Live webchat with Debbie Marshall, MD of Silver Travel Advisor

MumMum

I am going to Hanoi in June to look after my four year old grandson. It will be hot and very humid, any tips please!

Hi MumMum

My aunt went to look after her grandson in Kuala Lumpur and I have asked her for a few tips....I have the long version and Gransnet say that you can ask them for it directly. But here is the summary:

stay hydrated, limit alcohol and caffeine, wear breathable materials, find the right deoderant, take regular cool showers.... and try to find somewhere with air conditioning at least part of the time as the difference in climate and humidity will be quite a shock initially. Don't overdo things initially and allow time to acclimatise. My aunt had a wonderful time once she got used to it, and ended up staying an extra week!

firenze

I'd like to take my husband on a city break for our 30th wedding anniversary. We've been to Paris, Amsterdam, Rome and Barcelona - any suggestions for places we'd have good food, lots of things to see and a great atmosphere?

Hi Firenze

Looking at your name, I wondered if you have considered Florence for your wedding anniversary? It is the most wonderful and romantic city - perfect for a short break.... wonderful markets to buy a new handbag and other leather goods, culture, art, piazzas to wander around, stroll across the Ponte Vecchio, eat good food outdoors. It makes me want to go there just thinking about it.

Otherwise, what about going east to Prague or Budapest. Both tick your requirements. And a final suggestion for something really different - a short break in Marrakech...

Granny23

Although we have a small budget for holidays, we have been to many wonderful places, simply by picking up late deals off season. However now that DH is over 70 the travel insurance required is proving prohibitive, sometimes almost as much as the holiday itself! Neither of us has any serious health problems and when I fell on our last holiday, the ambulance, treatment and medication were all covered under EU rules and our Travel Insurance was not required. Is it really necessary to have expensive travel insurance in Europe?

Hi Granny 23

Travel insurance can be a real challenge once you turn 70, and I have known of cases where the insurance premium can cost almost as much as the holiday itself. Pre-existing conditions of course increase the premium and in some cases are tricky to insure. However, I cannot advise that you do not take out travel insurance - it really is essential. The reciprocal EU agreement will cover you for emergency healthcare, but there are so many other situations in which you could find yourself needing medical attention. It just is not worth the risk. AGe UK and Citybond have very good policies for older travellers and I can also make suggestions for people who have pre-existing conditions.

Galen

I sail regularly with Cunard. I love them but find their single supplements of 100% horrific. Is there a comparable more reasonably priced company?

Hi Galen

Single supplements are always a real bone of contention and not just for cruising. Most lines do charge a supplement varying between 50% and 100% which I know is very steep. The problem is that the majority of cruise ships have only double cabins hence the larger supplement. The good news is that the cruise lines are recognising this and the newer ships are starting to have single berth cabins specified from the start. Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) has 128 such cabins, and the P&O Cruises ships Azura and Ventura also have good numbers of single cabins. Not surprisingly these do book out quickly so you will need to plan ahead.

locococo

Hope you can help. I always thought you needed to have six months minimum left on your passport to travel out of the UK. Someone told me for the USA it's a year. Is this true?

Hi Locococo

That's a good question - I have checked on the US Embassy website for you, and surprisingly they state that the 6 month rule is waived for UK citizens. Here's the link for you www.usembassy.org.uk/visaservices/?p=485. However, I would recommend that you always have 6 months remaining on your passport just in case you encounter delays or find yourself in another country unexpectedly.

marissa

Which are the best airlines to fly long haul in economy (ie most space, best facilities). May dream of business class but it's never going to happen

Hi Marissa

My suggestion is that you vist the very helpful site - seat guru - www.seatguru.com/charts/longhaul_economy.php who compare all the different airlines with respect to space, seat pitch etc. My auntie was very complimentary about Malaysia Airlines with whom she flew to Kuala Lumpur last year (she is in her 80's). Virgin Premium Economy is very good if you can consider this within your budget.

Good afternoon Gransnetters from the lovely offices in Kentish Town. I'm sitting with the team and will do my best to answer your questions today.

inky

Can you recommend a lovely Alpine resort to visit in summer that doesn't require hours in a bus to get there and doesn't incorporate lots of nausea inducing hairpin bends. In an ideal world it would be a train ride from the airport and you wouldn't need a car once you got there but I appreciate I may be living in cloud cuckoo land

Hi Inky
I love the Alps in summer, it is my No.1 holiday choice. My favourite country is Switzerland, because I think it is the most beautiful, but also because you can catch a train from Geneva Airport to some of the most incredible picture postcard resorts. My favourite is Wengen because it is traffic free (so no car needed, or indeed allowed!), but that is a longer transfer - around 3 hours. Closer are resorts such as Champery, Chateau d'Oex and Leysin. The Swiss Tourism website www.myswitzerland.com/en/home.html?gclid=CK6Truee47YCFdQctAod0zgA7Q has great information, or you could book with a quality tour operator such as Inghams who have a wide range.