JOAN SCALESanswers your travel questions
We have two questions from Dublin readers for similar journeys. Kay Green is travelling from Porto to Pontevedra, in the Spanish region of Galicia, in June and wonders whether "there is a less expensive way than hiring a car to do this journey". Emma Donnelly is travelling to Santiago de Compostela at the end of September, then heading to Porto. "I know there is a train from Santiago to Vigo, but do you have to change for Porto? Also, is there a bus service that goes from Santiago to Porto?"
The answer to both is that the bus is probably the best way to make the journeys. In answer to Kay, there is a bus from Porto Airport to Vigo operated by Autna for €10 each way, and in Vigo you can then take the train to Pontevedra - it only takes about 40 minutes and costs about €2. You can see the timetables on www.autna.com (see líneas regulares under servicios on the site) and, for the train, www.renfe.com. In answer to Emma, you could use this route from Vigo to Porto Airport, or there is a bus from Santiago de Compostela operated by Alsa. It takes about three hours and costs about €21; see www.alsa.es.
Q I have booked a flight to Malaga, in Spain, for four nights at the end of August. Can you suggest a nice apartment or hotel near the marina at Benalmadena that is child-friendly?
ME, Waterford
The first place that comes to mind is the ever-popular Sunset Beach Club, which is very child-friendly, has mainly Irish guests and is right on the beach. The problem with most places on the Costa del Sol in high season is that they will not rent for less than a week, and Sunset Beach Club is no exception. A week will cost about €650, which is not too expensive for the time of year and for the facilities offered. See www.sunsetbeachclub.com. The lovely Riu Puerto Marina Hotel has a minimum stay of five nights in August; a family room, half-board, will cost from €960 for two adults and one child; see www.riu.com. Apartments are available, but again the one-week minimum will apply. See www.spain-holiday.com and www.holiday-rentals.com, with prices starting from €500. It may be worth your while to pay for a full week to get good family accommodation.
Q We are travelling to Greece, via Cork, Heathrow Terminal 5 and Athens, at the end of May. I have to take insulin and various tablets for the duration of my six-week stay on the islands. It would be a disaster to lose them or for them to be taken from me. What are the regulations, or do you have some advice about this matter?
RB, Tipperary
Although the security regulations are very strict, they do have to take into consideration that people have to travel with essential medications. The most important point is to keep your medication on you on the flights, especially insulin, as there is a possibility of its freezing if it goes in the hold. Keep it in the original packaging and bring a letter from your doctor, confirming that you need it. Although the rules on hand baggage have eased slightly, it is better that you take just one carry-on bag, weighing up to six kilos on Aer Lingus flights and a little more with British Airways. Liquids must be put into a clear plastic bag measuring no more than 20cm by 20cm, and no single liquid container can hold more than 100ml. Check your bags in from Cork to London, then collect and check them in again at Terminal 5. Do not through-check them, as this is where problems can occur.
Q In June I was hoping to get to Sardinia for a girlie week of relaxing and a little bit of touring around the island. It's hard to pick a nice hotel (four- or five-star) with a pool, preferably near the town of Alghero and its beaches. We will probably hire a car for the trip but don't want to be dependent on one to get around. Any suggestions?
Nora K, Dublin
Alghero is a lovely walled town, quite unspoilt, with great beaches. I asked Sunway Travel, which has been taking people to Sardinia for quite a few years, where it would recommend. It came back with the four-star Carlos V Hotel, with prices from €883 per person B&B, including flights, transfer and taxes. You can book the hotel with Sunway if booking flights separately. It is a fantastic location, with stunning views of the bays. This extensively renovated hotel is ideal for a relaxing holiday. A cheaper option is the Florida Hotel, from €643; www.sunway.ie, 01-2311888. If you are renting a car, www.algherocarhire.com, a local firm, can have good offers.
Go contact
E-mail questions, with your name and address, to jscales@irish-times.ie