Hi there.
First, please excuse the dry nature of my post—I’m going to talk about insurance and credit cards!
I’m renting a car in Bulgaria using my "Gold Mastercard." I know the benefits, and in this case, I don’t need to take out additional insurance from the rental company.
However, the assistance booklet states:
"The insurer cannot, under any circumstances, reimburse the insured for the amount of the CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) or LDW (Loss Damage Waiver) insurance paid to the rental company if the insured forgot to decline it or if it’s automatically included in a package the insured accepted."
The issue is that when I look at different rental companies, it’s often specified that "insurance is included" (non-declinable because it’s part of the package), and I’m worried there might be some minimal CDW or LDW coverage that would prevent my Gold Mastercard coverage from applying if needed.
Since it’s difficult to contact or communicate with rental companies (most bookings are made online) and Mastercard’s responses are pretty vague, I’m turning to you all for help.
Here are my questions:
- How can I be sure the rental company’s insurance doesn’t include CDW or LDW?
- Do you know of any rental companies where this is clearly stated?
- Does Gold Mastercard coverage work with local agencies?
- Is it possible for a rental company to refuse Gold Mastercard coverage?
I assume travelers who can answer have already had this experience.
A tip: call Mastercard and you’ll get the answers.
Otherwise,
- Is it possible that a rental company refuses Gold Mastercard coverage? I’d be surprised—you’re paying, so the rental company doesn’t really care how you’re covered.
The rental company makes a lot of profit on the insurance they sell themselves (it's often self-insurance, by the way), and this kind of issue comes up often.
I can't comment on Bulgaria. In Romania, several rental companies have a reputation for inspecting the car very thoroughly upon return, just to penalize those who didn’t take their insurance. I didn’t see this personally—I took their insurance, which wasn’t too expensive.
Hello.
First, please excuse the rather dry nature of my message, as I’m going to talk about insurance and credit cards!
I’m renting a car in Bulgaria with my "Gold Mastercard."
I know the benefits, and in this case, it’s not necessary to take out additional insurance from the car rental company.
However, the assistance booklet states:
"The insurer cannot, under any circumstances, reimburse the insured for the amount of the CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) or LDW (Loss Damage Waiver) insurance paid to the rental company, if the insured forgot to decline it or if it is automatically included in a package that the insured accepted."
The problem is that when I look at different rental companies, it’s often specified that "insurance is included" (non-declinable because it’s part of the package), and I’m worried there might be some minimal CDW or LDW coverage that would prevent my "Gold Mastercard" coverage from being used if needed.
Since it’s difficult to contact or communicate with rental companies (most reservations are made online) and Mastercard’s responses are rather vague, I’m turning to you for help.
Here are my questions:
- How can I be sure the rental company’s insurance doesn’t include CDW or LDW?
- Do you know of any rental companies where this is clearly stated?
- Does the Gold Mastercard coverage work with local agencies?
- Is it possible for a rental company to refuse the Gold Mastercard coverage?
I assume travelers who can answer me have already had this experience.
Thanks in advance for your help.
So, I did a bit more research, and here’s what I (hopefully) understood: basically, you have to pay with your card and clearly mention the name(s) of the driver(s) who will be driving—that’s the normal part, but it has to be done properly.
The paragraph that’s confusing is that they won’t reimburse the "fee" for the CDW or LDW insurance included in the rental package, just as they won’t cover the full price you paid for the rental.
The advisor told me that it’s indeed not very clear, but in any case, when it comes to the deductible or repairs for "DAMAGES," regardless of whether they’re below or above the deductible required by the rental company in case of an accident—even if you’re at fault—the card’s insurance covers it according to the terms of your contract.
This paragraph only concerns the daily amount you paid for the CDW and LDW insurance to the rental company.
Hi there,
I’m not directly answering your question, but I’ll share some additional details about certain Bulgarian rental companies. Here’s my firsthand account of renting a car in Bulgaria (2023):
Regarding your question about supplementary insurance, I’d advise you to first contact your Mastercard insurance provider to ask whether taking out additional coverage with the rental company affects your protection under the card’s insurance.
Their rental terms specified that when paying with a credit card, the deposit (750 €) wouldn’t be debited from my bank account but simply "blocked", unlike with a debit card, where the deposit is systematically deducted on the first day of rental. I’ll note that I paid the deposit with a VISA PREMIER CREDIT card—a card I’ve used for over 30 years with no rental company in any country ever deducting the deposit amount.
I had a choice between several vehicle providers and went with the cheapest: "Yes Rent a Car". However, this company systematically deducts the deposit on the first day of rental. It’s written in fine print in their contract, which you sign when picking up the vehicle, and I didn’t notice it... Even if I had, I would’ve rented the car anyway—I had no other choice.
At the end of the trip, I returned the vehicle in perfect condition, and the "Yes Rent a Car" agent confirmed it in front of me but refused to give me a signed document attesting to it (which is standard practice with all rental companies). The deposit was supposed to be credited back to my account in the following days. A week after returning to France: still nothing! After several emails, they finally replied that I had to wait 14 business days—the time needed to thoroughly inspect the vehicle and check if I’d received any fines... The whole ordeal dragged on for a month and a half, and I had to have a specialized dispute management company draft a formal demand for the return of my deposit and threaten to file a complaint before I finally got it back.
I’ll also note that DiscoverCars acted dishonestly by telling me they weren’t responsible for their suppliers’ business practices, even though their rental terms clearly stated that the deposit wouldn’t be deducted but merely blocked.
In conclusion, I strongly recommend that travelers looking to rent a vehicle in Bulgaria **avoid at all costs** the rental company YES RENT A CAR. While I eventually got my deposit back after a month and a half of negotiations, many others are still waiting. (Check out Trustpilot to see the number of complaints against "Yes Rent a Car"—you’ll be shocked!)
Final takeaway: In Bulgaria, beyond the insurance issue (CDW, LDW), make sure the deposit isn’t deducted but simply "blocked" on your account. Also, insist on getting a document at the end of the rental confirming the vehicle wasn’t damaged during your rental period.
PS: If you’re heading to Romania, I have a contact for a professional and trustworthy rental company where everything goes smoothly. They’re very honest, will deliver the car to your hotel for free, the vehicles have under 10,000 km, and the rates are half the price of Bulgaria’s.
Hello.
First of all, thanks to everyone for all the details you’ve shared.
The CDW and LDW insurance issue is resolved (only third-party liability through the rental company I chose), and Gold Mastercard confirmed that the condition for coverage is that the agency be "professional" (with no distinction between local or international).
However, after my post, I also realized that renting a vehicle abroad (at least in Bulgaria) is becoming really complicated.
Here’s why:
My new bank is Fortunéo (an online bank) which offers a free Gold Mastercard (under certain conditions).
I then noticed that the vast majority of "international brand" rental companies refuse to be paid by a "neobank"!
I had never seen or read about this drawback when signing up with my new bank.
(Even though this neobank has been around for over 20 years!!)
Total dismay!
On top of that, most rental companies refuse "debit" cards (immediate debit) and only accept "credit" cards (deferred debit).
Debit cards are far more common in France.
I don’t understand this, because during my last trip (Azores), the deposit/excess was blocked on my account with a debit card without being deducted (just a hold).
In the end, I found a local professional rental company (YourBGcar), at prices that beat all the competition, and which, according to some reviews, is very reliable. (I’ll let you know how it goes when I get back).
Thanks again for your feedback, and see you soon on the Forum.
PS: Dajlma, maybe my rental company is the one you mentioned? (Though I’m sure there are plenty of professional and trustworthy rental companies in Bulgaria.)
My new bank is Fortunéo (an online bank) which allows you to get a Gold Mastercard for free (but under certain conditions).
I then realized that the vast majority of "international brand" rental companies refused to be paid by a "Neobank"!
I've had this card for 3 or 4 years. I've rented with it in Turkey, Albania, Montenegro, and recently in Romania without any issues. I think I also rented with this same card in Bulgaria...
In the end, I didn't have any major problems except in Bulgaria where the agency Yes Rent a Car is to be avoided because they immediately deduct the deposit amount and take a long time to refund it to their customers' accounts (1.5 months for me). They kept telling me there was no problem, that it would be done "within 14 working days," but it really dragged on a bit longer!
Make sure to check the rental agency's rating before paying the deposit. Yes Rent a Car was indeed a bit cheaper but had a worse rating...
My new bank is Fortunéo (an online bank) which allows you to get a free Gold Mastercard (but under certain conditions).
I then realized that the vast majority of "international brand" rental companies refused to be paid by a "neobank"!
I've had this card for 3 or 4 years. I rented with it in Turkey, Albania, Montenegro, and recently in Romania without any problems. I think I also rented with this same card in Bulgaria...
In the end, I didn’t have any major issues except that in Bulgaria, the agency Yes Rent a Car is to be avoided because they immediately deduct the deposit amount and take a long time to refund it to their customers' accounts (a month and a half for me). They kept telling me there was no problem, that it would be done "within 14 working days," but it really dragged on a bit longer!
Be sure to check the rental agency's rating before paying the deposit. Yes Rent a Car was certainly a bit cheaper but had a worse rating...
I’m back from Bulgaria, and after all my questions about car rental agencies and payment methods by card, I feel I should give you a little rundown.
Bulgaria is a wonderful and charming country that you absolutely must visit.
We rented a car from http://yourbgcar.com/ and were delighted with this very dynamic and efficient local agency.
No matter what credit card you have (debit or credit), you won’t have any problems renting a vehicle from them at a price that beats the competition.
One of the managers at this friendly agency speaks impeccable French, which was a plus for me.
Yes, Bulgaria is a lovely and charming country where the people are really friendly.
Glad everything went smoothly with your car rental.
If you ever go to Romania, I recommend renting from Francrocar in Bucharest. Several people at the agency speak French, and it’s easy to remember—they’re on Paris Street! They’ll bring the car to your hotel for free and pick it up the same way.
To book, you just email them (in French), they prepare the contract and send it to you on request, and you don’t pay any deposit. You sign on the spot the day you pick up the vehicle, and the security deposit (no more than 300 €) is simply held.
I’ve rented from them three times already.
Envisageant de retourner en Biélorussie mi-août, je m´aperçois seulement maintenant que depuis septembre dernier, la Pologne a réouvert plusieurs points de passsage frontaliers, et pour ce qui est des autocars celà se traduit par des liaisons Białystok-Grodno.
les trajets de plusieurs compagnies d'autocars, par exemple sur infobus.eu, sont entre 3 et 4 heures.
les trains Varsovie-Byałystok sont un trajet de 1,5h ou 2h.
Ceci à l'avantage de permettre des trajets en train confortables, un minimum de temps en autocar.
Aussi la frontière Térespol-Brest sans doute moins de queue si on veut tout de même effectuer un Varsovie-Brest en autocar.
A noter qu'un autre trajet vers Minsk, si on prend le visa papier russe ou biélorusse, est le train Kaliningrad-Minsk. C'est long, dans les dix ou onze heures, mais on peut s'allonger et dormir. Option si on prend un vol pour Gdansk, puis le bus pour Kaliningrad, trajet court.
enfin, il y aussi, des vols Belavia Minsk-Kaliningrad. Mais c'est cher. Le trajet en raison des maboules de l'UE est pittoresque:
en tous cas celà fait quelques options de plus que ce qui était disponible ces quatres dernières années.
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?
