The Doc answers your questions
MY WIFE and I are in our 70s and we are planning a last hurrah overseas trip.
We would like to spend seven to 10 days in Italy then take the Trans-Siberian Railway to Beijing for another stopover for five to seven days, then home. In what direction should we travel and should we make the arrangements ourselves or through a travel agency?
And what would be the best time of the year to travel?
- DOC: It is important to understand there is really no one "Trans-Siberian" train but instead dozens of different services, some operated by Russian, Mongolian and Chinese state rail companies and privately operated services, as Bryce Crampton from Beyond Travel (www.beyond travel.com.au) points out.
The route to which you refer is known as the Trans-Mongolian, as distinct from the Trans-Siberian, with Crampton recommending that you travel from Beijing to Moscow with the option of proceeding on to St Petersburg. This is because departure times are generally more convenient in this direction, with the availability of tickets greater.
Booking through a specialist travel company, such as Beyond Travel, is highly recommended as it can be a complicated process to arrange a specific itinerary if you are doing an individual trip. Rail tickets will generally need to be collected locally plus you will require visas for Russia, Mongolia and China.
There are also first-class private trains that offer a higher level of comfort and include 4 or 5-star accommodation at stops along the way, comprehensive sightseeing, most meals, on-board doctors and transfers.
Alternatively, there are exclusive deluxe rail tours that operate from Beijing to St Petersburg, which include the aforementioned features.
Crampton says the weather can vary dramatically year round and throughout the trip, as you will cross several geographic and climatic zones. Generally speaking, travelling in late spring and early autumn offers the mildest and most comfortable travel throughout.
However, for a unique experience, travel in winter is worth considering, watching the icy landscapes unfold from the reassuring warmth of a well-heated cabin.
CAN YOU suggest an itinerary which would highlight the best of Japan in our limited time there? A stay in a traditional Japanese ryokan inn would be great. We were thinking of taking the bullet train from Kyoto to Tokyo. We are quite adventurous and would prefer to navigate ourselves rather than take an organised tour.
- DOC: Unfortunately space precludes me from providing a full itinerary but I can tell you, for starters, that one of my favourite accommodation websites is Japanese Guesthouses (japanese guesthouses.com), which provides a free booking service for scores of ryokans across Japan.
However, as many of the these establishments feature easily damaged traditional sliding paper doors and walls, tatami floor matting in bedrooms and strict bathing rules, you may find that many don't accept children, so do check.
The bullet train (or shinkansen, as it's properly called) from Kyoto to Tokyo is a buzz for adults and children alike. If you have limited time in Japan both cities are worth concentrating on as they are each quite a contrast from the other, with Kyoto more traditional and Tokyo more contemporary.
If you have time you could possibly break your journey in the beautiful mountainous area of Hakone, which lies about halfway between the two cities (though not every bullet train stops there).
It'd be worth approaching a company such as Japan specialists JTB (japantravel.com.au) to make all of your arrangements such as train tickets (or passes) and accommodation bookings. There is also some useful information at the website of the Japan National Tourism Organisation(jnto.org.au).
I AM hoping to travel to Italy next year. Ideally I would like to rent an apartment in Rome or Florence on a monthly basis. What would you would advise?
- DOC: The Doc would recommend booking through an Australian registered travel agent rather than on the net, to avoid falling victim to scams, which are relatively common in this area of travel.
An Australian-based agent, such as SIT Italian Travel Specialists (southernitaliantours.com.au), would be a worthy starting point. Such agents are subject to Australian consumer laws and will have operators in Italy available to assist you if needed.
SIT has an extensive range of apartments in Rome and Florence, with the company's Franca Butera-Crea advising you to choose a 4- star apartment, as opposed to a 3-star one since they are equivalent to a 2-star standard in Australia.
When looking at booking an apartment, it's important to know precisely in which area of the city the apartment is located.
Unsurprisingly, centrally located ones are more expensive than those further out, so you need to balance whether you want to travel by public transport to the main sights or be in the centre of the action.
WE WILL be in Copenhagen in May next year for three days. Can you please suggest the best things to see?
- DOC: Copenhagen (visit copenhagen.com) is one of the most tourist-friendly cities in Europe. It's compact, safe and friendly, with Australian visitors these days benefiting from our connection to Denmark's immensely popular Tasmanian-born Crown Princess Mary.
Apart from its range of appealing attractions, it's a pleasant place to just wander around and people-watch.
The Doc has visited the Danish capital on a few occasions and my personal list of must-sees includes Nyhaven, the lively, colourful port area from where you can board canal-boat rides; Round Tower, the oldest functioning observatory In Europe with a spiral walk inside leading to the roof from where you can look over the fairytale-like rooftops of the city; Amalienborg Palace, where the Danish royal family reside and where you can view the daily changing of the guard; and Stroget, Copenhagen's largest shopping area in the heart of the city.
An interesting hotel for your stay could be the centrally located Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (radissonblu.com/royalhotel-copenhagen), which was designed by the great Danish designer and architect Arne Jacobsen.
It's also close to Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen's beloved amusement park and one of the oldest of its type in the world. It's full of gardens, restaurants, cafes, theatres and rides.
One final tip: try a Danish hot-dog from one of the many stands around town - they're delicious!
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