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1. I wish to go to Brazil. Could you suggest me a good itinerary? Is there an Amazon package? What would be the approximate cost for a two-week tour?

Avantika Sharma, Pune

There are Amazon packages available in Brazil which are for a minimum of three nights/four days and can be extended up to seven days or more. The cost of every tour depends on the date of travel, choice of hotel category etc. There are many options of suggested itinerary with complete details on the website: www.discoverbrazil.com

2. How long does it take for a flight to New York in the United States. Are there any direct flights from Mumbai or Delhi. If not, which are the usual stopovers and how much time is spent in stopovers?

Babu Bhaskar, New Delhi

Flights to New York are via Europe or the Middle-East. However, Air India flies to New York via London from Delhi and Mumbai. The stop-over time at a transit point varies from one-and-half to two hours. The total flying time from Delhi is 18 hours 25 minutes approx.

3. Is there usually a long queue to visit places of historical, cultural and religious interest in Italy like St Peters Cathedral in Vatican City. Is there an entry fee and how much does it approximately come to in Indian rupees?

Purshottam Dalvi, Mumbai

At the Vatican City, you will find long queues during the high season period which is normally from April - July. A four-hour Vatican City tour on seat in coach basis costs approximately Euro 75.

4. One hears of very inexpensive fares to countries like Sri Lanka and Singapore nowadays. Could you tell me about a couple of such cheap packages to neighbouring countries? Also, do these packages include stay and food?

Rati Chopra, Bangalore

There are different package options available for neighbouring countries, with and without airfare. Needless to say very attractive airfares are also available due to Jet and Sahara launching their international operations. Basic two nights/three days city break packages start from USD 65 per person on twin share basis. These packages include accommodation with daily breakfast, return airport transfers ( seat in coach basis) and half day city tour (seat in coach basis). There are numerous reputed tour operators such as SOTC who regularly advertise very attractive and good holiday packages to these countries.

5. I have heard that wildlife resorts are seasonal. During the off season, is going to sanctuaries like Ranthambore and Kanha prohibited or is it that one does not have any sightings then? Also, which is the usual season time for wildlife reserves in India? Are there any round-the-year ones in the country?

KK Patil, Mumbai

Wildlife sanctuaries are seasonal all over India. You would need to look at each specifically to know the off seasons but it is by and large around the monsoons (June to September). For complete information about India wildlife resorts do look up: www.indiawildliferesorts.com

6. How does one go about organising a tour of Mongolia, given that the country is so bare and the population is separated by vast distances. What kind of accommodation is on offer there? How expensive would a Mongolian tour be?

Rekha Gulshan, Lucknow

I am not aware of any conducted tours to Mongolia from India. They are generally booked through China due to flight connections. If you are travelling on an organised tour to Mongolia you will probably spend about US$ 100 a day. More details are available through www.lonelyplanet.com if you do a search for Mongolia.