Are there any ‘excellent’ train trips around India and what’s the best package tour to San Sebastian for a solo traveller? The holiday guru solves tourism queries
The Holiday Guru is always on call to answer your questions.
This week’s tourism topics are hotels in Italy, trains in India and solo package holidays to Spain.
Q. Do you know of any excellent train tours of India?
John Thorpe, Bournemouth.
One reader was keen to know about excellent train journeys in India
A. There are many on offer with Great Rail Journeys — such as a 12-day tour of Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Ranthambore from £1,895 pp (greatrail.com, 01904 521936).
Or try Ffestiniog Travel, loved by train enthusiasts (ffestiniogtravel.com, 01766 512400).
Q. My daughter will visit Salsomaggiore Terme, a spa town in northern Italy, in September. Can you suggest somewhere for her to stay?
Margherita Alfrey, Rustington, W. Sussex.
A. The Grand Hotel Salsomaggiore is five star-rated and has a spa with indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs and saunas. Rooms start from £100 (grandhotelsalsomaggiore.com).
Flights to Bologna cost from £40 return (ryanair.com). Then she can hire a car or catch a train (trenitalia.com).
Q. My husband would like to watch the Dakar Rally next year — can you help us?
Jenny Bayley, via email.
A. The Dakar Rally began in 1978 and originally went from Paris to Dakar, Senegal, before moving to South America in 2009 for security reasons. In January, the venue switches again, to Saudi Arabia.
Prices aren’t yet available, but you can register your interest at grandstandmotorsports.co.uk.
Q. Is there a package holiday to Bilbao or San Sebastian you’d recommend for a single traveller? I’d also like a day trip from one to the other.
Alan, via email.
The guru recommends a week at Barcelo Costa Vasca in San Sebastian (pictured)
A. These Spanish cities are around 1 hour 20 minutes apart by bus, so a day trip will be easy. Try a week at Barcelo Bilbao Nervion hotel from £1,208, or a week at Barcelo Costa Vasca in San Sebastian from £928, with Stansted flights (easyjet.com).
WE’RE HERE TO HELP
If you need advice, send your questions to holidayplanner @dailymail.co.uk or write to Daily Mail Travel, Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT — and include your contact details.