Boat-ride to Canada
I'd like to travel by ship from the UK to Canada next summer. I'm not looking for a cruise-type trip, simply a means of transportation. Where can I find out more?
Andy Sharpe, Lincs
Canada Maritime operates the only passenger cargo service between Europe and Canada. Vessels depart most Mondays from Thamesport (Kent) and arrive in Montreal 10 days later. Each ship can accommodate four passengers in single/twin cabins with shower and toilet. There's a passenger lounge with TV and video, and meals are served in the officers' dining-room. For details, contact Strand Voyages (020 7836 6363). Summer fares for a one-way UK-Canada trip are currently £995. Check www.wildwings.co.uk/transfares.html for Strand's year-round schedule.
Alternatively, think about a repositioning cruise. These one-way trips often offer bargain prices on luxury vessels heading back to port at the beginning or end of the season. See http://cruises.about.com for details of this and other routes.
Costa Rican rainforest
I'm trying to learn Spanish, my husband is a retired botanist and we both love rainforests. Can you help with information on Costa Rica, a country I've always wanted to visit? We're in our late sixties and like a reasonable degree of comfort. Is it safe to travel and/or drive alone? What time of year is best? Will we find beaches within easy reach of rainforest? Is there a risk of malaria?
Diane and Bryan Bowes, Glasgow
You've picked a fascinating place to go. Costa Rica is one of the world's top ecotourism destinations: tropical rainforest bursting with exotic wildlife and active volcanoes thrown in. Though the recent growth in tourism has brought with it an increase in petty crime, taking the usual safety precautions should mean you're all right (take care at bus terminals, where thieves can strike in big crowds).
The Costa Rican summer runs from December to April; it can be rainy all year in coastal areas, but the highlands really dry up during summer. By the sea, temperatures are consistently hot, from between 30C and 33C, but the highlands, including the capital San José, are stuck in what the locals call 'eternal spring' (15-26C).
Costa Rica is two-thirds the size of Scotland, with good transport networks, so seeing what you want to isn't a problem. Montezuma is a well-known beach very close to rainforest and wildlife reserves; it's also very popular with other travellers. If you're after quiet beaches, try elsewhere on the Peninsula de Nicoya, like Playa Ocotal and Playa Nosara. Accommodation is plentiful and generally good value.
There is a risk of malaria, particularly in lowland areas. Contact your GP or travel health clinic for more details.
Bear in mind that English is understood in the better hotels and along much of the Caribbean coast, so to immerse yourself in Spanish you may wish to get off the beaten track, or spend a little time in Panama or Nicaragua, both exciting places.
Blooming Cordoba
Following last week's piece on Andalucía, I'm keen to visit Cordoba in May during the Festival of the Patios. Despite talking to local travel agents and the Cordoba tourist office, I can't get the exact dates.
Peter Murphy, by email
The Festival de los Patios is one of the highlights of the year in Cordoba, and the Spanish Tourist Office (020 7486 8077) says it takes place from 4-16 May in 2002. Many of the city's historic patios are open to the public, to coincide with the blooming of floral displays. The Cordoba tourist office produces a map showing which patios are open for viewing. Some of the best can be found around Calle San Masillo. A number of cultural events coincide with the festival, making it a great time to be in town - and you won't be on your own, so book accommodation in advance.
New Year in Bruges
We are four adults (one a vegetarian) who'll be in Bruges for a two-night break over New Year. Any recommendations for a restaurant with some entertainment for New Year's Eve?
Margaret Vickery, Kent
Belgian cuisine is highly regarded by food lovers, and its reputation is reflected in the high number of good restaurants. Many are advertising special packages for the festive period. Guillame (Korte Lane 20, tel 0032 50 34 46 05) is organising a New Year's Eve buffet in a castle with an after-dinner party. The buffet consists of gourmet delights such as goose liver, lobster and winter vegetables but unfortunately there's no vegetarian option. If you fancy exercising your vocal cords, the 13de Euwse Kelder Oud Brugge (Kuipersstraat 33; tel 0032 50 33 54 02) is holding a New Year's celebration including a karaoke and disco bar; vegetarian options are available upon request. If this isn't your scene then unwind to a Hungarian string orchestra at Home Fleuri (Minderbroederstraat 1; tel 0032 50 34 64 42). For a full festive listing, call the Bruges Tourist Board on 00 32 50 44 86 86, and book early.
Over to you... readers' feedback
In response to last week's letter from Steve Wood, asking for tips on driving or taking the train to Tuscany:
In September, we took our car by train on Belgian Railways to Bologna. Trains leave from Denderleeuw, between Ghent and Brussels; when Steve Wood travels, a Denderleeuw-Livorno service should also be available. The cost for two adults was just less than a leisurely drive to Umbria with three overnight stops. If he still wants to drive all the way, the Mont Cenis pass route is very scenic and probably unsuitable for commercial vehicles. This is an alternative to the Frejus Tunnel, and runs from Lanslebourge to Susa, west of Turin.
Gill and Paul Sweeting, by email
And in answer to Jon Chidsey's inquiry about US holidays involving baseball:
I suggest Fan Fare Events (0161 437 0002). They offer baseball, Superbowl, golf, tennis, motor racing and the like in the US, as well as football all over Europe and South America.
Geoff Henman, by email
· We welcome letters. Tom Hall and Rachel Suddart from Lonely Planet answer as many as possible here. Include a daytime telephone number and postal address. Email travel.tips@observer.co.uk or write to Escape, 119 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3ER. The writer of the week's star letter wins a Lonely Planet guidebook of their choice.
