Nous nous rendons début octobre en Indonésie, et sommes en pleine élaboration d'un 'itinéraire' (tout en laissant de la place aux aléas et coups de coeur sur place, bien sûr!)
Plusieurs questions nous taraudent:
JAVA
- Quelqu'un a-t-il fait Imogiri (près de Yogya): cela vaut-il le détour?
- Borobudur est-il faisable avec Prambanan en une journée, sans être non plus trop à la course?
- De Yogya à Cemoro Lawang: le transport est-il faisable en une journée? Avez-vous des bons conseils pour cette route?
- Mont Bromo ou Penanjakan? On hésite, quelle ascension vaut le plus la peine?
BALI
- Nusa Lembogan / Ceningan: cela semble magnifique... des conseils?
- région de Tirtagangga (rizières): comment y arriver, où dormir, quelle balade?
- Amed/Tulamben: la plongée près de l'épave Liberty est-elle faisable sans brevet de plongée, ou devra-t-on se contenter de snorkelling? Recommandé?
- Ferry vers Lombok: enfer ou non? Certains trouvent cela magnifique, d'autres trouvent cela interminable... quid?
LOMBOK
- Trekking Rinjani: est-il à nouveau ouvert? on aimerait le faire en 3jours / 2 nuits et arriver au sommet... mais les journées ne deviennent-elles pas trop longues/dures? (Nous sommes jeunes et sportifs, mais pas entrainés à la randonnée en particulier😕..)
- Iles Gili ou plages aux alentours de Kuta plutôt? (on ne cherche pas tant les discothèques que les sentiers qui s'éloignent des sentiers battus!)
Merci pour ces réponses...
Mais elles sont un peu laconiques :-)
Quelqu'un a peu plus de précisions pour moi?
Cela peut aussi être un lien vers un blog!
Sur Jogja: Pour voir le Borobudur et Prambanam les guesthouses organisent des transports à la journée pour visiter les deux, tu pourras prendre ton temps biensûr.
Pour aller de Jogja au Bromo il te suffiras de réserver ton trajet dans ta guesthouse, un ou deux jours avant ton départ. Le minibus viendra te chercher le matin et te conduira jusqu'à Probbolingo et de là tu prendras un autre véhicule pour aller à Cemoro Lawang le village situé sur les contreforts du Bromo où tu trouveras de que te loger.
Merci Comeon.
Apparemment, les guest houses organisent pas mal de choses.
Mais est-ce la manière de voyager la plus proche du pays?
On est très "routard" et proche des gens, et pas trop "bus privés"...
Et j'imagine que c'est également plus cher, comme transport... non?
Beaucoup de routards voyagent de cette manière, mais rien ne vous empêche de prendre des bus de ligne ou le train. C'est juste plus pratique pour certaines destinations si on à pas trop de temps. Après chacun fait comme bon lui semble, à vous de voir une fois sur place.
Je viens de rentrer d 'Indo:
- Liberty: personnellement je plonge, mais je pense qu'en snorkeling cela doit valoir le coup;(essayez d'arriver tôt car beaucoup de monde(enfin c'était en aout))
- Ferry: je ne comprends pourquoi vous dites que c'est l'enfer. 31 000 ruppiahs et 4à5h.Enfin perso ça allait.
- Le Rinjani:c'est un peu plus long que le ferry. Le 20 aout, on ne pouvait qu'aller jusqu'au bord du cratere de la caldeira (Pelawangan I)(cf ma photo) à 2634m car le Gunung Baru est un peu actif :2000m de dénivellé à se faire dans la journée, mais la montée est agréable les3/4 dans la forêt et puis cela vaut réellement le coup. A FAIRE MEME SI LE TREK POUR LE SOMMET N4EST PAS OUVERT.
Il parlait "d'ouvrir" le sommet en septembre... mais dans ce cas c'est une autre rando: 3 à 4 jours et des sacrées journées de dénivellé à réaliser jusqu'au top à plus de 3700m. Mais même si cela est difficile, vous avez des porteurs(impressionnant)
- Kuta: tu parlais de celui de Lombok ou de Bali? Evidemment je te conseille celui de Lombok.
Si tu as des questions plus précises, n'hésite-pas!
A+
Philippe
- Ferry vers Lombok: enfer ou non? Certains trouvent cela magnifique, d'autres trouvent cela interminable... quid?
ça n'a rien d'un enfer, mais c'est long (5h), et pas forcément moins cher que l'avion si on ajoute les transferts.
LOMBOK
- Trekking Rinjani: est-il à nouveau ouvert? on aimerait le faire en 3jours / 2 nuits et arriver au sommet... mais les journées ne deviennent-elles pas trop longues/dures? (Nous sommes jeunes et sportifs, mais pas entrainés à la randonnée en particulier😕..)
Seul l'accès au lac, le Segare Anak (petit océan en sasak) est accessible. Mais c'est très bien pour toi car
- l'ascension au Rinjani est réservée à des personnes entrainées
- y'a moyen de faire de très belles photos du volcan en éruption (fumerolles)
- Iles Gili ou plages aux alentours de Kuta plutôt? (on ne cherche pas tant les discothèques que les sentiers qui s'éloignent des sentiers battus!)
Sans hésiter Kuta Lombok car
1/ octobre = début de saison des pluies, il pleut pas mal aux Gilis, à Kuta les pluies arrivent en décembre
2/ pas de sentiers aux Gilis (on a vite fait le tour), par contre plein plein de sentiers (non battus!) au départ de Kuta Lombok, où on traverse des villages Sasak avec zéro touriste. Prendre un guide local ou bien demander à Kuta Horses de vous organiser une balade à cheval dans les villages alentours.
Merci Loic pour ces précisions!
Je penchais déjà pour Kuta Lombok, je pense que je vais faire ça.
Pas trop long en transport? On voudra vite se reposer après le Rinjani :-)
(je me renseigne pour voir s'il est ouvert)
Sinon, tu as des contacts pour kuta horse? et un endroit conseillé pour dormir?
c' est pas dur à trouver avec les pubs incessantes qu' il fait dans chaque message.😠
je trouve ça pénible, c' est contraire au règles de fonctionnement du forum. alors ça devrait être valable pour tout le monde.
Non, Kuta Lombok je dirais 1h30 à 2h depuis Mataram en comptant large. Pareil depuis le Rinjani.
Pub ou pas pub, je trouve que découvrir la côte Sud Lombok à cheval c'est une idée géniale et une forme de tourisme non destructive qui se marie parfaitement bien avec ta recherche de p'tits sentiers --> site de Kuta Horses
Mon hébergement préféré à Kuta Lombok c'est le Seger Café, juste à côté de Kuta Horses justement... Chambres neuves, literie nickel, hyper clean , proprios sympas et en plus très bon resto.
Mais il a 2 inconvénients:
- y'a que 2 chambres, donc c'est souvent complet (et j'ai paumé les coordonnées d'Ahmad pour réserver...)
- adresse à éviter le samedi soir car le bar voisin fait boite de nuit tous les samedis.
Sinon, en octobre à Kuta, tu trouveras facilement de quoi t'héberger sur place sans réserver, dans une fourchette allant de 5€ au Lamancha Homestay jusqu'à 70/100€ au Novotel !
Java
- Borobodur se trouve assez loin de Yogya (2 heures de route), dans visiter Pranbanam et Borobodur en une seule journée ne me paraît possible qu'en passant par un TO. Si vous ne voulez pas vous attarder à Yogya (qui ne présente, à mon avis, aucun intérêt), cela me semble une bonne solution.
- Yogya-Cemoro Lawang: on a fait comme ça: départ pour Probolingo à 20heures (bus de nuit), changement de bus, longue attente dans la ville suivante (les premiers minibus pour Cemoro Lawang ne partent qu'à 8heures). Arrivée à 12heures à Cemoro Lawang. Le trajet est faisable en une journée, à condition de quitter Yogya à la première heure!
- Bromo: à mon avis, rien d'exceptionnel: c'est le moins joli volcan de toute la caldeira Tengger (qui dans son ensemble est absolument FABULEUSE). Tous les touristes y montent parce qu'il n'est pas haut, que des escaliers sont aménagés, et qu'il crache de la vapeur. On ne peut pas parler d'ascension: tu mettras 20 minutes de l'endroit ou te laisse ton chauffeur jusqu'au sommet! Je vote donc pour l'autre si vous aimez marcher. Et si vous avez le temps, montez le Semeru, c'est magnifique!
Bali
Epave du Liberty: il faut avoir son brevet. L'épave se trouve à -12mètres, donc à moins de pratiquer la plongée en apnée, tu ne verras pas grand chose avec masque et tuba.
Ferry pour Lombok: c'est relativement long (~4heures), mais ça fait partie du voyage! On a fait quelques rencontres sympas. Le paysage est superbe par temps clair.
Lombok
Gunung Rinjani: était en éruption lors de notre passage, mais la rando jusqu'à la 1e étape, au bord de la caldeira, était autorisée (on reste assez loin du volcan). Programme: un jour de montée, une nuit en haut, une journée de descente. Pas besoin d'être spécialiste de la randonnée, mais soyez sûrs d'avoir des courbatures les jours suivants!!! ça en vaut la peine: on arrive en haut en fin de journée, et plus la lumière baisse, plus la lave sortant du volcan se met à scintiller. La nuit, on entend les grondements et les explosions. Magique!
Gilis: si vous n'aimez pas le tourisme de masse, fuyez! Plages étroites et bourrées de bateaux et chaises longues. Rabatteurs... Au secours! On a pas tenu une journée!
Kuta Lombok: c'est le pied: immense plage magnifique et déserte... Jusqu'à ce que les gamins, qui vous guettent toujours, sachez-le, sortent des buissons pour essayer de vous vendre bracelets et autres breloques. Certains peuvent être agaçants, d'autres sont devenus nos amis et nous demandaient de leur faire réciter leurs leçons d'anglais. On a même eu droit à des chants et danses le jour de notre départ!
Après avoir visité le nord de l'Argentine et du Chili il y a 3 ans, nous voulons avec mes 2 coéquipiers explorer la partie sud de ces 2 pays.
Nous voyageons simplement, en mode routard, privilégiant les transports en commun et les hébergements modestes, mais n'hésitant pas à nous accorder quelques extras quand çà en vaut la peine.
Spots principaux classiques dont les noms nous font rêver : Bariloche, les lacs, Chiloe, el Chalten, Torres del Paine, Perito Moreno, Calafate, Fitz Roy, Ushuaia et Terre de Feu, et finir par Valparaiso.
Nous prendrons un vol a/r pour Santiago, puis j'imagine un vol aller de Santiago à Punta Arenas. De là exploration et plusieurs petits treks à la journée du Sud + Ushuaia et si possible Terre de Feu.
Puis remontée en bus sur Bariloche et les lacs, ensuite Chiloe puis bus por Santiago et Valparaiso.
Pouvez-vous avec votre expérience, me conseiller sur l'articulation de ce périple, voire me proposer des suggestions.
D'avance merci.
Didier
I’m heading to Quebec and New Brunswick this summer and got a Revolut Classic card for the trip. I’ve already exchanged some Canadian dollars in the app so I’ll have a reserve ready for my departure day. My question is whether I’ll incur any additional fees when using my Canadian dollar account. I think I’m limited to 200 € in ATM withdrawals for my part. Thanks!
My boyfriend and I are going there for just 9 days, including the two travel days… It’s not much, but oh well!
Looking at prices online, I get the impression everything’s more expensive than I thought 😅 So, I wanted to get your feedback on a few things:
* Is hitchhiking common, easy, and generally safe in Albania?
* Is it possible to find day-to-day accommodations without booking ahead? If so, are they usually cheaper than the ones you find online?
* Is wild camping allowed or at least tolerated?
If any of you have traveled there recently, I’d love all the tips and great deals you’ve got!
Hi,
We’re a young couple planning to travel to South Africa after spending about three weeks in Namibia. We’ll arrive in Cape Town around mid-December, with no fixed travel duration (though our budget will eventually set a limit).
After browsing through the forum, we’ve realized the country is packed with incredible spots, which makes choosing an itinerary tough. We’re looking for stunning landscapes, hikes, and so on. So, we’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences.
When we arrive in Cape Town, we’d like to settle in and take it easy until New Year’s, exploring at a relaxed pace. We know this period coincides with South African holidays—does that make finding accommodations (availability/prices) more difficult? Do you think it’s possible to stay in a nice place for about 15 days without aiming for the most upscale neighborhoods? Maybe somewhere a bit outside Cape Town, like Fish Hoek, and just visit the city occasionally.
After that, we’ll have plenty of time (about 2 to 2.5 months) to explore the country. We’d like to take our time. In your opinion, is it better to focus on the Cape Town region, or is it reasonable to consider more distant areas like the Drakensberg or Blyde River Canyon? Can everything be done by car if we take our time, or are domestic flights sometimes more practical?
Budget-wise, how much do car rentals cost? For accommodations, we usually look at Airbnb—are they affordable in South Africa? What’s the average nightly rate outside the biggest cities? Are there other platforms you’d recommend for saving on lodging?
Finally, regarding safety, are there any regions to avoid besides Johannesburg?
We know this is a lot of questions, but we’re still in the early planning stages!
Thanks in advance for your advice!
Hi there,
After exploring southern Peru in 2024 with your help, we’d love to head north next. There’ll be 5 or 6 of us:
1. Arrive in Lima in the evening.
2. Visit Lima and take a flight at 6:35 PM to Tarapoto.
3, 4, 5. Spend a few days there to trek in a reserve (Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve) or somewhere else.
6. From Tarapoto to Chachapoyas—either by overnight bus, daytime bus, or private car.
7. In Chachapoyas: Gocta Waterfall, Sonche Canyon, and walk back to town.
8. Head to Kuelap citadel, Revash, and arrive in Leymebamba.
9. Leymebamba museum, then route to Cajamarca.
10. Cajamarca hot springs, overnight bus to Trujillo or Chiclayo—or do both.
11, 12, 13. Visit and explore the area.
14. Overnight bus back to Lima.
15. Lima.
16. Depart at 8 PM for France.
What do you think of this itinerary? Looking forward to your advice.
Thanks
I’m planning a 7-day trip to Marrakech for a sports camp, and I’ll be traveling with just a standard carry-on backpack.
I’d love to hear your best tips and tricks:
• What clothes are absolutely essential?
• Any advice for managing the heat while traveling light?
• Which accessories have been the most useful for you?
• Mistakes to avoid on a first trip to Marrakech?
I’m also open to your recommendations for neighborhoods, restaurants, or activities not to miss during my free time.
Thanks in advance for your advice and experience! !
Hi there, we’re heading to the Cyclades from June 23 to July 9. We’ll arrive in Santorini and leave from Mykonos. We’re thinking of visiting these islands: Folegandros, Milos, Sifnos, Tinos, and Mykonos. Do you think it’s better to book the ferries now (which site do you recommend for booking?) or can we buy the tickets on the spot? Also, do you have any suggestions for accommodation under 100 €/night on each of these islands? Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone!
I’m planning my dream trip for next September, lasting about a month. Here’s my itinerary:
Amsterdam: 3 days (departing from Montreal)
Tanzania: 3-day safari
Zanzibar: 6 days
Istanbul: 7 days
Return to Montreal.
Since my budget is pretty tight, I’m looking for tips and advice to cut costs without sacrificing the experience. Here are my questions:
Multi-destination flights: What’s the best way to book these connections? Is it better to buy a one-way ticket from Montreal to Amsterdam, then a separate internal flight, or use comparison tools for a multi-destination ticket?
Budget safari: Do you have recommendations for local agencies or tips to do a 3-day safari (Serengeti/Ngorongoro) at an affordable price (e.g., camping/glamping instead of luxury lodges)?
Accommodation in Zanzibar: Which villages or types of lodging are the most budget-friendly and accessible via local transport for these 6 days?
Istanbul: Any tips for well-located but cheap accommodation and great food deals?
Hi,
Are there still basic, traditional, and affordable authentic accommodations in Poland? I’ll be traveling in July with my husband and our 2 kids along the Warsaw-Łódź-Toruń-Gdańsk route, and all I can find online are standardized Ikea-style apartments in the cities. When I look for agrotourism, it’s all luxury farms.
Can you find farms in the countryside or city lodgings for under 60 euros per night? And if so, how?
Is it possible to find accommodations on the spot without internet—like from people who put up signs—even in July?
Bonjour,
je doit me rendre 2 nuit par semaines à Paris ou Creteil, pendant 1 mois, je connait des backpackers pas cher, mais j aimerai encore moin cher, connaissait vous des chambre a louer au particulier ?
merci
We’re a young couple planning our first trip to Albania from June 23, 2026, to July 2, 2026. We have a pretty tight budget and want to make the most of this amazing country without breaking the bank.
We’re looking for all the advice you can give to help us plan our stay:
* What are the must-see places to visit?
* Which cities or villages are really worth the detour?
* What natural sites, hikes, canyons, springs, or viewpoints do you recommend?
* Do you know of any free, uncrowded, or particularly beautiful beaches?
* Where can we responsibly observe or swim with sea turtles?
* What are the most beautiful beaches on the Albanian Riviera that are accessible on a small budget?
* What budget-friendly accommodations (hotels, hostels, homestays, campgrounds) do you recommend?
* What are the best ways to get around between different regions at a low cost?
* Do you know of any reliable and affordable agencies for renting a vehicle (car, scooter, or motorcycle)? What are the average rates at the end of June, and which rental companies do you recommend or advise against?
* Is it better to rent a vehicle right when we arrive or stick to local buses and minibuses to keep costs down?
* Which restaurants or local specialties offer the best value for money?
* Are there any free or low-cost activities we shouldn’t miss?
* Which places do you think are overrated or can be skipped when you’re short on time and money?
* What practical tips would you have wished you knew before your first trip to Albania?
We’d also love any 10-day itineraries that you particularly enjoyed, along with your budget estimates for accommodation, meals, and transportation.
We’re open to off-the-beaten-path spots and local tips. If you have any secret addresses, hidden beaches, favorite accommodations, or mistakes to avoid, we’d love to hear about them! 😊
Hi there, we’re planning a road trip in northern Algeria at the end of January – early February.
Anyone have any tips for a car rental agency that’s both reliable and not too expensive? Thanks in advance!
I traveled through southern Peru in November 2024 and now I’d like to explore the north.
We’re a group of 5 people for a 15-day trip.
Iquitos or Nauta for the Amazon rainforest—I saw that you have to fly there.
Chiclayo
Chachapoyas
Kuelap
Leimebamba
Cajamarca
Trujillo
And if we have time, Huaraz for the Andes cordillera.
No problem taking overnight buses—they save a lot of time.
Or renting a car and figuring it out as we go.
We’d also love to take the train from Lima to Huancayo, but it seems complicated—I don’t understand when it runs.
I’d like to drive to Morocco from Paris via Spain. I was really surprised to see the ferry crossing prices—around 500 €—but especially the crossing time (about 1 hour). Normally, I pay 3000 € to go to Tunisia from Genoa, but that’s for a 24-hour crossing.
My question: is it cheaper to buy the ticket on the spot, as some Moroccans have advised me? Though I’ve also heard the opposite.
What do you think, considering I need to get to Tétouan around July 17th and return from Tangier around August 4th?
Thanks in advance
I’m planning a 10-day trip to Slovenia in May (9–19 May) and starting to look at accommodations. Unfortunately, I’m only seeing relatively expensive options—nothing under 50 €, and usually around 100–150 €. Traveling solo, that could quickly blow my budget. And 30 € for a bed in a 10-person dorm at a youth hostel feels like a rip-off...
Are there other booking sources besides the usual Booking.com, Airbnb, and Google? Or can anyone confirm if I’ll find more reasonable rates on the ground around Bled, Bohinj, Triglav, or in mountain huts? I’ll be renting a car to optimize my travel, so I won’t be limited geographically.
Hi there,
Could you recommend some nice and affordable neighborhoods to book a hotel in for visiting Nice and exploring its surroundings and nearby villages?
I’d like to know if it’s better to book the entire stay in Nice and take day trips to the villages, or if there are villages worth spending at least one night in to really explore them properly?
Since all the villages are stunning and we have to make a choice, which ones are absolutely must-visit?
My 16-year-old daughter and I will be spending a week there at the end of April. We’ll arrive by TGV from Paris and plan to use public transport during our stay. Do you know if there’s a weekly transport pass available and how much it costs?
I’m planning to spend about twenty days in Réunion in November.
I’d like to get around using the *car jaune* (2 € per ticket), but from what I’ve heard, it doesn’t cover the whole island.
I’m not looking to head toward the ocean and the beautiful beaches—more toward the mountainous landscapes, even if I’ll just be admiring them from below. 😉
Maybe other buses go where I want to go.
By the way, are there any relatively easy mountain hikes, and where?
But here’s the most important part:
I don’t want to book anything in advance because I don’t know what my itinerary will look like—it’ll change depending on my mood. 3 days here, 5 days there, etc.
On top of that, I’d like to arrange half-board stays with locals—not professionals—by approaching them and asking if they’d be willing to host me (overnight stay, breakfast, and dinner) for 30 € to 40 € per day.
What do you think?
Does the price seem reasonable?
And is it okay to take the initiative and ask Réunionnais directly?
The tourist office in Réunion told me that since November is peak tourist season, I should book without delay. 🤪
For four years in a row, I traveled across Canada for a month and a half each time, relying only on hitchhiking and half-board stays with Canadians who welcomed me (and refused to let me pay them).
If I’d listened to my family and friends, I never would’ve taken the leap—and that adventure remains one of the best experiences of my life.
It’s been ages since I last dropped by here... maybe simply because, apart from Nepal, I haven’t really had the chance to hit the road lately. 😉
This year, I’d love to spend a few days in Lisbon, probably in late May or early June. But with my budget being what it is, I’m looking for great tips to avoid wasting time once I’m there and risk missing out on hidden gems or unusual culinary specialties and/or quirky activities! I’m hoping to find a room in a local’s home where I can stay in a quiet neighborhood near the center, so I can get around without relying too much on public transport—my walking shoes are my best travel buddies.
I’d love all your recommendations, especially for parks, small neighborhood markets, casual eateries for a quick bite, your favorite viewpoints to soak in the scenery (I’m bringing my travel journal to sketch my getaway in watercolors), events around traditional art and crafts, and so on.
All your advice will definitely help me travel peacefully and come back with my head full of vibrant memories!
Thanks in advance, everyone!
Isabelle
I’m diving into planning a trip I’ve dreamed of for a long time: crossing Africa from North to South solo, with a departure planned for October 2025 for about 8-9 months. I’m leaving from Paris with a starting budget of around 7,000 €, aiming to supplement it with work along the way.
My planned route: Senegal → Gambia → Sierra Leone/Liberia (if logistics work out) → Côte d'Ivoire → Ghana → Togo → Benin → Cameroon → Gabon → Kenya (Masai Mara) → Uganda (Bwindi gorillas) → Rwanda → Tanzania (Kili + Serengeti + Zanzibar) → Mozambique → Malawi → Zambia (Victoria Falls) → Botswana → Namibia → South Africa (Cape Town). Madagascar as a bonus if timing/budget allows from Mozambique.
I’m not a backpacking newbie—I’ve done several trips in Europe and I’m familiar with the lifestyle, hostels, local transport, etc. But Africa is my first big adventure on this continent, and I’ve got some very concrete questions I’d love feedback on from people who’ve been there.
🎭 My big dilemma: flexibility vs. pre-organized work
What matters most to me is NOT rushing through. If I feel good somewhere, I’ll stay longer. If a region doesn’t click, I’ll cut it short. That seems totally incompatible with having pre-booked work or volunteer gigs, yet I need that income to stretch my budget.
I’m torn between two approaches:
Option A: The mixed rhythm: 3-4 weeks of volunteering in a country (free accommodation, full immersion), then 1-2 countries in classic backpacker "vacation" mode, then another mission somewhere, etc. This gives a breathing rhythm and avoids burnout from non-stop volunteering.
Option B: The continuous flow: finding gigs as I go, from the previous country, contacting hosts 2-3 weeks in advance with a flexible date range. Keeping maximum spontaneity but never arriving anywhere without a safety net.
Have you tried either? What actually works on the ground in Africa?
🌍 What I’m really looking for in this trip
Not just the classic tourist spots. I want to see the country as it is—eating at local joints, taking local transport (bush taxis, minibuses, sept-places), staying with locals when possible. The big reserves and safaris are part of the plan (Masai Mara, Serengeti, Okavango), but just as much as hanging out in a residential neighborhood in Dakar, understanding how people really live.
Volunteering or work interests me for that reason too (not just for free lodging, but because it’s the deepest way to dive into a country). Working at a school in Ghana, a lodge in Kenya, a permaculture farm in Mozambique—I see it as an immersion that classic tourism can’t offer.
🎒 My concrete questions
About Workaway and Worldpackers: I’ve read a lot but would love on-the-ground feedback, especially for West and East Africa. Are hosts really flexible with dates for long-term travelers? Do the advertised gigs match reality? Are there alternative platforms you’d recommend for Africa specifically (I’ve heard of Help Exchange, WWOOF Africa, local networks…)?
About "off-platform" jobs: Is it really doable to find informal work on the spot (bars, restaurants, lodges) without prior contacts? In which countries/cities is this most accessible for a French speaker without a local work permit?
About logistics between countries: For those who’ve done the West Coast (Senegal → Ghana → Benin), how did you cross borders? Direct buses or local shared taxis at each border? And for the jump from Central Africa → Kenya, is a flight mandatory, or are there feasible overland routes?
About Madagascar: I’m considering adding it from Mozambique (flight Maputo or Beira → Tana). Those who’ve done it backpacker-style on a tight budget—is 3-4 weeks doable, or is it too short to be worth it?
I’m open to all tips, experiences, warnings, and pleasant surprises. And if you’ve got trusted local contacts (Workaway hosts, associations, community lodges), I’m all ears!
I’ve got tons of questions and I’m eager for any advice or experiences you can share!!
Hi there,
We’re planning a trip for 2 adults and 2 kids to Tanzania and Zanzibar. I’ve had a quick look, and the prices are starting to get pretty wild.
We’ve got a budget of 8,000 €, and I was thinking of doing three or four days of safari and three or four days in Zanzibar, but even that seems like it might be over budget. Have you got any thoughts? I was also considering heading straight to Zanzibar and doing a one- or two-day excursion by plane instead—maybe that’d be cheaper than staying in a lodge.
Anyway, thanks for sharing your experiences and any price tips, departing from Nice!
Good evening,
As two senior French couples who are used to traveling independently all over the world, we’d like to visit Kenya next November.
Now, after seeing and reading a bit everywhere, and with the first quotes for a 6/7-day safari, I’m shocked by the prices (like $2,250) for places like Maasai Mara, where entry alone costs $200 per person per day, plus fees for the driver and vehicle.
So if you have any recent great tips or contacts to share to help me out, I’d really appreciate it—because despite the costs, we’d still love to go, while keeping things reasonable.
The most plausible solution is probably renting a vehicle with a driver-guide.
Thanks in advance for all your replies.
Jacques
We’ll be in Srinagar for 4 days in mid-May 2026 during our backpacking trip as a couple. Do you have any nice places to recommend, and what about the houseboats on Dal Lake? Should we spend all our nights there, or just one night for practicality when getting around?
Thanks,
Rozenn
Hi there,
This is my first time traveling to Italy, and I’m planning to go by car.
From what I’ve read, parking is tough in cities like Florence.
I’m looking for a small town not too far from Florence where I can stay and park my car, then take the train to visit Florence.
Any ideas or suggestions?
Thanks in advance
Hi there, it’s been a long time since I last went to London. I’d love to spend a week there in July with my daughter and my niece (both young adults).
Of course, I’m looking for great tips on accommodation, and I’m wondering about renting an apartment. It seems like a better deal to save on restaurants (with the option of having a few meals at home... but is that really the case? I’m not sure about the cost of a meal in a modest restaurant, the pound exchange rate, or grocery prices...).
Otherwise, I’d like to stay in accommodation (hotel or apartment) near a tube station and in Zone 1.
If you have any great tips, I’d love to hear them!
Hi everyone!
I’m heading to Morocco for a trip in the south, starting with 3 days in Marrakech (from January 8th to 11th, 2026).
If you’ve got any tips, cool spots to recommend, I’m all ears! 🎊
And, fellow traveler, if you’d like to share this Marrakech adventure together, I’d love that!
Have a great evening
Hi there,
I’m planning a trip to Peru and have estimated how many days I’ll spend in each place.
Any advice on must-see sights and tourist traps to avoid?
September–October
5 days in Lima
Bus: 07:00→13:30 or 06:00 to 09:30 (express) (3 hr 30 min journey)
3 days in Paracas (beach)
I'd love some destination suggestions for a road trip from Nice to Livorno by car, including the routes, tolls to cross, distance, and estimated travel time. We're planning a 5-day trip, with 2 nights near Nice, 1 night along the way, and finally 2 nights in Livorno. There are 4 of us in a rental car, and we'd like to stay in either an apartment, a mobile home near the sea, or a campsite. Our budget isn't too extravagant!!!! We want to visit the Promenade des Anglais, and I've heard Menton is really interesting. Once we reach Livorno, we'll take the ferry to Corsica for 12 days with the same rental car. We're planning to leave the last week of May and the first two weeks of June 2026, so around 17-18 days total.
Thanks
Hello everyone,
We’re planning our next trip for this winter and need some advice to put it together. We’d love to avoid renting a car for the whole time. We visited southern Morocco back in 2011—our first trip as retirees! We loved the country so much, and now we’re heading back. Still focusing on the south, mainly for the weather. The plan is to travel down the coast from Essaouira to the Tighmert oasis at a relaxed pace. First question: is this doable without too much hassle using local transport? The idea of driving for the entire 6-week trip doesn’t really appeal to us. After that, we’d head to Ouarzazate, Skoura, the Todgha Gorge, Tinejdad, Erfoud, and then Marrakesh. I’d also like to visit the Fès region, which we can reach by train from Marrakesh. It’s a bit all over the place, and I’m realizing that as I write!
Thanks in advance for your valuable input! We haven’t booked flights yet or even decided on a starting point. The trip is planned from mid-January to the end of February. We know the end of the trip will fall during Ramadan.
