Wanderlust Q&A: ask the experts anything

Yesterday, Wanderlust hosted a Q&A session giving you the opportunity to ask anything and everything about the world of travel. Here are the resulting queries...

5 mins

Off-beat Budapest

Thomas Whitehead: Hi there. I'm planning a trip to Budapest and would like to know some interesting places to visit while I'm there?

Peter Moore: Hi Thomas – try Marxims Pizza restaurant. Soviet-themed decor and Pizzas named after Soviet leaders. The Stalin uses a *lot* of tomato paste!

Wanderlust travel magazine: Hi Thomas. Also take a look at our '10 things to do for free in Budapest' article for more ideas.

Sarah Baxter: Hi Thomas. Great city. Suggest riding Tram 1 (I think it's 1, could be 2...), which is like a mini city-tour on public transport – goes right along the Danube. Also, the Staute Park, few miles out of the city, is great fun: it's a graveyard of ex-Soviet propaganda – think over-size Lenin feet and stern-looking comrades. The opera is amazing – even if you don't like opera! Beautiful building, and super cheap (think top prices tickets are only about £30, seats in the gods are peanuts).

Peter Moore: Thomas, I can second the Sculpture Park. It's a bit out of the way but worth the visit.

Solo travel in Peru

Danielle Musselwhite: I'm travelling to Peru later this year and am a bit worried about going solo as a female... Any tips for independent travellers to the country?

Lyn Hughes: Hi Danielle, Lyn here from Wanderlust. Peru is a relatively safe country. Do be wary of inner cities – pre-book your first night's accommodation everywhere, and make sure you arrive in the daylight. A few travellers have had problems trekking solo so I'd be wary of that too. We have, by the way, an article on Solo Travel in the next issue of Wanderlust, on-sale 16 August. It will have lots of general tips. and we have a fair amount of content on the website too.

Exotic family travel

Nardia Sullivan: Hi Wanderlust. I am looking at places for a more adventurous family holiday – in the past we have been to Morocco and Sri Lanka. My son is now six. Do you have any suggestions? Must have a bit of beach, bit of activity etc. Thanks!

Peter Moore: Hi Nardia – some friends just returned from a family holiday in Vietnam. Loved it. The locals loved the children.

Nardia Sullivan: Thanks Peter – Vietnam definitely one to consider with the family. I was there about 15 years ago (pre family and commitment) and loved it! Also thinking Borneo. Have read quite a few of your books by the way. Wrong Way Home still a favourite.

Lyn Hughes: Nardia, I agree with Peter that Vietnam would be good. Would also suggest Thailand, Jordan (Petra and Wadi Rum with a bit of Red Sea), and Morocco (combine some desert adventures with the coast, eg Essaouira).

Peter Moore: Thanks Nardia! I've heard good things about Borneo too. Anywhere in that neck of the woods is good with kids. South East Asians are very family oriented. I remember riding the Singapore Metro with my daughter when she was about three and all the locals were snapping pics of her with their phones.

Travel during Ramadan

Kirsten Marie: I am traveling to Petra in a few weeks time. It will be during Ramadan. What can we expect as far as food/water is concerned during the daylight hours?

Lyn Hughes: Hi Kirsten, re Petra. You will be able to get food and drink inside Petra itself, and in Wadi Musa (the small town just outside, where you will almost certainly actually stay). However, they ask visitors to be fairly discreet.

Wanderlust travel magazine: Hi Kristen, take a look at: How to travel during Ramadan for top tips, info and advice.

How to get to Tangier?

Kevin Rawlins: Hello I need to go to Tangier in August. What is the best way to get there from London and what should I see when I'm there?

Peter Moore: Hi Kev. Depends what you mean by 'best'. Plenty of cheap airlines fly there, but nothing beats arriving by ferry from Europe. Also interested to know why you 'need' to go... :-)

Sarah Baxter: Hi Kev. If money isn't an issue (because sadly it's much more than flying), but definitely recommend taking the Eurostar to Paris, then the Elipsos Trainhotel to Madrid (if you have time, spend a day in this great city), then take the train to Algeciras, and then a ferry over to Tangier. It's not the budget option, but it is an adventure! Plus you get to linger in the Spanish capital and sail to Africa!

Budget Berlin

Katherine Price: Hey, I'm moving to Berlin for a year abroad next year – any tips for living/eating/travelling on the cheap?

Wanderlust travel magazine: For all things cheap in Berlin take a look at our: Free things to do in... article.

Capturing the Northern Lights

Beth Fraser-Harding: Hi, my Dad has always wanted to see the Northern Lights but I've heard they are quite tricky to capture. I was wondering when and where is the best time to try and spot them? Thanks.

Wanderlust travel magazine: Hi there. The Northern Lights are truly magical – IF you can spot them. This year is meant to be one of the best for them, but even so it can be tricky. Iceland, Northern Sweden and Norway are the normal spots. One of the best places is Abisko in Sweden which you can also combine with a stay in the Ice Hotel. A lot of tour operators are already getting booked up for the winter season, so if you want to go – book soon!

If photography is your thing, pick up a copy of our new issue of Take Better Travel Photos magazine in WH Smiths, online here or on Apple Newsstand. It has an article specifically on taking photos of the Northern Lights.

South-East Asian travel

Emma Hartley: Hi. What would your recommendations be for three weeks in South-East Asia in November. We are considering Laos but other ideas would be welcome. Thanks. Emma

Lyn Hughes: Hi Emma, I was in Laos a few weeks ago and can really recommend it. (I'll be writing an article for the October issue of Wanderlust). It's friendly, great value, and very chilled. Luang Prabang is worth a few days. I also loved Vieng Xiay – a beautiful valley, dotted with caves where the Pathet Lao (Communists) hid out, when Laos was bombed by the Americans in the Secret War. If I wan the lottery Id open a boutique hotel/ecolodge there tomorrow. From there, you can easily get into Vietnam and onto Hanoi.

Emma, Burma would be the destination to look at if you haven't been there yet. I know it's horribly popular just now (accommodation getting very booked out, and prices are rising) but I fear it will start to lose its character over the next few years...

Best airlines for long-haul journeys?

Phee Young: Thinking of taking a long haul flight to San Francisco to see a friend – which airlines are the best for long-haul journeys?

Wanderlust travel magazine: Hi Phee. We run the Wanderlust Travel Awards every year where we get our readers and website visitors to vote for their favourite tour operators, destinations and airlines. Top airlines in the 2012 ones were: Singapore Airlines, Oman Air, Air New Zealand, Emirates, Qatar, Swiss – of those Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines go from London to San Fran – I haven't had chance to check all the others. You can find the full list here.

Sarah Baxter: Hi Phee. Airlines are quite a personal preference, but you might want to look at the configuration of the planes used on the route. For instance, some planes have a 2-5-2 seat set-up, which means if you are travelling with a companion, you could get a two-seat section to yourself, minimising disruption. Some airlines will use newer planes too – potentially a more pleasant flying experience. For instance, the new Boeing 747 Dreamliner (launching this week!) has a higher cabin pressure and better lighting, which should make you feel less tired on arrival.

Winter sun for me please!

Oli Griffin: Hey guys, looking to get away for some winter sun! Pretty open to suggestion, where would you recommend? I don't mind beach or city breaks, cheers.

Sarah Baxter: How about Egypt? The Red Sea beaches will be lovely Sep-Nov and Feb onwards, and warm Dec-Jan (but maybe not scorching enough for sun-bathing). The bonus of Egypt, of course, is that's there's so much more to see.

Go inland from Sharm/Dahab and you can hike all over the Sinai Peninsula, or head west for the Nile Valley – Cairo will be cool; Luxor and the south lovely and warm and perfect for exploring the tombs and temples.

For something a bit different, keep going west, into the Sahara to visit the oasis cities. Siwa is really remote but utterly unique. Another good thing about Egypt is that it's great value – you might find a 7- to 10-day group tour for as little as £350 (excluding flights).

Lyn Hughes: Hi Oli, I guess a lot depends on whether you are looking short or long-haul? I'm a big fan of Essaouira in Morocco – it will be mild rather than hot, has a chilled atmosphere, lots of activities you can do (kite surfing, riding, cycling etc).

The Canaries get written off as a package holiday destination, but have some superb places for walking, activity hols, culture or just hanging out. Gambia (or Senegal) are mid-haul and have plenty of sun. Or take an overnight flight to Cape Town. There's no time difference, so even if you're looking at a shortish break it's very doable. Winter is also the best time for much of Asia and for the Southern Hemisphere...

Off-the-beaten-track Ibiza

Fred Caws: Hi Wanderlust. Could you please recommend where to go in Ibiza for a possible chance to escape the hordes of tourists and perhaps see some of the island's history and culture, if there is any left?! Thank you.

Wanderlust travel magazine: Lucky for you a writer visited the island for us to find the alternative side just last summer. Take a look online here. Have a good trip!

Single travellers

Diane Lea: Hi, I use Archers Direct quiet a lot as they offer an option of 'save and share' as not to pay the dreaded single supplement and the tours are not overly expensive. Do you know of any other tour companies who offer this option? Thanks, Diane.

Lyn Hughes: Hi Diane, there are a growing number of companies that offer the same idea, ie if you are prepared to share with someone of the same sex then you don't pay the single supplement. For instance, many of the "adventure" (adventure can include cultural tours!), walking and specialist companies offer it.

If you say what destinations or type of holiday you are interested in I may be able to suggest a few. And have a look in the next issue of Wanderlust, on sale 16 August, as we have a feature on Solo Travel, including lots of (supplement-free) ideas.

Diane Lea: Thanks that's great, I don't have a destination in mind, I'm always looking for ideas. Look forward to reading the next issue.

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