UK DEPARTURES

Executive train travel gets cheaper. First-class rail fares are being cut by one-third by CrossCountry, the division of British Rail with the widest route network. Book at any (staffed) station by 2pm on the day before departure to travel from Bristol to Edinburgh for pounds 138 return. However, the offer does not apply to services from London to Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester.

Two big hotel chains have cut their prices for summer. Hilton National (01235 824444) has cut-price weekend breaks with free or reduced admission to local attractions thrown in. Holiday Inn (0800 897121) is selling two-night B&B stays for two adults and two under-12s in Aberdeen, Bristol, Leicester, Maidenhead, Nottingham, Reading and Sheffield for pounds 104.