Peter’s Post
Our travel expert answers queries on routes and destinations around the world
CROSSING THE CANALS
We will be staying in Venice for two nights before the start of a cruise in September. Can you recommend an affordable and convenient way to get from the Marco Polo Airport in Venice to the Pantalon Hotel in central Venice? — Vic Jacobs Private transport from the airport to your hotel is convenient but expensive. The best rate I could find for a transfer by private car and water taxi was à128 (R1 716) for up to three people ( www.jamtransfer.com). The cheapest way would be to catch the bus from the airport to Piazzale le Roma. The Atvo Airport Shuttle costs à6 (R80) per person. From Piazzale le Roma, it is a five-to10-minute walk to your hotel, crossing two bridges. You could take a water taxi from the Piazzale to your hotel, priced fromà6.50 (R87) per person. The closest water landing to the hotel is San Toma, which is only a minute’s walk away.
ANOTHER WOMAN’S TREASURE I will be spending a month in London with relatives and am particularly keen to shop for vintage and second-hand designer clothing. Do you know of any stores I could try? — Wendy Somerset
As with most things in London, there is a wide selection of outlets where you can find old designer wear. One of the best known of these — and the favourite of many fashionistas — is Rellik in Kensington. You’ll find fabulous designer couture and vintage outfits all beautifully displayed.
One of a Kind in Portobello Road is popular among top models, who snap up old designs by global stars such as Vivienne Westwood and Yves St Laurent. You’ll also find designer labels such as Burberry and Givenchy at the House of Vintage in Brick Lane.
While you’re in the lane, check out Beyond Retro, which also has a store in Soho. Another brand with a number of outlets is Rokit. Their flagship store is in Shelton Street, WC2, but there is also an outlet in Brick Lane.
For a wide spread of high-end clothes and accessories, head for Find at 228 Battersea Park Road.
If shoes are your thing, you’ll love Absolute Vintage in 15 Hanbury Street, E1. Not only does it have a good selection of footwear, but there is also a display case full of hardto-resist Chanel handbags.
Also in Hanbury Street, Blitz caused a storm when it opened two years ago. It is a veritable vintage department store, located in a stunning old furniture factory. Its closest rival is Pandora in Knightsbridge, which is regarded as the “superstore” designer re-sale women’s boutique. It is the largest in Britain and it stocks around 500 designer bags, along with outfits all neatly arranged by size and type.
If you visit Covent Garden, pop into Blackout II, which stocks men’s and women’s wear from the 1920s to the 1980s.
To find other stores while you are in London, check out the listings in TimeOut.
TO THE WHITE HOUSE My family and I will be visiting Washington DC for one week in September. We would like to tour the White House, but I am finding great difficulty in planning this and getting tickets. Please could you assist?
— Atiyya Bhayat
You would ordinarily have to ask the South African Embassy in Washington to assist you in submitting a request to tour the White House. Unfortunately, all public tours of the building were cancelled from March 9 this year due to staff problems resulting from the government’s budget woes. There is no word as to when the tours will be resumed.
You can call the White House Visitors Office 24-hour hotline at 202 456 7041 or check www.whitehouse.gov. Under normal circumstances, your request to the SA Embassy should be submitted up to six months in advance and no less than 21 days before your tour. Americans have to submit their requests through their Member of Congress.
NEED VISAS, JA? We are going to Europe next year and intend to spend six weeks in Germany, then two weeks in France and, finally, six weeks in the United Kingdom. Must we apply for a Schengen visa and a separate visa for Britain or can we get one visa for all three countries? — Dave Robinson
There is no visa that covers all three countries. You will need to apply for a Schengen visa from the German authorities, which will cover your visits to Germany and France. You will also have to apply for a separate visa to visit Britain. The reason for this is that the United Kingdom does not participate in the travel section of the Schengen agreement and therefore does not recognise the visa.