Q: Where is World Youth Day this year?

-- T. Benjamin, Vaughan

A: The 20th anniversary of World Youth Day is scheduled for Aug. 16-21 in Cologne, Germany.

According to the World Youth Day website, Pope Benedict XVI is set to deliver mass to an estimated 800,000 youth from around the world in the Archdiocese of Cologne.

There is a handy schedule of the events, which you can download directly from the site at wyd2005.org. There is no fixed registration deadline for individuals, but groups must register by June 1.

Q: Could you please direct me to a source of information on what clothes to take with me for a three month stay on the Isle of Man? I leave Toronto on July 30 and return on October 30. I am 72 and reasonably active, (creaky knees permitting) and hope to do a fair amount of sight seeing. Any help you can offer will be greatly appreciated.

-- Name withheld at reader's request

A: Surrounded by the Irish Sea, this wee isle (it's only 53 km long and 21 km wide) enjoys a temperate climate and no extreme weather.

According to the Isle of Man tourism office, April through June are considered the driest months while May through July are the sunniest.

During the summer months, the island averages around 200 hours of sunshine per month and around 52mm of rain per month.

You'll be there for the island's warmest months. July and August have an average maximum temperature of around 18C, which will feel like warm spring weather so pack with that in mind.

Layers are always good because you can remove sweaters and sweatshirts as needed.

For late fall, it's wise to pack a warm jacket and if you wish to feel the salty sea breezes along the coast, take a warm hat and scarf too.

No need to worry about thunderstorms as the tourism office reports these are rarities.

As you tour the island, which is 40% uninhabited, be prepared for climate variation s. Sea fog tends to affect the south and east coasts but not so much on the west coast.

For more tourism information visit the Isle of Man Tourism's website at visitisleofman.com