Je m'explique . La Turquie m'attire depuis fort longtemps pour sa richesse culturelle et historique qui englobe plusieurs religions qui rendent l'architecture fort séduisante et variée . Bien sûr , même si l'état d'urgence est levée depuis cet été en Turquie , étant aussi attirée par la Croatie et le Monténégro , j'ai découvert la Bosnie qui semble renaître de la guerre mi-90. J'ai vu un mélange éclectique de la culture et architecture comme la Turquie , et de plus, un beau paysage .
J'envisageais faire Dubrovnik pour profiter du style de vie balnéaire et pour me contenter de mon rêve de visiter la Turquie , explorer la Bosnie , économique en plus .
Pensez-vous que pour ces années d'incertitudes en Turquie , c'est une bonne idée comme alternative , Croatie-Montenegro- et surtout la Bosnie ?
Voyager, c'est rendre hommage à l'être humain, et surtout, au berceau qui le préserve.
J'étais récemment en Turquie, Istanbul était bondée de visiteurs, et je n'ai pas eu l'impression d'une quelconque tension ; l'état d'urgence en question est du même genre de celui qui est proposé régulièrement en France, ça ne change rien pour un voyageur.
Vous pouvez vous offrir un parcours ottoman d'Europe orientale assez sympa, en faisant par exemple Sarajevo-Mostar-Dubrovnik-Shkoder-Tirana-Skopje.
Tout ça restera plus cher que la Turquie toutefois.
Michel
Bonjour,
Je m'explique . La Turquie m'attire depuis fort longtemps pour sa richesse culturelle et historique qui englobe plusieurs religions qui rendent l'architecture fort séduisante et variée . Bien sûr , même si l'état d'urgence est levée depuis cet été en Turquie , étant aussi attirée par la Croatie et le Monténégro , j'ai découvert la Bosnie qui semble renaître de la guerre mi-90. J'ai vu un mélange éclectique de la culture et architecture comme la Turquie , et de plus, un beau paysage .
J'envisageais faire Dubrovnik pour profiter du style de vie balnéaire et pour me contenter de mon rêve de visiter la Turquie , explorer la Bosnie , économique en plus .
Pensez-vous que pour ces années d'incertitudes en Turquie , c'est une bonne idée comme alternative , Croatie-Montenegro- et surtout la Bosnie ?
finalement ce sujet est la continuité de celui ci :
voyageforum.com/...post=8707503#8707503
êtes vous venue entre temps ou est ce le prolongement de vos interrogations ?
je ne saisis pas bien votre question
La Bosnie est-elle une bonne alternative à la Turquie?
alternative dans quel sens ? c'est un peu comme si vous posiez la même question sur l'Allemagne et la France ; on y boit de la bière et on mange des pommes de terres dans les 2 cas .... 😛
il y a certaines similitudes historiques et culturelles mais c'est tout .
j'ai découvert la Bosnie qui semble renaître de la guerre mi-90.
vous savez que le conflit est officiellement terminé depuis plus de 23 ans .... ?
d'un point de vue purement économique c'est une autre histoire ; ce pauvre pays s'enfonce doucement .
J'ai vu un mélange éclectique de la culture et architecture comme la Turquie, et de plus, un beau paysage.
Sarajevo est appelée la petite Istanbul et à Tekija (Blagaj ) vous avez la plus vieille construction d'Europe qui date justement de la période Ottomane .
mais sinon le mélange éclectique je ne vois pas bien .
j'ai des attaches familiales à Mostar et j'y séjourne épisodiquement depuis 1993 et je ne peux que vous encourager à aller en Herzegovine et de manière générale en Bosnie ; mais visiter ce pays ne s’arrête pas à 1/2 journée au Stari Most .
j'aime aussi la Turquie ; et je compte d'ailleurs aller 4 jours à Istanbul en mai , mais c'est un pays différent .
J'envisageais faire Dubrovnik pour profiter du style de vie balnéaire et pour me contenter de mon rêve de visiter la Turquie, explorer la Bosnie, économique en plus.
pour le " style balnéaire " il y a bien mieux que Dubrovnik ; je pense vous avoir donné quelques pistes l'année dernière .
il est certain qu'économiquement , la Bosnie est intéressante .
Pensez-vous que pour ces années d'incertitudes en Turquie
je suis allé en Turquie plusieurs fois depuis 1985 et je ne me suis jamais senti en insécurité ; pas plus qu'ici en tout cas .
le climat lié au contexte politique ne touche pas les touristes ; au contraire .
c'est une bonne idée comme alternative, Croatie-Montenegro- et surtout la Bosnie ?
c'est là que je comprends encore moins .😐
et pour quelle durée et à quelle période ?
si c'est 15 jours vous connaissez la réponse .😄
si la Turquie vous attire allez y ; vous serez comblée par la richesse culturelle et historique .
il y a aussi énormément de stations balnéaires trés accueillantes et les fonds marins y sont bien moins ravagés qu'en adriatique .
La Turquie est un pays immense dans lequel vous ne risquez pas plus que chez vous à condition de ne pas aller dans le sud est où le conflit syrien "pèse".
La Turquie ne se résume pas, loin de là, à Istanbul que je connais particulièrement bien pour y avoir travaillé.
Selon la saison, chaque région a à offrir de belles découvertes. Prenez le temps de lire un guide et faire un choix. Il y a bcp de forumeurs comme moi prêts à le faire.
En 2016, en Turquie , il y a eu beaucoup d'attentats terroriste , et même une tentative de renversement du gouvernement dans ces années de tension . Je pense que si l'aéroport est une cible , les touristes sont aussi visés , non ? Les moyens de transport sont visés , gare de train etc....
Au contraire de ce que vous dites , bcq de touristes ont dit que c' est flagrant sur place , la diminution de touristes depuis ces événements .
Istanbul, Ankara, etc... sont une cible ...
Je voulais parler d'alternative dans le sens que la Bosnie représente elle aussi, comme la Turquie, un carrefour entre l'Occident et l'Orient et que ce pays pourrait être tout autant riche d'histoire et d'architecture que la Turquie ... je me trompe ?
Le balnéaire , quand je parle de Dubrovnik , je parle aussi des plages environnantes à 1 hr de route . Je parle de la région .
Voyager, c'est rendre hommage à l'être humain, et surtout, au berceau qui le préserve.
En 2016, en Turquie , il y a eu beaucoup d'attentats terroriste , et même une tentative de renversement du gouvernement dans ces années de tension . Je pense que si l'aéroport est une cible , les touristes sont aussi visés , non ? Les moyens de transport sont visés , gare de train etc....
Non pas vraiment.
Au contraire de ce que vous dites , bcq de touristes ont dit que c' est flagrant sur place , la diminution de touristes depuis ces événements .
Istanbul, Ankara, etc... sont une cible ...
La semaine dernière il n'y avait plus une seule chambre d'hôtel de libre dans tout Istanbul.
2017 : 25 millions de visiteur, 2018 : 32 millions.
J'essaie d'avoir mes vacances fin-septembre cette année , pour être , soit en Turquie , soit en Croatie-Bosnie , à une belle période .Je devrais avoir 2 sem.1/2 de vacances .
Voyager, c'est rendre hommage à l'être humain, et surtout, au berceau qui le préserve.
je sais bien que le Quebec est pour l'instant épargné mais il ne faut pas dramatiser non plus .
et ne pas trop écouter tout ce qui se dit et nourrit les publicitaires .
sans trop me mouiller , vous avez plus de chances d'avoir un accident de voiture que d'être victime d'un attentat .
si vous gardez cet état d'esprit ; vous n'irez plus nulle part et resterez enfermée dans votre cave .
Au contraire de ce que vous dites, bcq de touristes ont dit que c' est flagrant sur place, la diminution de touristes depuis ces événements.
vous connaissez donc des touristes visés par des attentats ?
moi j'en connais plein qui en sont revenus ravis ; et j'en fait partie ... 😛et les chiffres officiels le confirment
juste pour l'anecdote ; en 2011 j'étais à Philadelphie et j'ai rencontré une famille canadienne de Toronto qui me disait trés sérieusement avoir annulé des vacances en France à cause de la guerre civile .....
il avait un peu trop regardé CNN ....
c'est partout pareil ; dans les périodes très proches suivant un attentat ou des problèmes divers ; le tourisme se tarit un peu et la nature reprend ses droits .
Je voulais parler d'alternative dans le sens que la Bosnie représente elle aussi, comme la Turquie, un carrefour entre l'Occident et l'Orient et que ce pays pourrait être tout autant riche d'histoire et d'architecture que la Turquie... je me trompe ?
sur ce point il faut être précis ; comme je vous l'ai dit , dans certaines parties de la Bosnie ; vous retrouverez certaines similitudes reliquats de l'empire Austro-hongrois ; culinaires religieuses ; certains édifices mais parler d'alternative serait une erreur car les différences sont bien plus nombreuses .
en gros ; si vous avez tant envie d'aller en Turquie et que par défaut vous allez en Bosnie pensant y trouver une réplique vous n'y êtes pas du tout .
on dit souvent que Sarajevo rappelle Istanbul mais rarement l'inverse .
J'essaie d'avoir mes vacances fin-septembre cette année, pour être, soit en Turquie, soit en Croatie-Bosnie, à une belle période.Je devrais avoir 2 sem.1/2 de vacances.
Merci pour votre réponse .
Je vais regarder davantage pour la Turquie.
Je connais personnellement une marocaine qui s'est marié avec un turque , elle habite à Ankara , elle ne ressent aucune violence ou crainte dans sa région . Elle est confrontée à y vivre à l'année et nous, on passe au pays 2 semaines , il faudrait être malchanceux pour que ce soit nous les victimes d'un quelconque conflit.
Ceci dit, à Toronto dernièrement , on a eu bcq de fusillades de tireurs fous . À Ottawa aussi. Nous pouvons autant être victimes chez nous 🤪
Voyager, c'est rendre hommage à l'être humain, et surtout, au berceau qui le préserve.
honnêtement si vous en avez vraiment envie ; ce serait dommage de vous en priver .
Je connais personnellement une marocaine qui s'est marié avec un turque, elle habite à Ankara, elle ne ressent aucune violence ou crainte dans sa région. Elle est confrontée à y vivre à l'année et nous, on passe au pays 2 semaines, il faudrait être malchanceux pour que ce soit nous les victimes d'un quelconque conflit.
tout à fait d'accord .
je pense que votre amie est plus à même de vous dépeindre la situation réelle .
rien ne vous empêche de venir en Croatie/ Bosnie une autre fois ....
mais si vous changez d'avis n'hésitez pas .
en 2 semaines 1/2 vous pouvez faire une trés jolie boucle .
Finalement , je devrais y aller cette année en septembre deux semaines , en Turquie . Après un petit voyage d'une semaine à Rome , mon mari a davantage découvert sa passion pour les ruines antiques , moi aussi d'ailleurs.
Je pense qu'en septembre , la côte égéenne sera un bon choix, avec Ephese et autres sites antiques . La mer pour faire une sortie en bateau , se baigner et profiter de la gastronomie sur des terrasses avec une belle ambiance effervescente . Je veux une destination plus pour un couple qui aime le bon vin , qu'une destination familiale de type al-inclusive ... Antalya a l'air plus familiale , est-ce que je me trompe ? On pourrait apprécier plus le sud , je suis un peu embêtée là ! Lol
Donc je compte visiter Istanbul 3-4 jours et les reste à Bodrum et autour .
Si vous avez une suggestion de toutes les visites sur Egee , je suis preneuse .
La question reste, devrais-je prendre un vol Ist-Bodrum, louer une voiture à Bodrum quand le temps sera venu de visiter autour ou de séjourner ailleurs . ? Ou bien , je loue une voiture à Istanbul et je couche en chemin en visitant un incontournable en passant . ?
Le prix du billet d'avion est tellement accessible, que je me demande si ça vaut vraiment la peine de faire cette route en voiture ...?
Voyager, c'est rendre hommage à l'être humain, et surtout, au berceau qui le préserve.
Après le séjour à Istanbul, prenez un vol pour Antalya. J'ai passé quelques jours dans un cinq étoiles que je vous recommande. De l'hôtel, celui là ou un autre (il n'est pas dans la vieille ville d'Antalya qui ne manque pas de charme), allez visiter (c'est pas loin) Perge et Aspendos.
Louez une auto et route vers Kas avec une visite du site du site de Termessos en passant.
Autour de Kas, visitez les sites Lyciens.
Allez vous installer à Göcek qui est encore un petit paradis.
Bonjour Francis !
Merci,
Je regarde vos propositions attentivement . Il y a du nouveau pour moi dans ce parcours que je n'avais pas envisagé, intéressant 🙂
Voyager, c'est rendre hommage à l'être humain, et surtout, au berceau qui le préserve.
Est ce que quelqu'un pourrait m'expliquer en résumé comment la Bosnie est organisée (je ne comprends pas toutes les "entités" en fait). C'est un pays qui est…
Europe de l'Est › Croatie / Bosnie-Herzégovine · 10 replies
Est-il possible de remonter à partir de la Croatie du Sud via Sarajevo ou autre, en traversant la Bosnie pour rallier la Croatie du Nord? et si oui que faut il…
Après avoir visité la Croatie et la Slovénie, je continue mon tour des pays de l'ex-Yougoslavie. Prochaine étape, la Bosnie. Mon type de voyage: en solo,…
Hi,
I'm looking for a car rental company in Tirana for September. Does anyone have a rental company to recommend? I saw that it's possible to rent from private individuals through a platform that groups them (rentfromlocals/al). Has anyone used this method, and if so, is it cost-effective, reliable, and what guarantees are there?
Also, I plan to drive through the Albanian mountains (Valbonë, Kukës, Përmet, Pogradec...). Can anyone tell me about the general condition of these roads? Is a 4x4 vehicle necessary, or would a car with a slightly raised undercarriage (like a Dacia Sandero Stepway) be enough?
Bruno
I’d like to know the opening hours of physical stores between Germany and Austria, and between Austria and Slovenia, that sell the PAPER STICKER toll vignettes that still exist for 2026—non-digital ones. I don’t think they’re open 24/7, and I can’t find the info anywhere.
Thanks
Hi there,
We’re planning a 3-week trip in late September with our camper van to explore Bulgaria and Romania.
What routes would you recommend, starting from the South?
Is there an option to take a ferry in Italy, and is it worth it?
Thanks for all your tips!😊
Hi, I’m looking for a local guide in Burgas, Bulgaria, who speaks French and can suggest some great excursions for us? For 3 people from July 8 to 14, 2026.
Hi there, we’re a young couple and we’d love to go to the Blue Eye (Syri i Kalter) between today (26/06/26) and tomorrow (27/06/26).
Is anyone heading there and could give us a ride? We’re super friendly!
Thanks so much!
Hi there,
After booking an Airbnb last January for this summer’s vacation in Sarajevo... My "host" canceled our reservation without any reason—this has never happened to me before.
Of course, now it’s impossible to find a place to stay at a "normal" price in Sarajevo with parking...
So we’re falling back on the capital of the Republika Srpska, Banja Luka, which had already crossed my mind before I booked Sarajevo.
I already have quite a few ideas in mind, without having dug too deep into the region yet.
But if anyone has already been there and has suggestions? Even for restaurants—I’m all ears!
And even if it’s not right next door, I’m planning to spend a day in Sarajevo!
We're back. It's still a bit tough to get precise info, so here's a quick trip report!
A good starting point is Shkoder, a really pleasant city. You can easily explore Shkoder itself in a day or two.
Two accessible spots: Valbona and Theth.
In both cases, local travel agencies in Shkoder or online offer round-trip or one-way access packages. Super handy, especially for Valbona.
Valbona and Theth are both very steep! There aren’t many easy hikes for less sporty folks (like me!).
Valbona: The highlight is the amazing 2.5-hour boat ride across Lake Koman. There are day trips from Shkoder, but you’ll only get a short tour of the lake. The best option is to do the full crossing—so spend a night in Valbona (or two if you want to hike in the valley) and return.
Theth is deeply nestled in the mountains. The village at the end of the valley, which is a dead end, has lots of hotels, but they’re pricey. Other hostels are scattered along the mountainside road, but it’s a steep climb down to the village or to the start of the two easy hikes (waterfalls and the Blue Eye). For us, it was a one-hour descent (and ascent!). It’s fine if you have a car; otherwise, keep an eye out for a taxi (cheap) or try hitchhiking—it works really well.
Access from Shkoder to Theth is through an agency. The road is in great condition, and you can also rent a car for 2-3 days in Shkoder. If we did it again, that’s the option we’d choose.
We didn’t do the trek and returned to Shkoder each time. I can’t speak to its difficulty, but we were there in late May, and even experienced hikers had given up because of heavy rain and snow.
Hope this helps! It’s a stunning region you shouldn’t miss.
We’re a Canadian couple, both 77, and we’re already planning our vacation for fall 2027.
Timeframe: mid-September to mid-October... dates are flexible, and we might stay even longer.
Initially, I had planned this itinerary:
Athens (3), Naxos (4), Paros (4), Santorini (4), then a flight to Istanbul (7–10 days!!). This would let us maximize our flights and experience another culture.
That’s a lot of ferries, though... I’ve already cut out Milos.
Our second option would be to stay 2 x 15 days on two different islands, but I’d still keep Istanbul as our next destination... or maybe 30 days on one island that offers the chance to take day trips to other islands where the ferry ride is no more than 2 to 2.5 hours. For example, Naxos to Paros only takes 30 minutes. We could return the same evening or stay overnight.
Naxos seems like the best option!!!
For Istanbul, of course we want to do a day cruise on the Bosphorus and see Hagia Sophia. If we stay 6–7 days, what would be the other main attractions? Are there any points of interest we can reach by local bus?
Hi there!
We bought our tickets to Greece at the end of November 2025, and let’s just say the geopolitical climate has really taken a turn since then with the war started by the United States against Iran. Not to mention all the other conflicts happening around the world 😕... Anyway!
Our flight from Montreal is on May 1st, and I was wondering how things are currently being experienced in Greece.
We were planning to rent a car and had already booked accommodations on three Cyclades islands!!
The oil shortage is also worrying us...
If you could share some insights on this, that would be great!
A little trip report from an 11-day journey to Albania at the end of April 2026, with two friends in their early sixties and beyond...
Our route: Berat, Gjirokastër, Himarë, Tirana
Here are some opinions, tips, and great deals to share:
Flight Round-trip Beauvais-Tirana: Ryanair, 260 € with checked baggage (20 kg) and seat selection. Flight was fine and on time. 2h 30min flight.
Exchange: 1 € was worth 95 lek in April 2026. We were advised to exchange in the airport hall at the Illiria counter (98 lek outside the security zone), saying we wouldn’t find a better rate. However, the exchange rate was 93 lek for 1 euro, while in the city it was 95...
Car rental at Tirana airport for 9 days via Booking.com: 144 € (56 € for the car rental and 88 € for optional full insurance deductible waiver).
Wheego agency: the car was fine, but be careful when signing the contract—they tried to convince us that the insurance taken through Booking didn’t cover everything and insisted we take their own insurance for 250 €... We refused.
After reading about driving in Tirana, instead of starting our trip by visiting the capital, we decided to head straight to Berat upon arrival and return the car at the end of the trip to explore the city on foot. This turned out to be a great choice!
Accommodations: All our stays were booked via Booking.com. Everyone prefers to be paid in euros and in cash—they mention this when booking.
Berat: 2-hour drive from the airport.
Accommodation: Vila Arben Elezi: 135 € for 3 nights with breakfast and private parking. The room was decent and clean but a bit dark, located slightly below ground level near the parking. However, the breakfast on the rooftop was excellent, especially with the stunning view of the "city of a thousand windows." Great location.
Berat was our favorite—there are lovely walks through the different neighborhoods on both sides of the river, each with a very different vibe. The citadel visit is also fascinating, as it’s like a small town within the fortress.
The walk along the river is pleasant, with plenty of restaurant choices. Other restaurants in the old town are also very nice. The White House Restaurant, on the first floor along the road, is good and offers a great view of the Gorica district.
Gjirokastër:
Accommodation: Te Ajdini Guest House: 120 € for 3 nights with breakfast. A private home stay. There’s free parking just before entering the city, a 5-minute walk from the accommodation, which is very convenient since the cobblestone streets are narrow and parking is tricky. Yes, it’s a climb to get to the place, but everything in this city is uphill... The room was bright and clean. Breakfast was very good, hearty, and served in the courtyard with a view of the castle. The guesthouse is a 5-minute walk from the city center (the bazaar) but in a quiet area.
Restaurants: Rrapi and Kujtimi—good and affordable with their little pergolas.
The old town of Gjirokastër is charming but very touristy, with streets packed with souvenir shops and restaurant tables and chairs. Lots of people.
-The bunker visit (near the tourist office) is very interesting: Cold War Tunnel.
The castle offers a beautiful view of the city.
-Visit to the Ottoman house Skenduli: very well done. Don’t forget to climb the ladder facing a trapdoor in the ceiling to see the roof’s framework—it’s like a forest of beams: impressive!
-The bridge Ura e Ali Pasha: A steep 45-minute climb from the city to the site is worth it, but once you reach the viewpoint (which is stunning), you have to go back down a path to reach the bridge. You can drive to the viewpoint, but parking is very tricky.
Around Gjirokastër:
-Just outside the city: Lake Liqeni i Viroit: a nice, ordinary-looking lake, but at the end, there’s a natural spring making the water crystal clear and a brilliant blue—really spectacular, like photos of Blue Eye near Sarandë.
-Drive to Përmet along the gorges: beautiful viewpoints along the way and lovely countryside.
Himarë:
Accommodation: Vila Kosteli: 120 € for 2 nights with breakfast—slightly overpriced for this type of place but very close to a small beach and not far from the promenade with all the restaurants. Private parking, but very tight (4 cars on a tiny lot along the road). The "sea view" room is a bit obstructed by the building across the street. However, the rooftop breakfast view is beautiful. Friendly staff.
Himarë is a pleasant seaside resort, quite calm (but it was April...). There’s a cute promenade with restaurants along the beach. The castle on the heights of Himarë is worth a visit.
Around Himarë:
-Qeparo is worth a quick stop, but Qeparo village is really worth the detour: a village lost in the heights after a scenic drive up from the coastal road—narrow but well-maintained. Beautiful view from the top and a charming village.
-The Big Bunker and Llogora Panorama: take a right turn several kilometers after Dhermi—a road that climbs steeply from the start... A breathtaking winding road that reaches 900 meters in altitude. The view is stunning.
-Several small villages between Dhermi and Himarë are worth a quick stop.
-Porto Palermo Castle is somewhat disappointing.
Tirana:
Taxi from Tirana airport to the city center: 15 € with electric taxis (Green Taxi, Bee Taxi, Do Taxi).
Accommodation: Hotel Nevi Apartment: 63 € for 2 nights. A private apartment in an older building but very clean and well-equipped, with a kitchen and small enclosed balcony.
Great welcome and contact—the owner even booked a taxi for our departure. Very well located, close to the main square, shops, and restaurants. A small supermarket nearby is perfect for stocking up on breakfast supplies.
The city is lively and dynamic, with plenty of green spaces and promenades. Buildings are popping up everywhere, often with surprising architecture—like a building shaped like a face, a huge golden cube, and many others under construction.
-Sky Tower: at the top, a rotating bar offers a 360° view of the city and its buildings. Drinks are a bit pricier than usual, but it’s totally worth it (6 € for a beer or a glass of white wine, 3 € for coffee). We were there for sunset, and it was amazing! A must-do. Arrive early, as it fills up quickly.
-The House of Leaves: a house used for secret surveillance and interrogations during the dictatorship... A great way to learn about the surveillance systems of that era.
-Bunk’Art 2: a bunker in the heart of the city—very interesting, covering the dictatorship period and its system...
-The Pazari i Ri Bazaar: the new bazaar district. The large hall is worth a visit, but souvenir prices are often higher than elsewhere... The area is nice.
Restaurant: Kastrati Restaurant—a bit like a canteen with lots of traditional dishes. It’s on the first floor of a building. Excellent value for money, and the waitress explains the dishes in French.
That’s a little overview of our trip and my personal impressions!
Albania is a beautiful and pleasant country to visit.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
Hi everyone,
We’re thinking of spending 3 weeks in Crete between mid-August and early September, renting a car, quickly exploring a few spots in the east, and focusing on the west, southwest, and south.
I’m worried about the heavy tourist crowds. Is it really more noticeable than elsewhere in Greece? Is there a way to avoid the crowds without missing out on the iconic places, which I imagine are stunning in Crete? Thanks for your thoughts and experiences!
Hi,
I'm heading to Greece via Albania soon. Does anyone have info on transportation from Gjirokastër to Ioannina?
Which company, fares, and schedules—it's not very clear with Google.
I’m just passing through Bratislava quickly (one afternoon, one night, one morning) and I’d love to see the highlights of the city.
I’ve put together a little itinerary—feel free to let me know what you think!
Start at the castle and its beautiful viewpoint
Visit the Baroque gardens
St. Martin’s Cathedral, quick visit
National Theatre
Discover the Cumil statues
Primatial Palace via Hlavné Namestie
Michael’s Gate
Grassalkovich Palace via Obchodna
Walk across Namesti Slobody to head back to the upside-down pyramid
Head down to the Blue Church
Cross the Danube to see Sad Janka Krala, then return via the UFO Bridge
There you go—10 km and a packed day!
What do you think?
Hi there,
we’re heading to Crete from May 8th to 15th, staying at a hotel in Agia Pelagia, 20 km from Heraklion, on half-board, so we’ll be back every evening. What daily itinerary would you recommend? We love hiking and discovering local cultures...
Thanks in advance!!
Hello,
We’re heading to Prague with so much excitement from June 10th to 20th. I’ve got three main questions for those who live there or have visited:
- What are your thoughts on what to pack clothing-wise? What’s the weather usually like at this time of year? We’re a bit sensitive to the cold—we live way down in southern Andalusia and are used to the *calor* 😎... Should we pack rain gear? Are we likely to get a lot of rain (which we’re dreading a little, but we couldn’t choose other dates)?
- I’ve seen there are "passes" for various attractions, museums, and sites, including one that’s valid for 10 days but costs a whopping 160 € per person—that’s an average of 16 € per day. Do you think it’s really worth it? We won’t be spending our days rushing between every indoor site; we also love wandering the streets and discovering things a bit "at random." If we do two paid visits a day, that’ll probably be the max... Can we make it worth the cost with that? Of course, we want to visit the castle and take a boat trip as a minimum. Are the sites included in these passes iconic, or are they more "minor" attractions? Does having the pass help us skip long lines?
- Finally, a question about communication: I speak French, obviously, plus Spanish and English fluently, but very little German (haven’t practiced in ages), and no Russian or Czech at all. My husband knows a few words of Russian, but it’s "Cuban" Russian—about the same level as my current German 🙂 !! Can we still get by without too much trouble? We don’t want to spend 10 days not saying a word to anyone and communicating only with gestures!!
Thanks for your valuable tips and opinions.
Hi there!
We’re heading to Crete (Heraklion) as a couple and I’d like to rent a car.
1) Do we need an international driver’s permit?
2) Are rentals super expensive?
Thanks everyone!
I’d like to know how much a meal costs on average in zloty in Poland (Warsaw, Kraków, Częstochowa, Wadowice), and also the price of souvenirs like postcards and magnets—so I don’t end up with too many zlotys left after my 5-day trip to Poland?
I’m just passing through the city very quickly (one afternoon, one night, one morning) and I’d love to see as many must-see spots as possible.
I’ve put together a little itinerary—let me know what you think!
Visit to Varosliget Park
Heroes’ Square
Quick stop in the southern part of Margitsziget (for the photo with the Budapest sign!!!)
Gül Baba Mausoleum and Rose Garden
Fisherman’s Bastion
Church of the Assumption of Our Lady of Budavár
Tóth Árpád stny promenade
Budavar Palace
Freedom Square
Parliament
This is just a first draft.
I still have a few months to tweak it.
hello
I’m looking for advice for a last-minute trip—about 3 weeks (half Montenegro, half Croatia).
I’m traveling solo, backpacker style (low budget, hostels). I’m 40 and love exploring cool spots—cities, beaches, mountains, sports activities, you name it.
I’m torn between renting a car or just going with the flow using buses once I’m there. A car would definitely be more convenient, but it might be pricier—plus, parking (is it paid?) and having to return it to the same place. My plan is to start in Montenegro (flying into Podgorica or Albania) and finish in Croatia, so I’d either need to do short-term rentals per country or one-way.
In Montenegro, here are the spots I’ve noted:
- Ulcinj and Velika Plaža beach
- A side trip to Lake Skadar and Virpazar
- Budva, Sveti Stefan, and Petrovac
- Cetinje and Lovćen National Park
- Kotor / Perast
- Žabljak and Durmitor National Park + rafting in the Tara Canyon
Is 8–10 days enough?
And in Croatia, I’ve got:
- Dubrovnik
- Korčula
- Hvar
- Split + Trogir and Krka National Park
- Zadar
- Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Croatian Istria / Rovinj / Pula
- Zagreb
Around 10–12 days.
Any tips on the stops (adding or cutting some from my list) or transportation options?
I’m heading to Pelion with my partner and then to Chalkidiki around mid-September (from September 12th to 26th). I arrive in Thessaloniki on Saturday evening and plan to spend a day there to check out the market (though it’s marked as temporarily closed on Google??) and, most importantly, enjoy the local food scene.
After that, I’ll head toward Meteora (Sunday evening/Monday), spend a week in Pelion, and then head up to Nikiti to finish the trip (5 days in Vourvourou) and explore the beaches of Sithonia. We’ll also make a trip to Afytos since I think it’s worth the detour.
About Pelion, I’m really not sure where to stay because the distances between Volos and Afissos aren’t straightforward.
I’m looking for a quiet spot but with a little evening activity—like strolling through a village or by the sea. I’ve seen a few suggestions via ChatGPT, but I’m not convinced about the vibe (Milies, Makrinitsa).
Volos is big… but kind of ugly.
We love hiking, spending time in picturesque/typical villages, and, like everyone else, tasting local specialties. As for balancing the trip, I’m open to changes or adjustments if you’ve got any tips—I’d love to hear them, along with any other ideas.
Hi! We’d like to go away for 10 days around May 15th, either to Menorca or Crete—we don’t know either place. We love hiking, unspoiled nature, good food, swimming, and, if possible, avoiding crowds. We enjoy getting off the beaten track. Menorca seems ideal because it’s not far by plane from Lyon, but if Crete is really wilder and more beautiful in terms of landscapes, we can add an extra hour of flight time. Can you help us out? Thanks!
I'm on my way to Slovakia, where I'll be spending about ten days on vacation in the High Tatras. I've decided to stop in Prague for 24 hours with my two teens (arriving around noon, leaving the next day). We don’t know the city at all.
I know a single day is way too short to discover everything, so I’d like to plan a small circuit to see the must-see spots.
Here’s what I’ve planned:
Walk through Nový Svět street
Visit the castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, and Golden Lane
Quick stop at Vojanovy Sady gardens
Malá Strana Square
Maltese Square
Kampa Island
Then the iconic Charles Bridge and a short tour of the Jewish Quarter
We’ll head back down to visit Old Town Square (Malé Náměstí, St. Nicholas Church, and the Church of Our Lady before Týn)
Head to Wenceslas Square and the Church of Our Lady of the Snows
Then to the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius and the Dancing House
And finally, back to the starting point.
Estimated distance: 10 km
I was thinking of a little evening stroll up Petřín Hill... what do you think?
Are there things that aren’t really worth it, or other spots that are must-sees?
It’s decided—next summer, it’s Cyprus! A region we don’t know yet, with nature, culture, beach time, and diving the Zenobia 😎
We’re thinking of a 2-week trip.
After flipping through the LP guide, I’m still unsure about the best bases—I can’t quite picture the distances...
Option 1: Stay near Larnaca for 1 week and Paphos for the other.
But from Larnaca, Cape Greco is doable. Wouldn’t it be better to stay near Cape Greco (Protaras?) instead? What about getting to Lefkara?
Same from Paphos—easy to explore as far as Kourion.
Option 2: A single, more central base somewhere between Limassol and Larnaca.
I’d like to book tickets for a visit to the Acropolis at the end of April. The official site is down. What do you think of agencies like Get Your Guide? Are they reliable? It’s a lot more expensive. The audio guide option is tempting, but is that reliable too? We’re a bit older and like to take our time...
Do the other museums (National Archaeological Museum and Museum of Cycladic Art) also require reservations? We visited Athens 50 years ago, and it seems like things have changed a lot.
I just booked a flight and hotel (Mövenpick in Durrës) for my husband and me for late May.
We’re thinking of spending (I haven’t really decided yet) one day in Tirana, one day around Berat, and one day around Gjirokastër and the Albanian Riviera.
We were planning to hire a private driver for the day. I asked the hotel if they could find one for me... they brushed me off! Yet I usually do this for all my trips.
Would you have a name, a company, or someone I could contact?
Otherwise, is it "dangerous"—road conditions and Albanian driving—to rent a car?
We’ve only been to Crete in Greece before, so this trip is new to us—but planning the itinerary isn’t easy because we have to make choices. We’d love to hear from those in the know about the following plan:
Day 1: flight to Athens, then flight to Milos
3 days in Milos,
4 days in Sifnos,
3 days in Paros,
Final 3 days in Athens.
Should we book ferry tickets between the islands in March in advance, or can we wait until the last minute?
Same question for accommodations on these different islands.
Finally, on the 3 islands we’ve chosen, is renting a car essential, or are the buses enough?
Thanks for your help!
