Your questions answered...with advice from Joan Scales
We'd like ideas for a holiday of a lifetime in the US
QWe are a family of three (we have a 16-year-old son), and over the years we always went on package holidays to the Mediterranean. Next year, to celebrate my 50th birthday, we would love to go to the US for a holiday of a lifetime. We were thinking May would be nice - with luck for three weeks instead of the usual two. We have no interest in Florida or Walt Disney World, but besides that we are open to any suggestions, as we are utterly ignorant of the US as holiday destination. Driving is not a problem, and incorporating some sun and sea would be nice. Distractions for belligerent son a bonus. All and any ideas welcome.
MC, Dublin
May would be a good time to explore the US. My idea would be to begin in New York and spend five days or so exploring all that the city has to offer. There are lots of things to do and places to see. Check out www.nycvisit.com to plan a trip.
On, then, to Las Vegas for some fun things to do (www.visitlasvegas.com). Las Vegas is not all about gambling, and it has some great things to do, such as going to shows and seeing the Grand Canyon. Cirque du Soleil has five shows running in Las Vegas; I think your son would love the mix of theatrics and acrobatics. You can buy tickets on www.ticketmaster.com; it often has special offers for show tickets.
Fly next to San Francisco and explore this great city (www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com) by trolley, by tram and on foot. Fisherman's Wharf is a fun place for teens to enjoy. Pick up a car here; then you can explore some of the great state of California. It has fantastic national parks - Yosemite, Sequoia and Joshua Tree, to name a few. All the parks have lodgings, such as camping and cabins (www.nps.gov).
Finish off your holiday with a week at the beach in a traditional seaside town, such as Santa Monica, close to Los Angeles (www.santamonica. com). You can then fly back from Los Angeles having spent your final few days in the city.
Tour America (01-8173500, www.touramerica.ie) and American Holidays (01-4331030, www.american holidays.com) can advise you on flights, accommodation and itineraries.
QWe are celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary next summer and would like to treat ourselves to a holiday in South America while not breaking the bank. Can you suggest an itinerary? We would like to take in Machu Picchu, but after that we are flexible. We don't mind roughing it (within reason) and would welcome some rafting, canoeing, cycling or trekking. Also, when is the best time to travel?
JR, Dublin
Because Peru has such a varied geography, the weather can be quite confusing: if it's warm on the coast, it can be cold in the mountains and completely different in the jungle. The upside to this is that, no matter what time of year you travel, you can be guaranteed sunshine somewhere.
Peru has everything you would like to do, and by staying in one country you can keep the cost down.
Beacon South America (www.beaconsouthamerica.com, 0818-300123) has a great itinerary that includes all the things you would like to do. Its 16-day trip begins in Lima, with a day to explore the city, then moves onwards to Cuzco, for rafting and horse-riding, before the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. From Cuzco, it is on to Inquitos for a jungle excursion, and from there back to Lima for a trip to Ica and a boat trip to the Baletas Islands.
An action-packed 16 days costs from €2,684 per person sharing.
QI am planning to go to Lanzarote, in the Canaries, next May from midweek to midweek. Aer Lingus is quoting a price of 175 per person return. What is the likelihood that this will increase?
DH, Louth
Aer Lingus's prices fluctuate, and the airline will probably have another sale around the end of the year. Prices will rise closer to the date, however, and you are unlikely to find an Aer Lingus fare of less than €175 return to Lanzarote, as it is one of the airline's more sought-after destinations.
* E-mail questions, with your name and address, to jscales@irish-times.ie