Go Advice: YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED: How should we drive to Turkey and back?
Q Two friends and I have decided to shun the traditional post-Leaving Cert holiday and drive from Dublin to Mahmutlar, near Alanya, in Turkey, next summer. We intend to take three weeks to travel to Mahmutlar, where we will spend about five days before driving pretty much directly back to Dublin, with minimal visiting.
We are thinking of taking the ferry to Holyhead, staying in London for a day or two, then going to Amsterdam. We want to spent a good few days in Amsterdam before moving on. Then we're thinking of driving through Germany and passing through Switzerland, possibly with a day or two for visiting. Next we want to drive down the east side of Italy to Brindisi, where you can get ferries to Cesme, in Turkey.
The plan is to drive the parents' Audi A4 convertible, which has open insurance. Two of us have full licences.
Do you think it's feasible to complete the trip in a month? Do you think the route is ideal? If not, what do you recommend? Also, where would you recommend to stop and visit, and can you recommend any youth hostels or places to stay?
SB, Dublin
An unusual trip like this should ensure you have some great memories - but do be careful, as it's a long trip through some challenging terrain. You can just about do it in a month. It is going to take quite a bit of time to work out all the elements. First, check with your insurer that you will be fully covered as under-21s on the open-drive policy. You may find that you will have to purchase additional insurance for travel in Europe and Turkey. Take out breakdown insurance from a company such as AA Ireland. Also, the AA will be very helpful in giving advice on rules for driving in other countries. The website is useful, so have a look (www.aaireland.ie). There are certain things you will need in different countries, such as a fire extinguisher, a first-aid kit and high-visibility jackets.
Travelling from Ireland to Holyhead and then to Hook of Holland, you may find that you will get a better deal by booking land-bridge fares with Irish Ferries or Stena Line rather than buying two tickets.
The route you are thinking about looks the most direct. When working out your budget for the journey, factor in the cost of petrol and tolls. Using motorways can speed your journey but will push the price up. Viamichelin.com is good for planning travel in Europe.
As for places to see, there are so many to choose from I can just throw out a few ideas. If stopping in Germany, Cologne has a great party-town name, and the Rhine Palatinate region is one of the prettiest, with lots of nice towns along the river, such as Koblenz.
Your journey through Switzerland will take you close to Basle, where you can visit the famous brown bears. Onwards to Italy, and as Milan is on the way you could make a short stop in the city to shop.
There are two ferry services to Cesme from Italy, operated by Reca Marmara Ferries. The Ancona to Cesme route, which only operates in July and August, would be a shorter drive, as it starts about 400km farther north of Brindisi. The sea journey is about 44 hours from Ancona and 34 from Brindisi. There is not a huge difference in the fares. Expect to pay about €300 return for the car and €300 for a cabin for three. See www.ferries- turkey.com.
On the return journey, consider travelling back by the west coast of Italy. You can then visit Rome, Florence and Genoa. Follow the coast into France, taking in Monaco and the French Riviera before heading north towards home.
Q My wife and I are planning a one-week trip to Austria in February or March. We would like to stay in a lake or mountain setting - hopefully with snow - half-board in a three- or four-star hotel, preferably flying from Cork. All the brochures seem to concentrate on ski holidays, which we are not interested in. Have you any suggestions?
KOS, Cork
Topflight (www.topflight.ie, 1890-240170) flies from Cork to Austria on Saturdays, and you do not need to book a ski holiday, as the ski packages are charged separately. You can book a week in a hotel easily.
The nicest lake and mountain setting I have visited is Zell am See, a beautiful town on the banks of an equally beautiful lake in the lee of Schmittenhöhe Mountain, where you should definitely have snow. You can even go up the mountain on the cable car for lunch or drinks, then come back down without skiing.
Zell am See, which is pedestrianised, has quaint shops and colourful pavement cafes, bars and restaurants.
The most striking hotel is the four-star Grand Hotel, on the lakeside, which has excellent spa and health facilities. A week half-board in March costs from €999. The town has a good selection of more reasonable hotels, too. Expect to pay from €629. March is more reasonable than February.
Zell am See also has a good rail service; you can take the train to Salzburg and Vienna. See www.oebb.at/en.
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