Yorkshire lass
’Appen as like, trouble at t’mill, nowt so queer as folk, cobber – the soap
opera Emmerdale (starring the Australian actress Emily Symons) celebrates
its 35th birthday this week. Fewer lambs and tractors these days, more
murder and bed-hopping. It's filmed around Leeds, including the 18th-century
stately home Harewood House, in case you fancy some soapy star-spotting (www.yorkshire.com).
Big in Japan
Japan Airlines (www.jal.com) is introducing a
premium economy cabin on flights to Tokyo from December. Passengers will get
20 per cent more legroom than in economy, separate check-in, inflight
champagne (and instant noodles), and be able to use the business-class
lounge in Japan.
Dutch treat
Going Dutch in Beijing (Profile Books, £9.99) is a guide to etiquette around
the world. Avoid eye contact while saying “cheers” in Germany and you’ll be
told to expect seven years’ bad sex, for example, while the Japanese avoid
the number nine, which sounds like the word for agony.
Palm pilot
Satski is a touch-screen colour GPS system for skiers that uses real-time
updates to plot routes on a piste map as well as recording stats such as
average speed and distances covered. Snowline (www.snowline.co.uk)
will rent one to clients for £28 a day in Val d’Isère, La Tania, Méribel and
La Plagne this winter. It also lists info on mountain restaurants, après-ski
promotions and even – gulp – emergency contact details.
Turning turtle
Explore the Galapagos Islands in style. A sumptuous new three-bedroom villa
with attached guest cottage is available to hire on Santa Cruz (www.pkworldwide.com).
“Escalesia”, located in Puerto Ayora, comes with an infinity pool, library,
gym, and, more important for latterday Darwins, its own yacht and private
guide. A week with full board costs from £2,800pp when ten share, excluding
flights.
Web of the week
www.sleepinginairports.net
When you have to slash the budget, search here for airports that will let you
kip on a bench before your 5am departure and those that will clean around
you as an unsubtle way of telling you to get lost. Sleepers rate their best
and worst experiences – Charles de Gaulle in Paris comes out bottom.
Will Hide
News in brief
Beatles reunion
The Museum of Liverpool wants to hear from people who remember St Peter’s
Church Hall in Woolton as it was when John Lennon met Paul McCartney there
in 1957. Details: 0151-478 4573, www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk.
Ryanair to us?
Michael O’Leary, chief executive of Ryanair, is talking to American airports
about expanding the airline’s no-frills flights to the US. “It is a real
live prospect,” he said.
Chocs away
The Chocolate Hotel opened in Bournemouth this week, with chocolate-themed
rooms “filled with bars of high street chocolates” from £90 and “chocolate
workshops”. Details: 01202 556857, www.thechocolatehotel.co.uk.
Malta medical
The Malta Tourist Authority has launched a website, www.medicalmalta.com,
offering affordable surgery and dental treatments to “help relieve the NHS
buckling under the weight of sheer demand”.
Tom Chesshyre
