Take me there: Snowbombing in Austria

Now in its 12th year, Snowbombing has snowballed to become the biggest, brashest and arguably the best festival in the Alps, attracting 6,000 revellers to the Tyrolean town of Mayrhofen for a week of live music, snowboarding and naked Jacuzzis. Dizzee Rascal has just been announced as the headline act (following a late cancellation from Snoop Dogg) and other highlights include a Fat Boy Slim street party, Arctic Disco in a huge igloo and ski lessons from Eddie the Eagle. Packages from £615 including accommodation, lift pass, festival wristband and return coach travel from London. Hurry, as tickets are expected to sell out (9-14 April; snowbombing.com).

Travel clinic: Where to stay in London during the Olympics

The dilemma We have friends coming over from Ireland for the Olympics. They've asked us to fix up their accommodation – something affordable that will give them "a taste of the real London". Help! Barbara and John, Warrington

Joanne replies A great way to get under the skin of a city and avoid rip-off hotel charges during the Olympics is to rent a private apartment. Two websites launched in the UK last year are making this easier – housetrip.com, which lists more than 700 apartments in London, and viveunique.com, which specialises in the city and has 200 vetted homes, from Hoxton loft conversions to Chelsea garden flats, with prices from £85 per night.

Would your friends consider a home swap? Come July there will be no shortage of Londoners looking to escape the Olympic mayhem. The recently launched lovehomeswap.com has a tantalising array of properties on offer, and the only outlay is the £99 annual membership fee. You can also find home swaps on The Guardian's home exchange site.

If they are serious about seeing the city through a Londoner's eyes, they could opt for a home stay, renting a room or apartment in a private house. The website airbnb.com has 3,000 listings for London, with user reviews and prices from £20 a night.

• If you have a travel dilemma, email Joanne O'Connor at
magazine@observer.co.uk.

Three of the best… romantic Valentine's retreats

Don't panic. There's still time to treat your sweetheart to a romantic break next week. Here are three quirky love nests which are available for Valentine's Day

1. Boulangerie, Paris
They don't come much sweeter than this suite in a former bakery near the Eiffel Tower. From £83 per night (holidaylettings.co.uk/149086)

2. The Three Sisters, Tallinn
The Old Town oozes romance and this historic hotel makes the ultimate cosy retreat. From €226 (threesistershotel.com)

3. The Boathouse at Knotts End, Ullswater
On the lake shore, this 19th-century boathouse makes a stylish, secluded bolthole for two. £185 per night (i-escape.com)