Travel briefs: news from Toronto to Thailand

New hotels, ancient festivals.

The Anse Source d'Argent beach on La Digue in Seychelles. Gerard Larose / Seychelles Tourism Board
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New hotels open in Chennai and Toronto

Four Seasons has just opened a hotel and spa in Canada's largest city, Toronto, where the chain opened its first hotel back in 1961. The 259-room hotel in the upmarket Yorkville district boasts a Daniel Boulud restaurant, Cafe Boulud, with a Mediterranean-inspired menu. A double room costs from C$ 505 (Dh1,894) per night, including taxes. To book, go to www.fourseasons.com. Thousands of kilometres away in Chennai, Park Hyatt have opened their latest Indian outpost, a 201-room hotel near Guindy National Park to the south of the city. A double room costs 8,000 Indian rupees (Dh560) per night, including taxes. For more information, visit www.hyatt.com.

A vegetarian festival in Khao Lak, Thailand

Book into the luxurious Sarojin resort in Thailand and witness a fascinating and unique local festival. From October 15 until October 23, street processions, sacred rituals at Chinese shrines, walking barefoot over hot coals, ascending ladders with bladed rungs and an all day street market will take place in the old town of Takuapa, once an important trading centre with connections to India and Arabia. A six-night package, including breakfast, return airport transfers from Phuket, an hour's drive away, a Thai cooking class for two, and two guided trips to Takuapa, along a river through mangrove forests, costs $2,000 (Dh7,345) per couple. Visit www.sarojin.com or call 0066 76 427 9004 for more details.

Understand the US presidential elections

Political Tours is running a week-long trip through Ohio and Washington DC the week before Americans go to the polls. The tour is being led by former correspondents from The New York Times and highlights include meeting campaign managers on both sides of the political divide, as well as a brunch with pollsters to review the result on November 7. The tour costs £3,200 (Dh18,862), land only and departs October 31. To book, visit www.politicaltours.com.

More Eid offers with Qatar Airways Holidays

Jet off to Bangkok for three nights staying in the four-star Aloft Bangkok-Sukhumvit from Dh2,413 per person or upgrade to the five-star Peninsula Bangkok, one of the city's most popular hotels from Dh3,198 per person. If a city break does not appeal, the airline's tour operator is offering a six night stay in the Seychelles for the price of five from Dh5,383 per person, staying at the four-star Allamanda Beach Resort & Spa. All offers based on two people sharing a twin room and include return economy class flights from Dubai, via Doha. To find out more, visit www.qatarairways.com.