There's no need to book the ferries now. You can do it a month before.
Be careful—no ferries run on May 1st.
For car rentals, you can also check on-site.
For accommodations, it's hard to help without knowing your budget.
No matter which island you're visiting, you can start looking online for car rental companies and see what they offer.
Opt for local rental companies—they’re plentiful and reliable. Just go on Google Maps, zoom in on the port of each island, and search for "Rent a Car."
Having a car already booked saves you from wasting time searching once you arrive and grabbing the first rental company you find.
If you’re arriving on Naxos by plane, keep in mind there are no rental companies on-site. The public area of Naxos Airport is just a few square meters with a waiting room and a small bar selling drinks and snacks. Basically, you pick up your luggage, walk five meters, and you’re outside.
Most rental companies can bring the car you booked to the airport.
The same goes if you arrive by ferry and the rental office isn’t at the port—they’ll wait for you at the ferry exit with a sign with your name on it.
Also, note that Amorgos has two ports. Depending on the ferry you take, you’ll arrive at Aegiali or Katapola, and there’s a good half-hour drive between them. Only the Express Skopelitis from Small Cyclades Lines sometimes stops at both ports.
No need to book the ferries now. You can take them a month before.
Note that no ferries run on May 1st.
For car rental, you can also check on-site.
As for accommodations, it's hard to help without knowing your budget.
Elenitsa
Thanks for your reply!
So I’ll book the ferries at the end of March or beginning of April.
We’ll be in Athens for 3 days, so we’ll leave around May 5th for Naxos, I think.
So far, I’ve found places on booking.com between $90 and $120 per night (in euros???) for Athens, Naxos, and Amorgos.
Here’s our planned itinerary: We land in Athens on the 2nd and leave on May 5th.
Naxos: May 5th to 9th
Amorgos: May 9th to 13th
Paros: May 13th to 17th... we were thinking of flying back. Our flight to Montreal is on the 18th!
No matter which island you're on, you can start looking online for car rental companies and see what they offer.
Opt for local rental companies—they're plentiful and reliable. Go on Google Maps, zoom in on the port of each island, and search for "Rent a Car."
Having a car already booked saves you from wasting time searching once you arrive and grabbing the first rental company you find.
If you're arriving on Naxos by plane, be aware there are no rental companies on-site. The public area of Naxos Airport is just a few square meters with a waiting room and a small bar selling drinks and snacks. Basically, you pick up your luggage, walk five meters, and you're outside.
Most rental companies can come to the airport with the car you’ve booked.
The same goes if you arrive by ferry and the rental office isn’t at the port—they’ll wait for you at the ferry exit with a sign with your name on it.
Also, note that there are two ports in Amorgos. Depending on the ferry you take, you’ll arrive at Aegiali or Katapola—there’s a good half-hour drive between the two. Only the Express Skopelitis from Small Cyclades Lines sometimes stops at both ports.
Thanks for this info!
I’ll start my research... do you think renting a vehicle is necessary on all the islands?
If I were you, I’d do the opposite: as soon as you arrive, head to the islands and save your Athens visit for the end of your trip. It’s pretty risky to return the day before your flight because the islands can get windy, and in those cases, both boats and flights get canceled.
It doesn’t happen often, but if it happens to you, you’ll miss your flight back to Quebec and have to pay for a new ticket out of pocket.
So, it’s better to play it safe and come back 3 days before your return flight.
For car rental, it really depends on you and what you feel like doing. The good thing is you don’t need to book in advance—you can decide once you’re there. For example, on your first day, you could just explore the village where you’re staying and see if buses or taxis are enough for getting around. Then, you could rent a car for just part of your stay if you want.
I confirm Elenitsa’s advice about saving Athens for the end.
Getting stuck on an island while your return flight takes off from Athens is an adventure many travelers know all too well. It’s even less fun when you miss a transatlantic flight.
Many North American travelers used to going to Greece also say they prefer taking a connecting flight to an island as soon as they arrive at ATH to recover from jetlag on the island rather than in the city. Especially since flights to Athens usually arrive in the morning, which allows for a flight to an island (with Sky Express or Aegean) with a minimum connection time of 2 or 3 hours.
Doing it this way also lets you group all your nights in Athens together. In terms of transfers between the port/airport ↔ downtown Athens, it’s just one transfer—the one on the day you return from the island → downtown Athens.
That said, looking at ATH - Naxos flights on May 2nd, there are only 2 options left: at 5:45 PM with Sky Express or 6:20 PM with Aegean. Which, in my opinion, confirms what I said—there’s a rush for connecting flights, especially for Naxos, which is very popular with transatlantic tourists.
However, for Paros, there are still 4 flights available between 1 PM and 6 PM.
As for renting a car on the islands, it’s up to you and depends on your activities. As Elenitsa mentioned, you don’t have to rent for the entire time you’re on the island.
But having a car significantly expands your accommodation options and freedom of movement.
That said, if your plan—for example, in Naxos—is to stay in Naxos Town to shop "downtown" and walk to Agios Georgios beach, then a car won’t be of much use.
If you’re more the type who wants this kind of thing in Naxos, it’ll be essential.
On Amorgos, a car is still very practical because the bus network isn’t as developed, and it can give you this instead of spending hours waiting for a hypothetical bus.
Same for exploring Paros.
Of course, you’ll still need to walk—the car is just a tool to make life easier and avoid spending your days waiting for buses.
Oops! I hadn’t considered that a flight could be canceled because of winds... for the boat, yes, that’s something to think about.
We land in Athens around 10 AM... there’s a flight to Paros at 11 AM. Too tight if our plane is delayed... The other flight is at 3:45 PM... something to think about, but not for too long—it seems like things are selling out fast!
For the car, we’ll see once we’re there... we’ve been told parking is a nightmare!! But yes, we want to explore... shopping isn’t our goal 😄
Hiking, visiting villages and monuments, and swimming—that’s the plan.
I’m especially interested in Amorgos. Other Cyclades islands like Milos also interest us, but they’re in the west, and we don’t want to waste too much time on transport... in short, we’re brainstorming...
Thanks in any case for the info... we’re taking notes and giving ourselves a little (but not too long) time to think it over!!
The planes that go to the islands are very small, so they get canceled easily.
A 1-hour layover isn't doable, even if you're on time, because you'll need to go through customs and pick up any checked baggage before rechecking it.
This is only possible if you bought a ticket from Montreal to Athens to Paros (or another island) on the same ticket. In that case, your baggage is transferred directly, and if the flight from Montreal is delayed, they’ll put you on another flight for free. But I imagine you’ve already bought your ticket to Athens.
Parking a "car" 😉 is a hassle, but only in the middle of summer. In May, it’s still totally doable.
For ferry schedules and prices, you can check out www.ferryhopper.com
If you're planning to continue with a flight to Paros on May 2nd, there are still a few seats available on the 3:45 PM flight with Sky Express, at the Sky-Enjoy fare of 76 €.
That's a good price for this route. It includes a checked bag up to 23 kg. If you're traveling light, the "Joy" fare, which is 9 € cheaper, only allows a small 8 kg carry-on.
Be careful—bags are weighed and measured. If you exceed the maximum dimensions and weight, you'll be charged much more than 9 €.
True, a little over 5 hours of transit time can feel long, but it's up to you. At the airport, once you've passed security for your Paros flight, you'll be in a kind of shopping mall with bistros, restaurants, and shops. It helps pass the time.
Alternatively, there's the Olympic/Aegean flight at 1 PM, but it's twice as expensive.
As travelers from outside the European Union, you’ll likely go through the new passport control with the EES system (photo and fingerprints instead of a passport stamp).
There’s no customs check (unless you request one!), so just exit through the "Nothing To Declare" door and head upstairs to the departure level in Zone B.
Whether you fly with Sky Express or Olympic/Aegean, you can check in 48 hours before the flight via their respective airline apps and have your boarding pass on your phone.
The runway at Paros Airport is too short for Airbus or Boeing planes, so flights operate with ATR72-600 aircraft.
On the islands, parking isn’t an issue at all in May, except possibly in Paros at Parikia and especially in Naoussa. Naoussa is the place to avoid if you want to steer clear of tourist traps.
On Naxos, it’s Naxos Town—the capital and port—that gets crowded.
These are basically the only three spots where you might find paid parking; otherwise, there are always free parking spots everywhere.
Alright! After thinking it over, we’re sticking with our plan to stay in Athens when we arrive, but we’ll leave a day earlier and aim to return around the 15th or 16th at the latest.
Spending a day at the airport after a 9-hour flight and jet lag? Nah, not great!
We’ll do Athens → Naxos, Amorgos, and Paros for 2 days before heading back to Athens by boat or plane. We’ll stay longer on Amorgos.
I’ve already booked at Aigalis on Amorgos.
Otherwise, question: should we book our return boat trips or inter-island travel well in advance?
And if you have any suggestions on which part of Paros is best to stay in?
Yes, all things considered, given the flight options on May 2nd, it's best to stick with the original plan.
You also have the option of spending the night of May 2nd to 3rd at the port of Piraeus to leave for Naxos by ferry on May 3rd.
From the airport, the metro or bus X96 will take you directly to the port of Piraeus. There are a few budget hotels at the port, and you’ll be on-site in the morning of the 3rd to catch the first ferry to Naxos. It’s up to you.
Whether you’re in Athens or Piraeus to take the ferry, note that the port of Piraeus is huge (4 km of docks). Departures depend on the company and destination from numbered "Gates" E1 to E9. Blue Star ferries to Naxos leave from Gates E6 or E7, and Seajets typically depart from E9. Check out this port map.
The metro station is next to Gate E6.
As Elenitsa mentioned, in May there’s no need to rush to buy ferry tickets. If you’re heading to Naxos first by ferry, you can purchase your tickets shortly before leaving Canada. Then, you can pick them up as you go—tickets for Naxos→Amorgos when you’re in Naxos, etc.
Once on the islands, there are two ways to get your tickets: either the "old school" method by buying them at an agency (you’ll get paper tickets for a small commission of about 1 € per ticket) or online, where you’ll have them on your smartphone. In both cases, it’s a QR code to present at boarding.
On Paros, there are plenty of places to stay, and you could say there are at least four styles of Paros. It really depends on your personal taste. Either way, Paros is like Naxos—you’ll need at least four full days to get a sense of it (I spent a little over a month there in different spots).
There’s Naoussa, the Instagrammer and influencer version of Paros, a honeymoon package destination. It’s a traditional village/port turned into a mini-Mykonos with luxury boutiques, matching prices, parking difficulties, and a rather ordinary little beach.
Parikia, the capital and port, is great if you want everything nearby without needing a car. It’s lively, has a beach (not the best, but it’ll do), and is convenient.
On the east coast, there are plenty of nice spots—villages with everything you need and beautiful sandy beaches, ranging from Molos in the north to Drios in the south, including Piso Livadi. That’s where you’ll find Paros’ largest beach, "Golden Beach."
It’s also closer to some beautiful Cycladic villages like Prodromos and Marpissa.
In the south, the village/port of Aliki is another good option—family-friendly vibe, a quiet beach (sheltered from the wind), services, restaurants, and accommodations.
Otherwise, there’s the non-beachside Paros. Lefkes, the old capital, the already-mentioned village of Prodromos, and others like Marmara.
I’d add that from the port of Punda, you can take a 15-minute ferry to Antiparos, a lovely little island, a bit upscale, where you might run into Tom Hanks, who has a residence at Vathis Volos Beach.
For the Franco-French celebrity sighting potential, I’ll mention that you might spot Fabrice Luchini in Drios, though Stéphane Bern has sold his house in Naoussa. 🙂
Thanks, thanks... For all this super useful info... I get that Naoussa isn’t for us, at least not to stay there.
Still not totally decided on how long we’ll stay in Athens when we arrive, but if we’re in the Monastiraki neighborhood, how long does it take roughly to get to Piraeus Port by metro?
From Monastiraki, you’re 15 minutes from Piraeus.
There are two metro lines—best to take Line 3 (the blue one), which comes from the airport. It runs more frequently than the other line.
If the Line 1 (Green) train arrives before you, you can take it too.
Line 1 is above ground, so the scenery is more varied than Line 3.
Sure, it’s a bit more old-school, but since you’re coming to see antiques, it should fit right in 😉
Je souhaite réserver des billets pour une visite de l'Acropole fin Avril. Le site officiel est indisponible. Que pensez vous des agences type Get your guide?…
J'envisage de partir dans les Cyclades courant juillet (Santorin/Amorgos/... Je m'interroge sur une petite phrase du Géoguide: "en mai, les compagnies de…
Comme tous les ans, pas le choix, nous devons partir en Août... Cette année ce sera le Péloponnèse pour faire nos premiers pas en Grèce, du 29 juillet au 16…
Planning to return to Belarus in mid-August, I’ve only just noticed that since last September, Poland has reopened several border crossing points, and for coaches, this means connections like Białystok-Grodno.
Several coach companies’ routes, like on infobus.eu, take between 3 and 4 hours.
Trains from Warsaw to Białystok run in about 1.5 to 2 hours.
This has the advantage of allowing comfortable train journeys with minimal time spent on a coach.
Also, the Terespol-Brest border might have shorter queues if you still prefer a Warsaw-Brest coach trip.
Another route to Minsk—if you have a paper Russian or Belarusian visa—is the Kaliningrad-Minsk train. It’s long, around ten or eleven hours, but you can stretch out and sleep. An option if you fly into Gdańsk and then take the short bus ride to Kaliningrad.
Finally, there are Belavia flights between Minsk and Kaliningrad. But they’re expensive. The route is quite picturesque due to the EU’s quirks:
Either way, this adds a few more options compared to what’s been available over the last four years.
Hi there,
After booking an Airbnb last January for this summer’s vacation in Sarajevo... My "host" canceled our reservation without any reason—this has never happened to me before.
Of course, now it’s impossible to find a place to stay at a "normal" price in Sarajevo with parking...
So we’re falling back on the capital of the Republika Srpska, Banja Luka, which had already crossed my mind before I booked Sarajevo.
I already have quite a few ideas in mind, without having dug too deep into the region yet.
But if anyone has already been there and has suggestions? Even for restaurants—I’m all ears!
And even if it’s not right next door, I’m planning to spend a day in Sarajevo!
Hi,
I'm looking for a car rental company in Tirana for September. Does anyone have a rental company to recommend? I saw that it's possible to rent from private individuals through a platform that groups them (rentfromlocals/al). Has anyone used this method, and if so, is it cost-effective, reliable, and what guarantees are there?
Also, I plan to drive through the Albanian mountains (Valbonë, Kukës, Përmet, Pogradec...). Can anyone tell me about the general condition of these roads? Is a 4x4 vehicle necessary, or would a car with a slightly raised undercarriage (like a Dacia Sandero Stepway) be enough?
Bruno
I’d like to know the opening hours of physical stores between Germany and Austria, and between Austria and Slovenia, that sell the PAPER STICKER toll vignettes that still exist for 2026—non-digital ones. I don’t think they’re open 24/7, and I can’t find the info anywhere.
Thanks
Hi there,
We’re planning a 3-week trip in late September with our camper van to explore Bulgaria and Romania.
What routes would you recommend, starting from the South?
Is there an option to take a ferry in Italy, and is it worth it?
Thanks for all your tips!😊
Hi, I’m looking for a local guide in Burgas, Bulgaria, who speaks French and can suggest some great excursions for us? For 3 people from July 8 to 14, 2026.
Hi there, we’re a young couple and we’d love to go to the Blue Eye (Syri i Kalter) between today (26/06/26) and tomorrow (27/06/26).
Is anyone heading there and could give us a ride? We’re super friendly!
Thanks so much!
We're back. It's still a bit tough to get precise info, so here's a quick trip report!
A good starting point is Shkoder, a really pleasant city. You can easily explore Shkoder itself in a day or two.
Two accessible spots: Valbona and Theth.
In both cases, local travel agencies in Shkoder or online offer round-trip or one-way access packages. Super handy, especially for Valbona.
Valbona and Theth are both very steep! There aren’t many easy hikes for less sporty folks (like me!).
Valbona: The highlight is the amazing 2.5-hour boat ride across Lake Koman. There are day trips from Shkoder, but you’ll only get a short tour of the lake. The best option is to do the full crossing—so spend a night in Valbona (or two if you want to hike in the valley) and return.
Theth is deeply nestled in the mountains. The village at the end of the valley, which is a dead end, has lots of hotels, but they’re pricey. Other hostels are scattered along the mountainside road, but it’s a steep climb down to the village or to the start of the two easy hikes (waterfalls and the Blue Eye). For us, it was a one-hour descent (and ascent!). It’s fine if you have a car; otherwise, keep an eye out for a taxi (cheap) or try hitchhiking—it works really well.
Access from Shkoder to Theth is through an agency. The road is in great condition, and you can also rent a car for 2-3 days in Shkoder. If we did it again, that’s the option we’d choose.
We didn’t do the trek and returned to Shkoder each time. I can’t speak to its difficulty, but we were there in late May, and even experienced hikers had given up because of heavy rain and snow.
Hope this helps! It’s a stunning region you shouldn’t miss.
We’re a Canadian couple, both 77, and we’re already planning our vacation for fall 2027.
Timeframe: mid-September to mid-October... dates are flexible, and we might stay even longer.
Initially, I had planned this itinerary:
Athens (3), Naxos (4), Paros (4), Santorini (4), then a flight to Istanbul (7–10 days!!). This would let us maximize our flights and experience another culture.
That’s a lot of ferries, though... I’ve already cut out Milos.
Our second option would be to stay 2 x 15 days on two different islands, but I’d still keep Istanbul as our next destination... or maybe 30 days on one island that offers the chance to take day trips to other islands where the ferry ride is no more than 2 to 2.5 hours. For example, Naxos to Paros only takes 30 minutes. We could return the same evening or stay overnight.
Naxos seems like the best option!!!
For Istanbul, of course we want to do a day cruise on the Bosphorus and see Hagia Sophia. If we stay 6–7 days, what would be the other main attractions? Are there any points of interest we can reach by local bus?
Hi there!
We bought our tickets to Greece at the end of November 2025, and let’s just say the geopolitical climate has really taken a turn since then with the war started by the United States against Iran. Not to mention all the other conflicts happening around the world 😕... Anyway!
Our flight from Montreal is on May 1st, and I was wondering how things are currently being experienced in Greece.
We were planning to rent a car and had already booked accommodations on three Cyclades islands!!
The oil shortage is also worrying us...
If you could share some insights on this, that would be great!
A little trip report from an 11-day journey to Albania at the end of April 2026, with two friends in their early sixties and beyond...
Our route: Berat, Gjirokastër, Himarë, Tirana
Here are some opinions, tips, and great deals to share:
Flight Round-trip Beauvais-Tirana: Ryanair, 260 € with checked baggage (20 kg) and seat selection. Flight was fine and on time. 2h 30min flight.
Exchange: 1 € was worth 95 lek in April 2026. We were advised to exchange in the airport hall at the Illiria counter (98 lek outside the security zone), saying we wouldn’t find a better rate. However, the exchange rate was 93 lek for 1 euro, while in the city it was 95...
Car rental at Tirana airport for 9 days via Booking.com: 144 € (56 € for the car rental and 88 € for optional full insurance deductible waiver).
Wheego agency: the car was fine, but be careful when signing the contract—they tried to convince us that the insurance taken through Booking didn’t cover everything and insisted we take their own insurance for 250 €... We refused.
After reading about driving in Tirana, instead of starting our trip by visiting the capital, we decided to head straight to Berat upon arrival and return the car at the end of the trip to explore the city on foot. This turned out to be a great choice!
Accommodations: All our stays were booked via Booking.com. Everyone prefers to be paid in euros and in cash—they mention this when booking.
Berat: 2-hour drive from the airport.
Accommodation: Vila Arben Elezi: 135 € for 3 nights with breakfast and private parking. The room was decent and clean but a bit dark, located slightly below ground level near the parking. However, the breakfast on the rooftop was excellent, especially with the stunning view of the "city of a thousand windows." Great location.
Berat was our favorite—there are lovely walks through the different neighborhoods on both sides of the river, each with a very different vibe. The citadel visit is also fascinating, as it’s like a small town within the fortress.
The walk along the river is pleasant, with plenty of restaurant choices. Other restaurants in the old town are also very nice. The White House Restaurant, on the first floor along the road, is good and offers a great view of the Gorica district.
Gjirokastër:
Accommodation: Te Ajdini Guest House: 120 € for 3 nights with breakfast. A private home stay. There’s free parking just before entering the city, a 5-minute walk from the accommodation, which is very convenient since the cobblestone streets are narrow and parking is tricky. Yes, it’s a climb to get to the place, but everything in this city is uphill... The room was bright and clean. Breakfast was very good, hearty, and served in the courtyard with a view of the castle. The guesthouse is a 5-minute walk from the city center (the bazaar) but in a quiet area.
Restaurants: Rrapi and Kujtimi—good and affordable with their little pergolas.
The old town of Gjirokastër is charming but very touristy, with streets packed with souvenir shops and restaurant tables and chairs. Lots of people.
-The bunker visit (near the tourist office) is very interesting: Cold War Tunnel.
The castle offers a beautiful view of the city.
-Visit to the Ottoman house Skenduli: very well done. Don’t forget to climb the ladder facing a trapdoor in the ceiling to see the roof’s framework—it’s like a forest of beams: impressive!
-The bridge Ura e Ali Pasha: A steep 45-minute climb from the city to the site is worth it, but once you reach the viewpoint (which is stunning), you have to go back down a path to reach the bridge. You can drive to the viewpoint, but parking is very tricky.
Around Gjirokastër:
-Just outside the city: Lake Liqeni i Viroit: a nice, ordinary-looking lake, but at the end, there’s a natural spring making the water crystal clear and a brilliant blue—really spectacular, like photos of Blue Eye near Sarandë.
-Drive to Përmet along the gorges: beautiful viewpoints along the way and lovely countryside.
Himarë:
Accommodation: Vila Kosteli: 120 € for 2 nights with breakfast—slightly overpriced for this type of place but very close to a small beach and not far from the promenade with all the restaurants. Private parking, but very tight (4 cars on a tiny lot along the road). The "sea view" room is a bit obstructed by the building across the street. However, the rooftop breakfast view is beautiful. Friendly staff.
Himarë is a pleasant seaside resort, quite calm (but it was April...). There’s a cute promenade with restaurants along the beach. The castle on the heights of Himarë is worth a visit.
Around Himarë:
-Qeparo is worth a quick stop, but Qeparo village is really worth the detour: a village lost in the heights after a scenic drive up from the coastal road—narrow but well-maintained. Beautiful view from the top and a charming village.
-The Big Bunker and Llogora Panorama: take a right turn several kilometers after Dhermi—a road that climbs steeply from the start... A breathtaking winding road that reaches 900 meters in altitude. The view is stunning.
-Several small villages between Dhermi and Himarë are worth a quick stop.
-Porto Palermo Castle is somewhat disappointing.
Tirana:
Taxi from Tirana airport to the city center: 15 € with electric taxis (Green Taxi, Bee Taxi, Do Taxi).
Accommodation: Hotel Nevi Apartment: 63 € for 2 nights. A private apartment in an older building but very clean and well-equipped, with a kitchen and small enclosed balcony.
Great welcome and contact—the owner even booked a taxi for our departure. Very well located, close to the main square, shops, and restaurants. A small supermarket nearby is perfect for stocking up on breakfast supplies.
The city is lively and dynamic, with plenty of green spaces and promenades. Buildings are popping up everywhere, often with surprising architecture—like a building shaped like a face, a huge golden cube, and many others under construction.
-Sky Tower: at the top, a rotating bar offers a 360° view of the city and its buildings. Drinks are a bit pricier than usual, but it’s totally worth it (6 € for a beer or a glass of white wine, 3 € for coffee). We were there for sunset, and it was amazing! A must-do. Arrive early, as it fills up quickly.
-The House of Leaves: a house used for secret surveillance and interrogations during the dictatorship... A great way to learn about the surveillance systems of that era.
-Bunk’Art 2: a bunker in the heart of the city—very interesting, covering the dictatorship period and its system...
-The Pazari i Ri Bazaar: the new bazaar district. The large hall is worth a visit, but souvenir prices are often higher than elsewhere... The area is nice.
Restaurant: Kastrati Restaurant—a bit like a canteen with lots of traditional dishes. It’s on the first floor of a building. Excellent value for money, and the waitress explains the dishes in French.
That’s a little overview of our trip and my personal impressions!
Albania is a beautiful and pleasant country to visit.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
Hi everyone,
We’re thinking of spending 3 weeks in Crete between mid-August and early September, renting a car, quickly exploring a few spots in the east, and focusing on the west, southwest, and south.
I’m worried about the heavy tourist crowds. Is it really more noticeable than elsewhere in Greece? Is there a way to avoid the crowds without missing out on the iconic places, which I imagine are stunning in Crete? Thanks for your thoughts and experiences!
Hi,
I'm heading to Greece via Albania soon. Does anyone have info on transportation from Gjirokastër to Ioannina?
Which company, fares, and schedules—it's not very clear with Google.
I’m just passing through Bratislava quickly (one afternoon, one night, one morning) and I’d love to see the highlights of the city.
I’ve put together a little itinerary—feel free to let me know what you think!
Start at the castle and its beautiful viewpoint
Visit the Baroque gardens
St. Martin’s Cathedral, quick visit
National Theatre
Discover the Cumil statues
Primatial Palace via Hlavné Namestie
Michael’s Gate
Grassalkovich Palace via Obchodna
Walk across Namesti Slobody to head back to the upside-down pyramid
Head down to the Blue Church
Cross the Danube to see Sad Janka Krala, then return via the UFO Bridge
There you go—10 km and a packed day!
What do you think?
Hi there,
we’re heading to Crete from May 8th to 15th, staying at a hotel in Agia Pelagia, 20 km from Heraklion, on half-board, so we’ll be back every evening. What daily itinerary would you recommend? We love hiking and discovering local cultures...
Thanks in advance!!
Hello,
We’re heading to Prague with so much excitement from June 10th to 20th. I’ve got three main questions for those who live there or have visited:
- What are your thoughts on what to pack clothing-wise? What’s the weather usually like at this time of year? We’re a bit sensitive to the cold—we live way down in southern Andalusia and are used to the *calor* 😎... Should we pack rain gear? Are we likely to get a lot of rain (which we’re dreading a little, but we couldn’t choose other dates)?
- I’ve seen there are "passes" for various attractions, museums, and sites, including one that’s valid for 10 days but costs a whopping 160 € per person—that’s an average of 16 € per day. Do you think it’s really worth it? We won’t be spending our days rushing between every indoor site; we also love wandering the streets and discovering things a bit "at random." If we do two paid visits a day, that’ll probably be the max... Can we make it worth the cost with that? Of course, we want to visit the castle and take a boat trip as a minimum. Are the sites included in these passes iconic, or are they more "minor" attractions? Does having the pass help us skip long lines?
- Finally, a question about communication: I speak French, obviously, plus Spanish and English fluently, but very little German (haven’t practiced in ages), and no Russian or Czech at all. My husband knows a few words of Russian, but it’s "Cuban" Russian—about the same level as my current German 🙂 !! Can we still get by without too much trouble? We don’t want to spend 10 days not saying a word to anyone and communicating only with gestures!!
Thanks for your valuable tips and opinions.
Hi there!
We’re heading to Crete (Heraklion) as a couple and I’d like to rent a car.
1) Do we need an international driver’s permit?
2) Are rentals super expensive?
Thanks everyone!
I’d like to know how much a meal costs on average in zloty in Poland (Warsaw, Kraków, Częstochowa, Wadowice), and also the price of souvenirs like postcards and magnets—so I don’t end up with too many zlotys left after my 5-day trip to Poland?
I’m just passing through the city very quickly (one afternoon, one night, one morning) and I’d love to see as many must-see spots as possible.
I’ve put together a little itinerary—let me know what you think!
Visit to Varosliget Park
Heroes’ Square
Quick stop in the southern part of Margitsziget (for the photo with the Budapest sign!!!)
Gül Baba Mausoleum and Rose Garden
Fisherman’s Bastion
Church of the Assumption of Our Lady of Budavár
Tóth Árpád stny promenade
Budavar Palace
Freedom Square
Parliament
This is just a first draft.
I still have a few months to tweak it.
hello
I’m looking for advice for a last-minute trip—about 3 weeks (half Montenegro, half Croatia).
I’m traveling solo, backpacker style (low budget, hostels). I’m 40 and love exploring cool spots—cities, beaches, mountains, sports activities, you name it.
I’m torn between renting a car or just going with the flow using buses once I’m there. A car would definitely be more convenient, but it might be pricier—plus, parking (is it paid?) and having to return it to the same place. My plan is to start in Montenegro (flying into Podgorica or Albania) and finish in Croatia, so I’d either need to do short-term rentals per country or one-way.
In Montenegro, here are the spots I’ve noted:
- Ulcinj and Velika Plaža beach
- A side trip to Lake Skadar and Virpazar
- Budva, Sveti Stefan, and Petrovac
- Cetinje and Lovćen National Park
- Kotor / Perast
- Žabljak and Durmitor National Park + rafting in the Tara Canyon
Is 8–10 days enough?
And in Croatia, I’ve got:
- Dubrovnik
- Korčula
- Hvar
- Split + Trogir and Krka National Park
- Zadar
- Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Croatian Istria / Rovinj / Pula
- Zagreb
Around 10–12 days.
Any tips on the stops (adding or cutting some from my list) or transportation options?
I’m heading to Pelion with my partner and then to Chalkidiki around mid-September (from September 12th to 26th). I arrive in Thessaloniki on Saturday evening and plan to spend a day there to check out the market (though it’s marked as temporarily closed on Google??) and, most importantly, enjoy the local food scene.
After that, I’ll head toward Meteora (Sunday evening/Monday), spend a week in Pelion, and then head up to Nikiti to finish the trip (5 days in Vourvourou) and explore the beaches of Sithonia. We’ll also make a trip to Afytos since I think it’s worth the detour.
About Pelion, I’m really not sure where to stay because the distances between Volos and Afissos aren’t straightforward.
I’m looking for a quiet spot but with a little evening activity—like strolling through a village or by the sea. I’ve seen a few suggestions via ChatGPT, but I’m not convinced about the vibe (Milies, Makrinitsa).
Volos is big… but kind of ugly.
We love hiking, spending time in picturesque/typical villages, and, like everyone else, tasting local specialties. As for balancing the trip, I’m open to changes or adjustments if you’ve got any tips—I’d love to hear them, along with any other ideas.
Hi! We’d like to go away for 10 days around May 15th, either to Menorca or Crete—we don’t know either place. We love hiking, unspoiled nature, good food, swimming, and, if possible, avoiding crowds. We enjoy getting off the beaten track. Menorca seems ideal because it’s not far by plane from Lyon, but if Crete is really wilder and more beautiful in terms of landscapes, we can add an extra hour of flight time. Can you help us out? Thanks!
I'm on my way to Slovakia, where I'll be spending about ten days on vacation in the High Tatras. I've decided to stop in Prague for 24 hours with my two teens (arriving around noon, leaving the next day). We don’t know the city at all.
I know a single day is way too short to discover everything, so I’d like to plan a small circuit to see the must-see spots.
Here’s what I’ve planned:
Walk through Nový Svět street
Visit the castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, and Golden Lane
Quick stop at Vojanovy Sady gardens
Malá Strana Square
Maltese Square
Kampa Island
Then the iconic Charles Bridge and a short tour of the Jewish Quarter
We’ll head back down to visit Old Town Square (Malé Náměstí, St. Nicholas Church, and the Church of Our Lady before Týn)
Head to Wenceslas Square and the Church of Our Lady of the Snows
Then to the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius and the Dancing House
And finally, back to the starting point.
Estimated distance: 10 km
I was thinking of a little evening stroll up Petřín Hill... what do you think?
Are there things that aren’t really worth it, or other spots that are must-sees?
It’s decided—next summer, it’s Cyprus! A region we don’t know yet, with nature, culture, beach time, and diving the Zenobia 😎
We’re thinking of a 2-week trip.
After flipping through the LP guide, I’m still unsure about the best bases—I can’t quite picture the distances...
Option 1: Stay near Larnaca for 1 week and Paphos for the other.
But from Larnaca, Cape Greco is doable. Wouldn’t it be better to stay near Cape Greco (Protaras?) instead? What about getting to Lefkara?
Same from Paphos—easy to explore as far as Kourion.
Option 2: A single, more central base somewhere between Limassol and Larnaca.
I’d like to book tickets for a visit to the Acropolis at the end of April. The official site is down. What do you think of agencies like Get Your Guide? Are they reliable? It’s a lot more expensive. The audio guide option is tempting, but is that reliable too? We’re a bit older and like to take our time...
Do the other museums (National Archaeological Museum and Museum of Cycladic Art) also require reservations? We visited Athens 50 years ago, and it seems like things have changed a lot.
I just booked a flight and hotel (Mövenpick in Durrës) for my husband and me for late May.
We’re thinking of spending (I haven’t really decided yet) one day in Tirana, one day around Berat, and one day around Gjirokastër and the Albanian Riviera.
We were planning to hire a private driver for the day. I asked the hotel if they could find one for me... they brushed me off! Yet I usually do this for all my trips.
Would you have a name, a company, or someone I could contact?
Otherwise, is it "dangerous"—road conditions and Albanian driving—to rent a car?
