GO ADVICE: From a South America adventure to family fun on a cruise in the Med, JOAN SCALESanswers your travel questions
Crying out for Argentina visit
For the past number of years, in conjunction with family living in London, we have exchanged our houses with people all around the world.
We would now like to visit South America, mainly Argentina, and if possible a couple of neighbouring countries. Having examined the home exchange websites there are very few houses available in Argentina. Due to the fact we are getting on in years, we think it would be more convenient if we visited our proposed destination as part of a guided tour. Could you recommend the best time to visit Argentina when it is not too hot and a suitable/ reputable tour operator either in Ireland or in the UK?
JM, Dublin
The weather in Argentina is the opposite of here, so their summer is our winter and when it is spring here, it is autumn there. Because Argentina is a vast country, it has a wide range of temperatures. It stretches more than 3,500km, from tropical on the border with Brazil to almost Arctic in the south where it is close to the Antarctic. Best time to go would be late spring to summer, September to November, or late summer into autumn, January to April.
There are two companies in Ireland which specialise in South America. Nuevo Mundo (0818-204488, nuevomundo.ie), based in Wicklow, can arrange tailor-made trips and include the sights that you wish to see.
In Cork, Beacon South America (0818-300123, beaconsouthamerica.com) has a range of tours to Argentina and other countries. It can arrange a specific itinerary for you that will take in Argentina and other countries in South America.
From the UK, Intrepid Travel (intrepidtravel.com) runs organised tours all year round. One of the trips it does in comfort class is a tour of Argentina and Chile over eight days, visiting Buenos Aires, Bariloche, Mendoza and on to soak up Chilean culture in Santiago. It costs from €1,650.
For something more upmarket, the Classic Argentina tour from Abercrombie and Kent (abercrombiekent.com) gives you two weeks exploring this vast country staying in luxury hotels with private tours and internal flights. It costs from £4,495pps (€5,095).
On a cruise with my son
I am a single mum with a 12-year-old son. I want to take him away on holiday but I am struggling with where. Like all 12-year-olds he is very active and like all mums I need some relaxation – cost obviously is restricted somewhat. I had thought about a cruise as I felt my son would meet other kids.
S, Belfast
I think a cruise would be a great idea as it would allow you to have some time to relax while your son is being entertained. A cruise also includes all meals and entertainment. Many cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean and Thomson Cruises, have become more child-friendly and have dedicated clubs and activities for children. Ships are also a safe environment for families.
The good news is that Disney is also going to base a ship in the Mediterranean this summer and this is geared up for lots of entertainment for the children. Disney Magic has deck parties with cartoon characters, separate pools for adults and children, sports tournaments and many organised activities. Prices are from about €1,100pps for a week.
Royal Caribbean has a number of ships in the Mediterranean and the Baltic this summer. There is a great variety of sports activities, from ice-skating rinks to rock-climbing walls. Prices are from about €500-€800pps without flights.
Prices are a little less in August than July. You can get advice and details for both of these cruise lines from Cruise Holidays in Dublin, (01-8173558, cruiseholidays.ie).
Make sure to ask questions, such as the ratio of counsellors for children’s activities and whether there is separate entertainment or pool areas for the tweeners.
Thomson Holidays is better known for package holidays in the sun, but it now has cruise holidays too. Prices are very keen and this summer it will operate flights from Belfast to Palma, Majorca. A week’s cruise on the Mediterranean begins at £650pps (€736), including flights. See thomson-cruises.co.uk.
Heading north of Brisbane
We will be attending a wedding in Australia in November and would like to spend a few days on the coast north of Brisbane before returning to Ireland. We have been to the Gold Coast area. Any ideas?
HD, Dublin
Two hours’ drive north of Brisbane is Noosa Heads. Located on the edge of Noosa National Park and Laguna Bay, it has great places to stay and eat. Places to see include the Noosa National Park, the Noosa River Everglades, and Cooloola National Park.
Just off the southern coast of Queensland is Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world (120km long and 30km across) and the only place where rainforest grows on sand.
Fraser Island has pure freshwater lakes, rock pools for swimming and amazing coloured sand formations known as The Cathedrals. The island has many bird species and its warm waters attract dolphins and turtles. Humpback whales and their young pass on the western side of the island between August and November, so you could be lucky to spot some.
Alternatively, the Sunshine Coast, a favourite holiday spot for Australians about 100km north of Brisbane, is a stretch of sandy beaches, clear waters and rolling green mountains. Towns such as Montville and Maleny are places to consider staying.
Along this coastline there are great beaches, and good places to stay and eat, from Caloundra to Noosa. The Sunshine Coast is best known for its sub-tropical weather and surf. See Australia.com for more information.
E-mail questions, with your name and address, to jscales@irishtimes.com