The Flyer: unsung UK cities

Welcome to the Flyer. This week: The delights of the likes of Edinburgh, London, Oxford or Manchester are well versed, but this week we look at a cultural revival in some of Britain's less-visited cities - from Birmingham's thriving arts scene to soul music in Stoke. Plus blogger Rolf Potts talks about travelling the world without any luggage; and we follow in the footsteps of Charles Dickens' ancestors in Australia. On Been there we want to hear about your favourite city blogs. Plus the latest news and comment, holiday offers and more. THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS Unsung UK cities: Derby daze: high times at the Festé festival , discover the heart and soul of Stoke-on-Trent and Birminghams' arts revival . We pick Leicester's top 10 budget eats for Diwali plus add your own on the blog My travels: Rolf Potts goes round the world with no luggage Dickens down under : award-winning Australian author Thomas Keneally retraces the steps of Charles Dickens's sons in New South Wales MULTIMEDIA Video: Up, up and away at Bristol's Balloon Fiesta Audio slideshow: A Shackleton adventure in Svalbard ADVERTISEMENT Sparkling Christmas market weekends Escape the festive rush and discover the sights, sounds and smells of a traditional Christmas market set in beautiful surroundings. Twinkling scenes of beautifully decorated squares with enchanting market stalls and glittering Christmas trees will enchant the whole family. The aromas of roasted chestnuts, grilled sausages, mulled wine and ginger bread fill the air and help create that unique yuletide ambience. Dertour offers 50 European Christmas market getaways to exciting destinations like Paris, Munich, Vienna and Prague. We can tailor-make your perfect trip to meet your exact requirements and ensure your Christmas holiday wishes come true! THIS WEEK'S NEWS AND COMMENT Qantas finds oil leaks in A380 engines Pompeii building collapse prompts calls for privatisation of city Airlines suspend flights to Jakarta after Merapi spews ash five miles into air Cuban plane crashes with 68 on board Yorkshire hopes beach clean-up campaign will set blue flags flying high ON BEEN THERE Great city blogs Win a Sony digital camera with your top tips on the best blogs for getting inside a city Flickr Friday Atri Ray shares his favourite shot and the inspiration behind it. Meanwhile our Flickr photo group showcases some excellent travel images this week TRAVEL BLOG Ask Tom Lonely Planet's Tom Hall offers advice on taking the slow boat to Tangier, car-free Italy with a teenager and exploring Iran LATE OFFERS Seven nights in Costa del Sol, from £229pp This is the price for week at four-star Hotel Las Palomas in Torremolinos on a full-board basis, including flights departing Birmingham on 4 December. Based on two sharing. lowcostholidays.com , 0800 1116271. Seven nights in Barbados from £499pp - save up to £204 Price includes scheduled flights with Virgin Atlantic from Gatwick direct to Barbados, accommodation at the 3V Palms Resort, on a self-catering basis and transfers. Valid for departures 16 -23 Nov, based on two adults sharing a standard room and including all applicable taxes and fuel surcharges. virginholidays.co.uk ; 0844 557 3870 Three nights in New York, from £459pp This price is for a stay at three-star plus Art Deco New Yorker hotel, near the Empire State Building, based on two adults sharing on a room only basis, including return flights from Heathrow and taxes. Valid for departures between 4 January and 31 March. letsgo2.com , 0871 208 0093. 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 guardian.co.uk Coming up: Looking ahead to the Ashes Down Under we check out hidden Brisbane; Stockholm on a budget; plus Martin Wainwright's video guide to another of his best British views DID YOU MISS ... In Saturday's Travel Guardian An Arctic exploration to a unique hotel in Svalbard; war and peace in the Solomon Islands; Europe's art deco hotels; plus where to catch some winter sun 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 Berlin city break - from £349 for three nights