Lunch on the Thames

Do you have contact numbers for any London-based barge or cruising companies that would accommodate a group (16+) for a sixtieth birthday lunch - preferably on the move - on the Thames?
Jess Curtis, by email

River cruises are becoming increasingly popular and most of them run year round. City Cruises (020 7 740 0400) provide a three-course meal with optional commentary for £18.50 per person. Boats depart from Tower pier at 12.30pm and return at 13.45pm. A minimum of 30 people is required for a group booking.

Alternatively, Bateaux London (020 7925 2215) accepts both single and group bookings. From Mondays to Saturdays they run a one-hour cruise with a three-course meal for £21.50 per person. Boats depart from Embankment pier at 12.30pm, sail to Tower Bridge and return at 1.30pm. On Sundays the cruise lasts for two hours on a round trip to Greenwich. This costs £36 per person and includes a welcome drink, three-course à la carte menu and live jazz. Boats leave from Embankment pier at 12.45pm.

Reservations should be made as far in advance as possible. Times and fares can change according to season so always phone ahead. City Cruises also operate popular riverboat cruises between Westminster and Greenwich. Light refreshments are available on board and no advance booking is necessary (although be aware that it will be much busier in the summer months). Fares and schedules vary depending on route and season.

Going it alone in Bali

I'm going to Bali in June and wish to visit the northern coastal area around Lovina. I'd like to arrange accommodation and excursions independently rather than relying on an organised tour group. Do I need to make arrangements prior to departure?
S.Jones, Nuneaton

Lovina has recently become a popular resort with plenty of hotels, bars and shops to choose from. Despite the increase in facilities, the area has managed to stay fairly low-key and has maintained a relaxed atmosphere. It's a convenient base for trips around the coast and a great place to meet other travellers.

Accommodation is plentiful, with lots of hotels along the main road. Many of them fall in the budget range but mid- and top-end places are good value, especially if you can negotiate off-season rates. July and August are the peak-season months and turning up without a reservation may result in disappointment. June should be less busy and there are so many hotels competing for business you should be able to secure a room quite easily for a good price.

Hotel Aneka Lovina (00 62 361 41121) is set amid tropical gardens and has Balinese-style thatched roofs. Facilities are excellent and single rooms start at £30. Sunset dolphin trips are a speciality of the area. You don't need to book too far in advance - the day before is sufficient. Tickets are available from many outlets but your hotel reception is probably as good a place as any.

Snorkelling and diving are also quite popular, with many companies offering courses and dive trips. Costs don't really vary much but it's wise to ask around and check them out for yourself (a benefit not afforded to you if you book through an agent in advance).

To reach Lovina from the south, all you need to do is hop on a bus. Head towards Singaraja, where you'll have to change buses. Singaraja is the transport hub for the northern coast so there are three terminals - you'll need the Banyuasri terminal on the west side of town.

Fly me to Ancona

Is it possible to fly to Ancona with one of the low-cost airlines? Any advice on ferries from Ancona to Split would be most appreciated.
Alec Tonge, Stockport

You're in luck. Ryanair runs daily flights between London Stansted and Ancona. At present, fares begin at £15 for a one-way adult single (subject to restrictions and availability). Ancona is the mid-Adriatic's largest port and most visitors come here simply to get somewhere else. Ferry companies all have booths at the terminal. Adriatica (00 39 071 20 49 15) runs two ferries a week to Split. The passage takes eight hours and costs €41.30 (£25.20) for an adult return in high season. Jadrolinija (00 39 071 20 43 05) runs three ferries a week. The journey takes 10 hours and costs €44.95 (£27.43). Visit its website for timetables.

Barcelona FC

I'm planning to take my boyfriend to Barcelona for his birthday in April. He's a very despondent Leicester City fan so I'd like to treat him to tickets to watch Barca play at home. How do I find out about fixtures and where to buy tickets?
Helen Brown, London

The first thing you should do is visit Barca's website. It's packed full of information including team news, fixtures and an online shop. You can buy tickets by phoning the stadium ticket hotline on 00 34 93 496 37 02 at least two days before the match. (An online booking service is currently being developed but isn't yet up and running.)

Alternatively, you could contact an agency such as Fan Fare Events (0161 437 0002) which will tailor a travel package for you. Prices start at £359 per person and include flights from several UK airports, accommodation in three- and four-star hotels and match tickets of your choice. (Please note that prices vary according to which game you wish to see.) Optional stadium and city tours can be incorporated into your itinerary. Match tickets can't be purchased separately and are sold only as part of the Fan Fare package.

Over to you... readers' feedback

In further response to K. McKenna's question about driving in South Africa (3 February) , last April we - both in our mid-seventies - spent a month in Cape Town. During that time we made two four-day trips in a hired self-drive car. We found that no advance booking was necessary for B&Bs; in each town or village we visited, the tourist office would recommend accommodation and make a phone booking for us. Everywhere we went we met charming, friendly people and at no time felt under any threat.
Pauline Mitchell, Staffs

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