5,000 villas and gites across Europe
COMING UP
On the way on theguardian.com
Coming up: a tour of Nixon and Reagan's libraries in California; Tom Hall is live online to answer your travel conundrums; video: sustainable tourism in Thailand
DID YOU MISS ...
In Saturday's Travel Guardian
Ski special: why Italy beats France for family ski trips; mountains and mosques on a Turkish ski trip; skiing meets bungee-jumping for a new extreme adrenalin rush; plus we compare the best packages from five leading companies
GUARDIAN HOLIDAY OFFERS
Guardian holiday offers
Our site brings you the best holidays available from our hand-picked suppliers. We use specialist companies that we trust to look after our readers
The Big Snow Festival - 7 nights in Andorra from £399
