Travel Notes...

SNOW SEASON

SLIDE over to Bansko in Bulgaria for this year’s biggest ski break bargain.

At around £405 per person for a week including equipment hire, lift pass, ski tuition, lunch on the slopes and drinks, Bansko is the cheapest of 25 European ski resorts surveyed by Post Office Travel Money.

Italy is best-value overall with four resorts in the top 10: Bardonecchia, Sestriere, La Thuile and Cervinia. See postoffice.co.uk/skireport2018

GOLDEN AGE

HARK back to a bygone era . . . with a view of Dubai’s shiny skyline. The iconic QE2 cruise ship officially opens this month — having been restored to its prime. Now a floating 224-room hotel docked permanently in Dubai’s Port Rashid, it’s home to the country’s oldest pub, The Golden Lion, and a grand 515-seater theatre. qe2.com

FRIGHTFULLY FUN

FACE your fears at Britain’s oldest theme park, 175-year-old Blackgang Chine on the Isle of Wight — said to be the most haunted island in the world.

At new horror experience Wicked Nights, you’ll squeal your way through a live-action Cursed Mill haunted house, before hitting the dinghy Slaughter Slide and ghost train. A ‘Possessed Doll’ contortion/aerial artist will also be swinging by.

Every evening from October 20 to November 3, from £15, blackgangchine. com/wickednights

FLY TO MUMBAI

YOU can soon fly budget from Manchester to the coastal Indian metropolis of Mumbai, as Jet Airways launches its five-time weekly flight — lasting nine hours, 40 minutes — on November 5. Seats from £389 return, jetairways.com

And why not use the saving to splash out on a room at Soho House Mumbai, which opens on the same date. See sohohousemumbai.com

CHRISTMAS ON TRACK

SNAP up Christmas rail tickets now to bag the best price, says moneysaving expert.com. Network Rail normally sets its timetable 12 weeks in advance, so train companies release their first wave of tickets (with early bird fares) shortly thereafter.