We are a family of six. Maldives has long been our dream destination, but the resorts are simply unaffordable. Should we stay at one of the guesthouses we see on websites? We are not interested in diving, snorkelling or watersports. But, of course, we want a beach experience and nice food. A couple of trips to nearby island-resorts for cocktails would be great. Our budget is ?10,000 per couple per day (food and travel excluded).

What a good time to be asking this question! Here you’ll find a full feature devoted to how to visit the Maldives without staying at an overpriced resort. The simple answer is: stay in Malé. Specifically, at the Surf View Hotel, located right on the beach. Their tariff is astonishingly low (from ?3,000), which will

hi, i’m an academic traveling to Warsaw for a conference. i have time from 30th july to 5th august. i’m traveling on a schengen visa. could you please let me know how excitingly i could spend my time traveling. i’m a teacher, so wouldn’t have much money! if i have to explore poland itself (or at the most one more county) what can i do? i’m interested in short treks, history, and people. and food! i suspect my information is not much to go by. but any advice will be happily taken. thanks, ramesh

We are senior citizens (two males, aged 65 years) who plan to visit Banaras and Lucknow in the second week of November 2016. We want to attend the Ganga Mahotsav in Banaras (Dev Deepavali Music Festival), which I understand will be held between November 11 and 14. Please let us know whether the festival dates are correct. Also, if you could give us recommendations for sightseeing, eating and decent hotels (even hostels) at both places and the mode of travel to Lucknow from Banaras. Our budget for two persons is 40- 45k, excluding travel.

The dates that you cite for the Ganga Mahotsav are probably correct, since it coincides with Banaras’s Dev Deepawali festival, which is scheduled for November 14 according to UP Tourism. But it’s best to check once again, closer to your travel time, at www.uptourism.gov.in. Sightseeing in Banaras? The ghats, of course! You can spend days

My wife and I, both in our sixties, will be visiting our London-based son and his family in end-August. We would like to experience either a Baltic or Mediterranean cruise. The preferred time is up to seven days on board, in an economy cabin, between 5th and 14th September. Could you suggest some alternatives with costs and itinerary? Also, will a UK visitor visa suffice for this?

You seem to have a very tight window for your cruise. I’ve trawled the high seas of the Internet and can find exactly one Baltic cruise that fits your requirements of not more than seven days long and between September 5 and 14. And that’s MSC Cruises’ ‘7 night Northern Europe Cruise’ on the MSC

I intend to travel through a coastal road from Mumbai (though not fixed) towards south upto whatever is possible. The reason I said is because I intend to make this tour by walking (and not driving) and I intend to walk as near to the sea. I will travel in winter season and say walk can be for say 5-6 days. Can you suggest what should be my route or journey as well as what precautions should I take. Also, where can I stay? How much a person who otherwise do not have a habit of walking too much can travel in a day? I will be with my spouse and 17 years old son.

We are a family of three?my husband, my 15-year-old daughter and I. We are considering a trip to Ireland for about 7-10 days in May. Please advise us on the places to visit, local travel, accommodation and food (we are vegetarians)? We are not interested in package tours and our budget is about Rs 4-5 lakhs.

Well, half the battle is won if you are clear about where, when and how, and then you pick a compact region that can actually be ‘done’ in the time you have. Way to go! Fly into Dublin and spend at least a couple of days walking about this atmospheric, friendly city. Visit the Dublin

Hi … I am frequent Readers of OT since last 5 Years and I still have most of the copies with me. My 10th Wedding Anniversary is on 15/04 and my wife B’day is no 17/04 so I am planning 4-5 days Memorable Trip to any Indian Destination along with my 8 Year Old Son. We both are Beach lovers incd my Son, we had visited most of the Indian Beach Destination like Goa, Kerala & Pondicherry. Still I want to know from you for any such Destination/Resorts which will be memorable for Lifetime. My Residence is at Valsad, Gujarat which is Near to Mumbai. My Budget will be 50k to 60k. Thanks, Kandarp Desai +91 9898991053

Dear Marco Wanted to know from you on the following 1- I am planning a road trip from Delhi to Europe covering following countries, New Delhi-Nepal-Tibet-Kazakasthan-Moscow-Poland-Belgium-Paris-Spain-Italy-Greece-Turkey- Italy-Austria-Czech republic- Poland-Moscow-Kazakasthan-Tibet-Nepal-India. It would be around 24000km of drive 2- Trip is estimated to be around 6 month We area group of 4 people, age 35-42 years, drive in SUV ( Indian make) I need following advice on my trip – Do I need to make any change in the trip. – I am yet not clear on the budget.Can you help in this. – Any precautionary advice for the trip. Thanks Abhi