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Surprise package: SriLankan Airlines is offering package tours to Sri Lanka, ranging from four-day/three-nights for $3,980, to eight-day/seven-nights for $5,140 until October 31. Prices include return economy flights, accommodation at three- to five- star hotels and private car transport. Itineraries include visits to Colombo, Kandy, Negombo, Pinnawela, Wadduwa, Nuwara Eliya, Dambulla, Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa. Also on offer is a five-day/three-night package to the Maldives for $4,900, which includes return economy flights, speedboat transfers, accommodation at the four-star Club Rannalhi and daily breakfast, until July 31. All prices are based on twin share, and a high season surcharge of $1,000 applies on certain dates (tel: 2521 0708; www.srilankan-holidays.com).

Down the farm: Looking for an inexpensive stay in Britain this summer? The free Stay on a Farm 2004 guide details more than 1,000 country locations with bed and hearty breakfast that cost an average of #25 (HK$369) per person per night. The guide has colour photos and details about all properties, from an Elizabethan farmhouse in southeast Wales, to a former Victorian shooting lodge in Scotland's Galloway, Hemsworth Farm in Dorset - mentioned in the 11th-century Domesday Book - and Pyesmead Farm on the edge of the New Forest, which boasts an indoor sauna and pool. Order via www.farmstayuk.co.uk or by calling [44] 12271 336141.

A piece of Lak: Accor has opened a five-star resort in Khao Lak, an hour's drive north of Phuket International Airport. The first international hotel to open in this emerging beach destination, Novotel Coralia Magic Lagoon Khao Lak boasts the world's largest lagoon swimming pool (more than 150,000sqft - pictured below), as well as a 6,500sqft spa and fitness centre, an open-air Thai and seafood restaurant and two pool bars. It's the closest resort to Thai Muang Pier, from which dive boats head out to explore the nearby Similan Islands, sunken shipwrecks and spectacular coral reefs. Other possible excursions include Khao Sok and Lam Ru national parks, prime trekking territory, and the nearby Chong Fah Waterfall. To mark the opening, rooms are available for $671 a night, including breakfast, until October 31. Call [66] 76 429 300 or visit www.accorhotels-asia.com for details.

The good life: New restaurant Dolce Vita has opened at The Oriental Singapore, overlooking the harbour. The Italian eatery features an elevated show kitchen, glass doors that open onto the hotel's landscaped gardens, and a menu by award-winning sous chef Edward Voon, which includes Mediterranean tarte, black cod casserole and lamb shank tadjine (tel: [65] 6885 3551, www.mandarin oriental.com/singapore).