Peter's Post: Roads untravelled

What is the best beach holiday destination for families with young kids in southeast Asia

What is the best beach holiday destination for families with young kids in southeast Asia, where hotels have direct access to beaches? Some places - such as Phuket - have hotels across the road from public beaches. - Keval Mehta

Most of the holiday resorts in southeast Asia have hotels that are directly on the beach. However, these are often the most expensive ones. On the island of Samui in Thailand, many of the beachfront hotels are located directly on the sand and there is no road to cross. This is the same in Hua Hin and Khao Lak. But in the region's most popular destinations, Phuket and Bali, busy roads often cut hotels off from the beach. Exceptions are the upmarket resort areas of Nusa Dua and Jimbaran Bay in Bali. Check out bali-travel-life.com for a listing of all Bali resorts on the beach.

In Phuket, hotels with direct access include those in the Laguna complex and in the Cape Panwa area, as well as five-star resorts such as Le Meridien Phuket, Trisara, Andaman White Beach and the Amanpuri.

CAMPER-VAN PLAN

I am planning a trip with my husband and two young children in June next year. We would like to hire a camper van in Paris and travel through Spain to Malaga. Could you assist us with where to rent a camper, the likely costs and where to find information on stopovers en route? - Claudette Oosthuysen

There are a number of operators to choose from, but the basic rates and conditions remain similar. On a booking for 7-11 days, the rate for a five-berth motor-home ranges from around à150 (about R2030) per day in June to à220 (R3000) per day in the peak July/August period. However, you can get discounts for early bookings.

These rates include VAT of 19.6% and unlimited mileage. You will need to leave a security deposit and pay for the full gas canisters and toilet chemicals. As you will be leaving your vehicle in Spain, choose a company that allows one-way rentals.

This facility will probably cost you à500-à700. One rental company that seems to meet your requirements is Avis Car-Away, which has a branch in Paris (aviscaraway.com/en). To find out about camping sites, try alanrogers.com, which lists places to park overnight in most of Europe. A similar website is holidayparkseurope.co.uk.

FLIGHT CONTEST

What is the difference in flying time using the new Airbus 380 from Joburg to London, compared to going through Middle Eastern places such as Emirates or Qatar? - Leonie Veldsman

The direct carriers are obviously faster than those stopping over in the Middle East. Flying time with British Airways on the new A380 is around 11 hours. Flights on the Middle Eastern carriers take around 16 hours, with stopovers of 80-90 minutes.

BAHT ARE BEST

I am going to Thailand in October. Should I carry US dollars or Thai baht? - Gaba Molokoane

The Thai baht is best, but you should order baht well in advance of your departure as it may not be available in large quantities at all foreign-exchange outlets in South Africa. If you cannot get baht, US dollars and euros are widely accepted and there are foreign-exchange booths in all the tourist centres. Don't think of changing South African rands in Thailand, you won't have much luck.

PARIS FOR FAMILIES

We would like to spend four nights in Paris with our son, his wife and their two young daughters, aged 5 and 7. Could you suggest reasonably priced but good accommodation close to the city centre? - Dot Foster

Hotels in Paris are very expensive. Your best chance of finding a comfortable, reasonably priced place to stay is to rent an entire apartment or house. It is not difficult and, in many cases, offers fabulous value.

One of the best listings in Paris is housetrip.com. There is a wide selection for under à200 (R2700) per day.

You can also check airbnb.com, where I found a charming flat in the Latin Quarter that sleeps six for $206 (R2100) a night.

The first-floor apartment overlooks a private garden and may be rented for as little as three days. If you would prefer a hotel room, try venere.com and booking.com. Search for two rooms with two adults and a child in each or else you will probably be forced to pay for three bedrooms.