Where should we escape to the country after two weeks in London?

Michael Gebicki is Traveller’s expert Tripologist. Each week he tackles the thorny issues in travel as well as answering your questions. Got a question for the Tripologist? Email [email protected]

After two weeks in London in September, my husband and I would like some fresh country air. Can you recommend two cities or towns in which to base ourselves, spending about five days in each? We don’t want to hire a car but are happy to use public transport, or take organised day tours. Our interests are maritime history, art, food and gardens.J. Spence, Hampton, Vic

Given your interest in maritime history, Portsmouth would be an ideal choice. It’s compact, atmospheric and deeply connected to Britain’s naval history. One of England’s great historical museums, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is home to HMS Victory, flagship of the Royal Navy and probably the most famous wooden warship ever built, as well as the remains of the Mary Rose. Portsmouth also offers easy coastal walks in the bracing sea air, good rail connections for day trips and a lively food scene around Old Portsmouth and Southsea. From here you can make easy day trips to Winchester, Chichester and even take a ferry to the Isle of Wight. Look for accommodation in either Old Portsmouth for atmosphere or Southsea for cafes and seaside charm.

Make Bath your other five-day stay. Elegant and refined, this Georgian beauty is pocket-sized and easy to get around, yet it has plenty of cultural and scenic attractions to keep you busy for the time you have. Highlights of this World Heritage-listed city include the Roman Baths, Number One Royal Crescent, the Jane Austen Centre, the Victoria Gallery, Bath Abbey and Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House and Museum. From Bath, you have easy access to Glastonbury, Wells Cathedral and Stratford-upon-Avon and the gorgeous towns and villages of the Cotswolds. Choose a weekday to take a guided bus tour of such gems as Broadway, Stow-on-the-Wold, Bibury and Castle Combe.

I’ll be based in Bologna for nine days in early October and travelling to nearby towns for day trips. I’d love your recommendations on cafes, bars and restaurants to check out and towns to visit. So far I have Parma, Modena, Ferrara and Ravenna but wondering if Mantua and/or Lake Garda are worthwhile and not too far for a day trip? J. Dwyer, Eltham, Vic

I’m currently touring Bologna, Modena and Parma and using the food, cafe and restaurant recommendations on the website of Via Emilia Chef and from Pepen, a humble street food cafe in Parma where I just had panini and ate in several fine dining