DEBRIEF

Would you expect more storms in Chicago? Probably, due to its unofficial title of the Windy City. But despite being located on the shores of Lake Michigan, it isn't really any windier than other cities in the region. There are several theories for the nickname, the most popular being a reference to all the hot air caused by politicians in the 19th century - and ever since.

HOTSPOT

Free pass to adventure

We all know the parsimonious Scot is a myth, despite the story that copper wire was invented by two Aberdonians fighting over a 2p piece. Still, those with short arms and long pockets will be glad that Visit Scotland has launched a free pass offering discounted rates for adventure sports and tours north of the border. Offers are available on 50 activities until May.

Details:www.visitscotland.com/adventurepass

SAT-NAV? TRY NAT-NAV

Forget TomTom and think Tristan Tristan. A one-day course run by Tristan Gooley, the first European to fly and sail solo across the Atlantic, aims to wean us off sat-navs and learn to get around with the help of the sun, stars, moon, water, even animals. The cost is £105 and there are venues in London and Chichester. The course starts on September 26. Details: www.naturalnavigator.com

WEBSITE: www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk

Tired of phoning your local GP? You won't wait two weeks for an appointment with this health website, which delivers the lowdown on holiday travel. Pop in the name of a country and it will offer advice on inoculations, recent news - measles in Gibraltar, yellow fever in Brazil, anyone? - in fact everything you probably never wanted to know, from jet lag to stomach upsets.

REIGNING MEN

Strewth cobber, Australia is experiencing a “man drought”. A survey by an accounting firm Down Under says that a brain drain is luring blokes away from the Lucky Country, leaving Aussie women vastly outnumbering men. So next stop Mooloolaba, Milparinka or Moonee Ponds, eh lads? Once we've got rid of the likes of Shane Warne and Hugh Jackman (whose new movie Australia is due out on Boxing Day), it'll be Sheilas a-go-go. Trailfinders (0845 0505892) offers one-way flights to Sydney from £549.

Will Hide

THE OLYMPICS EFFECT

TOUR operators selling holidays to watch athletics overseas say that there has been an “Olympics effect” after Britain's haul of 19 gold medals.

Track & Field Tours has taken almost 100 deposits for the World Championships in Berlin next August. “We have also had interest in the European Golden League,” said a spokeswoman, who believes that the buildup to the 2012 Games is also helping. “Athletics has not been one of the most popular sports in the UK. Football and rugby usually get all the attention. It makes a nice change.”

TROOPS OUT, TOURISTS IN

A group of 11 British tourists this week headed to Georgia as part of an 11-day tour also taking in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan. “Now that Russian troops are withdrawing, it's safe,” said a spokesman for Wild Frontiers, the tour operator.

... OR GO FLY A MIG

On The Go Tours is offering the chance to fly in a MiG-29 turbo-jet fighter belonging to the Russian Air Force at the Nizhny Novgorod military base, 300 miles (500km) east of Moscow. Half- hour flights cost £14,979 and must be booked two months in advance.

PRETENTIOUS, MOI?

New toiletries at the Haymarket Hotel in London are called Marché au Foin, the French translation of the hotel name. A spokesman said: “It's nothing to do with us wanting to sound chic.”

PETROL HEADS

Some hotels are offering reduced prices for people who turn up by public transport or by bicycle, but Donnington Valley Hotel & Spa near Newbury is supplying free petrol (up to the value of £60) for guests.

BREATHE EASY

Conrad Bangkok is providing “personal oxygen canisters”, which the hotel says will help to reduce the effect of jet lag, for £41.

PLASTIC FANTASTIC

Some guests had trouble operating wooden swipe cards introduced for green reasons at the Sheraton hotel in Denver during the Democratic Party conference. Plastic swipes were offered instead.

Tom Chesshyre

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