Letter of the week
I would like to fulfil an ambition for my 50th birthday in March, I would like to be part of a four-man bobsleigh ride. I am fairly fit. Can you tell me where it is possible for me to do this and roughly how much I should expect to pay? I have never skied and have no particular desire to do so, so a destination with other activities as well would be preferred.
Steve Johnson, by email
There's a popular bobsleigh at the giant Alpine resort of La Plagne in France. If you've no wish to take winter sports further then there's no other reason to head up here, apart from the spectacular views. A better destination is Austria, for the Igls bobsleigh track near Innsbruck. For a few dates in January and February you can hurtle down one of the world's finest tracks. It will cost around £50 for a ride with an expert pilot and all the gear you need. For more information contact the Igls Tourist Board on 00 43 512 377101 or igls@innsbruck.info. Igls is easy to get to from Innsbruck or Salzburg, which is an excellent weekend destination at any time - but especially beautiful during winter. Crystal (0870 166 4951; crystalcities.co.uk) offers weekend breaks to Salzburg, or you could fly with Ryanair (www.ryanair.com and make your own arrangements.
Closer to home, Bath University's mechanical engineering department has the UK's only bobsleigh start - a 125m test run which is used by the GB Olympic teams for training. lastminute.com offers days out to experience the thrill.
Four girlfriends and myself are having a catch-up weekend in Amsterdam, flying from Ireland on Paddy's day for three nights. We want to have the ultimate girlie fest - nice food, cocktails and (hangovers withstanding) shopping and culture! I have heard it's a very expensive city for hotels, so would like to find out about good deals or alternatives such as apartments or houseboats.
Mary d'Arcy, Ireland
Amsterdam is a wonderful weekend destination: compact enough to explore on foot with a huge amount to occupy your time. The best-known shopping streets are Nieuwendijk and Kalverstraat, where you'll find department stores and clothes shops. If you're after something more specialised Amsterdam will have it - head to the Negen Straatjes (Nine Streets), a maze of alleys with everything from art to chocolates sold in tiny shops.
Extended wanderings round the city will be tiring so head to the Jordaan area of town to recover. Here you'll find plenty of cafes. In the evening you can have any cuisine you want from around the world. When you do hit the town, head for designer bars such as Bar Bep, Diep and Lime in the medieval centre or the funky bars on Marnixstraat near Leidseplein. Most are open until 3am, later at weekends.
You're better off in a hotel so you can guarantee you'll be centrally located. Apartments are difficult to organise for weekend stays. Try hotelres.nl for listings and online booking. If you're keen on a houseboat, it will cost more but will be a memorable option - see houseboathotel.nl for more information.
We're planning to go to Tamil Nadu for two weeks next August. What level of rain should we expect? We intend to fly into Chennai and head straight to Marmallapuram for a few days' beach lazing. We also want to visit Pondicherry. What else could we add to our itinerary? It will be our first visit to India.
Max Booth, by email
Tamil Nadu's main wet period is October and November. That's not to say it will be totally dry in August, but you'll be spared the worst of the monsoon. It will be humid though, so you're wise to ensure you relax. Marmallapuram is famous for its Shore Temple and is a lovely place to chill out - though be wary of using the beach close to the town as it doubles as the local toilet. Resorts to the north and south are cleaner.
Tamil Nadu has lots to see and do, from wonderful temples at Trichy, Thanjavur and Kanchipuram to the hill station at Ooty. Madurai is a wonderful, seething centre of pilgrimage. Pondicherry is well known for its ashram and laid-back seaside scene. Don't overlook Chennai - there's plenty to see in this fast-growing city. There's lots more information at tamilnadutourism.org.
A friend and I are planning to spend three to four weeks in Europe next July, before going to university. We hope to visit France, Italy, Switzerland and Spain, but preferably on as low a budget as possible How do you suggest we go about it?
Lauren Cooke, Tavistock
To get the most for your money, go Inter-railing. An all-zones pass, valid for one month, costs £295 per person - see raileurope.co.uk for more information. Take a guidebook and an up-to-date Thomas Cook European Railway Timetable (Thomas Cook, £12.99) and make the rest up as you go along.
To keep accommodation costs down, you could camp, but be prepared to traipse out of town to distant campsites in big cities. You'll find youth hostels everywhere, and in many places will be able to stay for under £15 a night. Sleeping on the occasional night train (too many and you'll lose your enthusiasm) saves on even this cost.
Readers' feedback
Following Jason Webber's query about cycling to Santiago (12 September): Take your own bike, preferably a mountain bike with panniers as the route beyond Astorga can be very rough and challenging - most unsuitable for trailer towing. If following the route closely by road, a touring bike will be far less effort to ride than a mountain bike.
If staying in hotels, a pair of rear panniers should provide enough space for carrying luggage. If staying in the pilgrim hostels, you will also need to carry a sleeping bag and camping mat each.
If travelling out by air and returning by ferry, get a disposable bike box. If returning by air, you will need a bike bag. Neither Bilbao nor Pamplona airports have left luggage facilities, so you may have to take them with you.
Harry Dowdell, by email
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