Your questions: I can't tolerate long-haul flights. What are my options?
I visited Iceland about five years ago and want to return for a more extensive tour. I'm a fit, older female travelling alone, but I can no longer tolerate long-haul flying. Is there a ship that might take me halfway?
D. Gliksman, Yarramalong, NSW
It's hard to avoid long-haul flights between Australia and Iceland, however one possibility is the Cunard Line which operates cruises between Singapore and Southampton. The next cruise departs Singapore on March 28, 2026 and arrives in Southampton 33 days later. Another option is a Cunard cruise from Singapore to Los Angeles, departing February 22, 2026 and arriving in Los Angeles on April 5. From Los Angeles you could take a train to New York and fly to Iceland from there.
Another alternative would be to break your journey into shorter, more manageable hops. For example, you could fly from Sydney to Singapore, spend a few nights in a hotel there, continue to Doha or Dubai, stay for a few nights, and then continue to London, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Paris or any other European city that offers non-stop flights to Reykjavik. The maximum flight time would be just slightly longer than eight hours. Flying premium economy or, better still, business class aboard a premier carrier will help soothe the rigours of long-haul flying.
I'm a solo female traveller spending three nights in Istanbul in September. Can you recommend safe and affordable accommodation and some tours? Food, markets, art and history are all of interest.
C. Curnow, Albert Park, Vic
The Sultanahmet district, just west of Hagia Sophia Mosque, is a great place to base yourself. It's in the high part of the city close to Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, some of the splendours you should include in your visit. It's also relatively tranquil. One hotel that might suit you here is the four-star White House Hotel. The style is ornate Ottoman, the views from the terrace are sensational, the price is reasonable and feedback from guests is excellent.
As well as the highlights mentioned above, don't miss the incredible Basilica Cistern, a boat trip along the Bosphorus, a stroll along the waterfront near the Galata Bridge, the Kariye Mosque and the Grand Bazaar. Istanbul has a rich and exotic culinary scene that includes influences from Ottoman, Anatolian, Balkan, Middle Eastern and Central Asian kitchens. Secret Food Tours gets five-star reviews, check with locals for other guided tours.
We have a nine-hour transit in Dallas before our connecting flight to Mexico City. Would you recommend leaving the airport to travel into Dallas? Or would it be better to find a lounge at the airport where we could pay to use its facilities?
S. Bennett, Alpine, NSW
Provided your bags are checked through to Mexico City, that you arrive at a reasonable time in the morning and that your incoming flight arrives on schedule, it would be possible to travel into Dallas. The trip aboard the DART rail to downtown Dallas takes about 50 minutes via the Orange Line from Terminal A. An Uber might be slightly quicker, but it depends on traffic.
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