Hola, señor! Book in Spain
We are visiting Madrid next month and want to book tickets for the opera or ballet at Teatro Real. We do not speak enough Spanish to book by phone so we would like to know how we can find out what is on and how to book.
Peter and Christine Davison, Nottingham
For inquiries and reservations, ring the Teatro Real sales line, on 00 34 915 160600. The initial message is in Spanish, but if you stay on the line you can request an English-speaking operator. The schedule can be found on the website www.teatro-real.com, but unfortunately, it is all in Spanish. Alternatively, visit www.operabase.com to find a complete schedule in English.
Reservations can be made over the phone and payments must be made by credit card. Tickets are limited to two per card. Tickets range from €12 (£7.70) to €110 (£70.50), apart from the opening night, when they are more expensive. The lower-priced tickets may have restricted viewing. Check the location of your seats when you make your reservation, as refunds are not available.
Stop that thief
Friends report problems with personal security and theft in Barcelona. Should I be worried, and what precautions can I take?
Francis Tourton, by email
Many travellers contact Lonely Planet each year with sad stories of petty crime and theft in Barcelona, and even Lonely Planet authors are not immune. Sadly, pickpocketing and mugging can happen to anyone, anywhere in the world. You need to be alert to potential dangers when seeing the city's sights.
A few preventative measures can go a long way. Use an underarm wallet or pouch to hold your cash and be circumspect about taking cash out of it. Carry just the cash you need for that day; leave your valuables in your hotel's safe. Be especially alert in favourite tourist areas, where wandering hands can quickly empty your pockets, and you need to be alert for bag-snatchers and camera thieves.
Take care on public transport from the airport into town. Many travellers are pounced on as they return alone to accommodation late at night. Consider taking a taxi home after a night out.
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust (020 8392 1839) can give further advice. Its book, Worldwise - Your Passport to Safer Travel ,is full of useful tips. It costs £6.99, plus £2 p&p, from 14 East Sheen Avenue, London SW14 8AS.
A dash to Morocco
We're visiting southern Spain on a fly-drive break. How can we get to Morocco for a few days, and should we leave the car?
Steven Smith, Leicester
Lots of ferries and hydrofoils cross between Spain and Morocco. The most popular route is from Algeciras to Tangier. You can also go from Malaga, Cadiz, Tarifa, Almeria, Gibraltar and Sète in France to various destinations in Morocco.
Southern Ferries (020 7491 4968) can help with bookings and inquiries. Transmediterranea operates many routes and has timetables on its website.
Tangier can come as a shock to those new to Morocco: the touts and hawkers are extremely vocal and persistent. If you're over for a short period, you may wish to take a ferry to Ceuta or Melilla in Spanish North Africa, and slowly ease yourself in to new surroundings. Ceuta also has the advantage of tax-free petrol if you're a motorist.
Driving in Morocco is straightforward between major cities, but in more remote areas roads can quickly deteriorate.
Be sure to check the conditions of your car hire, as you may not be allowed to take the vehicle with you. If not, you'll find it easy to zip around by bus and train. There is an excellent rail service, and it's a relaxing way to enjoy the dramatic scenery.
On a short stay, you could take in the colour and history of Tangier, explore the Rif mountains and have a nose around the relaxed town of Chefchaouen. Contact the Moroccan Tourist Office (020 7437 0073) for details.
Perfect honeymoons
My fiancé and I are getting married in June and want a honeymoon somewhere really romantic, warm and with good food. Can you make any suggestions?
Lisa McQuillan, via email
You needn't travel thousands of miles to find a destination like that. Just three hours on a plane will take you to Turkey, with its relaxing beaches and ancient wonders such as Pergamum and Ephesus.
Turkish cuisine is simply prepared from the finest ingredients. A traditional meal consists of a series of dishes, including meze (starter), salads, meats and breads. June is a great time to go: the climate is warm and dry.
If you have a bit more money, head for Sicily. The west has a Tunisian feel, while the east is European. Fascinating archaeological finds, stunning baroque architecture, Mount Etna and the rich cuisine are just some of the attractions that put Sicily in the 'must go' stakes.
Catalunya, too, is a wonderful region often overlooked by tourists who immediately head for its leading city, Barcelona. The climate in June should be ideal - warm enough to sunbathe and relax but not as stifling as in late July and August.
Thrill-seekers and partygoers can check out busy resorts, Costa Brava beaches, windsurfing, ski-ing, hiking and much more. Those wanting more sedate pastimes can discover the traditional way of life and the spirit of rural community. Explore enchanting Romanesque churches, visit medieval hamlets and villages, and immerse yourselves in the cultural heritage of Dali and Picasso.
Catalan cuisine is probably the best in Spain, with meat, game and seafood all mouthwateringly prepared. Toast your nuptials with Cava, the nation's famous bubbly.
For a tranquil setting, try the Mas de Torrent Hotel (00 34 972 303292). It has a wonderful gourmet restaurant, a swimming-pool and tennis courts. Rooms cost from €230 (£147) per night for a double to €482 (£309) for a luxury suite.
· We welcome letters. Tom Hall and Rachel Suddart from Lonely Planet answer as many as possible here. Include a daytime telephone number and postal address. Email travel.tips@observer.co.uk, or write to Escape, 119 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3ER. The writer of the week's star letter wins a Lonely Planet guidebook of their choice.
