WE ARE A GROUP OF SIX OVER 70S, ALL REASONABLY FIT, AND WE'VE BOOKED A SEVEN-DAY CRUISE OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. WE ARE STAYING FOR ONE WEEK IN WAIKIKI. WHAT'S YOUR SELECTION OF DAY TRIPS AND ACTIVITIES?
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B. CURTIS, FORSTER
It's some time since I last set foot in Hawaii but here are some great suggestions form Cynthia Rankin, regional director of corporate communications for Hilton Hotels in Hawaii. Visit the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor; this is an absolute must-do. Hike to the top of Diamond Head for gorgeous 360-degree views. Catch either the bus or a taxi to the parking area and then walk the path. Snorkel at Hanauma Bay marine sanctuary (hanaumabaystatepark.com). Rent a car or book a "circle-island" tour and drive around the island of Oahu. Stop on the north shore at cute little Haleiwa for shaved ice at Matsumoto's. If you're there during winter, check out the big waves and surfing competition. When you get to the northeast side of the island buy a plate of shrimps from one of the roadside lunch wagons – finger food supreme. If you're there between October and March, take a whale-watch tour. Shopping might feature on the wish list and if so, the Waikele Outlet Mall is the place, while some of your group might prefer a day out on one of the island's golf courses. In the home of surfing, getting onto a board is a natural thing to do. You can take a lesson right out the front of the Hilton Hawaiian Village from the renowned Errol Kane jnr who guarantees you'll be catching a wave and standing up on day one. If it's your first trip to Hawaii, you might want to take in a luau. There are several on Oahu, including Hilton Hawaiian Village's Waikiki Starlight Luau (hiltonhawaiianvillage.com), held Sunday to Thursday evenings.
WE ARE A FAMILY OF FIVE BOUND FOR CHRISTMAS IN SALZBURG, STAYING IN THE OLD TOWN. I AM TRYING TO BOOK A CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION MEAL WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF THE RADISSON BLU HOTEL. SHOULD THIS BE CHRISTMAS EVE OR CHRISTMAS DAY? SEVERAL HOTELS PROVIDE A SET MENU – MOST INCLUDE CRAYFISH/SALMON AND BRUSSELS SPROUTS. I HAVE TWO CHILDREN HIGHLY ALLERGIC TO FISH, AND SINCE BOARDING SCHOOL DAYS I HAVE HAD AN AVERSION TO BRUSSELS SPROUTS!
P. LARKINS, CHATSWOOD
Restaurants in Salzburg have not yet published their Christmas menus for 2015, but you can expect similar menus to those of Christmas 2014. Christmas Eve is the traditional date for the feast throughout continental Europe, but many hotel restaurants will open on Christmas Day so you have a choice. The Radisson Blu will have its own special dinner menu, which started at 6.30pm on Christmas Eve in 2014. Restaurant Mirabell in the Sheraton Salzburg (sheratonsalzburg.com) will likely have a festive Christmas Eve buffet once again, but it includes wines and coffee; the price was €125 each in 2014. The Salzachgrill in the ritzy Hotel Sacher (sacher.com) offered an a la carte Christmas menu in 2014, and this might be a better choice. The Sacher is 500 metres from your hotel. A couple of other restaurants will likely offer an a la carte menu for the 24th, but only during the day. Both close in the evening. The list includes the Arthotel Blaue Gans (hotel-blaue-gans-salzburg) and the folksy Gasthof Goldgasse (gasthofgoldgasse.at) – my own preference. Both will probably serve an a la carte lunch menu on the 24th, and both are within half a kilometre of your hotel. These last two might be open for lunch and dinner on the 25th, but you'd need to check.
WE ARE PLANNING A WEEK IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL IN MAY/JUNE NEXT YEAR, USING AN APARTMENT/VILLA IN EACH AS A BASE FOR EXPLORING BY CAR. WE ARE MORE VILLAGE AND SCENERY PEOPLE THAN BEACHES AND CITIES. WHAT AREAS OF SPAIN AND PORTUGAL WOULD YOU SUGGEST?
M. PARKER, SHEPPARTON
In Spain at that time of year I'd be inclined to use Seville as a base for wider explorations of Andalucia, but if cities are not your cup of tea then a better choice might be Antequera. If even this city of about 45,000 is too large, then either Iznajar or Priego de Cordoba, but then your choice of accommodation might be limited. There's not too much wrong with the gorgeous town of Ronda, and you're not quite in the tourist season, so it should be reasonably sane. You can find plenty of villa accommodation in the countryside. That might be fine if you plan to do your own cooking, but staying in a town would give you far more dining options without having to worry about driving, and discovering local cuisine is one of the delights of the Iberian Peninsula.
In Portugal, I have happy memories of Evora, a lovely medieval town set on a hill above the Alentejo Plain just inland from Lisbon, which would give you easy access to the interior of the Algarve. Other possibilities include Monsanto, once named "the most Portuguese village in Portugal", and Elvas, which sit close to the Spanish border, both packed with history and large enough to offer a variety of accommodation and dining.
Sawdays (sawdays.co.uk) specialises in small hotels, B&Bs and villas, with plenty of quality recommendations throughout Spain and Portugal.
CONVERSATION OVER TO YOU…
The question was: "Some US and European airlines allow small cats or dogs to be carried in the aircraft cabin. Good idea?"
"On a 'milk run' flight across America, a woman boarded the flight with a small dog in a carry bag which was placed under the seat," writes R. Harrison. "During the flight, the dog barked incessantly causing the passengers to complain and the staff to intervene, but the woman took no notice. A few moments later the plane banked sharply to the left and the pilot came on the PA system announcing, 'We will now make an unscheduled stop in Omaha to let off the lady with the dog'. We didn't stop and the dog was quiet for the rest of the flight."
From K. Brown: "I sat next to a couple who were lucky enough to have their lovely dog with them on a short flight from Paris. The dog was absolutely no trouble and very well behaved in his travel bag. I would love to take my wire hair fox terrier Harry with me on my trips within Australia."
"I have had nothing but problems with pets travelling," writes N. Day. "On a train between Amsterdam and Paris, the owner allowed the dog to use the toilet floor and the toilet was closed for almost the entire journey. On a flight from Paris, a dog in a carry box in the cabin passed wind incessantly. Complaints by the crew were ignored by the owner. Dogs in restaurants and hotel rooms are common in Europe. I hope it is never allowed in Australia. More often than not it is the owner that is the biggest problem."
From J. and D. Oppenheim: "Pablo our chihuahua is a seasoned traveller around Australia, WA and Tassie being the only states on which he has not left his mark! Unfortunately, my wife and I have reached the advanced age so our preferred mode of travel now is air or rail but our adored pet is unable to accompany us. How we miss him on these longer excursions."
Next question: Any great tips for solo women travellers, whether they're in a group or travelling independently?
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