GO ASK JOAN:All your travel questions answered by JOAN SCALES
What’s there to do in Geneva?
I hope to go to Switzerland on August 10th to meet up with my girlfriend for 10 days. We will use Geneva as a base. Can you recommend any must-see sights or activities? I am happy to rent a car or use trains etc to travel the rest of the country. Or should we scrap Switzerland and cross the border at Geneva into France. We both enjoy eating out somewhere nice, cultural activities, festivals and the outdoors. Is Switzerland worth the money, it seems very expensive for no reason. – EOC, Clare
While you have the opportunity and accommodation in Geneva, why not explore Switzerland and the Lac Léman (Lake Geneva) region. There are ways of keeping the cost down: bring picnics, use public transport and watch out for free events.
When you are in Geneva the Musical, Arts and Geneva Festivals will be on bringing a host of cultural and fun events to the city, Geneve-Tourisme.ch.
Public transport in Switzerland is excellent, runs on time and is not too expensive. You can buy a travel pass and that will keep the costs down. See SwissTravelSystem.comfor rail, road and water travel. Car hire can be a bit pricey, so keep the hire days down by using public transport. Rent a car to travel up into the mountains around Geneva and see the prettiest Alpine meadows with chocolate box cows and ding-donging cowbells.
There are many small towns to explore around Lake Geneva, and don't miss Montreux, it is very pretty and historic. Take photographs of the picturesque Chillon Castle. Vevey was the scene setter for Hôtel du Lac by Anita Brookner and Audrey Hepburn used to live in Morges. Use the lake boats for access to many of them and you will find easy hiking trails too. The city of Lausanne is also close enough for a day trip and as it is Olympics season, you could visit the Olympic Museum there. The revolving restaurant Kuklos at Leysin is guaranteed to give you some amazing views of both the Eiger and Mont Blanc. See Region-du-Leman.chand MySwitzerland.comfor more ideas.
Get fit in Mayo
I am planning to lose weight and get fitter. Do you know of a residential centre in Ireland or the UK where I could stay for a few weeks? I am 60 and am not looking for an aggressively boot camp type of experience. I am also interested in attending a month in an Ayurvedic centre in India for their treatments. Do you know of any in northern India outside of the Delhi region? – MN, Dublin
One of the longest operating centres in Ireland is Cloona, near Westport which has been going since 1969. They can help you kick-start a new health and fitness regime. Cloona concentrates on mind, body and spirit and will help to detoxify from modern life. It has a programme for the over 50s, for five nights. It is an ideal way to get you back on track and you will feel the benefit. Prices from €550, details from 098-25251 and Cloona.ie.
In England Champneys is one of the best known health resorts. It has four clinics offering a wide range of treatments for both weight loss and fitness. You can contact them at champneys.com.
Ragdale Hall near Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire is in a lovely Victorian building in the countryside. During the year it has weight loss programmes with Rosemary Conley and Joanna Hall's Walkactive. See RagdaleHall.co.uk.
When it comes to India, Ayurvedic treatments began in Kerala province but now there are treatment centres all over the country. The Oberoi Wildflower Hall Resort at Shimla has been twice voted the best spa in India, OberoiHotels.com. Ananda in the Himalayas spa at Rishikesh is an award-winning retreat, built on a maharaja's estate. It offers Ayurvedic treatments, yoga and meditation, Ananadaspa.com.
Good deals for a big family
Have you any ideas on a suitable holiday for a family with five children (two teens, three over eight) who haven’t travelled abroad before? We’re hoping to get a 10-day break somewhere but we want it to be a very good first impression that won’t overstretch our budget of up to €3,000. Am I being realistic given the time of year? – NT, Dublin
Prices are highest at this time of year so €3,000, I am sorry to say, is not a lot for a holiday for seven. Flying is out of the question as air fares are about €250-350 each to most sunny destinations and package holidays from €500 upwards each. It is also difficult to find accommodation for seven on package holidays.
If you take your car on the ferry, however, there are options within your budget. The second half of the month tends to be cheaper too. The Celtic Link ferry crossing from Rosslare will cost about €760 return but you may not be able to get cabins. Irish Ferries has cabins and the return with the car is about €1,065.
Brittany Ferries has sailings from Cork and there are some reductions in chalet/mobile home holidays and cottages. Call 021-4277801. Pierre et Vacances Holidays is beginning to reduce prices for August and I have seen suitable apartments for your family for about €1,000-€1,200 for a week. Pick a place on a resort and you will have great facilities for all the children, PV-Holidays.com.
FamilyHolidayCentre.ieis the agent in Ireland for VacanSoleil, which has campsites all over Europe. It has some special offers for this month and you may well find it will be easy on your budget. A campsite holiday is ideal for the children as there is usually a lot to do and other children to meet.
Email queries, with your name and address to jscales@irishtimes.com