Letter of the week
Next year will mark the fiftieth anniversary of my pen-friendship with a lady from Barbados, and I would like to return the visit she made to England in the Seventies. But never having myself ventured farther than Malta I need some dos and don'ts for a lady of 63 travelling alone! Could you also advise me on suitable accommodation?
Mrs P Mavir, Roade, Northants
Barbados is a great place to have a pen-friend. There's a strong British influence from the colonial era, combined with a fantastic local culture. British nationals don't need a visa for stays of up to six months, but visitors are normally granted 28 days on arrival. You can explore the island by a network of cheap and regular buses, which make getting around easy.
Generally it's a safe place, and with a local to show you round you should have few problems. However, it's a good idea to leave expensive jewellery at home. Buy a small day pack so you can easily carry your camera and other valuables safely out of sight - as well as lots of water. Stay in an area where there are plenty of other tourists, so it'll be safer on the streets at night. If your friend isn't meeting you at the airport, try to avoid arriving late at night: you'll be tired and less alert than normal. Most importantly don't be shy of talking to people, walk with confidence - and pack your common sense.
Most budget and mid-range accommodation is on the south coast, the island's most developed side. Two options are the Abbeville Hotel (00 1 246 435 7924) in Rockley, from £32 for a single, and the Crystal Waters Guest House (00 1 246 435 7514) in Worthing, a small beachfront hotel charging from £21 with a shared bathroom. This is a great story. When you get back we'd love you to write about it for Lonely Planet's online newsletter, Comet.
Trekking in Tibet
Can you recommend a trekking company with a good reputation for travel in Tibet? And is it possible to cross the Tibet/Sikkim border and travel to Lhasa from the Chumbi Valley?
Chris Hale, by email
You can gain access to Tibet via the Friendship Highway between Kathmandu and Lhasa, and to get a Tibetan entry permit for this route you must be part of an organised tour from Kathmandu. It's also possible to trek from Humla in Nepal to Mount Kailash, but you must be part of a trekking group with special permission from Chinese authorities to cross the border. You can't cross from Sikkim into Tibet. From the UK, Himalayan Kingdoms (01453 844400) runs several treks to Tibet, with prices starting at £2,835. Try also KE Adventure Travel (017687 73966) which offers a good variety of trips. If you want to organise your trek in Tibet, standards of service can fluctuate wildly between agencies; shop around to be confident of a good deal. Generally, you'll get better service if you organise a Tibet trek in Kathmandu. Nepal's capital is currently calm, but check the latest situation with the Foreign Office (020 7008 0232) before travelling.
Christmas in the Dolomites
We're planning to ski in the Dolomites in Italy over Christmas, but do not want to stay in a hotel as we have two young children. We would prefer to rent a farmhouse or property where we could self-cater. We will probably fly and rent a car, but have been unable to find companies specialising in the area.
Stephen Earnshaw,Teddington
Travelling over Christmas is always going to be very busy; accommodation and flights get booked up quickly, so you should move now to travel at this time. Collett's Mountain Holidays (01763 289660) specialises in the Dolomites, and can book self-catering apartments in the village of Arabba, close to good skiing. A week over Christmas will cost £700-£850; call for more details. Ryanair and Go fly to Venice, where you can pick up a hire car.
There may be advantages to taking a package: travelling independently, you have to buy ski passes at local price - they'll often be included in a package. And on a package, you'll transfer by coach - meaning you don't have to drive on winter roads, some of which are narrow and steep.
Barcelona for kids
We hope to visit Barcelona in October with our two-year-old daughter. Could you advise us on travelling with small children in Spain, and about the easiest way to reach the city from the airport; without the use of a child seat, we would prefer not to take a taxi.
Amanda Pandeli, Hereford
Spain is a great place to take kids, and having toddlers in tow can help you make friends wherever you go. Everything you could possibly need is available in Spain, but if you swear by a particular brand then take it with you.
Children will get in either free or at a discount at most sights and museums, and those under four travel free on trains - if they don't take up a seat. The Spanish are happy to have children stay up late; though they won't take them out for a night on the tiles, you will see families sitting in cafes or bars much later than in the UK.
Barcelona will have a pleasant climate in October, so regular drinks breaks and a leisurely pace are suggested. The cable car between Montjuic and La Barceloneta is fun, and the Aquarium is another good option. Kids and adults will both enjoy Gaudi's Parc Guell designs.
Trains run every 30 minutes to central Barcelona from the airport - the station is between terminals A and B. It's a bit of a walk if you're laden with baggage, but the frequent airport bus leaves from right outside both terminals. Lonely Planet's Barcelona guide has a section on travelling with children. Parents here at LP always take a buggy and a baby-carrier, so that the children get a variety of perspectives and travelling modes as well as somewhere comfortable for daytime naps.
Malaysia cover-up
My boyfriend and I plan to spend a month in Malaysia in September - a few days in Kuala Lumpur, then travelling the east coast. I've read the Lonely Planet and Rough Guides and looked at the Foreign Office website. I see that in some mainly Muslim areas, tourists are expected to 'cover up' - but don't know if this means fully - from wrists to ankles - or just no bikinis. Can you advise us?
Susan Hodgkinson, Manchester.
Although the climate will be hot and humid, resist the temptation to strip off. Avoid wearing high-cut shorts or skirts and aim to keep your shoulders covered. You should be OK with shorts and T-shirts in Kuala Lumpur, but in remote areasopt for a long cotton sundress or loose trousers (not only will you be respecting the local culture, you'll be protecting your skin from the sun). On public beaches, follow what local women wear (as opposed to fellow tourists). When visiting religious sites and holy temples, you'll need to remove your shoes and keep arms, legs and shoulders covered. Many places will provide over-garments on arrival, but be prepared and carry a sarong with you - it can double as a headscarf (local markets are packed with bright, cheap cotton clothing). Although in the west we're told that blondes have more fun, they'll unfortunately encounter a lot more trouble in South-East Asia. Most of this will be limited to non-violent verbal comments, but to reduce unwanted attention simply tie a bandana or scarf around your head. Also, wear sunglasses to avoid casual eye contact, which can sometimes lead to unwanted attention.
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