What we’ve learned in this week’s travel

The 200-year-old Mt Lavinia Hotel, just south of Colombo in Sri Lanka, features a secret tunnel through which the former British governor, whose residence it then was, would whisk his secret lover Travel Bugs » p6

After Big Ben, the most photographed timepiece in the UK is the Eastgate Clock in Chester

UK » p10

The eternal mystery of Italy: do you face the taps or face away when using the bidet? Italy » p14

There hasn’t been a fatal sea snake bite in New Caledonia’s lagoon since ... oh, the 1970s Pacific Islands » p17

Chicago-style hot dogs have their own rules. The bun and beef dog should be steamed, topped with mustard, onions, sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear, tomato, pickled peppers and a dash of celery salt. But no ketchup!

USA » p27

On the Indian-Pacific train journey across Australia, you’ll see a lot of locals. But not a single kangaroo

Australia » p34

Burning Man is the festival that’s not a festival. So don’t mention the “f” word Comment » p40

The guy who founded one of the world’s most ethically correct travel companies ran with the bulls at Pamplona as a teenager

Ethical traveller » p42

You can get Kahlua in the British Airways Galleries Club lounge inside Heathrow’s Terminal Five Lounge Check » p47

At the W Brisbane Hotel, the cocktails come in bespoke bird-shaped glasses. Whether you like it or not

Room Check Omnibus » p48