Traveller tips: What gives JAL's premium economy class an edge

Falconry is an ancient sport indulged by the well-heeled citizens of the UAE, and the owners' birds are more pampered by their owners than some Australians care for their own children. I was amazed to learn that falcons, in the UAE, are even allowed to travel in the passenger cabin of commercial jets and actually have their own passports.

The hospital is sited on two hectares of well-watered and gardened land, where falcon owners take their birds for their monthly check-ups.

I went on a two-hour guided tour costing about $70. It's quite a facility, but when we learned that even the most inexpensive small falcons in the UAE cost about $60,000 and the largest can range upwards of $150,000, you start to understand why this level of medical care is available.

Our visit concluded with a photo opportunity where we each got to have our photo taken with a falcon perched on our arm. One lucky visitor was allowed to hand-feed one of the patients.

Kim White, Mirboo North, VIC

PRINCESS DIARIES

A Baltic cruise we recently took was a highlight of our recent trip. We boarded the Princess Anastasia of the St Peter Line (stpeterline.com) in Stockholm on June 25, docked in Tallinn on June 26, St Petersburg on June 27 and Helsinki on June 28. We were supposed to return to Stockholm but "jumped ship" in Helsinki in order to fly to Oslo.

The ship travels overnight and you arrive in port ready for a full day's sight-seeing. The food was delicious. The drinks cheap and colourful (a bottle of vodka cost $10 in the duty-free on board) and the entertainment, especially the dancing, of a high standard.

Throw in the excitement of the UEFA Cup [of football] in the Sports Bar and we felt we'd had more than our money's worth for a small but fascinating taste of Baltic life. The total cost of the trip booked online and early was $357 for three people in a three berth cabin. If you wish to avoid the visa yet see St Petersburg, this is an excellent option.

I can also recommend the free walking tour in that city (with another Anastasia). Oh, and on arrival the band dockside played Happy Birthday for my daughter.

Denise Lego, Federal, NSW

JAPAN PLAN

We arrive on a cruise in Kobe on May 11, 2017 at 7am, and depart Osaka for Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific at 7pm on May 14. We would appreciate some tips from your readers as to what to do and where to stay for these four days.

We are mid-70s, and enthusiastic travellers, who like reasonably good accommodation. As we will have suitcases in tow, it would be preferable not to have too much public transport.

Anne McGregor, Woollahra NSW

SHELF LIFE

One of the most overlooked overseas attractions is the humble supermarket. Whenever a supermarket gets a mention for overseas travel, it tends to be seen as a mere necessity opposed to an experience in its own right.

There is something about going to where the locals shop, whether that be a French supermarket or an Asian market, that gives a really insightful look into the local culture.

If you ever find yourself overseas, don't see your supermarkets trips as a chore but as an inspired affair to look out for.

Andrew Jenkins, Killara, NSW

VINTAGE SHIRAZ

Our three week visit to Iran in May was organised by Parsagashteraga (parsagashteraga.com) who employed excellent, English/Farsi speaking tour guides and drivers who showed us the sites and explained the history and culture of Iran. Our hotels were excellent.

We travelled in cars and were transferred by one guide to the next at each region. Our visit started in Shiraz, and included the regions of Kerman, Yazd, Isfahan, Kashan, and Tehran. Iranians welcomed us in the street, protected us when crossing heavy traffic and were extremely warm and generous.

Ann and Jim Shovelton, Euroa, VIC

PERFECT TO A TEA

Visiting Rye in East Sussex England recently we were drawn to the Coterie Tea Room (c-o-t.org.uk) on the high street, an enterprise managed by a charity for people with an intellectual disability. The service was prompt, efficient, the tea perfect and the cake delicious. I would encourage others to look out for similar businesses and support them.

Sally Spurr, Longueville, NSW

HIGH PRAISE

Having just returned from New York via Tokyo travelling premium economy, I can highly recommend JAL (au.jal.com). The service from check-in through to the flight attendants and baggage return was perfect. The seats were roomy and comfortable, the toilets clean, the food interesting, abundant and served with a warm smile.

The advantage of JAL premium economy over the other airlines is the acceptance into the Qantas business lounge, the Sakura business lounge in Tokyo and the Air France lounge in New York.

Most importantly, flying JAL via Tokyo straight to JFK at New York avoids the chaos of LAX customs and the changeover to Delta or United Airlines.

Michael Schokman, Killara, NSW