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My 15-year-old daughter and I are attending the Future Problem Solving International finals at Michigan State University in East Lansing at the end of May, where she is representing New Zealand. We wish to see a little of the country while we are there and will have about a week for sightseeing but not much money. We will be flying into Detroit and leaving from Chicago. Peter Canning
With only a limited amount of time and not much cash, it's best not to be over-ambitious on what you can see and do in a week.
Niagara Falls is an overnight train trip from Detroit to Buffalo and then on to the Falls (www.amtrak.com; $163 return), so you would be looking at a couple of days and an overnight stay.
After your Niagara Falls visit, you could catch a train to Chicago, where you could easily spend two or three days before catching your return flight home. With its towering skyscrapers, Chicago is a great city for walking and gawking, and there are plenty of free museums to explore along the way.
If you decide to take things more slowly, and miss Niagara Falls, another option would be to hire a car and explore the region's forests, countryside, resort towns and ocean-sized lakes. You'll be based in the middle of the Great Lakes area in the US' heartland, so if you're a lover of all things natural this could be a good option.
Mackinac Island, north of Detroit, is Michigan's biggest highlight for visitors. Leave your car at Mackinaw City and catch a ferry, as Mackinac Island is car-free. Once you get there, hire a bicycle or horse and take a look around at the British-built fort.
On your return to the world of the automobile, you could follow the scenic drives that trace the Lake Michigan shoreline south to Chicago.
Whirlwind stopover
I am travelling alone from Auckland to Vancouver on the way to the UK. I have a three-day stopover and wish to go to Vancouver Island by ferry. Is this possible, and if so, what transport could I use? I would like to stay near Victoria if possible. Judith Stichbury
The largest island off the west coast of the Americas, Vancouver Island and the provincial capital, Victoria, are popular tourist destinations.
Victoria is 90km southwest of Vancouver and is famous for its Victorian-era architecture and stunning gardens and parks.
There are a couple of options that'll get you to Vancouver Island without wasting too much of your three-day stopover. The easiest and least expensive option would be to catch the Pacific Coach Lines (pacificcoach.com; single/return $56/107) direct service from Vancouver airport to Victoria. The trip takes about four hours and the price includes the ferry crossing to Vancouver Island.
Another option is to literally splash out and arrive in Victoria by floatplane. West Coast Air (westcoastair.com; return $164) flies from Vancouver to Victoria harbour several times a day. Flight time is about 30 minutes.
Budget Budapest
My husband and I are travelling to the UK in June and from there we will fly to Prague. We then want to make our way to Vienna and on to Budapest. We would also appreciate some websites for low-cost accommodation. Renee
Trains are the most atmospheric, comfortable and fun way to make overland journeys in Europe. It's a great way to meet locals, and gazing out the window as you hurtle through the countryside is relaxing.
Vienna is four hours from Prague's train station ($56). From Vienna's Sudbahnhof to Budapest it's three hours (about $47). Seat reservations are compulsory; buy tickets in advance from the railway stations or larger travel agencies.
There are also buses travelling between these cities. From Vienna to Budapest the fare and trip duration is the same as the train. From Prague to Vienna the fare is about $29 but it takes slightly longer.
Hostel.cz (www.hostel.cz) is a database of around 60 hostels in the Czech Republic with an online booking system. Mary's Travel & Tourist Service (www.marys.cz) can find you accommodation in any price range. You'll find hostels in Budapest at www.youthhostels.hu and private rooms for rent with the Ibusz agency (www.ibusz.hu). For listings of accommodation in Vienna try Travellers Point (www.travellerspoint.com).
Car trouble in UK
My family of six is travelling to the UK. We want to get a car and thought buying would be cheaper than hiring as we are going for six weeks. What ould we have to think about if we do this? Sharyn Ryan
Travelling by private car allows you to be independent and flexible and to reach more remote places.
Six weeks is not long enough to justify buying a car. Buying is a bit of a hassle. You have to find a car, try it out, negotiate a price, and at the end of the day, you don't know what you're getting and how reliable it's going to be.
If the car doesn't already have one, you'll need to arrange a Ministry of Transport safety certificate and a tax disc (about $230). You'll also need third-party insurance (at least $800) and you must have a registration form signed by both buyer and seller.
At the end of your trip you'll have to sell the car. Also, if anything goes wrong or there are any little dents along the way, you'll have to arrange and pay for repairs (and stuff up your plans).
With car hire, on the other hand, all these things are taken care of. The larger rental companies offer roadside assistance and will provide you with a new car straightaway if yours becomes undriveable.
The cars are relatively new and you just have to pick it up and drop it off again - no hassle. Expect to pay $3500 to $4000 for six weeks for a larger model car, including insurance. For the best rates, try easyCar (www.easycar.com), Sixt (www.e-sixt.co.uk), Europcar (www.europcar.co.uk) or National (www.nationalcar.co.uk
It's also worth asking your travel agent here if they can arrange a good deal.
If buying is still your preferred option, go to Autotrader magazine (www.autotrader.co.uk).
