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

1) Could you please give me economy class airfare for Mumbai-Pune, Mumbai - Trivandrum and Mumbai - Singapore.

- Nitin Sompurkar, Mumbai

The one way economy fare ex- Mumbai for Pune is Rs 1,780 and for Trivandrum is Rs. 8,355. However, there are special fares available within India with restrictive conditions that may work out cheaper. A return excursion fare to Singapore is Rs 21,954 plus taxes.

2) Could please suggest to me which is a better place to go for a honeymoon Mauritius or Malaysia. I would be travelling on December 11 and am looking for a 10 day package. In Mauritius how is Pearle Beach Resort (three-star)? Could you suggest some other hotel or resorts in the three-star category? How much would the airfare be at that time?

- Suchika Kharbanda, Delhi

The destinations you are looking at are ideal for honeymooners looking for a beach resort. Of course, Malaysia offers a mix of beach resorts and city life.

There are various packages available for these destinations and the package cost would depend on your selection of the hotel category and airline. Pearle Beach Resort is a budget hotel and in similar category the choices are Terisa Beach Resort, Silver Beach Resort, Island Sports Club, Blue Lagoon Resort etc.

The excursion class airfare ex- Delhi for December is currently as given below:

Mauritius - Rs 26,800 plus taxes.

Kuala Lumpur - Rs 21,945 plus taxes.

3) We want to spend this New Year in some very unusual place. Could you please suggest some place in India that would be affordable, is not very far from Mumbai city and is not the regular Goa, Lonavala etc.

- Priyanka Shah, Mumbai

There are numerous locations close to and around Mumbai where you may like to spend New Year's eve. These are Matheran, Madh Island, Alibaug, Marve, Mahabaleshwar etc. Further down the coast you could consider Daman, Diu etc,

4) My wife and myself are travelling to the US early next year. Could you please advise which is the most cost effective airline to fly to the States and could you also give me an approximate costing for the following routing: Mumbai - LA, LA - Washington DC, DC - Chicago, Chicago - St Thomas, St Thomas - NY, NY - Mumbai

- Kunal Gupta, Mumbai

The routing given by you works out best if you use a round the world fares on Star Airlines. Currently there is a special fare of Rs 97,800 plus taxes that will cover the routing. The fare has restrictive conditions viz seven days advance purchase, ten days minimum stay and five stop-overs within USA. As you did not specify which St Thomas you wished to travel to, our routing covers St Thomas in Canada for which we have taken the nearest airport of Toronto and not Virgin Islands.

5) I am going to England for a holiday. Being a literature student, I was wondering if there are any packages/ routes that concentrate on Shakespeare?

Looking forward to your response.

- Amar Singh, Delhi

Literature tours have not had great focus amongst our tour operators.

Please contact British Tourist Authority who will help you find such tours. Contact Purnima Rai, tel: 0124 280 6180, email: prai@bta.org.uk, website: www.bta.org.uk

6) Could you please tell me where to book a cost-effective package for Greece for a two week itinerary.

- Paul Pinto, Bangalore

Christopher Columbus Holidays is one of the many agents offering various packages for travel to Greece ranging from seven nights to 11 nights. The packages can be tailormade to suit your individual preferences.

7) I want to travel to Europe this December. I have just made my plan, was wondering if its too late to get an airline ticket. Could you suggest an alternate destination which is as attractive in the case that tickets are unavailable.

- Susan Mathews, Delhi

Travel is at a peak during the month of December to almost all destinations. Your choice of destination must be made depending on your interest whether in Europe or any other destination as choices are many. It is prudent to book well in advance for travel during the holiday season to avoid disappointment.

8) In your opinion, which is the best place to be (worldwide) this new year?

Looking forward to hearing from you,

- Vivek Advani, Mumbai

New Year is celebrated worldwide in a manner unique to each location. You need to first identify what you are looking for and then we can assist you in finding that special place that hopefully will meet your requirements.