Letter of the week

We wish to travel to Madrid to spend Christmas with our daughter and grandchildren, who live there. We would like to take our schnauzer, Frank, but cannot find an airline that will take him. The only route that is possible, it appears, is by ferry. This would mean a long journey across France by car. Do you have any other ideas?
Janet Pettipher, Devon

There may be a happy ending for Frank. BMI (0870 607 0555; www.bmi.co.uk) accepts pets, and its London to Madrid route is approved by Britain's Pet Travel Scheme. You can find information about the scheme at www.defra.gov.uk. British Airways (0870 850 9850; www.ba.com) also carries dogs on this route.

Frank will need to go in the hold in an approved carrying case, and fulfil veterinary formalities before coming back to the UK, but that's a small price to pay for a family reunion.

Places to go in Spain

My wife and I have booked a four-day break in Spain this month. Although we have arranged flights and a hotel in Madrid for convenience, we would love to visit a small country village to evoke the spirit of Graham Greene and Laurie Lee with their images of searing sun reflected off white-walled streets.

Any ideas on where we could visit? Presumably the appropriate temperatures and sunshine will be more than plentiful in August!
I H Oxley, Leeds

The Castilian heartland is easy to visit from Madrid. Avila is an old town hiding behind pristine medieval walls. Two dozen trains a day make the 75-minute journey from Madrid. Closer to the capital, Chinchon - the weekend retreat of Madrileños - is a good choice, dusty and largely unchanged for 200 years, or try the old university town of Alcala de Henares. And yes, you'll boil in August.

Trip to Auschwitz

I would like to arrange a trip to Auschwitz with my husband and grown-up daughters and would be grateful if you could tell us the best way to go about it.
Helen Wardle, Mickleover

Auschwitz is a harrowing place to visit - but for many an essential one. It's best visited from Krakow -Sky Europe (020 7365 0365; www.skyeurope.com) offers flights there from Stansted or Manchester. A day is sufficient to get around both Auschwitz and the larger Birkenau camp. Tours are available from Krakow and can be organised when you arrive, but it's just as easy to take a public bus, which will drop you right at the entrance to the museum. More information on visiting is available from www.auschwitz-muzeum.oswiecim.pl.

Travelling in Croatia

We are celebrating our 25th anniversary by returning to the scene of our honeymoon - then Yugoslavia, now Croatia. We have BA flights booked to Split and have 10 days to explore the islands of Hvar and Brac before returning to Split via the Makarska Riviera.

Please can you offer some advice and guidance about travelling around?
Graham and Elizabeth Morse, Christchurch, Dorset

Split is linked to Hvar and Brac by regular ferries, but the two islands themselves are not linked, meaning you're looking at returning to Split to get between the two. Jadrolinija (www.jadrolinija.hr) operates ferries along the Croatian coast. The best way to get around the mainland is by bus. You should be able to secure a private room in a family home without a problem - expect to be approached at ports or use tourist agencies. In peak season you'll pay £10-£20 for a room, generally with shared facilities.

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