GO ASK JOAN:Your travel questions answered by JOAN SCALES
Pakistan and India
I think I am being a little unrealistic in my travel plans and maybe you can help set me straight. Two friends of mine and I are planning to visit another friend who is currently based in Islamabad in Pakistan.
We are hoping to spend one or two days there, then travel to Lahore for a few days. Then the dilemma begins. We would like to do a trek for approximately four to six days. I was thinking of the Ladakh area in India for the trek.
I was hoping we could fly to Jaipur, spend a few days there and then get a train to New Delhi and begin the trek. After the trek I was thinking we could fly back to New Delhi and home from there, but I haven’t looked into flights yet. I would also like to include a tea plantation along the way somewhere.
We have about three weeks in total to do all of this. Is it possible? Any advice you have on internal airlines to use in India and Pakistan or any other suggestions or alternative trek destinations would be appreciated. – SS, Dublin
“Irish citizens are strongly advised to consider carefully their need to travel to Pakistan at the present time in light of continuing terrorist activity, widespread sectarian violence, high risk of kidnapping, and the unstable security situation.”
This is taken from the travel advice to citizens issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs. It does not advise completely against travel but other factors may make you consider carefully your trip. Insurance companies generally will not issue travel insurance for Pakistan and flying into and out of two different countries will increase the cost of travel considerably.
Even if you fly to Delhi and take a flight to Pakistan, there is only one airline, PIA ( piac.com.pk), operating on this route and it would cost in the region of €450 return.
Why not ask your friend to join you in India for a visit?
When it comes to India, there is an Irish company organising travel there and they do have a programme that includes trekking in Ladakh. They are from India themselves and are experts in putting together an itinerary to suit you and your friends. Tel: 01-2948412 or see IndianDreams.ie.
There is also a travel company, Travel247, based in Cork, that has an extensive programme to India. Tel: 0818-333331 or see IncredibleIndia.ie.
From the UK, these companies have a number of holidays to India that will include trekking in both Ladakh and Nanda Devi: Explore.co.ukand Exodus.co.uk. Exodus also has a tea plantation trip.
Miami and Cuba honeymoon
My husband-to-be and I are hoping to go to Miami and Cuba on our honeymoon this December. Is this a good time to visit these destinations? Would you recommend flying from Miami to Cuba or is possible to go by boat? How long would you recommend spending in each place, and what should we not miss? – COC, Dublin
The bad news is that you cannot fly from Miami to Cuba. There are flights, but they are only for people who are licensed to go to Cuba by the US agency that oversees the Cuba Asset Control Regulations – mostly those with family in Cuba.
You can get to Cuba by flying from Cancun in Mexico or from Nassau in the Bahamas. There are flights from Miami to both places and onward services from Cancun with Cubana.comand from Nassau with Cubajet.com.
The weather is nice in December, around 26 degrees in Miami and 29 degrees in Cuba; it is also a dry month. I think a week in each place will give you plenty of time to relax and do a bit of exploring. Miami is a lively city, quite pricey, and has a fantastic range of trendy hotels.
The most popular area in Miami is the beachfront at South Beach, where the world and his wife come to hang out and be seen. Little Havana in Miami is the place to go for Cuban restaurants, culture and atmosphere. There is always something going on: fiestas, parades, and events.
If you do get to Cuba, spend a few days in the capital, Havana, before making your way to the beach for relaxation time. The most popular beach area is Varadero and you will find dozens of quality hotels here. Particularly well-represented are the Spanish brands such as Riu, Iberostar, Barcelo, Tryp and Melia. You may also want to consider talking to a travel agent about this trip; you can find a local agent on ITAA.ie.
Cinque Terre flood damage
We are booked to fly to Milan on May 7th and planned to visit the Cinque Terre for five days, staying in Monterosso Al Mare. We are concerned that the Cinque Terre suffered extensive damage due to severe flooding last October, and I’m hoping you can advise us on current conditions there. – RP, Dublin
Yes, the Cinque Terre did suffer substantial flood damage last autumn but almost 90 per cent of tourism accommodation is now open and Monterosso al Mare is back in business. During the floods it was buried in tons of mud, but the people have made a huge effort to get things back to normal.
The path from Monterosso to Vernazza is also now open. They need all the tourists they can get to help finance the recovery of this lovely area of Italy. There is a good blog on WalksofItaly.com, with further details of what you can expect, and a selection of photographs that may reassure you about the Cinque Terre.
Email queries, with your name and address, to jscales@irishtimes.com