Helena Cross

Look for a garage or legal long-stay area between your intended ferry terminal and dinner. Check its Saturday maximum stay and closing or re-entry time before leaving the car.

Choose scenic drives with short firm-surface stops and ask venues about the walk from parking to the entrance. A 'short walk' can still be steep.

Compare the ferry experience with other transport by timetable and total travel time; it can be enjoyable but is not the only way to visit.

Choose scenic drives with short, firm-surface stops rather than tours advertised as easy without detail. Ask operators about boarding steps and the walk from the vehicle.

Start with a neighbourhood walk, a small gallery or a local food stop away from the main tourist strip. Choose by your interests rather than chasing a supposedly hidden location.

Allow a walk from a larger car park rather than circling the waterfront. Check height limits if the vehicle is large.

Search the exact dates across serviced apartments and holiday rentals, then expand beyond the waterfront while checking the drive into town.

Book early and check the menu, sitting time and cancellation terms. A set lunch can be better value than a buffet if the children eat little.

Search the venue's own Monday dinner availability before choosing by reviews. A waterfront or Salamanca setting is useful only if the kitchen is actually open that evening.

Compare each tour's full day length and pickup point rather than booking a costly island-wide package automatically. A few targeted outings can give variety at lower cost.

Ask the hotel to hold bags or keep them securely in the car, then choose one Sunday activity with a predictable return to the airport. Leave a generous fuel and rental-drop buffer.