Your questions: I can't tolerate long-haul flights. What are my options?
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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West Australian
7 hours ago
- West Australian
A grand tour to remember in France with Albatross, from Paris to Nice
Whether it's hotel chains, cruise companies or tour operators, it can be reassuring to travel with brands you've been with before, but I also enjoy experiencing — and testing out — new ones. It's handy to know and see what else is out there. With this in mind, I was doubly looking forward to my La Grande France tour with Albatross, an award-winning company that has specialised in small-group, European-based tours for more than 30 years but had eluded me until now. Of all their many enticing itineraries, this 16-day Gallic tour particularly piqued my wanderlust, promising a compelling mix of classic sights and comparatively hidden gems. Beginning in Paris, the tour would snake south via the historic Loire, Dordogne, Limousin, Languedoc-Roussillon and Provence regions before finishing in Nice on the French Riviera. Marshalled by our multilingual, Italian-born tour manager Massimo, and whisked around expertly by French driver Laurent (affectionately nicknamed 'Lolo'), there are 18 of us on this early June tour. That's four fewer than the average group size with Albatross, which caps its tours at 28 guests, but still uses full-size coaches, ensuring passengers have more than enough room. On the longer days on the road, there are comfort stops at motorway service stations where you can use restrooms and grab a coffee. Our coach has wi-fi and USB ports, so we can keep camera and phone batteries charged and stay connected with loved ones back home (and send them regular holiday snaps — and believe me, there are so many to take on this trip). The intimate group size means you'll get to know your fellow travellers fairly well. You'll likely remember everyone's name and maybe even those of their children, grandchildren, pets, favourite travel destinations, and Aussie rules (or rugby) teams. There are retired teachers and lawyers, still-working tradesmen and technicians. Most are in their 60s or 70s. Most are couples. There's a handful of solo travellers. Everyone rubs along well. Nearly all are spending a month or two in Europe. Some are also touring the UK, Italy, Germany, or cruising the Norwegian fjords. About half are new to Albatross, and others are returning customers. They tell me they like the Albatross itineraries and the fact you usually stay several nights in one place, so don't have to pack and unpack as regularly as with some other tour companies. Complementing the good vibes in our group are the sights and places on our schedule. There are two or three per day, and too many highlights to mention. But here's a sprinkling: visiting the splendid old royal chateaux and gorgeous gardens of the Loire Valley, boating past soaring limestone cliffs on the idyllic Dordogne River, and roaming the picturesque old streets of Sarlat-la-Caneda with guide Bruno — one of the charismatic local storytellers we meet along the way. I also won't forget the mighty medieval citadel of Carcassonne, the ancient Roman amphitheatre of Nimes, and the awe-inspiring Pont du Gard aqueduct. Some of the window scenery on our route is postcard-perfect — from the bucolic to the rugged — but we also find magic in the numerous caves and chambers that pockmark so much of France. We marvel at Monet's works projected on to the walls of a former quarry, peruse bizarre stalagmites and stalactites on a surreal underground boat ride, and sample varieties of Roquefort on a cheese-tasting outing. Fromage — many different types — is a staple of our daily breakfasts, along with cured meats, croissants, pains au chocolat and other goodies you'd expect at French petit dejeuners (fruits, cereals, yoghurts) and others you might not (scrambled eggs and bacon). Three-course group dinners are included on almost half the evenings (some at the hotels, others at local restaurants). Dietary requirements are catered for, otherwise it's generally a case of you get what you're given. A few dishes are nothing to write home about, but most range from satisfactory to good. You may have crab tartine or duck confit, mushroom risotto or veal with ratatouille followed by delectable patisserie-style cakes or chocolate mousse or apple crumble. There's a complimentary glass of wine, beer or soft drink with each dinner. Some hosts are more generous than others, notably when we dine alfresco at a countryside winery in the sun-drenched south of France, where staff keep refilling our glasses with white, red, rosé — whatever we fancy. You'll have ample opportunities to dine alone (or as a couple) on this trip. Most lunches, we're free to munch where we like — whether it's a baguette in the park or a sit-down feast on a tree-shaded town square (most have countless eateries offering three courses for around $40-$50 per person and reasonably-priced a la carte options too). While there are occasional grumbles within our group — 'we wish we had a bit more time here', 'this afternoon feels a bit rushed' — the tour is mostly well paced considering how ambitious the itinerary is. There's a lot packed in and a few steps to climb here and there, but also a decent amount of free time to slowly amble by yourself, catch up on some laundry, or relax at the hotel (all the ones we stay at have swimming pools). Massimo ensures we're punctual. We often have appointments with tour guides and pre-booked slots at visitor attractions. It's not all cracking the whip, though. In certain places, when the schedule allows, we're asked if we wish to stay longer, and Massimo also sweetens us with intriguing history, anecdotes and delicacies as we venture through the regions. I especially enjoy the gateau a la broche — a cone-shaped cake he buys in the Aveyron, a largely rural area north of Montpellier, a vibrant but laid-back university city where we spend five enjoyable nights at Le Metropole, a hotel from a bygone era with lovely restored features — including a vintage 19th-century lift — plus contemporary rooms and mod-cons. Montpellier is on the remaining two La Grande France itineraries for 2025 (starting in Paris on August 17 and August 31). But things are being tweaked next year, when the tour will become even grander. Saying 'au revoir' to Montpellier, but keeping the same day trips to the likes of Pont du Gard and Nimes, the tour will instead stay in Pezenas (two nights) and Villeneuve-les-Avignon (three), while La Rochelle and Bordeaux will join the itinerary. Guests will stay in the latter for three nights, sufficient time to savour Bordeaux's historic core and enjoy tastings and a wine-fuelled lunch in the feted vineyards of nearby Saint-Emilion. Now, here's the truth. It would be possible to plot an itinerary fairly similar to La Grande France (either the 2025 or 2026 version) and do it independently. You'd have more freedom, and no one to please but yourself. You could do it on a smaller budget. But believe me, it would be a mission, before and during. You'd have to arrange pretty much everything yourself: car hire, hotels, porterage, routes, meals, activities, entry tickets. You'd have to drive the best part of 2000km (on the 'wrong' side of the road), pay all the road tolls, find parking spaces, stick to one glass of wine — or less — for lunch. Rely on your basic/rusty French more times than you'd like (not everyone you'll encounter speaks decent English). It would be exhausting. Doing an escorted tour strips away so many of the logistical headaches and offers countless luxuries, from having an affable chap like 'Lolo' drive you everywhere, to visiting stunning places you'd perhaps otherwise miss, and meeting good (and interesting) people you'd otherwise never know. Bref — a word the French use to mean 'to cut a long story short' — this was a tour I'll cherish for years to come. + The 2025 La Grande France tour: Paris to Nice costs $10,987 per person (based on two sharing) or $14,087 (solo). For the 2026 itinerary, which has three extra nights, and has departures from Paris on May 17, June 7, August 23, and September 13, it's $15,887 per person (twin) and $20,887 (solo). The prices include all tips for tour manager, driver and local guides. See + To help plan a trip to France, see
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
The 24 common scams and traps travellers fall for (and how to avoid them)
The solution Don't forget to remove items with lithium batteries from your luggage, though AirTags and similar tracking devices are OK. Several airlines have started banning the use of power banks during flights. Read more on that here. The airport duty-free booze bust The lowdown If you buy duty-free alcohol at an airport in Europe or anywhere else with an intermediate stop before your final flight to Australia, you're going to part company with your booze before you re-board your aircraft. Australian government regulations require that all passengers on inbound flights submit to a final gate inspection before boarding the aircraft and any liquids, aerosols or gels in containers over 100 millilitres will be confiscated. Even if they're sealed in a tamper-evident plastic bag with purchase documentation attached, they're not flying. The solution Buy your duty-free alcohol at the last stop before your final destination, on board the aircraft on the last leg or at the duty-free shop at your destination. Falling for airport duty-free 'bargains' The lowdown In most cases, buying duty-free electronics, bags or clothing at airports saves the Value Added Tax, or the GST in the case of Australia. Caution is required. Airport retail space is expensive, and those glittering objects might not be such a bargain. The solution Before you shell out for that Apple product or the Prada sunglasses, make sure it really is cheaper than back home. The duty-free concession for goods imported to Australia is limited to $900, though if the goods have been used while you're away, an extra allowance might apply. The overweight carry-on impost The lowdown Most airlines restrict carry-ons to a maximum weight of seven to nine kilograms, and some enforce it rigorously. Turn up for a Jetstar flight with a bag weighing more than seven kilograms and you could be looking at a $75 fee. Beware of flying with carry-ons on European low-cost carriers, where the size limit for bags is often smaller than aboard other airlines. The solution Nearly all carriers let you bring one extra small item aboard, if it fits under the seat in front, and this doesn't usually have a weight limit. A soft, squishable bag that can adapt to tight quarters is perfect. Embarking on a long layover without checking lounge options The lowdown If your layover stretches beyond a couple of hours, find a lounge. For those not flying at the pointy end of the aircraft, pay-per-use lounges are a blessing, an oasis of calm amid the hustle of airport life. Most major airports offer a decent selection, and while you can often walk in and pay, scout the options ahead of time. A decent lounge will offer showers (non-negotiable after a long-haul flight), plus a spread of snacks, drinks, decent coffee and quiet corners to rest or work. Not realising you have an invalid expiry date on your passport The lowdown Most countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your date of departure, but there are exceptions. New Zealand requires only three months, as do France, Austria, Switzerland and French Polynesia, but airline check-in staff don't always get the memo. If they think your passport isn't valid because it expires in less than six months, you're not getting on board. The solution If you're travelling with a passport with fewer than six months' validity and the country you're visiting allows that, go to the official immigration website of your destination, download the entry requirements and bring a printout to the check-in desk. Not arriving early enough for that simply-can't-miss-it event The lowdown In a world where flight cancellations and delays are part of the travel landscape, flying in just hours before a big event is asking for trouble. This applies especially to weddings, cruise departures, group tours or anything else you absolutely can't miss. The solution Arriving a day or two early gives you time to shake off the jet lag, find your feet and explore a little. If your bag is delayed you've time in hand to reunite. Falling for the email scam The lowdown You've booked your hotel through and a couple of days before check-in, an email lands in your inbox asking you to confirm your credit card details. Fail to confirm, and your reservation will be cancelled. It looks official – logo, reservation details, the lot. You don't want to lose the room, so you click through and do as you're told, but you've just fallen for a phishing scam, a slick attempt to separate you from your money by handing over your card details. The solution Never click on links in unsolicited emails asking you to verify a transaction. If in doubt, go straight to the source. Log into your account directly or call the hotel. Read more about this scam here. The petrol station surcharge The lowdown Fuel stations across much of Europe are often unattended. It's just you, the pump and a central terminal that asks for your card before you touch the nozzle. Along with the fuel charge, the system may slap a temporary lock on a chunk of your funds, a pre-authorisation, and it can be as much as €100 ($175). If you've paid with a debit card, that money is effectively out-of-reach, and could stay that way for a week or two. The solution Pay with cash or use a credit instead of a debit card. To prepay or not to prepay The lowdown Some hotels will give you a better rate if you prepay, but it's usually on a non-refundable basis, and that should inspire caution. Some also ask for a deposit, but make sure it's refundable. If the hotel won't accept a booking without a deposit, you might use an online travel agency such as or Expedia that allows you to book with no deposit and cancel at short notice with no penalty, but check the conditions. The solution Don't be seduced by a non-refundable rate. Failing to select your airline seat The lowdown Do you enjoy sitting in a middle seat in the aircraft, squished in between strangers? Probably not, and there's no reason to be there. Especially not for long-legged flyers. Seat selection takes a couple of minutes, you can usually do it when you book, and if you have to pay extra, don't be a cheapskate. The solution If seat booking isn't available when you book, it will usually happen 24 or 48 hours pre-flight, and you should get an email notifying you when online check-in becomes available. If you're in doubt about where to sit, take a look at SeatMaps. The lowdown Along with many other European cities, London has three major airports, and the fastest transfer between Gatwick and Heathrow by public transport takes an hour. On top of that, you have to collect your baggage and check in for your connecting flight. Getting caught is one of the pitfalls for the DIY traveller. The solution If your trip is complicated, if it's somewhere you're not familiar with, let a travel agent handle your bookings. FIVE MORE TRAPS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM You really want me to eat that? Fermented soybeans in Japan, chicken feet in China, snails in France. Eating what the locals eat is one of the great joys of travel. If you want to understand a culture, there is no better place to start than the dinner table. Stick to KFC and McDonald's if it makes you feel safe, but it's not going to open the doors of experience. That's the third time we've driven past our hotel Want to sap every ounce of pleasure from your travels? Try driving in any large continental European city. Not only will you be driving on the right, chances are you will be caught up in traffic snarls and medieval laneways. Leave your car at your hotel or park on the edge of the city and use local transport. My flight arrives early morning but my hotel check-in time is 3pm Many flights from Australia to Europe arrive around dawn. You'll probably be in need of a shower and a lie down, but if your hotel room is booked for that night, check-in most likely won't be until mid-afternoon. Instead, book the room for the night before (an extra expense but worth it), or plan a stopover and take a connecting flight that arrives later in the day. The not-so-fine fine print Fall over on wet cobblestones and break a bone after a big night out in Bad Kissingen and your insurance claim might be denied on the grounds you were intoxicated. The product disclosure statement that comes with your travel insurance policy is dull as a wet Sunday afternoon, but it's an essential read. Pay special attention to the exclusions. It's not even 5pm and it's pitch black That's because you're in London and it's winter. On the shortest days around Christmas, twilight starts before 4pm. It's also cold and rains a lot. Therefore, you're going to be spending most of your time in museums, theatres and galleries, and is this the holiday you had in mind? Plan your itinerary with an eye on the weather or choose a warmer time.
The Age
2 days ago
- The Age
The 24 common scams and traps travellers fall for (and how to avoid them)
The solution Don't forget to remove items with lithium batteries from your luggage, though AirTags and similar tracking devices are OK. Several airlines have started banning the use of power banks during flights. Read more on that here. The airport duty-free booze bust The lowdown If you buy duty-free alcohol at an airport in Europe or anywhere else with an intermediate stop before your final flight to Australia, you're going to part company with your booze before you re-board your aircraft. Australian government regulations require that all passengers on inbound flights submit to a final gate inspection before boarding the aircraft and any liquids, aerosols or gels in containers over 100 millilitres will be confiscated. Even if they're sealed in a tamper-evident plastic bag with purchase documentation attached, they're not flying. The solution Buy your duty-free alcohol at the last stop before your final destination, on board the aircraft on the last leg or at the duty-free shop at your destination. Falling for airport duty-free 'bargains' The lowdown In most cases, buying duty-free electronics, bags or clothing at airports saves the Value Added Tax, or the GST in the case of Australia. Caution is required. Airport retail space is expensive, and those glittering objects might not be such a bargain. The solution Before you shell out for that Apple product or the Prada sunglasses, make sure it really is cheaper than back home. The duty-free concession for goods imported to Australia is limited to $900, though if the goods have been used while you're away, an extra allowance might apply. The overweight carry-on impost The lowdown Most airlines restrict carry-ons to a maximum weight of seven to nine kilograms, and some enforce it rigorously. Turn up for a Jetstar flight with a bag weighing more than seven kilograms and you could be looking at a $75 fee. Beware of flying with carry-ons on European low-cost carriers, where the size limit for bags is often smaller than aboard other airlines. The solution Nearly all carriers let you bring one extra small item aboard, if it fits under the seat in front, and this doesn't usually have a weight limit. A soft, squishable bag that can adapt to tight quarters is perfect. Embarking on a long layover without checking lounge options The lowdown If your layover stretches beyond a couple of hours, find a lounge. For those not flying at the pointy end of the aircraft, pay-per-use lounges are a blessing, an oasis of calm amid the hustle of airport life. Most major airports offer a decent selection, and while you can often walk in and pay, scout the options ahead of time. A decent lounge will offer showers (non-negotiable after a long-haul flight), plus a spread of snacks, drinks, decent coffee and quiet corners to rest or work. Not realising you have an invalid expiry date on your passport The lowdown Most countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your date of departure, but there are exceptions. New Zealand requires only three months, as do France, Austria, Switzerland and French Polynesia, but airline check-in staff don't always get the memo. If they think your passport isn't valid because it expires in less than six months, you're not getting on board. The solution If you're travelling with a passport with fewer than six months' validity and the country you're visiting allows that, go to the official immigration website of your destination, download the entry requirements and bring a printout to the check-in desk. Not arriving early enough for that simply-can't-miss-it event The lowdown In a world where flight cancellations and delays are part of the travel landscape, flying in just hours before a big event is asking for trouble. This applies especially to weddings, cruise departures, group tours or anything else you absolutely can't miss. The solution Arriving a day or two early gives you time to shake off the jet lag, find your feet and explore a little. If your bag is delayed you've time in hand to reunite. Falling for the email scam The lowdown You've booked your hotel through and a couple of days before check-in, an email lands in your inbox asking you to confirm your credit card details. Fail to confirm, and your reservation will be cancelled. It looks official – logo, reservation details, the lot. You don't want to lose the room, so you click through and do as you're told, but you've just fallen for a phishing scam, a slick attempt to separate you from your money by handing over your card details. The solution Never click on links in unsolicited emails asking you to verify a transaction. If in doubt, go straight to the source. Log into your account directly or call the hotel. Read more about this scam here. The petrol station surcharge The lowdown Fuel stations across much of Europe are often unattended. It's just you, the pump and a central terminal that asks for your card before you touch the nozzle. Along with the fuel charge, the system may slap a temporary lock on a chunk of your funds, a pre-authorisation, and it can be as much as €100 ($175). If you've paid with a debit card, that money is effectively out-of-reach, and could stay that way for a week or two. The solution Pay with cash or use a credit instead of a debit card. To prepay or not to prepay The lowdown Some hotels will give you a better rate if you prepay, but it's usually on a non-refundable basis, and that should inspire caution. Some also ask for a deposit, but make sure it's refundable. If the hotel won't accept a booking without a deposit, you might use an online travel agency such as or Expedia that allows you to book with no deposit and cancel at short notice with no penalty, but check the conditions. The solution Don't be seduced by a non-refundable rate. Failing to select your airline seat The lowdown Do you enjoy sitting in a middle seat in the aircraft, squished in between strangers? Probably not, and there's no reason to be there. Especially not for long-legged flyers. Seat selection takes a couple of minutes, you can usually do it when you book, and if you have to pay extra, don't be a cheapskate. The solution If seat booking isn't available when you book, it will usually happen 24 or 48 hours pre-flight, and you should get an email notifying you when online check-in becomes available. If you're in doubt about where to sit, take a look at SeatMaps. The lowdown Along with many other European cities, London has three major airports, and the fastest transfer between Gatwick and Heathrow by public transport takes an hour. On top of that, you have to collect your baggage and check in for your connecting flight. Getting caught is one of the pitfalls for the DIY traveller. The solution If your trip is complicated, if it's somewhere you're not familiar with, let a travel agent handle your bookings. FIVE MORE TRAPS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM You really want me to eat that? Fermented soybeans in Japan, chicken feet in China, snails in France. Eating what the locals eat is one of the great joys of travel. If you want to understand a culture, there is no better place to start than the dinner table. Stick to KFC and McDonald's if it makes you feel safe, but it's not going to open the doors of experience. That's the third time we've driven past our hotel Want to sap every ounce of pleasure from your travels? Try driving in any large continental European city. Not only will you be driving on the right, chances are you will be caught up in traffic snarls and medieval laneways. Leave your car at your hotel or park on the edge of the city and use local transport. My flight arrives early morning but my hotel check-in time is 3pm Many flights from Australia to Europe arrive around dawn. You'll probably be in need of a shower and a lie down, but if your hotel room is booked for that night, check-in most likely won't be until mid-afternoon. Instead, book the room for the night before (an extra expense but worth it), or plan a stopover and take a connecting flight that arrives later in the day. The not-so-fine fine print Fall over on wet cobblestones and break a bone after a big night out in Bad Kissingen and your insurance claim might be denied on the grounds you were intoxicated. The product disclosure statement that comes with your travel insurance policy is dull as a wet Sunday afternoon, but it's an essential read. Pay special attention to the exclusions. It's not even 5pm and it's pitch black That's because you're in London and it's winter. On the shortest days around Christmas, twilight starts before 4pm. It's also cold and rains a lot. Therefore, you're going to be spending most of your time in museums, theatres and galleries, and is this the holiday you had in mind? Plan your itinerary with an eye on the weather or choose a warmer time.
