coucou les gens ! je pars de Bretagne pour ralier la Thailande.. je ne suis pas un coutumier du voyage, j'ai même définitivement boycotté l'avion... pollution ! je roule à l'huile depuis un an, huile de récupération chez mes amis les restaurateurs chinois que je déleste gracieusement de leurs huiles dans la région de Brest. Ma faible pension cotorep en est la première raison !.. alors m'est venue une idée...: vue le montant de ma future pension de vieux (qui vevrait pas tarder !)... invivable en France.. je me paierai bien des vacances définitives en Thailande ! bien. mais sans avion, il me reste que ma voiture (un 207 Mercedes) qui fera le voyage sans problème ! le seul détail, le carburant !! sans argent, on fait comment ? ben on récolte sur la route ! des restaurants chinois il doit y en avoir partout ! et de l'huile idem ! ya plus qu'à récolter. il faut juste trouver le moyen de le faire savoir et de prendre rendez-vous avec des dits restaurant chinois ! que ceux-ci se trouvent sur ma route et de faire coincider ma consommation avec la distance à parcourir... mais qui n'utilise pas d'huile de friture ?... voyageforum est le premier contact, je suis également inscrit sur couchsurfing ... j'ai 2 mois pour réaliser le défi ! qui y va de sa suggestion ? de l'aide à attendre ? la route idéale pour rallier Brest à Bangkok ?, les villes à traverser (obligatoire ressource de restaurants et donc d huile... au fait huile de tournesol et de colza uniquement, pas de palme s 'il vous plait, je dois l utiliser en direct après une simple filtration). J'attends vos suggestions, réactions et encouragements, MERCI ! je ne connais pas encore les pratiques de ce forum, ceci est mon premier jour ici.... donc mes excuses si je manque à l'étiquette ! mon tel : 33 0 6 11 206 066 ; mail chrisbuf1@gmail.com. corrigez moi si je me trompe, merci ! dans 2 mois il me faut 1000 l d huile à recycler au moins !
Je pense que tout est dit dans cette petite phrase ...
Si l'huile usagée peut servir à quelque chose, çà m"étonnerais même que des
amis vous la refilent comme çà -dans le coin tout du moins !
Et non, ils ne sont pas "radins", ils n'aiment pas gaspiller 😛
NB:Ma propre épouse "récupère" l'huile usagée des "mes frites" pour frire "ses
poissons" 😉
Si vous avez compris tout ce que je viens de vous dire, c'est que j'ai dû faire une erreur quelque part. - Alan Greenspan
Science sans conscience n'est que ruine de l'âme - Rabelais
bonjour,
les restaurateurs chinois sont devenus mes amis depuis un an qu ils me donnent leur huile usagées, il faut savoir qu en france, tu dois payer pour te debarrasser de ton huile sale. (taxe écologique) faut dire qu avant ça tt le monde jetait ses huiles à l égout......donc à la mer ! mais les temps ont changés ! on se préoccupe un peu plus de la planète.
et même en fin de circuit , après l avoir utilisée plusieurs fois, elle sert encore pour rouler ! et elle ne pollue pas !
J'ai compris, mais alors, vous devriez limiter vos pérégrinations aux territoires
qui ont une telle taxe, car ailleurs j'ai peur qu'on ne vous "donne" pas cette
huile comme çà ! (pas de taxe de ce genre en Thaïlande 😉)
🙂
Si vous avez compris tout ce que je viens de vous dire, c'est que j'ai dû faire une erreur quelque part. - Alan Greenspan
Science sans conscience n'est que ruine de l'âme - Rabelais
J'ai compris, mais alors, vous devriez limiter vos pérégrinations aux territoires
qui ont une telle taxe, car ailleurs j'ai peur qu'on ne vous "donne" pas cette
huile comme çà ! (pas de taxe de ce genre en Thaïlande 😉)
🙂
Bien... en belgique quand j'étais chef de cuisine, il est vrai que dans le passée les gens vennaient au restaurant pour récuperer les huiles usagés et il payaient...maintenant c'est le contraire...c'est le restaurant qui payent pour se débarasser des huiles 😏...
plus l huile est noire et meilleure elle est !
sauf comme me signale kk si c est de l huile de palme ! (et ça c est une info ! encore merci !)... donc je prendrai des réserves !
là ça marche plus que pour les poeles à mazout ! (et ça chauffe!)
pour la traduction comme je l ai fait en Hongrie ou en Ukraine, je fais traduire sur internet, j
ecris sur un bout de papier....et je parle la langue ! :)
Durant ton parcour entre la France et la Thailande combien de pays vas-tu devoir traverser et qui dit"Pays" dit"visas" .
Il va falloir faire plusieurs demandes de visas non ?
Et, va falloir aussi penser a payer un Taxe sur ta voiture avant de pouvoir entrer en Thailande !+ de 100% !!🤪
Je te demande tout ca car j'aimerai un jour faire le trajet inverse avec ma famille 😉
Bonne Chance et Bonne route !😉 Tiens nous au courant de ton beau voyage ! fais-nous partager ton voyages avec de belles photos ...
Ciao !🙂
PS: Surveilles bien le coffre de ta voiture ou sinon fouilles-bien ta voiture avant d'entrer en Thailande car parfois il peut avoir de sacre surprise avec la douane thailandaise !!(sinon fouilles les douaniers avant qu'ils te fouillent !)
Il y a plus de chose a decouvrir sur terre que sur la lune !
Il est interdit, en France et en Europe, pour un particulier, de carburer aux huiles végétales et/ou de récupération !
...Question de taxes et de pollution !...voir "Taxes Générale sur les Activités Polluantes" (TGAP) !
Dommage !
Un conseil...ne te fais pas contrôler par les Douanes !...L'amende est très très salée !
Bon courage.
Surtout quant on sait que les huiles végétales sont moins polluantes ... il y a de quoi réagir !
😎
Si vous avez compris tout ce que je viens de vous dire, c'est que j'ai dû faire une erreur quelque part. - Alan Greenspan
Science sans conscience n'est que ruine de l'âme - Rabelais
* ***quant on sait que les huiles végétales sont moins polluantes ****
Un carburant organique est un carburant ..... pour un même moteur , émission à peu près identique de rejets, idem CO2, et autres polluants différents mais surement pas moins nocifs , pour un même nombre de kms... voir plus s'il n'est pas prévu pour.
Mais bon , c'est le crédo du lobby des agrocarburants qui ont complètement défiguré la Patagonie, et s'apprètent à faire de même en Afrique au détriment, comme d'hab des cultures vivirères. et vive les engrais les pesticides et le gaspillage d'eau et le mazout des tracteurs pour ce fameux carburant !!
Quand à l'interdiction , perso, je connais plusieurs personnes qui s'en tapent royalement. l'huile de friture et même l'huile de colza à salade premier prix de lidl fonctionne très bien dans une BX mazout!
Les nombreux controles de douane dans ma région sont très ciblés fumette (et jeunes !) et calva ! jamais vu un controle de réservoir.
Pour notre ami , dont le projet est très sympa, je crains que dès qu'il n'aura plus son réseau, il soit contraint de consommer beaucoup d'huile de friture pour s'en procurer ! la moule frite et les restos chinois ne sont pas la tasse de thé de l'Europe centrale et du moyen orient par exemple.
je m'étais promis de ne plus aller sur un forum ! ça me saoule les gens qui parlent sans savoir.
mônsieur gabelou serait douanier ?... sans doute pour avoir une telle assurance ! et même...
pour tous les derners procès du genre, la douane a du rembourser les amendes.
dixit tribunal européen.
la douane a consigne d'oublier ... pour l'instant !
mais dommage pour eux, l'Europe est pas près de faire marche arrière sur les pollutions (justement!).
nous sommes en Europe et l'huile est légale.
bonne nouvelle !
et pour info, je viens de passer 9 frontières d'Europe avec 12 bidons de 20 l d'huile de récup. Pas une douane (c est sûr elles sont pas nombreuses), pas un controle, meme en L'Ukraine et la Pologne, 5h d attente et à mon tour...c est quoi ces bidons ? de l'huile .. Circulez !!
et pour le client suivant dont le boulot est sans doute de contrôler la nocivité des rejets... il serait bien aimable de m'envoyer un rapport de pollution des huiles recyclées. ce serait très intéressant pour tout le monde !
et pour les voyages en avion ? 🤪
"taisez-vous si vous ne savez rien ou vous risquez de passer pour un français"
Bonjour,
Tout a fait daccord,
Il y a même des entreprises (en suisse) qui affiche fièrement le faits que certains de leurs camion roule a l'huile de friture et une ville d'allemagne ou de france a des bus de transport publique qui roule a l'huile.
L'état ce n'est pas la polution qu'elle combat, c'est l'impot caché qui lui fait frétillé le croupion et le gabelou c'est le maquereau qui encaisse.
J'ai eu des accidents ou je n'étais pas fautif, la partie adverse a eu de grosse amendes, moi j'ai été abandonné au bord de la route le jour de l'accident et suis rentré à pied, l'amende ce n'est pas un dédommagement ça ne sert qu'a payé les fonctionnaire, j'ai beaucoup d'amis policier qui eu même ce plaignent de cet état et déplore que le budget d'une ville tienne compte d'une augmentation des PV.
Alors stopons cette discussion et revenons en au voyage.
As tu pensé aux autres gros consommateurs d'huile ? Je pense aux Mc Do et autres fast foods. Il n'y en a peut etre pas en abondance dans tous les pays que tu traverseras, mais tu en trouveras sans doute quelques uns pour suppléer les resto chinois.
oui merci, à savoir, déjà que je ne suis pas intéressé par les frites; trop grosses productrices de déchets (pulpe de patate), et pas exploitables "en route" puisque l huile doit etre utilisable immédiatement après filtration. Et ensuite, tous les gros producteurs d'huiles sont depuis longtemps entre les mains de grosses boites du genre Veolia qui y voit un juteux bénéf, et qui arrive même à "racketter" les restaurateurs en les faisant payer pour "débarasser" les malheureux restaurateurs de leurs vieilles huiles.
Boites qui revendent ces huiles après "nettoyage" à ces mêmes restaurateurs !! Certaines huiles passent 4 à 5 fois par la case frites.
Nombreux sont ceux qui tirent profit de l'assassinat leurs naïfs semblables par la "bouf".
Certains par ignorances et beaucoup par connaissance et cupidité.
Elle est pas belle la vie ?!
Dans l'état des choses et l'avancée de mes connaissances dans ce projet, il est fort possible que je remette mon départ après un stockage suffisant pour ne pas manquer sur la route.
Il va falloir que je me trouve un réservoir d'au moins 1000 l. Mais si je pouvais trouver moyen de faire le plein du coté deTéhéran... ce serait parfait !
bien vu Pipi, recentrons !.. qui peut déjà me conseiller l'itinéraire, à partir de l'Ukraine ...et quelqu un qui l'a déjà faite s il vous plait !!!
et ensuite me trouver la solution de la Birmanie. je suis déjà parti à la recherche d'un cargo au départ de l'Inde (genre Calcutta/Bangkok) et les prix ???, sans encore de réponse.
je ne vous demande pas votre avis sur la faisabilité, je vous demande des témoignages sur du vécu.
C'est comme les excès de vitesse...tant que le contrôle n'a pas lieu...ça rigole...mais quand le Pandore vous "assaisonne", vous êtes moins fiers.
Redescendez sur Terre !
Il vaut mieux être averti des risques. Qu'ils soient légaux ou mécaniques 😛.
Et ne confond pas la Morale et la Légalité, cela n'a pas grand-chose à voir. C'est un fait établi que, si tu es contrôlés à la carburation avec de l'huile propre ou usagée en France, tu risques une amende sévère et/ou la saisie du véhicule.
Personne n'a dit que c'était juste ou injuste, mais que c'est une réalité.
Et qui peut se permettre financièrement d'amener un procès à son terme jusqu'à la juridiction européenne suprême ?
Si tu roule à l'huile de récup', c'est que tu n'as pas les moyens de payer ton gazole (c'est toi même qui l'écris)...alors, as-tu les moyens de payer une armée d'avocats pour défendre ta cause devant les tribunaux ?
Sans doute suis-je cynique et désabusé, mais le fait de t'informer des risques n'était pas un jugement quant à tes motivations, mais simplement une mise en garde quant aux risques légaux rencontrés par ton projet.
Comme disaient les Grecs Anciens : il ne sert à rien de tuer le porteur de mauvaises nouvelles.
Et ce n'est pas le p'tit teigneux qui nous sert de président qui va arranger les choses pour le Peuple.
Merci pour l'info meme si elle est bien ecoeurante 🤪
J'ignorais (suis pas vraiement consommatrice de fastfood, donc je m'y interesse peu) même si ca ne me surprend absolument pas.
Tiens nous au courant de tes progrès et projets (itinéraire etc.)
Bon voyage
Hi everyone, I'm traveling solo in Spain for 8 days without a car, on a tight budget. What train/bus route do you recommend between cities, and where can I find the best prices? Looking forward to your tips! Thanks
Hello! 👋
I’m new to this site and feeling a little desperate. 😢 My boyfriend’s birthday is in 4 days, and I wanted to surprise him with a New Year’s trip to London... except I just found out he’s already been there as a kid. Well, there goes my surprise! 😅
Since we both love Christmas and winter, I’m looking for a destination where we can really feel the holiday magic—with a budget of around 500 € for transport + accommodation for two (yes, I know, I might be asking for a Christmas miracle here 😇).
We’ve already been to Bucharest, Prague, Vienna, and Budapest, so I’d love to find something a little more offbeat, not too expensive, and with a beautiful Christmas atmosphere.
Please help me! 🙏 On social media, it’s always the same ultra-touristy cities... I’m sure there are hidden gems I haven’t discovered yet!
Three years after exploring northern Argentina and Chile, my two travel buddies and I want to discover the southern part of these two countries.
We’re traveling on a budget, backpacker-style, favoring public transport and modest accommodations, but we don’t hesitate to splurge a little when it’s worth it.
The classic spots that have been fueling our dreams: Bariloche, the lakes, Chiloé, El Chaltén, Torres del Paine, Perito Moreno, El Calafate, Fitz Roy, Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego, and wrapping up in Valparaíso.
We’ll take a round-trip flight to Santiago, then I’m thinking of a one-way flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas. From there, we’ll explore and do several day hikes in the south, including Ushuaia and, if possible, Tierra del Fuego.
Then we’ll head back north by bus to Bariloche and the lakes, followed by Chiloé, then a bus to Santiago and Valparaíso.
Based on your experience, could you help me figure out the best way to structure this trip and maybe suggest some ideas?
Thanks in advance.
Didier
I’m heading to Quebec and New Brunswick this summer and got a Revolut Classic card for the trip. I’ve already exchanged some Canadian dollars in the app so I’ll have a reserve ready for my departure day. My question is whether I’ll incur any additional fees when using my Canadian dollar account. I think I’m limited to 200 € in ATM withdrawals for my part. Thanks!
Hi there,
I'm heading to Morocco for 10 days as a backpacker, with my car and a tent canvas if needed. Does anyone have great experiences in this country around the Tétouan and Tangier areas?
I'd love to spend time with locals, rent a small room, and take part in daily life.
If you've got any addresses to share, that'd be awesome!
Thanks a million for your replies!!!😉
Christine
My boyfriend and I are going there for just 9 days, including the two travel days… It’s not much, but oh well!
Looking at prices online, I get the impression everything’s more expensive than I thought 😅 So, I wanted to get your feedback on a few things:
* Is hitchhiking common, easy, and generally safe in Albania?
* Is it possible to find day-to-day accommodations without booking ahead? If so, are they usually cheaper than the ones you find online?
* Is wild camping allowed or at least tolerated?
If any of you have traveled there recently, I’d love all the tips and great deals you’ve got!
Hi,
We’re a young couple planning to travel to South Africa after spending about three weeks in Namibia. We’ll arrive in Cape Town around mid-December, with no fixed travel duration (though our budget will eventually set a limit).
After browsing through the forum, we’ve realized the country is packed with incredible spots, which makes choosing an itinerary tough. We’re looking for stunning landscapes, hikes, and so on. So, we’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences.
When we arrive in Cape Town, we’d like to settle in and take it easy until New Year’s, exploring at a relaxed pace. We know this period coincides with South African holidays—does that make finding accommodations (availability/prices) more difficult? Do you think it’s possible to stay in a nice place for about 15 days without aiming for the most upscale neighborhoods? Maybe somewhere a bit outside Cape Town, like Fish Hoek, and just visit the city occasionally.
After that, we’ll have plenty of time (about 2 to 2.5 months) to explore the country. We’d like to take our time. In your opinion, is it better to focus on the Cape Town region, or is it reasonable to consider more distant areas like the Drakensberg or Blyde River Canyon? Can everything be done by car if we take our time, or are domestic flights sometimes more practical?
Budget-wise, how much do car rentals cost? For accommodations, we usually look at Airbnb—are they affordable in South Africa? What’s the average nightly rate outside the biggest cities? Are there other platforms you’d recommend for saving on lodging?
Finally, regarding safety, are there any regions to avoid besides Johannesburg?
We know this is a lot of questions, but we’re still in the early planning stages!
Thanks in advance for your advice!
Hi there,
After exploring southern Peru in 2024 with your help, we’d love to head north next. There’ll be 5 or 6 of us:
1. Arrive in Lima in the evening.
2. Visit Lima and take a flight at 6:35 PM to Tarapoto.
3, 4, 5. Spend a few days there to trek in a reserve (Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve) or somewhere else.
6. From Tarapoto to Chachapoyas—either by overnight bus, daytime bus, or private car.
7. In Chachapoyas: Gocta Waterfall, Sonche Canyon, and walk back to town.
8. Head to Kuelap citadel, Revash, and arrive in Leymebamba.
9. Leymebamba museum, then route to Cajamarca.
10. Cajamarca hot springs, overnight bus to Trujillo or Chiclayo—or do both.
11, 12, 13. Visit and explore the area.
14. Overnight bus back to Lima.
15. Lima.
16. Depart at 8 PM for France.
What do you think of this itinerary? Looking forward to your advice.
Thanks
I’m planning a 7-day trip to Marrakech for a sports camp, and I’ll be traveling with just a standard carry-on backpack.
I’d love to hear your best tips and tricks:
• What clothes are absolutely essential?
• Any advice for managing the heat while traveling light?
• Which accessories have been the most useful for you?
• Mistakes to avoid on a first trip to Marrakech?
I’m also open to your recommendations for neighborhoods, restaurants, or activities not to miss during my free time.
Thanks in advance for your advice and experience! !
Hi there, we’re heading to the Cyclades from June 23 to July 9. We’ll arrive in Santorini and leave from Mykonos. We’re thinking of visiting these islands: Folegandros, Milos, Sifnos, Tinos, and Mykonos. Do you think it’s better to book the ferries now (which site do you recommend for booking?) or can we buy the tickets on the spot? Also, do you have any suggestions for accommodation under 100 €/night on each of these islands? Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone!
I’m planning my dream trip for next September, lasting about a month. Here’s my itinerary:
Amsterdam: 3 days (departing from Montreal)
Tanzania: 3-day safari
Zanzibar: 6 days
Istanbul: 7 days
Return to Montreal.
Since my budget is pretty tight, I’m looking for tips and advice to cut costs without sacrificing the experience. Here are my questions:
Multi-destination flights: What’s the best way to book these connections? Is it better to buy a one-way ticket from Montreal to Amsterdam, then a separate internal flight, or use comparison tools for a multi-destination ticket?
Budget safari: Do you have recommendations for local agencies or tips to do a 3-day safari (Serengeti/Ngorongoro) at an affordable price (e.g., camping/glamping instead of luxury lodges)?
Accommodation in Zanzibar: Which villages or types of lodging are the most budget-friendly and accessible via local transport for these 6 days?
Istanbul: Any tips for well-located but cheap accommodation and great food deals?
Hi,
Are there still basic, traditional, and affordable authentic accommodations in Poland? I’ll be traveling in July with my husband and our 2 kids along the Warsaw-Łódź-Toruń-Gdańsk route, and all I can find online are standardized Ikea-style apartments in the cities. When I look for agrotourism, it’s all luxury farms.
Can you find farms in the countryside or city lodgings for under 60 euros per night? And if so, how?
Is it possible to find accommodations on the spot without internet—like from people who put up signs—even in July?
Hi,
I need to stay in Paris or Créteil for 2 nights a week for a month. I know some cheap backpacker options, but I’d like something even cheaper. Do you know of any rooms for rent from private individuals?
Thanks
We’re a young couple planning our first trip to Albania from June 23, 2026, to July 2, 2026. We have a pretty tight budget and want to make the most of this amazing country without breaking the bank.
We’re looking for all the advice you can give to help us plan our stay:
* What are the must-see places to visit?
* Which cities or villages are really worth the detour?
* What natural sites, hikes, canyons, springs, or viewpoints do you recommend?
* Do you know of any free, uncrowded, or particularly beautiful beaches?
* Where can we responsibly observe or swim with sea turtles?
* What are the most beautiful beaches on the Albanian Riviera that are accessible on a small budget?
* What budget-friendly accommodations (hotels, hostels, homestays, campgrounds) do you recommend?
* What are the best ways to get around between different regions at a low cost?
* Do you know of any reliable and affordable agencies for renting a vehicle (car, scooter, or motorcycle)? What are the average rates at the end of June, and which rental companies do you recommend or advise against?
* Is it better to rent a vehicle right when we arrive or stick to local buses and minibuses to keep costs down?
* Which restaurants or local specialties offer the best value for money?
* Are there any free or low-cost activities we shouldn’t miss?
* Which places do you think are overrated or can be skipped when you’re short on time and money?
* What practical tips would you have wished you knew before your first trip to Albania?
We’d also love any 10-day itineraries that you particularly enjoyed, along with your budget estimates for accommodation, meals, and transportation.
We’re open to off-the-beaten-path spots and local tips. If you have any secret addresses, hidden beaches, favorite accommodations, or mistakes to avoid, we’d love to hear about them! 😊
Hi there, we’re planning a road trip in northern Algeria at the end of January – early February.
Anyone have any tips for a car rental agency that’s both reliable and not too expensive? Thanks in advance!
I traveled through southern Peru in November 2024 and now I’d like to explore the north.
We’re a group of 5 people for a 15-day trip.
Iquitos or Nauta for the Amazon rainforest—I saw that you have to fly there.
Chiclayo
Chachapoyas
Kuelap
Leimebamba
Cajamarca
Trujillo
And if we have time, Huaraz for the Andes cordillera.
No problem taking overnight buses—they save a lot of time.
Or renting a car and figuring it out as we go.
We’d also love to take the train from Lima to Huancayo, but it seems complicated—I don’t understand when it runs.
I’d like to drive to Morocco from Paris via Spain. I was really surprised to see the ferry crossing prices—around 500 €—but especially the crossing time (about 1 hour). Normally, I pay 3000 € to go to Tunisia from Genoa, but that’s for a 24-hour crossing.
My question: is it cheaper to buy the ticket on the spot, as some Moroccans have advised me? Though I’ve also heard the opposite.
What do you think, considering I need to get to Tétouan around July 17th and return from Tangier around August 4th?
Thanks in advance
I’m planning a 10-day trip to Slovenia in May (9–19 May) and starting to look at accommodations. Unfortunately, I’m only seeing relatively expensive options—nothing under 50 €, and usually around 100–150 €. Traveling solo, that could quickly blow my budget. And 30 € for a bed in a 10-person dorm at a youth hostel feels like a rip-off...
Are there other booking sources besides the usual Booking.com, Airbnb, and Google? Or can anyone confirm if I’ll find more reasonable rates on the ground around Bled, Bohinj, Triglav, or in mountain huts? I’ll be renting a car to optimize my travel, so I won’t be limited geographically.
Hi there,
Could you recommend some nice and affordable neighborhoods to book a hotel in for visiting Nice and exploring its surroundings and nearby villages?
I’d like to know if it’s better to book the entire stay in Nice and take day trips to the villages, or if there are villages worth spending at least one night in to really explore them properly?
Since all the villages are stunning and we have to make a choice, which ones are absolutely must-visit?
My 16-year-old daughter and I will be spending a week there at the end of April. We’ll arrive by TGV from Paris and plan to use public transport during our stay. Do you know if there’s a weekly transport pass available and how much it costs?
I’m planning to spend about twenty days in Réunion in November.
I’d like to get around using the *car jaune* (2 € per ticket), but from what I’ve heard, it doesn’t cover the whole island.
I’m not looking to head toward the ocean and the beautiful beaches—more toward the mountainous landscapes, even if I’ll just be admiring them from below. 😉
Maybe other buses go where I want to go.
By the way, are there any relatively easy mountain hikes, and where?
But here’s the most important part:
I don’t want to book anything in advance because I don’t know what my itinerary will look like—it’ll change depending on my mood. 3 days here, 5 days there, etc.
On top of that, I’d like to arrange half-board stays with locals—not professionals—by approaching them and asking if they’d be willing to host me (overnight stay, breakfast, and dinner) for 30 € to 40 € per day.
What do you think?
Does the price seem reasonable?
And is it okay to take the initiative and ask Réunionnais directly?
The tourist office in Réunion told me that since November is peak tourist season, I should book without delay. 🤪
For four years in a row, I traveled across Canada for a month and a half each time, relying only on hitchhiking and half-board stays with Canadians who welcomed me (and refused to let me pay them).
If I’d listened to my family and friends, I never would’ve taken the leap—and that adventure remains one of the best experiences of my life.
It’s been ages since I last dropped by here... maybe simply because, apart from Nepal, I haven’t really had the chance to hit the road lately. 😉
This year, I’d love to spend a few days in Lisbon, probably in late May or early June. But with my budget being what it is, I’m looking for great tips to avoid wasting time once I’m there and risk missing out on hidden gems or unusual culinary specialties and/or quirky activities! I’m hoping to find a room in a local’s home where I can stay in a quiet neighborhood near the center, so I can get around without relying too much on public transport—my walking shoes are my best travel buddies.
I’d love all your recommendations, especially for parks, small neighborhood markets, casual eateries for a quick bite, your favorite viewpoints to soak in the scenery (I’m bringing my travel journal to sketch my getaway in watercolors), events around traditional art and crafts, and so on.
All your advice will definitely help me travel peacefully and come back with my head full of vibrant memories!
Thanks in advance, everyone!
Isabelle
I’m diving into planning a trip I’ve dreamed of for a long time: crossing Africa from North to South solo, with a departure planned for October 2025 for about 8-9 months. I’m leaving from Paris with a starting budget of around 7,000 €, aiming to supplement it with work along the way.
My planned route: Senegal → Gambia → Sierra Leone/Liberia (if logistics work out) → Côte d'Ivoire → Ghana → Togo → Benin → Cameroon → Gabon → Kenya (Masai Mara) → Uganda (Bwindi gorillas) → Rwanda → Tanzania (Kili + Serengeti + Zanzibar) → Mozambique → Malawi → Zambia (Victoria Falls) → Botswana → Namibia → South Africa (Cape Town). Madagascar as a bonus if timing/budget allows from Mozambique.
I’m not a backpacking newbie—I’ve done several trips in Europe and I’m familiar with the lifestyle, hostels, local transport, etc. But Africa is my first big adventure on this continent, and I’ve got some very concrete questions I’d love feedback on from people who’ve been there.
🎭 My big dilemma: flexibility vs. pre-organized work
What matters most to me is NOT rushing through. If I feel good somewhere, I’ll stay longer. If a region doesn’t click, I’ll cut it short. That seems totally incompatible with having pre-booked work or volunteer gigs, yet I need that income to stretch my budget.
I’m torn between two approaches:
Option A: The mixed rhythm: 3-4 weeks of volunteering in a country (free accommodation, full immersion), then 1-2 countries in classic backpacker "vacation" mode, then another mission somewhere, etc. This gives a breathing rhythm and avoids burnout from non-stop volunteering.
Option B: The continuous flow: finding gigs as I go, from the previous country, contacting hosts 2-3 weeks in advance with a flexible date range. Keeping maximum spontaneity but never arriving anywhere without a safety net.
Have you tried either? What actually works on the ground in Africa?
🌍 What I’m really looking for in this trip
Not just the classic tourist spots. I want to see the country as it is—eating at local joints, taking local transport (bush taxis, minibuses, sept-places), staying with locals when possible. The big reserves and safaris are part of the plan (Masai Mara, Serengeti, Okavango), but just as much as hanging out in a residential neighborhood in Dakar, understanding how people really live.
Volunteering or work interests me for that reason too (not just for free lodging, but because it’s the deepest way to dive into a country). Working at a school in Ghana, a lodge in Kenya, a permaculture farm in Mozambique—I see it as an immersion that classic tourism can’t offer.
🎒 My concrete questions
About Workaway and Worldpackers: I’ve read a lot but would love on-the-ground feedback, especially for West and East Africa. Are hosts really flexible with dates for long-term travelers? Do the advertised gigs match reality? Are there alternative platforms you’d recommend for Africa specifically (I’ve heard of Help Exchange, WWOOF Africa, local networks…)?
About "off-platform" jobs: Is it really doable to find informal work on the spot (bars, restaurants, lodges) without prior contacts? In which countries/cities is this most accessible for a French speaker without a local work permit?
About logistics between countries: For those who’ve done the West Coast (Senegal → Ghana → Benin), how did you cross borders? Direct buses or local shared taxis at each border? And for the jump from Central Africa → Kenya, is a flight mandatory, or are there feasible overland routes?
About Madagascar: I’m considering adding it from Mozambique (flight Maputo or Beira → Tana). Those who’ve done it backpacker-style on a tight budget—is 3-4 weeks doable, or is it too short to be worth it?
I’m open to all tips, experiences, warnings, and pleasant surprises. And if you’ve got trusted local contacts (Workaway hosts, associations, community lodges), I’m all ears!
I’ve got tons of questions and I’m eager for any advice or experiences you can share!!
Hi there,
We’re planning a trip for 2 adults and 2 kids to Tanzania and Zanzibar. I’ve had a quick look, and the prices are starting to get pretty wild.
We’ve got a budget of 8,000 €, and I was thinking of doing three or four days of safari and three or four days in Zanzibar, but even that seems like it might be over budget. Have you got any thoughts? I was also considering heading straight to Zanzibar and doing a one- or two-day excursion by plane instead—maybe that’d be cheaper than staying in a lodge.
Anyway, thanks for sharing your experiences and any price tips, departing from Nice!
Good evening,
As two senior French couples who are used to traveling independently all over the world, we’d like to visit Kenya next November.
Now, after seeing and reading a bit everywhere, and with the first quotes for a 6/7-day safari, I’m shocked by the prices (like $2,250) for places like Maasai Mara, where entry alone costs $200 per person per day, plus fees for the driver and vehicle.
So if you have any recent great tips or contacts to share to help me out, I’d really appreciate it—because despite the costs, we’d still love to go, while keeping things reasonable.
The most plausible solution is probably renting a vehicle with a driver-guide.
Thanks in advance for all your replies.
Jacques
We’ll be in Srinagar for 4 days in mid-May 2026 during our backpacking trip as a couple. Do you have any nice places to recommend, and what about the houseboats on Dal Lake? Should we spend all our nights there, or just one night for practicality when getting around?
Thanks,
Rozenn
Hi there,
This is my first time traveling to Italy, and I’m planning to go by car.
From what I’ve read, parking is tough in cities like Florence.
I’m looking for a small town not too far from Florence where I can stay and park my car, then take the train to visit Florence.
Any ideas or suggestions?
Thanks in advance
Hi there, it’s been a long time since I last went to London. I’d love to spend a week there in July with my daughter and my niece (both young adults).
Of course, I’m looking for great tips on accommodation, and I’m wondering about renting an apartment. It seems like a better deal to save on restaurants (with the option of having a few meals at home... but is that really the case? I’m not sure about the cost of a meal in a modest restaurant, the pound exchange rate, or grocery prices...).
Otherwise, I’d like to stay in accommodation (hotel or apartment) near a tube station and in Zone 1.
If you have any great tips, I’d love to hear them!
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
