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Latest Simon Calder video diary

Simon Calder's Holiday Helpdesk: Is there any advantage with my San Francisco flights if I book with Lufthansa rather than United?

Q. I am in the process of booking a return flight from London to San Francisco. The direct flight I have selected is run by United but I can also book the same one through the Lufthansa site. Is there any advantage, under the EU rules, for this flight if I book the Lufthansa option?

Margaret Read, Stafford

Simon Calder's Holiday Helpdesk: Can I leave luggage at Marco Polo airport - and how is best to reach central Venice?

Q. Can I leave my baggage at Venice's Marco Polo airport for the day - and how can I get from the airport to the city itself? What is the best option: water bus, train, or local bus?

John French

Simon Calder's Holiday Helpdesk: Similar, but not the same - if you liked Nerja try Cadaques

Q.Last summer we went to Nerja in southern Spain and thoroughly enjoyed both the place and the surrounding area. This year it's just my wife and I. We are tempted to go back to Nerja, but are a little apprehensive about thinking "it's not as good as last year". Could you recommend a similar type of place?

Roy Crosby

Simon Calder: Sleep(er) your way around the world

The man who pays his way

Simon Calder's Holiday Helpdesk: Does it happen often that a transatlantic superdeal vanishes in the night?

Q. I have a daughter living in Canada and a son moving to San Francisco. I did all the usual price checks using many airlines. Then I happened on Lufthansa (member of Star Alliance) and decided to give it a try. Put in the details out Heathrow-Edmonton, Edmonton-San Francisco, San Francisco-Heathrow.

Simon Calder's Holiday Helpdesk: Is this a fair charge for changing my Corfu flights?

Q. I am going to Corfu in September. I changed both outgoing and incoming flights by a couple of days. The travel firm charged me £25 admin fees, and easyJet charged me €108. Is that a fair amount for easyJet to charge? I find it a bit excessive. Can you help?

Peter Jaram

Simon Calder's Holiday Helpdesk: Do the immigration delays at O'Hare mean I risk missing my connecting flight?

Q. We are flying to San Diego via Chicago O'Hare with American Airlines, with a two-and-quarter-hour window between flights. Have you any idea about the current waiting time for immigration control at O'Hare airport?

Marion Blanchard

Simon Calder's Holiday Helpdesk: Should we cancel our holiday in Hammamet because of Tunisian warnings?

Q. Me and my boyfriend are travelling to Hammamet for 11 nights later this month. I have seen reports warning against travelling to Tunisia. What is the unrest over there at the moment? Shall we cancel our holiday?

Polly Buller, Kettering

Simon Calder's Holiday Helpdesk: When is best to book for a Los Angeles Easter flight in 2014?

Q. Three adults, one child, non-stop to Los Angeles from London, flying 5-18 April 2014, which is over Easter. We must travel on these dates due to school holidays. When should we book?

Gareth Allen

Tough Dove: lovely but late

Simon Calder: No medals for the golden Dove on a flight to Olympus

The man who pays his way

Bay watch: the ancient walls look over the city

48 Hours In: Thessaloniki

Friendly, beautiful and with a wealth of cultural attractions, Greece's second city is better connected to the UK than ever before, says Simon Calder

Simon Calder: Minimal fury for new Heathrow third runway plan ticks box for politicians

Regulars at the bar of the Five Bells in the village of Harmondsworth, just north of Heathrow, could last night celebrate the departure of runway blight. But customers at the pub’s namesake in Stanwell, on the other side of the airport, may be drinking at the last-chance saloon.

Simon Calder's Holiday Helpdesk: Why is culture capital Marseille not easier to reach?

Q. In the year when Marseille is European Capital of Culture, can you understand why the Eurostar direct service was not extended there exceptionally and indeed why British Airways chose to abandon its service from Gatwick?

Danielle Marson

Simon Calder's Holiday Helpdesk: I booked for Mallorca and then found unhappy reviewers - what should I do?

Q. I booked a hotel in Mallorca through Clever Hotels. Looking on TripAdvisor there seem to be some unhappy Clever Hotels customers. I have tried to call and email Clever Hotels with no response to date.

Simon Calder's Holiday Helpdesk: Is this deal for Florida just too good?

Q. I am planning a trip to Florida, and have found basically the same holiday to International Drive in Orlando for £600 less through Travel Republic than through Thomson. Should I have any worries - the price seems too good?

Liz Hall

 
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