Letter of the week
I have just booked a flight from Manchester to Crete with Thomsonfly. They require an extra payment of £24 for two adults booking and flying together to be seated together, and £18 for an adult accompanied by a child to be seated together. Surely there is a safety issue here. How can an adult be responsible for the safety and general behaviour of a child on board an aircraft if the airline cannot guarantee to place that child in an adjoining seat? The flight in question takes over four hours.
John Sparrow, by email
This is becoming common. Thomson says that while the paid-for seat selection service guarantees couples, groups and families seats together, it is intended mainly to offer an alternative to customers having to arrive at the airport well in advance to secure seats together at check-in. It says that if you don't pay the extra it doesn't mean you will be split up, but if you do, the small risk of it happening is removed: 'It is very unlikely that children would be separated from their parents; however, the pre-booking facility is a guarantee.'
All of which makes it sound rather like a tax on parents' peace of mind. And it's a vicious circle - the more people pre-book their seats to sit together (and Thomson says the service has 'proved popular'), the fewer seats left free for everyone else at check-in. Great news for the airline's profits, but bad news for passengers.
My girlfriend and I are going to Morocco for two weeks in September. After a couple of days in Marrakesh we would like to avoid the main tourist spots and sample some of the real Morocco. The desert and tranquil beaches sound great. Where would you recommend going and what means of accommodation and transport are best? We have thought about renting a car. Would this be the best alternative?
Martin Lawlor, by email
Anywhere in Morocco that isn't Marrakesh will feel less visited, but don't neglect historic Fez and the romantic coastal town of Essaouira. They're acclaimed for a reason. If you're after quieter spots, try tiny Mirleft further down the coast. Inland, the beautiful Ameln Valley is home to pink-painted houses, palm groves and great trekking around Jebel Lekst. Further inland are the desert and dunes at Erg Chigaga and the mud-brick villages in the Draa Valley. Heading back towards the coast you'll pass through the desert activities centre of Ouarzazate and Taroudant - a mini-Marrakesh.
As part of an extended break travelling through Latin America this winter, we would really like to find a beach base for the Christmas and New Year period. We're just a bit too old for continuous backpacking, so we're looking for a place where we can rent an apartment or similar accommodation for three weeks to a month, and possibly have friends join us. Where can you suggest that will fulfil our dream of a warm Christmas by the sea, without being prohibitively expensive?
Patrick Anderson, London
South America isn't well-known for beaches. That it's not may have something to do with the fact that until the recent boom in travel to Brazil and Argentina most people hugged the west coast, where paradise beaches are a bit thin on the ground.
Brazil, unsurprisingly, is the place to go for the pick of the continent's sand. There are dozens of choices around Porto Seguro in the Bahia province, the beach village of Jericoacoara further north or the island retreat of Fernando de Noronha if you have the money to get there. Flights from Recife are around £150, but accommodation is easy to find for under £20; see www.noronha.com.br/english for the essentials on the island.
Elsewhere, if your budget stretches to hob-nobbing with the beautiful people, Punta del Este in Uruguay is an upmarket hang-out. Half of Buenos Aires decamps to Mar del Plata - but heading here to find a tight space on a crowded beach would be a cultural experience rather than a relaxing one!
On the west side of the continent, Ecuador's northern coastline is arguably the best, but you're in the middle of a rainy season at this time of year. Exsus (020 7292 5060; www.exsus.com) can book special places to stay throughout South America, including many of the above locations.
We are planning a three-week honeymoon in South Africa for May 2007. We are thinking about Cape Town, Johannesburg/Soweto, Kruger National Park, and either to KwaZulu-Natal or Victoria Falls in Zambia. We would like to have a few nights of luxury and can't decide which part of the trip to do that. We are happy to stay in middle-cost accommodation for the rest of the trip. We would like the holiday to be fairly active and to include plenty of walking and sightseeing. Can you advise an itinerary?
Sarah Hume, by email
As you're on honeymoon, start with the upmarket option. The Cape Heritage Hotel (www.capeheritage.co.za) in the centre of Cape Town is perfect for newlyweds. Go for a four-poster-bedded suite at £155 a night. If you'd prefer something more modern and out of town, Kensington Place (doubles from £129; www.kensingtonplace.co.za) is a quiet treat right next to Table Mountain. The views of the peak and city are breathtaking.
If you're not interested in the coast around Cape Town, make for Johannesburg, where it's easy to arrange a Kruger Park tour or hire a car. Self-drive is the best way to see the park. Johannesburg is also the best hub from where to reach the Victoria Falls. Visitors to the Zimbabwean side of the falls shouldn't experience any problems, but the Zambian side is more popular at the moment. Expect to pay £250 for a mid-range three-day trip, including flights. Try www.afrizim.com for an example of the tours available.
It's easy to arrange an open-jaw ticket with South African Airways, flying into Cape Town and out of Johannesburg - I was quoted £671.70 including taxes for May 2007 departures through Opodo (www.opodo.co.uk).
