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Regional low-cost airline Jet2.com, which launched flights between Manchester and Tel Aviv earlier this month, is now offering package holidays in Israel. Prices start from £596 per person (based on double occupancy) for a one-week holiday at the three-star Marina Hotel in central Tel Aviv. But packages will also be offered for 14- and 21-day stays (www.jet2holidays.com; 0800 408 5599).
● Those taking the new late-evening bmi flight from Tel Aviv which arrives at Heathrow at 11pm, will welcome the terms of the new dot2dot.com transfer. Although not an automatic all-night service, dot2dot.com will wait for any passengers who are pre-booked and whisk them to any address in London for a maximum charge of £19. There are significant discounts for groups — which would even apply to a family of three — and to passengers booking a return (0845 368 2368; www.dot2dot.com).
● In a nod to its jazz history (Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington used to stay there), the luxe Hotel de la Trémoille in Paris is celebrating the city’s summer jazz festivals with an “All That Jazz” package. Available until August 31, it covers the St Germain Jazz Festival (until May 29) and June 1 to July 31 for the Parc Floral’s programme of free weekend concerts. The double-room rate is from €375 (£330) and includes a night’s accommodation with Continental breakfast, a Jazz cocktail, a jazz CD; and a blanket and bottle of wine for the festival (0033 15652 1400; www.hotel-tremoille.com).
● Air France, CityJet and VLM Airlines have launched a new, twice-daily weekday service (once daily at weekends) from London City airport to Nantes, opening up the west of France for Londoners, and with a check-in time of just 15 minutes with hand luggage, (or 20 minutes with hold luggage). With its Medieval, baroque and modern architecture, stylish shops, restaurants and cafés, three universities and a lively cultural scene, Nantes has been voted the best place to live in France in a national survey (www.airfrance.co.uk or www.paysdelaloire.co.uk).
● If you are planning a heritage trip to Lodz, the Polish city’s newest boutique property, the four-star Andel’s Hotel, has just joined Summit Hotels, part of the up-scale Preferred Hotels marketing organisation. Located in the historic Manufaktura district, the city’s main shopping, art, and cultural area, the month-old Andel’s has become an instant hot spot for lunch, brunch or dinner, while its rooftop Sky Bar, has become the place to meet for pre-dinner cocktails (www.Summit.Hotels.com; www.andelslodz.com)
● There are still a few places left for Absolut Events’ Jewish Beach Club in Miami from June 28 to July 5. The seven-night, fully kosher singles trip is based at the five-star Eden Roc Hotel and includes breakfast, dinner — including Friday-night dinner — parties, tours and other activities. Price is $1,860 (£1,278) per person, based on two sharing, excluding flights. Single rooms are sold out, but there are discounts on double rooms if you book today, May 15 (www.absolut-events.com; 001 786 271 3069).
● For those taking a staycation this year, the James Taylor Quartet and Jazz legend Courtney Pine are among the big names at this summer’s Greenwich Beer and Jazz Festival to be held in the gardens of the Old Royal Naval College from July 8 to 12. As well as stars of traditional jazz, funk, Latin and blues, British breweries will be present, along with summer cocktails (www.greenwichbeerandjazz.com; www.greenwichwhs.org.uk; 0870 608 2000).
● Malta — definitely the summer’s hot destination — has been voted the premier dive destination in Europe, and third best globally, by Diver magazine in their annual awards. Voted by readers, the award — the first for a Mediterranean country — rates the Maltese Islands as one of the most sought-after diving destinations alongside the Maldives and Caribbean (www.visitmalta.com).