Where will we go at Christmas with a grown family?Your questions answered by Joan Scales
Q Can you recommend a destination over Christmas for a grown-up family? We have about two weeks. We have been to Florida for the past few years and would like somewhere different.
... PO'N, Dublin
There are two destinations I can suggest. The first is Egypt, and in particular Sharm el-Sheikh, on the Red Sea. It is a very different destination with lots of things to do and see. If you are going for two weeks, then you could combine the trip with a cruise on the Nile and a visit to Cairo to see the pyramids. There are direct flights and packages from Ireland to Egypt over Christmas with Panorama Holidays (www.panoramaholidays.ie), Falcon Holidays (www.falconholidays.ie) and Budget Travel (www.budgettravel.ie). A wide variety of hotels and other accommodation is available.
Morocco is the second destination I would suggest. The temperature is about 20 degrees in December. If you stay in a coastal resort, such as Agadir or Essaouira, a visit to Marrakesh is easily arranged.
Sunway Travel (01-2886828, www.sunway.ie) has a good selection of properties in Morocco, with prices over Christmas from €703 per week per person sharing.
Q Myself and three girlfriends are in our late 40s and early 50s. We are fit - walkers, dancers and travellers (but not skiers). We want to go somewhere there is a bit of action for New Year, either in Ireland or in Europe. Is there one place where New Year is celebrated in spectacular style? Hope you can help the desperate dames.
PMcG, Dublin
The first place that springs to mind is Edinburgh, where they throw a great party for Hogmanay or New Year, bravehearts in kilts and all that. It is also a lovely welcoming city with good nightlife. Jurys Inn (www.jurysinn.com) in Edinburgh is well located to explore the city. Rates are a bit steep at this time, but good crack is guaranteed. Top European cities for some fun over New Year include Berlin, Prague, Paris and Amsterdam. All have fireworks and street entertainment.
The Berlin New Year, or Sylvester, is probably the most organised, with thousands of people gathering near the Tiergarten for a free concert, fireworks and laser-light show. Germans also like to dance, and you are sure to find some good restaurants with dancing. Stay as close to the city centre, around the Kufurstendamm, as possible. You can find further information on what is on in Berlin on www.visitberlin.de.
Q We would like to go away after Christmas for three or four days in Europe with our six-year-old son. We do not want a sun holiday or skiing but would like a location that would be interesting and maybe have facilities for winter sports, such as dog sledding and ice skating. If possible we would want to fly from Cork Airport.
MT, Tipperary
If you fly on a direct service from Cork you could choose from Barcelona, Berlin, Munich, Paris, Rome and Warsaw. That said, Munich would probably be a good choice for what you are looking for. The city will be still looking very festive. There are lots of events on over the festive period, including ice skating in the Prinzregentenstadion and sledding in the English Garden.
There are also museums dedicated to marionettes, toys and sea life. Check www.munich-tourism.de for information on events and accommodation.
Disneyland Paris also enters into the seasonal spirit with plenty of festivities over the holiday period. There will be lots to do, and you could combine it with a visit to Paris. Have a look at what is planned on www.disneylandparis.com. You can book trips to Disneyland on www.abbeytravel.ie and www.breakaway.ie, and children under seven stay and play free.
Q We were hoping to spend Christmas and New Year in Bali and are interested in travelling with Etihad. Can you advise about onward flights from one of the capitals it flies to, please? The obvious is Jakarta, but I note that Garuda Indonesia, Indonesia's national airline, is on the EU blacklist, and I'm seeking advice regarding an alternative route, such as Kuala Lumpur to Denpasar, or indeed, some other suggestion if you can help. Do you know if it is especially rainy in Bali at that time?
MD, Co Meath
Etihad is an excellent airline. You can fly with it to Singapore via Abu Dhabi and then take a flight with SilkAir to Bali. There is such a variety of ways you can get to Bali that I think it is advisable to contact a specialist travel agent. They often have great fares on long-haul routes. I can recommend Trailfinders (01-6777888, www.trailfinders.ie) and Utravel (01-6021900, www.utravel.ie). Typical weather in December is 18 to 31 degrees with 70 per cent humidity. Bali has a tropical climate with no huge variances in temperature.
Go Contact
E-mail questions, with your name and address, to jscales@irish-times.ie