Nous partons 15 jours au mois de novembre au Nouveau-Mexique et en Arizona.
Intérréssé par l'artisanat amérindien(nous avions déja ramené quelques souvenirs du Montana), nous nous demandions quel est le meilleur moyen de se procurer en artisanat local.Il parait que les trading post et les pawn shop sont des moyens intéressants, ou alors directement dans les réserves.Si quelqu'un aurait l'un ou l'autre tuyau, je suis preneur.
Bonjour Fabien,
J'ai vu, dans plusieurs magasins de Moab ( et cela doit être valable dans d'autres villes ), des vitrines spécifiquement dédiées à l’artisanat local et non pas aux produits chinois. Maintenant quelle qualité ?
Bonne journée.
Si le chemin est difficile, le difficile est le chemin.
pour une réponse à peu près pertinente il faudrait essayer de :
-- préciser le budget envisagé pour ce genre d'achat
-- préciser l'itinéraire en gros
Hello,
Pour le budget , il y a du cher comme du moins cher, ce que je ne veux pas c'est de l'importation chinoise, donc même un peu plus cher pourrait m'interresser.
Pour l'itinéraire ca iras de Taos à Tuba city(itinéraire provisoire pour l'instant, reste à définir précisemment)
J'ai vu, dans plusieurs magasins de Moab ( et cela doit être valable dans d'autres villes ), des vitrines spécifiquement dédiées à l’artisanat local et non pas aux produits chinois. Maintenant quelle qualité ?
Hello Evajules,
C'est justement ce que j'essaye de savoir, quels sont les artisans fiables, il y en a tellement que tu peux perdre les pédales🤪.
Au Canada, dans le coin ou nous étions, il y avait beaucoup de magasins, mais qu'un qui vendait de l'artisanat local, tous les autres c'étaient les cartons empilés derrière la caisse avec marqué "made in China", ils ne s'en cachent même pas.
La ville de Gallup en Arizona est spécialisée dans les "trading-posts" et le pawn shops regorgeant d'artisanat native authentique. Regardez sur Trip Ad et autres sites Web pour connaître les meilleurs. Pour de beaux objets, en particulier les tapis navajos et les bijours en argent et VRAIES turquoises, les prix ne sont pas donnés...
"Before you judge me take a look at yourself"
Children of Bodom
"On ne voit bien qu'avec le coeur, l'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux" (St Exupéry)
http://palomino34.blogspot.fr/ (blog encore au tout début...)
La ville de Gallup en Arizona est spécialisée dans les "trading-posts" et le pawn shops regorgeant d'artisanat native authentique. Regardez sur Trip Ad et autres sites Web pour connaître les meilleurs. Pour de beaux objets, en particulier les tapis navajos et les bijours en argent et VRAIES turquoises, les prix ne sont pas donnés...
Hi Chris,
Oui effectivement gallup est apparemment un endroit incontournable d'après mes recherches, et vu le nombre de boutiques et trading post, faudra faire le tour pour comparer les prix.
… quelques idées sur l'itinéraire Santa Fe à Tuba City
à Santa Fe on peut admirer plein de choses et visiter musées et boutiques-musées
Mark Sublette Medicine Man Gallery Tucson Arizona Santa …
mais l'endroit oû acheter un bijou pour un visiteur ordinaire,
c'est au :
Native American Vendors Program of the Palace of ...
on est sûr d'y acheter authentique même si les prix quoique bien en dessous des galeries n'y sont pas forcément bon marché
à noter qu'à la différence des trading posts il n'est pas bien vu d'y marchander les prix
un politicien local (un sénateur de l’État si mes souvenirs sont bons) avait fait le malin en se vantant du ''deal'' qu'il avait obtenu…. l'affaire a été connue, s'est répandue …. et il a dû faire des excuses publiques… les Indiens vivent de leur travail, les boutiques du négoce
Pour relier Santa Fe à Tuba City la route que tu suivras probablement vous fera (re)passer par Albuquerque pour prendre l'Interstate 40
j'ai vécu à Albuquerque mais n'y ai pas acheté quoique ce soit d'intéressant en terme d'artisanat Indien
plus loin , comme l'ont dit mes honorables collègues: arrêt obligatoire à Gallup
ma préférence :
Richardson's Trading Company in Gallup New Mexico
L'ai visité au moins cinq fois … y ai acheté à 25 ans de distance deux tapis Navajos (dont celui de l'avatar) et diverses petites choses
dans tous les cas une visite s'impose car c'est un véritable musée et les employés n'y sont pas harassants
on peut (et on doit) y discuter les prix.. çà fait partie du charme des choses et pas besoin de bien maitriser la langue..
Un peu plus loin, à Ganado une autre visite ''obligatoire'' comme l'a dit PapJ59…..
Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site
encore un peu loin à Keams Canyon si c'est aux Kachinas ou aux bijoux Hopi que l'on s'intéresse il faut s'arrêter sur la réserve à
McGee's Indian Art - Specializing in Hopi Kachinas, Pottery
à Flagstaff en bordure de le route qui mène à Tuba City et au Grand Canyon se trouve le
Museum of Northern Arizona - The Gateway to the Colorado
il comporte une boutique où l'on est sûr de trouver de l'authentique et à des prix raisonnables
Tuba City sur la Réserve est un lieu connu pour ses tisseurs mais je n'y suis pas passé depuis 1992 j'avais bien nourri l'idée d'y passer en 2007 car je cherchais à acheter un ''rug'' qui sorte des thèmes classiques, j'avais lu des articles à ce propos concernant une tisseuse Margaret Cody. Elle y vit et s'inspire de personnages de la mythologie Navajo selon une idée et des modèles que dessine sa mère presque centenaire. Ses tissages , par leur inspiration se reconnaissent entre tous ! Une galerie de Sedona (cher!) s'est en fait assuré l'exclusivité de ses tissages, situés plutôt dans les prix haut de gamme mais en 2007 rappelons nous… un euro achetait 1,6 dollar !
À noter qu'un beau tapis mural n'est pas seulement un souvenir et objet qui agrémente le cadre de vie mais peut aussi être un bon investissement…. , tout comme les sculptures Inuit du Grand Nord Canadien
Suite des "Rencontres insolites avec des grizzlys, chercheurs d'or et autres dans l'Ouest Américain" (26 février 2009)
Merci pour ces quelques adresses en plus, ça me fait déja quelques haltes.
Au "Palace of the Governors", les "First Nations" exposent t-ils toutes l'année?
Comme je vais y aller assez tard dans l'année, ils risquent peut être de ne plus être la comme il fait assez froid à cette période.
Au "Palace of the Governors", les "First Nations" exposent t-ils toutes l'année?
Bonjour,
un petit détail d'abord….
le terme First Nations est plutôt un terme Canadien
au Nouveau Mexique on parle plutôt de Native Americans voire notamment à Santa Fe de Indians
ce ''marché'' garantie d'authenticité et même de qualité ( il y a une sorte de charte et de sélection pour les artisans) est ouvert toute l'année qu'il fasse chaud ou froid….
Mais en hiver les prix semblent être plus bas et le marchandage plus admissible
Buying from the Native American vendors at Santa Fe's Palace
anecdote : il n'y a pas de place permanente attribuée à l'avance. Pas de redevance. 69 places certaines pouvant être divisées en deux...128 artisans pas plus. Premier arrivé … premier installé pour la majorité des places . Un loterie pour l'attribution quotidienne des autres…
cette institution ne doit pas être confondue avec un évènement annuel de deux jours qui attire maintenant des visiteurs du monde entier
SWAIA - Santa Fe Indian Market
Suite des "Rencontres insolites avec des grizzlys, chercheurs d'or et autres dans l'Ouest Américain" (26 février 2009)
Oui en effet je connaissais la différence entre les 2 marchés.
Je te remercie encore pour tes explications très précises et j'en tiendrai compte😉
Encore une question, je sais que le Nouveau-Mexique est sur un plateau, donc quelques altitudes comme Santa-Fé qui est à environ 2000m, et je suppose que le mois de novembre doit être assez froid, y a t-il, ou se pourrait t-il qu'il y ai déja de la neige à cette période?
Le mois de novembre est en effet surtout marqué par le refroidissement des températures
les stations de ski d'altitude ouvrent généralement pour Thanksgiving mais la neige de novembre, s'il y en a, ne constitue pas un problème pour circuler à Santa Fé même
ci dessous les stats de l'aéroport sur les probabilités de neige mensuellement en ville
Suite des "Rencontres insolites avec des grizzlys, chercheurs d'or et autres dans l'Ouest Américain" (26 février 2009)
Nous voilà revenus de notre Road trip de septembre 2025, cette fois pour découvrir l’Arizona et le Nouveau Mexique et il est temps que je commence mon carnet…
Ce carnet est la deuxième partie du périple dont vous trouverez la première partie ici: 1st part... Dimanche 07 Août: le jour où nous découvrons un lieu…
Je me présente. J'ai 45 ans et je voyage avec mon mari et ma fille de bientôt 17 ans. Nous sommes habitués des vacances style road-trip, aux USA ou ailleurs.…
- A une quinzaine de kilomètres de Gallup où nous avons notre étape il y a un petit parc d’état: Red Rock parc. » Deux randos me font de l’œil. Pyramide rock…
Un petit compte rendu totalement subjectif d’un Road Trip de 15 jours entre le Colorado et le Nouveau Mexique, de fin septembre à mi-octobre. Nos centres…
Hello! The itinerary is pretty much set for August 2026. Yeah, I know it’s gonna be *super* hot. But it’s the only time we can get away.
So, here’s the plan: Montpellier-CDG-Dallas.
Stay from July 31 to August 26, 2026:
Car rental – check,
Hotels – check,
Itinerary – almost check,
Photo gear – check,
Budget – check, 🤪
Meal planning – meh, we’ll see...
Walmart, of course, for the cooler when we arrive.
And now, without too much detail...
Fort Worth:
The Longhorns and the Stockyards;
JR’s ranch (for the missus);
Medal of Honor Museum – Arlington.
Houston and NASA Space Center:
See the Gulf of Mexico/America.
San Antonio and the missions.
Fort Stockton for an overnight stop.
El Paso via Guadalupe Mountains:
El Paso and White Sands.
Tucson and the Pima Air & Space Museum:
Tombstone, Bisbee.
Phoenix:
Still working on the program.
Sedona:
Round trip around the area via Flagstaff and Williams, or the Grand Canyon (already done) – we’ll decide on the spot.
Albuquerque:
Santa Fe,
Turquoise Trail,
Los Alamos.
Amarillo via Route 66:
Old Route 66 in the city;
Big Texas Ranch Steak 😏.
Dallas:
JFK Museum;
Perot Museum;
West End district.
And through it all – the road, the road, and more road!!!
We’ll adapt day by day based on our mental and physical state (we’re not exactly spring chickens).
Hello everyone! Really damaged due to flooding caused by runoff after forest fires (a total mess!), does anyone in this friendly forum have any updates on the Apache Trail between Apache Junction and Roosevelt Dam? Is there still a section of the road that’s tough to navigate?
We're leaving at the end of June and will be driving the route between Buffalo and Cody. We’ve already booked our accommodations and a rodeo in Cody, but during the day, we’ll be driving between the two and I’m unsure about the itinerary.
Which route do you think is the most pleasant, interesting, or scenic between:
- The northern route via Highway 14 with Sheridan, Lowell, etc.
- The southern route with Highways 16/20/14, passing by Loaf Mountain Overlook, Powder River Pass, Ten Sleep Canyon...
We’ll be in a car, so we should be able to drive on any road.
Thanks for your input!
I’m almost done planning our September road trip. After our 3-night visit to Sequoia, we’ll have a stopover night in Coalinga (to break up the drive). We’ll be staying two nights in Monterey and would like to stop along the way to visit one side of Pinnacles National Park. We’re torn between the West entrance and the East entrance, and we’d like to do a short hike of no more than 2 hours since we don’t want to arrive too late in Monterey.
This park is split into two distinct zones with no connection between them, and the mileage from Coalinga to Monterey is pretty much the same for both. Which area do you recommend visiting—east or west? And which route is the most scenic?
I’ve spotted two short hikes:
- East: Moses Spring to Rim Trail Loop
- West: Balconies Cliffs Cave Loop
Has anyone been there, or do you have another hike to suggest?
Thanks in advance, and have a great afternoon!
Marcalamar 🙂
After our first trip as a young couple to the West in 2007 (yes, that doesn’t make us any younger!), we’re planning to go back in 2028, but this time as a family of four! (We have two boys who’ll be 5½ and 13 years old in the summer of 2028.)
Our plan is to combine a few big cities (SF and LA, maybe San Diego) with national parks and state parks, mostly!
Ideally, we’d like to leave at the end of June and head back to France around July 19–20, so we can enjoy the first week of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Since we already did the "loop" in 2007, there are must-see places we absolutely want to revisit—and especially share with our kids: Bryce Canyon, Yosemite, and above all, the Grand Canyon, which is still the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen on Earth!
On the other hand, some places didn’t leave a big impression on us for various reasons, so we’re not making them a priority: Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, for example.
We’re planning ahead, but might as well be smart about it😏
Do you have any tips for a fun and doable itinerary over about 20–25 days with kids, without rushing?
Hi everyone! 🙂
Just a quick question about King Canyon and Sequoia National Park.
Before our night in Miramonte, we plan to visit King Canyon. The next stop will be two nights in Three Rivers to explore Sequoia National Park. I wanted to go all the way to Roaring River Falls on the King Canyon Scenic Byway and then turn back to head to Miramonte. Since we’re coming from Oakhurst, Google Maps says it’s 300 km and 5 hours of driving. Since we also want to hike to see the sequoias (Big Stump Area and Grand Grove) before tackling the King Canyon Scenic Byway, the timing’s going to be tight. How far do you recommend going before turning back to miss as few points of interest as possible on the King Canyon Scenic Byway? Thanks for your advice, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
Hi everyone!
After years of hoping, waiting, planning, then changing, saving, and searching for the best possible route... we're FINALLY off this summer for a 5-week road trip in the West.
I had planned a trip to Colorado in 2021 but canceled due to COVID, so with time passing and my eldest’s high school graduation approaching fast, I figured it was now or never!
Anyway, the itinerary has been modified and extended to please everyone (I’m no longer the only one making decisions!!)
Here’s our final route:
Day 1 - 7/12/2026 - Brussels / Los Angeles
Day 2 - 7/13/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 3 - 7/14/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 4 - 7/15/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 5 - 7/16/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 6 - 7/17/2026 - Los Angeles / Kingman
Day 7 - 7/18/2026 - Kingman / Grand Canyon
Day 8 - 7/19/2026 - Grand Canyon / Page
Day 9 - 7/20/2026 - Page
Day 10 - 7/21/2026 - Page / Monument Valley
Day 11 - 7/22/2026 - Monument Valley / Durango
Day 12 - 7/23/2026 - Durango
Day 13 - 7/24/2026 - Durango
Day 14 - 7/25/2026 - Durango
Day 15 - 7/26/2026 - Durango / Glenwood Springs
Day 16 - 7/27/2026 - Glenwood Springs
Day 17 - 7/28/2026 - Glenwood Springs / Moab
Day 18 - 7/29/2026 - Moab
Day 19 - 7/30/2026 - Moab
Day 20 - 7/31/2026 - Moab
Day 21 - 8/1/2026 - Moab
Day 22 - 8/2/2026 - Moab / Vernal
Day 23 - 8/3/2026 - Vernal / Grand Teton
Day 24 - 8/4/2026 - Grand Teton
Day 25 - 8/5/2026 - Grand Teton / Cody
Day 26 - 8/6/2026 - Cody / Yellowstone
Day 27 - 8/7/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 28 - 8/8/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 29 - 8/9/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 30 - 8/10/2026 - Yellowstone / Salt Lake City
Day 31 - 8/11/2026 - Salt Lake City / Bryce Canyon
Day 32 - 8/12/2026 - Bryce Canyon / Zion
Day 33 - 8/13/2026 - Zion
Day 34 - 8/14/2026 - Zion
Day 35 - 8/15/2026 - Zion / Las Vegas
Day 36 - 8/16/2026 - Las Vegas
Day 37 - 8/17/2026 - Las Vegas / Los Angeles
Day 38 - 8/18/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 39 - 8/19/2026 - Los Angeles / Brussels
Day 40 - 8/20/2026 - Brussels / Home
We’ll be alternating between house swaps, motels, and campgrounds. I’ve booked all the accommodations (except the campground at Bryce since sunset bookings open only 14 days in advance) and the first activities, as well as the most touristy ones.
I’m currently putting together my day-by-day roadbook and having some trouble planning certain days, like in LA or Las Vegas. Choosing hikes isn’t easy either—it’s tough to decide!
We’re really excited but could definitely use your help with choices and optimizations!!
Hello.
I’d like to travel along I-15N from San Diego to Las Vegas with my mom, who’s 67. We’ve explored Northern California and the California Coast over the past two years and now want to continue through the desert.
There are several attractions along the way:
- Mormon Rocks
- Desert Discovery Center and visit the Old Woman meteorite
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Mojave Desert
- Mojave National Preserve
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
- Silverwood Lake
My mom has back issues that prevent her from hiking or walking on trails with elevation changes. Is it possible to visit these places by car, or are the routes flat enough?
I’d love for her to experience the desert with an itinerary adapted to her condition. I’m also open to other points of interest that aren’t mentioned. We have 3-4 days for the trip, so we’re not in a rush—just want to explore.
I’d love to take a road trip and visit Nova Scotia. I’d appreciate some info on the best cities to see and the most interesting spots. The trip should last about 10 to 15 days, staying in hotels or motels. Thanks in advance!
We’re being relocated to Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
We’ll be taking the flight from Nantes to Montreal and then from Montreal to Saint Pierre.
Could you recommend a hotel near the departure terminal that allows dogs?
Hi,
My 16-year-old son is flying to Grand Rapids with other kids his age. There’s a layover in Detroit. There’s no unaccompanied minor service available. Is it pretty easy to navigate Detroit Airport to catch the connecting flight to Grand Rapids (domestic flight)? There are several of them who speak English well.
Thanks for your replies,
Good evening, everyone! 🙂
Just a few last questions to wrap up our Lake Tahoe visit plans.
**Parking:**
We’d like to walk to Eagle Falls and then Eagle Lake. I’ve spotted two parking lots that seem close to each other and give access to the trailhead. Where and how do we pay for entry to Emerald Bay State Park and Inspiration Point?
**Viewpoints on the East Side:**
Are most of the viewpoints (Balancing Rock, Granite Cave, Bonsai Rock, etc.) right by the road, or do you have to hike to reach them?
**Donner Memorial State Park:**
Is it worth making a detour to Truckee to visit this park and the Truckee historic downtown?
Hi there. I'm shocked by the price of the Upper Antelope Canyon tour—$175 for less than an hour… You might say, "if you can’t afford it…" But the real question is whether it’s really worth it, because $350 for two makes me feel like I’m getting ripped off. For those who’ve done both Lower and Upper, can you tell me if the price difference is really justified? Thanks
Hi everyone! 🙂
As you can see, we're heading back from September 6th to the 27th.
Everything’s booked for September—flights, accommodations, and the car. As I plan, I’ll be asking the experts for help. This is our second trip to California, but most of the stops are new to us.
We’ll start directly from San Francisco to our first overnight stop, Davis, before heading to Lassen Volcanic Park for 4 nights. Our flight lands at 12:50 PM.
Here’s our itinerary:
Day 1: Davis – overnight stop
Day 2: Red Bluff – exploring Lassen Volcanic Park (scenic drive to Lake Helen)
Day 3: Susanville – scenic drive through the park via the South Entrance, points of interest, and hikes
Day 4: Susanville – Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes hike
Day 5: Susanville – Warner Valley (hikes)
Day 6: South Lake Tahoe
Day 7: South Lake Tahoe
Day 8: Mammoth Lake
Day 9: Mammoth Lake
Day 10: El Portal via Tioga Road
Day 11: El Portal
Day 12: El Portal
Day 13: Oakhurst
Day 14: Miramonte
Day 15: Three Rivers
Day 16: Three Rivers
Day 17: Coalinga
Day 18: Monterey
Day 19: Monterey
Day 20: San Francisco
Day 21: San Francisco
Day 22: Departure
For hikes in Lassen Volcanic Park, I’ve planned:
Bumpass Hell, Cold Boiling Lake (Day 2)
Paradise Meadow (maybe not going all the way), Devastated Area, and the loop around Reflection and Manzanita Lakes (Day 3)
Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes (Day 4)
Devil’s Kitchen and Boiling Spring Lake (Day 5)
I’ve read there are trails to access the trailheads for Cinder Cone (11 km) and Warner Valley. Are these easy trails for an SUV?
Are there any other must-see spots or things we shouldn’t miss?
That’s where I’m at for now. Thanks for your replies, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
I’m a total USA addict. I’ve already done several road trips, including the East Coast and West Coast.
I’m here today because I’m planning to go back for another road trip on the West Coast. Possibly with one of my sisters and a couple of friends. It’s still just a plan for now, but I’m working on an itinerary in the meantime. Ideally, I’d leave in 2026, but I don’t have the exact dates yet—maybe April-May or September-October.
My last trip to the West Coast was in September 2014. We went for 2 weeks, but this time it’d be 3 weeks. What made me want to go back was simply a colleague who just left today. As I’m writing this, he’s on the plane. I’m so happy for him, but now all I can think about is going back.
Since I recently went to NY, I noticed that prices have really gone up. I assume the same is true for the West Coast? For 2 people over 3 weeks, what budget should I expect? We’re the type to watch our spending and find great tips.
I think we’ll arrive in San Francisco like the first time and leave from either Los Angeles or Las Vegas.
Thanks for advising me on the booking—should I reserve a room in the hotel or go for a cabin for the best view?
Should I get breakfast or not?
What do you think of the restaurant?
Hello, if the off-the-beaten-path enthusiasts are still around 😉, I’d love some info on tackling these trails. I’m not super familiar with the rules, risks, or what to expect—I’m looking for firsthand experience from folks who’ve done it on their own once or multiple times.
Hi everyone!
I’m planning a week-long family trip to NYC in October 2026. The focus is on museums and soaking up the New York vibe. I’ve been checking Airbnb, but the prices in Manhattan are through the roof. Since I don’t know NYC well, is it "wise" to look outside Manhattan? Any neighborhoods you’d recommend?
After our first trip to the West, we’d love to go back to see other must-see spots!
The stay would be from May 11 to 20, 2026—it’s short, but hey...
M11: Lyon to Las Vegas (overnight in Vegas)
T12: Route 66 – overnight in Grand Canyon (GC)
W13: Visit GC – overnight in Page
Th14: Visit Antelope Canyon / Horseshoe Bend – overnight in Monument Valley (MV)
F15: Visit MV – overnight in Moab
Sa16: Visit Arches / Dead Horse Point – overnight in Bryce
Su17: Visit Bryce – overnight in Zion
M18: Visit Zion / Valley of Fire – overnight in Vegas
Tu19: Return flight
What do you think? Could we add one more night somewhere? We’re not big hikers, so we’ll mostly explore the parks using shuttles.
Also, we’re all set—passports are good. Do you think one classic Visa card and one premium Visa card will be enough for coverage?
Thanks so much for your feedback, and happy holidays!
Hi North America forum crew,
Just a little post that might interest some of you:
Travelers to the United States | Photo Now Mandatory Upon Entry and Exit | La Presse
I assume many of you already know, but the America the Beautiful annual pass, which was $80, will increase to $250 starting January 1, 2026.
So if you're planning to travel before the end of December 2026, it's in your best interest to buy your pass in December 2025, since it will still cost $80 and be valid until the end of December 2026 if you purchase it in December 2025.
This price increase only applies to non-U.S. residents.
Additionally, for those who planned to visit just one park, a $100 surcharge per person will apply to access a list of 11 national parks...
For example, if there are 4 of you in a car, you’ll have to pay $35 + $400,
which comes to $435 to visit one of the 11 parks on the list (I don’t have all of them... Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, etc.).
Total madness.
The goal is to push people who only visit one park into buying the annual pass.
Last point: free entry days are over for non-residents!
Hi everyone, I’m traveling to Los Angeles and would like to rent a vehicle at the airport. However, I have a Boursobank Ultim deferred debit card, so I’d love to know if it’s possible for those who’ve experienced this recently. Thanks for the info!
I’m planning a week in S.F. in April 2026 and I can’t figure out how to tell the cable cars—of which I understand there are three lines—apart from the trams, which I think number seven. I can’t find their individual numbers or routes anywhere.
Could someone shed some light on this for me? Thanks in advance.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2026 full of amazing travels.
Cheers,
Régine
Hi,
I’m planning a road trip through the American national parks starting from Denver in June 2026.
The price of the pass is jumping from 80 € to 250 € on January 1st, 2026!!!
Is it possible to buy the pass online before the end of the year to lock in the 80 € rate? If so, where and how do I go about it?
Thanks for your tips.
Arnale
I’m planning a road trip for July 2026 in northern Florida. Could you let me know if my itinerary makes sense?
Day 1: Orlando
Day 2: Amelia Island
Day 3: Amelia Island
Day 4: Tallahassee
Day 5: Panama City Beach
Day 6: Panama City Beach (visit to Destin)
Day 7: Crystal River (stop in Cedar Key on the way)
Day 8: Crystal River
Day 9: Anna Maria (stop in Clearwater)
Day 10: Anna Maria (St. Pete)
Day 11: Anna Maria
Day 12: Orlando
Day 13: Orlando
Day 14: Orlando
Day 15: Departure
We just finished 9 days in the American West and wanted to share our experience because we had an amazing time.
I know some of you might ask, why use an agency? Honestly, we didn’t really feel like doing all the driving and planning, especially since we didn’t know the area at all. And since our English isn’t great, having French-speaking guides was a big comfort.
We found Emmanuelle and Isabelle, and wow, they were fantastic. It was just the two of us with them, so it was a truly VIP, ultra-personalized experience. They treated us like royalty from start to finish. These two live in Las Vegas and know the region like the back of their hand. They told us they’ve spent over 15 years exploring every corner of the American West, and it really shows. Their knowledge of geology, park history, and local anecdotes is just impressive. It’s nothing like someone reciting a memorized script. They answer all your questions and really adapt to what you want to see or do.
What we really loved: the vehicle was super comfortable, and the little details made a difference—like snacks and even a homemade cake! Though, to be fair, we devoured the cake right away, so that counts.
Since they know the sites inside out, they took us at the right times to avoid crowds. So we could enjoy peaceful picnics at Grand Canyon viewpoints without being packed in with 200 people. Plus, on top of the must-see spots, they showed us some hidden gems that were absolutely stunning—places we never would’ve found on our own. They’re true locals who know all the best tips.
The service was really personalized. They adapted to our pace and preferences, and we could stop whenever we wanted to take photos. It’s the luxury of being in a small private group—you’re not just a number on a big bus.
In short, we really felt like we were traveling with friends rather than professional guides. Everything’s included in the price (hotel pickup, meals, park entries, etc.), so the value for money is fair.
We loved it so much that we’re already planning to come back next year to explore other areas with them. I think we’ve caught the American West bug—it’s all we can think about, and we can’t wait to return.
If you’re looking for a French-speaking tour with real personalized service and guides who know the region like no one else, we highly recommend them. We had unforgettable moments. They also design road trips for those who don’t want a guide. And they handled our hotel reservations in Las Vegas too. If you want genuine advice from friendly locals, we’re giving them a 200% recommendation!
I’m currently looking for well-located hotels near points of interest in the cities below. I’ve found a few, but the prices are really high.
Could any of you share some great addresses in the following cities?
- Los Angeles
- Las Vegas
- San Francisco
Also, do you have a preferred airline for domestic flights? If so, which one?
