Mon compagnon et moi-même partons en voyage en Turquie pour trois semaines en juin 2019.
Nous allons passer 6 jours complets à Istanbul (visite complète de la ville + croisière sur le Bosphore) avant de rejoindre la Cappadoce en bus de nuit pour 7 jours complets (cinq jours de randonnées pédestres itinérantes, un vol en montgolfière, cérémonie des Derviches tourneurs, balade à cheval au coucher du soleil du haut des vignes d'Avanos).
Cette partie du voyage a été facile à organiser. Je peine un peu plus pour la suite.
Il nous reste 7 jours à remplir et que nous avons envie d'occuper en visite de sites archéologiques gréco-romains. Mais nous ne serons pas véhiculés et je me rends-compte que certaines sites sont difficilement accessibles en transports publics.
Durant ces 7 derniers jours, nous aimerions faire :
- Selçuk : 1 jour
- Selçuk-Didymes : 1 jour
- Didymes-Pamukkale : 1 jour
- Pamukkale-Aphrodisias (en restant logé à Pamukkale) : 1 jour
- Pamukkale-Antalya : 1 jour
- Antalya-Aspendos : 1 jour
- Antalya-Termessos : 1 jour
Pouvez-vous me confirmer qu'il existe bien des lignes de bus ou dolmuç à horaires réguliers pour faire ces liaisons. Et si non, certains d'entre vous ont-il pris des taxis ? Les prix sont-ils raisonnables ou prohibitifs ?
Je pense que vous sousestimez les distances en jeu et que vous voulez trop voir.
Après Istanbul et la Cappadoce, filez donc à un endroit de votre choix, autour d'Antalya si vous voulez, et louez une voiture.
Merci pour votre message. Je ne souhaite pas louer de véhicule durant mon voyage mais seulement rayonner en bus comme l'ont fait plein de voyageurs avant moi 🙂.
Et ce quitte à réduire mes prétentions niveau parcours ...
Oui...
Parce que Cappadoce Selcuk, ce n'est pas rien...
Mais de toutes façons vous serez très limitée en sites anciens si vous voulez tout faire en autocar.
J'en ai tout à fait conscience !
J'ai peut-être trouvé une solution : faire appel à une agence de voyage qui propose d'organiser ces visites à la journée en fournissant le moyen de transport pour sillonner de site en site. C'est évidemment plus onéreux, mais bon. Par exemple, au départ de Selçuk, elle propose d'aller passer une journée à faire Didymes, Milet et Priène. Ou encore de faire Pamukkale et Hiérapolis au départ de Selçuk également, etc.
Je fais un gros blocage sur la conduite, ça fait bien deux ans que je n'ai plus conduit. Et je ne peux conduire que des automatiques.
PS : Concernant la Cappadoce/Selçuk ce n'est pas bien compliqué. Il faut prendre un bus de nuit à Avanos, là où nous logerons pendant 7 Jours. On arrive de bonne heure le matin à Selçuk, donc pas trop de problème apparemment. On ne perd pas de temps 🙂
A ne pas perdre de temps vous risquez même de passer à côté de la Turquie.😉
Faites comme vous aimez, mais pour moi votre programme n'est pas raisonnable.
Euh .... 6 jours complets à Istanbul et 7 jours complets en Cappadoce, pas raisonnable ?
Et bien, je ne sais pas ce qu'il vous faut !
Concernant le reste du séjour, je ne vois pas non plus où est le problème. Les voyageurs conseillent de ne pas rester plus d'une demi journée à Selçuk par exemple, là où moi je prévois d'y rester une journée entière. Et ainsi de suite.
L'agence à laquelle je m'adresse propose des circuits à la journée au départ de certaines villes. Elle vient donc en remplacement d'une voiture qui m'aurait conduit exactement aux mêmes endroits. De plus, nous bénéficierions d'un guide pour nous faire des topos sur les sites visités ce qui est un plus.
En fait m'adresser à cette agence règle la question du problème des transports .... puisque nous serons conduits de site en site au départ de notre hôtel sans avoir à courir après des bus aux horaires aléatoires.
Je ne pense pas que je passerai à côté de la Turquie dans ces conditions, même si évidemment il ne s'agit en rien d'une immersion prolongée dans le pays mais seulement d'un voyage de trois semaines. Après chacun voit midi à sa porte. 😉
En réalité je voulais dire que vous donniez l'impression d'avoir une liste de sites à cocher.
Vous irez de site en site, c'est un peu ce que j'appelle passer à côté.
A ce compte 7 jours en Cappadoce c'est long.
Je comprends votre raisonnement. En fait, tout dépend de ce que l'on attend d'un voyage finalement. Nous ne cherchons pas tous à vivre les mêmes choses de la même façon.
Pour le coup, il n'y aura pas beaucoup de place pour la flânerie et le trip routard dans cette dernière partie du voyage. On a un objectif précis en effet : visiter un certain nombre de sites qui nous intéressent. Ce sont les ruines en elles-mêmes qui nous intéressent, nous sommes tous les deux passionnés d'histoire. Et c'est donc au sacrifice d'autres choses à faire ou à voir effectivement. Mais bon, il faut bien faire des choix.
Je vous ai dit des bêtises, nous restons même 8 jours en Cappadoce. Dans cette partie-là du voyage on prendra plus le temps de flâner, d'aller à la rencontre des Turcs, pareil à Istanbul où nous passerons 6 jours pleins.
Notre voyage s'affine, et en voilà le parcours étape par étape :
Jour 1 à 5 : Visite de la ville d'Istanbul ( Fatih, New Istanbul, Corne d'or)
Jour 6 : Croisière sur le Bosphore. Bus de nuit en soirée pour la Cappadoce.
Jour 7 : Arrivée à Avanos en Cappadoce tôt le matin. Journée libre. Balade à cheval au coucher du soleil en soirée au-dessus des vignes
Jour 8 à 12 : Randonnée pédestre itinérante de 5 jours en Cappadoce d'Avanos à Ilhara
Jour 13 : La Cappadoce en montgolfière (1h à l'aube). Journée libre. Cérémonie de Derviches tourneurs le soir.
Jour 14 : Journée libre à Avanos (marche, repos). Départ en soirée pour Selçuk via le bus de nuit.
Jour 15 : Visite de Selçuk (Éphèse)
Jour 16 : Visite via notre agence de Didymes, Priène et Milet
Jour 17 :Visite via notre agence de Pamukkale et Hierapolis
Jour 18 :Voyage en avion d'Izmir à Antalya. Installation à notre hôtel à Antalya.
Jour 19 :Visite via notre agence d'Aspendos, Pergé et Side
Jour 20 : Visite via notre agence de Kekova, Demre et de l'église Saint Nicolas
Jour 21 : Visite via notre agence de Termessos, Karain et Düden
Jour 22 : départ d'Antalya pour Instanbul en avion. Retour pour Paris le jour-même ou le lendemain.
bonjour,
je ne sais pas trop comment la "randonnée de 5 j d'Avanos à Ilhara peut exister vraiment... il ne me semble pas y avoir de "chemin".
Il me semble plus intéressant, si on est branché rando bien sur d'organiser la chose sur plusieurs jours avec des hébergements dans différents lieux, exemple :
1j rando Goreme - utchisar (vallée pigeons) retour vallée blanche jusqu'a Cavusin
1j rando entre cavusin, plateau sommital, panorama et retour par guludere/rose vallée au choix, voire les 2.
1j Hilara sur la journée en dormant la veille à Guzelyurt (et profiter pour visiter la cité ancienne)
une option "montagne" reste possible en partant 2 jours (voire plus) dans le taurus (Demirkazi ou cukurbag) profiter d'aller voir le monastère d'eski gumus à coté de Nigde.
une autre option de vallée "perdue" c'est Soganli (une journée)
quelques remarques sur Avanos : quelques touristes mais peu de choses à faire "en direct" du village... Un conseil (une expérience!) de ce village, aller à Bayramaçi (sources d'eau chaude) seuls les turcs connaissent.
un autre conseil (ou information) le truc "derviche" en cappadoce est un piège à touristes... et n'a donc (à mon avis bien sur) aucun intérêt
Autre information : le vol en montgolfière : attention aux annulations possibles ! météo oblige.
Une autre remarque : le vol Izmir Antalya... j'espère qu'il est direct ! sinon vous repassez à Istanbul !!!
En première réponse à celui-ci, voici le programme des 5 jours de randonnée pédestre :
D’AVANOS A IHLARA 5 jours
Cette randonnée facile vous fera découvrir quelques-unes de plus belles vallées, villes souterraines, canyons et villages de la Cappadoce. Vous serez héberger chez l’habitant ou en pension.
Jour 1 : Court trajet en minibus pour monter au dessus du village de Göreme. Balades dans les magnifiques vallées de Gemildere, Kiliçlar et Zemidere jusqu`au piton rocheux d'Uçhisar (1000 m) avec sa vue panoramique sur la région. 5 -6 heures de marche. Nuit dans une pension familiale.
Jour 2 : Départ après le petit-déjeuner, descendre par les plus belles vallées de la région :Vallées du miel, rose et rouge avec leurs paysages lunaires extraordinaires, jusqu`au village de Çavusin. 6 heures de marche. Nuit dans une pension à Cavusin.
Jour 3 : Notre véhicule nous dépose dans le village insolite de Cat. Nous randonnons pendant 4 heures dans deux vallées en forme de « U » » bordées de falaises dont les parois sont truffées de pigeonniers rupestres à plusieurs étages. Certains pigeonniers sont peints pour attirer les pigeons dont le fiente servait d'engrais. Départ en minibus vers la ville souterraine de Derinkuyu. Visite de cette ville profonde de 8 étages. Puis on continue vers le village de Güzelyurt. Nuit dans un hôtel ou pension familiale.
Jour 4 : Court transfert au village d`Ihlara (1350 m) où débute le plus grand canyon de Cappadoce, le canyon d'Ihlara ou Péristrema. En longeant la rivière Melendiz nous découvrons quelques-unes des cent églises rupestres qui se trouvent dans la vallée à l'ombre des jujubiers et des pistachiers. Nuit à Güzelyurt . 5 h de marche.
Jour 5 : Journée de lacs cratères : Après avoir admiré le petit village troglodytique de Sivrihisar (1700 m) au pied d`une citadelle byzantine et l’église Rouge (6ème siècle), nous marchons sur le plateau de Meydan d`où nous pouvons observer les deux plus grands volcans de la Cappadoce aux cimes enneigées : le mont Erciyes (3916 m) et le mont Hasan (3268 m). Puis, découverte du lac cratère d`Acigöl, lieu de prédilection des semi-nomades qui parsèment leurs tentes sur ce plateau situé entre une vallée déchiquetée par l'érosion offrant des formations étranges et une vallée verdoyante. Nous traversons un petit village qui vit hors du temps sous l`œil incrédule de ses habitants. Descente par un petit sentier à l`immense lac cratère de Nar au bord duquel se trouvent des sources d`eau chaude naturelle. Cette rencontre d`eau chaude et d'eau froide nous invite à une baignade inoubliable. 5 h de marche. Retour à Avanos et nuit dans une pension installé dans une maison traditionnelle restaurée.
Concernant Avanos et son peu d'intérêt, merci pour le bon plan à Bayramaçi ! Je vais aller regarder cela de plus près ! Y a-t-il des dolmus au départ d'Avanos pour Bayramaçi ? Comment peut-on s'y rendre ?
Concernant la cérémonie des Derviches tourneurs, qu'est ce qui vous fait dire que c'est un piège à touristes précisément ? Y avez-vous assisté vous-même ?
Pour la montgolfière oui, je me doute bien que les conditions météo seront décisives pour le faire ou pas évidemment.🙂 Mais on n'a pas de contrôle sur la météo de toute façon alors autant le prévoir à l'avance au cas où. Quitte à prévoir autre chose en plan B ...A étudier.
Enfin, concernant le vol Izmir/Antalya, j'ai changé mon fusil d'épaule. Il y a des bus directs Selçuk/Antalya de nuit avec la compagnie Pamukkale. On va certainement en prendre un ainsi on aura une journée complète le lendemain à Antalya pour se faire la vieille ville, le musée et un hamam.
N'hésitez pas si vous avez d'autres remarques à me faire et merci encore pour votre temps !
Bonne journée !
Marie
bonjour,
le programme qu'on vous propose est en gros les "classiques" de cappadoce. vendu dans tous les hébergements pour 25 à 40 euros la journée.
les jours 1 et 2 sont les mêmes que ceux que je propose. ils peuvent faits en totale autonomie, sans passer par une quelconque agence !!!
la virée dans la vallée de çat est intéressante (mais la vallée est très large et n'a rien à voir avec d'autres.
dans le "programme" qu'on vous propose, beaucoup de transports en minibus...
bayramaçi n'est pas, dans mes souvenirs, accessible en dolmus.
pourquoi le spectacle de derviches est un piège à touristes ? car c'est organisé pour les touristes, dans un caravansérail (en ruine il y à 25 ans) et refait à neuf à Avanos, que cette communauté de derviches est essentiellement issue de la ville de Konya.... Les spectacles de derviches existent, ils sont peu fréquents.
Ce qu'il y a à Avanos est un spectacle de gens qui dansent en tournant en rond sur eux même, rien d'autre.
quand je lis votre "programme" il ne laisse que peu de place à l'imprévu... sachez qu'il est généralement toujours possible de trouver des billets de bus quelques jours seulement (voire le jour même) avant le départ.
Si vous faites appel à une agence pour l'ensemble des 5 jours, vous allez être, d'une certaine façon, dans une belle prison dorée (en référence au Harem de Topkapi que vous n'hésiterez pas à visiter).
et puis, si vous "aimez les ruines" comment cette agence ne vous fait pas visiter le musée en plein air de Goreme ? la ville de Zelve ? une autre ville souterraine que Derinkuyu qui est blindée de monde ? le monastère d'Eski Gumus à coté de Nigde ? La vielle ville de Kayseri ?
Bonjour,
Quelle chance vous allez sillonner de magnifiques endroits.
Après Istanbul et la Cappadoce, vous allez bien fatigué. Autant de trajets en bus ne sont pas vraiment raisonnable... Pensez à rester flexibles et si vous ne faites pas tout, vous reviendrez ;)
Bon séjour !
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Hi, I’d like to buy a ticket to go to Terezín from Prague using the Pid Litacka app, but I don’t know which zone to get the ticket for. Thanks for your help! 😊
Hi there,
After booking an Airbnb last January for this summer’s vacation in Sarajevo... My "host" canceled our reservation without any reason—this has never happened to me before.
Of course, now it’s impossible to find a place to stay at a "normal" price in Sarajevo with parking...
So we’re falling back on the capital of the Republika Srpska, Banja Luka, which had already crossed my mind before I booked Sarajevo.
I already have quite a few ideas in mind, without having dug too deep into the region yet.
But if anyone has already been there and has suggestions? Even for restaurants—I’m all ears!
And even if it’s not right next door, I’m planning to spend a day in Sarajevo!
Hi, I’m going to Turkey for 3 weeks. I’ve heard that you can’t book through Booking.com once you’re there and that everything has to be reserved in advance. Is it true that Booking.com doesn’t work in Turkey? Thanks to anyone who’s already been or is there—if it’s true, how do you handle bookings?
I’d love to get your opinions and advice on a destination.
It’s actually for my 19-year-old son who wants to go to Greece with his cousin, who’s the same age.
They’re looking at leaving on October 24th for 7 to 10 days.
For their trip, they want gorgeous beaches where they can swim, beautiful typical villages and historic cities, stunning landscapes, but also lively spots for their nights out. In short, they’re not just going there to laze around—they want to make the most of it...
But here’s the thing: will the weather be too iffy at that time, especially for swimming?
Also, would Crete be the best choice for what they’re looking for?
Then, a travel agent suggested Tenerife instead because of the weather at that time of year—he said the climate there is the same all year round. But will they find landscapes and beaches as beautiful as in Crete?
Hello!
I’m planning a trip to Greece in May or June 2027. We’re independent travelers.
We’ll rent a car after our stay in Athens and book accommodations through Booking or similar sites.
What do you think of this itinerary? We’re taking our time (beach and swimming if the weather allows in May—is the water too cold?)
Athens, 3 days
Nafplio, 3 days (Mycenae, Epidaurus, Archaia)
Mystras, 2 days or Monemvasia, 2 days (Laconia peninsula)?? Dilemma between the two
Return trip from the Peloponnese via the Rio-Antirrio bridge
Nafpaktos, 1 night
Arachova, 2 days (Delphi, Osios Loukas Monastery)
Return to Athens and departure
Is it crowded in May or June for visits to archaeological sites?
Thanks for your suggestions or corrections!
Hi there,
Our first trip to Greece as a couple. We're planning to spend 7 days in Greece from August 30th to September 5th. We'll reserve 2 days for Athens at the end of the trip. For the remaining 5 days, we want to visit an island—any recommendations? Thanks for your tips and details, we really appreciate it.
Hi,
What tips can you give me for dealing with a car rental scam attempt in Lithuania?
In our case, it’s the Avis-Budget agency in Vilnius trying to scam us.
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!!!!
Two days later, we got an email from Avis-Budget with two invoices saying the car was damaged—scratched on both sides—and charging us for a full tank of gas. That’s two bills totaling 800 €!!!! Coincidentally, the deposit was 900 €!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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?
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Thanks
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We’re planning a 3-week trip in late September with our camper van to explore Bulgaria and Romania.
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We're back. It's still a bit tough to get precise info, so here's a quick trip report!
A good starting point is Shkoder, a really pleasant city. You can easily explore Shkoder itself in a day or two.
Two accessible spots: Valbona and Theth.
In both cases, local travel agencies in Shkoder or online offer round-trip or one-way access packages. Super handy, especially for Valbona.
Valbona and Theth are both very steep! There aren’t many easy hikes for less sporty folks (like me!).
Valbona: The highlight is the amazing 2.5-hour boat ride across Lake Koman. There are day trips from Shkoder, but you’ll only get a short tour of the lake. The best option is to do the full crossing—so spend a night in Valbona (or two if you want to hike in the valley) and return.
Theth is deeply nestled in the mountains. The village at the end of the valley, which is a dead end, has lots of hotels, but they’re pricey. Other hostels are scattered along the mountainside road, but it’s a steep climb down to the village or to the start of the two easy hikes (waterfalls and the Blue Eye). For us, it was a one-hour descent (and ascent!). It’s fine if you have a car; otherwise, keep an eye out for a taxi (cheap) or try hitchhiking—it works really well.
Access from Shkoder to Theth is through an agency. The road is in great condition, and you can also rent a car for 2-3 days in Shkoder. If we did it again, that’s the option we’d choose.
We didn’t do the trek and returned to Shkoder each time. I can’t speak to its difficulty, but we were there in late May, and even experienced hikers had given up because of heavy rain and snow.
Hope this helps! It’s a stunning region you shouldn’t miss.
We’re a Canadian couple, both 77, and we’re already planning our vacation for fall 2027.
Timeframe: mid-September to mid-October... dates are flexible, and we might stay even longer.
Initially, I had planned this itinerary:
Athens (3), Naxos (4), Paros (4), Santorini (4), then a flight to Istanbul (7–10 days!!). This would let us maximize our flights and experience another culture.
That’s a lot of ferries, though... I’ve already cut out Milos.
Our second option would be to stay 2 x 15 days on two different islands, but I’d still keep Istanbul as our next destination... or maybe 30 days on one island that offers the chance to take day trips to other islands where the ferry ride is no more than 2 to 2.5 hours. For example, Naxos to Paros only takes 30 minutes. We could return the same evening or stay overnight.
Naxos seems like the best option!!!
For Istanbul, of course we want to do a day cruise on the Bosphorus and see Hagia Sophia. If we stay 6–7 days, what would be the other main attractions? Are there any points of interest we can reach by local bus?
Hi there!
We bought our tickets to Greece at the end of November 2025, and let’s just say the geopolitical climate has really taken a turn since then with the war started by the United States against Iran. Not to mention all the other conflicts happening around the world 😕... Anyway!
Our flight from Montreal is on May 1st, and I was wondering how things are currently being experienced in Greece.
We were planning to rent a car and had already booked accommodations on three Cyclades islands!!
The oil shortage is also worrying us...
If you could share some insights on this, that would be great!
A little trip report from an 11-day journey to Albania at the end of April 2026, with two friends in their early sixties and beyond...
Our route: Berat, Gjirokastër, Himarë, Tirana
Here are some opinions, tips, and great deals to share:
Flight Round-trip Beauvais-Tirana: Ryanair, 260 € with checked baggage (20 kg) and seat selection. Flight was fine and on time. 2h 30min flight.
Exchange: 1 € was worth 95 lek in April 2026. We were advised to exchange in the airport hall at the Illiria counter (98 lek outside the security zone), saying we wouldn’t find a better rate. However, the exchange rate was 93 lek for 1 euro, while in the city it was 95...
Car rental at Tirana airport for 9 days via Booking.com: 144 € (56 € for the car rental and 88 € for optional full insurance deductible waiver).
Wheego agency: the car was fine, but be careful when signing the contract—they tried to convince us that the insurance taken through Booking didn’t cover everything and insisted we take their own insurance for 250 €... We refused.
After reading about driving in Tirana, instead of starting our trip by visiting the capital, we decided to head straight to Berat upon arrival and return the car at the end of the trip to explore the city on foot. This turned out to be a great choice!
Accommodations: All our stays were booked via Booking.com. Everyone prefers to be paid in euros and in cash—they mention this when booking.
Berat: 2-hour drive from the airport.
Accommodation: Vila Arben Elezi: 135 € for 3 nights with breakfast and private parking. The room was decent and clean but a bit dark, located slightly below ground level near the parking. However, the breakfast on the rooftop was excellent, especially with the stunning view of the "city of a thousand windows." Great location.
Berat was our favorite—there are lovely walks through the different neighborhoods on both sides of the river, each with a very different vibe. The citadel visit is also fascinating, as it’s like a small town within the fortress.
The walk along the river is pleasant, with plenty of restaurant choices. Other restaurants in the old town are also very nice. The White House Restaurant, on the first floor along the road, is good and offers a great view of the Gorica district.
Gjirokastër:
Accommodation: Te Ajdini Guest House: 120 € for 3 nights with breakfast. A private home stay. There’s free parking just before entering the city, a 5-minute walk from the accommodation, which is very convenient since the cobblestone streets are narrow and parking is tricky. Yes, it’s a climb to get to the place, but everything in this city is uphill... The room was bright and clean. Breakfast was very good, hearty, and served in the courtyard with a view of the castle. The guesthouse is a 5-minute walk from the city center (the bazaar) but in a quiet area.
Restaurants: Rrapi and Kujtimi—good and affordable with their little pergolas.
The old town of Gjirokastër is charming but very touristy, with streets packed with souvenir shops and restaurant tables and chairs. Lots of people.
-The bunker visit (near the tourist office) is very interesting: Cold War Tunnel.
The castle offers a beautiful view of the city.
-Visit to the Ottoman house Skenduli: very well done. Don’t forget to climb the ladder facing a trapdoor in the ceiling to see the roof’s framework—it’s like a forest of beams: impressive!
-The bridge Ura e Ali Pasha: A steep 45-minute climb from the city to the site is worth it, but once you reach the viewpoint (which is stunning), you have to go back down a path to reach the bridge. You can drive to the viewpoint, but parking is very tricky.
Around Gjirokastër:
-Just outside the city: Lake Liqeni i Viroit: a nice, ordinary-looking lake, but at the end, there’s a natural spring making the water crystal clear and a brilliant blue—really spectacular, like photos of Blue Eye near Sarandë.
-Drive to Përmet along the gorges: beautiful viewpoints along the way and lovely countryside.
Himarë:
Accommodation: Vila Kosteli: 120 € for 2 nights with breakfast—slightly overpriced for this type of place but very close to a small beach and not far from the promenade with all the restaurants. Private parking, but very tight (4 cars on a tiny lot along the road). The "sea view" room is a bit obstructed by the building across the street. However, the rooftop breakfast view is beautiful. Friendly staff.
Himarë is a pleasant seaside resort, quite calm (but it was April...). There’s a cute promenade with restaurants along the beach. The castle on the heights of Himarë is worth a visit.
Around Himarë:
-Qeparo is worth a quick stop, but Qeparo village is really worth the detour: a village lost in the heights after a scenic drive up from the coastal road—narrow but well-maintained. Beautiful view from the top and a charming village.
-The Big Bunker and Llogora Panorama: take a right turn several kilometers after Dhermi—a road that climbs steeply from the start... A breathtaking winding road that reaches 900 meters in altitude. The view is stunning.
-Several small villages between Dhermi and Himarë are worth a quick stop.
-Porto Palermo Castle is somewhat disappointing.
Tirana:
Taxi from Tirana airport to the city center: 15 € with electric taxis (Green Taxi, Bee Taxi, Do Taxi).
Accommodation: Hotel Nevi Apartment: 63 € for 2 nights. A private apartment in an older building but very clean and well-equipped, with a kitchen and small enclosed balcony.
Great welcome and contact—the owner even booked a taxi for our departure. Very well located, close to the main square, shops, and restaurants. A small supermarket nearby is perfect for stocking up on breakfast supplies.
The city is lively and dynamic, with plenty of green spaces and promenades. Buildings are popping up everywhere, often with surprising architecture—like a building shaped like a face, a huge golden cube, and many others under construction.
-Sky Tower: at the top, a rotating bar offers a 360° view of the city and its buildings. Drinks are a bit pricier than usual, but it’s totally worth it (6 € for a beer or a glass of white wine, 3 € for coffee). We were there for sunset, and it was amazing! A must-do. Arrive early, as it fills up quickly.
-The House of Leaves: a house used for secret surveillance and interrogations during the dictatorship... A great way to learn about the surveillance systems of that era.
-Bunk’Art 2: a bunker in the heart of the city—very interesting, covering the dictatorship period and its system...
-The Pazari i Ri Bazaar: the new bazaar district. The large hall is worth a visit, but souvenir prices are often higher than elsewhere... The area is nice.
Restaurant: Kastrati Restaurant—a bit like a canteen with lots of traditional dishes. It’s on the first floor of a building. Excellent value for money, and the waitress explains the dishes in French.
That’s a little overview of our trip and my personal impressions!
Albania is a beautiful and pleasant country to visit.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
Hi everyone,
We’re thinking of spending 3 weeks in Crete between mid-August and early September, renting a car, quickly exploring a few spots in the east, and focusing on the west, southwest, and south.
I’m worried about the heavy tourist crowds. Is it really more noticeable than elsewhere in Greece? Is there a way to avoid the crowds without missing out on the iconic places, which I imagine are stunning in Crete? Thanks for your thoughts and experiences!
Hi,
I'm heading to Greece via Albania soon. Does anyone have info on transportation from Gjirokastër to Ioannina?
Which company, fares, and schedules—it's not very clear with Google.
I’m just passing through Bratislava quickly (one afternoon, one night, one morning) and I’d love to see the highlights of the city.
I’ve put together a little itinerary—feel free to let me know what you think!
Start at the castle and its beautiful viewpoint
Visit the Baroque gardens
St. Martin’s Cathedral, quick visit
National Theatre
Discover the Cumil statues
Primatial Palace via Hlavné Namestie
Michael’s Gate
Grassalkovich Palace via Obchodna
Walk across Namesti Slobody to head back to the upside-down pyramid
Head down to the Blue Church
Cross the Danube to see Sad Janka Krala, then return via the UFO Bridge
There you go—10 km and a packed day!
What do you think?
Hi there,
we’re heading to Crete from May 8th to 15th, staying at a hotel in Agia Pelagia, 20 km from Heraklion, on half-board, so we’ll be back every evening. What daily itinerary would you recommend? We love hiking and discovering local cultures...
Thanks in advance!!
Hello,
We’re heading to Prague with so much excitement from June 10th to 20th. I’ve got three main questions for those who live there or have visited:
- What are your thoughts on what to pack clothing-wise? What’s the weather usually like at this time of year? We’re a bit sensitive to the cold—we live way down in southern Andalusia and are used to the *calor* 😎... Should we pack rain gear? Are we likely to get a lot of rain (which we’re dreading a little, but we couldn’t choose other dates)?
- I’ve seen there are "passes" for various attractions, museums, and sites, including one that’s valid for 10 days but costs a whopping 160 € per person—that’s an average of 16 € per day. Do you think it’s really worth it? We won’t be spending our days rushing between every indoor site; we also love wandering the streets and discovering things a bit "at random." If we do two paid visits a day, that’ll probably be the max... Can we make it worth the cost with that? Of course, we want to visit the castle and take a boat trip as a minimum. Are the sites included in these passes iconic, or are they more "minor" attractions? Does having the pass help us skip long lines?
- Finally, a question about communication: I speak French, obviously, plus Spanish and English fluently, but very little German (haven’t practiced in ages), and no Russian or Czech at all. My husband knows a few words of Russian, but it’s "Cuban" Russian—about the same level as my current German 🙂 !! Can we still get by without too much trouble? We don’t want to spend 10 days not saying a word to anyone and communicating only with gestures!!
Thanks for your valuable tips and opinions.
Hi there!
We’re heading to Crete (Heraklion) as a couple and I’d like to rent a car.
1) Do we need an international driver’s permit?
2) Are rentals super expensive?
Thanks everyone!