Voici, le résumé de notre voyage + prix actualisés des entrées (les prix indiqués sont par pers., gratuit pour les moins de 14 ans) + appréciations des hôtels + qques remarques et conseils. J’espère que ça peut aider ceux qui préparent leur voyage.
Nous rêvions de Petra depuis quelques temps mais c'est tout notre séjour en Jordanie qui fut un vrai rêve!
Notre petit groupe de 7 : 2 couples, nos 2 ados de 16 et 13 ans et une petite de 4 ans.
Quand: vacances de Pâques 2011
Durée : 10 jours complets sur place
Déplacements : avec différents minivans avec chauffeur selon notre propre itinéraire et nos envies.
Nos atouts : la petite de 4 ans blondes aux yeux bleus, ma fille de 16 ans très jolie et mon fils de 13 qui ressemble un peu à Justin Bieber. Voilà qui ouvre bien des coeurs et des portes! Le nombre de Jordaniens qui nous accostent et veulent être photographié avec nos "stars"! Vraiment comique!
Notre voyage:
J0 : départ de Zaventem en début de soirée, escale à Istanboul
J1 : arrivée à Amman à 2h du matin. Visa 20 Jod. Taxi vers Mariam hotel à Madaba. Dodo quelques heures. Trés bon petit-dej . On commande un minivan avec chauffeur ( très sympa) et nous voilà partis pour notre première journée de visite. Mosaïques de Umm Ar Rasas (Unesco) ( gratuit) pas mal mais pas super non plus. Mount Nebo (1 Jod) on y passe pour voir le panorama et jeter un oeil aux mozaïques. La mer morte, Amman Beach, voilà, ça c'est vraiment sympa et rigolo, on s'amuse bien. Pleins de photos et bain de boue. Entrée assez chère quand même 15 Jod. Retour sur Madaba au soleil couchant, joli paysage. Repas au restaurant Balawit (en face de l'église) super bon! Pour 11 Jod on reçoit soft drinks à volonté, 6 sortes de tapas et salades avec du pain et un mixed grill délicieux ( 1 shish kebab, 1 brochette de poulet et 1 de mouton) dans une bonne sorte de crèpe avec tomate et oignon grillés. On se régale. Dodo au Mariam 60 Jod chambre 4 lits avec petit-dej).
J2 : même chauffeur, même minivan. On apprécie de se faire conduire et puis notre chauffeur fait un peu le guide et nous raconte sa vie et la vie des Joradaniens au quotidien ce qui est très intéressant. Visite de Jerash (8 Jod) en matinée, très joli site romain bien conservé et intéressant. Après midi aux sources d'eau chaudes de Hammamat Ma'in. L'entrée est chère (15 Jod) mais couleur locale et franchement assez gai à faire. La cascade est vraiment forte et chaude, une expérience en soi. La grotte juste au dessus est un véritable bain de vapeur. On est les seuls touristes. Les femmes Jordaniennes sont habillées dans l'eau avec des trainings, des vestes, des casquettes, ...mais personnes ne nous regarde de travers avec nos maillots. Joli paysage, bel endroit. Retour sur Madaba et soirée idem Balawit et Mariam.
J3 : nouveau chauffeur, nouveau minivan, nous quittons Madaba et roulons par la King's highway vers Karak. Stop dans la vallée du Mujib pour le panorama. Arrêt au Grand Canyon rest&coffee shop où nous faisons connaissance de Sami, un Jordanien très attachant, à l'accent américain, le coeur sur la main, qui nous fait visiter son "domaine" et sa famille (2 chiens et 2 tortues), nous invite pour le thé, m'offre des boucles d'oreilles et nous raconte un peu sa vie. Une très belle rencontre émouvante et vraie. N'hésitez pas à vous y arrêter!!
Route vers le Wadi bin Hammad (5Jod) Une après midi fantastique dans ce jardin d'Eden. On est tous enchanté par ce superbe canyon, sa végétation et son eau chaude. Un gros coup de coeur!
On loge à Karak dans un hôtel très nul ( ne pas y aller) Cairwan hotel. Mais finalement on rigole toute la soirée tellement cet hôtel est absurde et en ruine où plus rien ne fonctionne et avec au sous sol, des restes de sa grandeur passée: sa salle de banquet de mariage impeccable où nous prenons notre petit dej le lendemain.
J4 : visite du château de Karak (1 Jod). Route vers Petra. On visite Little Petra (gratuit), vraiment à faire! Très beau coin, chouette balade, nombreuse possibilité de grimper au dessus des rochers et dans les tombes. Beau panorama après la grimpette en fin de balade. Vaut vraiment le coup (compter 2h de visite).La route scénique pour rejoindre Wadi Musa au soleil couchant est superbe. Nous logeons au Sharah Mountains (30 Jod la double avec petit-dej). Hôtel basic mais propre, petit-dej correct, bon pic nic (pour les visites de Petra) pour (4 jod) pain, oeuf, concombre, tomate, pomme, orange, brique de jus, fromage vache qui rit. Enfin, c'est pratique. Shuttle gratuit jusqu'à l'entrée de Petra. Le patron Mahmoud est super sympa et vous conduit et ramène à votre bonne convenance. On lui téléphonait lorsqu'on voulait rentrer après la visite et en 5 min il était là.
J 5: Petra, la toute belle!!! Sublime! On y passe absolument toute la journée, on marche des kms sans se lasser de tant de beauté et de variétés. On va jusqu'au monastère, magnifique balade et au view point encore plus haut. Repas du soir au Al-Arabi, juste à côté de l'hôtel, on conseille : hummus, falafel et Arabic Shawerma. Nuit au Sharah. Entrée Petra pour 2 jours: 55 Jod.
J6 : Petra, toujours merveilleuse. On monte au High Place of Sacrifice, superbe! Et on visite le reste de ce qu'on a pas fait la veille. Un groupe de jeunes filles de 17 ans veux se faire photographier avec mon fils because he is so cute!! Al-Arabi et nuit au Sharah.
J7 : en route vers le Wadi Rum où nous avons rendez-vous avec Saleem de Jordan Tracks à 9:30. Visite des highlights en 4x4, parfois un peu trop de touristes dans nos pieds mais c'est beau et c'est super gai ce grand bac à sable! Escalade de la grande arche. Couché de soleil du haut d'un rocher. Soirée au camp, repas bedouin délicieux, thé, feu de camp et musique. Puis dodo dans des petites huttes sympa. N'oubliez pas la lampe de poche!
J8 : Wadi Rum, ce désert est magnifique, on en tombe amoureux. Les couleurs qui changent selon la lumière, le silence, le calme, les panoramas à perte de vue. Un rêve! C'est magique. Aujourd'hui on est seul dans le désert, aucun touriste en vue, juste notre guide, notre 4x4 , nos grimpettes et nos balades, rien que pour nous. Le pied! Retour au camp à pied. Thé avec Saleem, super sympa qui nous parle du désert et des bédouins, de leur vie ici et de ce qu'ils font quand les touristes ne viennent pas, comme chasser la gazelle p.ex ou passer 7 jours entre copains dans la montagne. Repas sous la tente. Nuit au camp.
J9: balade à dos de chameau pour aller de notre camp au village de Rum. Agréable, superbe ce désert. Saleem nous attend pour faire les adieux. Nous recommandons vivement Jordan Tracks, impec et super sympa! Taxi vers Aqaba. On loge au Bedouin Garden Village (55 Jod chambre 4 lits), sympa, piscine, nombreux endroits ombragés avec chaises et coussins pour se détendre, ambiance propisce à discuter avec d'autres touristes des 4 coins du monde. Beau snorkeling juste à la plage à 200m de l'hôtel. Restaurant de l'hôtel pas mal du tout, prix ok. Soirée à Aqaba centre. Faut prendre un taxi pour y arriver (5jod). Repas à Ali Baba ( bof). On rentre dans une boulangerie pour des baklavas et le patron qui tombe pour le charme de la petite, nous fait visiter toute la boulangerie en la portant dans les bras, on filme la confection des pittas et les enfants roulent des biscuits. Bref, on s'amuse et puis on achète des tas de douceurs locales.
J10: petit-dej au Bedouin est médiocre mais on mange nos pâtisseries achetées la veille. Miam! Dernière journée de vacances : plage, chouette snorkeling, piscine, lecture. Retour vers Amman, on quite Aqaba à 20:30, arrivée à l'aéroport 4 h plus tard.
J11 : Vol du retour à 3:15 avec escale à Istanboul. Zaventem 10:15.
Notre top 3: Petra - Wadi Rum- Wadi bin Hammad
à ne pas manquer : Dead Sea, Jerash, Little Petra
Conclusion: Les Jordaniens sont gentils, serviables, honnêtes, accueillants et le pays magnifique. On a ADORÉ.
Dans vos valises, je conseille :
Sandales d'eau ( le sel et les coraux ça coupe)
Lampe de poche et piles de réserve
Taies d'oreiller et 1 serviette si vous campez dans le desert
1 gros pull, gilet ou veste (soirées très fraîches dans le Wadi Rum)
Un baume pour les lèvres avec protection solaire
Boules Quiès (prières matinales, traffic, pas mal de bruits la nuit sauf au Wadi Rum)
1 couteau de cuisine (pratique pour peler les fruits et légumes en picnic)
Pot de choco si vous en avez marre de manger 1 oeuf dur et de la confiture de fraise tous les matins.
Une dose d'humour si vous logez dans des hôtels basics (nous on a bien aimé ce contact plus vrai avec le pays) ou un portefeuille bien rempli pour les hotels avec plus de confort et de luxe.
Ce même portefeuille pour payer les entrées car tout a fortement augmenté depuis début 2011, même les Jordaniens trouvent ça exagéré.
Merci pour ce récit très bien écrit ! J'ai passé 10 jours en Jordanie fin mars - début avril, et ton récit me rappelle de très bon souvenirs !
Pétra, le Wadi Rum (avec Jordan Tracks également 😉), à Aqaba on a dormi juste à côté du Bedouin Garden Village ! Nos circuit étaient similaires !
Je confirme que des oeufs dur, depuis ce voyage, je ne veux plus en manger, j'ai saturé ! 😛😏
Et même sans ressembler à Justin Bieber, on a eu de belle séance photos avec les groupes de collégiennes jordaniiennes à Petra 😎
Mais je suis tout à fait d'accord avec toi, les Jordaniens sont très accueillants, chaleureux, et avec enormément d'humour ! J'ai adoré ce pays, merci de m'y replonger le temps de ton récit. 🙂
Merci pour votre récit
Au vu de votre expérience pensez que même une ado de 13ans toute seule avec 2 adultes ne s'ennuira pas avec les vsites des sites jordaniens ???
Merci
Moana
Je dirai que non, surement pas! La Jordanie est très dépaysante et les sites sont très diversifiés et tellement beaux.... Flotter sur la mer morte, visiter Petra, découvrir le désert, même les ados en pleine puberté sont sous le charme! Notre fils de 13 ans qui n'est pas vite émerveillé 😉 a adoré! N'hésitez pas une seconde c'est encore mieux que tout ce que vous pourrez en lire ou voir en photo, ce fut notre expérience en tous les cas. Alors foncez réserver vos tickets!! 🙂
Tout d'abord un grand merci pour ton récit qui m'a vraiment emballé du début à la fin. Votre itinéraire correspond tout à fait à mes attentes et je pense beaucoup m'en inspirer pour préparer notre prochain séjour en Jordanie. Nous sommes une famille de 4 : avec 2 enfants en bas âge : 3 et 5 ans et nous avons réservé nos billets du 13 au 20 mars 2012. Je tiens à bien préparer ce voyage car c'est pour moi la réalisation d'un rêve qui me tient à coeur depuis bien longtemps... Ayant que 7 jours sur place, nous ferions un condensé de votre séjour qui me parait idyllique, mais je me pose deux grandes questions : comment avez vous voyagé entre J3 et J10 ? Avez-vous loué une voiture ? Pour quel tarif ? Est-ce le Mariam Hotel qui vous a orienté sur vos choix ? Pour J1 et J2 quels tarifs pour la voiture avec chauffeur ?
et deuxièmement est-ce que ça c'est bien passé pour la petite de 4 ans ? A-t-elle pu faire toutes vos activités : par exemple j'ai lu que le Wadi bin Hammad c'était 4 heures de marche ; la nuit dans le Wadi Rum pas trop froide ? Le snorkeling ?
Voilà je tiens à établir un programme adapté aux enfants, même s'ils sont habitués à être trimbalés un peu partout .
Merci encore pour tous les précieux conseils.
A Bientot !
Pour le Wadi bin Hammad, c'est vraiment super pour les jeunes enfants. L'endroit est magnifique et l'eau de la rivière est chaude donc idéal pour se baigner et pique-niquer et prendre le temps de profiter de l'endroit. La ballade ne dure pas 4h, compter plutôt 3h aller/retour en marchant vraiment à son aise en flânant. De plus, comme il faut rebrousser chemin (ce n'est pas une promenade en boucle, on doit s'arrêter à la cascade et rebrousser chemin car il faudrait une corde pour pouvoir descendre) vous pouvez décider de la longueur de votre promenade selon la fatigue des enfants. N'oubliez pas des chaussures d'eau ou des sandales qui peuvent aller dans l'eau, car c'est une promenade "pieds dans l'eau".
Pour le Wadi Rum, Jordan Tracks vous fera un séjour "sur mesure" adapté aux enfants, ils sont vraiment super à tout point de vue et Wadi Rum c'est un désert fantastique, tellement beau!! Sûr que vos enfants s'amuseront avec le sable, les cailloux, grimper par ci et là. Prévoyez bien un pull bien chaud ou une petite veste polaire pour les soirées et le matin: fait froid! Mais dès que le soleil est là, ça se réchauffe vite. Dans les huttes, on dort très bien et il y a assez de couvertures chaudes. Prendre une taie d'oreiller dans les valises et une serviette de bain. Le repas dans la grande tente le soir c'est très sympa aussi et délicieux (poulet grillé, riz, légumes cuits, salade). N'oubliez pas votre lampe de poche car il n'y a pas d'électricité dans les huttes!!!
Pour Petra, prévoyez 2 jours de visite pour bien en profiter. Si les enfants sont fatigués vous pouvez louer les services d'un âne, il y en a plein partout. Ici aussi pour les enfants, du sable, des cailloux, de la grimpette, cache-cache, …ils vont pas s'ennuyer et vous vous en mettre plein les yeux!
La petite de 4 ans n'est pas une grande marcheuse mais en Jordanie, elle a suivi partout, tout l'amusait et l'intéressait, elle faisait du maquillage avec la poudre rouge de certains cailloux, etc…c'est une petite habituée à être trimballée partout et elle a été hyper facile, on a jamais dû annuler ou écourter une activité, elle suivait partout.
J'ai trouvé la Jordanie très relax à faire avec de jeunes enfants, c'est propre, l'eau du robinet est potable donc on peut même manger les crudités (cependant buvez de l'eau en bouteille!), les températures sont agréables, pas de malaria ni de dengue, (on a même pas vu de moustiques!). C'est très facile de voyager de ses propres moyens et les gens sont super sympa et prêts à aider.
C'est très facile de trouver un transport, à la réception de chaque hôtel on vous aidera. Les prix des taxis sont bas. ça se passe comme ceci: à la réception vous demander un transport entre point A et point B, ou bien pour la journée avec les diverses excursions que vous voulez faire, ils téléphonent, vous donne un prix (que vous pouvez parfois faire baisser) et vous donnez votre accord. Aussi simple que ça. À Madaba, premier jour, on a fait ça le matin et 40 min plus tard on avait notre chauffeur avec minivan pour la journée et on a commencé nos visites. Le chauffeur nous a demandé ce qu'on voulait faire le lendemain et ainsi de suite, il est resté avec nous jusqu'à la fin du jour 4. Pour vous donner une idée des prix par taxi de 4 personnes voici le lien de l'hôtel. (organized trips)
http://www.mariamhotel.com/trips.html
À Petra, on a réservé notre transport vers Wadi Rum à la réception de l'hôtel et pour aller de Wadi Rum à Aqaba, c'est à Salim de Jordan Tracks que j'avais demandé un soir au camp de nous appeler un taxi pour le jour de notre départ et le taxi nous attendais lorsqu'on est descendu des chameaux! Vraiment aucun souci, c'est super simple, suffit de demander et hopla...partout ils font ça très bien et ils sont vraiment honnêtes, un deal est un deal, vous pouvez compter sur eux.
Pour le snorkling, on a pas mis la petite à l'eau, elle est trop jeune pour le tuba ou retenir sa respiration, donc c'est bien pour les adultes, les coraux sont à 25m du bord de l'eau. À refaire, je resterais plus longtemps au Wadi Rum que d'aller à la mer Rouge. Les plages sont pas incroyables et j'ai déjà fait souvent du snorkling donc ça ne me laisse pas de souvenirs impérissable. En plus, le premier jour, il y avait beaucoup de vent et on a du rester au bord de la piscine car sur la plage la mer était houleuse et le sable volait dans tous les sens.
Voilà, j'espère avoir répondu à tout, si tu veux encore d'autres infos, détails, etc...n'hésite pas!
Cela date un peu mais j'aurais aimé avoir qqs renseignements sur vos moyens de locomotion lors de votre voyage en jordanie...
Aviez vous réservé à l'avance? Combien avez vous payé votre minivan? avez vous loué à la journée? Comment cela s'organisait-il? c'est sans doute un peu loin!! NOus partons à Noel avec nos 4 enfants...
Le wadi bin hamman est donc ouvert à cette époque?
L'eau pas trop froide? et les piscines?
Bien contente que ce précieux forum existe encore !
J'aimerais des conseils pour choisir une destination pour Noël, en couple avec deux enfants de 10 et 12 ans.
Nous aimerions un endroit qui nous permettrait de faire du snorkelling chouette et facile avec les enfants, si possible depuis la plage et-ou à faible profondeur.
Et aussi, tant qu'à faire, un bel endroit à visiter et découvrir, avec de la nature et des randos, et une ambiance plus cool-routarde que resorts et tourisme en folie.
Un temps de vol "raisonnable" et pas trop de décalage horaire, ce serait mieux !
J'ai pensé à l'ïle Maurice, Zanzibar (+ éventuellement Tanzanie), la Martinique ou la Guadeloupe, mais peut-être avez-vous d'autres idées, ou des avis sur ces choix ?
I wanted to share our experience after a 5-day trip to Armenia with my wife and our 8-month-old baby.
It’s a destination that’s still relatively unknown, but it’s really worth the trip, especially if you enjoy cultural, spiritual, historical, and human-centered travel.
We were looking for a change of scenery but not too complicated with a baby—and easy to organize (even though our travel agency helped us a lot, thanks to them! 😊). In the end, Armenia was a wonderful surprise. It’s not a "postcard-perfect" destination. It’s a raw, mountainous, ancient country with real depth.
And most importantly: Armenians *love* children.
That’s probably what surprised us the most. In restaurants, waitresses, owners, or even other customers would naturally come over to play with our baby, hold them for a few minutes, smile at them, or keep them entertained while we ate.
It wasn’t intrusive. It was very natural, very family-oriented. You can tell that children have a real place in society. For parents traveling with a baby, it’s honestly a pleasure.
Day 1 — Yerevan
We started with Yerevan, a pleasant capital that’s quite easy to explore with a child.
The city isn’t huge. You can stroll around Republic Square, visit cafés, discover markets, and walk at a relaxed pace.
With a baby, it’s pretty practical: you can easily take breaks, return to the hotel, or go back out in the evening. The vibe is laid-back, family-friendly, and we felt safe.
In the evening, Yerevan is very lively. The restaurants are welcoming, and almost everywhere, our baby drew smiles.
Day 2 — Etchmiadzin and Khor Virap
On the second day, we headed to Etchmiadzin, the spiritual heart of Armenia. It’s an important place for understanding the country and its Christian identity.
Then, we visited Khor Virap, facing Mount Ararat.
It’s probably one of the most striking places on the trip. The monastery, the plain, the distant Ararat—everything is visually and symbolically powerful.
With a baby, you just need to plan a relaxed pace, avoid rushing, and take your time.
Day 3 — Garni and Geghard
The third day was one of our favorites.
We visited the Temple of Garni, very different from the monasteries, with a stunning setting in the mountains.
Then we went to Geghard, a monastery partially carved into the rock.
The atmosphere is incredible. It’s quiet, mineral, almost timeless. Even if you’re not very religious, you feel something.
With a child, the visit goes well, but again, it’s best not to overload the day. The key is to keep a flexible pace.
Day 4 — Noravank
On the fourth day, we headed to Noravank.
The road itself is an experience: dry landscapes, mountains, red rocks, valleys. The monastery is surrounded by impressive cliffs.
It’s one of the most beautiful sites we saw in Armenia.
You really get the sense that Armenian monasteries were built in impossible places—between sky, stone, and mountain.
Along the way, you can also pass through the Areni region, known for its wine. With a baby, we mostly prioritized simple breaks, relaxed meals, and uncompressed travel times.
Day 5 — Lake Sevan and return to Yerevan
For the last day, we went to Lake Sevan.
The lake is vast, bright, and surrounded by mountains. The Sevanavank Monastery, up high, offers a beautiful view.
It’s a gentler stop, perfect for ending the trip.
Then we returned to Yerevan for a final dinner. Once again, the welcome in restaurants stood out. In Armenia, traveling with a baby isn’t seen as a hassle. On the contrary, people spontaneously come up to the child.
Our overall impression
In 5 days, you obviously don’t see all of Armenia. To reach Tatev, Dilijan, Haghpat, or Sanahin, you’d need more like 7 to 10 days.
But for a first visit, 5 days are enough to feel the essence: Yerevan, the major monasteries, Mount Ararat, the landscapes, the Christian history, and the Armenian hospitality.
What we loved most:
- the kindness of people toward our baby;
- the very family-friendly atmosphere;
- the monasteries in incredible landscapes;
- the view of Mount Ararat from Khor Virap;
- the atmosphere of Geghard;
- the cliffs of Noravank;
- the food;
- the feeling of safety;
- the fact that the country is still relatively untouched by mass tourism.
What to know when traveling with a baby:
- distances can be longer than expected;
- some roads are mountainous;
- avoid overloading the day;
- it’s better to have a driver or a car;
- plan for breaks, water, diapers, baby meals;
- a stroller isn’t always practical on ancient sites;
- a baby carrier can be very useful.
Recommended 5-day itinerary
For a first trip, I’d suggest:
Day 1: Yerevan
Day 2: Etchmiadzin + Khor Virap
Day 3: Garni + Geghard
Day 4: Noravank + Areni
Day 5: Sevan + return to Yerevan
It’s balanced, not too tiring, and gives a great first impression of the country.
Conclusion
Armenia is a wonderful destination with a baby, as long as you travel slowly and don’t try to see everything.
What touched us most, beyond the landscapes and monasteries, was the attitude toward children. There, you feel that babies are welcomed with real tenderness. In restaurants, people naturally helped us, played with our child, and gave us a few minutes to breathe.
That’s rare, and it makes a big difference in the travel experience.
Armenia isn’t a destination you consume quickly.
It’s a country that you *feel*.
For those who love cultural, spiritual, historical, family, and human-centered travel, I highly recommend it.
I’ve read the forum a lot and found a wealth of information. I’ve tried to compile all of it into our itinerary and would love your feedback to finalize the bookings (we’re planning this *very* last-minute).
Here’s what we’re thinking of doing:
22 July: arrival in Johannesburg
Night of 22–23: Johannesburg
Nights of 23–26: Marloth Park (with Kruger visits on the 24th, 25th, and a crossing visit on the 26th)
Nights of 26–28: Graskop (visiting the canyon and Panorama Road on the 27th and 28th)
Nights of 28–30: Hoedspruit (visiting the central area of Kruger on the 29th?)
Nights of 30 July–1 August: Balule Park (private reserve with safari)
Nights of 1–5 August: flight from Hoedspruit to Cape Town, then 2 days in Cape Town, 1 day on the peninsula, and 2 days for wine (just the route) or something else based on your advice (we don’t know where to stay—whether to stay all 5 nights in Cape Town and where in the city, or do 2 nights in Cape Town and 3 nights nearby—but where?)
Night of 5–6 August: Kelders for penguins and whales
Nights of 6–8 August: Tsitsikamma (what is there to do/see?)
Nights of 8–10 August: Addo Park on the 9th
10 August: flight from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg and back home
What do you think?
Is there a lot of driving time?
We’d really appreciate your comments and suggestions.
Thanks!
Hi everyone,
We're heading to Colombia soon for two weeks as a family with our two 10-year-old boys. I'm a bit behind on planning our itinerary and could really use your advice!
We arrive in Cartagena, where we'll spend 3 nights.
Next, we're heading to the Tayrona area for 3 nights. Could you recommend a nice hotel with a pool, ideally family-friendly? Unfortunately, Senda Watapuy and Senda Koguiwa are already fully booked for our dates.
After that, we were thinking of spending a few days in Minca. Is that a good idea in late July/early August? How many nights would you recommend?
Finally, we're looking for a last stop before returning to France. We've heard about Mompox, but we're hesitant because it seems like a big detour. We love nature, animals, beautiful landscapes, beaches, and authentic places. Do you think Mompox is worth the detour with two kids, or would you recommend another destination (Palomino, Barú, La Guajira...) instead?
We don’t want to take any domestic flights.
Thanks in advance for all your tips and experiences!
This summer, we’ve decided to do a 3-week road trip starting from Nice and heading down to Ksamil in Albania.
We’re leaving from Nice, and our route is already pretty much set:
Nice - Verona (Italy) - Rijeka (Croatia) - Zadar - Split - Budva (Montenegro) - Shkodër (Albania) - Ksamil, then back through Italy via Bari.
The itinerary is packed! 🙂
Do you have any suggestions for things to see—visits, beaches, viewpoints, villages, or excursions—to make the most of our journey?
Hi there, we're planning our vacation in Indonesia. We're a family with two kids aged 11 and 14. We leave on July 26th and return on August 17th, 2026.
We initially planned to visit Bali, Komodo, and Flores, but after looking into it more, we came across Sumatra, which is less touristy... a real plus for us. However, skipping Bali might be a shame.
I was wondering if spending 12 days in Sumatra and finishing with about 7 days in Bali is a doable plan.
Hi,
I’m traveling with my 5-year-old son this summer to Northern Thailand, Northern Vietnam, Yunnan, and Indonesia. I plan to equip him with a GPS tracker, but the SIM cards come with a contract. Do you know what the options are in Asia?
Thanks,
Nora
Hi there,
We’d like to spend 2 days in Lyon in May with our 8- and 12-year-old kids, exploring the city on foot.
We’ll arrive on day 1 around 11 AM and leave on day 2 around 6 PM.
I’ve mapped out two routes and was wondering if they’re doable in our 2 days, and if you have any tips or info on visit prices.
We’re not sure where to stay yet, but we’d like to optimize by booking accommodation (hotel or Airbnb) between the two routes, maybe?
Hi there!
I’m planning a trip with my wife and our three kids (ages 9, 6, and 3) from April 16 to May 6.
I’ve started sketching out the itinerary, trying to alternate between visits, hikes, safaris, and downtime. I want to keep the pace relaxed given the kids’ ages.
Could you let me know what you think of this route? I removed Nuwara Eliya, which I had originally planned before Ella, to cut down on stops. I was also wondering if I should break up the Arugam Bay to Colombo leg with an overnight in Galle, since it’s a long drive.
Thanks in advance for your feedback!
Day 1 – 04/16: Wilpattu
Arrival at the airport (08:00) + transfer to Wilpattu (180 km, 4–5 h) + afternoon safari
Overnight: Wilpattu
Day 2 – 04/17: Wilpattu
Morning & afternoon safari
Overnight: Wilpattu
Day 3 – 04/18: Trincomalee
Transfer Wilpattu → Trincomalee (200 km, 4–5 h) + beach relaxation
Overnight: Trincomalee
Day 4 – 04/19: Trincomalee
Nilaveli Beach
Overnight: Trincomalee
Day 5 – 04/20: Trincomalee
Pigeon Island snorkeling
Overnight: Trincomalee
Day 6 – 04/21: Trincomalee
Fort Frederick & relaxation
Overnight: Trincomalee
Day 7 – 04/22: Sigiriya
Transfer Trincomalee → Sigiriya (120 km, ~3 h) + visit to Dambulla
Overnight: Sigiriya
Day 8 – 04/23: Sigiriya
Sigiriya Rock
Overnight: Sigiriya
Day 9 – 04/24: Sigiriya
Minneriya safari
Overnight: Sigiriya
Day 10 – 04/25: Sigiriya
Polonnaruwa & village tour
Overnight: Sigiriya
Day 11 – 04/26: Ella
Transfer Sigiriya → Ella (230 km, 5–6 h) + rest
Overnight: Ella
Day 12 – 04/27: Ella
Little Adam’s Peak & Nine Arches Bridge
Overnight: Ella
Day 13 – 04/28: Ella
Ella Rock
Overnight: Ella
Day 14 – 04/29: Ella
Tea Factory & relaxation
Overnight: Ella
Day 15 – 04/30: Yala
Transfer Ella → Yala (110 km, 2–3 h) + afternoon safari
Overnight: Yala
Day 16 – 05/01: Arugam Bay
Transfer Yala → Arugam Bay (80 km, 2.5–3 h) + beach time
Overnight: Arugam Bay
Day 17 – 05/02: Arugam Bay
Surfing & relaxation
Overnight: Arugam Bay
Day 18 – 05/03: Arugam Bay
Local exploration
Overnight: Arugam Bay
Day 19 – 05/04: Colombo
Transfer Arugam Bay → Colombo (320 km, 7–8 h) + rest
Overnight: Colombo
Day 20 – 05/05: Colombo
City tour & shopping
Overnight: Colombo
Day 21 – 05/06: Colombo
Morning return flight from Colombo
We’re heading to Sri Lanka for three weeks in July with two kids (ages 6 and 13).
We’ve drafted a rough itinerary but would love to hear from those who’ve already been there 😊
Of course, we want to see everything, but we have to make choices—even though three weeks on the ground lets us do quite a bit.
We originally planned a schedule that felt too packed, so we had to cut one stop. We decided to skip Tangalle, even though we were really tempted. The monsoon won’t let us swim there, and the weather in the south is too uncertain, so we preferred to keep our stops on the east coast. Plus, we don’t think it’s reasonable to cut nights from other places.
We’ve added a stop in Batticaloa, which we think will be a nice break between Arugam Bay and Sigiriya. What do you think?
We’re also debating between Batticaloa and Passikudah.
Does the itinerary seem logical to you?
Here it is:
Sri Lanka Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival around 1 PM at the airport
Night in Negombo
Day 2
Drive from Negombo to Galle
Visit Galle and surrounding areas
Night in Galle
Day 3
Visit Galle and surrounding areas
Night in Galle
Day 4
Visit Galle and surrounding areas
Drive from Galle to Udawalawe
Night in Udawalawe
Day 5
Visit Udawalawe National Park
Night in Udawalawe
Day 6
Drive from Udawalawe to Ella
Night in Ella
Day 7
Ella Rock
+ Nine Arch Bridge
Night in Ella
Day 8
Visit Haputale
Lipton’s Seat and Dambatenne Tea Factory
Train ride back from Haputale to Ella
Night in Ella
Day 9
Little Adam’s Peak
+ drive from Ella to Arugam Bay
Night in Arugam Bay
Day 10
Visit Arugam Bay and surrounding areas
Night in Arugam Bay
Day 11
Visit Arugam Bay and surrounding areas
Night in Arugam Bay
Day 12
Drive from Arugam Bay to Batticaloa
Night in Batticaloa
Day 13
Visit Batticaloa
Night in Batticaloa
Day 14
Drive from Batticaloa to Sigiriya
Night in Sigiriya
Day 15
Lion Rock and Pidurangala
Night in Sigiriya
Day 16
Visit Dambulla
Drive from Sigiriya to Trincomalee
Night in Trincomalee
Day 17
Visit Trincomalee and surrounding areas
Night in Trincomalee
Day 18
Visit Trincomalee and surrounding areas
Night in Trincomalee
Day 19
Drive from Trincomalee to Anuradhapura
Night in Anuradhapura
Day 20
Visit Anuradhapura
Night in Anuradhapura
Day 21
Visit Mihintale
Drive from Anuradhapura to Negombo
Night in Negombo
Day 22
Day in Negombo and return flight
We’d love to hear your thoughts and tips! Thanks in advance!
We’re planning a 4-month trip in spring 2027. We’re looking for a third destination that optimizes transport costs. Ideally, somewhere very different from the other two (Polynesia and Indonesia). Thanks
Hi everyone!
We’re so excited to be heading to Italy for the first time this April with our two kids for a week. We’ve booked our round-trip flight, and we’ll be arriving and departing from Pisa.
Our rough plan so far includes visiting Pisa, taking the train to Florence, and exploring the Cinque Terre. Last night, a friend also suggested adding Siena to the list.
Our kids are 12 and 9 and are used to walking, but we’re not looking to rush around too much. We’d love any advice, especially about accommodation. Should we stay in Pisa and take day trips by train, or split our nights between a couple of different places?
We’re just starting our research, so any tips would be amazing! 😉
Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone.
A few days ago, I asked my 14-year-old son to pick a destination for a trip, and he chose Germany. So, we’re heading to Berlin for four days in February. The catch is that I don’t know this city (or this country) at all—I hadn’t even considered visiting just a month ago .
Could you please share some suggestions to make this first mother-son trip abroad a success? 🙂
Thanks for your tips and great deals.
Nanyne
Next summer, we (2 adults and a 12-year-old child) have decided to visit Japan.
Admittedly, it’s still early to plan everything, but my wife will soon need to request her vacation time—either in August or July... and we’re hesitating.
I know summer isn’t the ideal time to visit Japan, but we don’t really have a choice... It’s either July or August. On one hand, I’d love to experience the O-Bon festivities from August 14th to 16th, and I’ve drafted an initial itinerary that would let us experience the Gujo Hachiman Bon Odori, possibly visit the Okunoin Cemetery in Koyasan, and be in Kyoto on the 16th for the Gozan Okuribi fires. But on the other hand, I’m worried it’ll be *packed*, especially in Kyoto, and less enjoyable than in July. So, have any of you experienced these celebrations? Are they worth it? Too crowded? Do you know of other celebrations or festivals in July?
Thanks for your input!
I’m reaching out because I’ve already read tons of info from other forums (thanks a million, by the way!) and blogs, but now I’m overwhelmed with details and have so many questions. I’m really hoping you can help us figure this out! Here’s the plan:
We’re leaving France for Senegal in our camper van (with two kids, aged 4 and 7), then shipping the van to South Africa before heading to Namibia. We’re planning to leave this summer and should arrive in South Africa in early September. The goal is to reach Réunion by early December, which gives us 3 months to explore Southern Africa. Originally, we wanted to pick up the van in Cape Town, head up to Namibia, and visit the main parks and iconic spots, then go north to Botswana (Etosha Park) and Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls) before heading back down to South Africa to enjoy the milder temperatures while exploring the country. But now we’re wondering how to get back to South Africa. We’ve come up with three options:
- Head back down through Botswana: I’ve read everywhere that Botswana isn’t recommended for kids under 6 (most parks) because it can be potentially dangerous—few enclosures for animals (even though we have a camper van with "secure" beds), and the agencies we’ve contacted don’t recommend it. Plus, southern Botswana is tough to navigate in a camper van.
- Return from central Botswana (Maun) to Windhoek and drive back to Cape Town via Namibia.
- Cross Zimbabwe and potentially Mozambique to head down to Kruger Park and Johannesburg.
Anyone familiar with this region have any recommendations?
Also, is it necessary to book accommodations in advance? Is that only required in certain countries (maybe Botswana/Zimbabwe)? We’d like a mix of camping and lodges.
Hi there,
We’re planning a two-week trip to Colombia with our two kids at the end of July – early August, with a round-trip flight to Cartagena.
What itinerary would you recommend, knowing we’d prefer to avoid domestic flights?
We were thinking of Cartagena, Tayrona Park, Mompox, and maybe an island.
Do you think it’s a shame to skip big cities like Bogotá or Medellín?
Thanks so much in advance for your help!
Good morning! We're heading to Cape Verde for 2 weeks at the end of April—São Vicente, Boa Vista, and Santiago. We’re a family of 5: 3 kids (4, 6, and 12) and 2 adults.
My questions revolve around beaches (a spot with interesting snorkeling and safe swimming for the kids), accommodation (kid-friendly, parks nearby, pool, beach, or nature—more like guesthouses or family-run pensions), hikes (accessible for kids), and whether renting a car makes sense depending on the island, even though local buses are an adventure in themselves.
**Santiago:**
- Beach & snorkeling: Tarrafal, Quebra Canela in Praia, Ribeira da Barca (okay for kids?), Águas Belas?
- Any nice places to stay?
- Hikes: Malagueta?, Baobab Boa Entrada, Pico António (accessible? elevation gain, time to climb, difficulty, interest for kids?)
**Boa Vista:**
- Beach + snorkeling: Santa Mónica, Praia de Chaves, Gatas, ... Estoril Beach in Sal Rei maybe?
- Can we swim at Turtle Bay to see the turtles even though it’s not nesting season?
- Any nice places to stay?
- Hikes: Viana Desert? Can we explore it solo by renting a 4x4 and easily find the points of interest?
- Is it worth renting a 4x4 for our stay in Boa Vista?
**São Vicente:**
- Beach + snorkeling: Laginha, Porto Grande, Praia Grande, Baía das Gatas, São Pedro...? (safe, good snorkeling?)
- Any nice places to stay?
- Hikes: cliffs?, Monte Verde?
Thanks for your feedback, great tips—especially for accommodation where we’re totally in the dark! And your thoughts on whether renting a car is a good idea and which beaches are safest for kids.
Hi,
We’d like to visit the Alpes de Haute-Provence for 2 weeks with our 2 (adult) kids.
Any ideas for things to see and do?
Where should we choose our accommodation (house only) to be centrally located for sightseeing? We’re looking for villages with restaurants and bakeries.
Thanks in advance for your tips!
Best regards
Hi there, we’re heading to Tuscany in the second half of August with two kids (8 and 6 years old).
We’ve zeroed in on the area around Siena and Florence for now.
I’m looking for recommendations on places to stay and things to see that are great for families.
Also, just to add, we’ll be traveling by train and plan to rent a car once we’re there—any tips on car rental companies?
Hello everyone,
We’ve decided to head to Quebec next year—it’s been a dream for the whole family (after watching so many travel shows and the like...). There’ll be five of us: 2 adults, 2 teens (16 and 13), and a child (8 years old). We’re all pretty good walkers, though maybe the teens a little less so—it’s just that age, you know? 😊 That said, they’ve got no problem doing 15 km hikes, just not every single day.
We’re planning to go from July 23 to August 14, arriving and departing from Montreal, so almost 3 weeks.
I’ve started looking into logistics and accommodation prices, but before I dive into bookings, I’d love some advice on the itinerary. I’ve read a few threads here and there.
Our idea is to visit between 3 and 5 different places over the 3 weeks, so that means the same number of accommodations. The goal is to optimize travel as much as possible—I’ve realized that getting around can take a long time.
I think the first two days will be in Montreal to adjust to the time difference, and the last two in Quebec City, though that’s not set in stone.
Anyway, I’m not really sure about the route. I’ve got time to plan everything, but I know the longer we wait, the more expensive and scarce accommodations will get.
Same goes for budget—we’ve set aside a mid-range budget, flights included: 3k per person (1k for the flight). So if you’ve got any great tips or advice, we’re all ears!
I was thinking of going up the St. Lawrence River, but I’m not sure how long that takes or where to stop. Maybe there are other places worth visiting farther away...
Anyway, thanks for reading this far! If you’ve got any questions, don’t hesitate.
I hope you're starting this new year with your head full of travel memories or plans!!
I’d love to spend a week in July on a Greek island with my 8-year-old son. I’m totally in love with Amorgos, but not all the beaches are accessible for him. I’ve been to Santorini and Naxos before and don’t want to go back. Would you have an island to recommend that’s not too crowded 😕, with a few accessible beaches and where we won’t have to fight to get around or park?
A few months ago, I posted a message in the Southern Africa section about a family trip in July/August. In the end, since I had too much trouble deciding on the destination and procrastinated too much with the planning 😎, I changed my mind and we’re going for a completely different trip—to Madagascar, a country we already know a bit since we’ve traveled there several times for 4 to 6 months each time, though our last visit was back in 2012!
The tickets are booked: 19 days on the ground (excluding arrival and departure days in Tana), spanning July and August.
We’re not looking to rack up landscapes (and kilometers). The kids really want to see lots of animals, while we mostly want to show them what daily life is like in Malagasy villages. So ideally, we’d like a trip split into two parts:
- For 8/10 days, a hiking portion. The idea isn’t to do a tough trek in very remote areas but rather to walk from one village to another. Let’s say 3-4 hours a day. And when we arrive in each village, we’d have time to explore a bit, chat with the locals, let our kids play with the village children, etc. Stay with locals when possible. Move to a new village every day or every 2-3 days.
- A few days visiting 1 or 2 national parks (with lemurs if possible to keep everyone happy!)
- With the inevitable travel days, we’ll quickly hit 19 days.
Does this kind of trip sound doable (and fun) to you? Do you know of any villages that would fit our hiking plans?
I don’t have a preferred region yet, except that very dry landscapes appeal to me less. My real love from past trips was the highlands and their bright green rice paddies against red earth, but I’m a bit worried about the cold at this time of year.
After my initial research (thanks to this forum), I get the impression that the Ambalavao/Ambohimahamasina area might meet our criteria. I saw there are "accueil paysan" (farm stays) in that area, which could match what we’re looking for and would let us visit Andringitra National Park and Ranomafana on the way there or back.
But I’m open to all your more original ideas!
For logistical questions (transport, guides, accommodations, etc.), I’ll tackle those later—it’ll depend on the area we choose.
We’re a family with young kids (6 years old, 3 years old, and a newborn) and we’d like to spend about ten days in Aquitaine (in Gironde or Les Landes).
We’d love to be near pretty villages to visit and, if possible, close to the sea.
We’re planning to stay at a campsite with a pool so the kids can play.
Could you recommend any places/villages/campsites for us?
We don’t know the region at all.
We’re a family of five (our kids are 6, 15, and 19) and we’d love to go somewhere warm with our feet in the water during the first two weeks of August 2026. We’d also like to do some cultural visits and a bit of hiking. We were thinking of Guadeloupe—I know it’s not the ideal time of year, but we don’t have much flexibility. Is it really a bad idea, or can we still enjoy it despite the weather?
Another option for us would be Madeira, which seems more reliable weather-wise, but it sounds like the beaches are less accessible and not as nice.
We haven’t really looked elsewhere because everything else (except the Canary Islands, Balearics, or Corsica) seems way too expensive. But if you’ve got any recommendations, don’t hesitate—we’re just starting to look into it.
Hi,
This summer, we’re spending a month in Malaysia. There are 3 adults and two kids in our group. I’ve just finished planning our itinerary and I’d love to get your thoughts on whether it feels "coherent."
Thanks in advance for your feedback!
Christelle
07/07 Depart France 10:30 AM
08/07 Arrive KL 7:50 PM
09/07 KL
10/07 KL / Batu Caves
11/07 KL
12/07 KL → Kuching (flight)
13/07 Kuching
14/07 Bako National Park
15/07 Bako → Kuching
16/07 Semenggoh Reserve
17/07 Kuching → Mulu (flight)
18/07 Mulu National Park
19/07 Mulu → Kota Kinabalu (flight)
20/07 Kota Kinabalu → Sandakan (flight)
21/07 Kinabatangan
22/07 Kinabatangan → Sandakan / Sandakan → KL (flight)
23/07 Malacca
24/07 Malacca → Chin Swee Caves Temple
25/07 Chin Swee Caves Temple → Kuala Tahan / Taman Negara Park
26/07 Taman Negara Park
27/07 Kuala Tahan → Kuala Besut
28/07 Perhentian Islands
29/07 Perhentian Islands
30/07 Perhentian Islands
31/07 Perhentian → George Town
01/08 George Town / Penang
02/08 George Town / Penang
03/08 Ipoh
04/08 Cameron Highlands
05/08 Return to KL
06/08 Return to France
Hi everyone,
I’m planning a 3-week trip to Malaysia this July with my 6-year-old son.
I’d thought we’d go this year, but we ended up returning to Samui instead.
I’ve decided to limit it to 4 stops to avoid moving around too often and to fully enjoy each place without rushing. The travel times between each spot aren’t too long, except for the one between Sandakan and Langkawi.
* 05: Arrival in KL in the afternoon.
06: Day in KL. I’ve been there a few times and know the city a bit.
* 07: Head to Kota Kinabalu
08 – 09: In KK
* 10: Flight from Sandakan to Sepilok
11: In Sepilok
* 12: Flight to Kinabatangan
13 – 14: In Kinabatangan
* 15: Head to Langkawi
15 – 21: In Langkawi
* 22: Return to KL
23 – 24: In KL
* 25: Return flight
Any thoughts on this itinerary? I have a rough idea of what we’ll do at each stop after checking online and with ChatGPT.
We’re heading out at the end of February for a road trip with our two kids, ages 3 and 7. Our itinerary includes Ait Ben Haddou, Tizi-n-Tichka, Sourate, Tinghir, Zagora, Ouarzazate, Ouzoud, and Essaouira. I’d love recommendations for accommodations, restaurants, and typical/spectacular spots to visit. We’d like to spend a night in the Zagora desert. We’re looking for authenticity and a friendly vibe—not tourist traps—for our trip. We’ll be there during Ramadan—any tips?
Thanks in advance!
Your fellow globetrotter’s perspective is invaluable.
Wednesday, March 4 – Friday, March 6 — Sine-Saloum
Drive to Toubacouta via the Trans-Gambian Highway (Gambia)
Stay with a local host / camp on the bolongs
Activities: pirogue ride in the delta, Serer villages, biking, handicraft discovery
Overnights: Sine-Saloum (3 nights)
Saturday, March 7 – Sunday, March 8 — Petite Côte
Drive to Somone / Ngaparou (~3 hours)
Stay with a local host
Activities: beach, safari at Bandia Reserve, kayaking on the lagoon, craft market
Overnights: Petite Côte (2 nights, including Sunday, March 8, to enjoy the full day before the nighttime departure)
Monday, March 9 — Departure
Transfer to Blaise Diagne International Airport (~45 minutes)
Flight leaves at 2:00 AM
I’ve got a few questions:
- Is an afternoon on Gorée Island worth it? I really want to go, but the ferry departure days are a bit limiting.
- How easy is it to get around between these different stops? Can we find a taxi that fits all five of us?
- Do you have any accommodation recommendations? I’d love to stay with locals as much as possible—we’re not looking for luxury, just a bed and a shower.
- February 28 is my birthday, and I’d love to do something “special”: any ideas for a nice place to stay, a great restaurant, or an out-of-the-ordinary activity? We’ll be around Cap Skirring.
- Does this itinerary seem coherent? I really want to visit Casamance, and we’d prefer to stay no more than 3 nights in the same place.
Don’t hesitate to share your tips! Thanks so much!
Hello,
I’d like to go to Morocco with my 10-year-old daughter for three weeks in February.
Do you think, as women traveling alone, we’ll feel comfortable? Sorry if my question seems odd, but when I mentioned my plans, I got some hesitant reactions.
I’ve never been to North Africa. I’ve traveled several times to the Sultanate of Oman, where I felt very at ease as long as we respected the basic cultural norms. For those who know Morocco, do you think it’s different? Would it be appropriate for me to cover my head?
I was thinking of arriving in Agadir and spending a few days in Taghazout and the surrounding area.
After that, if you have any tips, I’m all ears. We’re looking to discover Moroccan cultures, see artisans at work, or even try our hand at a local craft—we’d love that. Simply meeting families, seeing landscapes, animals, and soaking in the culture gently, opening ourselves to something new—that’s what motivates us. And if there are opportunities to listen to local music, even better.
We’ll be traveling by public transport.
Thanks in advance for your ideas.
Happy travels to everyone.
we’re taking our grandkids in early 2026 (14 and 10 years old) without their parents. Do we really need to have birth certificates and other forms translated by a sworn translator?
