Tripologist: Travel questions answered

Both Emirates and Etihad​ offer one-stop flights between Australia and Tehran via their respective hubs in the UAE. According to the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Canberra (iranembassy.org.au), Australian passport holders can travel to Iran and obtain a 15 day visa at the airport. However, you'd be much safer getting your visa before arrival.

While Australian passport holders may travel independently in Iran it's not a practical choice. There are several Australia-based tour operators to choose from, including Peregrine Adventures, (peregrineadventures.com) Intrepid Travel (intrepidtravel.com) and World Expeditions (worldexpeditions.com). A number of Iranian-based travel agencies also offer tours.

A colleague recently returned from a 14-day trip through Iran with Uppersia (uppersia.com), and speaks highly of the experience. Uppersia's customised tours can be for just two, with a driver and an English-speaking guide. Tours are available in three different levels, priced according to the style of accommodation selected. Uppersia's reviews on Tripadvisor are good to excellent, but some report that email communication can be tricky. If you choose to travel with them you might request one of their female English-speaking guides.

Avoid the extreme heat of summer, between mid May and the end of September. Prime time is mid-March to mid-May and October to the end of November.

MY HUSBAND HAS BOOKED FLIGHTS TO DUBLIN NEXT JUNE WITH A 10-HOUR STOPOVER IN HELSINKI ON THE WAY. HOW CAN WE FILL IN AT LEAST PART OF THIS TIME, APART FROM SITTING IN THE AIRPORT?

J. RUSSELL, BAYVIEW

Since your husband appears to be a thrifty fellow here's a strategy that might appeal to you both. Get some euros from one of the airport ATMs and buy a regional day ticket which costs $18 from the ticket machine at the number 615 bus stop outside the terminal. This is a better option than the Finnair​ bus since it covers all your transport needs. From the bus stop at Helsinki's central railway station walk to Senate Square and Kauppatori​, the market Harbour which spills across the waterfront. Have a stroll around and check out the arts and crafts and the Empress Monument and maybe try some of the traditional delights of the Finnish kitchen such as reindeer meatballs, which are delicious.

From Kauppatori take the city ferry that leaves from a glass building in front of the Presidential Palace to Suomenlinna​, a sea fortress that straddles six islands and a lovely place to wander around. The visitor centre can fill you in on the history of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Your day ticket covers the ferry ride. Back at the airport you might have some time to kill before your Dublin flight and you might head for the relaxation area located near Gate 31. This quiet lounge has comfy chairs and even a few bunk style beds, and it's free.

NEXT JUNE MY HUSBAND AND I WILL FLY TO THE UK FOR A WEDDING. WE'LL BE TAKING OUR 4 MONTH OLD BABY AND WE'VE PLANNED A TWO-NIGHT STOPOVER IN HONG KONG EACH WAY. WE'RE BOTH FOODIES - CAN YOU RECOMMEND ANY ACCOMMODATION AND ACTIVITIES SUITABLE FOR US WITH A YOUNG BABY?

E. PARISER, HORNSBY HEIGHTS

Hong Kong probably wins out over Kowloon as far as dining and activities go but it's hardly a clear-cut victory - both parts of the city have their strengths. The local restaurant scene changes faster than the tiles on a mahjong​ board but the area around Queen's Road East and Ship Street in Wanchai is a red-hot restaurant area. Tim Ho Wan should be on your to-eat list but get there early, it's no reservations and the crowds come thick. Maybe try the one in HK Station rather than Mong Kok if you're staying in Central. One area I like is the Soho district, an enclave of funky designer boutiques, accessory shops, bars and hole-in-the-wall restaurants. Get there via the Mid-Levels Ttravelator and hop off at Staunton Street. The city's dai pai dongs, the casual outdoor eateries, are fast disappearing and they're a bit of a legend but this style of eating might be difficult with a very young baby.

I really wouldn't be too ambitious with a child this age, their needs come first and it's going to be hot and sticky in June. Hong Kong draws huge numbers of Chinese tourists these days and that complicates some of the standard activities such as the Peak Tram. One of the best things you can do in Hong Kong is the Star Ferry ride across the harbour, great in the evening when the city lights up.

A hotel with a big pool and a shady garden should be high on your priority list. , you could be spending some time there with that infant. The Island Shangri-La (shangri-la.com), Grand Hyatt (hongkong.grand.hyatt.com) and InterContinental (ihg.com) all qualify but there are plenty of choices lower down the price ladder as well.

The Discover Hong Kong website (discoverhongkong.com) has plenty of information that you should find useful.

CONVERSATION OVER TO YOU…

The question was "I'm staying in an Airbnb​ in London and both the pictures and the reviews bear no relation to my shabby abode. Has this happened to you?"

R. Hayes writes "I booked an entire house in Melbourne last weekend, but I arrived to a fridge full of food, recent washing up drying on the sink, bins full of rubbish, toothbrushes and used towels in the bathroom, cupboards full of clothes and pictures of the host everywhere along with her affirmations on the wall. I felt like I was staying in the spare room at a girlfriend's house while she was staying with her boyfriend. A Goldilocks moment, and a creepy one at that!"

From N. Dixon, "Had our first Airbnb experience last month visiting our son at university in Pittsburgh. The reviews were outstanding, all 5 star, the photos looked great. Well. Firstly, the dodgiest part of town, syringe packaging on the street outside, darkest hallway ever and a room that stunk of damp. The lovely art works were there from the photo but they failed to mention the unusable kitchen, big holes in the skirting boards and no TV. Lasted one night although we paid for four."

B. Olsen writes "I booked a great looking and well reviewed apartment in Montmartre​ only to discover dirty washing still in the washing machine and rubbish in the bin. We felt uncomfortable about the cleanliness and did not want our five-night Paris stay to be spoilt so we contacted the owner and Airbnb to say we were leaving. We found another place nearby and received a full refund."

Next question: From polar bears in northern Canada to the marine life of our own Great Barrier Reef, climate change will affect our view of the world. Where do you want to go before it's too late?

Send response to [email protected]. The best response will win a Lonely Planet guidebook.

SEND US YOUR TRAVEL QUESTIONS

Include your name and your suburb or town and send it to [email protected]. All published questions will win a Lonely Planet guidebook.