Tips & advice: The Tripologist

TIPOLOGIST

In the US, many petrol pumps that require payment by credit card will ask you to enter a five-digit zip code rather than a four-digit PIN. To get the system to accept your card, insert a "0" before your four-digit postcode.

WE ARE ATTENDING A WEDDING IN TORONTO IN OCTOBER. PLANNING TO ARRIVE IN MONTREAL, TRAIN TO QUEBEC THEN FLY BACK TO TORONTO. WHAT ARE THE MAIN SIGHTS IN EACH CITY? M. BEVAN, RATHMINES NSW

Montreal is a thrilling, energetic city, cultural capital for Francophone Canadians built around a heart that dates back to the era of New France. Highlights include the Musee des Beaux-Arts, the grandly operatic bronze altarpiece of the Basilica of Notre Dame, the hyper-cool shopping and cafe zone along Rue St-Denis that evokes memories of Paris' Left Bank and the city's contemporary arts scene, featured in warehouse-style galleries on Rue William. Montreal also has its own distinct cuisine that blends the robust flavours of Canada's great outdoors with French finesse. Don't miss the Quebecois specialty poutine – French fries smothered with cheese curds and gravy. Work it off with a stroll through the Parc du Mont-Royal and the Jardin Botanique.
Quebec City is the jewel in the crown of French Canada with a gorgeous Old Town at its centre, virtually an open-air museum of 17th and 18th century architecture. You could easily spend a day wandering around the Old City, split between the Upper Town and the Lower Town, where the cobblestoned streets are lined with museums, galleries, antique shops, bistros and cafes.
Toronto is a vibrant, buzzy city with a multicultural population that speaks more than 140 languages, and a cultural and culinary scene that reflects that diversity. The Royal Ontario Museum has notable collections of Asian art and temple sculptures as well as natural history. The Distillery District is Toronto's arts and cultural capital, packed with galleries, artists' studios, boutiques and cafes. Just a short ferry ride away, Toronto Island Park is ideal for stretching your legs, with impressive views of the city's skyline across the water. From Toronto you're not too far from Niagara Falls, don't miss it.

OUR FAMILY OF FOUR INCLUDING TWO TEENAGE GIRLS HAVE SKIING BOOKED IN JAPAN'S NOZAWA FOR FIVE NIGHTS HOWEVER HAVE EIGHT DAYS BEFORE AND FOUR. FLYING IN AND LEAVING OUT OF TOKYO – ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR ITINERARY FOR FIRST-TIMERS? R. YOUNG, COFFS HARBOUR NSW

According to a spokesman for the Japan National Tourism Organisation. "Since you have about a week before you start skiing, my recommendation would be to spend four to five days exploring the Kansai region (Osaka/Kyoto/Nara) by basing yourself in one of these cities and visiting the others as day trips. It only takes around 30 to 40 minutes between Osaka and Kyoto and Nara is less than an hour from Osaka and Kyoto. Then head over to beautiful Kanazawa to experience a samurai town covered in snow before making your way to Nozawa Onsen. Kanazawa is well known for its art and culture as well as the historical Higashi Chaya District, home to geisha houses. After you finish skiing, you can use the final four days to explore Tokyo and the surrounding areas. The price of a seven-day (consecutive) Japan Rail Pass would be quite similar to the total of all the major train journeys, so perhaps it would be worth it to buy the pass if you also make use of it on the JR trains in cities."

VISITING ITALY ON ORGANISED WALKING TOURS, THEN CINQUE TERRE. WHICH OF THE VILLAGES IS BEST TO BASE OURSELVES IN AND CAN YOU RECOMMEND A MID-PRICED HOTEL? INTERESTS ARE WALKING, GOOD FOOD, SIGHTSEEING, IS FOUR DAYS ENOUGH? J. ATHERTON-COOPER, CENTRAL COAST

Four days is plenty, and Vernazza, Riomaggiore and Monterosso all have their fans, but Monterosso is possibly the optimal choice since it's the largest of the five villages, with more dining options. Also it's fairly flat, which can be a relief since the Cinque Terre throws down plenty of challenges to the legs if you're up for that. Vernazza would be my second choice.
For hotels, try Villa Accini with La Casa dei Limoni, casadeilimoni.it, as a close second.

THINKING OF DOING A SELF-DRIVE CAMPING TRIP THROUGH THE OKAVANGO DELTA IN BOTSWANA DURING THE DRY SEASON NEXT YEAR, WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS? A. BURROUGHS, KEW VIC

It's not too difficult to hire a campervan in either Maun or Kasane, at the southern and northern ends of the Okavango Delta, and drive to the other side. Roads are reasonable although they're little more than sandy tracks at times and therefore a four-wheel drive is required, and some experience driving in deep sand is desirable, otherwise prepare to do some digging. Campsites are basic but spacious and no real problem for the self-supporting camper. However, the point of being there is to see the incredible wildlife, and that requires a guide. An experienced safari guide can read what the birds and animals are doing and take you to where lion or leopard are hunting, where wild dogs are feasting on a kill or to a hyena den with young pups tumbling in the dust – incredible sights that are easily missed by those unable to decipher the secrets that wild Africa holds. Another good option is to take a mobile camping safari, such as World Expeditions' Wild Botswana worldexpeditions.com, an eight-day journey that winds through the Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park. You travel in a comfortable, elevated safari vehicle, make extensive game drives morning and late afternoon, sleep in a proper camp bed with sheets and pillows in spacious tents, there are warm showers, wholesome meals and best of all, a first-class guide who thinks like a lion.