KEY POINTS:
My wife and I are recently certified divers and are keen to look for a new and exciting holiday. We were thinking of Papua New Guinea. How experienced do you have to be to dive there?
Selwyn Lavey
Many professional underwater photographers rate diving in PNG (and the Solomons) as the highlight of their career.
Although there are several sites accessible only to advanced divers, you don't need to be a strong diver to visit the profusion of relaxing and uncomplicated sites.
One thing that doesn't sit so well with many visitors, however, is that it is more expensive to dive here than in many other places in Asia or the Caribbean, but the general consensus is that it's worth it - there's some truly world-class diving.
The dive centres employ highly-trained instructors who favour small groups. Most of them welcome certification from any training agency but may ask you to do a check-out dive to assess your skill level.
You'll find excellent diving facilities in Port Moresby (World War II wrecks, marine life and healthy corals), Madang (diverse fish life), Milne Bay (stunning corals and marine life), Rabaul (best for wrecks), Kimbe (towering sea mounts, corals and hammerhead sharks) and Tufi (wrecks and reefs), among other places.
Have a read of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade's travel advisory for PNG.
Make sure you pay close attention to your personal security at all times, particularly in Port Moresby. Don't wear flashy jewellery for instance, and don't wander the streets late at night, but don't be paranoid. There are a lot of kind and good-natured people in Port Moresby, too.
Wales more than moors
We're thinking of squeezing in a six-day visit to Wales as part of our visit to the UK and France. Our plan was to visit Snowdonia and the Llyn Peninsula, in particular Portmeirion. I was wondering if we should spend all our time in the Snowdonia area or are there any other must-sees that we should try and fit in while in Wales? Also wondering if we should hire a car or will we be okay using public transport?
Sam Thomson
In many ways, Wales is just what you picture it to be: rolling moorlands and tongue-twisting place names. But Wales offers so much more.
Apart from the fantastic walking and cycling, there's also a wealth of water and adventure sports, horse riding and fishing. Add to this some fine festivals and Cardiff's nightlife, and you have a great destination awaiting you.
Mt Snowdon's trails make the summit accessible to hikers of all abilities, and the national park contains rivers, lakes, waterfalls, forests, glacial valleys, a lovely coastline and ancient burial chambers. There are also Roman forts, World Heritage-listed Norman castles, steam railways and relics of the country's mining heritage.
Don't miss a visit to Harlech Castle, the most dramatic fortress in Edward I's 13th-century "iron ring" of classically crenellated castles.
The glowering defence overlooks Tremadog Bay from the top of a sea cliff, and further exploration along the surrounding coastline reveals tempting sandy beaches.
Magical Portmeirion is a fantastic attraction that's not only beautiful but also a celebration of the bizarre.
The Italianate village was created between 1925 and 1927 by the late Welsh architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, and it really is a unique destination.
Noel Coward wrote Blithe Spirit here, an episode of the BBC's Dr Who was filmed in the village and George Harrison hosted his 50th birthday party here. Most famously, it was the set for the cult 1960s TV series The Prisoner, and the Prisoner Information Centre remains open to this day.
The holiday village has no residents, only guests. The landscaped complex has more than 50 charming buildings dotted around a central piazza, surrounded by Italianate gardens and woodlands, just a short walk from the sea.
Check out the website for details of accommodation such as self-catering cottages, hotel rooms and lodgings in the mock castle. There are also two restaurants and several cafes on site.
Public transport is usually good, but since you have only a limited amount of time, hiring a car is a better choice as it will free you up and allow you to follow your nose and make detours.
Basing yourself in the Snowdonia and Llyn Peninsula area is a great introduction to Wales' majestic and rugged charm, and six days is enough to do this particular region justice.
ASK LONELY PLANET
Lonely Planet experts are available to answer questions from readers.
Email: travel.info@lonelyplanet.com. They may not answer all questions
and cannot correspond directly with readers, or give advice outside the
column.
