Passengers flying to the Caribbean and Asia will pay lower aviation taxes from next year, the Chancellor announced, but airlines urged him to scrap a tax which they claim is damaging the tourist industry and wider economy. Mr Osborne announced a streamlining of Air Passenger Duty rates, criticising a “crazy system where you pay less tax travelling to Hawaii than you do travelling to China or .... {{ Continue Reading }}

Never mind the Taj Mahal or Grand Canyon – try diving with whale sharks or stargazing in Utah instead. Travel experts tell Lisa Grainger what’s on their bucket lists 1 Sail round Ha Long Bay, Vietnam This is one of the most affordable ways to see a natural wonder of the world – an all-in day trip from Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, is about £40. This includes the bus journey (about three a.... {{ Continue Reading }}

Real adventure travel For great bragging rights around the dinner table, join one of the tours to Bangladesh or Angola being launched by the adventure company Exodus (0845 8639601, exodus.co.uk) for next year. Bangladesh takes travellers to the citadels of Bagerhat, tea plantations, mangrove cruising in the Sundarbans National Park and the possibility of tiger spotting. The 15-day tour costs fro.... {{ Continue Reading }}