TGV to Lille

Q: We need to get from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris to Lille. We would like to travel on the express train, the TGV. There is a service from Paris to Lille, but it is unclear whether you need to go into central Paris first or can travel directly from the airport to Lille on the TGV. Can you assist? - Anne De Waal

A: You do not need to travel into Paris - you can get the TGV to Lille directly from the Charles De Gaulle Airport station. In fact, many of the TGV services are available from the airport. If you book on the Rail Europe website (www.raileurope.com), a one-way ticket should cost you from R187-R365. The journey takes around 50 minutes on the high-speed TGV and there are plenty of departures throughout the day. (8/5/11)
Q: We would love to do a walking tour of Tuscany. I know there are a number of companies offering tours. Could you recommend which ones to consider and what they offer? - Arnold Giggs
A: One that could fit your needs is Go Ahead's 11-day tour, with an optional two-day stay in Rome at the end. Not only do you get to walk through the wonderful Tuscan landscape, you will also experience local life, wine tastings and discover the towns and cities that have made this area so popular. You fly from Rome to Pisa and are then transferred to the spa town of Montecatini. This will be your base. Excursions include visits to Lucca, a walled medieval town; Colle Verde, an olive oil farm; the fortress town of San Gimignano, and gothic Siena. You will also enjoy a day trip to Florence, where you will discover this great city on a guided walking tour. Other walks take in the Chianti Region, with wine tastings and a visit to Vinci, the birthplace of Leonardo. Further details are available on the www.goaheadtours.com. If you would prefer a private, customised tour, then try Walk About Tuscany. Passionate local guides will take you where you want to go, be it a pilgrim route in San Gimignano or the Chianti vineyards for harvesting. You can control the costs by deciding the standard of accommodation you require and where you dine. Check out the www.walkabouttuscany.com website. Alternatively, you could opt for the guided and unguided (called 'footloose') tours offered by ATG-Oxford. These include a seven day or five day walk from San Gimignano to Siena, an eight-day walk from Siena to Florence and two Southern Tuscany walks from Siena to Pienza (8 days) or from Buonconento to Pienza (5 days). Walkers are provided with a detailed guide book which is easy to follow. Guides are available to transport your luggage and to provide you with advice on restaurants etc. Walkers require only a day pack. Accommodation is at three star hotels. For further information and contact details, visit the www.atg-oxford.co.uk website. (8/5/11)