Your questions answered
Q I am hoping to have a few days in Paris with my daughter in the spring. I have stayed in hotels on previous visits, but we are considering an apartment this time. It would not be for a full week. Are there websites, or how would one find something nice and fairly central?
RD, Cork
The Citadines aparthotels could be just the thing for you. They are small apartments within hotels, at a great selection of locations around Paris. The rates are also very good, especially for families and groups of friends. You can contact them on www.citadines.com. Also, you can rent private properties from websites such as www.holiday-rentals.com. These properties tend to be unusual, cosier and usually rented directly by the owners. Most are available for a minimum of three nights.
Q Can you suggest suitable accommodation in Naples and Rome for two adults and two children (aged nine and 12). We are travelling over the Halloween break. We are flying to Naples, arriving late on October 25th. We travel to Rome by train on October 28th. We fly home from Rome on November 1st.
MD, Galway
As it is midterm in most of Europe that week, few hotels show availability, and in many cases family rooms are sold out. You could try Hotel Prati (www.hotelprati.it), close to Naples city centre. Rooms costs about €80 per night. In Rome, with the Italian capital being so popular, the hunt for a well-located hotel is a bit more difficult. Hotel Borromeo (www.hotelborromeo.com) is well located but pricier, at about €240 per night for a room that will sleep four. You can also try www.hotels.com for late-availability rooms.
Q We will be going to New York over Thanksgiving as part of our honeymoon. Any suggestions for spending the day, as we will not be visiting friends or relations?
AMC, Dublin
Thanksgiving is a big holiday in the US; the highlight in New York is the Macy's Parade. It begins at 9am at 77th Street and Central Park West. An institution in New York, it has been running since 1924. After the parade, why not take an open-top bus tour? Take the downtown route, as there is more to see. You can get on and off the bus, which will take you by South Street Seaport, China Town, Little Italy, the financial district and Greenwich Village. There is a $5 discount when you book online on www.coachusa.com. Most theatres and shows are closed that day, but if you plan to see a show you can check what's on at www.nytheatre. com. A carriage ride in Central Park and a visit to Tavern on the Green for dinner could make the day special.
Q Myself and my girlfriend are travelling to New York in January, and I've been reading up about the US visa-waiver programme. It says that you need a return or onward ticket to avail of it. It is more convenient for us to travel with a different airline each way, and I can't understand if I need an outward and return ticket on the same booking or if I can go over with one airline and back with another.
RMcG, Dublin
You can travel on two tickets or airlines for your trip to the US: that is not a problem. But if your journey is going to be after January 12th, 2009, you may need an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (Esta) number. (The date has Esta's introduction has to be confirmed, but I believe it will be January 12th). You must apply for an Esta at least three days in advance of your journey. See www.cbp.gov/esta.
Q I have a time-share apartment in Madeira, and I travel out there sometimes in May or September. Normally I go through London Gatwick, but I am fed up with the over-the-top security there. Can I fly from Dublin? I need to travel on Mondays.
SA, Dublin
There are no direct flights to Madeira from Dublin, but you can fly with Aer Lingus to Lisbon, then with Tap Air Portugal to the island. TAP (www.flytap.com) has plenty of flights each day to Madeira. You should be able to get to Madeira for about €300 return at both times of year.
E-mail questions, with your name and address, to jscales@irish-times.ie