Je ne savais pas trop oú poster, puisque je n'ai pas d'idée 'arrêté' sur ma destination et je recherche aussi enormement de conseils 😊
Et comme en plus je ne veux pas me ruiner ( en essayant de rester dans les 3000€ 😊 plus ou moins pour deux pour le vol et hébergement)
Donc voilà j'ai eu la chance de pas mal voyager dans ma vie 'grace a mes parents...'à l'epoque mais maintenant je suis une grande fille de 29 ans dans quelques jours et j'aimerais partir à 2 pour une destination qui me 'dépayse' et ou je puisse en prendre 'pleins les yeux' etant une fan de photos je veux aussi que ce soit ma Première destination 'de rêve seule' je veux dire sans la famille...
J'ai vécue en Polynésie pendant une période et je suis en Espagne actuellement donc j'aimerais avec quelque chose qui ne ressemble ni à l'Espagne ni à Bora-bora en terme de paysages...
Donc j'avais pensée à la Thailand qui me tente bien, ma première idée était le Mexique Yucatán et ensuite Bali ou Costa Rica( mais je pense que c'est sera un peu au dessus de mon budget 🙁 )
En sachant que mon ami rêve de belles plages et aussi de belles promenade et visites...
Donc voilà que me conseillez-vous?
Pour le mois de Septembre ( a voir avec les températures aussi...)
Le Mexique ou la Thailand ( et quelle coin de la thailand? kho phi phi, kho samui?... )
D'avance merci vous aller je pense m'aider enormement!!🙂
"...Le Mexique ou la Thailand ( et quelle coin de la thailand? kho phi phi, kho samui?..."
Les deux destinations sont à faire.
Yucutan (Playa Del Carmen) très belles plages et très beaux sites mais peut-être un peu plus cher que La Thaïlande.
Koh Samuï, moins de sites, belles plages, soleil et température garantis si les années qui se suivent se ressemblent (j'y avais été justement en septembre).
A Koh Samuï les "couche-tard" trouvent leur bonheur et les "couche-tôt" leur lleu de prédilection.
Bon voyage--
MEXIQUE
BGKOHSAMUI
Voyager pour combattre la maladie de tous les siècles: L'IGNORANCE !
www.bena.over-blog.fr
je ne sais pas pour le Mexique, mais en septembre c'est la pleine mousson en Thaïlande
mais bon, avec le dérèglement climatique, on sait jamais... 😕
(pour le Mexique je crois que c'est la période des typhons sur le Yucatan, à vérifier)
Sincèrement il est difficile de répondre exactement à ta question. Tout dépend de ce que tu désires réellement.En ce qui me concerne, j'ai fait les deux destinations et chacune a un charme qui lui est particulier.
"...une destination qui me 'dépayse' et ou je puisse en prendre 'pleins les yeux' etant une fan de photos..."
Le Yucutan demeure incontournable pour ceux qui veulent allier sites et plages tels que Riviéra Maya et alentours (voir diaporama). Et je pense que tu parles espagnol, donc pas de soucis pour la langue.
Koh Samuï demeure incontournable pour ceux qui veulent allier fête et farnienté à un prix raisonnable. On y parle beaucoup anglais, donc connaître cette langue est un plus pour la Thaîlande.
Si avec ça tu as encore des difficultés pour choisir, reposes ta question avec plus de souhaits.
Cordialement😉--
MEXIQUE
BGKOHSAMUI
Voyager pour combattre la maladie de tous les siècles: L'IGNORANCE !
www.bena.over-blog.fr
Et bien, votre choix, c'est de l'inedit. Je connais tres bien les deux, et, contrairement a certains repondants, je ne dirais pas que l'un est mieux que l'autre. Les plages du Yucatan sont magnifiques, et la plongee a Cozumel parmi les meilleures du monde. On peut vivre a tres bon marche au Mexique, et les locaux st extraordinairement sympathiques A CONDITION que vous leur disiez en arrivant "I'm French". 50% de la clientele "blanche" du Mexique est americaine, et les americains, les mexicains ne les aiment pas du tout, et avec juste raison, vu leur attitude arrogante, condescendante, et mal elevee.
En Thailande, il y a egalement des plages magnifiques, surtout dans les iles (Koh Samui, Phnagan, Tao, Phi Phi, Chang, etc.. ("Koh" ca veut dire "ile"); je n'ai pas ajoute Phuket, ou il vaut mieux etre fortune.
Je dirais que la seule difference entre les 2 pays est une question de culture. Le Yucatan, c'est la region des temples Maya de Tulum, Chitchen Itza, etc, absolument uniques au monde; par contre, en Thailande, la culture 🤪, surtout dans les iles!!!! Attention, je ne dis pas qu'il n'y a pas des sites culturels interessants en Thailande (Sukhotai, Phimai, etc.) mais ils st loin des iles et ne sont ni les temples d'Angkor, ni Chitchen Itza (evidemment, comme d'habitude, les Ayatollahs de la Thailande vont me massacrer, bien qu'ils n'aient jamais mis les pieds a Tulum ou Chitchen Itza 🤪 )
Ceci dit, ne vs embarquez pas sans bien verifier le climat en septembre; les ouragans sur le Yucatan peuvent etre terribles, et la saison des pluies en Thailande, sans etre un desastre, peut quand meme gacher vos vacances.
En ce qui concerne le Costa Rica, le pays le plus intelligent du monde (pas d'armee 🙂😄😏 ), je n'ai JAMAIS rencontre une seule personne qui n'avait pas adore et ne pensait qu'a une chose: y retourner. En fait, un de mes amis francais a fini par s'y installer!
Si tout cela se revele impossible, je vous suggere tres fortement le Maroc, un des plus beaux pays du monde, surtout le Sud (Marrakech, Ouazazate, Goulimine, etc.) et ou il y a aussi de tres belles plages (pas Agadir, aussi 😠 que la Costa del Sol )et pour le depaysement, chez les Berberes du sud, vous serez servie!!!. Bien sur, la vie y est plus chere qu'en thailande, mais vu tout ce que vs economisez en transport...vs pouvez meme y aller en voiture a travers le Rif, le Moyen Atlas, et le Haut Atlas. FABULEUX!!!!!
Méfiez-vous de la vie, car les ratés ne vous rateront pas!
FAUX ! la Thailande actuellement avec de super compagnies à moins de 500 €, voir 400 € pour PARIS - BKK AR en juin.
Tenant compte que les thais sont pas ou très rarement "arnaqueurs", il est sûr que, paradoxalement, la Thailande est moins chère que le Maroc ! sauf à s'isoler dans un "all inclusive".
Le fait de ne pas être sollicité à longueur de journée, comme je l'ai ressenti au Maroc, n'a pas de prix.
Si vs lisez bien, j'ai ecrit que le Maroc etait plus cher que la Thailande. Quand a l'harassement, vous devez plaisanter; sur les plages de Thailande, on n'arrete pas d'etre harasse par les vendeurs de tout -lunettes de soleils, CD et DVD pirates, soies (ou soi-disant), massages, et tutti quanti sur les plages, au point que j'ai souvent reve de m'y 'installer avec une pancarte "Non, merci".
J'espere que ns n'allons pas commence une discussion completement inutile sur les merites compares de la Thailande et du Maroc. Une fois de plus, si vs lisez bien mon texte au lieu de "bondir" (vous devez etre encore un inconditionnel de la Thailande), j'ai ecrit que je suggerais le Maroc SI le climat en septembre etait a la pluie en septembre; on peut pas etre plus clair, non?
Méfiez-vous de la vie, car les ratés ne vous rateront pas!
Bonjour Eazia,
ayant visite les 2 pays, tout depend de ce que tu recherches.
Question tarif, la Thailande est beaucoup plus abordables que le Mexique, la nourriture est egalement meilleur car la nourriture a base de mais c'est quand meme lourd et pour terminer point de vue securite c'est mieux aussi (je me souviens m'etre balader dans le zocalo de Mexico la nuit et c'etait pas tres rassurant).
Le Mexique est quand un tres joli pays colore.
même sur la presqu'ile du yucatan, il se doit de dire " soy francés", langue officiele du mexique "l'espagnol", pas encore l'anglais.
le mexique me semble plus cher que la thailande.zone dollars oblige.
Oui mais point de vue de la langue ça devrait aller etant donné que je suis en Espagne depuis 10 ans
Pour les autres merci beaucoup de m'avoir repondu, sur vos points de vue et surtout vos expériences.
Le problème c'est que c'est pire maintenant j'etais vraiment partie sur la Thaïlande, mais mon 'premier' choix il y a quelques mois était le Mexique et avec tout ce qu vous m'avez dit, sur les temples, les gens, les plages et la nourriture, vous m'avez par les sentiments là
J'ai également fait les deux, et si il me fallait choisir de repartir, ce serait pour la Thaïlande, sans hésitation! Mais on ne recherche pas les mêmes choses, donc ma préférence ne compte pas, lol! Je te transmet donc juste mon point de vue pour chaque pays :
Thaïlande : le nord du pays est une région splendide, moins touristique et donc moins chère que Bangkok et les îles. J'ai passé quelques jours à Koh Samui, sans avoir vraiment le temps de tout visiter, puisque mon homme a malheureusement du faire un court séjour à l'hôpital. L'île est malgré tout jolie, mais pour rester franche, pour ce qui est de la plage, c'est moins bien que les côtes mexicaines.
Mexique : j'ai préféré les états de Oaxaca / Chiapas / Tabasco à la péninsule du Yucatan 😊 Néanmoins les plages sont splendides et il y a plusieurs temples proches, à condition d'aimer les endroits très touristiques ou d'y aller très très très très tôt 😉. J'ai été quelque peu deçue de la visite de Chichen Itza (malgré l'heure matinale) envahie par les groupes de touristes, en majorité américains. Je n'ai par contre pas eu le temps d'aller à Tulum, dommage!
Tout ça ne doit pas vraiment t'aider non plus. Laisse parler ton coeur pour le choix 🙂
Si je laisse parler mon coeur je fais les deux 😄
C'est encore pire...
Mais mon coeur un tit plus pour la Thaïlande, le problème c'est que le Mexique était mon 1èr choix, j'ai peur de me planter...
En tout cas merci pour tes differents points....
Faut pas généraliser, en Thailande , il existe des tas de plages très tranquilles ou on n'est pas harcelé par les vendeurs, s'il n'y a pas de touristes, ils ne viennent pas! Alors sortir des plages hyper fréquentées, c'est pas trop difficile et on passe des vacances tranquille.
Nous voulons partir au Yucatan février 2019 pour 13 jours sur place, vol pour deux 1500€ combien faut il pour vivre sans chichi, chambre hôte, resto du rue,…
Voyager à petits prix › Mexique / Guatemala · 10 replies
Nous sommes un couple retraités et voulons faire un circuit de 5-6 semaines pour Mexico-Guatemala en transport commun (bus, autocar, train et avion si besoin).…
Je pars bientôt à PLAYA DEL CARMEN et je cherche les horaires et les prix pour visiter moi même les environs par le bus urbain. Auriez vous un site à me…
Notre voyage date de février 2017. Les tarifs des différents sites et transports pourront peut être aider de futurs voyageurs: - Bus Ado Cancun-Playa del…
Voyager à petits prix › Mexique / Guatemala · 2 replies
Nous partons dans un mois, pour un tour de 3 semaines, sac à dos. L'itineraire est presque bouclé: cancun, Valladolid 4 nuits, uxmal 1 nuit, campeche 2 nuits,…
Je pars cette été au Québec et au nouveau Brunswick et j'ai pris une carte revolut classic pour ce voyage. J'ai pour le moment échangé des dollars canadien sur mon appli de manière à avoir une réserve prête le jour de mon départ. Ma question était de savoir si j'allais autres frais en utilisant mon compte en dollars canadien. Je crois que je suis limité dans mes retraits au distributeur 200 euros pour ma part. Merci à vous
My boyfriend and I are going there for just 9 days, including the two travel days… It’s not much, but oh well!
Looking at prices online, I get the impression everything’s more expensive than I thought 😅 So, I wanted to get your feedback on a few things:
* Is hitchhiking common, easy, and generally safe in Albania?
* Is it possible to find day-to-day accommodations without booking ahead? If so, are they usually cheaper than the ones you find online?
* Is wild camping allowed or at least tolerated?
If any of you have traveled there recently, I’d love all the tips and great deals you’ve got!
Hi,
We’re a young couple planning to travel to South Africa after spending about three weeks in Namibia. We’ll arrive in Cape Town around mid-December, with no fixed travel duration (though our budget will eventually set a limit).
After browsing through the forum, we’ve realized the country is packed with incredible spots, which makes choosing an itinerary tough. We’re looking for stunning landscapes, hikes, and so on. So, we’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences.
When we arrive in Cape Town, we’d like to settle in and take it easy until New Year’s, exploring at a relaxed pace. We know this period coincides with South African holidays—does that make finding accommodations (availability/prices) more difficult? Do you think it’s possible to stay in a nice place for about 15 days without aiming for the most upscale neighborhoods? Maybe somewhere a bit outside Cape Town, like Fish Hoek, and just visit the city occasionally.
After that, we’ll have plenty of time (about 2 to 2.5 months) to explore the country. We’d like to take our time. In your opinion, is it better to focus on the Cape Town region, or is it reasonable to consider more distant areas like the Drakensberg or Blyde River Canyon? Can everything be done by car if we take our time, or are domestic flights sometimes more practical?
Budget-wise, how much do car rentals cost? For accommodations, we usually look at Airbnb—are they affordable in South Africa? What’s the average nightly rate outside the biggest cities? Are there other platforms you’d recommend for saving on lodging?
Finally, regarding safety, are there any regions to avoid besides Johannesburg?
We know this is a lot of questions, but we’re still in the early planning stages!
Thanks in advance for your advice!
Bonjours,
apres avoir fait avec votre aide le sud du perou en 2024 nous aimerions faire le nord.Nous serions 5 ou 6 personnes
1 arriver a lima le soir.
2 visite lima et vols le soir 18h35 pour tarapato
3 ,4,5, jours de prevu la bas pour faire trek dans une reserve ( Réserve nationale Pacaya-Samiria ) ou autre
6 tarapoto , chachapoyas sois en bus de nuit ou jours ou voiture privé.
7 chachapoyas cascade de gocha , canyon de sonde avec retour a pied sur la villes.
8 direction kuelap citadelles, revash arrivé a leymebamba
9 musée de leymebamba route pour cajamarca
10 cajamarca source chaude bus de nuit pour trujillo ou chicliyo ou faire les 2
11,12 ,13, visite et alentour
14 bus de nuit pour lima
15 lima
16 depart a 20 h retour france.
Que pensez vous de ce circuit. Attend des conseille.
Merci
I’m planning a 7-day trip to Marrakech for a sports camp, and I’ll be traveling with just a standard carry-on backpack.
I’d love to hear your best tips and tricks:
• What clothes are absolutely essential?
• Any advice for managing the heat while traveling light?
• Which accessories have been the most useful for you?
• Mistakes to avoid on a first trip to Marrakech?
I’m also open to your recommendations for neighborhoods, restaurants, or activities not to miss during my free time.
Thanks in advance for your advice and experience! !
Hi there, we’re heading to the Cyclades from June 23 to July 9. We’ll arrive in Santorini and leave from Mykonos. We’re thinking of visiting these islands: Folegandros, Milos, Sifnos, Tinos, and Mykonos. Do you think it’s better to book the ferries now (which site do you recommend for booking?) or can we buy the tickets on the spot? Also, do you have any suggestions for accommodation under 100 €/night on each of these islands? Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone!
I’m planning my dream trip for next September, lasting about a month. Here’s my itinerary:
Amsterdam: 3 days (departing from Montreal)
Tanzania: 3-day safari
Zanzibar: 6 days
Istanbul: 7 days
Return to Montreal.
Since my budget is pretty tight, I’m looking for tips and advice to cut costs without sacrificing the experience. Here are my questions:
Multi-destination flights: What’s the best way to book these connections? Is it better to buy a one-way ticket from Montreal to Amsterdam, then a separate internal flight, or use comparison tools for a multi-destination ticket?
Budget safari: Do you have recommendations for local agencies or tips to do a 3-day safari (Serengeti/Ngorongoro) at an affordable price (e.g., camping/glamping instead of luxury lodges)?
Accommodation in Zanzibar: Which villages or types of lodging are the most budget-friendly and accessible via local transport for these 6 days?
Istanbul: Any tips for well-located but cheap accommodation and great food deals?
Hi,
Are there still basic, traditional, and affordable authentic accommodations in Poland? I’ll be traveling in July with my husband and our 2 kids along the Warsaw-Łódź-Toruń-Gdańsk route, and all I can find online are standardized Ikea-style apartments in the cities. When I look for agrotourism, it’s all luxury farms.
Can you find farms in the countryside or city lodgings for under 60 euros per night? And if so, how?
Is it possible to find accommodations on the spot without internet—like from people who put up signs—even in July?
Bonjour,
je doit me rendre 2 nuit par semaines à Paris ou Creteil, pendant 1 mois, je connait des backpackers pas cher, mais j aimerai encore moin cher, connaissait vous des chambre a louer au particulier ?
merci
We’re a young couple planning our first trip to Albania from June 23, 2026, to July 2, 2026. We have a pretty tight budget and want to make the most of this amazing country without breaking the bank.
We’re looking for all the advice you can give to help us plan our stay:
* What are the must-see places to visit?
* Which cities or villages are really worth the detour?
* What natural sites, hikes, canyons, springs, or viewpoints do you recommend?
* Do you know of any free, uncrowded, or particularly beautiful beaches?
* Where can we responsibly observe or swim with sea turtles?
* What are the most beautiful beaches on the Albanian Riviera that are accessible on a small budget?
* What budget-friendly accommodations (hotels, hostels, homestays, campgrounds) do you recommend?
* What are the best ways to get around between different regions at a low cost?
* Do you know of any reliable and affordable agencies for renting a vehicle (car, scooter, or motorcycle)? What are the average rates at the end of June, and which rental companies do you recommend or advise against?
* Is it better to rent a vehicle right when we arrive or stick to local buses and minibuses to keep costs down?
* Which restaurants or local specialties offer the best value for money?
* Are there any free or low-cost activities we shouldn’t miss?
* Which places do you think are overrated or can be skipped when you’re short on time and money?
* What practical tips would you have wished you knew before your first trip to Albania?
We’d also love any 10-day itineraries that you particularly enjoyed, along with your budget estimates for accommodation, meals, and transportation.
We’re open to off-the-beaten-path spots and local tips. If you have any secret addresses, hidden beaches, favorite accommodations, or mistakes to avoid, we’d love to hear about them! 😊
Hi there, we’re planning a road trip in northern Algeria at the end of January – early February.
Anyone have any tips for a car rental agency that’s both reliable and not too expensive? Thanks in advance!
I traveled through southern Peru in November 2024 and now I’d like to explore the north.
We’re a group of 5 people for a 15-day trip.
Iquitos or Nauta for the Amazon rainforest—I saw that you have to fly there.
Chiclayo
Chachapoyas
Kuelap
Leimebamba
Cajamarca
Trujillo
And if we have time, Huaraz for the Andes cordillera.
No problem taking overnight buses—they save a lot of time.
Or renting a car and figuring it out as we go.
We’d also love to take the train from Lima to Huancayo, but it seems complicated—I don’t understand when it runs.
I’d like to drive to Morocco from Paris via Spain. I was really surprised to see the ferry crossing prices—around 500 €—but especially the crossing time (about 1 hour). Normally, I pay 3000 € to go to Tunisia from Genoa, but that’s for a 24-hour crossing.
My question: is it cheaper to buy the ticket on the spot, as some Moroccans have advised me? Though I’ve also heard the opposite.
What do you think, considering I need to get to Tétouan around July 17th and return from Tangier around August 4th?
Thanks in advance
I’m planning a 10-day trip to Slovenia in May (9–19 May) and starting to look at accommodations. Unfortunately, I’m only seeing relatively expensive options—nothing under 50 €, and usually around 100–150 €. Traveling solo, that could quickly blow my budget. And 30 € for a bed in a 10-person dorm at a youth hostel feels like a rip-off...
Are there other booking sources besides the usual Booking.com, Airbnb, and Google? Or can anyone confirm if I’ll find more reasonable rates on the ground around Bled, Bohinj, Triglav, or in mountain huts? I’ll be renting a car to optimize my travel, so I won’t be limited geographically.
Hi there,
Could you recommend some nice and affordable neighborhoods to book a hotel in for visiting Nice and exploring its surroundings and nearby villages?
I’d like to know if it’s better to book the entire stay in Nice and take day trips to the villages, or if there are villages worth spending at least one night in to really explore them properly?
Since all the villages are stunning and we have to make a choice, which ones are absolutely must-visit?
My 16-year-old daughter and I will be spending a week there at the end of April. We’ll arrive by TGV from Paris and plan to use public transport during our stay. Do you know if there’s a weekly transport pass available and how much it costs?
I’m planning to spend about twenty days in Réunion in November.
I’d like to get around using the *car jaune* (2 € per ticket), but from what I’ve heard, it doesn’t cover the whole island.
I’m not looking to head toward the ocean and the beautiful beaches—more toward the mountainous landscapes, even if I’ll just be admiring them from below. 😉
Maybe other buses go where I want to go.
By the way, are there any relatively easy mountain hikes, and where?
But here’s the most important part:
I don’t want to book anything in advance because I don’t know what my itinerary will look like—it’ll change depending on my mood. 3 days here, 5 days there, etc.
On top of that, I’d like to arrange half-board stays with locals—not professionals—by approaching them and asking if they’d be willing to host me (overnight stay, breakfast, and dinner) for 30 € to 40 € per day.
What do you think?
Does the price seem reasonable?
And is it okay to take the initiative and ask Réunionnais directly?
The tourist office in Réunion told me that since November is peak tourist season, I should book without delay. 🤪
For four years in a row, I traveled across Canada for a month and a half each time, relying only on hitchhiking and half-board stays with Canadians who welcomed me (and refused to let me pay them).
If I’d listened to my family and friends, I never would’ve taken the leap—and that adventure remains one of the best experiences of my life.
It’s been ages since I last dropped by here... maybe simply because, apart from Nepal, I haven’t really had the chance to hit the road lately. 😉
This year, I’d love to spend a few days in Lisbon, probably in late May or early June. But with my budget being what it is, I’m looking for great tips to avoid wasting time once I’m there and risk missing out on hidden gems or unusual culinary specialties and/or quirky activities! I’m hoping to find a room in a local’s home where I can stay in a quiet neighborhood near the center, so I can get around without relying too much on public transport—my walking shoes are my best travel buddies.
I’d love all your recommendations, especially for parks, small neighborhood markets, casual eateries for a quick bite, your favorite viewpoints to soak in the scenery (I’m bringing my travel journal to sketch my getaway in watercolors), events around traditional art and crafts, and so on.
All your advice will definitely help me travel peacefully and come back with my head full of vibrant memories!
Thanks in advance, everyone!
Isabelle
I’m diving into planning a trip I’ve dreamed of for a long time: crossing Africa from North to South solo, with a departure planned for October 2025 for about 8-9 months. I’m leaving from Paris with a starting budget of around 7,000 €, aiming to supplement it with work along the way.
My planned route: Senegal → Gambia → Sierra Leone/Liberia (if logistics work out) → Côte d'Ivoire → Ghana → Togo → Benin → Cameroon → Gabon → Kenya (Masai Mara) → Uganda (Bwindi gorillas) → Rwanda → Tanzania (Kili + Serengeti + Zanzibar) → Mozambique → Malawi → Zambia (Victoria Falls) → Botswana → Namibia → South Africa (Cape Town). Madagascar as a bonus if timing/budget allows from Mozambique.
I’m not a backpacking newbie—I’ve done several trips in Europe and I’m familiar with the lifestyle, hostels, local transport, etc. But Africa is my first big adventure on this continent, and I’ve got some very concrete questions I’d love feedback on from people who’ve been there.
🎭 My big dilemma: flexibility vs. pre-organized work
What matters most to me is NOT rushing through. If I feel good somewhere, I’ll stay longer. If a region doesn’t click, I’ll cut it short. That seems totally incompatible with having pre-booked work or volunteer gigs, yet I need that income to stretch my budget.
I’m torn between two approaches:
Option A: The mixed rhythm: 3-4 weeks of volunteering in a country (free accommodation, full immersion), then 1-2 countries in classic backpacker "vacation" mode, then another mission somewhere, etc. This gives a breathing rhythm and avoids burnout from non-stop volunteering.
Option B: The continuous flow: finding gigs as I go, from the previous country, contacting hosts 2-3 weeks in advance with a flexible date range. Keeping maximum spontaneity but never arriving anywhere without a safety net.
Have you tried either? What actually works on the ground in Africa?
🌍 What I’m really looking for in this trip
Not just the classic tourist spots. I want to see the country as it is—eating at local joints, taking local transport (bush taxis, minibuses, sept-places), staying with locals when possible. The big reserves and safaris are part of the plan (Masai Mara, Serengeti, Okavango), but just as much as hanging out in a residential neighborhood in Dakar, understanding how people really live.
Volunteering or work interests me for that reason too (not just for free lodging, but because it’s the deepest way to dive into a country). Working at a school in Ghana, a lodge in Kenya, a permaculture farm in Mozambique—I see it as an immersion that classic tourism can’t offer.
🎒 My concrete questions
About Workaway and Worldpackers: I’ve read a lot but would love on-the-ground feedback, especially for West and East Africa. Are hosts really flexible with dates for long-term travelers? Do the advertised gigs match reality? Are there alternative platforms you’d recommend for Africa specifically (I’ve heard of Help Exchange, WWOOF Africa, local networks…)?
About "off-platform" jobs: Is it really doable to find informal work on the spot (bars, restaurants, lodges) without prior contacts? In which countries/cities is this most accessible for a French speaker without a local work permit?
About logistics between countries: For those who’ve done the West Coast (Senegal → Ghana → Benin), how did you cross borders? Direct buses or local shared taxis at each border? And for the jump from Central Africa → Kenya, is a flight mandatory, or are there feasible overland routes?
About Madagascar: I’m considering adding it from Mozambique (flight Maputo or Beira → Tana). Those who’ve done it backpacker-style on a tight budget—is 3-4 weeks doable, or is it too short to be worth it?
I’m open to all tips, experiences, warnings, and pleasant surprises. And if you’ve got trusted local contacts (Workaway hosts, associations, community lodges), I’m all ears!
I’ve got tons of questions and I’m eager for any advice or experiences you can share!!
Hi there,
We’re planning a trip for 2 adults and 2 kids to Tanzania and Zanzibar. I’ve had a quick look, and the prices are starting to get pretty wild.
We’ve got a budget of 8,000 €, and I was thinking of doing three or four days of safari and three or four days in Zanzibar, but even that seems like it might be over budget. Have you got any thoughts? I was also considering heading straight to Zanzibar and doing a one- or two-day excursion by plane instead—maybe that’d be cheaper than staying in a lodge.
Anyway, thanks for sharing your experiences and any price tips, departing from Nice!
Good evening,
As two senior French couples who are used to traveling independently all over the world, we’d like to visit Kenya next November.
Now, after seeing and reading a bit everywhere, and with the first quotes for a 6/7-day safari, I’m shocked by the prices (like $2,250) for places like Maasai Mara, where entry alone costs $200 per person per day, plus fees for the driver and vehicle.
So if you have any recent great tips or contacts to share to help me out, I’d really appreciate it—because despite the costs, we’d still love to go, while keeping things reasonable.
The most plausible solution is probably renting a vehicle with a driver-guide.
Thanks in advance for all your replies.
Jacques
We’ll be in Srinagar for 4 days in mid-May 2026 during our backpacking trip as a couple. Do you have any nice places to recommend, and what about the houseboats on Dal Lake? Should we spend all our nights there, or just one night for practicality when getting around?
Thanks,
Rozenn
Hi there,
This is my first time traveling to Italy, and I’m planning to go by car.
From what I’ve read, parking is tough in cities like Florence.
I’m looking for a small town not too far from Florence where I can stay and park my car, then take the train to visit Florence.
Any ideas or suggestions?
Thanks in advance
Hi there, it’s been a long time since I last went to London. I’d love to spend a week there in July with my daughter and my niece (both young adults).
Of course, I’m looking for great tips on accommodation, and I’m wondering about renting an apartment. It seems like a better deal to save on restaurants (with the option of having a few meals at home... but is that really the case? I’m not sure about the cost of a meal in a modest restaurant, the pound exchange rate, or grocery prices...).
Otherwise, I’d like to stay in accommodation (hotel or apartment) near a tube station and in Zone 1.
If you have any great tips, I’d love to hear them!
Hi everyone!
I’m heading to Morocco for a trip in the south, starting with 3 days in Marrakech (from January 8th to 11th, 2026).
If you’ve got any tips, cool spots to recommend, I’m all ears! 🎊
And, fellow traveler, if you’d like to share this Marrakech adventure together, I’d love that!
Have a great evening
Hi there,
I’m planning a trip to Peru and have estimated how many days I’ll spend in each place.
Any advice on must-see sights and tourist traps to avoid?
September–October
5 days in Lima
Bus: 07:00→13:30 or 06:00 to 09:30 (express) (3 hr 30 min journey)
3 days in Paracas (beach)
I'd love some destination suggestions for a road trip from Nice to Livorno by car, including the routes, tolls to cross, distance, and estimated travel time. We're planning a 5-day trip, with 2 nights near Nice, 1 night along the way, and finally 2 nights in Livorno. There are 4 of us in a rental car, and we'd like to stay in either an apartment, a mobile home near the sea, or a campsite. Our budget isn't too extravagant!!!! We want to visit the Promenade des Anglais, and I've heard Menton is really interesting. Once we reach Livorno, we'll take the ferry to Corsica for 12 days with the same rental car. We're planning to leave the last week of May and the first two weeks of June 2026, so around 17-18 days total.
Thanks
Hello everyone,
We’re planning our next trip for this winter and need some advice to put it together. We’d love to avoid renting a car for the whole time. We visited southern Morocco back in 2011—our first trip as retirees! We loved the country so much, and now we’re heading back. Still focusing on the south, mainly for the weather. The plan is to travel down the coast from Essaouira to the Tighmert oasis at a relaxed pace. First question: is this doable without too much hassle using local transport? The idea of driving for the entire 6-week trip doesn’t really appeal to us. After that, we’d head to Ouarzazate, Skoura, the Todgha Gorge, Tinejdad, Erfoud, and then Marrakesh. I’d also like to visit the Fès region, which we can reach by train from Marrakesh. It’s a bit all over the place, and I’m realizing that as I write!
Thanks in advance for your valuable input! We haven’t booked flights yet or even decided on a starting point. The trip is planned from mid-January to the end of February. We know the end of the trip will fall during Ramadan.
Could anyone tell me how to connect Central America (starting from which country and with which airline) to Martinique in the most budget-friendly way, please?
Flight duration and number of stopovers don’t matter.