Doc holiday advises on travel dilemmas

IS Cinque Terre open in December and where is the best place to stay?

Doc holiday

IS Cinque Terre open in December and where is the best place to stay?

MY FAMILY of four are travelling to Italy for four weeks early December and would like to visit and stay in the Cinque Terre for a night. Is it open then and where is the best place to stop over?

The Cinque Terre is a World Heritage Site made up of five hillside towns joined together by walking trails. It is traditionally a summer holiday spot, and will be a bit quiet in December with some of the restaurants shut.

If you only have one night the town of Monterosso may be the most convenient. This town has the most accommodation and tourist services, you can park easily and the coastal path walking trail begins here. This trail will take you to the other villages. There is a train service that will be operating, but the ferry service will not be.

WE WOULD like to spend 10 to 14 days in Athens and on the Greek Islands in October. We would like four days in Athens and the remainder on the islands. Which islands would you recommend for a couple in their late 50s?

Base yourselves at the Plaka Hotel (plakahotel.gr) in the old part of Athens if you’re looking for something reasonably priced in a good location.

From here you’re within walking distance to the Acropolis, shopping, dining and the subway station which can take you to the port of Piraeus. Some rooms of the hotel have a view of the Acropolis and so does the Roof Top Garden, especially good at night.

2013 has been named the Year of Gastronomy in Santorini, so why not head there first? It’s easily reached on a 45-minute flight from Athens or the high speed ferry from Piraeus.

Santorini (santorini.com) is the island featured in many of the photos of the Greek Islands, with the stark white buildings and the deep blue sea in the background. There are villages, shops, galleries and cafes on the island, and there will be special cultural events, food and wine festivals throughout this year.

Stay in the village of Oia on the cliff top and if you’re after a special treat, check out the Canaves Oia Hotel (canaves.com).

Paros (paros.com) could be your next stop, this island can be reached by ferry from Santorini in two hours. It is a larger island and has fishing villages, seafood restaurants and lovely beaches, though, be advised, Monastiri Beach is an official nudist area.

A bit over an hour by hydrofoil from Athens is Hydra. This island has a culture dating back to 1648 and has a no vehicle policy, so getting around is by foot or donkey.

There are lots of little inlets and villages to investigate, with markets and pastry shops, plus exhibitions by international artists who live on the island.

Some spots on the Greek Islands are quite steep, with narrow paved walkways and steps, so be mindful of this when booking your hotel.

MY HUSBAND and I will be travelling throughout Europe by train later this year. We expect to be in Venice early October and would like to spend three to four nights. Is there anywhere you can recommend to stay?

Close to the Grand Canal on one of the smaller canals is the Hotel Papadopoli Venezia. It’s in the city centre and near the Constitution Bridge, the train station and the Papadopoli Gardens. Rooms start at about $300 per night including breakfast.

Venice is also full of B&Bs ranging in price from $35 to $300. Staying in one is a great way to meet the locals and pick up on their tips of the how, when and what to see and visit. (bedandbreakfast.com)