SPEED KINGS TARGETED BY FRENCH

British motorists caught out by European speed cameras will receive penalty points when they return home, under radical plans proposed by the French transport minister. Dominique Bussereau is calling for a European number-plate exchange system, which would clear the way for those caught breaking motoring laws in one country to be punished in their home nation. The new law could be in effect as early as 2010.

INSIDE TRACK ON THE INCA TRAIL

If you’re hoping to hike the Inca Trail in 2009, you’d better book early, warns the adventure-travel specialist Explore. Next year, the Peruvian government is strictly enforcing its limit of 500 hikers hitting the 35-mile trail per day, severely limiting access to the popular four-day route. Permits, which traditionally go on sale in January and February, are being released in December 2008.

TOUCHDOWN IN ST KITTS

British Airways has announced new flights to the two-island nation of St Kitts and Nevis early next year. The weekly service from Gatwick will commence on January 10, with return fares from £710. Meanwhile Randolph Hamilton, director of cruise tourism for St Kitts and Nevis, has promised that there will be “no harassment of cruise-ship passengers and no soliciting from passengers” this season under tough new regulations imposed on the isles.

SKI TRAINS ON SALE

Seats on Rail Europe’s ski-train services will be up for grabs this week, with fares starting at £99 return and no surcharges for baggage, skis or fuel. As air fares rocket, taking the train to the slopes has become increasingly popular, with high-speed rail services putting Alpine hubs such as Grenoble just six hours away from London. Tickets for departures between December 14 and January 15, 2009, go on sale this Wednesday. Reservations from February 9 to March 6 - covering the popular half-term week - can be made from November 6 at www.raileurope.co.uk .

PANIC IN POMPEII

A low rumble followed by two booms from Mount Vesuvius last week caused panic-stricken Neapolitans to jam the city’s rather unnecessary “eruption hotline”. The 3m people who live in the area are acutely aware that Vesuvius is long overdue for a serious eruption, and that emergency evacuation plans have not been updated in five years. In the event, they weren’t tested - the two explosions were sonic booms from Italian air-force jets.

Times recommends

• Bogus websites are conning hundreds out of their holidays
• The complete last minute holiday guide
• Croatia: the flashing blades of Korkcula