Go Advice:Your questions answered
How strict is the over 21 rule in New York's bars?
Q We are two adults in our forties and a son of 16 going to New York soon. We are interested in all types of music and will be meeting a nephew who will be able to direct us to some good music in bars. My question is how strictly do they enforce the over 21 rule in bars? Is it an all day long rule and will our son have any chance of listening to music in bars? We will also be going to the Six Flags fun park in New Jersey: can you tell me how we will get there and if tickets can be bought in advance in the city?
P Doolin, Dublin
The strictness of the rule depends on the bar. In some cases they will allow under 21s in, but they are not allowed stand or sit at the bar. In other cases some will only take passport or driving license as identification and will not allow under 21s in. There is no problem during the day.
You can save money by buying tickets for Six Flags online. Daily tickets are discounted by $20 (€16) and you can print them at home. See sixflags.com for details.
NJ Transit has a bus service from the Port Authority in New York City to the park. You can call (800) 626 7433 for the schedule when you are in New York, or check njtransit.com.
Q I wonder do you know of any organised trips to southeast France in the Lyon, Grenoble and Avignon regions that might suit four retired but active people in mid-late September? We do not want to hire a car so, in the absence of a tour, we would be dependent on public transport. We are interested in history, mountain scenery and good food. We would welcome any advice you can give us on places to stay, eat, transport and any events that might be on at that time.
AG, Dublin
I have not come across any tours to this region of France in September. Companies that organise tours to France include: gti-ireland.com, citiescapes.ie and thetraveldepartment.ie.
If you want to organise it yourself then Lyon would be a good base. Take advantage of the Aer Lingus autumn sale which is on until Monday night and you will find tickets to Lyon for under €100. But its direct flights end on September 25th.
Hotels in Lyon are plentiful and the Mercure Grand Hotel Chateau Perrache is good value in September with rates from €105 per night. It is also close to the train station. Lyon Tourism also has a range of tours. As well as city tours by bus and boat it has sightseeing tours to Beaujolais and Perouges. See en.lyon-france.com. In France over 60s get a discount on train travel, so show your passports at the station for best deals.
Q Could you suggest a holiday for two old things. My husband is on a stick and partially sighted and I am active. I wondered about organised trips to include opera or concerts in Europe or a cruise with lectures on the countries visited. Interest and activity is important.
MMF, Donegal
The Irish Times Readers Travel Service with our partner travel agents offers a range of holidays through the year that would be of interest to you. The 10-day tour of Budapest, Vienna, Linz and Salzburg includes guided tours and an opportunity to attend the opera in Budapest and Vienna. It will also include boat trips on the Danube and costs from €1,249pps.
A short trip to Berlin for three nights includes seeing Rossini's Barber of Sevillein the Schiller Theatre. That costs from €439pps. Both these trips can be booked on 01-6371648.
Every year in January, Keith Prowse Travel organises a trip to the Prague Winter Festival for opera, ballet and classical music fans. The programme for next January will include La bohème, Don Giovanni, La Traviata, Swan Lake and the Czech Philharmonic. All the concerts and shows take place in historic theatres and buildings. It costs from €595pps for four nights. Tel: 01-8783500.
When it comes to cruising, I think you would enjoy a trip with Saga Cruises. It has lovely small ships catering for about 600 passengers and has great staff. All the cruises have guest lecturers and you will learn lots about your destinations from them.
In September there will be a special Irish group departure for a seven-night cruise to the Norwegian fjords on the new ship Saga Pearl II. The price is from £930pps (about €1,130) and includes flights to Gatwick and transfers to the ship, taxes and tips are also included. Details: jgt.ie or 01-2076555.
Go Contact:Email questions, with your name and address, to jscales@irishtimes.com