Letter of the week
My girlfriend and I are getting married in July, and for our honeymoon we plan to travel to New Zealand and the South Pacific.
The snag, though, is that my girlfriend has set her heart on going to the island of Bora Bora which, to be honest, I can't afford. She wants to stay in an over-the-sea hut.
Do you know of any cheaper alternatives to Bora Bora with this type of accommodation? I think we can be fairly flexible about which island we visit, as long as the overall experience is similar.
Tom Doyle, by email
The quality of the accommodation rather than the island you visit tends to set the price in the South Pacific, so if you're determined to stay in this type of place you'll have to pay for it.
That said, over-the-water huts tend to be the most expensive places of all, and you could reduce the cost by going for garden or beach bungalows.
Bora Bora, in French Polynesia, is renowned across the world and it is undeniably beautiful. You don't necessarily have to make a stop in the South Pacific, however, and if you do go elsewhere you'll probably find that alternative more economical.
For luxury beach facilities you could always think about stopping over in Dubai, the Maldives or Thailand on the way to New Zealand. You can often get a high standard of accommodation in those places as part of a stopover package. Advice on these deals is available from the specialist firm, Quest Travel (0870 442 3542).
First trip nerves
My girlfriend and I are slightly apprehensive about planning our first trip abroad together, a month away in February.
We both fancy going to Peru but now feel this may not be the best time to go. I had planned to take the Inca trail but understand this may be compromised by heavy rainfall, as it will be the rainy season.
We're both keen to spend some time on a beach. Have you any suggestions for such a trip in February on a budget, offering beautiful beaches some of the time and a little more adventure and discovery for the rest.
Tom Bailey, by email
As wonderful a destination as Peru is, it's going to be a bit soggy on the Inca trail in February. However, the sun never sets on somewhere sunny and interesting.
For a mixture of beaches and adventure there are lots of possibilities at that time of year. East Africa has these things in abundance.
You could divide your time between big game spotting on safari, trekking in the beautiful green hills and recharging your batteries on palm-fringed beaches such as those at Lamu in Kenya and the north and east coasts of Zanzibar.
As it's your first time away together, going with a group might be good. Exodus (0870 240 5550) offers 17-day safari and trekking trips to Kenya and Tanzania, including the Zanzibar beaches, starting at £750 per person.
If you're still keen to get some Latin culture, there's Guatemala, home to an enduring indigenous culture, highlands and rainforests for activities and wildlife and some of the world's finest ancient sites.
You can relax on some of Belize's magnificent beaches and explore some of the best-preserved coral in the Caribbean. Try South American Experience (020 7976 5511) for trips to Guatemala and Belize.
Stagnight in Venice
My fiancé is heading to Venice for his stag weekend - a strange choice, I know, but he's keen on a cultural few days with a few close friends, rather than an alcohol-fuelled lost weekend.
His friends are still keen to make the most of the city, however, and want recommendations for nightlife. Can you help?
Gillian Albert, London
Venice isn't the place for all-night clubbing, but it doesn't sound as if that is what your fiancé is after. Bars will stay open until 1am or 2am, but if you want to get the most out of it, it's best to eat as you crawl from bar to bar.
A good approach here is to hit some of Venice's osterie, local bars that serve cooked nibbles to go with your drink. You'll find these dotted across the lagoon city. Some have been modernised but plenty still ooze an authentic traditional atmosphere.
Though Venice is small enough to stroll round it's helpful to have a destination in mind. The Campo Santa Margherita in the Dorsoduro is full of bars and a lively young crowd. Cannaregio's Fondamente del Misericordia is another street with a local bar scene.
If your party are still keen on late-night entertainment after that Venice is a great place for a quick game of hide and seek.
For more information visit www.turismovenezia.it/eng.
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