ASK BT Vijay Chadda Chief Operating Officer, BTI-Sita, India answers your queries... Wondering about your travel options? Seeking answers to specific issues? Simply ASK BUSINESS TRAVELLER for a plausible solution... Address your queries to ehc@vsnl.com or write in to The Editor, Express Business Traveller

QUESTION
I am planning to travel in business class with Singapore Airlines (SQ) and its Star Alliance partners from Mumbai to San Francisco via Singapore? Can you suggest the best fare in the month of June?

- Varsha Dutt, New Delhi

ANSWER
In the current pricing situation, there are no special fares and SQ does not offer deals. The fare for San Francisco on SQ for June is in the region of Rs 1.69 lakh. We may have other options available at a later date on Thai Airways or Malaysian. Current pricing is not valid for June.

QUESTION
What is the best routing and fare for the Mumbai-Frankfurt-Atlanta-New York-Mumbai sector in the month of June?

- Shivani Bhandari, Pune

ANSWER
The best fare for the above routing is on Lufthansa (LH) and the fare is Rs 50,160 (21 days Advance Purchase) + taxes approximately Rs 6,000. Add-on Atlanta-New York one-way fare USD 210 (Rs 10,500 approximately) in economy excursion class.

QUESTION
I am planning a honeymoon in May. Could you suggest an economical yet exotic getaway?

- Parikshit Khanna, Bangalore

ANSWER
Langkawi or Penang in Kuala Lumpur are good destinations that are economical too. The cost for a 4 night /5 day package is USD 560 per person on twin share basis including economy airfare, standard hotel accommodation with breakfast, airport transfers on seat-in-coach basis and one half-day city tour at each city on seat-in-coach basis.

QUESTION
I wish to go on a cruise later this year to places covering Greece, Turkey etc. What are my options?

- Sanjay Goswami, Mumbai

ANSWER
Cruiseliners like Royal Olympic Cruises, Globus Tours and Carnival/ Celebrity Cruises operate cruises ranging from 2-14 nights that can be booked in India.

QUESTION
With Qantas withdrawing services to India, please advice the best routing and fare for a Bangalore-Brisbane flight for travel in the month of July?

- Rajesh D’Souza, Hyderabad

ANSWER
There can be two options for the above in economy excursion class:

Malaysian Airlines: Bangalore/ Kuala Lumpur/ Brisbane/ Kuala Lumpur/ Bangalore Fare: Rs 35,000 + taxes approx Rs 3,000.

Air India/ Qantas Airlines Combination: Bangalore/ Singapore/ Brisbane/ Singapore/ Bangalore Fare: Rs 41,000 + taxes approx Rs 3,000.

QUESTION
Which are the best stopovers while taking the Rhine Cruise in Germany?

- Amit Sharma, Bangalore

ANSWER
You could take a day cruise from Boppard to St Goar, or long route Rhine cruises from Swiss through Germany to the Netherlands ranging from 3-8 nights. Low season - November to March and high season - April to October.

QUESTION
Can you suggest a four-star business hotel close to the Paris CDG Airport?

- Shailesh Gupta, Kolkata

ANSWER
You can opt for Hilton, Hyatt Regency or Radisson SAS Airport.