Is Milan a good alternative base for exploring Italy?

I have planned a solo trip to Europe in February 2026. Is it practical to make Milan my base and use three to four days to visit Rome or Venice? Any suggestions for a good standard hotel in Milan and a tour company that could assist with a tour to Rome or Venice?
E. Clubb, Riverview, NSW

Starting your travels in Milan is fine if that’s where you are flying into, otherwise you might want to focus solely on Rome and Venice. Even in February, when rates are low in most Italian cities, hotel rooms in central Milan remain expensive. Enterprise Hotel is one possibility, a four-star hotel with rooms at a reasonable price. Residenza delle Citta, which has a younger, funky vibe, is slightly less expensive. For something more cosy and personal, LaFavia is a small, friendly, family-run B&B located in two late-19th-century buildings in the Garibaldi district, at the heart of Milan. Rates from €100 ($180) a night. Train is by far the best way to reach Rome from Milan, the fastest services take less than three hours.

Rather than a tour operator for your trips to Rome and Venice, what you might do is book hotel accommodation and arrange some tours with local guides. In Rome, Chapter Roma is an artsy, quirky and comfortable hotel close to the city’s former Jewish quarter, within easy walking distance of many of the city’s highlights. I’ve used Francesco Apice of Your Guide in Rome to put together tours in Rome a couple of times, and he’s excellent. Half-day tours are perfect, there’s a lot to take in and Rome can be exhausting.

In Venice, Cima Rosa is a boutique B&B with great character and modern suites in a 15th-century palace on the Grand Canal. Rates start at €215 ($450) a night. Walks of Italy has several walking and boat tours of Venice.

We are planning a trip to Europe starting with a river cruise in Portugal followed by Gibraltar, however it seems the only flights are from the UK. What is the best way to travel from Porto to Gibraltar?
K. Martin, Rivett, ACT

For political reasons, neither Portugal nor Spain make it easy to visit Gibraltar from their territory. There are no direct flights from Porto to Gibraltar. The only way to get there via air is a flight from the UK, and there are between one and three daily flights from London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

Another option would be to fly from Porto to Seville or Malaga, pick up a hire car and drive to Gibraltar. The drive takes between 2-2½ hours. Rather than parking in Gibraltar, which can be challenging, some travellers park in La Linea, the Spanish border town, and cross the border on foot. You can also take a day tour to Gibraltar from Seville. Contact Tailor Made Andalucia.

We are two couples heading to the North Island of New Zealand for 10 days in early October, starting at Paihia and finishing at Wellington. We have hired a car. Any suggestions for what to visit or where to stay?
R. Henricks, Cheltenham, Vic

Pahia is the main visitor base for the Bay of Islands, but I prefer to stay in Russell. It’s not as accessible but charm and character put it streets ahead. Originally known as Kororareka, early in the 19th century this was a haven for sealers and whalers near one of the richest whaling grounds in the world. Today’s Russell is a delightful little town of timber houses and big trees swooning low over the seafront, framing the yachts and the game fishing boats in the harbour. Its atmosphere is best absorbed in a stroll along The Strand, which runs by the waterfront. Just a short drive inland, the town of Kerikeri is known as the Cradle of the Nation. Among Kerikeri’s historic treasures are the Kerikeri Mission House and the Stone Store.

Drive south to Auckland and stay for three nights to explore the city including the ferry ride to the pretty harbourside village of Devonport. Another ferry takes you to Waiheke Island where you can either hire a car or join a tour to explore the island’s wineries and dining scene. Continue south to Rotorua to experience the spurting, steaming sensations of New Zealand’s thermal wonderland, as well as its lovely lake and forest scenery.

Next stop is Lake Taupo for a fishing trip on the lake and if you still have time, drive further south to Tongariro National Park where there are amazing walks and dramatic volcanic landscape. From Tongariro, Wellington is a four-hour drive. Your itinerary would benefit from another four days. If you aren’t already locked into a 10-day trip, you might consider extending and devoting more time to Rotorua, Lake Taupo/Tongariro and Wellington.

My daughter and her uni student friends, all in their 20s, wish to travel to Colombia. As they will be travelling on budget, what is a safe itinerary that includes points of interest and what tours are available?
T. Stuart, Coogee, NSW

A tour, rather than a DIY itinerary, is the perfect solution for these young people in Colombia. They will travel safely at a fixed cost, mix with other travellers and get to find their feet in what can be a challenging country. G Adventures has several tours of the country, ranging from eight to 17 days. Melbourne-based adventure operator Intrepid also has a variety of tours. They’ll probably find some areas in which they want to spend more time and the coastal city of Cartagena is likely to be top of their list.

Australia’s smartraveller website advises travellers to “Exercise a high degree of caution” for Colombia overall, but there are some areas with a “Do not travel” warning, mainly along border regions with Venezuela, Panama and Ecuador. Colombia also has some specific health risks that they need to address before leaving. Consult the US Centers for Disease Control website for Colombia. Assuming they’re travelling via the US, they will need to apply for an ESTA, even if they’re only in transit.

Travel advice is general; readers should consider their personal circumstances