Your questions answered.
Q I recently read a piece in this newpaper about Bologna, in Italy, but have lost the cutting. Can you remind me where the writer stayed? I was also wondering how she managed to get such a good price on Hotel Internazionale in the city.
P Donnelly, Wexford
My colleague Rose Doyle and a friend stayed at Hotel Internazionale (Via Indipendenza 60, 00-39-05- 1245544). She booked it online on www.monrifhotels.it. Rates in April and May are about €129-€149 a room if booked online. The Star Excelsior (Viale Pietramellara 51, 00-39-051-246178), was recommended by a reader who stayed there recently. Promotional rates in April and May are from €159 to €199 a room.
Bologna is easily accessible from Ireland, with Aer Lingus flights to Bologna Airport on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Ryanair flies to Forli Airport, about an hour away, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Both airlines have fares from €60.
Bologna is a medieval city that has retained its atmosphere of tranquility. Good shopping is available, but most shops close at Saturday lunchtime for the weekend. Florence is only an hour away by train. For a blowout meal try Restorante Franco Rossi (Via Goito, 051-238818), for old-style ambience with silver service. It featured in John Grisham's book The Broker.
Q My parents are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. We would like to send them on an escorted bus tour to Paris in August. Are there any good tour operators in Ireland?
A caring son
I have three great ideas that will make memorable trips for your parents. CIE Tours has an easy-pace tour of France that includes three days in Paris and includes all the major sights and a Seine cruise. The tour then heads south to Avignon, the Rhône valley, Nîmes, Nice, Monaco and home from Nice. Prices from €2,348. Some of the tour is by train. See www.cietours.ie; 01-7031888.
Slattery's Escorted Tours Treasures of France begins by flight and has three days in Paris, exploring the city, both guided and at your leisure. Also included are trips to Bayeux, to see the tapestries, the beaches of Normandy, Mont St Michel, Amboise, Chartres, the Loire Valley and a chateau tour. Prices from €1,479. See www.slatterys.com; 1890-200625.
A trip to Paris with Pab Tours begins at its office in Dublin when you board a coach for a seven-day ferry and overland trip to Paris. The first and last nights are spent in England. There is the added attraction of travelling via the Channel Tunnel to France. The five days in Paris will include tours, a cruise and time to explore. There is also a tour to Versailles and to Monet's gardens. Prices from €719. See www.pabtours.com; 01-8733411.
Q My son is treating me to the opera at Covent Garden. The only problem is I can't use lifts and the hotel he booked does not have stairs for guests. Can you suggest a hotel near Covent Garden that may have stairs?
C Higgins, Dublin
One Aldwych is a beautiful, stylish hotel only five minutes from Covent Garden - and a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It has guest stairs and is a perfect location for a visit to the opera. Rooms from £210 (€275). Fresh flowers and fruit are delivered to your room each day, and the hotel has a swimming pool. See www.onealdwych.com; 00-44-20-73000500.
Q Have you any ideas for an activity or educational weekend for a group of female friends, all over 40, in Ireland?
A Kirwan, Dublin
Carlingford Adventure Centre is only an hour from Dublin and offers a range of activities. It can tailor a course to suit, including hillwalking, abseiling, kayaking and raft-building. Carlingford has a range of accommodation and restaurants. See www.carlingfordadventure.com. For pampering, I would recommend Carton House, in Maynooth; Radisson SAS Farnham Estate, in Cavan; Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa, in west Cork; and the House Hotel and Absolute Spa, both in Galway.
E-mail questions to jscales@irish-times.ie