✉ On March 1, I attempted to book a stay at the Connemara Lake Hotel in Ireland via Booking.com. However, just before making the payment, I was redirected to a different site and instead of the initial quoted price of around £400 for three nights, I ended up paying an inflated amount of £710.82 due to extra fees. Although the confirmation email appeared legitimate and even the hotel initially believed it, they later confirmed that the booking was invalid and cancelled it. A major concern is that I never approved the payment in my Revolut app, as I usually do with every transaction, due to the unexpected price increase, yet the transaction still processed. Revolut has initiated a dispute, but the resolution could take up to 50 days. Can you assist me in recovering my funds? Caitriona McCulla

Regrettably, you have fallen prey to a fraudulent online agent that mimics official hotel and booking platforms while imposing large non-refundable fees besides the room rate. Booking.com, which disclaims any responsibility, recommended that you liaise with your bank to address the dispute, but Revolut has subsequently denied your refund request, citing “compelling evidence” from “the merchant.” It’s critical to always scrutinize the URL when reaching the payment page on any site. A spokesperson for Booking.com stated: “We consistently advise customers to make bookings via the authentic Booking.com website or app and to remain vigilant when clicking on unfamiliar links. We encourage customers to verify the endpoint they are directed to, which can be done by hovering over the link on desktop or long-pressing it on mobile. Importantly, Booking.com will never ask users to provide credit card details through text, messaging platforms, or email; payments are only solicited through our designated platform.” You now intend to escalate your case to the Financial Ombudsman.

✉ I want to take my daughter on a holiday after her A-levels. We’re looking for a hotel near the beach with a sizable pool and a bar, close to restaurants and night markets/shops. A key factor would be a policy against reserving sunbeds ahead of time, so please recommend a place that enforces that. Our budget is £4,000, and we prefer a flight duration of under three hours from London. Alice Kitching

A wonderful reward for all that hard work would be a trip to Spain, specifically at the Hotel Alga on the northeastern coast of Catalonia, famous for its beautiful rugged coves and sandy beaches. The Hotel Alga features a large, nearly Olympic-size pool with 30 loungers that cannot be reserved, making it a place where you don’t have to wake up early to secure a sunbed, and it’s conveniently located just a short walk from the beach through the gardens. Additionally, it is only 250m from the charming town of Calella, providing a plethora of dining options. A week’s stay in a superior balcony room costs about £1,761 per person, including flights (and checked luggage) from Stansted to Girona, along with private transfers.

✉ I have a free month in July because my husband will be away, and I’d like to go somewhere solo. I prefer sunny destinations to snowy ones, enjoy spa treatments over yoga, and I appreciate learning experiences without being the only single in a couple-dominated setting. Moreover, I have a Morton’s neuroma, which makes long walks uncomfortable, but I do enjoy some walking. I’m not particularly budget-conscious and appreciate a bit of luxury. Any suggestions? Debra Wood

If your budget allows, consider a solo trip to Schloss Elmau in Germany’s Bavarian Alps this July. This exceptional five-star resort features six splendid spas and hosts events featuring renowned musicians, artists, and writers. Spend your days indulging in luxurious treatments and taking brief nature walks (ideal considering your Morton’s neuroma), as well as attending author readings, chamber music concerts, and exploring nearby castles and lakes. You’ll have your choice of eight restaurants, with many comfortable options for solo diners. Room rates for a small double with breakfast start at £358 per night in July for a week’s stay, which includes access to the spa facilities, daily fitness activities, and admission to cultural events (schloss-elmau.de). Flights can be arranged to Innsbruck or Munich.

✉ I’m learning Korean and would like to take my grandson on a special trip to Seoul for his 18th birthday. Do you have any affordable accommodation suggestions and must-visit attractions? We’re aiming for about a ten-day trip next year. What’s the optimal time for us to visit? Diana Nelson

This sounds like an exciting adventure! As first-time visitors, consider booking the Essential South Korea seven-night tour with Inside Asia, which utilizes public transport and features stays in three-star hotels. The itinerary includes a Korean barbecue tour in Seoul, a day spent in Gyeongju—the ancient capital of Korea’s Silla Kingdom—a sunset cruise on the Han River, and leisure time at Busan’s renowned Haeundae beach. A week’s stay with breakfast starts from £1,143 per person, which covers two evening tours, airport transfers, train fare, and in-depth destination guides. You can also customize your trip to add more nights. Flights to Seoul are additional (insideasiatours.com). Spring or autumn are ideal times for your visit.

• Read our guide to South Korea

✉ Following the recent passing of my husband, I planned a brief getaway with a friend to the south of France. I booked a round-trip flight to Marseille with British Airways for £273, set to depart on May 13, and received a confirmation email. However, when I tried to upgrade my outbound flight at the end of April, I discovered there was an issue with my booking, which had been suspended without explanation. BA later informed me by phone that they were cancelling my flight and would process a refund shortly. When I expressed my dissatisfaction and requested reinstatement of my original booking, they instead told me to rebook at a new price of £640. This trip was significant for me (luckily, my friend booked separately), and I am unclear about the reason for the booking suspension. Shouldn’t I be entitled to my original flight at the initial price? Victoria Hunt

I empathize with your situation, as it sounds quite distressing. It appears that a technical error (a recurring issue for BA) led to the confusion; the email you received wasn’t a valid confirmation despite the subsequent flight reminders you received. Thankfully, after I intervened, BA restored your original flight at the same price and offered you Avios (the airline’s loyalty points) as compensation.

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