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Travel Agenda: Where to go and what to know in travel this week
From an Antarctic camp to free BA flights for children
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Room Mate Hotels has opened its fourth property, Room Mate Anna, in Barcelona. Located just off the Passeig de Gràcia, it has 81 rooms, plus a rooftop pool and terrace overlooking landmarks such as the Agbar Tower and Gaudi’s Casa Batlló. As well as free Wi-Fi in the hotel, guests are each given a WiMate, a small wireless device that you carry in your pocket, allowing you to connect to the internet. Rooms from €159 per night. room-matehotels.com/en/anna
Camp revamp
Luxury Antarctic camp White Desert has undergone a refurbishment. It now has a new dining room, as well as a "lounge pod" with soft seating, a library and bar area. The sleeping pods have also been redesigned, and now feature en suite bathrooms and explorer-themed artwork. White Desert offers trips such as the eight-day Emperors and South Pole Adventure which takes guests to emperor penguin colonies and the Earth’s lowest point in the South Pole. white-desert.com
Coast along
Two new sections of the England Coast Path, a national trail that will eventually allow people to walk the whole way around England’s coastline, have opened. A 66-mile path from Camber, East Sussex, to Ramsgate, Kent, and a 68-mile stretch from Filey Brigg to Middlesbrough in North Yorkshire opened on Thursday. Once completed in 2020, the 2,700-mile path will be the world’s longest continuous coastal walking route. nationaltrail.co.uk/england-coast-path
Ship shape
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has released an “Exotic Fly-Cruises” brochure dedicated to its 17 far-flung itineraries to destinations including South Africa, Australia and Mexico. There are also seven new itineraries for 2017/18. Sailing on board Boudicca and Black Watch, they include a 14-night Indian Ocean Islands and Zanzibar fly-cruise, from £2,999pp including flights. fredolsencruises.com
Sky high
For a bird’s-eye-view of Brighton, you’ll soon be able to head up the world’s tallest moving observation tower. The British Airways i360, which will open on 4 August, is 162 metres high, with an observation pod rising to 138 metres. Up to 200 visitors at a time will be able to enjoy views over the city and South Downs. There’s also a Nyetimber Sky Bar, as well as a beachside café, exhibition space and children’s play zone. Advance tickets from £13.50 per adult and £6.75 per child. britishairwaysi360.com
Country talks
The National Trust will host a series of talks and debates at Blenheim Palace next month to discuss issues affecting the British countryside. Running from 4-7 August, BBC Countryfile Live at Blenheim Palace will cover everything from farming to fracking, with speakers including Ray Mears discussing the value of the outdoors. countryfilelive.com
App's new add-ons
The Skyscanner app now lets users search for hotels and car hire as well as flights. The new app automatically synchronises all aspects of your trip, so you don't need to re-input check-in times and pick-up locations for each element. There is also a new Explore Top Deals section for travel offers and last-minute city breaks. Free on iOS and Android. Skyscanner.net/mobile
Fly free
British Airways is allowing children under 12 to fly for free on certain domestic routes when accompanied by a paying adult. The deal is valid on hand-baggage-only fares between Heathrow and Newcastle, Leeds Bradford, Belfast and Inverness, with each adult allowed to take two children free. Valid for travel until 1 November. ba.com/kidsgofree
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