I find myself feeling more and more jaded when I travel these days.
Boredom sets in. I’m not saying I don’t like boredom, but long-term...
So, I end up thinking traveling doesn’t really make much sense anymore.
Do you ever feel this way?
First, there’s the aging of the body—we’re not all equal in that regard, but you’re only 55, which is young. Physical and mental fitness fluctuate; some people feel old at 40, while others at 80 are still crossing the globe. The mountaineer Cassin led a climb at 78 on one of the most difficult high-mountain routes he’d opened decades earlier.
Maybe it’s time to change how you travel. I took the liberty of reading what you’ve written about yourself—hitchhiking across Canada four times. Was that before? Do you travel more conventionally now—hotels, stays in places designed for Western tourists, ticking off famous sites where you run into crowds, then returning to your lodging for the night, all set up for Western comfort? Big dinners, massive breakfasts—it can all get old.
Personally, I travel partly that way with my wife because I love making her happy and being with her, but that style of travel actually "drives me up the wall" for a lot of reasons.
I also often set off with my bike or on foot through mountains or harsh, deserted landscapes for long stretches (and absolutely not because I lack the funds). That’s a whole different kind of travel—you won’t be visiting Iguazu Falls, for example. I’ve been to Argentina twice and still haven’t seen them. You’re in a different mindset: self-sufficiency, sleeping outdoors, different kinds of interactions with the people you meet—though let’s not kid ourselves, we’re still tourists. You might even end up needing help from people who live on next to nothing. Obviously, don’t take advantage, and it’s up to you how to compensate them, since they’ll often refuse money if it’s offered too bluntly.
Of course, this requires some basic gear that costs money to stay within "humanly bearable" limits for well-fed folks like us. Between the bike and everything else for real autonomy at a manageable weight—even in tough climates—roughly 3500 € will equip you to take on almost anywhere in the world while living independently.
Bike travel doesn’t require incredible fitness or insane training. I travel by bike but barely cycle otherwise. Some people struggle to understand that and call me a fraud. But I know plenty of bike travelers who hardly ever ride outside of trips. In fact, I’ve found that highly trained people can sometimes hold up worse than someone who’s a bit out of shape after a month of "hard" travel (though not all trips are like that)—you end up losing weight.
When you start a trip, listen to your body, and it adapts quickly. After a few days, you’ll naturally increase your daily distance, even if you start with just 30 or 40 km a day—something anyone can do with a decent bike, especially if you get into the habit of setting off early, even at sunrise. As I mentioned, pay attention to your body, stay hydrated ("always pee clear"), and you’ll quickly realize that two big servings of rice or pasta a day are enough—and you won’t get tired of it. You’ll feel your body regenerating.
And without meaning to be rude—since we don’t talk about age, especially with women—but 55 is young. I’ll share two photos of Brigitte, but I know others like her. She’s well into her sixties and still cycling around the world, often solo, through rough places like the great deserts, including the Atacama in South America, which she’s crossed twice solo. Solo female bike travel in remote areas is a big debate, and yes, you need a sharp instinct, but it’s a touchy subject on VF, especially coming from a man—I’ve been called out before. Women like Brigitte have a sixth sense, but you don’t have to go solo right away, at least not at first.
Maybe it’s time for a shift in how you travel and your life philosophy. France is the perfect lab for sharpening your "wild" living skills—every kind of terrain invites you to try it.
This is just my take based on your question. But to be clear, I don’t have anything against any way of traveling—not even luxury cruises to Antarctica, since they’re allowed. For personal reasons, though, it’s not my thing, even if someone offered it to me for free.
In short, bike travel has let me see the world from a different angle, even in super touristy places like Laos, where I’ve gone two weeks at a time without seeing another Westerner. But I don’t have anything against my fellow travelers!
Two photos of a solo desert-crosser who once told me during a trip together, "Luc, I’m going to teach you how to travel with savages." She said it all.
It’s true that the trips where I felt truly "alive" were the ones I took in Canada—because it was a real adventure. I got around by hitchhiking, and I was even invited to stay by the very people who picked me up. But I was in my forties then. I don’t feel like doing that anymore.
It’s true that my recent trips have been pretty predictable. Accommodation, hiring a driver... everything was so well-organized.
Beyond the fact that the adventure has faded, I’ve been wondering for a while now whether to keep traveling far away or just stay in France.
Thanks for adding the photos.
I can see you’re a real cycling enthusiast.
Hi Nathalie,
No, I’m not jaded yet!
I feel like there’s still so much to see and, most importantly, so many people to meet before I even think about... the last trip. 😉
I read the message Luc sent you. Personally, I couldn’t follow his advice—my age and current health wouldn’t allow it.
But I believe you can still travel enjoyably and have a great time with a different approach. There’s no age limit for showing curiosity (you can learn your whole life) and kindness somewhere other than home. I’d love to go with a friend to explore medicinal plants in Latin America. And take the opportunity to share some of the knowledge I have.
Sorry, I have to cut this conversation short—my battery’s dead. We’ll pick it up later when I’m back.
« Celui qui voyage sans rencontrer l’autre ne voyage pas, il se déplace »
Alexandra David-Neel
Maybe it’s just a sign that your priorities have changed. There was a time in my life when I didn’t feel like traveling anymore—no destination interested me. And the few that did motivate me, I couldn’t or no longer could go to because they were in red zones. During that period, I only did trips on foot, alone in France, with nothing planned in advance. I started with the Camino de Santiago all the way to the end in Spain for two months, and then other trails followed. And just like that, my love for travel came back the same way it had left...
Tout ce qui a été perdu dans la plaine, tu le retrouveras dans les montagnes. Proverbe géorgien.
More and more often, I feel jaded when I travel.
Boredom sets in. I’m not saying I don’t like boredom, but in the long run...
So, I end up thinking that traveling doesn’t really make much sense anymore.
Maybe try changing the way you travel...
Take public transport instead of a car.
Go camping (wild camping) instead of staying in a hotel.
Try an active vacation.
Visit places that are off the beaten path and/or give you a real adrenaline rush (wild, remote spots).
Do you ever feel this way?
Luckily, not so far. But I’m hyperactive during vacations, and if my days weren’t packed, I’d probably get bored.
Yes, Louisiana. I think for some time now, my attraction to far-off travels has made me question myself. I don’t feel that same urge to go away anymore.
So now I’m picturing myself exploring France instead, but it feels a bit like giving up—like only trips abroad are really worth it.
I’m still not totally sure about this.
But I see you live in the Hautes-Alpes.
That’s exactly where I’m hoping to go next year.
It’s interesting to read that quite a few responses attribute this to age... Maybe...
I can’t get jaded as long as I see the wonder in my kids’ eyes when they look at lush rice fields, coral lagoons, Buddhist temples, herds of dromedaries, towering skyscrapers, or even just a street stall 🙂
But maybe that’ll change when they’re no longer traveling with us and we’ve all checked off our dreams of faraway places (I’ve still got 10 or 15 years ahead of me 😉). Will I still feel like exploring the world, or will I just want to settle down in a cozy Breton hideaway? No sé...😕 (though I think there’s already part of the answer if I’m asking myself this question today...)
Il n'y a pas de problème sans solution... et si il n'y a pas de solution, il n'y a pas de problème !
For now, I’m not "jaded"—though I’ll admit that after traveling so much in Europe (aside from Morocco and Istanbul, I haven’t left the continent yet), I’m less "amazed" because some countries do feel a bit samey.
But that doesn’t stop me from enjoying it!
I just imagine an Asian traveler who’s never set foot in Europe would be blown away by their first trip—first churches and all. It’s that "newness" effect.
But it doesn’t really bother me. In fact, I even go back to the same places regularly—go figure! !
Maybe an age thing?
I also wonder if there’s a connection between leaving the city for the countryside.
I’m more in tune with nature now and maybe don’t feel the same need to go far away, preferring France instead.
Yes, we can get used to anything, even the most stunning landscapes (based on our own standards). I once knew someone who lived on the wild coast of Le Croisic (Loire-Atlantique)—a dream spot for me. But for decades now, he hadn’t gone for walks anymore. "I’m tired of it," he’d say.
I also read that tourists visiting Florence would faint from the sheer overload of beauty Florence holds (its churches, in particular).
Maybe the trip just wasn’t a deep desire? Because you can be really happy where you live and still want to discover something else. I live in the mountains, I love hiking, skiing, and my region, but I really want to explore other mountains around the world, the great outdoors, and deserts. But right now, for example, I’m happy to stay in my region and I don’t miss traveling at all. That’s the advantage of living in a place you love.
Tout ce qui a été perdu dans la plaine, tu le retrouveras dans les montagnes. Proverbe géorgien.
You can love your hometown and still want to discover something new—I don’t think those are incompatible.
Just to clarify, I mostly visit European cities for practical reasons (mostly air travel), so I was talking more about architecture than landscapes.
For example, there are strong similarities among Central European cities, so if you visit Prague—which is stunning—you might be less dazzled by the rest.
That said, there are plenty of reasons to visit cities, and I don’t expect the same things from each one.
The most beautiful cities are often *very* (too) touristy, and you might prefer the vibe elsewhere, etc.
One of my favorite cities is Madrid—it’s not the most beautiful, but I keep going back because I feel good there.
I sometimes wonder how it’ll be when I’ve seen almost everything in Europe, but I’m not there yet, and by then...
It’s interesting to read that quite a few answers link this to age... Maybe...
Age definitely plays a part in it.
For my part, I’m not jaded, but I’m certainly less motivated than I was at 25.
I can’t get jaded as long as I see the wonder in my kids’ eyes when they look at lush rice fields, coral lagoons, Buddhist temples, herds of camels, towering skyscrapers, or even just a street stall.
I went through that family-travel phase, which I really enjoyed, though it wasn’t quite like the adventurous trips of my younger years. It was already a bit more touristy, but still completely free—no planning, no reservations—and I was still lucky enough to take solo trips in the "offbeat discoveries" style, far from civilization... Then came my trekking phase, which was already more "structured," with permits and sometimes mandatory guides...
Of course, with age, it gets harder to go off the beaten path. You start looking for a minimum of comfort, worrying about your health, thinking about safety... And then globalization and mass tourism arrived, bringing more or less direct consequences like pollution in the countryside, rivers, and marine environments... trash everywhere... concrete along the coast and tourist resorts, ugly corrugated iron replacing palm and wood on the roofs of houses where there used to be nothing but white sand, coral, and basic huts... Landscapes are disfigured everywhere, cities have become unbearable, and guides are omnipresent at every street corner, offering their "canned" tours from a catalog, with hordes of tourists snapping a photo every 20 seconds while checking their smartphones! All of this has really dulled my taste for traveling "far from civilization."
I almost forgot: Now there’s the virus to deal with! I might be reckless, but I’m not afraid of the virus. What I *can’t* stand is the idea of being locked up for 15 days for quarantine, having to wear a mask on the plane and everywhere else, being subject to a bunch of health rules... No thanks, not for me.
Here in my hamlet in the Vercors, I didn’t really experience lockdown, and nature is all around me. I’m happy that it gives me so much joy—climbing peaks, discovering scialets, caves, and grottos, canyons and ravines with torrents teeming with trout and crayfish, and, as a bonus, deer, ibex, and chamois that aren’t hunted.
I think it’s completely normal not to spend your life at the same pace, with the same desires, etc...
If long-term travel starts to wear you out, you’ve got to ask yourself what new desire is starting to sprout inside you.
Since we’re not talking about obligations here, but leisure and freedom, you should turn toward something else that brings you joy.
The taste for travel will come back—or it won’t—or it’ll come back in a different way.
Travel isn’t the only thing that can fill a life with pleasure.
I sometimes wonder what it'll be like when I've seen almost all of Europe
Why? Does it seem more complicated outside Europe? You liked Russia, so you're continuing the same way with former Soviet countries like Uzbekistan. In Bukhara and Samarkand, there's no shortage of monuments...
You could also start with Turkey—there's plenty to visit in Istanbul. It's pretty easy, transportation is convenient, the people are welcoming, and you can find accommodation at reasonable prices. After that, you can go almost anywhere without worry.
I think it’s completely normal not to spend your life at the same pace, with the same desires, etc...
If long-term travel starts to feel tiresome, you’ve got to ask yourself what new desire is sprouting inside you.
Since we’re not talking about obligations here, but leisure and freedom, you should turn toward something else that brings you joy.
The taste for travel might come back—or it might not, or it might come back in a different way.
Travel isn’t the only thing that can fill a life with pleasure.
Yes, Béatrice, there’s a budding desire for elsewhere, but not necessarily abroad.
Sailing in Brittany, a little caravan to take in the mountains...
That’s where I’m leaning.
Honestly, it was starting to feel more like an obligation than a pleasure: *Where am I going this year?* Like I was forcing myself.
It just doesn’t make sense for me right now, at least for the moment.
I don’t see this as a particularly fundamental questioning, unless you’ve only defined yourself by this activity... I think that’s rare, though.
But hey, everyone’s got their own experiences.
I sometimes wonder what it’ll be like when I’ve seen almost all of Europe
Why? Does it seem more complicated outside Europe? You liked Russia, so you’re continuing with former Soviet countries like Uzbekistan. In Bukhara and Samarkand, there’s no shortage of monuments...
You could also start with Turkey—there’s plenty to see in Istanbul. It’s pretty easy, transportation is convenient, the people are welcoming, and you can find accommodation at reasonable prices. After that, you can go almost anywhere without worry.
Russia is still Europe.
I’ve been to Istanbul—it’s nice, and I’d like to go back.
Yeah, Europe is simpler, cheaper to get to, and cities that are self-sufficient with good transport.
Overall, I’m mostly drawn to cities with heritage, so yes, more toward Europe, but that’s another topic.
But for now, it’s still easier to take a week-long trip to a European city.
In the end, COVID gives us the "perfect excuse" to postpone our trips... and at the same time, it gives us time to reflect.
Personally, I’m not tired of my African adventures, but I also feel like diving back into Parisian cultural winters. It comes at a cost, though... so I have to choose.
I plan to increase the number of my European getaways, focusing on cheap accommodation options (like apartment swaps)—that should work. And Africa... we’ll see, but no more stays of several months.
Thanks so much for your kindness, Béatrice.
Wishing you beautiful getaways, whether in Africa or Paris.
Do you still love Africa as much as ever?
Is it easy to travel there without a guide on your own?
What is it about Africa that you love so much?
I’m really curious, but Africa has never appealed to me—I wonder if I’m missing out on something amazing. Or not.
Or not, yeah, because it really depends on how each person feels.
What do I love about Africa? (I’m talking about the Maghreb and West Africa—I don’t know the rest.) It’s a certain way of life and the relationships with the people, of course from the perspective of a Western woman. I’m not mistaken about that.
People seem way cooler and most of the time ready for an exchange, a chat, and mutual help.
In sub-Saharan Africa, the humor.
I love this life where, since the state has nothing to do with ours, and in the absence of strong public policies to help the people, mutual aid and resourcefulness are there. You always have a solution for everything, everywhere.
From my perspective as a Western tourist, it’s amazing. For the local populations, there’s the good and the worst, which we don’t experience.
(Healthcare, education, corruption)
The landscapes, the abundance of markets, the eloquence and strength of the women, their courage... eating wild mangoes, having a sip of sodabi with the village elders, eating in the *maquis* from morning on, foamy milk coffee with an omelet sandwich—"one or two eggs?"
In Morocco, outside the ultra-touristy areas, the welcome, the exchange. The beauty of the landscapes—mountains, palm groves, centuries-old kasbahs.
In Mauritania, the desert, just desert, the immense dunes and barkhanes, the pink, blue, and soft green villages nestled in the dunes, the herds of dromedaries.
Just a glimpse of what I love.
I travel without a guide. I organize everything myself, on the spot.
No danger for solo women.
There’s a bit of flirting, but it’s quickly put in place with a little humor. Never aggressive or vulgar. Oh, the *tchatche*...
There you go!
The hardest thing right now is the insecurity due to various forms of terrorism. You have to stay updated on the news... awful, awful, poor people.
Yes, I’ve experienced that before. I noticed it happens when I’ve been in the same routine for a few weeks. For example, if I’m hitchhiking and couchsurfing or staying in hostels and doing city trips a lot... I realized that changing up my routine—whether it’s my mode of transport, accommodation, or activities—helps me stop feeling so jaded.
I also adjust my travel pace, making it slower or faster. I try to step out of my comfort zone too, which helps me feel less bored and discover more about myself. It also builds my confidence. For instance, I might do some volunteering, look for a job, or spend an extra week in a city. Basically, I listen to myself as much as possible, follow my instincts, and the boredom or "blah" feeling fades away.
Another thing that helps is calling my loved ones on video. Often, they remind me how lucky I am to be in such a paradise-like place, and that gives me a great energy boost.
I think all travelers go through these kinds of feelings—it’s not a big deal. You just have to accept it and find little tricks to make it happen less often.
Hi Mélanie, and thanks for your contribution.
This year, I was supposed to go to Greenland—a mythical place for me.
But honestly, canceling didn’t bother me at all.
Let’s just say there’s a huge gap between the dream of traveling and actually making it happen, and that gap eventually discourages me.
"Let’s just say there’s a gap between the dream of traveling and actually doing it that eventually discourages me."
What do you mean by that? Can’t you take the plunge?
"Let’s just say that between the dream of travel and making it a reality, there’s a gap that eventually discourages me."
What do you mean by that? You can’t take the plunge?
Oh, I do take the plunge—but the reality often ends up being disappointing because the trip was so idealized in my fantasies.
Hi there, I think Covid temporarily solved your problem. But afterward, did the weariness return just like before, or not? Or did you replace traveling with something else?
Sometimes, you meet someone and suddenly the urge to travel comes back because with two people...
I have to say, apart from Marrakech, I haven’t left Europe yet... I hope to go farther, but after all, what attracts me most is still our good old continent!
That said, I can’t imagine my life without travel, but at some point, I’ve seen what interests me most.
The upside: I can die in peace—I’ve fulfilled my dreams (aside from a few trips, I don’t have any others left).
Personally, what I find really draining these days (thankfully not everywhere) is how people are constantly glued to their phones, spending their lives taking selfies or livestreaming/vlogging their lives....
But as they say, not every corner of the globe is like that yet, thankfully.
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Hi everyone, just this once I’m not posting for a travel story, but to share a thought for Venezuela.
If you didn’t know—since it’s not making headlines—the country was hit by two 7.5-magnitude earthquakes last week. Over 2,200 people have died, more than 50,000 are missing, and some coastal towns have been completely destroyed.
Maybe when the scale of the humanitarian crisis becomes clear, our media will cover it a bit more... especially since earthquakes with this many casualties usually make the front page, but there’s been nothing in France.
So here’s a thought for this country, which, whatever you think of its politics, is a true jewel of South America, both for its landscapes and its people.
hi there
I’d like to invite you to discover my coastal province in central Vietnam: Quang Ngai.
This year, my province has really improved its infrastructure—mountains, countryside, and sea are all authentic here.
No harassers or thieves, and no Russians either.
A local lunch costs around 1 €.
A *** hotel room is about 25 €, and you can find hotels right on My Khe Beach.
We have a specialty: *banh xeo*—10 crepes for just 1.5 €.
You can rent motorbikes to explore the province and maybe visit the many ethnic minorities.
I live here—I’m not selling anything, but I can help if needed (my father-in-law is a traditional Vietnamese doctor and he’s very skilled).
Hi everyone! 😉
I’m Typhaine, 35 years old. Five years ago, I left France for a solo round-the-world trip—no planes, just a van, hitchhiking, cycling, and even a canoe in the Amazon! Today, I work as a naturalist guide in Argentine Patagonia.
Wherever I go, my compass stays the same: observing and photographing wildlife, which I deeply admire and respect.
My project: I’d love to share this experience through a sustainable, authentic, and immersive nature tourism initiative. But to build something meaningful, I need to understand how other nature enthusiasts experience their own adventures.
If you:
Are over 20 years old
Have a true passion for Nature
Have already taken at least one trip lasting more than 3 nights (in your country or abroad) in your life
Promise: I’m not selling anything, this isn’t marketing. Your answers are 100% anonymous and will only help me shape this wild project.
A huge thank you to everyone for your help and kindness! Looking forward to chatting in this thread 😛
(Dear admins, this is purely a collaborative effort for my project study, with no commercial purpose. Thank you so much for your support!)
Photo: Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis), female on the left and her cub on the right. Photo taken by me in Alaska, Denali National Park.
It’s something we often notice in this forum—and many others—this behavioral shift.
A long-time member, or even a new one, asks a question.
They get one or more answers, some brief, some detailed, and then... nothing???
Not even a simple thank you!!!
From what I’ve gathered, if the answers don’t align with what they wanted to hear, it seems natural for the asker to just disappear!! 😕
Unless—(and I fear this is the case)—basic politeness is no longer part of our society????
I spent 3 weeks in Bali last summer (+ 3 nights on Gili Meno and a day trip to Kawah Ijen in Java). So I wanted to see what ChatGPT could suggest for comparison...
Here’s the prompt I gave:
"You’re a local expert guide for Bali.
- Plan a 20-day itinerary for Bali with a side trip to Gili Meno and a day trip to Kawah Ijen in Java without staying overnight.
- I’m traveling with my wife, and I love visiting historical sites, hiking, relaxing at the beach, snorkeling, and exploring rice terraces...
- For the duration of the stay, I don’t want more than 8 places to sleep, and I’d like to stay at least 2 days at each stop to avoid unpacking too often. Except for the last night, where I’m okay with just one night near the airport.
- I prefer neighborhoods that are walkable and try to avoid typical tourist traps, though I don’t want to miss the must-see spots. So suggest a mix of iconic sites and hidden gems.
- Recommend hotels or guesthouses with a budget of 50 to 100 € per night, including breakfast. Make suggestions in areas popular with travelers, specifying the vibe (I prefer quiet), and consider safety and proximity to attractions.
- For lunch and dinner, suggest two to three restaurants that are well-rated by customers.
- Give me a day-by-day program with details on travel times, visiting times for each point of interest, and recommendations for transportation (taxi, train, bike, etc.).
Estimate the total cost of the trip, including accommodations, food, transportation, and activities, and suggest two tips for saving money in each category.
- Don’t make anything up—be realistic about travel times, take into account the opening dates and hours of sites, and give me the entry fees for places to visit.
- Ask me all the questions until you’re 95% sure you understand what’s being asked. Don’t generate your response until you’ve understood."
The AI asked for a few clarifications:
"Great request—I can build you a really optimized and enjoyable itinerary, but to be 95% sure I hit the mark, I need a few key clarifications (this will really influence the pace, areas, and accommodations)."
In the end, it proposed a program very close to what we actually did.
I’ll skip its accommodation and restaurant suggestions...
Its proposal:
"Ubud (4 nights) => we did 5 nights
Sidemen (2 nights)
Amed (3 nights) => we’d planned 2 nights
Gili Meno (3 nights) => we did Gili between Sidemen and Amed
Munduk (3 nights) => we did 2 nights before Pemuteran
Pemuteran (3 nights) with Ijen => we did 4 nights
Sanur (2 nights + 1 last night) => we chose Jatiluwih instead of Sanur
It suggested "activities" (and accommodations too):
IN UBUD:
- Walk around central Ubud (1–2h)
- Campuhan Ridge Walk
- Tegalalang Rice Terrace
- Tirta Empul
- Gunung Kawi
- Massage / market / slow café
IN SIDEMEN:
- Rice terrace hike (2–3h)
- Cooking class
IN AMED:
- Snorkeling
- Japanese Shipwreck
- Beach + relaxation
- Volcano sunset
ON GILI:
- Snorkeling at Gili Meno Turtle Point, Nest Underwater Statues
IN MUNDUK:
- Jungle & waterfall hike - Munduk Waterfall + Melanting Waterfall
- Loop: 3–4h (perfect for your level)
- Ulun Danu Bratan Temple
- Twin Lakes
IN PEMUTERAN
- Snorkeling: Menjangan Island
For Kawah Ijen, it detailed the day well:
👍 from Pemuteran = best possible option
12 PM: leave hotel (we left at 10 PM)
1 PM: ferry
3 PM: arrival in Java + transfer
11 PM: start ascent
2 AM–6 AM: volcano
Return to Bali around 11 AM–12 PM (we got back at 4 PM)
👍 still very intense, but doable with an agency
💰 ~80–120 €/person all-inclusive
IN SANUR:
- Relaxation
- Quiet beach
- Proximity to airport (30 min)"
I’ve kept the habit of blowing my nose in the sink and then washing my hands—a custom I picked up in India. Sometimes, non-travelers are shocked when they catch me in the act... 🤪
Also, when I run out of toilet paper, it doesn’t bother me—unless I’ve got company over... 🤪
Just got back from walking a friend’s dog (while they’re on vacation), wearing a djellaba and Tibetan boots... 😏😏😏 Oh, for sure, if I’d run into locals, I probably would’ve shocked them? 😏
Anyway, as long as I’m not spitting on the floor at a restaurant or squatting on the side of a highway with a water bottle in hand...
After taking a little trip around the world, I came back a few months ago with an idea in mind.
I mostly do diving, and I love observing animals in their natural habitat without disturbing them.
During the trip, I realized it was quite complicated to know where and when to see certain species.
For example:
where to dive with sharks or manta rays
where you might get a chance to swim with whales
I even discovered thresher sharks during my trip… I didn’t even know this species existed before, even though they’re incredible to see.
We spent a ton of time searching for info all over the place, especially on social media, without ever getting a clear picture.
So I started putting all this together on my own, in the form of a map, to make it easier to visualize where to go depending on the seasons.
I recently put a first version online (it’s called Fauneya).
There are probably mistakes, inconsistencies, or things to improve, and that’s partly why I’m posting here.
I’d really love to know how you all go about planning this kind of trip.
As part of my Master’s thesis, I’m currently conducting a public survey on a topic that concerns all of us when planning a trip: artificial intelligence and the role of human contact in travel planning.
These days, we’re using more and more digital tools to find ideas, compare options, and book trips... but is the role of human advisors still essential? At what moments? And for what types of trips?
The survey is anonymous and takes about 7 minutes.
It’s aimed at anyone who travels (or has traveled) for leisure, whether you plan everything yourself or go through an agency.
While browsing the forum to gather info for my upcoming trip to Thailand, I often see the terms "traveler," "great traveler," and also "tourist"—so what’s the nuance for you?
I've traveled quite a bit in Vietnam over the past few years—from the southern delta to bustling cities and even some small islands—but what really sticks with me is the north, the high mountains.
Up there, there's something different—maybe slower, more raw. The morning markets with ethnic groups, women in traditional clothes, the colors...
The stilt houses, kids following you and laughing for no reason, the terraced rice fields—it almost feels unreal at times, so vast and quiet, yet so human and simple.
You often hear that Sapa has become too touristy, and that's partly true, especially in the center. But as soon as you move a little farther away, everything changes quickly. The landscapes open up, encounters feel more natural, and you rediscover something truly authentic.
I think it's that contrast that struck me—the difference between what you imagine before going and what you actually discover when you take the time.
And you—what memory do you hold onto from Vietnam? A particular place that touched you more than others?
Hello,
We’re finalizing the plans for our upcoming trip to China in May 2025. The second-to-last stop will be in Zhangjiajie, where we’ve planned to stay for 2 full days before heading to Shanghai.
We’re traveling solo using local transport and have arranged to stay in the city of Zhangjiajie.
We’ve seen that there’s a lot to see:
Tianmen Mountain, the Grand Canyon and the glass bridge, Zhangjiajie National Park, and that the sites are quite far apart with fairly expensive entry fees.
We’re thinking of dedicating one day to the national park and the Grand Canyon (glass bridge) and one day to Tianmen Mountain.
But we’re not sure if this plan is realistic—any thoughts would be much appreciated!
I should be serving a warming drink to the participants in the discussion about gardens and parks that provide us with beautiful photos, I could mention the delicious buttery scent wafting from bakeries in the thread about returning to France, but my heart, its powerful pulse that nourishes my entire being, is elsewhere.
Dasht-e Lut, Yazd, Esfahan, Bam, Kerman, Qeshm, Hormuz—a melody, a prayer at the heart of desire.
A dream, an unattainable fantasy? No. Not anymore.
A very serious Italian travel agency is organizing this trip for 6 people this winter. I’m signed up, I’m going, I’m living. Maybe.
"But you’re completely crazy!!!!"
I know... I know that every civilization, every society has a vital need to create scapegoats to define and justify itself, pathetically. And Iran is one of them, top of the list. I laugh or sigh, and it doesn’t bother me.
But that unchanging red, deep red and garnet, so beautiful in itself, in all the Western chancelleries repeats, whispers, shouts: don’t go, don’t go, don’t go, you’re putting yourself in danger and we can’t do anything for you. You’ll be turned into mere bargaining chips, into arguments for endless negotiations. Fear must be instilled, its power absolutely preserved, no concessions made to the enemy. The information (how many French hostages, real or fake, compared to the number of travelers?) is always lacking.
Traveling becomes a merciless confrontation between desire, the vital pulse, and anxiety, its ghosts.
Hi everyone, here’s our itinerary. Arriving on the evening of December 13th. Departing on January 7th.
Thanks in advance for your tips and valuable feedback.
Manila – 1 night
Coron – 4 nights
Coron to El Nido cruise – 2 nights
El Nido – 4 nights
Port Barton – 5 nights
Flight from Puerto Princesa to Vigan
Vigan – 2 nights
Sagada – 2 nights
Banaue – 2 nights
Bagabag – 1 night
Manila – 1 night
I’ve only booked the flight to Manila and the Manila/Coron flight so far. Is it possible to book boat trips, accommodations, and the Puerto Princesa flight last-minute?
Really disappointed with Costa Rica! Pura vida? The scam of the century!
(Costa Rica pure emptiness).
The country where animals are free and people are in cages.
3 weeks in December in this country and never again. Imagine the trailer of a movie that seems interesting, and when you go see it, you realize it’s a flop and the best moments were in the trailer.
Well, that’s exactly how we felt with Costa Rica pure emptiness.
My wife and I have traveled quite a bit and didn’t expect to be so wrong about a place.
On the main routes, we visited:
San José
Alajuela
Limón, Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, Manzanillo (Caribbean side)
Jaco, Quepos, Manuel Antonio (Pacific side)
And a few short stops in intermediate towns.
Our dissatisfaction grew gradually like this:
When we arrived at the hotel, the taxi dropped us off on a small street in front of a white metal gate with ground-floor windows barred. We looked at it skeptically, but the sign matched.
He approached the gate, rang the bell, the buzzer sounded, and the door opened slightly. The hotel wasn’t bad for the price, a 10-minute walk from downtown, but with a "Fleury-Mérogis" vibe guaranteed.
So far, so good.
After showering and regaining our bearings, we headed downtown.
What started to unsettle us on the way was seeing houses with bars on the ground-floor windows and even on the second floor.
At first, we thought the hotel’s neighborhood wasn’t great.
Downtown San José:
It’s a generic city, not very exotic, with a pedestrian street and a small mercado where you can eat local food without frills. Very few tourists—if any—which let you blend in with the locals. We had lunch and struggled to make ourselves understood because, aside from one or two shops, English wasn’t spoken.
On the way back to the hotel, we took a different route, and while chatting and strolling, my wife pointed out a beautiful two-story white house completely barricaded like Fort Knox.
From that moment, we started noticing the facades of houses and buildings, and wow, it was creepy—most looked like prisons, some even with barbed wire.
Though put off, we told ourselves it was probably a big-city thing and the rest of the country couldn’t be like this.
So far, so good.
We relaxed at the hotel and had a drink at the bar. Night falls early, around 5:30 PM. By 7:30 PM, we headed back downtown for dinner. A bit unsettling for a capital—downtown was almost deserted, and aside from fast-food chains, very few restaurants were open, with hardly anyone on the streets.
Bars with security guards out front.
I won’t say we felt unsafe that night, but once it got dark, we realized the bars on the windows weren’t for nothing. First day in, and our impression was already mixed.
The next day, we explored the city and surroundings, and our feelings didn’t change.
So far, so good.
Off to Cahuita by bus—4 hours of travel.
The landscapes are very green but quickly become monotonous. The road runs alongside the forest and passes through a few towns and villages, and even in the countryside, there were just as many prison-like houses.
The bus dropped us off at Cahuita’s terminal station—only four of us got off. It’s a village, or rather, a small town. Cahuita is basically one straight road and a perpendicular one, and honestly, doubt started to creep in.
A few restaurants that add 13% tax and 10% service charge—so 23% extra. We dropped our stuff at the hotel and went to explore. In 20 minutes, we’d seen it all. We had lunch and planned to check out the famous park.
Entry is by donation—well, the "entry" is a joke. There’s a path along the forest by the sea, and that’s it.
Nothing’s going right anymore.
We thought it was a total scam, but since we hadn’t gone far, we decided to come back the next day to explore further.
We returned to the hotel, relaxed, and around 8:00 PM, we went out for dinner. Only two restaurants were open, and the streets were deserted.
Creepy!
The next day, we explored the so-called park more thoroughly and really got it.
A path along the forest by the sea—2 hours there and 2 hours back, where you see animals that feel like showing their faces.
A total joke—"all that for this?"
The beach was full of wood debris and coconut husks. We wondered if the photos online were edited because the sea, very rough, wasn’t the azure blue we’d seen in pictures.
But calling this a park is a joke—it’s like a new concept.
When we thought about the reviews online, we started to suspect that professionals with interests in the country were monitoring and countering any negative feedback that could harm their business.
Too bad we didn’t check the negative reviews beforehand—we did while we were there, and it helped. We wondered if we’d become too demanding after all our travels, but no—when something’s bad, it’s bad.
Manuel Antonio’s park is even more ridiculous—there’s a short path along the sea for about 500 meters, and then nothing. You have to climb through mud and hack your way through the forest. We ended up barefoot because the mud was up to our calves. All that to see a raccoon and a few parrots flying overhead.
We didn’t expect Noah’s Ark, but we’ve seen more animals in Bali, Mexico, and Thailand while visiting temples or just walking around than in these so-called parks!
Puerto Viejo, not far from Cahuita and supposedly livelier—well, it couldn’t be worse!
According to Lonely Planet, it had a Caribbean vibe and wild nights, but maybe that was a long time ago. The good reggae music playing everywhere isn’t enough.
In the evening, Puerto Viejo was a bit livelier than Cahuita, but that’s not saying much. Very few tourists—if any—no night market, just two or three shops open selling $20 T-shirts. Same vibe as San José.
No big deal—we enjoyed the beach and the sun, which was reliable.
Our itinerary was supposed to include Tortuguero Park, but after talking to other travelers who’d just been, we changed our minds, knowing we’d be visiting Manuel Antonio Park on the Pacific side.
To get back to the Pacific side, you have to take the bus and go through San José again—5 hours this time—then switch bus terminals and another 4.5 hours to Quepos.
A stopover town to get to Manuel Antonio’s beach and park!
A town just like the others we’d seen—deserted as soon as the sun sets, and not exactly bustling during the day either. (Where are all the tourists?)
Still as many bars on the windows and that feeling of being in the wrong place.
7 km later: Manuel Antonio beach and park.
The beach is very beautiful and quite large, but don’t expect turquoise blue water—the waves stir up the sand, giving the water a brownish color.
Along the beach, shops and restaurants for about 300 meters, and then nothing. At night, after sunset, the town shuts down too.
Manuel Antonio Park is highly praised for its wildlife, so we were eager to see it. When you express dissatisfaction with Cahuita or Manzanillo parks, the response is always, "But you should’ve gone to Monteverde or Manuel Antonio!" No matter what you do or say, they’ll tell you, "You should’ve gone there or here."
Back to our famous park—entry was about $16, and contrary to what we’d heard, it wasn’t crowded!
Guides at the entrance with spotting scopes offered their services for about $30.
The park: a mix of boardwalk and dirt paths through the forest, sometimes running alongside beautiful coves and beaches.
As soon as we entered, a crowd was taking photos of a deer eating leaves.
A little further on, a guide with a group of five stopped. The guide raised his arm and set up his spotting scope! He showed them, about 100 meters away, a hummingbird perched on a branch. Some, looking through the scope, exclaimed, "Oh my God! Amazing! Incredible!"
For a moment, we thought they’d discovered a unicorn or were in Jurassic Park and had just crossed paths with a T-Rex!
The concept is comical—looking at a bird or another animal through a spotting scope because it’s too far away. Isn’t that what TV is for?
For our part, we saw monkeys, ants, an armadillo, an iguana, and the backside of a sloth climbing a tree. Amazing, incredible!
We stayed a few days in Manuel Antonio to enjoy the beach, changing hotels often because prices varied wildly from one day to the next for shameful services. On top of that, they’d quote a price in dollars and convert it at their discretion—thieves!
Alajuela, a city near the airport, has a two-story mall and a local market downtown! No interest except its proximity to the airport.
What we liked:
The climate and, in hindsight, San José—the most authentic city we visited.
What we didn’t like, in addition to what we’ve already mentioned:
Costa Ricans aren’t very friendly or communicative. English is barely spoken, not even by doctors at Quepos Hospital, where my wife ended up with food poisoning (thanks, Google Translate). The widespread obesity among Costa Ricans, who eat like Americans. The insecurity. The eco-hipsters who leave their $150 lodges in minivans with guides to visit parks and other sites, then return to barricade themselves in their fortresses at nightfall (oh my God, amazing, incredible). The blue signs at the entrance of towns that accept this payment method: "We accept American Express." Parking lots that become paid just because a guy is watching your car. Prices displayed in dollars. The cost of living (hotels, restaurants, taxes). Landscapes that are too green and not flowery enough. Beaches—nothing exceptional. Pollution in cities where big American trucks rule. Sewage dumped directly into the sea. Aside from the jungle, there’s nothing to visit—no ruins, monuments, or anything worth seeing.
In short, my wife and I think the hype about this supposedly eco-friendly country is overrated. It’s just the trendy destination of the moment. There are much better, cheaper, and more authentic places.
In hindsight, we keep the good memories and our beautiful photos, but if we had to do it over...
Before signing off, a little message to those who don’t like hearing opinions different from theirs:
Well, some things aren’t up for debate. And to those who’d have us believe that in 3 weeks, we don’t have the right to criticize a country or express our feelings—how can you praise it in so little time? What a scam. Costa Rica is a money pit. Pura vida? Pure cosmic emptiness.
If you like spending your evenings barricaded in your cozy hotel after dark, this country is for you.
For everyone else: run!
Hello,
Since the war between Russia and Ukraine, nothing is simple anymore for traveling to Belarus due to sanctions.
No more direct flights from the EU to Minsk.
Driving is a huge hassle, especially crossing through Poland at the only open border in Brest—you can wait 2, 3, or even 4 days just to get through by car.
The least painful driving option is to come via Lithuania and cross at the only open border, with a minimum wait time of 8 hours, sometimes up to 20 hours or more!!
Controls are very strict and annoying on both the Lithuanian and Belarusian sides. Avoid bringing alcohol, food, or cigarettes—everything will end up in the trash, especially when leaving Belarus for Vilnius, where the Lithuanians are tough, even with EU citizens.
The joy I once knew when visiting my wife in Minsk is sadly over—it’s now a real ordeal.
The fastest solution is to fly. My wife travels to France by taking a bus to Kaunas in Lithuania, where you can catch a flight (though not daily) to Paris Beauvais or Charleroi in Belgium with Ryanair, for example.
For the return trip, it’s the same: a flight to Kaunas and then a direct bus from the airport to Minsk.
The bus crossing is quicker than driving—the 250 km journey, including border checks, takes about 6 to 8 hours for buses leaving Lithuania around midnight, but controls are still strict at the border.
The biggest challenge is finding flight schedules that align with the bus routes between the two countries, given the unpredictable border crossing times.
Now, my wife travels via Charleroi in Belgium (near Brussels), and you can take a train to Paris. Alternatively, you can fly into Beauvais and take a bus to Paris (Porte Maillot).
For those driving, note that EU insurance and assistance policies no longer work in Belarus or Russia. You’ll need to get local insurance, usually limited to third-party liability (I don’t think full coverage exists?), as well as mandatory medical insurance. This is available at the border.
You now have to pay highway tolls—no more BELTOLL boxes. Instead, you pay a flat fee for the duration of your stay. Stop at the first gas station after crossing from Lithuania to fill up on fuel and cigarettes.
From what I know, Lithuania bans carrying more than 60 € in cash, but there’s no limit for USD (though it’s capped at $10,000??).
With a Visa card, you can now withdraw 1,000 rubles per week (about 270 €)—two months ago, it was only 500 rubles!!
For now, you can still pay by card in shops and gas stations.
However, major retailers like KORONA (which may be Russian-owned??) no longer accept foreign Visa cards.
Unfortunately, the additional sanctions announced by the U.S. on August 5, 2025, against Russia—and possibly Belarus—aren’t promising for the future.
After 20 years of visiting Belarus, I’m truly saddened to see the joy of living in this country with my wonderful wife turn into such a bleak situation, all because of human folly.
Hi everyone!
I’m putting together our travel itinerary for Veneto at the end of April. And the more I look and research potential sites to visit, the more I find!
We’ll only be there for a week—my family and I—including 3 days in Venice. So we have to make some choices...
I plan to rent a car when we arrive in Venice and head straight to Bergamo, which would be our first stop. We’d leave the car at the airport when we return to Venice so we can explore the city at our leisure.
What do you think:
1 night in Bergamo (a 2h15 drive from Venice airport),
1 night in Garda,
1 night in Verona,
1 in Padua, and
3 in Venice—would that be doable?
Thanks in advance for your tips and experiences! :)
Now that the curtain has fallen on the past year, it’s time to see what’s happening around here.
It seems pretty quiet, but I’ll read more in detail later.
First, I need to tell you all an anecdote.
My eldest little girl, in her third year of law school, was really scared she wouldn’t pass the year.
I told her:
“Trust yourself, you’ve worked so hard, and worst case, if you fail, you’ll just redo the year.”
“But I don’t think I’ll make it—they changed the rules, and if I mess up even one unit, I have to start all over.”
I knew her grades weren’t exactly stellar, and with what I was about to say, I wasn’t taking much of a risk.
“Here’s the deal, sweetheart: if you pass, I promise I’ll take you to India, just the two of us.”
I have to admit, India is a country I’ve talked about so much to all my grandchildren that in their minds, it’s become a magical, mythical place (hmm).
July had barely begun when my phone rang, her name flashing on the screen.
“Mamido, I did it!”
My promise came rushing back—oh no, oh no, oh no!
“Congratulations, sweetheart!”
A little shyly, she said:
“Is the India trip still on?”
And me, replying:
“Of course it is!”
And that’s that—a promise is a promise, or you risk losing that precious trust that keeps hearts warm and at peace.
We’re leaving in February. Only 8 days—yikes, the carbon footprint!
But we can’t miss her tutorials, or she’ll be kicked out.
Personally, that works just fine for me.
Going to India has become a challenge for me. It’s far, it’s exhausting, I sweat, I hate mosquitoes, the spices bother my mouth when I used to love them. There’s noise all the time—at night, the dogs bark nonstop, and we almost get run over. I’ll get lost in the streets because my sense of direction has vanished. I don’t like rice anymore. All that chaos and those cultural differences that once enchanted me now just overwhelm me.
But I promised.
The upside—and it’s a big one—Raman, the same driver I’ve had forever, will be at the airport with a sign with our names. We’ll stop at the same little shop for chai (or tea, plain and simple) with that aroma that intoxicates me, halfway through the trip.
It’ll be a tiny trip—staying with friends, I’ll show her a few places I love: Chidambaram, Mamallapuram, and the clinic where I worked. Then we’ll head back.
My little girl will go home to her parents.
As for me, I’ll leave right away for our Scottish island with Homme for our chilly winter.
How can you love a country so much you want to live there, then suddenly reject it, no longer able to appreciate what once made it special?
That’s the mystery of love, I guess.
I’ve visited the U.S. four times myself, including two long road trips. The last one was just this past August...
I won’t be going back. I already felt guilty last August, but recent policies have finally convinced me: the humiliation of Zelensky, authoritarian excesses, Gestapo-like methods for detaining people of foreign origin, the murder of innocent people (a mother shot dead), corruption, insane "tariffs," skyrocketing healthcare costs for Americans, the abduction of foreign figures to secure oil, the requirement to disclose social media accounts, and now... threats and blackmail to forcibly take Greenland—a region that belongs to Denmark and thus the European Union!
The reality is that simply posting this could get me denied entry to the U.S.!
In this context, I just can’t keep spending money there. I loved my trips, but there are so many other countries with stunning landscapes to explore.
So I get why you’d want to travel there. I did, and I loved it. But once a country no longer respects any of the values that made us love it, why go?
How can we even consider traveling to a country that threatens to take one of our territories by force?
Hello everyone,
Controversial topic? Not necessarily—maybe just a reflection on a world to come.
I spent the last 15 days of August on a cruise in Greenland, from Kangerlussuaq to Tasiilaq.
I was utterly amazed by this unique world of rock and ice, the little houses in every color, a simple life that’s also complicated by isolation and climate, among other things...
I carry in my heart the kindness of the people I met, the raw and gentle majesty of the icebergs, the colors of the sky...
So, I can’t even imagine a massive presence of raw material prospectors, heavy machinery requiring roads to be built—if that’s even possible—changing their way of life... putting sled dogs out to pasture!
Do fast food and Greenland’s northern lights really mix?
I wouldn’t trade my memories for an ESTA!
All opinions are respectable, which is why this isn’t a controversy—but I’m sorry, I have a soft spot for *my* Greenland.
We’re a couple aged 58 and 63. We’ve just returned from a wonderful trip to South India in Tamil Nadu and a few days in Kerala. We traveled with a local French-speaking guide and his friend, the driver. They both live in Pondicherry. We spent 3 weeks with them in the most authentic way!
We covered just over 2,500 km and visited not only temples but also archaeological sites, museums, and small artisanal businesses making tiles, tea, sculptures, bronze, and silk spinning. We were lucky enough to visit a public school, attend a wedding, and even a death announcement in a small countryside village. We were fully immersed in the culture, food, noise, and colors—it was incredible!
The hotels and guesthouses we chose were very clean and mostly quiet. We’re returning from India with amazing discoveries!
We’re happy to share more info if you’d like!
M-Claire and Jean
This catchy and somewhat mysterious title comes from several questions I’ve been asking myself.
VF has been back open for a reasonable number of weeks and months now.
The number of visitors overall matches past averages, but the number of members online in the last 24 hours seems relatively lower than what we used to see.
Yet, to my surprise, I’m seeing fewer travel journals, way fewer messages, and way fewer questions.
I don’t see many new registered users online, and I notice a number of members who are logged in but either aren’t participating or have stopped participating.
Something’s not adding up for me because, in my opinion, VF is still appealing, and I don’t see which other sites could really compete.
Was there a real break between pre- and post-Covid?
Does it just take more time for some people to discover the site or learn that it’s active again?
Do people now prefer quick consumption on sites like FB or others I’m not familiar with?
Where have the site’s old-timers gone, and what are they doing with their time now?
What’s really going on here?
This isn’t exactly a traveler’s question... I’d like to know who handles the technical side of this forum?
I run a similar forum on a different topic (unrecognized children), and we’re dealing with a few technical issues that are slowly killing our forum... so I’d have one or two questions to ask 😊.
Also, I was wondering who created this forum... who the administrators or moderators are, etc.
I think this forum is great. Much better than Facebook, which I’ve been using since it shut down (so I’m happy to see it’s working again...)
Hi there, I’ve been traveling for 18 years now, at least 6 months a year, and as the years go by, I actually enjoy coming back to France more and more—a feeling I struggled with at first. I mean, we always think the grass is greener elsewhere.
But in the end, I find meaning in that saying about how there’s no place like home. I still love traveling just as much, but now my trips are shorter, and I enjoy spending more time in our beautiful country, even though I don’t hesitate to criticize it.
How about you? How do you handle coming back from your travels?
A few years ago, I went with a group of friends to lend a hand at a small rural school near Thiès, Senegal.
It was a relaxed but hardworking atmosphere—hands in the mortar, laughter, exchanges, and everything that a COOPERATION project can bring.
Today, the little project is flying on its own.
Wanting to explore Senegal’s riches, we set off for some tourism in the Siné Saloum. One girl in our group fell ill (a malaria attack), and we decided to take her to see a doctor at a large tourist complex nearby. Despite her condition, we had to "show our credentials" (if I may say so) just to get in. She was treated and has been fine since.
This "stop" at a Club Med-style resort with a Teutonic twist—resembling Le Grau-du-Roi but fancier—was a horror show for us: pools, massive artificial basins dyed blue, pink, or green (!!!!), animators shouting around wet T-shirt contests or coconut tree climbing, and sunburned (or sun-pinked) *toubabs*.
The entire hotel was surrounded by a huge wall, behind which a small souvenir-seller slum had sprung up, worthy of Dakar’s outer neighborhoods.
On leaving, we saw a minibus of guests returning from an "excursion," loaded with masks, fabrics, and djembés—African souvenirs?
Maybe those will be *theirs*?
What impression did the kids clustered at the hotel gates get?
What about the Black servers in "traditional African costumes," serving cocktails and ice cream nonstop?
For me, who experienced Africa very young and in the bush, this remains a haunting image.
On VF, this kind of vacation doesn’t seem to be the norm among users, and that’s exactly why I signed up.
Have you ever experienced this kind of interstellar travel?
Do you understand the Martians?
Are their motivations peaceful?
I’ve been wondering: Is it still reasonable to rent a car in the U.S.?
Apparently, since early January 2025—and very quietly—the most important insurance coverage, namely the driver’s civil liability, has seen its coverage amount drop from $1 million to just $300,000. This coverage is supposed to protect us from damages we might be responsible for while driving. We can go decades without a single scrape (especially if it’s our fault), but anything can happen in a split second. A motorcycle appearing out of nowhere, a misjudgment at one of those huge intersections with staggered traffic lights, and suddenly we could be deemed at fault for the accident. We’d then have to pay out of pocket for the other party’s medical expenses. Given what hospitals charge... it can easily exceed $300,000 and turn into a nightmare in no time!!! Plus, anyone who’s driven on American roads has seen those billboards for lawyers offering their services to accident victims. So on top of the sky-high medical bill, the lawyer will demand compensation worthy of a Hollywood movie!!!! So, is it even worth getting behind the wheel in America anymore? Well... that’s just my take! And on top of that, I haven’t found any insurance company that offers such high civil liability coverage. Chapka and others do offer coverage in the millions, but motor vehicles are excluded.... So here’s the thing... Unless I’ve "missed something," I’ve come to this conclusion: Renting a car in the U.S. is like playing Russian roulette! But maybe I’m being too pessimistic? What do you think?
My two bullfighting traditions when I'm back home in Camargue (France) and in Colombia (Caribbean) every time I return. 🤠
Details:
Bullfights (corridas) aren’t part of my two bullfighting traditions, but I respect those who attend them!!!
In these two ancestral bullfighting traditions—which aren’t bullfights—the Bulls and Toros aren’t killed or tortured, as some might think.
These are bull games where the animals return to their pastures afterward and only come back to the Arenas 2–3 times a year at most.
They spend 15 minutes in the ring for the Camarguais and 5 minutes for the Toros in the Colombian Corralejas.
They’re cared for and pampered. They’ll die of old age in miles of open fields.
The young people who face them are professionals, risking their lives to support their families and live their Passion for the Toro!!! 😄
https://youtu.be/yYKQer42HoQ
Colombian Corraleja in the link below (hope it works) 🤪
https://fb.watch/BMfmuCgQpG/
Densha Otaku - Lesser-Known Regions
Two weeks under the Puglia sun
Return to Swedish Lapland: Trek on the Kungsleden and Crossing the Sarek
Off on a winter adventure in the American West!
3 weeks in Laos, at a relaxed pace
Draw Me Your Japan...
South Africa in safari mode: February/March 2026
Back in Tunisia (live account)
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