Ask Away: Are jandals okay?

Are Jandals acceptable on a plane? Photo / Getty Images

Eli Orzessek finds the answers to your travel questions.

We're planning our honeymoon in Europe and are looking into doing a river cruise, however, we don't want to be the youngest on board and want to be able to explore ports during the evening and have activities to do at night. Are there any options geared towards younger people?
Sara Astin

European river cruises seem to have that reputation of being for the older crowd - but they are a fantastic way to visit a few countries, with lots of stops and activities along the way.

My contact at The Travel Corporation suggests U by Uniworld, a new river cruise operator specifically designed for 21 to 45-year-olds, sold through Contiki in New Zealand.

"The itineraries are perfect for young travellers wanting a more intimate and adventurous cruise experience, offering sunrise yoga on deck, bikes on board for exploring each destination, as well as wine tasting and mixology classes on board," he says.

"There are optional excursions to enjoy while travelling along the Seine, Rhine and Danube Rivers, such as kayaking, castle dining, paragliding and Parisian rooftops tours."

Of course, you'll want to celebrate - there are two bars on board as well as a rooftop lounge that hosts exclusive parties with local DJs. In some destinations, ships don't leave port until 2am, so you can get out and enjoy the nightlife.

My girlfriend insists on me wearing shoes when we fly to the islands on holiday. I prefer jandals. She says it looks scruffy and is rude to other passengers. I told her she's being a snob. Who's right?
Josh G

While in most circumstances I'm all for channelling the Golden Age of Travel and dressing up for a flight, this is ridiculous.

You're going to the islands! Think island time! You're unlikely to be wearing shoes at all once you're over there! Rock those jandals and tell your girlfriend to chill out.

Travel Editor Winston Aldworth offers this advice: "Keep the jandals. Lose the girlfriend."

Readers respond:

John Mihaljevic wrote in regarding Barbara's troubles with Ibis last week.

"If Barbara has to pay for the two nights, even if she does not use them, then Ibis is morally and legally obliged to keep them available to her, just in case she is able to use them after all," he writes.

"I think Barbara has a moral, and probably also a legal, claim to that money. Given the sum involved, a claim to the Small Claims Tribunal seems in order."

Email your questions to askaway@nzherald.co.nz

Eli cannot answer all questions and can't correspond with readers.