From a classical studies trip to Pompeii to the best way to get to the Altitude Festival, Joan Scalesanswers your travel questions
Classical studies trip to Pompeii
My daughter is in fifth year in school and is doing classical studies. I have offered to take her to see Pompeii (in a weak moment) and am wondering what is the best way to do it? Budget is a big factor – we wouldn’t need to go for much more than a few days, preferably at midterm break in February or at Easter.
JA, Dublin
The most direct route to Pompeii would be with Aer Lingus to Naples, but that service does not begin again until the end of March. During midterm you would have to take a flight to Rome with Aer Lingus or Ryanair and then take the train or a bus tour to Pompeii.
There are daily bus tours from Rome to Pompeii and most cost in the region of €115 per person. It takes up to three hours to get there and you will probably have only three hours in Pompeii. Tours companies include viator.com and enjoyrome.com.
However, as it will be February and there is less daylight you would probably be better to stay in Sorrento and take the train from there to maximise your time at the site. If you wait to travel at Easter, you could go to Naples and cut out the travel from Rome, but hotels will be more expensive at this time of year.
Travel to Sorrento by train from Rome and change in Naples to the local train. You can check out train times and fares from Rome to Naples on trenitalia.com.
The slow train from Rome takes just over two hours and costs about €22. The express train, which takes half the time costs double that. There are rail concessions for students. I estimate you could budget €400-€500 each for a three-four day trip.
In Sorrento, the local train service will get you to Pompeii and Herculaneum for a few euros. The Circumvesuviana railway serves all around that area and will make your trip more enjoyable. You do not need to pre-book tickets on this train. The timetable is available on vesuviana.it/web/en.
Hotels in Sorrento in February will be reasonable – expect to pay about €60-€90 per night for a room. At present fights to Rome next February will cost in the region of €100-€150 return. Because of the time of the flights, if you go out with Aer Lingus and back with Ryanair, you can make the most of your time there.
Learning to drive on the ‘other side’
I have just had a holiday which would have gone a thousand times better if I had had the courage to drive with confidence on the “other side”. I have come home with great intent to resolve the problem. I have driven abroad and will continue to do so, but I would be so much happier if I had more confidence.
So the question is where could I get some lessons or advanced driving practice in Ireland. I would even take a weekend in Europe just to get in some driving experience. My aim is to retire to Greece and driving will be a part of my life.
VC, Cork
The important word in your question is “confidence” and I think that a course in advanced driving would help you feel prepared to drive anywhere. The Irish School of Motoring (1850-530430, ism.ie) has instructors who give advanced driving lessons and this is probably the best route for you.
When you have taken some lessons you could avail of a cheap flight to a European destination and rent a car for a day or two to practice. Pick a smaller city first, maybe Nice, where you have the long stretch of the Côte d’Azur, or Biarritz, where you could drive to San Sebastian and experience traffic in two countries.
On the piste at the Altitude Festival
I wonder could you help me to find the cheapest way possible to go to the Altitude Festival in Méribel for a weekend. I want to take my other half as a surprise. Children will be left with granny, so a weekend is as long as she will commit to mind them. Finances are bad too, but if it means beans on toast for a while, we’re going. So let’s book before the budget. We are up for the craic of a hectic weekend.
Ski Starved
The Méribel Altitude Festival will be on from March 26th to April 1st and is not just about comedy but great music too. The full programme is not finalised yet, but you can follow details on merinet.com, the tourism website of Méribel.
The nearest airports to Méribel are Geneva and Lyon, and you can fly there with Aer Lingus. This week fares are about €100 (hot tip: wear your ski gear to save money on baggage). Transfers from the airports to Méribel can cost up to €85 each return (see meribel-unplugged.co.uk).
There is a big selection of accommodation in Méribel, and you can expect to pay about €100-€150 for a two- or three-star hotel per room per night. Self-catering can be cheaper, but most places will not rent for less than a week.
One of the most reasonable places to stay is Brides les Bains, the village just below Méribel, and connected by gondola. The Residence Cybele is a popular place with skiers and it has been on sale with Directski.com for the end of March for €80 per night. The lift pass in Méribel covers the gondola and costs €39 per day.
From the UK, skiweekends.com runs trips to Brides les Bains and a four-night stay with flights, accommodation and transfers from London airports will cost from £390 (€442)pps.
A late break in the Aran Islands
We would love to visit Galway (from Dublin, without a car) and the Aran Islands. Is it too late to go now? I’m referring to the weather. I believe we could take a train out of Heuston straight to Galway. Any information would be helpful.
CR, Dublin
You can visit the Aran Islands all year round. Take the train from Heuston to Galway, and then a boat, flight or guided tour from there to the islands. You can get details from 091-525123 and galway tourism.ie.
There is a day trip from Dublin with Railtours (01-8560045, railtours ireland.com) that includes travel by train and air, and will maximise your time on Inis Mór. It includes a guided tour of the island, and costs €129.
GO ASK JOAN:
E-mail questions, with your name and address, to jscales@irishtimes.com