My girlfriend and I are going to spend New Year in Sydney with friends who moved over there last year. En route, we've decided to stop in Hong Kong for three nights as it's a place we have both longed to visit.
We fly on Christmas Eve and have three nights in which to explore the city. Of course we want to take in the famous Peak, but we would also like to know if there are any festivals, parades or events we absolutely should not miss at this time of year?
Adam Leonard, Surbiton, Surrey
There's plenty going on in Hong Kong to keep you entertained for three days. The Hong Kong Food Festival takes place at this time at the Exhibition and Convention Centre, with over 1,000 booths showcasing both local and international food. Last year, nearly 870,000 people attended over three days, so you may wish to pop in for an hour or two to avoid crowd fatigue. After Christmas, the focus of the city shifts towards New Year celebrations (February 3 in 2011), but you'll find winter sales and ongoing festive attractions at Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park theme park and at the Ngong Ping Village on Lantau island, which is an excellent half-day trip by ferry. One good way to see some of the island is to take the Peak Tram and then walk down, making use of the Central-Mid-levels escalator, the longest escalator in the world, to cut out some of the knee-numbing downhill hiking. An evening ferry to Lamma island to dine at one of the waterfront restaurants is another must-do when in Hong Kong, both for the no-nonsense Cantonese cuisine and superb light show of Hong Kong island viewed from the water at night.
Last year, while on holiday in Sharm el-Sheikh, I discovered that the banks were giving a much better rate when changing sterling to Egyptian pounds than that available in UK. Is it likely to be the same this year and could you please explain why this is?
Ian Smith
It doesn't necessarily follow that you always get a better rate if you wait until you arrive to change money. Many exchange desks at airports and in heavily-touristed areas offer poor exchange rates. However, in Egypt it's not unusual to get a rate that's better than at home. The key thing to look for is the Interbank rate, which is quoted on sites like oanda.com. The closer you can get to this - once you've factored in commision charges - the better. But it is likely to be the same case this year and there are a couple of reasons. First, when you buy a currency in the UK the bank has to first acquire it on your behalf, incurring costs which are passed on to you. If you buy Egyptian pounds in Egypt this is not the case. Second, once in a country there is more competition for your business which keeps rates keen. At present, Travelex are offering 7.83 Egyptian pounds to the British pound, while the Interbank rate quoted by Oanda is 8.42 to £1. You'll usually get the Interbank rate when accessing your money via ATM, but also pay loading and exchange fees which will vary according to who you bank with. These can wipe out any savings. Plenty of travellers like to have the peace of mind of having arranged their currency in advance and are prepared to buy at a lower rate. You might also do the sums and conclude that saving a few pounds is worth less than being able to hit the ground running once your holiday starts.
We're planning to leave London by Eurostar on Monday August 30, staying for two nights in Zurich (also booked) and then training it on to Venice, where we hope to spend seven days, from September 1 to September 8, which is not booked. Any ideas please? We're thinking of an apartment, but don't want to spend more than €1,000 for the week and would appreciate any suggestions.
Joan Coxsedge, by email
Given that Venice's hotels are not known for their excellent value, especially in August, you'll find that a self-catering apartment is very cost-effective, especially if you use it for some meals. There's plenty of choice at Venetian Apartments, with a studio in San Marco starting at £741 for a seven-night stay. Try also Dimora Veneziana for a wide choice across Venice and on the fast-emerging neighbouring island of Giudecca. If you really want to splash out – and this advice may be more relevant for casual readers rather than Joan herself – then have a look at Bellini Travel. This top-end firm deal in dreams and can arrange a stay in a genuine Venetian palazzo as well as other exclusive treats like access to private gardens and after-hours viewings of St Mark's Basilica – all at a price of course.
How can I best organise a trek in Ethiopia's Simien mountains? I'm at a loss to decide whether to book it from here or arrange things when I arrive. What would you suggest?
Alex Chikara, by email
The Simien mountains are where most of the spectacular landscape photographs of Ethiopia are taken, and a trek is a highlight of many visits to this most rewarding and challenging of destinations. The simplest way to organise a trek is to go with a UK-based company who can make arrangements for you as well as providing guides and equipment. Exodus Travel offers 15 days in Ethiopia, including internal flights to and from the fascinating city of Gondar, 10 days' hiking and an ascent of Ras Dashen, at 4,353m the highest mountain in the country, for £1,999 or £2,379 including flights. You'll be hiking with a small group and this is an ideal option if it's your first visit to Ethiopia or you'll a slightly nervous traveller.
A DIY trip is an option that suits more experienced and adventurous travellers better, and making your own arrangements can also be a lot of fun. You can make arrangements yourself for less than the tour quoted above with Ethiopian travel agencies in Addis Ababa or Gondar, but if you're thinking of going it alone you're best off making your own way to the park headquarters where you can arrange a guide, cook and mules as well as the compulsory armed ranger. Don't worry too much if this sounds like a lot of arrangements to make. En route to Debark, or in Gondar you'll probably meet up with other travellers headed for the Simiens. Teaming up will help cut down on costs. Supplies for a DIY trip are best bought in Gondar, though anything that looks like a specialist camping item should be bought in Addis Ababa or even from home. This option also gives you flexibility over how long you trek for should you prefer a shorter visit.
