Flying with pets: travel advice Not only is there little you can do to reduce these charges, but you should bear in mind that some airlines are reluctant to transport flat-faced or pug-nosed dogs, such as your shih tzu, because they have an increased risk of breathing problems at altitude. So, in terms of cost and comfort, the cross-Channel option is better, although I appreciate that your walking difficulties may make this option unfeasible. On Spanish routes, fares for Brittany Ferries (0871 244 0744; brittany-ferries.co.uk) start at £424 return based on a car with up to two passengers, including a cabin with ensuite bathroom each way. The supplement for taking a pet, which must travel in a car, is £69 return. Ships are equipped with kennels and open deck dog walking areas. If you don't want to take a car, P & O (08716 642121; poferries.com) allows foot passengers to carry pets in containers kept in the lower deck for the duration of the journey. Pet fares are an additional £15 each way on the Dover-Calais route. From Calais, French SNCF train services accept dogs (small animals must be carried in a pet carrier, larger ones must be kept on a lead and muzzled for the duration of the journey). There are various routes from Paris to Alicante, but according to Rail Europe, one of the best-value options is to travel via Figueras (costing from around £97 one-way, plus dog fare). It says that rail bookings that include dogs need to be made via their call centre (0844 848 4070; raileurope.co.uk). Shimla in the snow John Watkins writes I am planning to visit the Indian hill station of Shimla and hope to be there when it snows. When is the best time to visit to be sure of seasonal weather? Sophie Butler replies Temperatures can drop to sub-zero levels during winter (November to mid-February) in this Himalayan area, with snow in late December and January. For this reason, many tourists visit around Christmas. Alps minus the skis David Fletcher writes My wife and I would like to experience the crisp mountain air of the Alps. Can you suggest a comfortable hotel, with good food, that we can enjoy without skiing? Sophie Butler replies Chamonix is a scenic resort and a good base for day trips. Erna Low (0845 863 0525; ernalow.co.uk) offers the four-star Hôtel le Morgane at £642 b & b per person for departures after April 9, including an upgrade on the Eurotunnel crossing. Travelling to Tromsø Marion Oates writes We live in Newcastle and would love to go to Norway, visiting Tromsø, the Lofoten islands and Oslo. How should we best put the trip together? Sophie Butler replies Eastern Airways (08703 669100; easternairways.com) flies from Newcastle to Stavanger. Hurtigruten (hurtigruten.co.uk) cruises stop at Svolvær in Lofoten and goes on to Tromsø, where you can catch a train to Oslo (nsb.no). Contact Scandinavian specialist Taber Holidays (01274 875199; taberhols.co.uk).