40 Where can I go for guaranteed snow early/late in the ski season?
There's no such thing as guaranteed snow but in order to increase the odds you obviously need high altitude resorts. Destinations such as Val D'Isère and Tignes have the longest season, which usually begins in November and runs all the way through to May. For more information contact the Val D'Isère Tourist Office (0033 4 79 06 06 60) or the Tignes Tourist Office (0033 4 79 40 04 40; www.tignes.net).
For a destination outside Europe, head for Banff in Canada. The season runs from mid-November through to May. For more information contact the Banff/Lake Louise Tourism Bureau (001 403 762 8421; www.banfflakelouise.com)
41 How practical is it for two of us over the age of 60 to go backpacking in New Zealand for two months?
Many New Zealand retirees spend a large amount of time touring their own country, so you'll find that most tramping routes and facilities are suitable and accommodation is extremely welcoming to senior travellers. Discounts are available on public transport and certain activities, but proof of age may be required. The two islands are extremely accessible and are served by an efficient transport network - roads are well looked after and shuttles, buses and coaches are plentiful.
The Magic Bus Network (www.magicbus.co.nz) provides an excellent hassle-free way to see the country. Avoid the summer months, from November to February, if you are sensitive to the heat.
42 Can you recommend the perfect holiday for bored teenagers?
Both France and Spain have a great selection of beaches as well as the cultural highlights of European city life. If your kids tire of museums, galleries, castles and other tourist attractions, there's plenty of shopping, nightlife and general 'hanging out' to be done.
Long-haul destinations such as Canada and New Zealand will appeal to more adventurous teenagers who favours adrenaline sports and outdoor activities (such as hiking and skiing). No matter how much they pretend to be uninterested, the impact of natural wonders such as The Rockies and Milford Sound are sure to have an effect on them.
Find out what you all expect from a family holiday and pick a destination that has something for everyone.
43 Any tips for eating well in Cuba?
Although the availability of fresh produce in Cuba remains limited, standards of cuisine are slowly improving. Try to avoid state-run restaurants, as the service is often poor and the food unimpressive. Instead, aim for paladares - privately run restaurants where you can enjoy delicious food while mixing with the locals in their own homes.
We have also received many recommendations from travellers who have been served terrific traditional fare by their hosts when staying in private homes (known as casas particulares). Dishes are usually meat-based (chicken or pork) and served with rice or vegetables.
44 Where can I find out about participating in volunteer work in Cuba?
The Cuba Solidarity Campaign organises International Work Brigades each year. Members spend three weeks doing agricultural and construction work alongside Cuban workers. Educational and political activities are arranged during leisure time as well as additional excursions to places of interest. Participants must fund themselves and the trip costs around £750.
For more information contact CSC, c/o Red Rose Club, 129 Seven Sisters Road, London N7 7QG. (020 7263 6452; www.cuba-solidarity.org.uk).
45 Is it possible to do cheap holidays abroad with six kids?
Camping is a great way to have a lot of fun on a small budget and both Normandy and Brittany are ideal locations to pitch your tent. Both are easily accessible from the UK by car or camper van so you reduce transportation costs and avoid the stress of travelling with six children (and their luggage) on public transport.
There are hundreds of campsites available and because camping is so popular they are well-maintained, good value and there's usually a great family atmosphere. Cheap, local produce and handy barbeques mean catering costs are low, yet tums are easily filled. For more information try the French Tourist Board (09068 244 123; www.franceguide.com).
46 What are your rights if an airline loses your luggage?
According to the Warsaw Convention, airlines are only obliged to pay minimal compensation - at the moment it is around £15 per kilo, regardless of actual value. The legislation does not include regulations on delayed baggage, so airlines are able to make reparations at their own discretion. These payments usually range from £10 to £25 per day and are intended to cover immediate and emergency purchases. For more details contact the Air Transport Users Council (020 7240 6061; www.auc.org.uk)
47 Which hotels have the best kids' clubs?
It depends on what sort of childcare you're looking for. First Choice (0870 750 0001; www.firstchoice.co.uk) runs kids' clubs at most of its hotels in the summer months. They have separate groups for different ages, the youngest being 15 months old, the oldest for 15-year-olds. For the groups catering for under-threes, it's necessary to reserve a place in advance. Prices start at £40 a week for six sessions. Most of the other club activities are free of charge. See their website or kids' brochure for prices and availability.
Other companies running kids' clubs include Skytours (0870 513 3500) and Airtours (0870 238 7788).
48 What is the earliest age a child can start learning to ski?
A child is capable of learning to ski from the age of three, but most ski schools impose their own limits (usually about four or five years old). Check regulations with the school or tourist office prior to departure and ensure that both you and your child are adequately covered by travel insurance.
49 I want to teach abroad in my gap year. Can you outline some options for a course in teaching English as a foreign language?
I to I (0870 333 2332;www.i-to-i.com) is the largest Tefl training organisation in the UK, teaching 1,700 people a year, both on weekend courses and overseas via an online course (www.onlineTEFL.com). You do not need to be a university graduate, and there is no age limit. Courses cost from £195.
In addition, they also arrange voluntary teaching, conservation and work experience placements on more than 300 projects in 13 destinations worldwide. Length, content and price vary - see their comprehensive website for further details.
For a list of places that run TEFL courses visit www.europa-pages.com/uk/tefl.html. For information and a worldwide directory of courses, try www.tefl.net.
50 Where is a good place to learn to surf in the UK?
If you want to learn to surf without leaving your home shores, head down to the south coast of England and hit the Cornish beaches.
Visit www.coldswell.com for a comprehensive surf directory. There's a list of UK surf schools, a beach guide, weather charts and an inspirational global webcam.
51 Where can I buy a nice bikini/suntan cream in the middle of winter?
Winter sun seekers needn't panic. Sun protection products can be found year round in pharmacies such as Boots. If you can't find the items on the shelves, try Boots' online shopping service at www.wellbeing.com. If you are travelling on a budget or simply want to save a few pounds you can purchase sun cream from the duty free store.
A nice bikini, however, is rather more difficult to get your hands on. Most major department stores, such as Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and John Lewis have a year-round swimwear selection. If you are unable to visit one of these stores, check out London-based www.beachqueen.com for a good selection of bikinis and bathers. If you can bear to wait until the last minute, pick one up at the airport - Gatwick south terminal has around seven different outlets selling swimwear.
If all else fails don't worry -you're sure to be able to pick up swimwear and suncream once you arrive at your destination.
52 I am going to a developing country. Should I take American dollars or sterling? Should I bother taking traveller's cheques or will I find cash machines?
Check with your bank or a foreign exchange bureau such as Thomas Cook to find out whether your destination has any specific regulations or advised monetary requirements. In general take a selection of US dollars in a variety of denominations, particularly small ones.
The majority of your money should be in travellers' cheques (for security purposes) but make sure that they are from American Express or Thomas Cook. Again, ensure that you have a variety of denominations. ATMs are becoming more widespread, but there are some countries where they simply don't exist.
Check that your card allows cash advances while overseas and if the banks are closed, don't forget that smart hotels will always have bureaux de change.
53 Can you recommend some nice hotels in Cornwall and Scotland which are small and inexpensive with good food?
Both destinations have no shortage of accommodation that fits the bill. In Cornwall, Port Gaverne Inn (01208 880 244; www.chycor.co.uk/hotels/port-gaverne) is a seventeenth-century coaching inn with award-winning food. Double rooms cost between £45 and £60. You could also try Trengilly Wartha Inn (01326 340 332; www.trengilly.co.uk), near Falmouth, which costs between £65 and £72 per room. Another good bet is Ennys (01736 740 262) at £55-75 per room. Family facilities are available.
In Scotland, Pier House Hotel (01631 730 302; www.pierhousehotel.co.uk) in Port Appin has local seafood and game on the menu and costs from £65 to £90 for a double room. On Skye, try Taigh Ailean Hotel (01478 640 271; www.taigh-ailean-hotel.co.uk) at around £25 per person for bed and breakfast.
54 I need to rent a property for a large group in the UK - any recommendations?
Rural Retreats (01386 701 177; www.ruralretreats.co.uk) has many larger properties on its books. Landmark Trust (01628 825 925; www.landmarktrust.co.uk) is a charity that specialises in letting buildings of historical and architectural importance for holidays, including some big places. Wedderburn Castle, (01361 882190; www.wedderburn-castle.co.uk) at the top end of the market in the Scottish Borders can accommodate up to 22 guests. The Youth Hostels Association (0870 870 8808; www.yha.org.uk) rents whole hostels out of season.
55 Where can I find out more about cargo boats that take passengers?
Though the days of regular passenger ships heading to every part of the globe from the UK are long gone, it's still possible to reach your destination by sea. If cruise ships aren't your cup of tea, Strand Voyages (020 7836 6363; www.strandtravel.co.uk) and The Cruise People (020 7723 2450; www.cruisepeople.co.uk) both specialise in booking passengers onto freighters. It's not cheap - typically you'll pay £85-£100 for each day of your voyage.
56 Where can I stay in a lighthouse in the UK?
Distinctly Different (01225 866842; www.distinctlydifferent.co.uk) and Rural Retreats (see question 54) offer lighthouse accommodation.
A remote and windswept treat is Rua Reidh Lighthouse near Gairloch, Scotland (01445 771 263; www.scotland-inverness.co.uk/ruareidh.htm) - doubles start at £30. Try also the Lighthouse at Llandudno (01492 876 819; www.lighthouse-llandudno.co.uk) with doubles from £50 a night.
57 I'd like to travel overland to Australia - can you recommend a route?
With Afghanistan and Pakistan off limits due to the current conflict, it's advisable to try a northern overland route. Upon arriving in Beijing on the Trans-Mongolian or Trans-Manchurian railway, you can proceed through China into Laos, then through Thailand and Indonesia where you'll have to catch a flight to northern Australia, unless you can hop on a passing yacht.
58 But it looks easier to get there via Burma, rather than fight my way through the Himalayas...
Overland travel into Burma can only be undertaken as part of an organised tour from China - restrictions imposed by the country's military rulers and a lack of road links mean that you can't enter Burma from India or Bangladesh.
On the eastern Burmese border, limited short excursions are possible from Thailand, none of which allow more than a fleeting glimpse of the country.
59 Can I travel by train in South East Asia?
Railway services operate in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Burma, Indonesia (Java) and Cambodia, and although standards vary enormously, it can be a great way to get around. In many places they're a welcome alternative to buses, though trains in Cambodia and on Java leave a lot to be desired.
The Eastern and Oriental Express is a fantastic experience, rightly celebrated as one of the finest railway journeys in the world - visit www.orient-expresstrains.com for more about this trip.
60 Is it possible to travel overland through Africa?
The Western overland route runs out of steam in the centre of the continent, with Angola, Zaire and the Central African Republic all currently unsafe for travellers. The East African route is unstable due to the ongoing conflict in southern Sudan.
We do hear of travellers using this route regularly, but the Foreign Office (www.fco.gov.uk/travel) advises against using the crossing with Ethiopia due to risks to personal safety in the area. You can pick up hints and tips at www.africaguide.com and www.africa-overland.co.uk.
61 Where can I find the ferry timetable for Indonesia?
Regular ferries leave daily or several times weekly between major ports in Sumatra, Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara, making connecting these islands straightforward. To get to and between Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku and Irian Jaya (now renamed West Papua), you need to use the national passenger line Pelni ships. www.pelni.com details schedules - boats normally do fortnightly or four-weekly round trips, so it's a good idea to do some advance planning to make sure you don't get stuck in remoter areas or left stranded in the monsoon season. Check out the safety facilities on board ferries - they vary greatly in this part of the world.
62 Where can I find out more about courier travel?
The development of email and discounted airfares means that courier travel is neither the opportunity nor the bargain it once was. The system is still the same -in exchange for your baggage allocation, you get a discounted ticket. You can normally save £50-£150 on the usual fares. Contact the International Association of Air Travel Couriers (0800 0746 481; www.aircourier.co.uk) and ACP Worldwide (020 8897 5130).
63 Is it a legal requirement that I have travel insurance before flying?
It isn't a legal requirement, but it is common sense to make sure that you're covered in case anything goes wrong. Some tour operators make it compulsory for customers to have insurance when travelling on their packages.
64 How should I avoid being left high and dry if a scheduled airline goes bust?
If the trip is part of a package holiday, ensure the agent is Air Travel Organiser's Licence-bonded, or a member of the Association of Independent Travel Operators. Then, in the event of an airline going under, they'll get you home.
If you booked directly with the airline, you won't be protected by Atol, but paying by credit card will cover you under the Consumer
Credit Act if your ticket cost more than £100.
65 Can I change my cash into euros?
The euro becomes legal tender in 11 countries on 1 January 2002, which is the first date travellers, and anyone else, will be able to get hard currency in most countries. Individual currencies will be phased out, with the majority switching entirely to the euro by 1 March 2002. Travellers are able to get euro travellers cheques now and after 1 January 2002 from banks and other bureaux de change. See www.euro.ecb.int/en.html for full details on the euro.
66 Can you tell me if I need a visa to travel overseas?
British citizens don't need visas to go anywhere in the European Union, and to many other destinations worldwide, but should always carry a passport when leaving the UK. However, it's imperative that travellers contact the embassy, consulate or high commission of their destination country to find out the latest regulations before they go.
Do this several weeks before you travel to allow enough time for the necessary paperwork. The Foreign Office website, www.fco.gov.uk, has a complete list of overseas embassies and consulates in the UK. Because regulations vary so much depending on which country you are in, coming from and travelling to, as well as your personal history and travel plans, every case is different.
67 What's all this about the Cuban passport stamp and getting into the United States?
Some travellers have contacted Lonely Planet concerned that having a Cuban stamp in their passport will stop them entering the US. US citizens are legally barred from spending money in Cuba, effectively legislating against travel there by Americans. However, this does not concern UK nationals, nor indeed any other travellers, who are able to enter the US freely even if they have visited Cuba. We haven't heard of any instances where US immigration has refused UK nationals entry to the US for this reason.
68 I'm going trekking at high altitude. Should I be concerned about altitude sickness?
You're not usually at risk from suffering any effects until you reach about 8,200ft (2,500m), but it is possible to get symptoms from 6,560ft. You are less likely to be affected if your climb takes place gradually than if you fly into somewhere like Lhasa, Tibet, or Leh in the Himalayas. As well as ascending gradually, drink lots of water and don't over-exert yourself.
Check with your doctor before you go, and contact the British Mountaineering Club (0161 445 4747; www.thebmc.co.uk) for more information about travelling and climbing at high altitude.
69 How do I best avoid dengue fever and how would I know if I had caught it?
Dengue fever is found mostly in south-east Asia. It is characterised by severe flu-like symptoms and can kill you. Dengue is transmitted through a bite from an infected mosquito, and there is currently no vaccination available. The best prevention, as for malaria, is to try to stop mosquito bites by wearing long-sleeved tops and long trousers or a skirt, using a mosquito net and spraying yourself and sleeping quarters with insect repellant. Be especially careful at dawn or dusk when mosquitos move around. Contact your GP or travel health clinic for details, and see www.masta.org for more on the disease and avoiding bites.
70 Can I take my dog on holiday to France with me?
Yes, with a little planning this shouldn't be a problem. Pets (Pet Travel Scheme) allows cat and dog owners to take their four-legged friend on holiday to a specified list of countries. Full details are available from the Pets helpline (0870 241 1710; www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm). The French Tourist Board (09068 244 123; www.franceguide.com) can advise on current rules for bringing a pet to France, and www.paws4travel.co.uk has a list of vets on the continent.
