Ten days of company
Pursuing historical fact rather than magical realism, a new 10-day trip follows in the footsteps of Colombian scribbler Gabriel García Márquez. From his Aracataca birthplace to Cartagena's Hotel Santa Clara - where the discovery of a corpse inspired Of Love and Other Demons - and the sweet market in Love in the Time of Cholera, the trip takes in important "Gabo" landmarks, plus the stunning Tayrona national park.
• £1,980pp including flights and transfers. 020-7749 5493, globeatone.co.uk.
Asia for £99
Several airlines may be near bankruptcy with economic naysayers predicting meltdown - but no one's told AirAsia X. It's offering direct flights from Stansted to Kuala Lumpur from £99 each way (£198 return). Five times a week from March. Book early, as Fred Pontin used to say. Before he went bust.
• airasia.com.
On the grapevine
You could spend New Year's eve slugging Bacardi Breezers and pulling party poppers at your local . . . or at New Zealand's Rhythm & Vines festival, held on a vineyard in Gisborne with sets by Santogold, Franz Ferdinand, Carl Cox and Ladyhawke. The Waiohika Estate is near the beach too. Dec 29-Jan 1. Tickets drom NZ$145 for three days. rhythmandvines.co.nz.
