Is there a quicker way to visit far-flung Greek Islands?

We’re planning to visit Greece next May and are flying into and out of Britain. We have only two weeks and wish to visit Crete, Corfu, Santorini and Symi. How should we get to these far-flung islands given the time restriction?
A. Matheson, Gordon, NSW

Crete and Santorini are both in the southern Aegean, connected by between two- and three-hour trips on direct ferries. Symi is close to Rhodes, in the Dodecanese, and the best way to get there is via a flight from Athens to Rhodes then a ferry to Symi, which takes just over an hour. The only practical way to get to Corfu, on the western side of mainland Greece, is also via a flight from Athens. Your itinerary means you’re going to be passing several times through Athens Airport and each time you’re going to spend time waiting for connecting flights and that means a day of travel. Since you require at least two trips through the airport, that’s two days gone. That doesn’t make for a relaxing holiday, which is the antithesis (a Greek word!) of what a Greek island jaunt should be. Unless you have a pressing reason to visit Symi, I’d replace it with Sifnos, a three-hour ferry trip from Athens, and about the same from Santorini if you take a fast ferry.

My partner, our three-year-old and I plan to live in Japan for six months from August 2026. While there we want to do a four- to five-day trip once a month. Can you suggest some destinations beyond the common tourist hit list?
J. Francis, Banora Point NSW

For a warm-weather destination, Shodoshima is an island in the Seto Inland Sea. It’s got beaches, olive groves, a mountainous interior with hiking trails and a cable car across Kankakei Gorge. At the eastern end of the island, is Twenty-Four Eyes Movie Studio, a studio that recreates the traditional Japanese village setting of the 1954 movie Twenty-Four Eyes. Ferries from Takamatsu or Shin-Okayama provide access to the island. The San’in Coast in western Japan is one of the country’s least populated regions, with cultural heritage and natural attractions. Its rugged coastline features lost-in-time fishing villages and post towns, stopping points on the old imperial roads. Its Mitokusan Sanbutsuji Temple is anchored to a cliffside while Daisenji Temple is part of a complex that once had more than 100 temples and 3000 warrior priests. The Tottori sand dunes offer camel rides and the nearby Tottori Sand Museum and coastal walks are just some of its family-friendly attractions. Access is by train to Tottori or Matsue, and you need to rent a car to access its scenic and cultural wonders. Off Kyushu Island in southern Japan, the Amakusa Islands are a lush, subtropical part of the country, with amazing geological formations and wild dolphins that can be seen on boat tours. This was an early outpost of Christianity, and the islands have a number of functioning Christian churches. You might also take a hike along the Amakusa-Matsushima Olle Trail, and for a very traditional stay, spend a couple of nights at Gosoku-no-Kutsu Onsen. Best access is in a hire car from Kumamoto, but there’s a fabulous train ride aboard the historic A-Train operated by the Kyushu Railway Company. Australians can stay in Japan for up to 90 days as tourists but for your six-month stay, you’re going to need visas. See the website of the embassy of Japan in Australia for more information.

We will be stopping for two days at Kotor in Montenegro on a Windstar cruise in early September. Any recommendations for day trips, or is there somewhere close enough that warrants a trip away from Kotor to stay overnight?
L. Taylor, Sans Souci, NSW

Due to its surroundings, set deep in its bay and enclosed by steep mountains, your time is probably going to be best spent exploring the immediate surroundings. There’s plenty to do here, wandering the cobbled laneways of Kotor’s old town, exploring its historic churches and Venetian fortifications and climbing the city walls to the Fortress of San Giovanni. It’s a steep climb but the views are sensational. If you want to explore a little more widely, take a boat or a taxi to Perast, just 20 minutes away, a gorgeous waterfront village with baroque palaces and churches around the waterfront. From here you can take a short boat ride to Our Lady of the Rocks. A 40-minute drive from Kotor gets you to the walled, sea-girt city of Budva, which invites comparisons with Dubrovnik.

My husband and I are thinking about a European winter cruise in December. It will be our first-ever cruise and we are aware, from friends’ experiences, that there are extra charges involved once you are on board. We will read the terms and conditions, but do you have any general advice?
C. Brougham, Mornington, Vic

A European winter cruise in December can be a terrific experience, but for first-time cruisers particularly, those “all-inclusive” cruises can quickly turn into “some-inclusive” once you’re on board. Your fare will almost certainly include water, tea, coffee and perhaps juice, but that’s it. Soft drinks, cappuccinos and anything stronger will cost extra. Drinks packages can be worth it if you’re a steady sipper, but do the sums first. Even bottled water outside the buffet area can come with a price tag. Your cruise fare buys you the main dining room and buffet, but specialty restaurants cost extra. Decide early if you want to splurge on one or two and if so, book ahead because they’re popular over the festive season. Shore excursions booked through the ship are pricey. In many European ports, you can put together your own day out using local transport, or book smaller independent tours for less. Most cruise lines add a daily service charge of €12 to €18 ($21 to $32) a person. This can sometimes be adjusted, but keep in mind it’s a significant part of the crew’s wages. Internet at sea is slow and expensive. Unless you need 24/7 connectivity, save your browsing for the times you can tap into Wi-Fi at a cafe or via an eSIM. Spa treatments, thermal suite access and wellness classes are generally extra. If you’re tempted, look for port day specials when most passengers are ashore. Laundry can add up unless your ship has self-service machines. In winter, pack layers you can re-wear, plus some travel detergent for handwashing in your cabin. Ship photographers are everywhere and those glossy prints cost more than you might think. For maximum value, scan the ship’s daily schedule – lectures, music, trivia and other included activities will keep you occupied without digging into your wallet.

Travel advice is general; readers should consider their personal circumstances