Michael Copus
"Hello Wanderlust. I've not long graduated from the financial hell-hole of university, and despite finding a full-time job, I'm hoping to get away for a couple of weeks just to chill out. Can you recommend somewhere that's post-uni budget friendly, but still full of some life-affirming sights? Thaaaaanks!"
Peter Moore: I'd suggest somewhere like Essaouira in Morocco. It's a chilled beach-side town, with plenty of character and opportunities to sample the local lifestyle. One of the things I loved doing there was buying freshly caught fish from the market and getting one of the local restaurants to cook it for you. They'll only charge you 50p or so to do it, so it's a bargain. Try and find one of the local 'bars'; often hidden down one of the tiny alleys. And full of life-affirming sights! Early evening/early morning on the city walls best time/place to hear your thoughts in Essaouira.
Sarah Baxter: Hi Michael, congrats on the graduation! Depends on how exotic you want to go. Imagine some of the team might recommend Morocco - cheap flights available, cheap on the ground. Personally, for a good, good-value head-clearing - especially if this gorgeous spring weather continues - I'd say: walk one of the UK's National Trails (South West Coast Path is a personal fave... www.southwestcoastpath.com). With your home (borrow a tent? Ebay?), possessions (two T-shirts max) and a loaf of bread in your backpack you'll be set - just keep walking!
Dan Linstead: Hi Michael. SE Asia is had to beat on the budget front - Thailand routinely tops value for money polls. If you want to avoid the crowds, head to the northeast (Isan) or far west along the Burmese border. For an island chill-out with an eco-twist, how about this for £20 per night, run by an American conservationist I travelled with a few years ago? www.thaiecolodge.com The islands of southern Cambodia and Vietnam (e.g. Phu Quoc) are also lovely and quieter than many Thai islands.
Wanderlust Travel Magazine: Check out our short breaks guide for more tips and advice + plenty of related articles with more destination ideas.
Sam Atkins
"Hi, please can you recommend a European rail pass offering the best value for money for travel between three+ countries over a two to four week period? Thanks!"
Sarah Baxter: Hi Sam, I Inter-railed more years ago than I'd care to mention and it was grand - best way to see Europe. For passes you want to check out www.interrailnet.com - there are a range of options - you can get 'global' passes, which cover travel in 30 countries. They vary in price depending on how old you are, and how much you want to travel, but a '10 days of travel within 22 days' pass costs £229 if you're under 25.
However, before you rush into buying a pass, think about where you want to go and how much time you will spend actually travelling. In some countries (Italy for instance) train travel is cheap, and if you're only moving between a few cities, and then spending several days in each, it may work out cheaper to buy a selection of point-to-point tickets. The guru of all things rail is undoubtedly the Man in Seat 61 (www.seat61.com) - this should be your first port of call - for inspiration as well as information. For more on rail travel in general, have a look at www.wanderlust.co.uk/planatrip/types-of-trip/rail-journeys.
Wanderlust travel magazine: Maybe some more inspiration...? 'Europe by train - the alternative Orient Express'
Neil Fahey
"What's the best time to go to Israel, Jordan, Gaza & The West Bank? What would be the best/cheapest/easiest way to get there from Melbourne (Aus)? Any festivals or oddities that I should make sure I don't miss?"
Peter Moore: Try one of the airlines based in the Gulf - always one of the cheapest flying out of Australia and with plenty of connections to the Middle East from their gulf hub. Qatar Airways had a two-for-one sale the other day (sadly now finished), but keep your eye on Emirates etc. I think Qatar only fly out of Melbourne, so that's a bonus ... As to best time - I travelled there in Dec/Jan and the weather was great 20-25, blue skies during the day. Bit chilly at night though - but you're from Melbourne, you can handle it!
Wanderlust travel magazine: Hey Neil, it depends what type of weather you're looking for and whereabouts you're planning on travelling Spring and Autumn can bring pleasant temperatures where as summer can be stiflingly hot. Check out our Middle East destination guides for the specific countries for times (and temperatures) to suit you.
Karen Hall
"Hi, I have two subjects to enquire about; Is Morocco safe to travel to again? Is there anywhere in particular I should avoid? Also, do you think 14 days is enough time to travel around Croatia by train/public transport and possibly boat? I want to see all the main highlights but also get under the skin of the locals and slightly off the beaten track. Thanks."
Dan Linstead: Hi Karen, I got back from Morocco two weeks ago and had no problems at all. Although there have been a few isolated demos in the country, generally it's business as usual: there are certainly thousands of visitors enjoying the spring sunshine in Marrakech.I did a wonderful through leg-stretching trek up Mt Toubkal with Exodus (4,107m and proud!).
The Atlas Mts are beautiful at this time of year - snows melting, flowers blooming, clear blue skies. The Mgoun massif sounded very tempting if you want a slightly more offbeat tip - good walking and fascinating villages. So, yes - bar any changes, it's certainly safe to travel - just exercise usual precautions and check the latest FCO advice before you go.
Re Croatia, you'd be hard-pressed to do justice to the whole country in a fortnight, but there are some very do-able chunks. Have a read of our Trip Planner here.
PS We're doing a writing weekend in Dubrovnik in the autumn - dates TBC - so you could come with me!
Alexis Stennett
"How easy is it to travel Amman-Aqaba in 7-9 days on your own seeing Petra, dead sea, wadi rum camping, aqaba, and highlights around Amman without driving? Flying in and out of Amman. A lot to pack in. Better off booking a tour? Any tips would be wonderful. Thanks in advance!"
Dan Linstead: Doable but you'll need to shift! Buses and long-distance taxis are the main options, tho you could fly back from Aqaba to Amman to save some time. The Kings Highway is the scenic route; the Desert Highway is the high-speed blacktop. Aim for 2 days around Amman, 2 days down the K Highway (Madaba, Dana nature reserve), 2 nights in Wadi Rum , 2 nights in Petra and a final night or 2 in Aqaba. I did it in 1993 and loved it. Check out our Jordan travel guide for more ideas.
Nestor Lacle
"I'll be traveling in South America from August to January. Which festivals shouldn't I miss? I'm looking for photographic opportunities."
Peter Moore: Hi Nestor - there will be heaps of small, local religious festivals going on over the Christmas period. Chances are you'll just stumble upon them. Also, check out this Wanderlust article full of tips on photographing festivals by photo guru Steve Davey.
Wanderlust Travel magazine: Plus there's the Cowboy's Graucho Festival in November in Argentina and if only you were staying longer the Carnival in Rio in Feb. Check out our 'where to go in...' pages on the website for more ideas.
Michael Robinson
I've booked a 10 days holiday to Pathos in May next month ... any tips and treats in the country I should be looking out for as it's our 1st ever 5 star holiday and break from work in years !!!
Lyn Hughes: Hi Michael, explore the Akamas area; great for walking, wildlife etc. Visit the turtle sanctuary if its open (may be too early in the season). Paphos itself has loads of history; mosiacs, catacombs etc, and hardly anyone goes to see them. Do go up into the mountains too.
Sarah Baxter: Hi Michael - Cyprus in May will be lovely - not too hot, not too crowded, wildflowers etc etc. Are you an outdoorsy type? I'd head for some hiking in the Troodos Mountains if I were you - not only are there plenty of hikes now marked, but there's been a concerted effort to try to develop the rural tourism side of things, away from the island's big resorts. This would be the place to eat cheese from the goats pecked about your boots! If you're going late-ish May, head to the Paphos region's beaches where turtles nest from late-May to August.Take local advice to ensure you don't disturb the animals.
Cyprus has some of the Med's best diving, so you could splash out on a learn-to-dive course, if you don't already know (when you master buoyany, it feels like flying!); if you CAN dive already, dive the Zenobia wreck, reputedly one of the Med's best dive sites. As you know, Cyprus is a divided island - relations are much improved between Greek and Turkish sides these days, but for now at least there's still a socking great wall separating the capital. A walk across the no man's land, from Greek Nicosia to Turkish Lefkosa is worth an afternoon!
Chris Parker
"I'm travelling to Antarctica next February on a 12-day cruise run by Intrepid - Very Excited...Any tips on battling the effects of rough seas? and how can I best spend a week in Buenos Aires after I've wobbled off the boat?"
Peter Moore: Hi Chris - once you get your land legs back you could always take some tango lessons. You've got the best teachers in the world In Buenos Aires and surprisingly affordable. Also, even if you're not into football, you should also try and check out a Boca's game out at the Bombenero stadium. Full-on and unforgettable!
Wanderlust Travel magazine: Hi Chris we have two seasickness articles on the website Beating seasickness and Queasy rider
PLUS We have a Ten things to do for free article on Buenos Aires.
Lyn Hughes: Hi Chris, you may be lucky with the seas; I was when I went to Antarctica and only had one half day where I felt queasy. Best advice seemed to be to stay at deck level and watch the horizon. Go out n the fresh air a lot too. Have a fab time!
Gina Browse
"Can someone tell me how long it takes to get from the V&A waterfront in Cape Town to the international airport?"
Lyn Hughes: Hi Gina, only 20-30 minutes outside of rush-hour; allow longer though just in case!.
Wanderlust Travel Magazine: At 25km East of the city centre we'd say, depending on the traffic of course, it should take just over half an hour
Peter Moore: If you want to make it an all-day adventure catch one of the beat-up minivans referred to locally as 'taxis'!
Mike C
"I am off to Copenhagen on Easter Monday, what recommendations do you have for the city?"
Sarah Baxter: Very nice indeed! It's a lovely city - best explored by FREE city bike (see www.bycyklen.dk), as the Danish capital has oodles of cycle paths (and cyclists). I'd also recommend a Smushi (a sushi twist on traditional Danish smorrebrod open sandwiches) at the www.theroyalcafe.dk. The Tivoli Gardens are a must if the weather's good - Denmark's favourite playground, it's a charmingly cheesy selection of lakes, pavillions and rides.
