Peter's Post: Sleeping in Sprinbok, Dubai Airport hotels

Our travel expert answers queries on routes and destinations around the world

SLEEPING IN SPRINGBOK

Q: We are considering breaking our trip between Cape Town and Windhoek in Springbok. We would prefer to stay in a guesthouse out of town, on a farm if possible. What do you recommend? - Veronique Els

A: I know of two guesthouses on farms near Springbok. Daisy Country Lodge has magnificent views of the surrounding valleys and hills. Located 4km outside the town, it lies on a pretty 25ha farm named Biesjesfontein. The seven rooms and one cottage have en-suite bathrooms, DStv and air-conditioning (daisylodge.co.za).

Then there is the highly rated Naries Namakwa Retreat, which is 27km west of Springbok on the edge of the Spektakelberg. There are three accommodation options: rooms in the manor house, two-bedroom family cottages and romantic Namakwa mountain suites. There are dinner, bed and breakfast rates, as well as a self-catering option (naries.co.za).

Although it is not on a farm, the Mountain View Guesthouse has a wonderful hillside setting overlooking the town. It offers excellent accommodation in 10 suites (mountainview.co.za).

DUBAI AIRPORT HOTELS

Q: We will have a lengthy stopover at Dubai Airport on a trip to Europe in April. Is there a hotel in the airport where one can rest for a few hours without having to go through immigration formalities? Alternatively, is there a hotel nearby with a gym and swimming pool? - Sammy Ellis

A: Your best bet would be the Dubai International Terminal Hotel, which is located inside terminals 1 and 3 (dubaiairporthotel.com). Not only does it provide very comfortable accommodation, it also has a swimming pool and access to a gym with sauna and massage. There are also 14 restaurants close to the hotel. As it is located within the transit area, you will not have to pass through passport control. Rooms have flat-screen TVs, minibars, coffee-making facilities and free wifi. Rooms on booking.com start at R1 863 plus a 10% service charge per night.

If you can't get in there, try Le Meridien Dubai and Conference Centre, located 1.1km from the terminals.

Set in landscaped gardens, it has four swimming pools and 18 restaurants and bars. There is also a pool, gym and spa (lemeridien-dubai.com). Another hotel worth considering is the Millennium Dubai Airport Hotel, which is 1.3km from the airport. It has a large outdoor terrace, a swimming pool and a gym (millenniumhotels.ae). Of course, you would have to pass through immigration to stay at Le Meridien and the Millennium.

CHANGING TRAINS IN MUNICH

Q: How does one travel from Munich central station to Wörgl in Austria? Do you have to change trains at the Ostbahnhof or can you remain on the train through to Wörgl? - Margaret Graff

A: From the Hauptbahnhof (Munich central station) there is a direct service to Wörgl, so no change is involved. The journey takes 70 minutes. On raileurope.co.za, the one-way fare during February was R573. You can get a cheaper ticket if you take the service that involves a change in Kufstein. This fare was R438. If you arrive by S-bahn for your departure from the Hauptbahnhof, you will have to leave the S-bahn station and then enter the main station from the street.