Ask Joan: A family trip in Florida and getting to Stuttgart

We are a family of six (two girls aged 20, two boys aged 13 and 17) and our dream would be to go on a holiday to the USA, taking in some theme parks in Florida, with a few days in New York en route home in June. We all like train travel and think it would be a great way to see the country. – DS, Tipperary

Florida is a great family holiday destination with lots to do and see. There you will find some of the best theme parks in the world, enjoy outdoor adventures, lovely beaches and nice weather; all the components for a brilliant family holiday. I think a week in Orlando doing the parks, followed by a beachside self-catering property and then a few days in New York would make it a memorable trip.

While the train was the original way the snowbirds headed from New York to the sun, and sounds like a great idea, it would be almost two days’ travelling and costs a lot, $806 (€605) in coach seats and from $2,021 (€1,620) for sleeper compartments.

Air trips from Ireland can include a stopover in New York without adding much to the cost. Air fares from Shannon can be a bit less than from Dublin, at about €700 each. Airlines operating from Shannon include Aer Lingus, United and Delta.

Your children would love Universal Studios in Florida where movies such as Spiderman, Harry Potter and others will come to life. There is also a great adult entertainment centre for evenings out.

There is a new budget hotel at the park called the Cabana Bay Beach resort which has family suites for six from $229 (€184) per night, universalorlando.com.

Walt Disney World and Seaworld are also fantastic theme parks, and you will have to factor in the cost of tickets, which are not cheap: from €252-491 each for a weekly ticket.

Combined tickets will give entrance to a number of parks including Disney and Universal. See prices on visitflorida.com and attractionticketsdirect.ie. Holiday home rentals in Orlando will cost in the region of $700-1,200 (€560-960) per week and many have their own swimming pools. See vrbo.com and homeaway.com.

New York is an amazing city and well worth visiting on your way to or from Florida. However, accommodation is very pricey these days and you should book as early as possible to find good prices for places to stay.

Staying in private rented accommodation may work out the best value. I have seen prices from $210 (€170) upwards per night. See what is available on airbnb.com, vrbo.com or homeaway.com. The further you are from midtown Manhattan, the better the price.

You may find that a good travel agent will be able to put together this holiday for less than you could by booking all the components separately. You would also benefit from the security of being bonded. Some American specialists are touramerica.ie, sunway.ie, topflight.ie and americanholidays.ie. Your local travel agent may also be able to help with the plans.

I am hoping to visit some friends in the first six months of next year in Tübingen, Germany. Stuttgart is the nearest airport and you take a train from there. I am having trouble sourcing flights from Ireland. I live in Galway but presume I would have to fly out from Dublin. – AB, Galway

The direct Aer Lingus service to Stuttgart from Dublin will resume at the end of March and will operate four days per week: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with an extra service on Saturday from May.

Send your queries to jscales@irishtimes.com