Your questions: Egypt is on our bucket list, but is it safe?

Egypt is on our bucket list, with Cairo and the pyramids, Luxor and a Nile River cruise to Aswan on the agenda. We are concerned about safety in the current climate. Would travel insurance cover us if we needed to leave in a hurry?
K. Parsons, Sans Souci, NSW

On the bucket list: The Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.Credit: iStock

Despite the outbreak of hostilities in the region, tourists in Egypt have been relatively unaffected. Tourist numbers have been high all this year and provided you exercise some caution and travel with an experienced tour operator, there is little to fear. Another plus, the Grand Egyptian Museum is open. If the war in the Middle East was to become a wider conflict involving Egypt, that would be a force majeure incident and your travel insurance policy would no longer apply.

However, in such cases an experienced operator would move heaven and earth to get you to a safe place. For that reason, I’d suggest Adelaide-based Bunnik Tours. They’ve had many years’ experience leading tours through Egypt and their ground operators will ensure you are well looked after.

My husband and I, in our early 60s with medium fitness, are spending two weeks on a Viking cruise starting in Istanbul and finishing in Rome. We can be away for a month. What are some options around this cruise? We haven’t been to Turkey and have spent limited time in Italy.
A. Smith, Melbourne, Vic

You could easily stay four nights in Istanbul, partly to recover from your flight but also to take in the highlights of this amazing city, which include the covered bazaar, Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern. A ferry ride along the Golden Horn is another must. If you want to explore further you might consider the fairytale landscape of Cappadocia, but the Bodrum Peninsula is a better choice for relaxation by the sea. Wrapped around a harbour guarded by the Castle of St Peter, Bodrum town is a favourite holiday destination for Europeans. You might also consider a day trip to Ephesus – the ruins are spectacular.

Bologna – much more than just bolognese.Credit: iStock

Rome is also well worth four nights. From there you have some great options, but mine would be Bologna. This is the capital of Emilia-Romagna, the high temple of Italian gastronomy, home of balsamic vinegar, Parmigiano Reggiano, prosciutto, mortadella and legendary chef Massimo Bottura’s Osteria Francescana, rated one of the world’s top restaurants. Base yourselves in Bologna, a handsome, terracotta-brick medieval city, and explore the noble churches, regal palaces, galleries and museums of nearby Parma, Modena and Ferrara.

We have four days of downtime in Sri Lanka before starting an island tour. Any suggestions close to Colombo where we can rest up before needing to get back to Negombo for the start of the trip?
J. White, Miranda, NSW

Staying in Negombo is one possibility. It’s a resort area, close to the airport, but it’s also busy and a popular escape for people who live in Colombo, particularly on weekends. There are better beaches and more tranquil locations not too far south of Colombo, and that would be my choice.

Avani Kalutara Resort is set at the tip of a peninsula at Kalutara, about a one-hour drive south of the capital, with the sea on one side and an inlet on the other. Designed by Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka’s legendary architect, the rooms are spacious, there’s a lovely pool, the grounds are relaxing and the staff are helpful. You don’t have to stray far from your deckchair to watch the sunset. I’ve not stayed for several years but the latest reviews are favourable. Kalutara is well-placed for day trips to the tea country and wilderness sanctuaries in the interior, but you’ll probably be seeing these in your guided tour of the island.

We are planning a three-week trip to Canada next June and deciding between renting a motorhome or car. My preference is the motorhome, but having done a similar loop through Alberta and British Columbia in 1996 in a car, I’m not sure if we will be able to access the numerous waterfalls and natural highlights due to the size of the vehicle.
K. Dickman, Fremantle, WA

More crucial than the size of the vehicle is probably going to be its roadworthiness on tracks leading into wilderness areas. If a road into a remote area is paved you should have no problem, but gravel roads and tracks would be challenging. It’s likely that your rental contract would prohibit you from driving on those roads.

However, it seems you are allowed to random camp, also known as dispersed camping, on public lands in Alberta. Random camping areas are often found in remote areas with access along rural roads or down multi-use recreational trails, but there are no hook-up services or facilities. All random camping spots are first-come, first-served and require a Public Lands Camping Pass. A better alternative might be some of the camping sites on the Hipcamp website, RV camping in Alberta. These are privately operated sites on farmlands often located in wilderness areas, some with mountain views or riverside locations, showers, water and toilets. Hipcamp also has plenty of camping sites in British Columbia.

Travel advice is general; readers should consider their personal circumstances.