GO ASK JOAN:From train travel in Italy to finding a 'twin' room in New York to driving to Helsinki Joan Scalesanswers your travel questions
Travelling by train in Italy
We will be in Rome during the first week of November and wonder can you recommend day trips out of the city, preferably by train. We are seasoned train travellers but is there anything we need to know about travelling on Italian trains? Should we book in advance and how easy or otherwise is it to purchase tickets online?
AK, Dublin
There are a number of lovely places to see within an hour’s journey from Rome, from places of archaeological interest to palaces, castles, lakes, villas and pretty towns.
One of the most famous is Castel Gandolfo, where the Pope has a summer residence overlooking Lake Albano. It is under an hour from the city.
Ostia Antica, which was the port of Rome in ancient times and now lies inland, is famed for the excellent preservation of its ancient buildings, frescoes and impressive mosaics. It is only about 30 minutes from the city.
The small town of Bracciano is by a volcanic lake under an hour from Roma Ostiense station. There is also a fine medieval castle to see – it’s famous for celebrity weddings.
One of the most popular day trips from Rome is to Tivoli to see the gardens of the Villa d’Este and the ruins of Hadrian’s Villa, also known as Villa Adriana. It is about an hour from Roma Tiburtina station.
Fast intercity trains make it possible to go a bit further afield and train fares in Italy are reasonable. Orvieto, an ancient city in Umbria, has interesting churches, palaces, buildings and museums to see. It also has an underground city which you can tour from the tourist office. Orvieto is also famous for its wine.
If you are of a certain age there are discounts for many attractions in Italy and also for train travel. Bring your passport and ask.
When travelling by train in Italy, remember to validate the ticket before getting on board using the machine inside the station, they are usually yellow. Travelling on a non-validated ticket could result in fines.
There is no need to pre-book short journeys. For trains where booking is compulsory (some intercity) the ticket can still be bought when in Italy. For more information see trenitalia.com.
I can’t find a twin room in NY
I am trying to get a twin room in a hotel in New York in October. I am finding it very difficult! Apparently twin rooms are unheard of. Or else Americans don’t understand “twin”.
RR, Galway
This is just a little cultural difference. What you will find is that hotels call a twin room, a double double, as many rooms will have two double beds in them. When you are searching for a room, where it asks for number of occupants, put in four and rooms with two beds will come up.
Helsinki by car in January
I will be travelling to Helsinki in early January and I want to bring my car with me. Can you advise me on the most cost- and time-efficient route there? Would there be problems driving in the wintery conditions at that time of the year?
JC, Dublin
Bringing your car to Finland will take a minimum of three days and cost around €1,000 between ferries, fuel and overnights. The journey is 2,200km with at least three ferry crossings.
For driving directions viamichelin.com is a good site to begin with. There, you will find route planning tools.
The website aferry.com is very useful as it lists all the ferry routes around Europe. Stena Line operates routes from Dublin to Holyhead and from Harwich to Hook of Holland and booking with them may keep the cost down a bit.
Taking a route via Copenhagen will allow you to use the Oresund bridge/tunnel that connects to Malmo and the Swedish motorway network.
During the winter in Finland driving can be hazardous and icy road conditions are normal. You car must have winter/snow tyres which are a legal requirement from December 1st to March 3rd.
Sun break near the Inca Trail
Myself and my fiancé are trying to organise our honeymoon, leaving Dublin on November 15th to December 5th. The highlight will be to walk the Inca Trail in Peru. We have been looking into tours that also include a trip to the Peruvian Amazon. The problem is: we would love to kick-off our honeymoon with four or five nights relaxing in a plush hotel or resort lying on the beach in the sun. Unfortunately, we are struggling to find somewhere that we could fly on to Peru afterwards. Brazil seems to be the only option, flying into Rio. We do not really want to stay in a large hotel chain but hopefully somewhere individual and maybe quirky.
DK, Dublin
If you travel via the US on your way to Peru, that would open up a lot more options for your idea of having a short break in a luxury hotel. There are flights to Lima from New York, Atlanta, Houston, LA and Miami. There are also flights from Cancun in Mexico, making the Mexican Riviera a possibility too.
Nuevo Mundo is an Irish travel agent specialising in travel to South America and they will be able to give you good advice for your trip. Tel: 01-2959097 or nuevomundo.ie.
If you go to Brazil then the place to head for is the resort of Buzios about 150kms northeast of Rio de Janeiro. Here you will find lots of lovely boutique hotels, great beaches and a relaxing place to unwind. See buziosonline.com.
For your idea of an Amazon experience take a look at Inkaterra. This Peruvian company operates a Peruvian Amazonia rainforest lodge where you can explore the region and relax too. It also has a small hotel by Machu Picchu. Inkaterra is committed to ecological conservation of Peru with great accommodation and guided tours available. See inkaterra.com.