GO ASK JOAN: All your travel questions answered by JOAN SCALES
From Porto to northern Spain
We have to get to the airport in Santiago in northern Spain for 2.30pm on Saturday, August 4th and are having difficulty finding a bus service to get us there from Porto in Portugal. We will travel a day ahead if necessary. Also we need to get from Malaga to Cadiz by public transport. – PQ, Dublin
It looks like you are taking a trip around the Iberian Peninsula from Malaga all the way to Santiago de Compostela. Having looked at the options from Porto/Oporto to Santiago de Compostela, I think you would be better to travel on the Friday as you would be cutting it very fine trying to make it in time.
There is a bus operated by Alsa and you will find timetables and details on alsa.esunder the international routes section. It is a five-hour journey, once a day, and keep in mind the time difference between the two countries. Portugal is on GMT, one hour earlier than Spain. There are train services with Portuguese train service Cp.ptand Spain's Renfe.com, though you have to change in Vigo and the timings are not great.
From Malaga to Cadiz is a bit easier in that you have the choice of taking the train or the bus. The bus service is operated by Avanzabus.es, takes around four hours and costs about €26.50. The train is not direct to Cadiz, you would have to change at either Cordoba or Seville. See the timetables on Renfe.com.
Apartment stay in London
We are planning a trip to London in October to see family. We have two small children and are hoping to find self-catering accommodation for a week. We would need a basic kitchen for feeding the kids/sterilising bottles etc. Can you give us any advice on where to look, needless to say we are on a limited budget?– DD, Dublin
As a rule of thumb, the further out you go from the city centre the lower the cost for apartments in London. At the same time, you do not want to be too far out as the cost of transport can be high. Also it can be very tiring travelling around London, especially on public transport with children.
There are more apartments to rent in London than previously, a side effect of the Olympics, and prices range from £500 to £5,000 per week or more. Renting directly from an owner will be less expensive than using an agency. Average rental costs from an agency is around £1,100-£1,400 per week, direct from owners from £500-£900 per week. Keep in mind that the last week in October is half-term across Europe and tends to be a busy week. Websites for apartments include HolidayLettings.com, Holiday-rentals.com, ApartmentService.comand Staycity.com.
A special stay in Barcelona
Can you please recommend a good Barcelona apartment or hotel for six days in October? We are a couple in our late 50s celebrating a special anniversary and do not mind splashing out a bit for the right place. This is our first time visiting Barcelona and we would like to stay in the Gothic quarter but are open to suggestions. – NON, Armagh
The Gothic quarter is a good place to stay in Barcelona; it is lively, close to the major attractions and easy to get around from here, on foot and taking public transport.
The Grand Hotel Central is on Via Laietana, across from Barcelona Cathedral, the other cathedral, not Sagrada Familia, and is a modern, contemporary and coolly dark hotel. It has the advantage of having a pool on the rooftop and great views of the city. See GrandHotelCentral.com.
Have a look at the Pullman Barcelona Skipper Hotel. It is a little way from the city centre, but on the beach and has a pool too. It is a five-star, contemporary-style hotel with prices from €210 in October. See Pullmanhotels.com.
tel: 0034-93-5005058, you will find a good selection of apartments to rent in the Barri Gotic. Feel like a native when you go shopping in the Santa Cristina Market for great quality food.
Solo trip to Lourdes
I am a senior citizen and would like to go to Lourdes but not on a pilgrimage. I have been there seven times so I know my way around. I live in Cork. What would be the easiest way for me to go to Lourdes from Cork? – MM, Cork
Having looked at a number of options, including flights via London Stansted, Barcelona, Pau and Brussels, the easiest option would be for you to take the Ryanair flight from Cork to Bordeaux. The service operates on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. From Bordeaux, it is a two-and-half to three-hour train trip direct to Lourdes. There is a bus from Bordeaux airport to the train station.
The good news is that it is also the least expensive way, with flights on Ryanair for under €150 until August 31st and the train for around €50 return, and you will probably get a discount based on your age, so show your passport when you buy the ticket. Check the train times on Voyages-SNCF.com. Depending on your flight times, you may have to take an indirect route back from Lourdes to make the flight on the return or stay in Bordeaux the night before.
Email queries, with your name and address to Joanscales@irishtimes.com