Niagara Falls straddles the border between Canada and the US state of New York. Picture: AFP Source: AFP
THE Doc gives advice on doing a day trip to Niagara Falls, where to visit in the Philippines, a train from London to Switzerland's ski resorts and renting a house in Tuscany.
-- MY WIFE and I will be in New York for five days in August this year and would like to do a day trip to Niagara Falls by air. Can you please advise if we should buy the tickets before leaving Australia or wait until we arrive in New York? If we wait until we are in New York would we be able to book only a day or two before flying to secure the trip.
* DOC: Several airlines fly from either JFK or LaGuardia to Buffalo, the closest airport to Niagara Falls, including Delta, United and Continental.
The cheapest is an American Regional airline, Jet Blue (jetblue.com). There should be no problem leaving it until you get there as there are plenty of services, but you are likely to pay a lot more for the fare. I would recommend choosing a day and making your bookings.
If you are going to hire a car when you arrive in Buffalo, you will be more successful in confirming the type of car you prefer if you book in advance.
The Maid of the Mist (maidofthemist.com) is the boat tour that takes you out and into the falls, and can be accessed from the US and Canadian sides. It costs about $19 an adult from the Canadian side and slightly cheaper from the American.
The US side is closer to the falls and you can actually walk across a bridge into Canada. One other tour you may be interested in while there, is the Cave of the Winds. It begins with an elevator ride 53m down into the Niagara Gorge - you will get wet, so take a change of clothes. Hertz and Budget have counters at Buffalo airport and will charge about $60 for the day.
Please be aware that the park closed in 2012 for renovations, they advise that it will be reopened in time for (northern) spring.
-- WE ARE heading to the UK and have heard about a train operating from London that goes to the ski resorts in Switzerland. Do you have any information on this?
* DOC: Yes, there is such a service. It operates from St Pancras International station (Kings Cross), in London, which is home to the Eurostar. It costs about $115 one way, this includes one set of skis or a snowboard.
You will need to transfer at Lille-Europe, a station in France, on to the TGV, Train a Grande Vitesse, meaning high-speed train. The total journey takes about nine hours, providing you with easy access to the ski resorts such as Zermatt and Verbier.
If you get to St Pancras early enough be sure to head to Searcy's Champagne Bar, it is the longest in Europe at 96m with 110 seats and up to 1000 glasses are sold every day.
--I AM thinking of taking the family to Tuscany later this year. I have always wanted to rent a traditional house there and be close to public transport and have the ability to buy local produce. Can you recommend any particular home like this.
* DOC: If you are coming from Rome or Milan, then to access most of these villages it is best to hire a car. There are so many to choose from, but one that I know is Casa Allioni, it has three bedrooms and sleeps up to six. This 17th-century farmhouse is surrounded by olive groves and grapevines, and has a swimming pool overlooking the valley.
It is walking distance to the restaurant, bar and small shops in the village below. This can be booked through Invitation to Tuscany (invitationtotuscany.com) which is a booking agent for this and many other properties in the area. A week at this property high season (July-August) will be about $3300.
-- WE HAVE travelled throughout most of Asia, but have never been to the Philippines. Where should we look at staying if we want to go there?
* DOC: The Philippines has a population that's approaching 100 million people, with the capital Manila and its surrounds home to more than 11 million of them.
Therefore, I would head straight out to one of the islands. The Philippines is made up of more than 7000 islands, and is well suited to those looking for an adventure holiday or a beachside getaway.
The island of Boracay is best known for its beaches, there are 10 in total and all feature the same powdery white sand. The most popular is White Beach, and this is where most of the resorts are. The island of Palawan has plenty of undeveloped corners, and the pristine waters off its coast conceal a submerged world of reefs, wildlife and wrecks that offer exceptional snorkelling and diving.
Try to avoid the wet season (June to October) and aim for the coolest, least humid months of January and February. If you strike a typhoon, adopt the Filipino way bahala na (whatever will be will be) and wait it out.
Should you wish to have a look around Manila, start at Makati, the commercial centre. It's a little more orderly yet has a unique vibe that comes from the hordes of locals who come here to work, relax and play.
Rather than seeing Manila as a huge mass, focus instead on enjoying its individual areas. US dollars are widely accepted and, if you need to change money, do so in a hotel, where you may pay a little more but you won't get ripped off.
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- Where in the world?
Hollow, cup-shaped acoustic resonator; go without food. Christy Moore, Rod Stewart, The Who and Alicia Keys are performing here this year. My thoroughfares include Pottingers Entry, Ormeau Ave and Adelaide St. I was once home to many of the world's linen manufacturers.
- Where am I?
Last week: Bundaberg, Queensland
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