Water beds
In a first for the British budget hotel industry, Premier Inn (0870 242 8000; premierinn.com) has unveiled plans for a new floating hotel at the Hartlepool Marina. Due to open at the end of this year, the "Floatel" will feature 54 bedrooms, each able to accommodate two adults and two children under 16, which according to Premier Inn chiefs will offer the "same value of Premier Inn's other 556 hotels - but with the added benefit of a waterfront view".
Heaven's in Devon
Find out about Devonians' favourite places on new website lovemydevon.co.uk. Chef John Burton Race, who runs the New Angel at Dartmouth, loves Wonwell Beach, off the Kingsbridge to Plymouth road, while South Devon local Nadine Trout recommends the Women's Institute cake stall at Tavistock's Pannier Market. The website also includes recommendations from people who know the county well such as Kate Rew, author of Wild Swim, and Jonathan Knight, founder of the Cool Camping guides.
Garlic not included
Walks Worldwide (01524 242000; walksworldwide.com) has launched five new trips to Romania. We love the sound of the eight-day "Transylvania - Walks in the enchanted land of Dracula" trip, which includes a visit to "Dracula's Castle" at Bran and the ancient hilltop fortress of Rasnov. Available May to October from £945, land only.
Affair of the art
From Friday to Sunday more than 50 artists living in York will be opening up their studios to visitors as part of the annual York Open Studios event (01904 706123; yorkopenstudios.co.uk). Participants range from ceramicists in Victorian cottages to photographers living in loft conversions, with visitors having the chance to buy pieces directly from the artists.
Short and sweet
Explore has introduced new UK itineraries to its Short Breaks programme. Ranging from three to four nights, there's a cycling weekend in the Cotswolds, a walking break in the Lake District, and a trekking trip to Ben Nevis (0844 499 0901; explore.co.uk). Prices from £245.
Schools out
Families on the look-out for Easter, May half term and summer holiday deals should check out the new School Holiday Offers link on The Association of Independent Tour Operators website (aito.com). It features hundreds of deals during the school holiday periods from a large range of tour operators. How does £417 for a week in Sardinia with Just Sardinia over May half term with free child places sound?
Volunteer by the book
Like the idea of a volunteer project but don't know where to start? Bradt's new Wildlife & Conservation Volunteering: The Complete Guide (£13.99; bradt-travelguides.com) is the first book of its kind to use a scoring system that allows readers to compare 50 organisations on categories such as credibility, cost and safety, and it also includes detailed interviews with volunteers.
