Bay Shores Peninsula Hotel opens for business
Bay Shores Peninsula Hotel, originally built in the 1960s, has been reopened following a complete redesign, incorporating the area’s nostalgic surf culture. Located in the Newport peninsula, Bay Shores draws on the spirit of vintage surf motels and retro coastal escapes across its 25 individually designed rooms and suites.
Amenities include custom beach coolers, beach toys and bike rentals. Bay Shores is also home to The Penny and The Pearl, two open-air gathering spaces, as well as an all-day café serving seasonal, locally sourced fare.
With its walkable location from both the Pacific and the bay, Bay Shores invites guests to enjoy Newport Beach’s most beloved pastimes: surfing, biking, boating, and beachcombing. Rates start from US$297 (£260) a night.
Pan Pacific Dalian opens in China
Pan Pacific Hotels Group (PPHG), the hospitality arm of Singapore-based UOL Group Limited, has announced the opening of Pan Pacific Dalian in Northeast China. This marks PPHG’s seventh hotel in China and its first in the coastal city of Dalian. Located on Youting Road, Pan Pacific Dalian provides access to Xinghai Square, Dalian World Expo Centre and Dalian Xinghai Convention & Exhibition Centre.
The property draws design inspiration from Dalian’s history as a trading point between China and Russia and features 216 rooms and suites, styled with cruise-inspired interiors. Standing at 52 storeys high, Pan Pacific Dalian offers panoramic views of the Yellow Sea and surrounding hills, and the rooftop features a bar and helipad. The hotel also has meeting and event facilities, a fitness centre, and a spa.
Inntravel adds Aravis mountains to portfolio
B Corp-certified walking specialist Inntravel is adding a new self-guided holiday in the Aravis mountain range to its French programme of (18) hotel-to-hotel walking breaks. The route takes walkers through the Aravis mountains, part of the Savoie Alps south-east of Geneva; the route begins in the village of La Clusaz and finishes in lakeside Annecy, slated as the ‘Venice of the Alps’, staying in chalet-style hotels.
The French Alps and Lake Annecy self-guided walking holiday costs from £1,650pp based on two sharing, including seven nights’ B&B (three three-star hotels and one four-star hotel), three dinners, luggage transported between hotels, route notes, maps and GPS navigation. It is available from 7 June – 15 September 2026.
117th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade returns
The 117th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade will return on 17 – 21 December with the theme of ‘Magical Nights of Lights’. Waterfront homes, Duffy boats, yachts and kayaks will be lit up across the harbour.
Newport Beach native and Hollywood star Ted McGinley (Married… with Children) will preside over opening night, along with fireworks, live entertainment and a market featuring makers, food vendors, live entertainment and child-friendly activities. Admission is free.
Beyond the parade, Newport Beach continues its ‘50 Days of Festive Fun’ event throughout December. The celebration includes festive pop-up markets like the Crystal Cove Holiday Bazaar, tree lightings and Santa sightings.
ANA and JNTO launch campaigns for free domestic flights
All Nippon Airways (ANA) is offering its UK and European passengers free domestic flights across its extensive regional network. This fare will be available until 31 January 2026 as part of a joint campaign between ANA and the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). The incentive aims to move visitors beyond the well-known cities, inspiring people to explore lesser-known regions.
Economy Class passengers can now filter between Tokyo or Kyoto and less popular destinations, such as mountainous Tohoku, the onsen towns of Kyushu, or the tropical islands of Okinawa at no additional fare. All Economy fare bookings made between 24 November 2025 and 31 January 2026 are eligible, and up to two ANA domestic flights within Japan will be free of charge.
Tropical Sky launches 20 trips to celebrate 20th anniversary
Tropical Sky is celebrating its 20th anniversary and has unveiled its 20th Anniversary Holiday Collection, a portfolio of journeys across all seven continents, each featuring business-class flights.
Every itinerary has been designed by Tropical Sky’s team across its six brands and include cultural encounters and meetings with sporting legends and royals, to visiting natural wonders and VIP access to attractions.
Itineraries include: the 20-night New Zealand tour Kiwis, Vineyards and Glaciers; Cruise to the End of the World, a 13-night Antarctic trip created in partnership with Quark Expeditions; and the 11-night Volcano Extravaganza and Culinary Indulgence in Sicily itinerary.
Cairngorms National Park opens winter light show
The ‘Ancient Forest Twi-LIGHTS‘ experience has opened at the Landmark Forest Adventure Park at Carrbridge, near Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. It will be open until 4 January 2026 and again during the February half term (6th – 18th of February 2026). Visitors follow a one-kilometre trail through ancient pinewood forest, illuminated by thousands of lights and accompanied with sound effects.
Special features include a UV light tunnel and a ‘Red Squirrel Trail’, a treetop journey that takes visitors up into the forest canopy for views of the illuminated woodland below. The event incorporates the original Treetop Trail, built nearly 30 years ago and now expanded for improved accessibility, including buggy and wheelchair access. Ticket prices are: adults £17; children/seniors £12; toddlers £7; under 3’s free.
