From bringing a dog to the US to a honeymoon in the sun to complicated connecting flights JOAN SCALESanswers your travel questions
Connecting flights for cruise
Can you help me select flights for two people from Dublin to Perth, possibly via Singapore, and return from Honolulu via San Francisco to Dublin in February/March 2012? My husband and I are cruising from Perth in February, arriving at Honolulu in March. We want to spend at least two days in Honolulu, and then fly to San Francisco and spend two or three days there before returning to Dublin. Can you get a round-the-world ticket for this? If not, can you recommend an economic route for us? – JM, Dublin
What you are looking at is two one-way tickets with a stopover in San Francisco and the cost between the two would be around the same price as a return ticket.
For example, a one-way with Singapore Airlines flying via London or Frankfurt and allowing for a stopover is about €710 including taxes and one-way with Delta from Honolulu via San Francisco is around €840, including the stopover and taxes.
Some travel agents specialise in round-the-world tickets and unusual journeys like yours. Talk to Usit Travel (01-6021906) or Sayit Travel (1850-487283) which may be able to trim a bit off the price.
For San Francisco, look at 49hoursofSF.com– a new website that packages the best attractions, arts and culture with hotels in the city.
Nice place in Amsterdam
We are a group of friends (one couple and three singles) celebrating a 50th birthday by travelling to Amsterdam for four days in February. I’ve asked around about nice accommodation but anyone I talked to said that it was hard to find good accommodation there. We are now thinking of the international hotel chains, like Ibis, but we want something Dutch or at least with character. We are open to renting an apartment or even a quality hostel with private rooms. – MW, Cork
It might seem a bit samey to stay in an international chain but you’re guaranteed a certain standard of room and not all chains are the same.
For something Dutch, the citizenM hotel ( citizenm.com) is a modern design hotel, boutiquey, with high-tech facilities. It's around the same price as the Ibis – €99 per night – and would be more fun.
Or the Bilderberg Hotel Jan Luyken is in a great location (bilderberghoteljanluyken.com) and has rates from around €90 per room with booking.com.
When it comes to hostels, budget hotels and alternative accommodation you will find a good selection on hostelworld.com.
Honeymoon in the sun
My wife and I have been married a year now and have yet to honeymoon. We are hoping to go in March/April. We love the sun, cities and culture, but are in need of relaxation, luxury and fine food. Can you recommend a two-week holiday, without excessive travel, that has a mix of all of the above, without breaking the bank? Our budget is €5,000 to €6,000. – DM, Dublin
As you want to go in March/April, you have to head a bit further afield to find the sun. Places like Mexico, Cuba, Thailand and the Caribbean will all be warm-to-hot and with varying places of interest and things to do.
Your budget will allow you to stay in couples-only all-in resorts, such as Sandals and Breezes in the Caribbean, where you will have plenty of time to relax. As you have two weeks, combining a few days in a city with a resort would give you the best of both worlds.
New York or Boston and the Caribbean works, as does Miami. A few days in Bangkok would be enough before heading to the islands for some real relaxation. Explore Havana before heading to the Cuban resorts of Varadero for a rest.
The Riviera Maya in Mexico offers the opportunity to stay in very nice resorts and visit sites of archaeological interest.
Thomas Cook Group has a new range of holidays called Far and Away, with luxury resorts in the Caribbean, Mexico and Egypt. You will also find a variety of destinations with Classic Resorts, Wetravel2 and Travelmood.
Taking the dogs to the US
My wife and I, along with our two dogs (cocker spaniels), would like to travel to our son living in Boston. Is it possible to travel cheaply by ship (freighter?) one way or return in 90 days? – GN, Limerick
I am assuming you want to travel by ship so you can bring your dogs on holidays with you. However, that will depend on the shipping line, whether they take animals or not.
You can see freighter travel to the US on strandtravel.co.uk. Ships that take passengers do not necessarily sail to Boston. You may find that you will land in another city and have to make your way to Boston.
Your dogs are subject to inspection on arrival and on return would probably have to spend time in quarantine in Ireland.
See the animal regulations for the USA at cdc.gov/animal importation/BringingAnimalToUs.htmland agriculture.gov.ie for regulations relating to Ireland.
E-mail your questions, with your name and address, to jscales@irishtimes.com