INSIDE GUIDE: Hotels to stop and paws a while

Sunday Mirror, Aug 5, 2007 by Gill Williams

Q WE plan to drive to Spain on holiday with our dog. Do you know of any hotels which welcome dogs? - J. May, Worcester Park, Surrey.

A GILL SAYS: Hot Dog Holidays (www.hotdogholidays.com) specialise in pet-friendly hotels, castles and mansions in Spain, Portugal and France. Hostal Colon in Antequera, half an hour's drive from Malaga, has doubles from pounds 27 a night, At Casa de Carmona, a 16th Century renaissance palace, there's even a sauna and swimming pool (from pounds 68 B&B for a double per night).

Q I'M travelling to Mongolia, Moscow, Siberia and Beijing in September. What clothing should I take? - Imelda Santos, via email.

A GILL SAYS: A trans-Siberian journey in September can mean cold nights and warmish days. Temperatures range from 35F to 68F (2C to 20C). Take a set of good thermal underwear, a fleece, waterproof jacket and hat. Clothing specialists Rohan Travel have stockists throughout the UK.

Q I MET my husband at a cycling club so on our golden wedding anniversary I'd like to take him to Manchester for the UCI World Track Cycling Championships in March. Does anyone offer tickets and accommodation? - Mrs J.H.Ford, Southampton.

A GILL SAYS: Despite the farce of the Tour de France, 300 cyclists will be at the World Championships between March 26-30 next year. Accommodation can be arranged with www.wgtsport.com, 0121 506 9156. Tickets are on sale with Ticketmaster. Call 0871 230 2621 or check out www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Q MY daughter wants to go to South Africa for three months. Will she need special papers to work there? Does she have to return to the UK if she wants to travel on to Australia? - Tracy Kimsey, via email.

A GILL SAYS: UK passport holders need a special permit to work in South Africa. Send your request for one with an A4-size stamped, self-addressed envelope to: The Consular Section, South African High Commission, 15 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2DD. Useful websites for working abroad include www.yearout group.org and www.anyworkanywhere.com Your daughter can travel on from South Africa to Australia.