Late travel deals: October 9

A Welsh cottage for four from £175; a week on the Greek islands from £189; seven nights' B&B in The Gambia for £569

Qantas safety scares

The Australian national carrier has been hit by a series of safety scares and emergency landings over the last few years

Slow sales hamper BA-Iberia deal

Falling share price and declining passenger numbers have hit airline's negotiating position, according to some analysts

Hoteliers watch over shoulders as vultures circle

Analysts are predicting tough fourth quarter and there are plenty of opportunistic investors with any eye for a bargain

Honeymoon takes off with recycled Air Miles

A couple were able to fly back in business class from US by using Air Miles earned from collecting and recycling rubbish

'VSO put troubles into perspective'

When the last recession struck, Elaine Stevenson decided to use it as an opportunity to get out and do something different

Flyglobespan to lease planes in low season

Scots budget airline denies rumours of financial problems and secures deals to make assets work over winter

Neofile: skydive over Everest

Late deals

Confessions of a Tourist: Lean over the car, sir, and spread 'em

Joseph Bale got painfully tied up with the US police. And liked it

News in Brief: the £20 charge for Blackpool Pleasure Beach

My hols: Alexandra Fuller

The authoress says she can’t justify getting on another plane - the problem is eco-guilt

Provence brings back the franc

French tourist officials are bemused by a scheme to use francs in a village in Provence - and are urging holidaymakers to stick to euros

Adventure travellers kept awake by snorers

Explore reports rise in guests requesting single rooms, Usain Bolt's couples-only holiday, and more travel news in brief

The race is on to revive GuestInvest

The founder of the buy-to-let hotel operator is trying to secure funding to buy the company back after its collapse

BA bookings fall as Ryanair gains

The financial turmoil has affected long-haul flights, British Airways said, as traffic decreased by 4.8 per cent last month

Budget hotels benefit from a tight Christmas

More families are visiting relatives this festive season - which is good news for those selling cheap rooms

Late travel deals: October 4

A weekend in London from £99 a night, Cambridge from £65 a night and Turkey for 8 days from £369...

US diplomats to relocate... to hardcore gay mecca

Embassy will move from Mayfair to a former industrial site