Readers' travel tips: One thing to remember when using debit currency travel cards

There will be a party atmosphere in Yoyogi Park with food caravans, etc, but don't tarry. After spending time at the Meiji Shrine and its surrounds, head towards Aoyama by walking along Omotesando-dori where you'll find an even more festive atmosphere.

From the top of Omotesando-dori to the next intersection and maybe a little further along, the avenue will be lined with food carts. There will be stalls selling jewellery, arts and crafts as well.

Many high-end fashion brands are housed in this area as well as there being some cool modern buildings of the kind that we don't see in Australian cities. Wander through the back streets heading towards Takeshita-dori and Harajuku. Along the way you'll find a lot of local boutiques and eateries (some will be open though some won't). Do this at a leisurely pace and you'll be able to experience modern, trendy and refined Tokyo all in a day.

Jason Lew, Kew East, VIC

ESCAPE PLAN

You asked readers to share our favourite day trip escapes from major European cities (Tip-o-meter, December 3) and here's my choice.

Munich, a one-stop destination for Europe's best day trips, has something for everyone: winter (skiing in the Alps, Nuremberg's amazing Christmas markets); summer (water activities – Chiemsee, Ammersee, Starnbergersee lakes), music lovers (Salzburg – Mozart's birthplace, Sound of Music) and history enthusiasts (medieval, World War II).

With so many stunning castles, Neuschwanstein is the stand-out. You'll instantly recognise this architectural icon from Marienbrucke (bridge). Burn off that delicious black forest cake as you hike up the hill to the castle.

Enjoy a guided tour of the castle which inspired the Disney castle and then have a horse-drawn carriage ride back down.

Belinda Munro-Laylim, Kareela, NSW

VISITING RITES

I would like to suggest some easy ways to explore the local culture of a city as a visitor.

1. Take public transport – sit next to the locals and soak up how they get around. 2. Visit the main library – many offer tours and lovely places to sit and read.

3. Find the public areas where people exercise in the morning and join in. 4. Go for a long walk around the neighbourhood but only after confirming the safest path to take.

5. Read up on the history and culture before leaving and memorise some basic words in the language before boarding the plane.

Diana Choquette, North Sydney, NSW

DAY DREAM BELIEVER

I'd like to add two of my favourites to your list of "Around the world in special days" (Traveller on Sunday, December 10).

Semana Santa in Antigua, Guatemala, is a very special time to visit. In the week before Easter the streets are filled with the heavy smell of incense and sombre religious parades.

Penitents carry heavy wooden floats with religious artifacts and statues and the cobbled streets are heavily decorated with ornate and intricate floral carpets. On Easter Sunday the streets are filled with party music and people celebrating.

I've also enjoyed Naadam, in Mongolia. The Mongolians celebrate the "manly games" of wrestling, horse riding and archery in the summer month of July with the main celebration taking place in the capital of Ulaanbaatar, but you can find many local celebrations taking place all over the country if you are travelling around.

While the main celebration in the capital is spectacular, local games allow you to get much closer to the action. It's worth timing trips to both these places to coincide with these spectacular local festivals and celebrations.

Vicki Copping, Oatley, NSW