The Flyer: an American adventure

Welcome to the Flyer. This week: As America holds its midterm elections, we visit the personal presidential libraries that give a real insight into the country's past leaders; Anna Pickard boards the great silver trains on a "soul calming" 66,511-mile, 17-state journey across America's heartland; plus Kevin Rushby goes wolf watching in Yellowstone National Park. On Been there we're looking for cities that come alive during winter, and join our Flickr Friday readers' photography club. Plus win a hotel stay in our fiendishly difficult Viewfinder competition and find the latest news and comment, holiday offers and more. THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS Amtrak adventures: 15 days and 6,511 miles across America's heartland All the presidents' libraries: a unique insight into past US leaders as the midterms take place Audio slideshow: Walking with wolves in Yellowstone National Park The big London quiz: Test your knowledge of the capital Video: A green light for Thailand's tourism On the trail of the real Dracula in Romania ADVERTISEMENT Fly to Romania from £16.54 one way Looking for an inspiring break with incredible scenery, historic landmarks and a rich history? Romania is the perfect place for your next city break. From the splendours of the Romanian Athenaeum to relaxing thermal springs, and from the fantastic Bran (Dracula's) Castle where you can learn about the legend of Count Dracula, to the immense Carpathian Mountains – there is something for everyone and you can take a flight from just £16.54 one way from London Luton Airport (including taxes). Book a flight today with Blue Air for flights to Bucharest and Bacau by calling 0871 744 7476 or by visiting their website . THIS WEEK'S NEWS AND COMMENT Ryanair fares to rise almost 10% Mövenpick's West Bank hotel is testament to political stability Legoland visitors freed from rides in power cut Ferrari World opens in Abu Dhabi Maldives hotel apologises over marriage blessing abuse Passengers warned over imminent rise in flight tax ADVERTISEMENT Enjoy the quiet side of the mountain Do you dream of quiet days skiing in pristine snow before returning to your hotel to relax in front of a roaring fire? Are you planning your first winter holiday or looking for something a little bit special this time around? If so, Inntravel offers fantastic skiing (both cross-country and downhill) as it's meant to be – away from the crowds, fun and carefree. High-quality, family-run hotels offer delicious local cuisine and a host of other activities on the "quiet side of the mountain". Choose from winter walking, snowshoeing, dog-sledding or sleigh rides. Call Inntravel on 01653 617042 or visit inntravel.co.uk/ski ON BEEN THERE Win a camera: winter cities Send in your top tips on cities which come alive during winter. A Sony digital camera is at stake. Photo club: Flickr Friday Dave Scattergood talks us through the inspiration behind his favourite travel shot and the Been there Flickr group gets creative TRAVEL BLOG Ask Tom This month's lively online clinic with Tom Hall tackled questions ranging from avoiding the crowds and rains in Indonesia, West Africa overland, and planning an Argentine adventure ADVERTISEMENT Round The World Experts – the UK's biggest round the world specialist – can continue the scare across the globe. On your round the world adventure why not visit New Orleans which has more ghosts than anywhere else in the US, Aokigahara Forest in Japan, which is reportedly populated by ghouls and monsters and check out Sydney's Rockwood necropolis, resting place of more than 1 million people? The world is your haunted house with Round The world Experts, with flights round the world from £778 and the Travel Butler to act as a free "spirit guide" while you travel. Check out their website, roundtheworldexperts.co.uk , or call and talk to an expert on 0844 499 9315 LATE OFFERS Save £190pp on a week's Christmas ski holiday in Alpe D'Huez, France Pay £599pp (was £789) for a week's stay at the Chalet Hotel L'Escapade, which overlooks the pistes. Departing 19 Dec the price includes seven nights' catered chalet accommodation (daily breakfast and a five-course evening meal six days a week), flights from Gatwick and transfers. skieuropeonline.co.uk , +44 (0)1350 728 869 White truffle break in Italy, from £451pp Save £122pp on this two-night autumn spa weekend in Tuscany during the La Sagra del Tartufo Bianco white truffle festival which is celebrated with music, marching bands and food. Departs 26 Nov and includes two-nights at the four-star spa hotel Bagni di Pisa in San Giuliano Terme on a B&B basis, return flights from Gatwick to Pisa and car-hire. Based on two sharing. sardatur-holidays.co.uk , +44 (0)208 940 8399 Save £400 on a week's stay at Lee Bay, North Devon The Mill House now costs £875 for a week's stay starting 13 or 20 Nov and sleeps 10. This 16th-century listed property on the water's edge has an inglenook fireplace, woodburning stove, boathouse and the drawbridge over the mill race. wmarsdens.co.uk , +44 (0)1271 813 777 Seven nights for the price of three in Egypt, from £945pp Save up to £200pp on this offer for a stay in a deluxe suite at Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh on the Red Sea. Valid from 8 Jan-15 Feb and includes breakfast, flights and transfers (based on two sharing). itcclassics.co.uk , +44 (0)1244 355 527 GUARDIAN COTTAGES AND VILLAS Guardian Cottages and Villas service Search 10,000 UK cottages and 5,000 villas and gites across Europe COMING UP On the way on theguardian.com Coming up: Britain's best budget eats goes to Leicester for Indian cuisine over Diwali; audio slideshow: an Arctic adventure in Spitsbergen; plus Tom Hall's weekly travel cinic DID YOU MISS ... In Saturday's Travel Guardian My travels with travel writer Gavin Francis in Iceland; star gazing in Nova Scotia, Canada; Halloween capers in New York; plus Sally Shalam reviews Jamaica Inn in Cornwall GUARDIAN HOLIDAY OFFERS Guardian holiday offers Our site brings you the best holidays available from our hand-picked suppliers. We use specialist companies that we trust to look after our readers Half-price Paris Eurostar breaks - from £139 for three nights