A: Most of the European airlines serving South Africa offer connecting flights to Athens, as do the airlines from the Middle East (Emirates, Etihad and Qatar).

You will get the best fares when the airlines are offering specials on the SA-Europe leg of the journey. Your best bet is to find a good travel agent who will check all the carriers for special fares. You can also check the British Airways, Air France, Lufthansa, Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways sites for Internet-only specials. The budget carrier easyJet offers low-cost fares from London and Paris to Athens, so you could combine an easyJet ticket with a discounted fare from South Africa to London or Paris.

Q: I am keen on doing a walking tour of Tuscany, but not an organised tour. How can I arrange a customised tour for a small family group? - Helen Gregory

A: One of the best ways of doing this is to hire the services of a specialist who will accompany you on the walk and tailor it to your requirements. Walk About Tuscany (www.walkabouttuscany.com) uses local guides who are passionate about the area. If you want to follow the pilgrims' routes in San Gimignano or sneak into the Chianti vineyards to see the harvesting of the grapes, one of their guides will organise it and accompany you.

You can control the costs by choosing the accommodation you require and where you dine.

Alternatively, you could opt for the guided and unguided (called "footloose") tours offered by ATG-Oxford (www.atg-oxford.co.uk). These include a seven-day or five-day walk from San Gimignano to Siena, an eight-day walk from Siena to Florence and two Southern Tuscany walks from Siena to Pienza (eight days) or from Buonconvento to Pienza (five days). Walkers are provided with a detailed, easy-to-follow guidebook. Guides are available to transport your luggage and give advice on restaurants etc. Walkers require only a day pack. Accommodation is at three-star hotels.

Q: I will be spending three days in Buenos Aires next year and want a reasonably priced hotel in the city centre. Also, do you know about transport from the airport and what sightseeing is essential? - Raymond Donaldson

A: Accommodation is not cheap in Buenos Aires, but you can also find discounted rates on websites such as www.travelocity.com or www.hoteltravel.com. Some of the recommended hotels include the Wilton Hotel (from $84); the Rochester Concept Hotel (from $79); and the Gran Hotel Orly (from $59). A good upmarket choice is the five-star Claridge Hotel (from $153).

There are three airports in the city, but you will probably use the Ezeiza International Airport, 35km from the city. There are ordinary public bus services, but it is best to take a taxi or a chauffeur-driven car to the hotel on arrival. You can easily use the bus service within the city to get around.

To sightsee, consider hiring an English-speaking private guide from Buenos Tours (www.buenostours.com). They will draw up a programme based on your interests. Places to visit include the National Museum (free), the upscale La Recoleta neighbourhood (where Eva Peron is buried), the Teatro Colón opera house, the Puerto Madero riverfront area (a hip shopping and residential neighbourhood), El viejo Almacen (the city's most famous tango club) and the San Telmo flea market.

Q: We would like to visit Mauritius in March 2010 and are considering renting an apartment or house. Is there an Internet site that features property photographs and prices? - Ginger Davids

A: There are a number of websites with villas, flats and houses to rent in Mauritius. Many of them are international sites, with a section on the island. Be prepared to shop around, as prices vary widely. Rates are given in dollars, Euros and pounds, so comparisons can be tricky. Remember that if you want to be close to the beach, opt for properties that give actual distances (such as 300m) as opposed to those using terms like "near". Here are some sites: www.mauriclick.com www.holidaylets.net www.mauritiuspalms.com www.isla-mauritius.com www.homeholidays.com www.villarenters.com