Exploring the Galapagos Islands
My friend and I are planning a trip to South America and want to spend some time exploring and diving in the Galapagos Islands as we have heard they are a naturalist's dream.
All our research seems to show that visitors are able to explore the islands only with a qualified guide to guard their fragile eco system. However, the tours are very expensive, more than a week long and often do not include diving equipment.
Is it possible to make our own way to the islands and join a tour group for a shorter time once we are there, rather than taking an eight-day tour on a luxury cruiser? Do you have any information about scuba equipment hire on the islands?
Anna Clark, Leeds
It's not hard to buy a tour to the Galapagos once you're in Ecuador. Even for rock-bottom budget trips, however, you won't get much change out of £1,000, including flights from Quito or Guayaquil, park fees and guides. For diving, add at least half as much again and often a lot more for boat charter and equipment. Guided walks are often included in dive tours.
Generally, arranging a tour in Ecuador can work out cheaper, but you run the risk that nothing is available, particularly in the high season. Tours can even be arranged on arrival, after flying to the islands, although this is less common. Is it worth it? The Galapagos have been rated time and again as one of the best dive areas in the world and are great for spotting large marine life and unspoilt reefs. The costs may seem steep, but if you want to see one of the world's greatest natural attractions, you may consider it worth doing properly.
For further information and an idea of what goes into the tours, go to www.divinggalapagos.com and www.galapagos-diving.com.
Touring Italy
I am flying to Rome with a friend for six nights in May. We planned to spend the first three nights there and the rest in Florence, but now I want to see San Gimignano and Siena in Tuscany. Can we take a bus from Florence to San Gimignano and then on to Siena? How can we find out about places to stay there? Our budget is £50 a night for a room. Lonely Planet's Florence guide doesn't list any accommodation in Siena, where we plan to spend our last night before taking the bus back to Florence and the train to Rome. Or is there a route that avoids Florence?
Lizzy Pollard, London
It is perfectly feasible to get a bus from Florence to San Gimignano and on to Siena. From Florence take the Sita bus and change in Poggibonsi for San Gimignano. This takes 75 minutes and costs around £5 each. From San Gimignano to Siena, change again at Poggibonsi. This journey lasts about an hour and costs around £4 each. Check www.sita-on-line.it for timetables. I can't find a left-luggage facility in San Gimignano. You could ask at the tourist office or a hotel.
If you do venture beyond Florence, Lonely Planet's Tuscany has accommodation listings for both Siena and San Gimignano. Siena has a good range, but budget places tend to be booked up, so make a reservation. Hotel Le Tre Donzelle (00 39 0577 28 03 58) is central, with clean, simple rooms. En suite doubles cost around £40. Piccolo Hotel Etruria (00 39 0577 28 80 88) has en suite doubles for about £46.
There is no need to go via Florence to return to Rome. Take the train and change at Chiusi or, better, take theSena bus from Piazza Gramsci. It takes three hours and costs about £11.
Start early and you should have time for two days in Florence, one in San Gimignano and an evening in Siena before heading back to Rome. This will give you just a taste of Tuscany and may leave you wanting more!
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