The holiday guru answers traveller queries on post-Brexit travel and elephant sanctuaries

The holiday guru has stepped up to the plate once more to answer your queries.

This week’s topics include post-Brexit travel, elephant sanctuary recommendations and flights to Lourdes.

Q. Could you recommend an elephant sanctuary in Thailand where we could interact with the animals? J.K., via email.

A. Interacting with elephants sounds enthralling but there is growing concern about the treatment of ‘tourist elephants’, which may have been separated from mothers at a young age, according to the World Animal Protection group. However, ethical elephant sanctuaries do exist, where tourists are not put in direct contact with the animals. Try Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary in Sukhothai province (blesele.org) or Chang Chill, near Chang Mai (changchill.com).

Q. We plan to travel in Europe for more than three months next year. When do new post-Brexit rules about travel in the European Union come into effect? I understand you will not be able to travel more than 90 days in any 180-day period? Alison Hopkins, via email.

A. The Department for Exiting the European Union says that an ‘implementation period’ during which travel to the EU will remain the same as now will last until ‘at least’ the end of next year. For details of post-Brexit travel in the EU see: gov.uk/visit-europe-brexit.

Q. Are there direct flights from Manchester to Lourdes, France, so I can visit for three days?

Chris Mills, via email.

Returns to Lourdes, pictured, from Stansted start from £20 with Ryanair

A. No. If you can get to Stansted, Ryanair returns are from £20 in January (ryanair.com). Week-long guided tours from Manchester start at £779 (joewalshtours.ie).

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For advice, send your questions to holidayplanner@dailymail.co.uk or write to Daily Mail Travel, Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT. Please include your contact details.