Mon épouse et moi avons fait un voyage EXTRAORDINAIRE .
Départ Moscou ..Transibérien ... Oulan bator ... Pékin durée 24 joursà prix vraiment réduit .
On a essayé tous les filons .
Pour Oulan bator nous avons réservé note chambre au GOLDEN GOBI ( TOUT simplement FABULEUX ) ... Laissez vous guider par eux ( si vous parlez Anglais vous pourrez leur expliquer ce que vous voulez et ils le feront ) . Prenez le système all inclusive .... C'est tout simplement PARFAIT.
Si vous voulez plus de renseignements vous pouvez me contacter : manucornet@swing.be
Nous habitons Liège en Belgique
Bonjour,
je pars cet été avec une amie faire Moscou, Pekin en train, 25 jours de périple. Nous souhaitons passer par Iekaterinburg, lac Baikal, 1 semaine en Mongolie, Pekin et remonter par Vladisvostok... En fait on n a un peu de mal a definir un parcours...on voudrait s arreter partout ...
Qu est ce qu il faut absolument voir ?
Comment faire pour les billets de train ? Nous ne pourrons les prendre que sur place a Moscou quelques jours avant le depart...
Pour ce qui ets de la Mongolie, j ai eu 2 contacts et pour une semaine on nous propose entre 400 et 280 euros par personne!
Quels conseils pourriez vous nous donner?
Merci d avance
Tatiana
😮 SALUT Anier , bonjour la BELGIQUE ,
pourrais-tu me parler un peu de ton voyage en Mongolie , et me dire ce qu'il est possible de faire en 3 jours/2 nuits si l'on veut aller à la rencontre des nomades des steppes , à partir de Oulan BATOR ? @+ Bonne soirée.
Tu n'as QUE 3 jours en Mongolie ? Ca va être chaud, mais pourquoi pas... Après, ça va dépendre de la saison à laquelle tu t'y rends, en été, il y a davantage de possibilités et plus de "transports publics" si tu ne veux pas passer par une agence.
Après, j'ai toujours tendance à recommender la UB Guesthouse, déjà parce qu'elle est pas chère et hyper sociale, mais surtout parce qu'ils peuvent t'arranger un chauffeur, un tour, la nuit en ger dans le parc national (ou peut être ailleurs maintenant, depuis mon passage ils ont probablement élargi l'offre). Mais 3 jours, c'est vraiment court, les distances ne se couvrent pas très rapidement, et le principe du pays, c'est un peu l'inertie de la nature face au peu de moyens qu'ont les hommes pour y survivre.
Sinon, essaye peut être de chopper des contacts sur Couchsurfing, pour l'immersion chez les locaux, tu risques de trouver des gens qui parlent un peu anglais en plus, ça vaut hautement le coup d'essayer...
Voilà, mes conseils sont googlables, à toi de voir ! Et tiens moi au courant :)
slut Sarahheersh ,
Que signifie ta devise 'Ingen....." est-ce du mongol ?
Merci pour ta réponse , mais bon , quand je dis trois jours , c'est sans compter ...2 jours de plus à UB .Au fait , j'aimerai être dans la steppe avec les locaux pour voir..L'as-tu fait et qu'as-tu ressenti ?
Est-ce que cela vaut le coup d'aller dans le parc Terelji ? J'ai vu une agence qui le propose pour 2 nuits/3 jours ?
coment cela s'est passé pour toi ? Et y es-tu retourné depuis ? bye bye , j'aime bien ta photo!
Non, ce n'est pas du mongol, même si je connaissais l'équivalent dans cette langue (à ce jour, pour moi, la plus bizarre du monde), je ne serais probablement pas capable de la rapporter à l'écrit :D
Le parc Terelj, c'est assez chouette, mais je n'y ai passé qu'une nuit, et je lui ai préféré le Gobi, où on dormait chaque soir chez une famille différente. Après, pour 3 jours, ça vaut probablement le coup, mais vois surtout si tu as moyen de faire une balade à dos de chameau. Ils vont te proposer du cheval, mais c'est proche d'une balade en poney (surtout si tu fais ma taille), et pas très palpitant. Alors que le chameau, c'est confortable et hyper grisant :D
J'ai adoré la Mongolie, je n'ai malheureusmeent pas eu l'occasion d'y retourner depuis, même si je l'ai promis aux patrons de la UB Guesthouse, et qu'on en parle régulièrement avec les potes australien et américain rencontrés sur place. Tout s'est très bien passé, c'est un endroit plein de contrastes et EXTREMEMENT dépaysant. Je recommande à tout le monde :)
Pas loin, pas loin ! Les deux langues sont très proches de toutes façons, mais dans la devise, c'est le "non plus" qui est vraiment important :)
Au départ, c'est le slogan (en allemand) d'un bar aux pays bas où j'ai mes habitudes. Je sais pas où ils l'ont trouvé, mais j'ai réadapté l'idée en suédois, et si un jour je me bricole un blason, ce sera écrit dessus :D
bon je ne suis pas très calé et j'ai toujours du mal à comprendre le slogan , une traduction , en ce vendredi qui se termine , là où généralement je suis dans les cordes, puis je espérer une traduction chère Sarheersh ? ( J'ai du mal aussi à ne pas penser à Martin irsh ..mais je suppose qu'on te l'a déjà dit mille fois , tu vois ce n'est pas la grande forme..)
Pour revenir aux familles nomades du désert de GOBI , qui contacter pour pouvoir changer de vie chaque soir dans une famille différente , qui propose celà ? Au fait peux-tu me donner une idée de prix de ce que cela va me couter, misère.
Pardonne ma curiosité : Qu'y a t-il comme tableau sur le fond de la photo..que j'aime bien !
Je l'avais mise juste au dessus la traduction, c'est "Pas d'alcool n'est pas non plus la solution" :) Et mon nom n'est pas une référence à monsieur ex-emmaüs, mais l'association de mon prénom avec le cri de ralliement de mes potes hollandais (HEERSCH ! Littéralement "on règne", moins littéralement "on est les meilleurs")
M'enfin, passons...
Le Gobi avec yourte différente chaque soir, c'était un tour organisé par la UB Guesthouse, mais c'était sur 7 jours, donc un peu trop long pour tes dispos. Après, tu peux leur envoyer un mail pour leur demander, selon la saison où tu y vas, s'ils peuvent t'arranger un tour sur mesure. Ca n'avait pas coûté trop cher, peut être 70 dollars US, bouffe comprise, on devait juste payer un petit supplément directement aux hôtes. Tu trouveras tout sur http://www.ubguest.com/ , rien qu'à la page "Tours", ils proposent beaucoup plus d'options que lors de mon passage. Mais ouais, passe leur un mail, Bobby et Kim sont adorables :)
Niveau sousous, privilégie peut être les tours des guesthouses, qui seront surement moins onéreux que ceux des agences, surtout si tu as checké les prix auprès d'agents de voyages en France. La Mongolie, c'est franchement pas cher, je vivais comme une reine pour 10 dollars par jours, logement, bouffe et binouze compris :)
Et ma photo (puisqu'on parle de moi, mon ego va bien !), c'est pris devant le panneau qui indique le point de rendez vous des "Enfants Perdus" à Eurodisney.
Voilà, j'espère que tes questions sont apaisées, n'hésite pas à demander si tu as besoin d'autre chose :)
@ Kedor Ouais et puis si tu es à Prague comme indiqué, ils en connaissent un rayon sur la binouze là bas ! Alors, plutôt Staropramen ou Pilsner Urquell ?
Et le tien de slogan, il veut dire quoi ? J'ai laissé tomber toute tentative d'apprendre le tchèque, c'est trop dur !
😮 Connais-tu la Slovaquie ? Est-ce une bonne idée de vacances ?
Oui et ça dépend : que voulez-vous faire pendant ces vacances ? Je ne vous cache pas que pour faire du jetski, la Slovaquie n'est pas la destination idéale.
Qui veut chasser une migraine n'a qu'à boire toujours du bon
La Plzen est avant tout un symbole : la première bière blonde !
Je pense que c'est impossible à trouver en France mais la "tankova" (qui vient de fûts de très grande capacité, non filtrée, non pasteurisée - la mousse peut avoir des teintes légèrement ambrées et la bière est trouble) est extraordinaire. En pression et filtrée + pasteurisée, j'avoue ne pas y trouver un immense intérêt, même si elle ne devient pas mauvaise pour autant.
Qui veut chasser une migraine n'a qu'à boire toujours du bon
😇 Parc National de Tetras , qu'en penses-tu ? Il parait qu'on peut y voir des nounours , plutôt facilement , est-ce vrai ?
et que vaut BRATISLAVA ? et les slovaques , sympas ?
Vous parlez probablement du parc national des hautes Tatras ?
C'est très beau, propice à des treks de difficulté basse à relativement élevée (dépendant par où vous passez) pouvant durer jusqu'à une semaine. Pas d'ours ici mais des bouquetins et, si vous êtes cocu, des lynx.
Pour les ours, faut plutôt sur concentrer sur les basses Tatras, et la grande et la petite Fatra. De là à dire qu'il est facile d'en voir.... 😐
que vaut BRATISLAVA ?
Pas un clou
les slovaques , sympas ?
Dépend surtout de la façon dont vous vous comportez avec eux. N'attendez pas l'exubérance italienne. Pour le cliché, ils sont plutôt croyants et conservateurs; inversement, les jeunes (particulièrement à Bratislava) se lâchent et affichent leur excentricité. Une bonne partie se tire... à Prague pour les études, pour le travail et les salaires, pour la "grande ville"... 🙂
Qui veut chasser une migraine n'a qu'à boire toujours du bon
Non, je parle de Prague 😇 Le "Jean Marc Barr", c'est le surnom qu'on donnait au Jarmark, un resto avec de la bière à se servir soi même dans une galerie commerciale (mais je ne sais plus laquelle 😐)
La tankova, ça ne me dit rien comme ça, il faudrait que je pose la question au pote qui m'a entraîné dans les séances de dégustations culinairo-binouzières de Prague, ma mémoire est bien vague. Mais ça a l'air sympathique !
Ooooh et tu as changé ta signature ! (oui, je dis "tu", donc tu devrais en faire autant :))
Vouiiiii c'est bien celui ci ! Je viens juste de retrouver le lien, j'allais fièrement le partager mais bon... !
Après, je suis assez bon public côté binouze, donc je ne sais pas si le Jarmark serait à la hauteur pour tes exigences, sans compter qu'à chaque fois qu'on y est passés, c'était après l'autre bar, donc nous étions tous passablement joyeux, ce qui réduit un peu le discernement plus précis que le stade "Huuuuuh elle est booooooonne !"
Et puis le coup des pompes à bière à ta disposition, avec le compteur sur le mur qui pousse l'esprit de compétition à dépasser le nombre affiché par les autres tables à côté, ça ajoute certes à la joie et l'allégresse, mais ça enlève pas mal d'esprit critique !!
En fait, un ami a moi est parti faire une mission de post-doctorat en chimie à l'institut dont je parlais plus haut (il bossait pour Antonin Holy, c'est la classe), et du coup il a habité à Prague un moment. Et on est sorti avec ses collègues du labo, donc un peu de tout, mais le plus souvent des Belges en visite temporaire comme moi. Du coup, on a fait d'une pierre 25 coups, en se faisant toutes les visites ensemble, et en retrouvant ceux qui bossaient dur le soir pour la détente.
Le plus étrange, c'était la fête de Noël du labo, avec les locaux, les visiteurs, les étudiants en échange et moi au milieu, qui, quelque soit la langue qu'ils parlaient, ne comprenait pas leur langage :D
5 jours seulement, mais c'était le meilleur début de voyage possible :)
Je me demande ce que diront les modérateurs s'ils passent sur notre discussion cela dit... Partir sur du transmongolien pour passer par de la slovaquie en terminant sur les pubs de Prague, on est forts 😎
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Je pars avec ma copine pour 22 jours sur place en Mongolie au mois d'août. Pour l'instant je n'ai que les billets d'avion et je suis à la recherche de bons…
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Hi there,
I’m heading to the Greek island of Ikaria for two months and I’m looking for any tips or advice—especially on budget-friendly accommodation options like a room to rent or staying with locals. Thanks!
Hi everyone, I'm traveling solo in Spain for 8 days without a car, on a tight budget. What train/bus route do you recommend between cities, and where can I find the best prices? Looking forward to your tips! Thanks
Hello! 👋
I’m new to this site and feeling a little desperate. 😢 My boyfriend’s birthday is in 4 days, and I wanted to surprise him with a New Year’s trip to London... except I just found out he’s already been there as a kid. Well, there goes my surprise! 😅
Since we both love Christmas and winter, I’m looking for a destination where we can really feel the holiday magic—with a budget of around 500 € for transport + accommodation for two (yes, I know, I might be asking for a Christmas miracle here 😇).
We’ve already been to Bucharest, Prague, Vienna, and Budapest, so I’d love to find something a little more offbeat, not too expensive, and with a beautiful Christmas atmosphere.
Please help me! 🙏 On social media, it’s always the same ultra-touristy cities... I’m sure there are hidden gems I haven’t discovered yet!
Three years after exploring northern Argentina and Chile, my two travel buddies and I want to discover the southern part of these two countries.
We’re traveling on a budget, backpacker-style, favoring public transport and modest accommodations, but we don’t hesitate to splurge a little when it’s worth it.
The classic spots that have been fueling our dreams: Bariloche, the lakes, Chiloé, El Chaltén, Torres del Paine, Perito Moreno, El Calafate, Fitz Roy, Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego, and wrapping up in Valparaíso.
We’ll take a round-trip flight to Santiago, then I’m thinking of a one-way flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas. From there, we’ll explore and do several day hikes in the south, including Ushuaia and, if possible, Tierra del Fuego.
Then we’ll head back north by bus to Bariloche and the lakes, followed by Chiloé, then a bus to Santiago and Valparaíso.
Based on your experience, could you help me figure out the best way to structure this trip and maybe suggest some ideas?
Thanks in advance.
Didier
I’m heading to Quebec and New Brunswick this summer and got a Revolut Classic card for the trip. I’ve already exchanged some Canadian dollars in the app so I’ll have a reserve ready for my departure day. My question is whether I’ll incur any additional fees when using my Canadian dollar account. I think I’m limited to 200 € in ATM withdrawals for my part. Thanks!
Hi there,
I'm heading to Morocco for 10 days as a backpacker, with my car and a tent canvas if needed. Does anyone have great experiences in this country around the Tétouan and Tangier areas?
I'd love to spend time with locals, rent a small room, and take part in daily life.
If you've got any addresses to share, that'd be awesome!
Thanks a million for your replies!!!😉
Christine
My boyfriend and I are going there for just 9 days, including the two travel days… It’s not much, but oh well!
Looking at prices online, I get the impression everything’s more expensive than I thought 😅 So, I wanted to get your feedback on a few things:
* Is hitchhiking common, easy, and generally safe in Albania?
* Is it possible to find day-to-day accommodations without booking ahead? If so, are they usually cheaper than the ones you find online?
* Is wild camping allowed or at least tolerated?
If any of you have traveled there recently, I’d love all the tips and great deals you’ve got!
Hi,
We’re a young couple planning to travel to South Africa after spending about three weeks in Namibia. We’ll arrive in Cape Town around mid-December, with no fixed travel duration (though our budget will eventually set a limit).
After browsing through the forum, we’ve realized the country is packed with incredible spots, which makes choosing an itinerary tough. We’re looking for stunning landscapes, hikes, and so on. So, we’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences.
When we arrive in Cape Town, we’d like to settle in and take it easy until New Year’s, exploring at a relaxed pace. We know this period coincides with South African holidays—does that make finding accommodations (availability/prices) more difficult? Do you think it’s possible to stay in a nice place for about 15 days without aiming for the most upscale neighborhoods? Maybe somewhere a bit outside Cape Town, like Fish Hoek, and just visit the city occasionally.
After that, we’ll have plenty of time (about 2 to 2.5 months) to explore the country. We’d like to take our time. In your opinion, is it better to focus on the Cape Town region, or is it reasonable to consider more distant areas like the Drakensberg or Blyde River Canyon? Can everything be done by car if we take our time, or are domestic flights sometimes more practical?
Budget-wise, how much do car rentals cost? For accommodations, we usually look at Airbnb—are they affordable in South Africa? What’s the average nightly rate outside the biggest cities? Are there other platforms you’d recommend for saving on lodging?
Finally, regarding safety, are there any regions to avoid besides Johannesburg?
We know this is a lot of questions, but we’re still in the early planning stages!
Thanks in advance for your advice!
Hi there,
After exploring southern Peru in 2024 with your help, we’d love to head north next. There’ll be 5 or 6 of us:
1. Arrive in Lima in the evening.
2. Visit Lima and take a flight at 6:35 PM to Tarapoto.
3, 4, 5. Spend a few days there to trek in a reserve (Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve) or somewhere else.
6. From Tarapoto to Chachapoyas—either by overnight bus, daytime bus, or private car.
7. In Chachapoyas: Gocta Waterfall, Sonche Canyon, and walk back to town.
8. Head to Kuelap citadel, Revash, and arrive in Leymebamba.
9. Leymebamba museum, then route to Cajamarca.
10. Cajamarca hot springs, overnight bus to Trujillo or Chiclayo—or do both.
11, 12, 13. Visit and explore the area.
14. Overnight bus back to Lima.
15. Lima.
16. Depart at 8 PM for France.
What do you think of this itinerary? Looking forward to your advice.
Thanks
I’m planning a 7-day trip to Marrakech for a sports camp, and I’ll be traveling with just a standard carry-on backpack.
I’d love to hear your best tips and tricks:
• What clothes are absolutely essential?
• Any advice for managing the heat while traveling light?
• Which accessories have been the most useful for you?
• Mistakes to avoid on a first trip to Marrakech?
I’m also open to your recommendations for neighborhoods, restaurants, or activities not to miss during my free time.
Thanks in advance for your advice and experience! !
Hi there, we’re heading to the Cyclades from June 23 to July 9. We’ll arrive in Santorini and leave from Mykonos. We’re thinking of visiting these islands: Folegandros, Milos, Sifnos, Tinos, and Mykonos. Do you think it’s better to book the ferries now (which site do you recommend for booking?) or can we buy the tickets on the spot? Also, do you have any suggestions for accommodation under 100 €/night on each of these islands? Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone!
I’m planning my dream trip for next September, lasting about a month. Here’s my itinerary:
Amsterdam: 3 days (departing from Montreal)
Tanzania: 3-day safari
Zanzibar: 6 days
Istanbul: 7 days
Return to Montreal.
Since my budget is pretty tight, I’m looking for tips and advice to cut costs without sacrificing the experience. Here are my questions:
Multi-destination flights: What’s the best way to book these connections? Is it better to buy a one-way ticket from Montreal to Amsterdam, then a separate internal flight, or use comparison tools for a multi-destination ticket?
Budget safari: Do you have recommendations for local agencies or tips to do a 3-day safari (Serengeti/Ngorongoro) at an affordable price (e.g., camping/glamping instead of luxury lodges)?
Accommodation in Zanzibar: Which villages or types of lodging are the most budget-friendly and accessible via local transport for these 6 days?
Istanbul: Any tips for well-located but cheap accommodation and great food deals?
Hi,
Are there still basic, traditional, and affordable authentic accommodations in Poland? I’ll be traveling in July with my husband and our 2 kids along the Warsaw-Łódź-Toruń-Gdańsk route, and all I can find online are standardized Ikea-style apartments in the cities. When I look for agrotourism, it’s all luxury farms.
Can you find farms in the countryside or city lodgings for under 60 euros per night? And if so, how?
Is it possible to find accommodations on the spot without internet—like from people who put up signs—even in July?
Hi,
I need to stay in Paris or Créteil for 2 nights a week for a month. I know some cheap backpacker options, but I’d like something even cheaper. Do you know of any rooms for rent from private individuals?
Thanks
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!
