GO ASK JOAN: From walking holidays in Denmark to house swaps and getting to the Azores JOAN SCALESanswers your travel questions
Where do we start for a house swap?
We, a family of six, are interested in house swapping for a few weeks this summer. Our house is in west Cork. We have no specific views about the location of the swap house but would very much appreciate your advice as to what agencies are reliable to try. Presumably there are many websites, some better than others!
CJ, Cork
The good news is that home swapping has been around for more than 50 years and the two main agencies have been around for 53 years (Homelink) and 36 years (Homeexchange). They tell me business is better than ever with more people swapping every year.
Home swapping is a cost-effective way of having a holiday and grew out of, I believe, teachers wanting to go on holidays and needing affordable accommodation. Nowadays people also swap their holiday homes, adding to the pool of available places to stay. How it works: you become a member of either company, it costs around €100 per year and for that you can put your details on their websites looking for possible swappers.
They used to produce big catalogues every year, but now business is all online and it’s a quick way to see what’s available.
While you are undecided about where to go, I suggest you look at where is easily accessible from your local airport. As there are six of you the cost of fares will be expensive. This year from Cork airport there are plenty of summer flights to France, Spain, the Canary Islands, Germany, Poland and the UK. This might help focus on where to go.
Homelink has an agent in Ireland, Marie Murphy, and you can contact her on 01-8462598 or homelink.ie. The other company can be contacted online at homeexchange.com.
Walking Denmark
My friend and I are going to Denmark for a week in September. We will spend three to four days in Copenhagen and would like to spend three days doing some walking. Either as day trips from Copenhagen, or going to another area and walking there. We have both walked on the Camino de Santiago and would like to cover 15/18km a day. Information on accommodation would be helpful. We would like reasonably priced guesthouses or BBs.
AH, Dublin
Copenhagen is a lovely city and you will enjoy it. Book flights with flysas.ie, which has flights in September for around €160 return.
There is a range of 61 walking routes in Denmark, some are part of European long distance walks. Start on the visitdenmark.com website where you will find details for walking holidays under the “Inspiration” heading.
You can also contact the Danish Ramblers’ Association which has walking groups all over the country and is happy to give information and advice. It can also supply maps and reference books for walkers and suggest places to stay. See dvl.dk/352/68 or phone 00-45-33121165.
Azores high
I am a man in my sixties and love to travel. Can you advise me please on the most cost-effective way of getting to the Azores?
SS, Kerry
The Azores is an autonomous region of Portugal, located 1,500 miles west of Lisbon. The easiest and most direct way to get there is via Lisbon with Aer Lingus at a cost of around €100-€250, and from Lisbon with TAP Portugal, to the capital of the Azores, Ponta Delgada.
There are a number of flights every day and cost in the region of €220. Your local travel agent should be able to book these flights.
The overall cost is in the region of €300-€450 return, including taxes, depending on the time of year. Midweek flights to the Azores are less expensive.
I looked at flying from Kerry to Faro, but that worked out more expensive and with more stops, so you would have had to go through Lisbon from Faro.
Hotel in south of England
We spent 10 days at Hotel Merton in St Helier, Jersey and it was excellent and we would recommend the hotel to all. We are looking for a similar hotel for our next holiday in the south of England. A good three-star with partial board, evening entertainment, near a railway station, and close to a beach would be perfect.
DG, Cork
Warner Leisure Hotels may fit the bill for your holidays. The hotels are resort-type, for adults only and have a good range of activities and entertainment.
Two hotels on the south coast would be quite easy to get to from Cork if you fly to Gatwick and take the train. Warners has special offers and early booking discounts, see warnerleisurehotels.co.uk.
The first is Sinah Warren on Hayling Island near Chichester, tel 00-44-23-92466421. The hotel overlooks Langstone Harbour and the location is ideal for exploring the attractions of Chichester and Portsmouth Harbour which would be a bus ride away.
As you liked Jersey last year, maybe you would like the Isle of Wight this year.
Bembridge Coast Hotel, tel 00-44-1983-873931, is on the east coast of the island and has good activities and entertainment. You can take the train from Gatwick to Portsmouth and then the ferry to Ryde on the Isle of Wight. There is a bus route near the hotel that you can use for getting around. Depending on the time of year the hotel also organises day trips.
Go Ask Joan
Send your questions with name and address to jscales@irishtimes.com.