TRAVEL: Coronation Street tour to end

The Tour, operated by Continuum Attractions, opened initially on April 5, 2014 for a six-month period but due to public demand, extended planning was granted by Manchester City Council, allowing visitors to continue enjoying the unique experience over Christmas and throughout 2015.

Since opening, the attraction has welcomed over half a million visitors to the former site where Coronation Street was filmed before its move to MediaCityUK.

Visitors can explore behind the scenes of the sound stage studio featuring the green room, dressing rooms, interior sets such as The Rovers Return, The Kabin and The Duckworth’s and the backlot set of Coronation Street’s famous cobbles.

> Treating dad on Father’s Day

Treat your Dad to a great Father’s Day out in The National Forest this year (21 June). Forest attractions are laying on activities to give Dad the best day, whatever his interest.

Cheer him on at Conkers, in the first-ever Father’s Day Triathlon Challenge (21 June). Go-kart racing, canoeing and bike riding – it’s all included in the general entry fee to the 120-acre woodland adventure world at Moira, and there are excellent prizes up for grabs. See more at www.visitconkers.com/events/fathers-day-challenge-sunday-21st-june-2015--216

Or give him a different kind of challenge: free his child within at Stoneywell, the Arts & Crafts woodland cottage hideaway in The National Forest at Ulverscroft: it was created for just such golden fun. Play games of bowls, discover family table tennis with a difference, laze over picnics and raid the laundry tearoom for cake. (Please book your visit in advance for this small but perfectly formed National Trust property.) See more at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stoneywell/things-to-see-and-do/events/

Is your Dad creative or practical? Does he enjoy making things, or simply love being out in the great outdoors? Then how about a wonderful day out in the woods with Greenwood Days, near Melbourne, escaping from daily life having a memorable and rewarding day learning some traditional crafts? Using hand tools and a foot-powered (pole) lathe your Dad (and you if you join him) can create his own garden dibber, honey drizzler, candlestick or other small item. Two or even three generations can share the experience, working together and creating something special for Dad to keep and some wonderful memories. Greenwood Days is set in a hundred acre woodland so there’s plenty of space to take a walk and enjoy the woods. For lunch everyone shares in the creation of some fabulous pizzas cooked in the wood-fired oven. See more at www.greenwooddays.co.uk/fathers-day-woods-21st-june/

For more information on The National Forest see www.nationalforest.org

> Ramblers head off to Prague

Ramblers Worldwide Holidays – the experts in guided walking adventures – is offering a five-day break to the tantalising capital of the Czech Republic – Prague. Highlights include the enchanting city itselfon the River Vitava and the old town hall with its remarkable 15th Century astrological clock.

You will also spend time at the extravagant Kinsky Palace; the Charles the IV Bridge; the baroque Prague Castle; Mala Strana, the most picturesque district of Prague with its labyrinth of alleys, baroque palaces, cloisters and hidden gardens and a trip to Betranka – where Mozart wrote his opera Don Giovanni.

Price from £625 includes return flights, transfers, half board accommodation, a local guide for a half day tour and the services of a dedicated tour leader. Departures from 12 November 2015. For more details, see www.ramblersholidays.co.uk

> ‘Dutch Courage’ on World Gin Day

Gin is officially ‘in’ but who knew it was a Dutch invention? Hotel Pulitzer, Amsterdam has created a package to take guests on a journey of discovery to celebrate the history of gin and jenever in the country of its origins.

The ‘Dutch Courage’ experience launches when gin o’clock strikes on Saturday 13th June - World Gin Day. The package will reveal how the UK’s love affair with gin began during the Dutch War of Independence, and present the spirit in classic and novelty forms.

A highlight of the package will be a visit to the House of Bols Cocktail & Jenever Experience where guests will learn to make and taste world-class cocktails using the oldest distilled brand of Dutch gin, Lucas Bols. They will tour through the Tasting Room and Jenever Hall in an interactive experience that ends with jenever cocktails in the Mirror bar.

The hotel will be getting in to the spirit too. After a day out in the city, guests can enjoy the use of an in-room pop up gin and tonic bar. For those looking for a taste of local culture, Chief Concierge Ron Stoevelaar will recommend the top jenever bars in the local area to complete the experience.

Guests choosing the Dutch Courage package can enjoy:

· Three nights’ accommodation in a Deluxe Room

· Two tickets to the House of Bols Cocktail & Jenever Experience

· Complimentary in-room pop up gin and tonic bar*

· Gin Guide to top five jenever bars in the local area as recommended by the concierge team

The package costs from €200 (approx. £145) per night, and is available until 31 October.

For reservations visit www.pulitzeramsterdam.com or call 00 31205 235 235.