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Museums at Night, South Downs National Park, and Chile's Alma observatory: Travel agenda

Where to go and what to know

Friday 24 April 2015 12:23 BST
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Soho House Istanbul has now opened its doors
Soho House Istanbul has now opened its doors

1. Play house

Soho House Istanbul has now opened its doors. The hotel, open to non-members, has 87 rooms, ranging from "Tiny" to "The Playroom" and "The Apartment". Shabby-chic interiors include such touches as exposed concrete and discoloured wallpaper, while on the rooftop you will find a pool and cocktail bar.

sohohouseistanbul.com

2. Downs and out

The Barefoot Pop-up Hotel is bringing its sophisticated safari and bell tents to the South Downs National Park throughout May. Tents come with beds and some with bathrooms. Cook outdoors using fire pits or dine at the Half Moon pub next door. Four-night breaks from £299 for two.

thepopuphotel.com/barefoot

3. Plane spot

The world's most advanced passenger plane is the new Airbus A350 – with greater comfort and industry-leading efficiency. The European launch customer is Finnair. To help crew get familiar with the aircraft, the Finnish airline is deploying it on some flights between Heathrow and Helsinki: the dates are 6 and 15 October.

finnair.com

4. Deco delight

Filter House, outside Ladock in southern Cornwall, is a newly opened Art Deco conversion of a water-treatment works, using light fittings sourced from Czech markets and incorporating a 1930s themed bathroom to this stylish self-catering space.

oneoffplaces.co.uk

5. Luton who?

Luton airport gets three new links to sunshine destinations this week with easyJet. Services to Antalya in Turkey and Portugal's second city, Porto, start this weekend; and on 1 May, the first UK flight to Essaouira on Morocco's Atlantic coast takes off. Services to Split and Bodrum start later in May.

easyJet.com

6. Star turn

The Alma observatory in Chile's Atacama Desert – whose clear night skies make it one of the world's best locations for stargazing – is now open to the public, who can see this spectacular facility free of charge on Saturday and Sunday daytimes. Pre-registration is essential, open to ages four and up.

bit.ly/AlmaVisit

7. Night visions

Museums at Night returns 13-16 May, when certain galleries, museums and heritage sites across the UK will offer the chance to visit after hours. Some will also be holding special events, including the British Library, Nottingham Contemporary, and Manchester's Whitworth Gallery

museumsatnight.org.uk

8. Line out

Denon's new noise-cancelling headphones turn things up a notch with Bluetooth technology. The wireless AH-GC20 Globe Cruiser also comes with a plane adapter plug so you can listen to inflight entertainment when Bluetooth isn't available. £249.

denon.co.uk

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