Roumanie: bons plans et conseils
by Marion33
This discussion is in French, the community’s main language.
Original post
Bonjour,
Je pars en Roumanie avec une copine aux mois de juillet et aout. Nous avons un très petit budget. Nous aimerions donc savoir si vous connaissez des hebergements vraiment pas chers (nous avons pensé à prendre une tente, mais comme nous serons à pieds, on ne sait pas trop finalement...).
Mais surtout on aimerait avoir des idées de trajets, les endroits où il faut absolument passer, les plans rando, les gens à aller voir, les petits villages du transylvanie où on peut faire la fête, les plages de la mer du nord qui valent le coup à cette saison, les endroits où on ne trouvera pas trop de touriste. Bref, on aimerait aller à la rencontre de la roumanie et des roumains, quelqu'un pourrait-il nous guider mieux que les guides que tous les monde achète ?
Merci d'avance,
Marion
coucou, je peux pas encore te répondre puisque nous aussi, nous y allons en aout, mais je te conseille tout de même d'acheter un guide (lonely planet, petit futé, etc) pour que tu puisses te faire une idée, ou pour savoir ce qui t'intéresserait làbas.
j'avais fait une discution, il y a quelques temps 'avis sur itinéraire de 15j en roumanie" .
peut etre que l'on se croisera alors,
à plutard et bonne préparation,
marion😉
Népal, Inde, Roumanie, Kirghizistan, Irlande, Asie Centrale via la Turquie et l'Iran en mercedes 310D James Cook, le tout en famille
🙂 Chère voisine, chère Marion
Je suis allé en Roumanie l'an dernier en mai, train et logement chez l'habitant. J'ai fait un résumé de mon voyage sur mon site :
http://perso.orange.fr/mgoun/index.html
Excuse-moi, je te quitte ici, il est tard, je m'endors, mais je ne t'oublie pas et je t'enverrai demain qq chose de plus substantiel.
Bien amicalement
J-J BERNARD
Ce n'est pas où qu'on va qui compte, c'est comment qu'on y va ( Jacques Bégot)
J-J BERNARD
Ce n'est pas où qu'on va qui compte, c'est comment qu'on y va ( Jacques Bégot)
😉Ma chère Marion
Chose promise...
Je suppose que tu ne vas pas aller à pied en Roumanie, voici donc le site d'Eurolines au cas où tu ne le connaisse pas ( ce qui m'étonnerai ):
http://www.eurolines.fr/Pages/FR/webV2/sitemap.jsp
Je ne suis pas un expert de la Roumanie j'y ai passé en tout et pour tout 3 semaines et je n'ai parcouru qu'une petite partie de ce pays, que je crois être la plus intéressante mais c'est une opinion fondée sur des on-dit. J'y suis allé en train et j'ai logé chez l'habitant.
Sur mon site, qui est encore en travaux et fonctionne couçi couça, il n'y a presque que notre voyage en Roumanie, rubrique "promenades". Voici son adresse: http://perso.orange.fr/mgoun/index.html
Si tu n'es pas encore décidée, je te recommande une lecture : "La Roumanie au Petit Bonheur", que tu pourras peut-être trouver à la bibli de Bdx. Ce n'est pas un guide, c'est une invitation au voyage.
Je me demande si on fait du tourisme en Roumanie comme ailleurs, en Tunisie p ex à grands renforts de bus climatisés et d'hôtels ****. Je crois que non, à quelques exceptions près : la mer Noire et ses plages, le château de Bran et Sighisoara à cause de Dracula, les "grands" monastères de Bucovine ( patrimoine UNESCO). C'est pourquoi il ne faut pas négliger les guides et je te recommande, en pllus du Routard, le Guide Bleu qui est très bien fait.
Si tu n'es jamais allée dans les pays ex-communistes il faut que tu saches qu'ils sont, au premier abord, déprimants, surtout les villes avec leurs immeubles grisâtres, leurs usines abandonnées à la rouille, ou qui répandent des fumées nauséabondes. Les habitants, eux aussi sont tristes, et il y a de quoi ; ils mènenet une vie très difficile. Je ne cherche pas à te décourager mais quand on est prévenu le choc est sans doute moins rude. Tu as choisi d'aller en Roumanie, bravo ! j'y suis allé l'an dernier, je vais y retourner dans un mois et j'y retournerai sans doute l'année suivante, tu as donc affaire à un amoureux de ce pays et surtout de ses habitants. Et comment ne pas l'être, c'est le pays, avec l'Arménie, où nous avons reçu l'accueil le plus chaleureux. Encore une mise en garde, c'est un pays très pauvre et tu y verra beaucoup de misère, des handicapés sans fauteuil roulant, des enfants qui vivent dans la rue te réclameront de la nourriture. Pour te donner une idée de la gentillesse des Roumains : sans rien demander ( au contraire nous essayions de passer inaperçus ) nous avons été invités à une fête des mères chez des protestants et une fête en l'honneur des morts par des orthodoxes, à Prejmer, le même jour à qq heures d'intervalle. Nous avons parcouru, en gros trois régions : la Transylvanie, le Maramures et un peu de Bucovine. La Roumanie est peut-être le dernier pays d'Europe où l'on puisse aller presque partout en train, jusque dans les villages les plus reculés et les trains sont bon marché. Ils sont aussi l'endroit idéal pour faire des rencontres, avons toujours fait la causette avec les autres voyageurs, beaucoup de Roumains parlent au moins qq mots de Français.Un seul ennui : les gares sont toujours un peu loin du centre.
Le site des chemins de fer roumains : http://www.cfr.ro/calatori/franceza/index_fr.html : CFR = notre SNCF
Attention ! si, dans les grandes villes les employés ont un ordinateurs, ailleurs il ont un crayon et du papier et ne savent pas grand' chose des correspondances... Alors : ou bien se faire des fiches depuis ici ou bien acheter le "Mersul Trenurilor", en vente dans les librairies, pas très digeste mais il y a tout.
Loger chez l'habitant : il y a des associatiations de "tourisme équitable, tout le monde y trouve son compte, le logeur et le logé. l'une est animée par des belges : voir VINCIANE dans voyage forum. Beaucoup acceptent d'héberger des campeurs. Le site Opérations Villages Roumains : http://www.villagesroumains.be/ : tu te souviens sans doute que Ceucescu voulait faire disparaître les villages de Roumanie, l'asso. a été fondée pour éviter le massacre. D'autres sites semblables : http://www.echange-roumanie.com/ http://www.agrotour.ro/harta.htm http://www.ruralturism.ro/indexfr.html#map
Nous avons commencé notre périple à Pucareni, petit village sans charme particulier mais bien situé, à côté de Brasov et pas bien loin des citadelles saxonnes. Une asso très dynamique a mis en route l'accueil chez l'habitant, elle va passer la main, elle a bien d'autres choses à faire mais je pense qu'on peut toujours faire appel à elle. Son animatrice, Maylis CAZAMAYOU est charmante. Le site : http://www.arbredejoie.org/ Qu'y a-t-il à voir à Brasov et dans les environs : le site de Claude Aubré est très riche et abondamment illustré, c'est le premier que j'ai consulté, il dénombre une foule de lieux et de gens à voir, autour de Brasov et ailleurs en Roumanie. nous avons testé ses recommandations et nous nous en sommes fort bien trouvés. Il y a même, si je me souviens bien une petite rubrique sur la randonnée pédestre. http://brasov.free.fr/Brasov/general.htm
Les citadelles saxonnes : à voir absolument, mais il y a peu de routes et c'est donc difficile de s'y déplacer, deux adresses sont chaudement recommandées : VISCRI où Caroline FERNOLEND ( portable = 0724 57 09 92 ) anime une asso et SOARS, chez Mihai PATRICHI ( 0724 57 09 92 ). Je me risque, je n'y suis pas allé mais mon petit doigt me dit que...
2° étape : Sighisoara. La ville vaut la peine, citadelle médiévale bien conservée mais lieu de naissance de Vlad Tepes, c'est, avec le château de Bran le rendez-vous des maniaques de Dracula, c'est le seul endroit où nous ayons rencontré des touristes en masse compacte et où nous ayons eu de la peine à nous loger en mai, alors en été....
3° étape : le Maramures, où nous sommes restés une semaine dans une famille d'enseignants, Maria et Liviu, je te donne leur adresse, ils sont adorables et si tu décide de passer chez eux Liviu ira te chercher à la gare et te conduira, avec sa petite automobile partout où tu le voudras ( Sighet, Sapinta...le train de la Vaser). La petite image qui me sert d'identificateur a été prise lors d'un festival dans un village voisin où nous étions les seuls touristes. Si je me souviens bien on peut camper dans leur jardin. Le Maramures est le pays des églises en bois, en voir une vaut déjà le voyage. Maria et Liviu habitent à Ieud, où se trouve la plus ancienne. A Ieud les habitant portent encore le costume traditionnel, et beaucoup de maisons sont en bois avec un portail sculpté. Nous serons chez eux fin mai. Comme la marche à pied ne te fait pas peur, on peut accéder, à pied aux villages voisins, et quand on en a marre, on peux toujours faire du stop aux charrettes. A tout hasard voici leur adresse mail : liviu_ieud@yahoo.com Il y a peut-être moyen d'aller passer une nuit ou deux dans les alpages de Ieud et de camper à côté de la cabanne du berger, et de partager son repas, si tu veux j'essaierai d'en parler à Liviu. le berger fait la navette entre l'alpage et le village, avec sa charrette, tous les jours.
4° La Bucovine, c'est la région des monastères, ils valent, à eux seuls le voyage, il y en a quatre "grands" et touristiques mais aussi plein de petits => voir http://brasov.free.fr/Brasov/general.htm. On peut aussi y faire des randos, voir ci-après. Nous avons fait la connaissance avec l'animateur d'une asso ( Petricka ) basée dans un tout petit village, Ciumarna, où nous passerons une dizaine de jours, un peu en touriste, un peu en quête de l'"otantique" un peu à baliser leurs chemins. Voici donc l'adresse de son site et de son courriel : http://www.associationpetricka.new.fr/ a.esquerre@tiscali.fr
5° Les Apuseni : nous n'y sommes pas allés, mais nous irons, c'est une région à l'ouest de Cluj, isolée, où les communications sont difficiles mais où tu trouveras sans doute ton bonheur. Ouvre vite le Guide Bleu p 121, tu verras !
Chose promise...
Je suppose que tu ne vas pas aller à pied en Roumanie, voici donc le site d'Eurolines au cas où tu ne le connaisse pas ( ce qui m'étonnerai ):
http://www.eurolines.fr/Pages/FR/webV2/sitemap.jsp
Je ne suis pas un expert de la Roumanie j'y ai passé en tout et pour tout 3 semaines et je n'ai parcouru qu'une petite partie de ce pays, que je crois être la plus intéressante mais c'est une opinion fondée sur des on-dit. J'y suis allé en train et j'ai logé chez l'habitant.
Sur mon site, qui est encore en travaux et fonctionne couçi couça, il n'y a presque que notre voyage en Roumanie, rubrique "promenades". Voici son adresse: http://perso.orange.fr/mgoun/index.html
Si tu n'es pas encore décidée, je te recommande une lecture : "La Roumanie au Petit Bonheur", que tu pourras peut-être trouver à la bibli de Bdx. Ce n'est pas un guide, c'est une invitation au voyage.
Je me demande si on fait du tourisme en Roumanie comme ailleurs, en Tunisie p ex à grands renforts de bus climatisés et d'hôtels ****. Je crois que non, à quelques exceptions près : la mer Noire et ses plages, le château de Bran et Sighisoara à cause de Dracula, les "grands" monastères de Bucovine ( patrimoine UNESCO). C'est pourquoi il ne faut pas négliger les guides et je te recommande, en pllus du Routard, le Guide Bleu qui est très bien fait.
Si tu n'es jamais allée dans les pays ex-communistes il faut que tu saches qu'ils sont, au premier abord, déprimants, surtout les villes avec leurs immeubles grisâtres, leurs usines abandonnées à la rouille, ou qui répandent des fumées nauséabondes. Les habitants, eux aussi sont tristes, et il y a de quoi ; ils mènenet une vie très difficile. Je ne cherche pas à te décourager mais quand on est prévenu le choc est sans doute moins rude. Tu as choisi d'aller en Roumanie, bravo ! j'y suis allé l'an dernier, je vais y retourner dans un mois et j'y retournerai sans doute l'année suivante, tu as donc affaire à un amoureux de ce pays et surtout de ses habitants. Et comment ne pas l'être, c'est le pays, avec l'Arménie, où nous avons reçu l'accueil le plus chaleureux. Encore une mise en garde, c'est un pays très pauvre et tu y verra beaucoup de misère, des handicapés sans fauteuil roulant, des enfants qui vivent dans la rue te réclameront de la nourriture. Pour te donner une idée de la gentillesse des Roumains : sans rien demander ( au contraire nous essayions de passer inaperçus ) nous avons été invités à une fête des mères chez des protestants et une fête en l'honneur des morts par des orthodoxes, à Prejmer, le même jour à qq heures d'intervalle. Nous avons parcouru, en gros trois régions : la Transylvanie, le Maramures et un peu de Bucovine. La Roumanie est peut-être le dernier pays d'Europe où l'on puisse aller presque partout en train, jusque dans les villages les plus reculés et les trains sont bon marché. Ils sont aussi l'endroit idéal pour faire des rencontres, avons toujours fait la causette avec les autres voyageurs, beaucoup de Roumains parlent au moins qq mots de Français.Un seul ennui : les gares sont toujours un peu loin du centre.
Le site des chemins de fer roumains : http://www.cfr.ro/calatori/franceza/index_fr.html : CFR = notre SNCF
Attention ! si, dans les grandes villes les employés ont un ordinateurs, ailleurs il ont un crayon et du papier et ne savent pas grand' chose des correspondances... Alors : ou bien se faire des fiches depuis ici ou bien acheter le "Mersul Trenurilor", en vente dans les librairies, pas très digeste mais il y a tout.
Loger chez l'habitant : il y a des associatiations de "tourisme équitable, tout le monde y trouve son compte, le logeur et le logé. l'une est animée par des belges : voir VINCIANE dans voyage forum. Beaucoup acceptent d'héberger des campeurs. Le site Opérations Villages Roumains : http://www.villagesroumains.be/ : tu te souviens sans doute que Ceucescu voulait faire disparaître les villages de Roumanie, l'asso. a été fondée pour éviter le massacre. D'autres sites semblables : http://www.echange-roumanie.com/ http://www.agrotour.ro/harta.htm http://www.ruralturism.ro/indexfr.html#map
Nous avons commencé notre périple à Pucareni, petit village sans charme particulier mais bien situé, à côté de Brasov et pas bien loin des citadelles saxonnes. Une asso très dynamique a mis en route l'accueil chez l'habitant, elle va passer la main, elle a bien d'autres choses à faire mais je pense qu'on peut toujours faire appel à elle. Son animatrice, Maylis CAZAMAYOU est charmante. Le site : http://www.arbredejoie.org/ Qu'y a-t-il à voir à Brasov et dans les environs : le site de Claude Aubré est très riche et abondamment illustré, c'est le premier que j'ai consulté, il dénombre une foule de lieux et de gens à voir, autour de Brasov et ailleurs en Roumanie. nous avons testé ses recommandations et nous nous en sommes fort bien trouvés. Il y a même, si je me souviens bien une petite rubrique sur la randonnée pédestre. http://brasov.free.fr/Brasov/general.htm
Les citadelles saxonnes : à voir absolument, mais il y a peu de routes et c'est donc difficile de s'y déplacer, deux adresses sont chaudement recommandées : VISCRI où Caroline FERNOLEND ( portable = 0724 57 09 92 ) anime une asso et SOARS, chez Mihai PATRICHI ( 0724 57 09 92 ). Je me risque, je n'y suis pas allé mais mon petit doigt me dit que...
2° étape : Sighisoara. La ville vaut la peine, citadelle médiévale bien conservée mais lieu de naissance de Vlad Tepes, c'est, avec le château de Bran le rendez-vous des maniaques de Dracula, c'est le seul endroit où nous ayons rencontré des touristes en masse compacte et où nous ayons eu de la peine à nous loger en mai, alors en été....
3° étape : le Maramures, où nous sommes restés une semaine dans une famille d'enseignants, Maria et Liviu, je te donne leur adresse, ils sont adorables et si tu décide de passer chez eux Liviu ira te chercher à la gare et te conduira, avec sa petite automobile partout où tu le voudras ( Sighet, Sapinta...le train de la Vaser). La petite image qui me sert d'identificateur a été prise lors d'un festival dans un village voisin où nous étions les seuls touristes. Si je me souviens bien on peut camper dans leur jardin. Le Maramures est le pays des églises en bois, en voir une vaut déjà le voyage. Maria et Liviu habitent à Ieud, où se trouve la plus ancienne. A Ieud les habitant portent encore le costume traditionnel, et beaucoup de maisons sont en bois avec un portail sculpté. Nous serons chez eux fin mai. Comme la marche à pied ne te fait pas peur, on peut accéder, à pied aux villages voisins, et quand on en a marre, on peux toujours faire du stop aux charrettes. A tout hasard voici leur adresse mail : liviu_ieud@yahoo.com Il y a peut-être moyen d'aller passer une nuit ou deux dans les alpages de Ieud et de camper à côté de la cabanne du berger, et de partager son repas, si tu veux j'essaierai d'en parler à Liviu. le berger fait la navette entre l'alpage et le village, avec sa charrette, tous les jours.
4° La Bucovine, c'est la région des monastères, ils valent, à eux seuls le voyage, il y en a quatre "grands" et touristiques mais aussi plein de petits => voir http://brasov.free.fr/Brasov/general.htm. On peut aussi y faire des randos, voir ci-après. Nous avons fait la connaissance avec l'animateur d'une asso ( Petricka ) basée dans un tout petit village, Ciumarna, où nous passerons une dizaine de jours, un peu en touriste, un peu en quête de l'"otantique" un peu à baliser leurs chemins. Voici donc l'adresse de son site et de son courriel : http://www.associationpetricka.new.fr/ a.esquerre@tiscali.fr
5° Les Apuseni : nous n'y sommes pas allés, mais nous irons, c'est une région à l'ouest de Cluj, isolée, où les communications sont difficiles mais où tu trouveras sans doute ton bonheur. Ouvre vite le Guide Bleu p 121, tu verras !
Bien amicalement
J-J BERNARD
Ce n'est pas où qu'on va qui compte, c'est comment qu'on y va ( Jacques Bégot)
J-J BERNARD
Ce n'est pas où qu'on va qui compte, c'est comment qu'on y va ( Jacques Bégot)
bonjour
je suis nouvelle sur ce forum alors je vais peut_etre commetre des erreurs;voila j ai lu le recit de ton sejour en roumanie;et il m interesse car c est le parcours qui m interesse.j aimerais savoir si il est facile de faire les citadelles saxonnes sans vehicule et en se basant a purcareni comme toi;connait tu aussi la region de cluj car notre avion vient de barcelone et atterit la -bas;je ne trouve pas grand chose sur les guides sur cette ville et je desirerais savoir si il vaut la peine de rester quelques jours la -bas;j avais decidé 1 semaine en bucovine;une en maramures ;une pour les citadelles et la derniere a l avenant; je desire surtout cotoyer les gens du pays et ne pas passer en courant.merci d avance pour ta reponse.
"un voyage de mille lieux commence toujours par un premier pas" . lao- tseu
coucou jean-jacques🙂
tu nous tiendras au courant de votre nouvelle balade en roumanie??
pour ieud, quand réserver pour loger liviu et maria ??
merci, à + marion😉
ps :je file voir ton blog 😛
ps :je file voir ton blog 😛
Népal, Inde, Roumanie, Kirghizistan, Irlande, Asie Centrale via la Turquie et l'Iran en mercedes 310D James Cook, le tout en famille
😉
Promis ! si j'oublie, me tirer les oreilles le moment venu : vers la mi-juin.
Maria et Liviu ILEA : pour l'été peut-être faut-il ne pas trop tarder
beaucoup de nouveau : si jamais vous voulez faire un tour en Bucovine, j'ai une adresse qui m'a l'air très sympa, nous partons en auto avec l'animateur de l'asso et nous partons le voir, aujourd'hui même à Pau: A ESQUERRE ; à tout hasard voici son site Le bonhomme mérite d'être connu même par pure curiosité.
http://www.associationpetricka.new.fr/
Grosse bises et...
Maria et Liviu ILEA : pour l'été peut-être faut-il ne pas trop tarder
beaucoup de nouveau : si jamais vous voulez faire un tour en Bucovine, j'ai une adresse qui m'a l'air très sympa, nous partons en auto avec l'animateur de l'asso et nous partons le voir, aujourd'hui même à Pau: A ESQUERRE ; à tout hasard voici son site Le bonhomme mérite d'être connu même par pure curiosité.
http://www.associationpetricka.new.fr/
Grosse bises et...
Bien amicalement
J-J BERNARD
Ce n'est pas où qu'on va qui compte, c'est comment qu'on y va ( Jacques Bégot)
J-J BERNARD
Ce n'est pas où qu'on va qui compte, c'est comment qu'on y va ( Jacques Bégot)
Je pense que la réponse que t'a faite J-J B est très complète....
J'ajouterais simplement que d'après mon expérience (1 mois à vélo en 2005, voir http://voyagenrouelibre.over-blog.com ), tu peux demander à camper chez les gens ou camper en sauvage sans difficulté et c'est certainement le moyen le moins cher; Il y a des épiceries ou tu peux facilement te ravitailler. Par contre pour le gaz, je pense que ça peut être compliqué, nous avions pris des réserves pour 1 mois. Nous avons acheté depuis un réchaud multi-combustible que nous avons utilisé au Mexique cet hiver et c'est vraiment génial malgré le coup. Par contre ça coûte presque plus rien ensuite et c'est écologique car on ne sait jamais quoi faire des recharges de gaz vide.
Bon voyage
J'ajouterais simplement que d'après mon expérience (1 mois à vélo en 2005, voir http://voyagenrouelibre.over-blog.com ), tu peux demander à camper chez les gens ou camper en sauvage sans difficulté et c'est certainement le moyen le moins cher; Il y a des épiceries ou tu peux facilement te ravitailler. Par contre pour le gaz, je pense que ça peut être compliqué, nous avions pris des réserves pour 1 mois. Nous avons acheté depuis un réchaud multi-combustible que nous avons utilisé au Mexique cet hiver et c'est vraiment génial malgré le coup. Par contre ça coûte presque plus rien ensuite et c'est écologique car on ne sait jamais quoi faire des recharges de gaz vide.
Bon voyage
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We rented a car at Vilnius Airport for 2 weeks on July 28, 2019, to return it in Tallinn on August 11. We brought it back on August 11 at the airport, in perfect condition, and with a full tank at the gas station right by Tallinn Airport.
On the parking lot, the receptionist’s booth was closed. So we had to leave the car in the lot and go to the counter inside the airport. The person at the counter told us their colleague had gone for lunch! But they refused to come out and do the inspection with us because they were alone at the counter. They told us we could leave and that everything was fine!!!!
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It’s clear this isn’t over!! Have any of you been through the same nightmare? How did you handle it? Thanks in advance!
I’m spending 2 weeks in Crete in September and will need a rental car.
I usually go with Europcar, but comparing their offer to what Aegean Rentals has, I see Europcar is charging no less than 400 € more for the same car and similar insurance!
I’d love to hear if others have experience with Aegean Rentals, and if so, whether it was a good one?
Hi,
We’re heading to Greece in early October and will be staying in Kineta, north of the Saronic Gulf, and renting a car.
Is it feasible to visit Acrocorinth, Mycenae, Nafplio, and Epidaurus in a single day?
Thanks for your recommendations!
Hi there!
I’m sharing our itinerary for May/June 2027—23 days. This is our first time in Greece, so we’re starting with the must-see spots. We’re planning another trip later to explore the north, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, and some islands.
- Athens, 4 nights - Corinth area, 2 nights (Heraion of Perachora, Canal, Acrocorinth) - Nafplio, 3 nights (Mycenae, Epidaurus, Methana peninsula) - Gefira, 2 nights (Monemvasia) - Areopoli, 2 nights (Mani). Maybe add an extra night and stay on the peninsula??? Based on my calculations, the Mani loop is about 100 km—doable in a day, but it’d be a quick trip. - Sparta or Pikoulianika, 2 nights (Mystras) - Dimitsana, 2 nights (Lousios Gorge, monasteries) - Olympia, 2 nights (via Lagkadia?) - Delphi or Arachova, 3 nights (via the west coast, Galaxidi bridge) (Delphi, Hosios Loukas Monastery) - And back to Athens.
This is just a rough draft for now. We’re planning to stay in hotels or book through Booking.com. What do you think? Thanks for your feedback and suggestions!
- Athens, 4 nights - Corinth area, 2 nights (Heraion of Perachora, Canal, Acrocorinth) - Nafplio, 3 nights (Mycenae, Epidaurus, Methana peninsula) - Gefira, 2 nights (Monemvasia) - Areopoli, 2 nights (Mani). Maybe add an extra night and stay on the peninsula??? Based on my calculations, the Mani loop is about 100 km—doable in a day, but it’d be a quick trip. - Sparta or Pikoulianika, 2 nights (Mystras) - Dimitsana, 2 nights (Lousios Gorge, monasteries) - Olympia, 2 nights (via Lagkadia?) - Delphi or Arachova, 3 nights (via the west coast, Galaxidi bridge) (Delphi, Hosios Loukas Monastery) - And back to Athens.
This is just a rough draft for now. We’re planning to stay in hotels or book through Booking.com. What do you think? Thanks for your feedback and suggestions!
Over the past twenty-five years, I’ve traveled the roads between France and Moldova a good ten times, sometimes via Central Europe, other times via the Balkans.
It was while traveling like this—what I call "hitting the road the slow way"—that I realized something simple: our neighbors' neighbors are very clearly our neighbors too. And that’s not insignificant.
Proof: https://etreounepasetrebretillien.com/2018/03/19/moldova-mea/ 🤓
After a break of a few years, I’m planning to hit the road again in September, this time heading to Kosovo, crossing through Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro.
Having gotten a bit older, I’ve no intention of rushing—no need to speed ahead of the music! 😄
I’d rather take my time.
I’m not looking to see everything, but to soak in the atmosphere of the places, always leaving room for the unexpected and for encounters.
I’m especially drawn to culturally immersive, authentic, and welcoming regions: lively villages, backroads, preserved landscapes, markets, local festivals, traditions that are still very much alive... and, why not, a few offbeat, forgotten, or slightly secret spots.
If any of you know Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, or Kosovo a little, I’d love to hear your suggestions for itineraries, stops, backroads, homestays, village festivals, or local contacts, for example.
Thanks in advance for your tips!
It was while traveling like this—what I call "hitting the road the slow way"—that I realized something simple: our neighbors' neighbors are very clearly our neighbors too. And that’s not insignificant.
Proof: https://etreounepasetrebretillien.com/2018/03/19/moldova-mea/ 🤓
After a break of a few years, I’m planning to hit the road again in September, this time heading to Kosovo, crossing through Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro.
Having gotten a bit older, I’ve no intention of rushing—no need to speed ahead of the music! 😄
I’d rather take my time.
I’m not looking to see everything, but to soak in the atmosphere of the places, always leaving room for the unexpected and for encounters.
I’m especially drawn to culturally immersive, authentic, and welcoming regions: lively villages, backroads, preserved landscapes, markets, local festivals, traditions that are still very much alive... and, why not, a few offbeat, forgotten, or slightly secret spots.
If any of you know Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, or Kosovo a little, I’d love to hear your suggestions for itineraries, stops, backroads, homestays, village festivals, or local contacts, for example.
Thanks in advance for your tips!
Planning to return to Belarus in mid-August, I just realized that since last September, Poland has reopened several border crossing points, and for buses, this means connections like Białystok-Grodno.
The official Polish page: https://granica.gov.pl/index_wait.php?p=b&c=t&v=pl&k=w

Several bus company routes, like on infobus.eu, take between 3 and 4 hours. Trains from Warsaw to Białystok take about 1.5 to 2 hours. This has the advantage of allowing comfortable train journeys with minimal time spent on a bus. Also, the Terespol-Brest border might have shorter queues if you still prefer a Warsaw-Brest bus.
Note that 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 lie down and sleep. An option if you fly into Gdańsk and then take a short bus to Kaliningrad.
There are also Belavia flights from Minsk to Kaliningrad, but they’re expensive. The route is scenic:

In any case, this adds a few more options compared to what’s been available over the last four years.
The official Polish page: https://granica.gov.pl/index_wait.php?p=b&c=t&v=pl&k=w

Several bus company routes, like on infobus.eu, take between 3 and 4 hours. Trains from Warsaw to Białystok take about 1.5 to 2 hours. This has the advantage of allowing comfortable train journeys with minimal time spent on a bus. Also, the Terespol-Brest border might have shorter queues if you still prefer a Warsaw-Brest bus.
Note that 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 lie down and sleep. An option if you fly into Gdańsk and then take a short bus to Kaliningrad.
There are also Belavia flights from Minsk to Kaliningrad, but they’re expensive. The route is scenic:

In any case, this adds a few more options compared to what’s been available over the last four years.
Hi there.
I’d like to know what the daily budget is for Greece in December. I’ll be landing in Athens and staying there for a week, then heading to some other islands—I don’t have a set itinerary yet. Also, I’ve heard that in December, or early January, the temperature is around 11–16°C. Is that accurate?
Finally, does anyone have a good recommendation for a cheap but clean hotel near the tourist sites? I don’t need a TV or any other extras. Also, is Greece gay-friendly?
Thanks in advance for your replies. Best regards
Finally, does anyone have a good recommendation for a cheap but clean hotel near the tourist sites? I don’t need a TV or any other extras. Also, is Greece gay-friendly?
Thanks in advance for your replies. Best regards
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!
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’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
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 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!
Maya and Sullivan
Maya and Sullivan
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.
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?
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!
Thanks!!
Thanks!!
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!
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!
What are the main sights to visit on Rhodes itself or the surrounding islands, and what’s the weather like? We’re leaving on May 18th.
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.
Thanks!
Patrice
Thanks!
Patrice
Hi everyone,
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?
Thanks, Stéphane.
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?
Thanks, Stéphane.
Hi,
I’m renting a car in Greece (Heraklion).
Should I get extra insurance?
What’s driving like with the Greeks?
Thanks for any tips!
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,
I'm looking to rent a small car, not too expensive, for Crete in April. Do you have any great tips? Thanks in advance! Best regards
I'm looking to rent a small car, not too expensive, for Crete in April. Do you have any great tips? Thanks in advance! Best regards
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!
Hi there
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’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?
Hi everyone,
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.
Thanks!
Stéphane.
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.
Thanks!
Stéphane.
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?
Thanks in advance!
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?
Thanks in advance!
Hi there,
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.
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.







