A Cornish hideaway

A beach hut cafe, European foodie breaks and three of the best firework displaysTake me there: Watergate Bay, CornwallThere are there are few better places to be on a cold November day than the Beach Hut caf� in Watergate Bay with a mug of hot chocolate, watching the surfers do battle against the epic swells. And great surf is not all Cornwall has going for it at this time of year. The Hotel at Watergate Bay (watergatebay.co.uk) is currently offering a "Taste of the Bay" package, with three nights' B&B and three meals (at the hotel's Brasserie, the Beach Hut and Jamie Oliver's Fifteen) from �160pp ? rooms in high season go for �295 a night. and if that isn't enough to tempt you, Fifteen (fifteencornwall.co.uk) has a three-course lunch special for �19.95 on weekdays until 16 December.Joanne's travel clinic: foodie breaksThe dilemma My husband's a foodie and I'd like to take him somewhere special for his 60th birthday. He won't fly, so it must be reachable by car, ferry or train. Alison, Crawley Jo replies You don't need to travel much beyond the French ferry ports for a memorable and authentic dining experience. Though the ports and hypermarkets of Calais may look uninspiring, within a half-hour drive you can be in a beautiful country auberge, tucking into Michelin-standard food. The Ferme des Chartroux (ferme-des-chartroux.com), on a 13th-century working farm just 44 miles from Calais, features in Inntravel's new programme of special getaway breaks (inntravel.co.uk) ? a collection of properties in Picardy, Normandy and Bruges hand-picked for their ease of access and great food. Book a celebration package for �338pp including two nights at the auberge, a bottle of champagne on arrival and an eight-course "menu d�gustation" at the acclaimed La Grenouill�re (lagrenouillere.fr) ? travel is not included. Alternatively, travel by rail to Bruges and enjoy a slap-up meal at the Kardinaalshof restaurant (kardinaalshof.be) and two nights at the intimate Hotel Prinsenhof (prinsenhof.com) from �388pp.Three of the best: fireworks displaysRemember, remember, there's more than one way to mark the fifth of November. Here are three exciting ways to celebrate Bonfire Night ? with a twist1. Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire Entertainers and fireworks outside the illuminated castle. 4 November, 6-9pm. Adults �8, children �5 (english-heritage.org.uk)2. Ottery St Mary, Devon Burly men carry flaming tar barrels through crowded streets in this old tradition. Scary? Slightly. 5 November. �1 donation (otterytarbarrels.co.uk)3. Llangollen Railway, North Wales The Rocket steam train travels to Carrog with a stop for fireworks. 4 November, 6pm. Adults �13, children �8 (llangollen-railway.co.uk)If you have a travel dilemma, email Joanne O'Connor at magazine@observer.co.ukDay tripsFood and drinkShort breaksJoanne O'Connorguardian.co.uk © 2011 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Lapland holidays Lapland skiing holidays Travel Finland holidays