A. CROSS, PARADISE POINT

Europe has some great initiatives and legislation to cater to the needs of those with impaired mobility, but from what you say, I believe you'll find it tough going in the countries you plan to visit. Getting on and off trains or aircraft and coping with stairs and cobblestones are going to present a challenge that might sap much of the joy from your holiday. One option that might work for you is a European river cruise. Because they're smaller, have fewer decks and are far more stable than ocean liners, river cruises are more suited to travellers with impaired mobility than sea cruises. Another plus is that they'll usually disembark you close to the heart of the city, from where you can walk short distances to see the sights. Not all river cruisers have elevators though.

All the Scenic Tours (scenic.com.au) vessels have elevators and wheelchair-accessible cabins. You should also check with APT (aptouring.com.au) and Avalon Waterways (avalonwaterways.com).

Another option is to arrange your travels through an agency that deals specifically with impaired travellers, such as Britain's Accessible Travel (accessibletravel.co.uk). One of the vessels it uses is the MS Alegria, the only European river cruiser specifically designed to cater to less mobile passengers. Accessible Travel can also arrange equipment hire.

I JUST HEARD THAT OUR CRUISE COMPANY, MSC, HAS CANCELLED ITS VISIT TO EGYPT IN OCTOBER. HOW SAFE WOULD IT BE FOR MY WIFE AND I TO DO A SIDE TRIP TO EGYPT IN EARLY NOVEMBER? ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR CHEAP AIRLINES AND A TRAVEL COMPANY TO GUIDE US AROUND THE PYRAMIDS?

B. STUBBS, HOBART

Egypt looks safe at the moment, but the situation can change quickly. Make sure you keep an eye on the travel advice for Egypt on the Australian government's Smartraveller website (smartraveller.gov.au).

For cheap airlines, it really depends where you're flying from. Take a look at the Momondo (momondo.com.au) website for the best deals.

As far as touring there goes, call  Bunnik Tours (bunniktours.com.au). This is a family-operated travel agency based in Adelaide and it has many years of expertise in operating tours to Egypt and the Middle East. The directors have just returned from Egypt, where they were accompanying a group of 2500 Australians on a post-Gallipoli cruise, taking them on a nine-day tour of Egypt, and everything went without a hitch. Bunnik is continuing to run a full tour program in Egypt and you can be completely confident when you put yourselves in its hands. You can speak to a consultant on 1800 286 645.

With luck, the much anticipated and also much delayed Grand Egyptian Museum should be open by the time you visit. Located near the pyramids, this will be the world's largest archaeological museum, crammed with treasures from pharaonic Egypt and the rest of the ancient world. Allow plenty of time.

WE WANT TO HAVE AN OVERSEAS FAMILY CHRISTMAS, SOMEWHERE AFFORDABLE WITH A LAY-BY OPTION TO ENABLE MY YOUNG ADULT FAMILY TO MANAGE THEIR BUDGETS. WE HAVE CONSIDERED PLACES IN ASIA AND WANT SOMEWHERE NEAR THE BEACH. THERE ARE SIX OF US, TWO WITH HEALTH ISSUES, DIABETES AND COELIAC DISEASE.

S. MURPHY, PORT MACQUARIE

Without knowing how greatly those health issues might affect your holiday, I'm inclined to make safety the number one priority, which puts New Zealand squarely in the frame. You've got first-class medical facilities close at hand, any medical treatment that might be required is covered by the reciprocal healthcare agreement between New Zealand and Australia, and language won't be a problem when you eat out with those family members with diabetes and coeliac disease.

Just a 40-minute ferry ride from Auckland, Waiheke is the city's castaway island, a green, slow-moving, sea-hewn paradise ringed with lovely beaches. It also has a boutique coffee roaster, a spa, olive groves and about 30 vineyards, many with their own wineries open for cellar-door sales, some with fine restaurants. Activities are mostly from the DIY catalogue. Hire a sea kayak and paddle the coastline, hop on a bike, or explore the island's bird and marine reserves. Waiheke also has a lively arts scene, best seen at the weekly market at Ostend. Accommodation includes eco-friendly lodges, bed and breakfasts, sculptural beach houses and a few swanky retreats, but an apartment or holiday house might work best for your needs – check Air BnB (airbnb.com.au).

Another great option at this time of the year is the city of Nelson, on the north coast of South Island. Nelson is a charming, pocket-sized city with the beaches and islands of Abel Tasman National Park on one side and on the other, the serrated coastline of the Marlborough Sounds and the Marlborough wineries, the most celebrated winegrowing area in the country.

CONVERSATION OVER TO YOU …

The question was "What's the best holiday you've ever had right here in Australia?" 

P. Russell writes: "Twenty-one years ago, when my wife was pregnant with our first child, we travelled to beautiful Port Douglas in north Queensland for our last holiday before children. Our experience was wonderful and tropical north Queensland sat firmly in our memories. In June this year, we returned to Port Douglas for our first-ever holiday without our children. Our family has been fortunate to travel extensively both in Australia and overseas, but this return visit to Port Douglas was very special indeed, as the memories came flooding back. A great holiday in a wonderful part of Australia."

From S. Angelo: "Many great locations in Oz, but Lord Howe Island combines proximity, for NSW folk at least, great food, scenery and a lack of crowds, since visitors are limited by the number of beds. Lack of snakes makes it easy to trek, while the limited number of cars makes it easy to cycle around. Even found a visiting dental specialist to treat a tooth abscess on the sabbath."

From L. Brown: "Having searched for a reasonably priced Kimberley cruise over many years, we chose Odyssey, with 10 cabins and shared bathrooms. Cruising from Broome to Mitchell Falls was a magical experience with amazing scenery, history, Aboriginal art and the Horizontal Falls. Our tender took us up rivers to find safe pools for swimming and to beaches for sunset drinks with fresh mud crabs and sushi from fish caught that day. After nine days, we took a helicopter from a beach, over Mitchell Falls and a light plane trip back to Broome."

Next question: What's the best cruise you've ever done?

Send response to tripologist@fairfaxmedia.com.au. The best response will win a Lonely Planet guidebook.

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