Stay overnight in a candlelit desert lodge on a new 11-day tour that includes remote hikes, guided tours by Bedouin guides and another overnight stay at a camp in Wadi Rum. Regent Holidays has put together an intriguing guided break, with stays at guesthouses on other nights, lunch with a family in a village, a tour of Petra and a visit to the Azraq Wetland Reserve (020 7666 1244, regent-holidays.co.uk). The tour costs from £2,690pp, including flights, breakfasts, most meals and transfers.
Yoga and photography classes on Zakynthos
Find your inner Zen during yoga classes and learn to take better pictures too on an inspiring new five-night break on the Greek island of Zakynthos created by Soulfood London (soulfoodlondon.com). Accommodation is at the chic Villa Zaharoula, which has a pool facing the sea (villazaharoula.com). Yoga sessions, overseen by Charlie Morgan, are held twice daily, while photography lessons are by Chloe Crewe-Read. The half-board package, arriving on September 17, costs from £1,375pp, or £1,795 for solo travellers. Flights are extra.
Hotel opens in former BBC headquarters
White City House opens on Monday in the BBC’s former west London base, left, with 45 super-smart rooms from £120 for a double, room only (whitecityhouse.com). The highlight is a rooftop pool and bar, and there’s an indoor 17m lap pool, plus a massive gym and a restaurant serving Asian-inspired dishes such as dim sum and crispy duck. The interior takes inspiration from the heritage of the building, which was the BBC’s headquarters from 1960 to 2013, with plenty of retro furniture. Guests have access to a ninth-floor private members’ space, which has a large billiards table and another bar.
Lonely Planet guides for America and Italy
Lonely Planet has launched a series of hardback guidebooks that are designed to provide inspiration for trips rather than simply offer information to be used abroad. Experience USA and Experience Italy are full of tips, including how to go rafting on the Colorado River, where to go cycling in Vermont, how to enjoy a farm break in Tuscany and where to eat “peasant cuisine” in Puglia (Lonely Planet, £19.99).
Stay in a magnificent château in Normandy
Château de l’Angotière, near the town of Saint-Lô in Normandy, is opening its doors to tourists after being restored by British owners (normandyretreat.com). The gorgeous property, almost 400 years old, is set within 60 acres of park and woodland and has nine stylish rooms sleeping 18 guests. As well as a games room with a pinball machine and table football, there are two grand pianos, a tennis court and a library in a tower. A night’s stay during the summer costs from £1,295.