Ask BT

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 Vijay Chadda Chief Operating Officer, BTI-Sita, India answers your queries...

Could you tell me the airline which takes the shortest route from Delhi to Boston. What would it
cost me? - Subodh Patil, Delhi

The shortest route from Delhi to Boston can be on Lufthansa via Frankfurt or on British Airways via London. The 4 months return advance purchase fare as on date costs Rs 47000 + Taxes Rs 5750 approximately

It is my understanding that some parts of the globe is ‘low season’ and some ‘high season’ for tourism at this time of the year. Could you tell me if I am right? Should I plan my journey accordingly? - Sulekha Chandra, Bangalore

Yes, there is a seasonality in different parts of the world at any time, mostly dependent on school / university vacations and weather. For holiday travel, it is best to take advantage of low season rates and plan the destination accordingly.

I have got admission in a US university. I will soon have to apply for a visa. I want to know what are the chances of my application being rejected, given that I fulfil all the usual criteria. Do they specify the reason? And am I allowed to apply again? - Ryan D’Cruz, Goa

Once you have already got admission in a US University, the chances of getting the visa are bright. However, a word of caution. The individual will still have to fulfil the basic criteria to convince the visa authorities that he/she does not intend to settle in the US.

In case of a rejection during the interview the embassy is not required to specify the reason for the rejection. They may call for more documents as desired by them. However, the granting of a visa is entirely at their discretion. Once a visa case is rejected, you can apply again but with more documents that will support your case. After the second rejection, you can represent the case only through registered post. After the third rejection, you cannot apply for a visa for 2 years.

It has been my dream to go on a gondola in Venice. I have finally managed to accumulate the resources and time. How do I go about it? Is there any package for it? For a marriage scheduled in the end of January and a honeymoon in the first week of February, which waters are open for cruising? Where is it not possible to cruise at that time of the year? - Shashi Nair, Mumbai

To realise your dream of visiting Venice, why not take a package tour of Italy that covers Venice? A gondola ride is only one of the many attractions that Italy has to offer.

During the winter months, Star Cruise operates various cruises in the South East Asia region. Apart from this there are cruises operating in the Caribbean and South America that you can take.

How expensive is it to go on a 10 day vacation to South America? Is the political situation in those countries conducive to tourism? - Salim Rizvi, Mumbai

A vacation to South America will depend on the country to be visited as it is a vast continent. It will be an expensive vacation since airfare alone is higher than other destinations. As of now there are no travel advisories on any of the South American countries.