Arne Skulberg is looking for some tips on making the most of a trip to Zanzibar.

The delights of Stone Town are well documented, but if you want a little bit of peace and quiet, try a few days at Robinson's Place (robinsonsplace@hotmail.com). It's run by Eddie, and his wife Ann.

Enjoy the cooling breezes from the Indian Ocean. Walk into the sea and snorkel, or cycle a few kilometres up the beach and snorkel in the lagoon. Sail in a dhow for a few shillings.

In the evening, enjoy Eddie's outstanding cooking, a blend of Zanzibarian spices and whatever the day's catch was. If you follow our precedent, you'll go for four nights and stay for eight.
Neil Mackenzie

You must spend two or three nights on Chumbe Island (chumbeisland.com). This genuine coral island is the perfect place to chill out, with the most spectacular hotel "chalet". It's environmentally friendly - self-sufficient in water and uses solar power. It also runs an outreach programme to educate the local school teachers and children about the environment. It's not cheap, but well worth the money.
Colin and Hilary Ross

Jane Gallagher needs a hotel in New York that can accommodate a large family.

Three years ago, we stayed with three children aged five, seven and nine in the Ameritania Hotel (001 212-247 5000, nycityhotels.com), on the corner of 54th and Broadway, not far from Central Park. We had a suite with two rooms; the bedroom had two double beds and we put all three children in one of them. There was also a bed-settee in the living room. It wasn't expensive and the price included an all-you-can-eat doughnuts, juice and coffee breakfast. Annette Hames

This week's questions

I want to go to Athens for the Olympics but flights are very expensive. I have thought about getting a cheap flight to Italy and then a ferry. How much would this cost and how long would it take to get from Italy to Athens?
Lizzie Gillett

I would love to visit the mouth of the Amazon, and then canoe or boat upstream towards its source. I'm not sure how practical or safe this is. Is it possible without taking an organised package?
Matt Bamford

I am currently travelling in Asia but my backpacker insurance expires in a couple of months. Are there any policies that I can buy from abroad - every company I contact tells me I must depart from the UK.
Nicola Doering

I am a single mum and want to take my eight-year-old daughter on an activity holiday and also meet other young parents. I don't have a large budget. Any ideas what I can do/where I can go?
Sarah Scholes