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Q: I'm thinking of going to Goa for a 10-day holiday in mid April but am wondering how busy it will be and what the weather is like at that time of year? Also, what is there to see and do in Goa in April or would I better off considering a different location?

A: Goa is great at any time of year and April, which is hot, is a perfectly acceptable time to visit, especially if you want to spend time on the beach.

The sun can be intense and while the monsoon rains don't begin until the beginning of June, you can expect an occasional shower.

The good thing about April is that you'll see fewer foreign tourists and more local holiday-makers so most beachfront restaurants will be open. A high point is the availability of hotel rooms, which means you don't have to book too far in advance and have added bargaining power for the best off-season prices.

If your budget will stretch to the better hotels, check out www.GoaTourism.com, where you can view the tariffs and book the accommodation that suits you.

There are plenty of places to see, among them the popular Anjuna Flea market, which is held every Wednesday at Anjuna Beach in North Goa. The covered market in Margao, the weekly market in Chaudi and Mapusa market are also worth a visit.

Palolem and Arambol beaches have more foreign visitors than Indian, and will be fairly sleepy in April. Meanwhile Colva will be running at normal strength.

If the heat gets too much, head for the hills. A bus to the border town of Molem takes a couple of hours and gets you above the stifling heat of the plains. Great places to chill are Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary & Molem Sanctuary.

Q: I'll be in Thailand with my friends for two weeks in April but we have yet to decide where to spend our vacation. I thought of flying from Bangkok to Krabi and taking a ferry to Lanta from there. Are there any other islands worth adding to the Lanta trip?

A:Koh Lanta is a great base from which to make trips to other islands, as it lies on the west coast of Andaman Sea in between Krabi and Koh Phi Phi. It's also more than large enough for a holiday, measuring six kilometres in width and 30km in length and boasting nine great beaches

Koh Lanta has national park status and consists of 52 islands, the largest of which is Koh Lanta Yai. Islands that are smaller in size but with beautiful coral reefs include Koh Ha, Koh Rok and Koh Ngai. All three are in Trang province.

Koh Lanta Noi is smaller and doesn't have tourist facilities. Visitors travel¬ling by road from the mainland have to pass through this smaller island on the way to Lanta Yai. Ban Saladaan on the northern tip of Lanta Yai is a popular centre with a pier, markets, banks and shops.

If you choose Lanta Yai, head for the beaches along the north and south of the island's west coast to watch the sunset.

If you want to engage in some island hopping, I suggest spending three or four days on Koh Lanta Yai, and then heading to Libong, Sukorn, Laoliang, Mook and Ngai in Trang. A trip to Koh Rok is also recommended but be warned, the island is in a National Park area and admission for foreigners costs Bt400 per person. It also requires a trip by speedboat, another major expense, so if you think the price is not worth a day trip, skip it.

Tigerline operates a ferry from Koh Lanta to the islands in Trang during the high season and stops off at Koh Ngai, Koh Muk and Koh Bulon.