Funny girl

The acerbic American comedienne and plastic-surgery devotee Joan Rivers enjoyed her time at Bovey Castle (www.boveycastle.com) in Devon last week, before her expletive-laden appearance at the Bafta awards last Sunday. Staff at the country house hotel described her as the most amusing guest in ages. Rivers may not have seen the funny side to toad in the hole – she thought it was plain weird – but she absolutely swore by the tuna.

Argy veggie

The Argentine chef Diego Felix (www.diegofelix.com) and his American girlfriend enjoy good food and good company – and now combine the two in their stylish Buenos Aires home by inviting the public (max 12) to dinner every weekend. For about £20 you get a seven-course menu paired with local wines and, unusually in the meat-loving country, it’s all veggie and fish.

Smart card

Erik Torkells, editor of the American magazine Budget Travel, has put together a selection of readers’ travel tips, with great advice whichever side of the Pond you’re on, including 13 different uses for a freezer bag and how a digital camera can help you to find your ideal rental car. Details: The Smart Traveller’s Passport (Quirk Books, £8.99).

Bags of fun

Dragging the kids through the airport should be a lot more fun when you’re pulling them on a mini-suitcase that is actually designed for them to ride on. The Towgo from Trunki (£29.99 plus £4.99 p&p, www.trunki.co.uk) is made from durable plastic and is hand-luggage approved. Shame there isn’t one for adults.

Miami vice

Bad news for Florida-bound tourists – Miami has the rudest drivers of any major American city, according to a survey by a US automobile club. New York was next (but you would have to be mad to hire a car there) while Portland, Oregon, was judged the most friendly.

Cleaner cash

New measures to combat money laundering will come into effect next month. From June 15 people leaving the UK to visit a country outside the EU, or returning from one, and carrying 10,000 euros or equivalent (£6,790) in cash, bankers’ drafts, cheques or travellers’ cheques will have to make a declaration at the point of arrival or departure. Further information: www.gnn.gov.uk

Royal train

The Queen’s wedding dress, complete with 13ft (4m) train, jewellery and some of the 2,500 wedding presents she received, will feature in an exhibition this summer at Buckingham Palace. Tickets to the State Rooms and the exhibition, to celebrate the 60th wedding anniversary of the Queen and Prince Philip in November, cost £15. Details: 020-7766 7300, www.royalcollection.org.uk, open July 28-September 25.

Web of the week

www.airlinemeals.net

Oven doors to manual. This site tells you all you never really wanted to know about sky-high grub. There are even pictures of what the crew gets to eat, which looks as unappetising as everything we are served – perhaps one reason a BA stewardess recently tried to heat a ready meal she had brought on board. Her exploding curry caused £20,000 worth of damage.

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