A High on a hill overlooking central Lisbon is the Sao Jorge Castle, enclosing peaceful lanes and the tranquil Solar Do Castelo (00 351-21 880 6050, www.heritage.pt), set in the old castle kitchens with ancient creaking doors. The hotel has 14 snug yet stylish rooms around a courtyard garden; the mansard roof and medieval cistern survive. B&B doubles usually start from £166, but just now you can snap up winter specials from £102.
Even more venerable is York House Hotel (21 396 2435, www.yorkhouselisboa.com), which makes imaginative use of the cloistered intimacy of a 17th-century convent, and has 32 chic rooms tastefully scattered with objets d’art and antiques. Winter rates are from £102 for a double, breakfast £9.50pp.
Q I fancy a blast of Dubai sun, but it seems much cheaper to fly to Abu Dhabi. Is it easy to get between the two?
Jeremy Smith, Luton
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A Abu Dhabi makes a great alternative gateway to the beach hotels of Dubai — the two cities are just 80 miles apart. And those cheaper flights are always worth looking for: the bus connection will cost you only about £3 each way, and they depart about every 40 minutes. A shared taxi costs £4, a private one £20-£25.
Cannier still, Etihad Airways (0870 241 7121, www.etihadairways.com) flies to Abu Dhabi from Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester and offers a free coach connection for economy passengers. Drop-off is at the Chelsea Tower in Dubai, a short cab ride from the hotels of Jumeirah. Note that you have to book the coach when you buy your flights: ask your travel agent.
Q My 18-year-old son and three of his friends are planning a parent-free summer golf break. They prefer Britain, and ideally want to do other sports as well. Is anywhere happy to take four (well-behaved) teenagers?
Sara Thrale, Newmarket
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A How about Trevose Golf & Country Club (01841 520208, www.trevose-gc.co.uk), in the dunes behind the surf of Constantine Bay, near Padstow? It has three links courses, an unstuffy vibe and stacks of teen-friendly diversions. The lodgings are smart open-plan apartments with bar and restaurant on tap — and they’re well soundproofed.
Six sandy beaches lie within a mile, and there is heated outdoor swimming on site, along with three tennis courts. Fishing trips, cycle hire and go-karting are all nearby. And if they want to chase nocturnal birdies, Trevose is only 10 miles from the fleshpots of Newquay. The Waves Surf School (01841 521230) should sort out their hangovers. Golfbreaks.com (0800 279 7988, www.golfbreaks.com) has three nights’ self-catering with unlimited golf from £185pp.
If you want them a bit closer to home (or don’t like the sound of fleshpots), consider Barnham Broom (01603 759393, www.barnham-broom.co.uk), near Norwich: two 18-hole courses and a resort hotel tooled up with gym, spa, pool, tennis and squash. From £82pp for one night’s dinner, B&B, with two rounds of golf, also through Golfbreaks.com.
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Q I’ve always wanted to visit the Chocolate Hills in the Philippines. Could you tell me the best time to go?
Barbara Clarke, Maidstone
A The Chocolate Hills are remarkable: 1,500 grassy domes across 20 square miles of flat Bohol Island, 400 miles southeast of Manila. For the full chocolate-box effect, go towards the end of the dry season, in March or April, when the grass dies off and turns brown — but they are impressive all year round.
View them from the Chocolate Hills Complex, in Carmen, or Sagbayan Peak (www.sagbayanpeak.com.ph). For more details, contact the Philippines tourist office (020 7835 1100, www.wowphilippines.com.ph).
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Q My friend and I would love to see manatees in the wild. We hope to go to Crystal River in Florida, with snorkelling, diving and other wildlife viewing in mind. Any ideas?
Chris McCombe, Sutton Coldfield
A Early sailors are said to have mistaken manatees for mermaids. It’s hard to see why — they’re not exactly beautiful — but their ponderous, inquisitive personality means snorkelling with them is a safe and enthralling experience. They’re happy to swim with people, even “hug” them — quite an experience, given that these so-called “sea cows” can weigh in at almost 1,000kg.
As you say, the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge is the place to go: about 400 manatees migrate here between November and March. Although they have no natural predators, they are endangered by the depletion of their habitats, and by collisions with powerboats and their propellers.
Wildlife Worldwide (0845 130 6982, www.wildlifeworldwide.com) has a trip departing on January 14, with six nights’ B&B at the Plantation Inn (www.plantationinn.com), up to six swims with manatees, plus snorkelling, bird-watching and kayaking, from £1,195pp (£1,695 including flights). Itineraries can also be tailor-made at other times.
For information on locally based trips, and on how to help save the species, visit www.savethemanatee.org or www.manateecenter.com.