Ask Joan: Prague with a pool, Marbella, Mallorca, or Mykonos for our 40s

Hubbie and I are off to Prague in March for three nights – first time away for more than one night on our own without the three kids. So I was trying to find a nice hotel, maybe with a pool, that is right in the atmosphere of the old city where you can get around the city easily enough on foot. A bit of luxury would be fine too as it may be another decade before we get away on our own. I am bamboozled looking online at hotels. – SM, Dublin

In the Old Town area overlooking the river, the Intercontinental Hotel is lovely and has an indoor salt water pool and leisure centre. It is surprisingly good value for a five star property from €98 per room per night, intercontinental.com.

More expensive is the Kings Court Hotel, a contemporary style in an historic property. The pool is small and part of the spa, so you won't be doing laps here. Rates are from €125 midweek to €237 at weekends, hotelkingscourt.cz.

If you can do without a pool the Malá Strana area between the beautiful Charles Bridge and the Castle is more fun, hip and less crowded. Hotel U Krale Karla (King Charles) dates from the 17th century. It is on a quiet hilly street close to the castle and has great service, rates from €68 per night, ukralekarla.cz.

Pushing the boat out the Mandarin Oriental in Malá Strana is a beautifully restored old monastery, no pool but there is a lovely spa. Until the end of April (except Easter) there is a three for two night special offer, from €230 per room per night, mandarinoriental.com/prague.

We are a group of five girlfriends all turning 40 this year and would like to have a holiday together in September. We have a travel fund saved of €10,000 between us. Our main criteria for the holiday are: relaxing, fun, sunshine, pool, villa/hotel/high quality apartment in a town or within walking distance, good restaurants, mature nightlife, and day trips. Can you recommend a Mediterranean town or city that would suit our needs in September? – EP, Dublin

The Marbella area of the Costa del Sol is lively with lots of great restaurants lively nightlife and Puerto Banus nearby is great for adult fun. There are many beautiful places to rent from fabulous villas to luxury hotels. Euromar II is a gorgeous penthouse, two streets back from the sea. It is on the ninth floor and has fantastic views of the sea and the mountains. There is a terrace all around to capture the sun and a Jacuzzi. There is a pool in the garden. It has three double bedrooms and a vast living room. In September it will cost from €2,500 for a week see it on iti.ms/1E61Gg8.

The island of Mallorca is a perfect place for a special holiday, the city of Palma throbs to great nightlife, yet there are many tranquil places to relax. In the small fishing village of Portixol is the Portixol Hotel, a sunny blue and white property on the sea. It is the height of Scandi style, sophisticated yet chilled with clean lines, contemporary luxury and great food. Rates are from €300 per room, portixol.com. Nikki Beach Clubs in Marbella and Mallorca would be fun to celebrate your birthdays, nikkibeach.com.

The other place to consider for your holiday is the beautiful island of Mykonos. The island has become quite the hotspot for adult fun, with amazing restaurants, great nightlife and fabulous villas. There is a very good selection of properties on holidaylettings.co.uk with prices ranging from €3,000-€5,000 per week in September.

Send your travel queries to jscales@irishtimes.com