Bonjour, j'habite près de beauvais, avec son aéroport très avantageux. J'ai décidé de partir à Stockholm le week end du 12 eu 15 décembre (aller retour: 25 euros). Par contre, je recherche un endroit pas cher ou je pourrais dormir et éventuellement poser mes affaires. Si vous connaissez ça, je suis preneur!!
je pars ds une s emaine qq jours sur stockholm, et j aimerai savoir si par hasard tu as trouvé des bon plan pour dormir et si tu es resté sur stockholm ou tues parti te ballader un peu aux allentours et s oui, ou??
Salut, j'ai passé une nuit blanche là bas: cela permet de découvrir la ville différemment. Les autres nuits, j'ai dormi sur l'af chapmann, l'auberge de jeunesse la plus célèbre au monde (et la plus typique). Elle se trouve sur un voilier, le cadre et le paysage sont magnifique. En plus le prix n'est pas excessif (environ 20 euros la nuit, si tu as la carte). Si tu vas là bas, prends le petit déjeuner, ça vaut le coup.
j ai entendu parler de cette carte, ms pourrais tu m en dire davantage s il te plait?? et tu crois qu il faut reserver a l avance cette auberge "bateau"??
j ai entendu parler d une autre carte bien pratique qui nous permet de prendre les transport en commun, quelques rentrer gratuite ds des musées etc... tu crois que ca vaut le coup??
et derniere question car je crois que je t en pose assez !!
tu connais un peu les allentours des stockholm?? car on souhaite allez se ballader qq jours autour des parc gelés ds la nature ?? connais tu des coins sympa ???
merci beaucoup de prendre qq minutes pour me repondre c super sympa!!
Pour la carte des musées, il vaut mieux bien se renseigner avant... les horaires de musées ne permettent pas d'en faire bcp la meme journée, et en plus les musées les plus intéressants ne sont pas compris !! (musée Vasa par exemple...)
Sinon, pour les environs, les possibilités sont énormes, par exemple louer une voiture et découvrir la région, ou carrement partir vers le Nord pour etre sur de vivre l'experience de l'hiver (les temperatures fluctuent bcp a Stockholm cet année...) : le train (18h...) ou l'avion (a peine 100 SEK de plus) permettent d'aller vers Kiruna ou Abisko, au dela du cercle polaire, il y a bcp de choses a faire la haut !: Sinon, la nature est vraiment aux portes de Stockholm, à qques minutes du centre il y a des lacs gelés, l'Archipel...
salut...je suis allee a stochkolm voici 1 an.. que qqs jours..je te conseille comme ecris ci dessus de loger sur le voilier a l'auberge de jeunesse...qui parait il est vraiement super..qui se trouve dans le centre ville (la vielle ville)...et puis le musee vasa...tu y passes facilement toute une apres midi.. de plus si tu te ballades le long du quai il y a plein de superbes bateaux.... et pour finir, j'avais pris le bateau pour faire le tour de l'archipel... possibilites de sarreter sur qqs iles tres jolies avec des maisons de toutes les couleurs...
vraiement un superbe voyage.. cette ville est magnifique..mais chere !
est-ce-que l'auberge "af chapman" est encore d'actualité?
Connaissez-vous des hotels en centre ville pas chers (max 40 euros) ?
Que me conseillez-vous de visiter à Stochkolm, j'ai déjà lu les différents temoignages de chacun mais n'hésitez pas à en rajouter!!
Je vais éviter les entrés de musées par manque d'argent mais quels monuments valent le detour? Quel magasins? Quel restaus?
Merci d'avance
Mandiani
La Terre ne nous appartient pas, ce sont nos enfants qui nous la prêtent.
Alors première chose, à moins de trouver des packs hotel/avion compris (mes parents avaient pris un truc comme ça, hyper avantageux pour venir me voir 4 jours quand j'habitais Stockholm), pas moyen d'espérer un hotel abordable en centre ville. Par contre, les auberges de jeunesse sont très accessibles et surtout très agréables ! Je conseille effectivement l'AF Chapman, pour le cadre, la situation exceptionnelle sur l'île de la forteresse, en PLEIN centre et le super buffet pti dèj bio (monstrueusement copieux, mon estomac en rêve encore).
Par contre, il est régulièrement pris d'assaut, vu sa notoriété. Tu peux checker les disponibilités ici sur le site, et même réserver en ligne : http://www.stfchapman.com/ (pas de panique, le site est dispo en anglais aussi).
Sinon, le meilleur backup quand le Chapman est pas dispo, c'est une autre auberge, celle de Zinkensdamm, qui fait aussi hotel (mais les tarifs sont nettement plus avantageux en vandrarhem). Cadre superbe sur Söder (l'ile du sud, où tous les "branchés" suédois sortent allègrement), et sociabilisation TRES facile...
Pour les musées, ne boude surtout pas ton plaisir !! Si tu es à Chapman, tu n'auras presque pas besoin de prendre les transports, même si je conseille fortement un tour dans le métro aux stations magnifiques (pti pincement au coeur en pensant à celle de Kungsträdgarden). Tout ça pour dire que pas besoin de prendre la carte touriste 72 heures, valable surtout pour le métro qui reste cher.
Pour les musées, donc, ne boude pas ton plaisir, parce que la plupart d'entre eux sont gratuits ! Ne passe pas à côté du Moderna Museet, tu y verras des peintures dont le Musée d'Orsay doit être franchement jaloux. Et fais l'impasse sur 3-4 cafés+kanelbulle pour te payer l'entrée du musée Vasa, il est incontournable. Vas-y le matin, comme ça tu pourras te balader dans Djurgarden (plus belle île du monde selon moi), et aller prendre un café et une patisserie dans les serres de Rosendals Tradgarden (c'est ma top top top adresse)...
Stockholm, c'est une ville très agréable à la balade, donc laisse toi porter par les rues, va là où ça t'inspire, passe par toutes les îles principales (prends un chocolat blanc chaud au chokladkoppen, sur stortorget dans l'ile de gamla stan), profite de la nature en pleine ville...
Enfin, conseil bonus, mon ex m'avait offert un tout pti guide quand je suis partie, avec des cartes qui se déplient pour chaque quartier, quelques adresses de base, toutes bonnes (j'ai tout testé, quitte à prendre 10 kilos). Je dirais volontiers que c'est tout ce dont tu as besoin. Evite les restaus si tu as pas trop de sous, le "Grillen" est imbattable sur le steak de renne (teeeeeeellement délicieux), mais j'aurais jamais pu y aller sans mes parents ! Par contre, tu peux tester "Max", c'est le macdo suédois, un peu comme quick, mais le café est inclus avec toute commande, et à volonté !
Voilà, n'hésitez pas à me demander s'il vous reste des questions sur Stockholm, cette ville est un rêve !
Yepp, tout le monde parle anglais à Stockholm, tous âges compris, chose plus rare dans les coins paumés... On avait rencontré une nana pendant une manif, elle devait avoir 60-65 ans, et elle avait pris notre parti pendant qu'on engueulait des djeunz qui avaient une banderole incitant à la violence, et prétextaient que c'était un slogan de mai 68... Et là, cette femme, suédoise, hyper élégante/classe sans faire snob débarque et sort avec son anglais sans accent "J'y étais, en mai 68, petit con, alors écoute les françaises, elles sont pas vieilles, mais elles en savent plus long que toi..."
Ca t'impose en société un truc pareil, et ça en impose sur le niveau intellectuel de tout un chacun aussi... Les français sont assez bien vus en Suède, c'est un avantage certain. Pas pour des histoires de racisme, ça ils s'en foutent un peu, mais ils ont un certain complexe de supériorité par rapport à pas mal de nationalités. Mais les Français sont leurs égaux... Ca aide !
Un truc que tu peux faire et qui te fera te sentir trop trop bien, c'est d'apprendre 3-4 phrases à la con en suédois. Ils sont tellement pas habitués à ce que les étrangers fassent des efforts pour communiquer autrement qu'en anglais, que le simple fait de demander un café et un bulle (brioche à la cannelle, le truc qui m'a fait prendre 10 kilos tellement c'est bon), fera décrocher à ton interlocuteur un sourire à l'enthousiasme qui réchauffe autant que le breuvage...
Ouaip, c'est bien un conseil à donner ça... File dans un pressbyran dés l'aéroport, et tu demandes "En kaffe och en kanelbulle tack !" (prononciation, grosso modo : ène KAffé o ène canNELLE boul-lé, tac !). Il te file la brioche et tu te sers ton café toi-même :), succès assuré... A celui de l'université, ils étaient particulièrement adorables, et c'était la meilleure façon de bien commencer la journée quand il faisait froid et nuit à 9h du matin :D
salut,
je n'ai pas encore reservé mais c'est avec easy jet, c'est ce que j'ai trouvé de moins cher car je pars de Genève et non Paris (moins évident pour les tarifs!)
c'est une bonne idée pour les phrases en suedois; en tout cas j'hesitais avec Lisbonne (rien à voir!!!) et tu m'as convaincu de me diriger vers le Nord..... Niveau mentalité kjje pense qu'ils sont bien plus évolués que les français...
et merci pour le tuyau des bull (j'adore les gâteaux à la cannelle)!!! c'est vrai que les pays du nord sont friands de cet épice!
Merci à toi pr tes ocnseils
Mandiani
La Terre ne nous appartient pas, ce sont nos enfants qui nous la prêtent.
Et surtout, ne zappe pas le passage par les serres de Rosendal, ce sont les meilleurs kanelbullar que j'aie eu l'occasion de manger (même ceux qu'on faisait nous même étaient pas aussi moelleux... mmmh du beurre !)
Tiens, je m'ennuyais, alors j'ai commencé une carte de Stockholm... Je complèterai surement au fur et à mesure, mais ça peut déjà t'aider à trouver les lieux les plus importants...
http://maps.google.fr/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=fr&msa=0&ll=59.328034, 18.06927&spn=0.006502, 0.022745&t=h&z=16&msid=107662443370873942351.000457b70844818831b81
Ben écoute ça fait plaisir ! Je suis moi-même rentrée d'un loooong voyage, et je prépare un site entier, je pense que je tenterai aussi de regrouper toutes les informations que je juge importantes, sur la suède, et surtout sur les 16 autres pays visités ! J'espère que ça aidera aussi :D
Bonjour Sarah
Tu m'as l'air de drolement bien connaitre la ville ainsi j'aimerai ton avis sur un sujet :
Penses tu qu'il est intéressant de venir à stockholm entre le 26 et le 30 décembre?
J'ai vu plusieurs avis à ce sujet sur le forum et du coup je suis partagée
Mrci d'avance!
Solène
Bonjour, je ne suis pas Sarah qui a vecu la-bas mais de ce que je sais : c'est une magnifique destination en decembre comme en juillet. Juste un bemol : il fait nuit très tot mais cela crée un charme. Bon voyage
Mandiani
La Terre ne nous appartient pas, ce sont nos enfants qui nous la prêtent.
Et bien merci beaucoup, moi ça me tente bien mais j'avais peur d'être déçue (déjà parce que le marché de noel sera fermé si j'ai bien compris)
Peut on aller sur les nombreuses iles autour de stockholm à cette periode?
La ville est elle décorée pour noel (et les illuminations sont elles toujours en marche apres le 25??)
Merci!
Three years after exploring northern Argentina and Chile, my two travel buddies and I want to discover the southern part of these two countries.
We’re traveling on a budget, backpacker-style, favoring public transport and modest accommodations, but we don’t hesitate to splurge a little when it’s worth it.
The classic spots that have been fueling our dreams: Bariloche, the lakes, Chiloé, El Chaltén, Torres del Paine, Perito Moreno, El Calafate, Fitz Roy, Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego, and wrapping up in Valparaíso.
We’ll take a round-trip flight to Santiago, then I’m thinking of a one-way flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas. From there, we’ll explore and do several day hikes in the south, including Ushuaia and, if possible, Tierra del Fuego.
Then we’ll head back north by bus to Bariloche and the lakes, followed by Chiloé, then a bus to Santiago and Valparaíso.
Based on your experience, could you help me figure out the best way to structure this trip and maybe suggest some ideas?
Thanks in advance.
Didier
I’m heading to Quebec and New Brunswick this summer and got a Revolut Classic card for the trip. I’ve already exchanged some Canadian dollars in the app so I’ll have a reserve ready for my departure day. My question is whether I’ll incur any additional fees when using my Canadian dollar account. I think I’m limited to 200 € in ATM withdrawals for my part. Thanks!
My boyfriend and I are going there for just 9 days, including the two travel days… It’s not much, but oh well!
Looking at prices online, I get the impression everything’s more expensive than I thought 😅 So, I wanted to get your feedback on a few things:
* Is hitchhiking common, easy, and generally safe in Albania?
* Is it possible to find day-to-day accommodations without booking ahead? If so, are they usually cheaper than the ones you find online?
* Is wild camping allowed or at least tolerated?
If any of you have traveled there recently, I’d love all the tips and great deals you’ve got!
Hi,
We’re a young couple planning to travel to South Africa after spending about three weeks in Namibia. We’ll arrive in Cape Town around mid-December, with no fixed travel duration (though our budget will eventually set a limit).
After browsing through the forum, we’ve realized the country is packed with incredible spots, which makes choosing an itinerary tough. We’re looking for stunning landscapes, hikes, and so on. So, we’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences.
When we arrive in Cape Town, we’d like to settle in and take it easy until New Year’s, exploring at a relaxed pace. We know this period coincides with South African holidays—does that make finding accommodations (availability/prices) more difficult? Do you think it’s possible to stay in a nice place for about 15 days without aiming for the most upscale neighborhoods? Maybe somewhere a bit outside Cape Town, like Fish Hoek, and just visit the city occasionally.
After that, we’ll have plenty of time (about 2 to 2.5 months) to explore the country. We’d like to take our time. In your opinion, is it better to focus on the Cape Town region, or is it reasonable to consider more distant areas like the Drakensberg or Blyde River Canyon? Can everything be done by car if we take our time, or are domestic flights sometimes more practical?
Budget-wise, how much do car rentals cost? For accommodations, we usually look at Airbnb—are they affordable in South Africa? What’s the average nightly rate outside the biggest cities? Are there other platforms you’d recommend for saving on lodging?
Finally, regarding safety, are there any regions to avoid besides Johannesburg?
We know this is a lot of questions, but we’re still in the early planning stages!
Thanks in advance for your advice!
Hi there,
After exploring southern Peru in 2024 with your help, we’d love to head north next. There’ll be 5 or 6 of us:
1. Arrive in Lima in the evening.
2. Visit Lima and take a flight at 6:35 PM to Tarapoto.
3, 4, 5. Spend a few days there to trek in a reserve (Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve) or somewhere else.
6. From Tarapoto to Chachapoyas—either by overnight bus, daytime bus, or private car.
7. In Chachapoyas: Gocta Waterfall, Sonche Canyon, and walk back to town.
8. Head to Kuelap citadel, Revash, and arrive in Leymebamba.
9. Leymebamba museum, then route to Cajamarca.
10. Cajamarca hot springs, overnight bus to Trujillo or Chiclayo—or do both.
11, 12, 13. Visit and explore the area.
14. Overnight bus back to Lima.
15. Lima.
16. Depart at 8 PM for France.
What do you think of this itinerary? Looking forward to your advice.
Thanks
I’m planning a 7-day trip to Marrakech for a sports camp, and I’ll be traveling with just a standard carry-on backpack.
I’d love to hear your best tips and tricks:
• What clothes are absolutely essential?
• Any advice for managing the heat while traveling light?
• Which accessories have been the most useful for you?
• Mistakes to avoid on a first trip to Marrakech?
I’m also open to your recommendations for neighborhoods, restaurants, or activities not to miss during my free time.
Thanks in advance for your advice and experience! !
Hi there, we’re heading to the Cyclades from June 23 to July 9. We’ll arrive in Santorini and leave from Mykonos. We’re thinking of visiting these islands: Folegandros, Milos, Sifnos, Tinos, and Mykonos. Do you think it’s better to book the ferries now (which site do you recommend for booking?) or can we buy the tickets on the spot? Also, do you have any suggestions for accommodation under 100 €/night on each of these islands? Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone!
I’m planning my dream trip for next September, lasting about a month. Here’s my itinerary:
Amsterdam: 3 days (departing from Montreal)
Tanzania: 3-day safari
Zanzibar: 6 days
Istanbul: 7 days
Return to Montreal.
Since my budget is pretty tight, I’m looking for tips and advice to cut costs without sacrificing the experience. Here are my questions:
Multi-destination flights: What’s the best way to book these connections? Is it better to buy a one-way ticket from Montreal to Amsterdam, then a separate internal flight, or use comparison tools for a multi-destination ticket?
Budget safari: Do you have recommendations for local agencies or tips to do a 3-day safari (Serengeti/Ngorongoro) at an affordable price (e.g., camping/glamping instead of luxury lodges)?
Accommodation in Zanzibar: Which villages or types of lodging are the most budget-friendly and accessible via local transport for these 6 days?
Istanbul: Any tips for well-located but cheap accommodation and great food deals?
Hi,
Are there still basic, traditional, and affordable authentic accommodations in Poland? I’ll be traveling in July with my husband and our 2 kids along the Warsaw-Łódź-Toruń-Gdańsk route, and all I can find online are standardized Ikea-style apartments in the cities. When I look for agrotourism, it’s all luxury farms.
Can you find farms in the countryside or city lodgings for under 60 euros per night? And if so, how?
Is it possible to find accommodations on the spot without internet—like from people who put up signs—even in July?
Bonjour,
je doit me rendre 2 nuit par semaines à Paris ou Creteil, pendant 1 mois, je connait des backpackers pas cher, mais j aimerai encore moin cher, connaissait vous des chambre a louer au particulier ?
merci
We’re a young couple planning our first trip to Albania from June 23, 2026, to July 2, 2026. We have a pretty tight budget and want to make the most of this amazing country without breaking the bank.
We’re looking for all the advice you can give to help us plan our stay:
* What are the must-see places to visit?
* Which cities or villages are really worth the detour?
* What natural sites, hikes, canyons, springs, or viewpoints do you recommend?
* Do you know of any free, uncrowded, or particularly beautiful beaches?
* Where can we responsibly observe or swim with sea turtles?
* What are the most beautiful beaches on the Albanian Riviera that are accessible on a small budget?
* What budget-friendly accommodations (hotels, hostels, homestays, campgrounds) do you recommend?
* What are the best ways to get around between different regions at a low cost?
* Do you know of any reliable and affordable agencies for renting a vehicle (car, scooter, or motorcycle)? What are the average rates at the end of June, and which rental companies do you recommend or advise against?
* Is it better to rent a vehicle right when we arrive or stick to local buses and minibuses to keep costs down?
* Which restaurants or local specialties offer the best value for money?
* Are there any free or low-cost activities we shouldn’t miss?
* Which places do you think are overrated or can be skipped when you’re short on time and money?
* What practical tips would you have wished you knew before your first trip to Albania?
We’d also love any 10-day itineraries that you particularly enjoyed, along with your budget estimates for accommodation, meals, and transportation.
We’re open to off-the-beaten-path spots and local tips. If you have any secret addresses, hidden beaches, favorite accommodations, or mistakes to avoid, we’d love to hear about them! 😊
Hi there, we’re planning a road trip in northern Algeria at the end of January – early February.
Anyone have any tips for a car rental agency that’s both reliable and not too expensive? Thanks in advance!
I traveled through southern Peru in November 2024 and now I’d like to explore the north.
We’re a group of 5 people for a 15-day trip.
Iquitos or Nauta for the Amazon rainforest—I saw that you have to fly there.
Chiclayo
Chachapoyas
Kuelap
Leimebamba
Cajamarca
Trujillo
And if we have time, Huaraz for the Andes cordillera.
No problem taking overnight buses—they save a lot of time.
Or renting a car and figuring it out as we go.
We’d also love to take the train from Lima to Huancayo, but it seems complicated—I don’t understand when it runs.
I’d like to drive to Morocco from Paris via Spain. I was really surprised to see the ferry crossing prices—around 500 €—but especially the crossing time (about 1 hour). Normally, I pay 3000 € to go to Tunisia from Genoa, but that’s for a 24-hour crossing.
My question: is it cheaper to buy the ticket on the spot, as some Moroccans have advised me? Though I’ve also heard the opposite.
What do you think, considering I need to get to Tétouan around July 17th and return from Tangier around August 4th?
Thanks in advance
I’m planning a 10-day trip to Slovenia in May (9–19 May) and starting to look at accommodations. Unfortunately, I’m only seeing relatively expensive options—nothing under 50 €, and usually around 100–150 €. Traveling solo, that could quickly blow my budget. And 30 € for a bed in a 10-person dorm at a youth hostel feels like a rip-off...
Are there other booking sources besides the usual Booking.com, Airbnb, and Google? Or can anyone confirm if I’ll find more reasonable rates on the ground around Bled, Bohinj, Triglav, or in mountain huts? I’ll be renting a car to optimize my travel, so I won’t be limited geographically.
Hi there,
Could you recommend some nice and affordable neighborhoods to book a hotel in for visiting Nice and exploring its surroundings and nearby villages?
I’d like to know if it’s better to book the entire stay in Nice and take day trips to the villages, or if there are villages worth spending at least one night in to really explore them properly?
Since all the villages are stunning and we have to make a choice, which ones are absolutely must-visit?
My 16-year-old daughter and I will be spending a week there at the end of April. We’ll arrive by TGV from Paris and plan to use public transport during our stay. Do you know if there’s a weekly transport pass available and how much it costs?
I’m planning to spend about twenty days in Réunion in November.
I’d like to get around using the *car jaune* (2 € per ticket), but from what I’ve heard, it doesn’t cover the whole island.
I’m not looking to head toward the ocean and the beautiful beaches—more toward the mountainous landscapes, even if I’ll just be admiring them from below. 😉
Maybe other buses go where I want to go.
By the way, are there any relatively easy mountain hikes, and where?
But here’s the most important part:
I don’t want to book anything in advance because I don’t know what my itinerary will look like—it’ll change depending on my mood. 3 days here, 5 days there, etc.
On top of that, I’d like to arrange half-board stays with locals—not professionals—by approaching them and asking if they’d be willing to host me (overnight stay, breakfast, and dinner) for 30 € to 40 € per day.
What do you think?
Does the price seem reasonable?
And is it okay to take the initiative and ask Réunionnais directly?
The tourist office in Réunion told me that since November is peak tourist season, I should book without delay. 🤪
For four years in a row, I traveled across Canada for a month and a half each time, relying only on hitchhiking and half-board stays with Canadians who welcomed me (and refused to let me pay them).
If I’d listened to my family and friends, I never would’ve taken the leap—and that adventure remains one of the best experiences of my life.
It’s been ages since I last dropped by here... maybe simply because, apart from Nepal, I haven’t really had the chance to hit the road lately. 😉
This year, I’d love to spend a few days in Lisbon, probably in late May or early June. But with my budget being what it is, I’m looking for great tips to avoid wasting time once I’m there and risk missing out on hidden gems or unusual culinary specialties and/or quirky activities! I’m hoping to find a room in a local’s home where I can stay in a quiet neighborhood near the center, so I can get around without relying too much on public transport—my walking shoes are my best travel buddies.
I’d love all your recommendations, especially for parks, small neighborhood markets, casual eateries for a quick bite, your favorite viewpoints to soak in the scenery (I’m bringing my travel journal to sketch my getaway in watercolors), events around traditional art and crafts, and so on.
All your advice will definitely help me travel peacefully and come back with my head full of vibrant memories!
Thanks in advance, everyone!
Isabelle
I’m diving into planning a trip I’ve dreamed of for a long time: crossing Africa from North to South solo, with a departure planned for October 2025 for about 8-9 months. I’m leaving from Paris with a starting budget of around 7,000 €, aiming to supplement it with work along the way.
My planned route: Senegal → Gambia → Sierra Leone/Liberia (if logistics work out) → Côte d'Ivoire → Ghana → Togo → Benin → Cameroon → Gabon → Kenya (Masai Mara) → Uganda (Bwindi gorillas) → Rwanda → Tanzania (Kili + Serengeti + Zanzibar) → Mozambique → Malawi → Zambia (Victoria Falls) → Botswana → Namibia → South Africa (Cape Town). Madagascar as a bonus if timing/budget allows from Mozambique.
I’m not a backpacking newbie—I’ve done several trips in Europe and I’m familiar with the lifestyle, hostels, local transport, etc. But Africa is my first big adventure on this continent, and I’ve got some very concrete questions I’d love feedback on from people who’ve been there.
🎭 My big dilemma: flexibility vs. pre-organized work
What matters most to me is NOT rushing through. If I feel good somewhere, I’ll stay longer. If a region doesn’t click, I’ll cut it short. That seems totally incompatible with having pre-booked work or volunteer gigs, yet I need that income to stretch my budget.
I’m torn between two approaches:
Option A: The mixed rhythm: 3-4 weeks of volunteering in a country (free accommodation, full immersion), then 1-2 countries in classic backpacker "vacation" mode, then another mission somewhere, etc. This gives a breathing rhythm and avoids burnout from non-stop volunteering.
Option B: The continuous flow: finding gigs as I go, from the previous country, contacting hosts 2-3 weeks in advance with a flexible date range. Keeping maximum spontaneity but never arriving anywhere without a safety net.
Have you tried either? What actually works on the ground in Africa?
🌍 What I’m really looking for in this trip
Not just the classic tourist spots. I want to see the country as it is—eating at local joints, taking local transport (bush taxis, minibuses, sept-places), staying with locals when possible. The big reserves and safaris are part of the plan (Masai Mara, Serengeti, Okavango), but just as much as hanging out in a residential neighborhood in Dakar, understanding how people really live.
Volunteering or work interests me for that reason too (not just for free lodging, but because it’s the deepest way to dive into a country). Working at a school in Ghana, a lodge in Kenya, a permaculture farm in Mozambique—I see it as an immersion that classic tourism can’t offer.
🎒 My concrete questions
About Workaway and Worldpackers: I’ve read a lot but would love on-the-ground feedback, especially for West and East Africa. Are hosts really flexible with dates for long-term travelers? Do the advertised gigs match reality? Are there alternative platforms you’d recommend for Africa specifically (I’ve heard of Help Exchange, WWOOF Africa, local networks…)?
About "off-platform" jobs: Is it really doable to find informal work on the spot (bars, restaurants, lodges) without prior contacts? In which countries/cities is this most accessible for a French speaker without a local work permit?
About logistics between countries: For those who’ve done the West Coast (Senegal → Ghana → Benin), how did you cross borders? Direct buses or local shared taxis at each border? And for the jump from Central Africa → Kenya, is a flight mandatory, or are there feasible overland routes?
About Madagascar: I’m considering adding it from Mozambique (flight Maputo or Beira → Tana). Those who’ve done it backpacker-style on a tight budget—is 3-4 weeks doable, or is it too short to be worth it?
I’m open to all tips, experiences, warnings, and pleasant surprises. And if you’ve got trusted local contacts (Workaway hosts, associations, community lodges), I’m all ears!
I’ve got tons of questions and I’m eager for any advice or experiences you can share!!
Hi there,
We’re planning a trip for 2 adults and 2 kids to Tanzania and Zanzibar. I’ve had a quick look, and the prices are starting to get pretty wild.
We’ve got a budget of 8,000 €, and I was thinking of doing three or four days of safari and three or four days in Zanzibar, but even that seems like it might be over budget. Have you got any thoughts? I was also considering heading straight to Zanzibar and doing a one- or two-day excursion by plane instead—maybe that’d be cheaper than staying in a lodge.
Anyway, thanks for sharing your experiences and any price tips, departing from Nice!
Good evening,
As two senior French couples who are used to traveling independently all over the world, we’d like to visit Kenya next November.
Now, after seeing and reading a bit everywhere, and with the first quotes for a 6/7-day safari, I’m shocked by the prices (like $2,250) for places like Maasai Mara, where entry alone costs $200 per person per day, plus fees for the driver and vehicle.
So if you have any recent great tips or contacts to share to help me out, I’d really appreciate it—because despite the costs, we’d still love to go, while keeping things reasonable.
The most plausible solution is probably renting a vehicle with a driver-guide.
Thanks in advance for all your replies.
Jacques
We’ll be in Srinagar for 4 days in mid-May 2026 during our backpacking trip as a couple. Do you have any nice places to recommend, and what about the houseboats on Dal Lake? Should we spend all our nights there, or just one night for practicality when getting around?
Thanks,
Rozenn
Hi there,
This is my first time traveling to Italy, and I’m planning to go by car.
From what I’ve read, parking is tough in cities like Florence.
I’m looking for a small town not too far from Florence where I can stay and park my car, then take the train to visit Florence.
Any ideas or suggestions?
Thanks in advance
Hi there, it’s been a long time since I last went to London. I’d love to spend a week there in July with my daughter and my niece (both young adults).
Of course, I’m looking for great tips on accommodation, and I’m wondering about renting an apartment. It seems like a better deal to save on restaurants (with the option of having a few meals at home... but is that really the case? I’m not sure about the cost of a meal in a modest restaurant, the pound exchange rate, or grocery prices...).
Otherwise, I’d like to stay in accommodation (hotel or apartment) near a tube station and in Zone 1.
If you have any great tips, I’d love to hear them!
Hi everyone!
I’m heading to Morocco for a trip in the south, starting with 3 days in Marrakech (from January 8th to 11th, 2026).
If you’ve got any tips, cool spots to recommend, I’m all ears! 🎊
And, fellow traveler, if you’d like to share this Marrakech adventure together, I’d love that!
Have a great evening
Hi there,
I’m planning a trip to Peru and have estimated how many days I’ll spend in each place.
Any advice on must-see sights and tourist traps to avoid?
September–October
5 days in Lima
Bus: 07:00→13:30 or 06:00 to 09:30 (express) (3 hr 30 min journey)
3 days in Paracas (beach)
I'd love some destination suggestions for a road trip from Nice to Livorno by car, including the routes, tolls to cross, distance, and estimated travel time. We're planning a 5-day trip, with 2 nights near Nice, 1 night along the way, and finally 2 nights in Livorno. There are 4 of us in a rental car, and we'd like to stay in either an apartment, a mobile home near the sea, or a campsite. Our budget isn't too extravagant!!!! We want to visit the Promenade des Anglais, and I've heard Menton is really interesting. Once we reach Livorno, we'll take the ferry to Corsica for 12 days with the same rental car. We're planning to leave the last week of May and the first two weeks of June 2026, so around 17-18 days total.
Thanks
Hello everyone,
We’re planning our next trip for this winter and need some advice to put it together. We’d love to avoid renting a car for the whole time. We visited southern Morocco back in 2011—our first trip as retirees! We loved the country so much, and now we’re heading back. Still focusing on the south, mainly for the weather. The plan is to travel down the coast from Essaouira to the Tighmert oasis at a relaxed pace. First question: is this doable without too much hassle using local transport? The idea of driving for the entire 6-week trip doesn’t really appeal to us. After that, we’d head to Ouarzazate, Skoura, the Todgha Gorge, Tinejdad, Erfoud, and then Marrakesh. I’d also like to visit the Fès region, which we can reach by train from Marrakesh. It’s a bit all over the place, and I’m realizing that as I write!
Thanks in advance for your valuable input! We haven’t booked flights yet or even decided on a starting point. The trip is planned from mid-January to the end of February. We know the end of the trip will fall during Ramadan.