Tripologist: Where should we visit in Scotland?

Prior to a European river cruise in November, my husband and I plan to visit Scotland. What places would you suggest we visit? A. Lee, Kirrawee NSW

Edinburgh is a glorious city with a medieval Old Town and an elegant Georgian New Town set side-by-side, home to the National Museum of Scotland, the stunning Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile, where you can get yourself fitted out with a kilt or buy a fine bottle of whisky. Barely an hour away on the fastest trains, Glasgow brims with character, with many fine galleries and museums, great shopping and a lively bar and nightlife scene. Both cities deserve a three-night stay. There is much more to savour to the north of these cities in Scotland's majestic and brooding countryside, but in mid-November it's going to be cold, grey and dark, with barely eight hours of daylight per day. For those reasons you might prefer to visit this region in the summer months but if not, you could take a guided tour and Tauck [tauck.co.uk], Leger Holidays [leger.co.uk] and Harmony Holidays [harmonycoachholidays.com] are just a few possibilities.

My family is planning a trip to Queensland, what if one or more of us contracts COVID and has to isolate, possibly one after another? M. de Witt, Box Hill South VIC

If any of your family develops COVID-19 symptoms they need to get tested. A positive test requires them to immediately isolate for seven days after the test. Isolation means staying away from others including family members as much as possible. If you don't have somewhere suitable to isolate, call 134 268 for help. The website of the Queensland Government has more information.

Two of us are hoping to visit Japan in September, aiming to include a walk along the Kumano-Kodo. Is it easy to do this without taking an organised tour? Also, any recommendation for accommodation in Kyoto? P. Arnold, Bowral NSW

A traditional pilgrimage route through the mountains and forests of the Kii Peninsula south of Osaka, the Kumano-Kodo is a great insight into Japanese culture. One super information source is the Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau website [tb-kumano.jp/en/kumano-kodo], which has maps as well as outlines of the different strands of the trail. Doing the trail without a guide is no problem, it's well signposted and the website will help you locate accommodation and arrange luggage transport and storage, and Japan has that down to a fine art. On the other hand, there are many Shinto shrines along the way and they're difficult to unravel without an explanation from a guide. Shiraume (shiraume-kyoto.jp) is a ryokan at the heart of Kyoto's Gion district, the city's beautiful and atmospheric historic quarter. It's very traditional and rather expensive as well as popular so you need to book well ahead, but a stay in a classic ryokan is not to be missed. How else will you discover such delights as sleeping on the floor with a pillow about the size of a wadded napkin, not to mention strolling around in a full-length cotton yukata robe feeling like you've just crashed a classy pyjama party, which is what a ryokan basically is?

I'm hoping to put together a family group trip, eight people, to northern Italy next year and we would like to have a guide to assist with planning and then accompany us to organise meals, transport and daily activities. Any suggestions? B. Cavan, Jannali NSW

The best guide I can suggest for you is Luca Pacchioni [pacchioni.luca@gmail.com]. Currently based in Milan, Luca has more than a decade of experience working as a guide, for most of that time with an upmarket operator specialising in small-group tours catering mainly to North American clients. He knows Italy from top to toe, has excellent communication skills and can tailor a trip to your needs and budget and deliver many experiences that will make your visit truly special.

Got a travel question? Include your name and suburb or town and send it to Michael Gebicki - tripologist@traveller.com.au

Travel advice is general; readers should consider their personal circumstances.