Ask Lonely Planet: Options aplenty en route to Europe

Bangkok is a cheap, attractive option for a stopover en route to Europe. Photo / Martin Sykes

I hope to go to Europe via London this time next year. Last time I went via LA and did the Disneyland thing but next time I just want to get there as cheaply as possible. Which airline and route do you suggest? I don't mind a stopover in Korea or Japan or where ever as long as the price is less. I have to book my leave well in advance so can't take advantage of any last-minute specials. When are the cheaper fares advertised?
S. MacGregor

If there's any upside to flying to Europe from the other side of the world it's that there are a multitude of routes to take. The cheapest tend to be through Southeast Asia - particularly Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Hong Kong. Other, usually more expensive, possibilities include Tokyo, Osaka, Shanghai, Beijing, Dubai and, in the other direction, Los Angeles, San Francisco or Vancouver.

Of course, it's always cheaper to undertake the gruelling 24-hour flight in one go but breaking it up with a stopover can be a great way to see more of the world. The four Southeast Asian cities listed above are probably your best bets, as airport connections are easy and they're all fascinating destinations in their own right.

Once upon a time airlines had predictable discount periods. These days, as long as you avoid the December-January peak, specials can happen at any time. In fact, booking early can be a good way to nab the cheaper of the standard fares - which are always much more flexible than discounted fares. By all means, do your own research, but this is one of those cases where it can pay to call in the experts. Find yourself a good travel agent and get them to do the legwork for you. They should be well aware of all the specials on offer and you can leave it to them to traverse the maze of rules pertaining to stopovers at different fare categories.

Depending on how much notice you want to give your employer (surely three months is enough to book in holidays), I'd keep an eye on advertised specials, talk to an agent, but don't start to panic about it until early next year.

Lords' hallowed turf
Can you provide me with detailed information on the guided tours of the Lords cricket ground in London? Also, can you please let me know about the daily sightseeing tours of London City?
Sanjeev Damle

The Marylebone Cricket Club (aka Lords) runs daily tours that take in such famous sights as the Long Room, with its portraits of W. C. Grace and other cricketing legends, and the MMC Museum, home to the tiny but "irreplaceable" urn containing the Ashes. You'll also visit the dressing rooms and honours board, the futuristic Investec Media Centre, and the MCC Tennis Court, one of the few places in the world where the medieval sport of "real tennis" is still played. Tours run daily except on match days and preparation days at 10am, 12pm and 2pm, and tickets cost £14 ($31) for adults, £8 for children, seniors and students and £37 for families. For more information, visit lords.org or call +44 (0)20 7616 8595.

Lots of tours can be easily booked through Visit London. Probably the most famous tours are the hop-on, hop-off bus tours run by the Big Bus Company and Original London Sightseeing Tour.

London is usually better viewed at street level - London Walks offers an impressive range of walking tours, from ghost tours and pub tours to the inevitable tours themed around Shakespeare, Jack the Ripper, Sherlock Holmes, Harry Potter and the Beatles.

Alternatively, you could see London from the river in a World War II amphibious vehicle run by London Duck Tours.

More unusual options include the foodie tours of Borough Market run by food writer Celia Brooks Brown and the authoritative architecture tours run by Open House London, which also runs the annual Open House event each September, where 700 iconic London buildings open their doors to the public for free.

The British Museum runs daily tours, the Tate Modern has special "tours for two" that you can theme around any movement, artist or exhibition. We also rate the tours of the ancient churches in the City run by Friends of the City Churches.