Take your time to tour Ireland and admire the likes of these white-washed, thatched cottage in Galway.Credit: Alamy
MY HUSBAND AND I ARE KEEN TO VISIT MY BROTHER IN DUBLIN IN 2016 AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE BEST TIME OF YEAR. WE ARE THINKING OF DOING A SELF-DRIVE TRIP – ANY ADVICE?
M. MURPHY, GOONELLABAH
I like to visit Ireland when it's sunny, warm and not raining, which usually happens one day per year. I've heard the misty, light drizzle that is so characteristic of Ireland called "the soft weather" in the way that the Irish have of making poetry out of just about everything, but it's the reason that the whole country is so heart-wrenchingly gorgeous, and why there are so many pubs to provide shelter and fraternal warmth to sodden travellers.
Whether you get a pass or pay as you go when travelling by train in Japan may depend on how far and often you want to go.
As for timing, I like September because it's slightly warm and most of the crowds have gone, and Ireland does get packed during July and August. This applies particularly if you're thinking of getting behind the wheel and exploring, since a lot of the country roads are narrow and winding and getting stuck behind a row of tour buses is no fun. Second choice would be mid-May to mid-June.
Self-drive is definitely the way to go. From Dublin you could plan to head south into County Wicklow, continue south to Waterford, across to Cork, down to Kinsale and then follow the coast through Skibereen, Killarney, Limerick, Galway and all the way up to Donegal if time allows. You could do this in a week and get back to Dublin but 10 days would be much better, and two weeks ideal. This would allow you to take in the wild and majestic coastline, the repository of Gaelic culture that is the Aran Islands, the other-worldy landscape of The Burren, the savage beauty of the Cliffs of Moher, the island of Achill and the precise, poignant geometry of Connemara, where generations of families eked a living from tiny plots divided by dry stone walls.
Although it's a small country, don't be deceived, even a short drive ushers you into a different landscape, and sometimes even a different culture. I'd say plan to stay three nights in each stop, which gives you two full days for exploring the local region.
Other attractions may be added to a visit to the Netherlands to see Dutch orchestra leader Andre Rieu in action.Credit: Alamy
The official Ireland visitor website (ireland.com) has plenty of sound suggestions and advice. Take wet weather gear, a Driza-Bone cape is just about perfect, and shoes that don't mind the wet.
MY WIFE AND I AND TWO ADULT CHILDREN ARE PLANNING A TRIP TO JAPAN IN OCTOBER. WE INTEND USING TRAINS FROM TOKYO TO KYOTO AND ON TO HIROSHIMA WITH SIDE TRIPS TO SEE THE MOUNTAINS. FRIENDS WHO HAVE VISITED JAPAN ADVISE AGAINST THE JAPAN RAIL PASS, SAYING IT IS EASIER AND CHEAPER TO BOOK SEATS AS NEEDED. ANY ADVICE?
G. LOFTS, KANWAL
Rail fares are rather pricey in Japan but the Japan Rail Pass is a money saver, provided you're not staying in one place for more than a few days. The regular one way fare from Tokyo to Kyoto is ¥13,080. Kyoto to Hiroshima is ¥10,570, Tokyo to Hiroshima is ¥18,040, for a total of ¥41,690 , about $460. A seven-day Japan Rail Pass in regular class costs $310. If you were able to complete this journey within that time frame you'd be well ahead. The 14-day ticket costs $493, so even with that purchase, you would have to make just a couple of side trips to come out in front. Obviously, the more you travel within the validity period of your pass, the more you're ahead. The JR Pass is valid for rail services throughout Japan, so it wins out for convenience as well.
WE WILL BE STAYING IN MAASTRICHT FROM JULY 3-7 FOR AN ANDRE RIEU CONCERT, HOW CAN WE FILL IN OUR STAY? WE HAVE VISITED AMSTERDAM SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE. OUR INTERESTS LAY IN VISITING QUAINT SEASIDE TOWNS. WE HAD ALSO THOUGHT ABOUT A TRAIN TRIP INTO BELGIUM.
C. FLETCHER, COAL POINT
Maastricht is a fetching place, one of the oldest cities in Holland , packed with history and great architecture, wonderful pubs and cafes and it's small enough to get around on foot. The Basilica of St. Servatius on lovely Vrijthof Square has been a major pilgrimage site for centuries, and the Basilica of Our Lady is another must-see. The Cafe in Den Ouden Vogelstruys is a popular joint with outdoor seating, highly recommended for warm weather dining and close to the city centre.
Just a few kilometres east of Maastricht, Valkenburg aan de Geul is a the very incarnation of quaintness, a historic town built around a ruined castle and surrounded by lovely countryside. The countryside around Maastricht is Holland's major winegrowing area and City Sights Maastricht (citysightsmaastricht.com) does a wine tour. They also do a free guided walking tour of the city every Saturday and Sunday, a great introduction.
You could spend a relaxing day on a cruise along the Meuse River. Local cruise operator Rederij Stiphout (stiphout.nl) has a number of options and my pick would be the trip from Maastricht to Liege, part of Belgium's Walloon-speaking region. If you do it on the Sunday you can take in Liege's wonderful flea market. En route you'll pass through the Ternaaien Lock, for a height difference of almost 15 metres.
Head to the Holland website (holland.com) and you'll find plenty more suggestions to fill in your time in Maastricht.
CONVERSATION OVER TO YOU…
The question was "Ever been caught in a scam when you're overseas, or narrowly avoided one? "
P. O'Neill writes "Walking along Shanghai's Nanjing Road, I was stopped by a young woman and her male companions. "I love Australia," she said hopping like a kangaroo. "Let's talk more at a tea house." I declined. Others were less fortunate. They were charged $US100 (A$129.50) for the tea or in one case roughed up with all their cash and credit cards taken."
J. McGuiggan writes "Our family of five travelled Sydney to San Francisco in July 2011. When we arrived my husband's baggage came out on the carousel open and spilling its contents. Baggage handlers had slashed the bags open and helped themselves to his $50-packs of Nicorettes. San Francisco's Air New Zealand staff were unhelpful and nonplussed. We have since travelled to the US a few more times and our bags have been opened by security, but re-sealed and nothing removed."
From indefatigable correspondent R. Silber. "Our first trip to Paris, we were vigilant for the gypsy scams we'd read about, but strolling back to our hotel in a quiet street, a car pulled up and a charming Frenchman asked us for directions. Upon hearing we were from Australia, he excitedly motioned us closer to show us the Melbourne and Sydney stamps in his passport. He said he was a clothing importer, and produced a big white bag from the back seat, containing his "own brand of designer jackets". He then handed the bag to my husband, said it was his pleasure to give us the jackets as gifts, and then came the crunch. "I'm nearly out of petrol, can you help me out?" My husband good-naturedly gave him a few euros, at which he asked for "just a few more". After handing over €40 he drove off and we rushed back to our hotel, whereupon we discovered two very faux jackets! We had a good laugh and upon our return the jackets were donated to the nearest charity bin."
Next question: My trusty suitcase is close to death and I need something light, large, robust and easy to push, and not too expensive. Any suggestions?
Send response to tripologist@fairfaxmedia.com.au. The best response will win a Lonely Planet guidebook.
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Include your name and your suburb or town and send it to tripologist@fairfaxmedia.com.au All published questions will win a Lonely Planet guidebook.
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