The Tripologist answers your travel questions

H. FINDLAY, NORTH RYDE

That's a lot. Even with six weeks to play with, five major European countries, each a major destination in its own right, is a full plate. If you want to cram in as much as possible you're going to be spending a lot of time travelling from one place to another rather than experiencing what is to be seen.

European cities are packed with wonders and you need time to absorb them, otherwise you're going to be racing  through galleries, churches, streets, parks and museums and everything becomes a blur. My minimum recommended stay anywhere in Europe is three nights. That gives you two full days for exploring. If you believe a destination deserves less I question why you would want to go there in the first place. 

Hitting the tourist hot spots is fine but they're unbelievably crowded. One of the joys of travelling in Europe is getting away from the tourist hordes, and even in a place like Venice that's possible and rewarding, but it takes time. 

In six weeks I'd suggest you could dip into France, Switzerland and Italy but for all the reasons above leave Spain and Germany for another trip. That would give you enough time to take in Paris, Provence, the Cote d'Azur of southern France, the Italian Lakes, Interlaken and Lucerne and maybe one of the classic Swiss rail journeys, Venice, Florence, Tuscany and Rome. 

 

WE ARE A GROUP OF SIX FAMILIES AND WOULD LOVE TO FIND VILLA STYLE ACCOMMODATION FOR A HOLIDAY TOGETHER. A NUMBER OF US HAVE HAD BAD EXPERIENCES WITH BALI SO DON'T WANT TO RETURN THERE. DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS  FOR THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION?

C. ANDERSON, NEWTOWN

There are villas in Thailand that might work for you on the resort islands of Phuket and Koh Samui but if Bali was not a great experience it might be better to look for a non-Asian destination. Villa complexes, which is probably what you're after for six families, are not as common in other parts of the world but one place you could look is Hawaii Head for the Hawaii Villas & Vacation Rentals page on the Luxury Retreats website luxuryretreats.com.

You'd broaden your options in Hawaii if you were to choose condominium style accommodation, which can offer you the space as well as the facilities that you're probably looking for, although not quite the private walled domains that are usual among Balinese villas.

Aloha Condos alohacondos.com, the Waikiki Beach Vacation Condos outrigger.com and Condominium Rentals Hawaii crhmaui.com are just a few possibilities. 

There is always our own Noosa, and there's a lot to like about the town including cheap airfares, short flights, a big array of adventures and activities as well as spas, great beaches and a strong café and dining culture - and our Aussie dollar still buys a dollar's worth of goods and services. Take a look at the Visit Noosa website visitnoosa.com.au.

 

IT PUZZLES ME WHY SO MANY TOURIST MAPS HAVE NO ATTACHED SCALE. WHETHER IT'S A CITY'S STREETS OR A REGIONAL MAP WHERE YOU WANT TO KNOW DRIVING DISTANCE IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE SOME IDEA HOW FAR YOUR DESTINATION MIGHT BE. IS THERE SOME LOGICAL REASON NOT TO INCLUDE SCALE OR SOME HIDDEN AGENDA?

D. GINSBOURG, EAST BENTLEIGH

Scale has indeed slithered off many tourist maps, along with it's buddy 'north' with that little arrow in the top right hand corner, and I'm at a loss to explain it as well. According to a document titled Fundamentals of Mapping from Australia's Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping, "The majority of maps need the scale to be stated (maps without scales are essentially diagrams). This should always be given by Statement of Scale (eg 1:1,000,000) and/or by showing a Scale Bar."

Here's a possible explanation. A graphic artist is charged with producing a map of an area of a city, Paris say, so they get hold of a proper cartographic map with a scale, scan whatever section of the map they need, fit it to size and job done. 

However because the scale and much other handy information might sit in an area of the map that is not included in the scan it gets left out. 

It is also possible that graphic artists, being predominantly switched-on, early-adopting techie types, are using Google maps to navigate. Therefore scale would be irrelevant since the app tells you how far away your destination lies, and the notion of a scale loses currency in their minds. 


CONVERSATION OVER TO YOU… 

The question was "What's the best cruise you've ever done?"

From R. Gareb, "Our South Pacific cruise on Radiance of the Seas wins. Supposed to leave Sydney on 30 Dec but due to cyclone in Noumea we stayed in Sydney Harbour with Opera House views from our balcony. Next day we had to move because of NYE fireworks so we moored next to Fort Denison and had the best view of both 9 pm and midnight fireworks. Definitively the best cruise ever."

From K. de Flon, "Earlier this year I cruised along the coast of Norway with Hurtigruten which services the Norwegian coastal communities and it was one of the best cruises I've done. Spectacular scenery, excellent food and a wonderful opportunity to see many of the remote northern settlements of this fascinating country." 

From R. Tait, "A jazz cruise on the QE2 sailing from New York to the Newport Jazz festival, impeccable service and terrific entertainment on board."

K. Walla writes "It'd be hard to beat my 50th birthday cruise on the Aranui from Tahiti to the Marquesas Islands. Spectacular scenery, awesome sunsets, balmy nights, a glimpse of local customs past and present, congenial fellow passengers, a happy-go-lucky crew and food to die for."

L. Campbell writes "Husband and I have done some wonderful cruises but three standouts were Scandinavia and its fjords on the QE2 - the scenery is spectacular and the side-trips were wonderful. Buenos Aires to Miami with a side-trip to Machu Picchu for three days on the Celebrity Millennium (my favourite ship).  But the one I would really love to do again is the Paul Gauguin for seven days sailing around Tahiti. What a lovely ship and what atmosphere." 

Next question: New generation aircraft will soon make it possible to fly non-stop from Perth to London. Flight time around 18 ½ hours, but if the price was right, would you be tempted? 

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.