In Cuba, the best place to eat out is in a private home. This can be arranged by allowing one of the many jinteros (hustlers) that approach you to lead you to a private restaurant. The food is always far superior to that of the state-run restaurants, plus you get the experience of seeing how real Cubans live by visiting their homes. Lobster dishes are generally around $10 and chicken or fish should cost $7. Servings are always extremely generous and usually include a side salad, chips, soup and a fruit salad.

Michael Holder

If you're travelling to Australia, don't take up the £14-£16 "offer" from your travel agent for organising your visa. The ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) can be obtained online at eta.immi.gov.au/ and will cost approximately £8.50. You will need your passport number and a credit card for payment. The whole process will take about five minutes.

Wilco Paul

A mouse mat can be easily slipped into all types of luggage to provide a lightweight sitting or kneeling pad. Particularly useful when visiting archaeological sites.

David Hunter

If travelling from Dublin airport to the city centre, south Dublin or Dun Laoghaire, forget expensive taxis and take bus number 746 from outside the terminal. It goes the whole way from the airport to Dun Laoghaire (about 25km) using bus lanes most of the way and costs €1.45.

Andrew McComiskey