Travel: Your questions answered by our panel of travel experts

How to see Cuba

We would like to hire a car to drive round Cuba, but have heard that there are shortages of everything. We only have 10 days. What are the alternatives?

D Calser

Harwich

Jill Crawshaw replies: If you only have a short time, sightseeing by car is the best way to get around: because of fuel shortages the number of long-distance buses has declined, and queueing for tickets is frustrating. Cuba has a train service - the only island in the Caribbean that does - but it is slow. Some journeys take 10 to 16 hours and can drop you at your destination at three or four in the morning.

Hiring and driving a car in Cuba is a challenge. You'll need your (British) driving licence and must be over 21. Several agencies rent cars: the largest, Havanautos has offices in Havana, the resorts, Santa Clara, Trinidad, Santiago and several other towns. Allow $50 a day and another $10 for insurance, less if you book the car for six days or more.

Makes vary from Ladas to Mercedes and 4WD's, the most common being Nissan Saloon and Daewoo Cielos. You should book the car in advance and you'll need to leave a deposit of $200. Avoid deals with limited mileage if you are doing a lot of touring - remember Cuba is about 750 miles long east to west. When you get your car, check how much fuel is in the tank - they often charge you for a full tank when it's not. Also check for bald tyres. Surprisingly, fuel is the least of your worries: hard currency "Cupet" gas stations tend to be open 24 hours a day, while local stations taking pesos often run out of fuel. So fill up whenever you can - fuel costs around 90 cents per litre.

Driving has its hazards. Get hold of a good map because distances and sign posts are erratic. The roads themselves vary between the huge but slightly crumbling freeways, from Pinar in the west and the Via Blancat, an excellent empty highway between Varadero and Havana, to little more than dirt tracks.

You'll notice hitchhikers at every junction - they can be helpful in pinpointing destinations and places of interest - but take care they are not the ubiquitous prostitutes. Don't be put off. To reach some of the most interesting places on the island would be impossible by any other method.

It might be worth considering a flydrive scheme by operators such as Panorama Holidays (01273 202737) or Regent Holidays (0117 921 1711), and then pick up your car at the airport.

Jill Crawshaw is a travel expert, writer and broadcaster.

Earache on aeroplanes

My partner has a tendency to get ear infections and her affected ear can be very painful when we fly. Is there anything to worry about here? What is the best remedy?

Ian Heathcote

Tewksbury

Dr Larry Goodyer replies: Earache due to changes in cabin pressure is termed as barotrauma and is experienced by many travellers on aircraft. It can be particularly severe if there is any blockage in the sinuses or eustachian tubes which lead from the back of the throat to the middle ear. This is most commonly experienced if they are inflamed or blocked due to, for instance, the person having a cold. The ear problems are most common on landing, and this is one reason why passenger airlines tend to try to take a slow rate of descent.

If your partner has recently suffered a middle ear infection and inflammation is still present then this could result in quite severe barotrauma. Without knowing the cause of the problem it would be difficult to make any specific recommendations. It would certainly be wise to try to treat any infection present well before travel, but you would need to consult your own GP on this point.

Dr Larry Goodyer is superintendent of the Nomad Pharmacy (3-4 Turnpike Lane, London N8, Tel: 0181-889 7014) which specialises in catering for travellers' medical needs.

Any information about the Tibesti mountains in Chad?

I hope to visit the Tibesti Mountains in northern Chad next winter, but have found it impossible to get hold of useful information. Can you help?

Andrew Kemball

Essex

The travel editor replies: As you have already discovered, Chad is not often visited by tourists. I do however know of at least one person who has been there in the last year and his information is as follows. His general message is that the Tibesti Mountains are indeed worth a visit now that the country is no longer at war.

First of all you should fly to N'Djamena, the Chadian capital, via Paris. The Africa Travel Group (0171 387 1211) can quote you fares for this, which currently start at pounds 675 + pounds 35 tax, though these fares vary seasonally.

The rule about visas is that if there is no Chadian representation in your country of origin, then you can pick up your visa on arrival at the airport. In Britain there is no embassy so this rule should apply to British nationals. The easiest way to be sure about the current situation when you are travelling is to contact the airline you are flying with. In the worst case, you can always pay a visa agency to procure you a visa from the Chadian embassy in Paris.

Once in Chad, bear in mind that the Tibesti mountains are far away from the capital. By far the best way to go is to hire a four-wheel-drive vehicle, with a driver who understands mechanics and carries repairs (two vehicle expeditions are obviously safer).

Otherwise, if you are desperate, rent a seat in a lorry or Toyota Pickup. Trucks take up to 10 days to reach Faya, where you change trucks for the trip to Zouar, then again for Bardai. Take lots of food and water. The round trip will take at least two months but the risk of banditry and hold-ups will be greater if you travel this way.