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I plan to travel with my husband to Tunisia and Libya in December 2008/January 2009. We especially want to visit Carthage and Leptis Magna. Could you suggest an itinerary that would suit two middle-aged people? We travelled in Israel and Egypt in January 2006, so we have Israeli stamps in our passports. How can we deal with this? Mary Mustchin
In Libya, the rules regarding Israeli stamps in passports are simple and straightforward. You cannot get a visa for Libya with an Israeli stamp in your passport.
There is no problem with having an Israeli stamp for Tunisia. To obtain a tourist visa, you'll need to apply at the nearest embassy or consulate, which is in Sydney (tel +612-9363 5588). It costs about $12 and takes four to six weeks.
To visit Libya, you must travel in the company of a guide or tour group, and obtaining a tourist visa for Libya requires an invitation from an accredited Libyan tour company.
Lonely Planet's Libya guide details exactly what you'll need to do and lists a number of recommended tour companies.
Any itinerary for Libya should include the splendid Roman city of Sabratha, the wonderful ruins of Leptis Magna and the fine mosaics at Villa Sileen, all an easy day trip from Tripoli.
For fairytale Berber architecture head to Nalut and its precariously perched old town. Don't miss the enchanted caravan town of Ghadames, home to traditional houses and labyrinthine streets.
A highlight of any visit to Tunisia is the ancient city of Carthage where lush vegetation, superb views over the gulf and the now-patchy ruins evoke its epic past. Stay nearby in the stunning white village of Sidi Bou Said.
The ancient site of Dougga is one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the region. For more Roman ruins, you can't go past El-Jem, home to a colosseum to rival Rome's. Also try to get to the city of Kairouan, which is rich in Aghlabid architecture and is among the holiest of Islamic cities.
Before heading off, be sure to read the travel advisories for Libya and Tunisia put together by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade at safetravel.govt.nz
Hasta la vista, baby
We are travelling to Buenos Aires for eight days. We would like to organise central self-catering accommodation and we would like to do a five-day Spanish course. Do you know any websites to help us organise the trip? Kathy Earls
Buenos Aires' star is continuing to soar as a top holiday destination. Accommodation options have exploded since the plummet of the peso in 2002 and the city has gone from being one of the most expensive locations to one of the cheapest.
Five-star hotel rooms with all the trimmings go for as little as $215 and a top-notch grilled parilla steak for only $7.
La Casa de Marina guesthouse (www.lacasademarina.com.ar) specialises in weekly rentals, though the cheaper rates they offer are sometimes offset by the need to share a bathroom and/or kitchen.
Fully self-contained apartments are offered by a number of companies, such as Room Argentina (www.roomargentina.com), Apartments BA (www.apartmentsba.com) and Stay in Buenos Aires (www.stayinbuenosaires.com.ar).
Central areas to look for are Microcento, Plaza de Mayo, Recoleta, Retiro, Palermo, Plaza San Martin and San Telmo.
BA is a major drawcard for those wanting to learn Spanish. Good companies to try include: the nonprofit organisation AADE (www.espanol.org.ar), CEDIC (www.cedic.com.ar), Spanish Schools Argentina (a href="http://www.argentinailee.com">www.argentinailee.com) and Via Hispana (www.viahispana.com).
Time for a siesta
We are travelling to Portugal and Spain with three-day stopovers in Lisbon, Seville, Madrid and Barcelona. Have you any places of interest to see for these places? Tom & Dulcie Fisher
Lisbon: Stroll around the Baixa district and stop for some pasteis de bacalhau (codfish cakes). Take the bus up to Castelo de Sao Jorge, which dates from Visigothic times and commands great views. The Jeronimos Monastery is the city's finest sight, while the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian is considered Portugal's finest museum. Head to Sintra for a day, its thick forests and startling architecture offer a complete change from Lisbon.
Seville: When authorities decided to knock down the church and start again, they said: "Let us create such a building that future generations will take us for lunatics." This may give you an idea of what to expect from the cathedral here. Climb the belfry of the Giralda for some superb views, then head for the main attraction here, Al Alcazar. This was the residence of generations of kings and caliphs and is a truly intriguing and beautiful place.
Madrid: Don't miss the awe-inspiring art collection at the Prado Museum. Visit the lavish Palacio Real and afterwards wander the majestic Plaza de Oriente and the lush gardens of Campo Del Moro and Jardines de Sabatini. Another great highlight of any visit to Madrid is just hanging out in Plaza Mayor, with its uniformly ochre apartments and wrought iron balconies offset by exquisite 17th-century frescoes. If you're here on a Sunday then head to El Rasto, Europe's largest flea market and a Madrid institution.
Barcelona: The old town, and in particular Barri Gotic, is where you'll find the bulk of the city's ancient and medieval splendours. La Rambla is Spain's most famous street and offers a great first taste of the city's vibrant atmosphere. Arguably, the must-see here, though, is the Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia, an incredible project that emulates the great medieval cathedrals and remains a work in progress after 100 years. Parc Guell, where Gaudi turned his hand to landscape gardening, should also be on your itinerary.
