Top 10 Valentine’s breaks

Boutique hotel experts Mr & Mrs Smith have sifted through the schmaltz to find Valentine’s packages that will really set hearts aflutter (and won’t involve soggy petals clogging the plughole). Here are 10 hot properties that offer something a little bit different…

A day in… Dundee

Dundee is transforming its waterfront, to draw visitors in. Adrian looks at what there is for the short break tripper

Citizens Advice

From the website:

“The Adviceguide website is the main public information service of Citizens Advice, providing people with round-the-clock access to CAB information on their rights – including benefits, housing and employment, and on debt, consumer and legal issues.”

Visiting the USA

Newly published data shows that, up until the end of November, there are still fewer of us going to the US than in 2009. But it is only down by 1%, which isn’t a lot in the scheme of things. Compared to South Korea whose visitor numbers to the US are up by over 50% it does make a difference. Why are we reluctant when traditionally it has been one of the big destinations for Brits?

Campers: A Breed Apart?

Let me say from the outset that I am not a natural camper. My sole experience of camping was many years ago when a deluge descended during the night, my tent was flattened with hailstones and I slept in the car. Since then, no! But I might be missing out on things because recent research suggests campers are happier with the quality of their lives than non-campers.

Airlines Lose Money; Guess Who’ll Pay More

For the first half of the year, airlines around the world have lost about £3.7 billion. It’s due to the economic downturn, the recession or whatever you want to call it. They have cut capacity, mothballed planes, deferred new ones, reduced staff and are looking at any way they can for reducing money. British Airways is even considering taking selected advertising on the website.

Ferrying around Manly

If you are in Australia and in Sydney, a great and inexpensive day away from the centre is to catch the ferry and spend a day in Manly