Yucatan avec bébé de 7 mois en novembre?
by DomJF
This discussion is in French, the community’s main language.
Original post
Bonjour,
Nous pensons voyager en novembre 2018 au Yucatan pour une semaine avec notre bébé qui aura 7 mois. Nous avons pensé louer un logement avec cuisine à Puerto Morelos et/ou Isla Holbox.
Êtes-vous déjà allés à l'une ou l'autre de ces destinations avec un bébé?
Avez-vous une suggestion de condo à louer en bord de mer?
Avez-vous trouvé des pots sans sucre et agent de conservation? Je sais qu'il y a un Walmart...
Avez-vous apporté une poussette? Est-ce que ça roule bien à Puerto Morelos ou Isla Holbox? Ou c'est mieux un porte-bébé.
Avez-vous loué une voiture avec siège de bébé (pas pour Holbox)? Si oui, quelle était la compagnie?
Avez-vous visité un cenote avec un jeune bébé? Une suggestion?
Est-ce que la mer (plage) est belle à la fin novembre à Puerto Morelos ou Isla Holbox?
Y a-t-il des choses que vous jugez indispensables à apporter? Nous pensions acheter sur place la nourriture pour bébé...
Est-ce que votre bébé est tombé malade?
Les ruines de Coba avec bébé, est-ce faisable?
Avez-vous un quelconque conseil pour voyager avec un bébé au Yucatan?
Merci et au plaisir de lire vos conseils.
Dominique et JF
Bonjour,
Nous pensons voyager en novembre 2018 au Yucatan pour une semaine avec notre bébé qui aura 7 mois. Nous avons pensé louer un logement avec cuisine à Puerto Morelos et/ou Isla Holbox.
Êtes-vous déjà allés à l'une ou l'autre de ces destinations avec un bébé? Non. Mais je connais les deux endroits.
J'ai acheté une maison en Condo à Puerto Morelos mais coté Colonia. Il y a peu de chances de trouver un condo à PM en bord de mer, je n'en connais pas. Le bord de mer est trusté par les hôtels et les maisons louables sur la partie littorale de PM ne sont pas en condo. Il y a par contre des Condos sympa car récents sur la Colonia avec filtrage des entrées et enceintes fermées. PalmaGrand (PG): le dernier livré à ma connaissance, là où j'ai acheté. Je ne suis pas en train de vous "vendre" ma maison car elle n'est pas encore prête à être louée. Mais vous pourriez peut-être y trouver un beau logement loué par un autre propriétaire. Puerto Marino: Mêmes maisons qu'à PG mais toutes mitoyennes quand elles ne le sont que deux à deux à PG. Palma Real: Plans des maisons quasi identiques aux deux premiers mais lotissement livré en 2015-2016.
Holbox est une île sans voiture qui offre des paysages dignes des plus belles photos de rivages tropicaux. L'ambiance y est au farniente et au repos :) Ile sans voiture ne signifie pas ile sans véhicules et les voiturettes de golf y pullulent. On peut en louer, à l'heure, à la demi-journée, à la journée. On s'y habitue assez vite, malheureusement si je puis dire, mais l'odeur de gaz d'échappement n'est pas au départ anodine. Les plages sont à tomber, l'eau est bleue souvent cristalline et toujours chaude :)
A ma connaissance là encore, pas de condo sur l'île. Il vous faudra laisser votre voiture à Chiquila, compter 100 pesos de parking/24h dans une enceinte privée.
Avez-vous une suggestion de condo à louer en bord de mer? Réponse au-dessus. Pas à ma connaissance sur Puerto Morelos. Mais, de PalmaGrand, le plus éloigné avec Puerto Marino de la mer, il faut 10 minutes en voiture pour être garé à Puerto Morelos "plage" et avoir les pieds dans le sable. Un peu moins depuis PalmaReal situé en bordure de la 307, la carretera Federale Cancun-Bélize, donc un peu plus de bruit cependant. Et le trafic routier camion est important, même la nuit, donc attention à ne pas trop louer en bordure...
Avez-vous trouvé des pots sans sucre et agent de conservation? Je sais qu'il y a un Walmart... Le Mexique est un pays développé et vous devriez pouvoir y trouver , à certaines marques près, tout ce que vous trouvez en France. Il y a effectivement les Walmart mais aussi les CHEDRAUI, qui semble être une enseigne locale mais déclinée du petit supermarché de quartier à l'hyper comparable aux nôtres comme celui de Playa del Carmen. Les mexicains ont aussi des enfants, et donc sauf si peut-être habitudes alimentaires ou besoins alimentaires spécifiques, pas de soucis de ce coté là.
Avez-vous apporté une poussette? Est-ce que ça roule bien à Puerto Morelos ou Isla Holbox? Ou c'est mieux un porte-bébé. J'opterai pour le porte-bébé car même si le Mexique est un pays magnifique, ses infrastructures ne sont pas toujours toutes super bien entretenues, notamment les trottoirs. Puerto Morelos était en travaux importants en avril mai pour remettre à niveau son centre dans la partie littorale mais je vous conseillerai quand même le porte bébé n'ayant pas plus d'infos sur l'état actuel des trottoirs depuis. Au niveau de la colonia, idem. Très animée en soirée souvent, le porte bébé semble être une bonne alternative à la poussette. LA circulation dans Puerto Morelos colonia est très souvent fluide et sans souci particulier. Attention au Dimanche surla partie littorale et dans une moindre mesure sur la colonia car c'est le jour de repos des Mexicains et la plage fait partie de leur essence vitale. C'est festif, s uper sympa, bariolé et joyeux. Mais respectueux. Il est donc souvent plus difficile de se garer ce jour là. Mais pas impossible.
Avez-vous loué une voiture avec siège de bébé (pas pour Holbox)? Si oui, quelle était la compagnie? Je te conseille Expedia.fr par qui je suis passé lors de mes deux derniers séjours. Tu peux te faire rappeler par un de leurs agents qui te dira tout. J'ai trouvé les meilleurs tarifs chez eux et des prestations comme indiquées, pas de surprises. Attention aux assurances supplémentaires qu'on te demandera de prendre sur place. Il faut réfléchir, ca double le prix de la location parfois mais cela peut aussi être le prix de la tranquillité. J'ai loué par Mexx et Alamo sur place via Expedia.fr. Les deux rien à dire.
Avez-vous visité un cenote avec un jeune bébé? Une suggestion? Les cenotes sont innombrables, plus de 10 000 connus dans le Yucatan et le Quintana roo. L'eau y est fraîche, de 20, parfois moins, à 24 degrés en moyenne. Certains sont affleurant à la surface de la terre (Cénote Azul en allant vers Tulum depuis Playa del Carmen, surla droite de la CF 307), d'autres sont accessibles via des escaliers car la surface de l'eau se situe entre 10 et 30 mètres sous la surface de la terre. Dans ce type de cenote, certains sont à ciel ouvert (X'canche à Valladolid) ou souterrain (Chaak Tun à Playa del Carmen où on vous équipe en snorkeling, inadapté au pitchoun de 7 mois selon toute vraisemblance. Ou bien Suytun à Valladolid mais là, mis à part les marches à descendre pour rejoindre l'eau, parfaitement réalisable avec le pitchoun). Il faut donc préparer sa visite de cenotes depuis la France pour être sur de son coup. A savoir que depuis Puerto Morelos débute la ruta de cenotes qui semble offrir différents types de formations: www.tripadvisor.fr/...catan_Peninsula.html
Est-ce que la mer (plage) est belle à la fin novembre à Puerto Morelos ou Isla Holbox? Oui. Même si depuis cette année, il est dit qu'il y a des sargasses sur les plages (peu ou pas du tout à Holbox où j'ai passé deux jours en avril dernier) cela n'a rien à voir avec les champs d'algues que j'ai pu voir aux infos dans les antilles françaises. Il y a des algues sur quelques mètres en bord de rivage mais très vite (10 à 15m) on retrouvait en mai dernier une eau cristalline sans problème. Après c'est à l'appréciation de chacun de voir si c'est de nature à pourrir un séjour ou pas. Cela n'a pas ruiné le mien dans tous les cas. :)
Y a-t-il des choses que vous jugez indispensables à apporter? Nous pensions acheter sur place la nourriture pour bébé... Comme dit plus haut vous devriez pouvoir trouver tout ce dont vous aurez besoin sur place. Si vous louez une maison ou un appartement, vous avez 90% de chance d'y trouver un blender dans la cuisine. Donc de quoi faire éventuellement à manger en frais. Il faut absolument par contre penser à rincer les légumes, ne jamais boire l'eau du robinet même si les choses ne semblent pas être aussi catastrophiques que souvent dit. L'eau s'achète en bouteilles comme en France ou bien en conditionnement en magasins (walmart ou Chedraui) de 5 et 10 litres. Il peut exister de plus gros conditionnement mais je vous en déconseille l'achat, la manipulation devient galère :) Comptez cependant que vous allez très certainement doubler votre consommation d'eau sur place par rapport à la France. J'y étais en avril mai, je n'étais pas loin de 4litres d'eau par jour sous 35°. Et plus encore selon vos activités. Sans oublier les autres boissons (cerveza y margarita ) .
Attention aux glaçons!!! A faire aussi avec de l'eau en bouteille, comme la cuisson des aliments même si la T° de 100 degrés atteinte supprime pas mal de menaces. Idem pour le brossage des dents, pensez à l'eau en bouteille.
Là encore, si vous louez une maison, il y a de fortes chances que vous y trouviez une glacière. Sinon, achetez en une. Et partez toujours avec de l'eau, surtout si vous prévoyez de faire un peu de route. Reste aussi la possibilité de s'arrêter et d'acheter au coup par coup ce dont on a besoin mais j'avais de mon coté très vite pris l'habitude de l'eau glacée dans la glacière, voire même dans l'habitacle du véhicule. A noter que, en caricaturant, la clim des voitures n'a que deux réglages, ou presque, A fond et arrêtée. Et ca donne soif.
en cas de galère, sachez que les magasins OXXO, il y en a des dizaines, sont ouvert 7/7 et 24/24. Vous ne pouvez pas ne pas en trouver. C'est impossible :) Les tarifs y sont légèrement plus élevés que dans les enseignes déjà citées mais c'est très raisonnable. Donc pas de panique si vous partez sans eau par oubli :)
A prendre: Les protections solaires MAX, les apaisants pour piqures de moustiques (bien plus rares que dans le Var où je réside), les répulsifs à moustiques aussi, utiles en jungle, lunette de soleil. Les chapeaux, ombrelles aussi mais vous trouverez tout sur place à des prix bas, je ne suis pas certain qu'ile st utile de vous embarrasser avec depuis la France, sauf peut-être pour le pitchou qui l'aura de suite dès l'arrivée,
Je sais qu'il existe des produits spéciaux pour "stériliser" les légumes frais, il suffit de qques gouttes à ajouter à l'eau pour les rincer et les laisser tremper 10-15 minutes. Mais je ne trouve pas le nom. Pharmacie? Médecin? A voir sur place peut-être.
Pour le reste, mais mes enfants sont maintenant grands, je ne vois pas d'autres conseils à vous donner. Si vous avez d'autres questions....
Est-ce que votre bébé est tombé malade? La tourista est une éventualité à prendre en compte, partir avec une automédication adaptée sur avis du médecin est à envisager. C'est ce que nous faisons à chaque fois. En 11 semaines sur place et en ayant bu de l'eau du robinet par mégarde à plusieurs reprises, de même que je me suis souvent brossé et rincé les dents avec l'eau du robinet, je n'ai pas été malade. D'où mon commentaire laissé plus haut sur une situation parfois annoncée comme plus grave qu'en réalité. Mais le conseil de la plus grande prudence face à l'eau bue reste valable. Mon épouse a connu un épisode transitoire (trois jours), mon fils rien. Est-ce une vérité universelle, je ne pense pas. Les exemples de gens tombés malades sont nombreux. Donc prudence. Notamment pour le bébé.
Les ruines de Coba avec bébé, est-ce faisable? Oui. Vous ne monterez sans doute pas au sommet de la pyramide car la descente est dangereuse mais lCoba se visite sans soucis avec le bébé, d'autant qu'une grande partie du site reste sous couvert de végétation, donc pas mal d'ombre.
Avez-vous un quelconque conseil pour voyager avec un bébé au Yucatan? Surveillez l'hydratation sera mon conseil unique. pour le reste, l'évidence, la protection contre le soleil est constante.
Merci et au plaisir de lire vos conseils. Dominique et JF
JP et Valérie Futurs expats :) Bon voyage à tous les trois.
Plage de XPU HA après Playa del Carmen, direction Tulum. 24 avril 2018 Peu d'algues dans l'eau.
Cenote Azul
Êtes-vous déjà allés à l'une ou l'autre de ces destinations avec un bébé? Non. Mais je connais les deux endroits.
J'ai acheté une maison en Condo à Puerto Morelos mais coté Colonia. Il y a peu de chances de trouver un condo à PM en bord de mer, je n'en connais pas. Le bord de mer est trusté par les hôtels et les maisons louables sur la partie littorale de PM ne sont pas en condo. Il y a par contre des Condos sympa car récents sur la Colonia avec filtrage des entrées et enceintes fermées. PalmaGrand (PG): le dernier livré à ma connaissance, là où j'ai acheté. Je ne suis pas en train de vous "vendre" ma maison car elle n'est pas encore prête à être louée. Mais vous pourriez peut-être y trouver un beau logement loué par un autre propriétaire. Puerto Marino: Mêmes maisons qu'à PG mais toutes mitoyennes quand elles ne le sont que deux à deux à PG. Palma Real: Plans des maisons quasi identiques aux deux premiers mais lotissement livré en 2015-2016.
Holbox est une île sans voiture qui offre des paysages dignes des plus belles photos de rivages tropicaux. L'ambiance y est au farniente et au repos :) Ile sans voiture ne signifie pas ile sans véhicules et les voiturettes de golf y pullulent. On peut en louer, à l'heure, à la demi-journée, à la journée. On s'y habitue assez vite, malheureusement si je puis dire, mais l'odeur de gaz d'échappement n'est pas au départ anodine. Les plages sont à tomber, l'eau est bleue souvent cristalline et toujours chaude :)
A ma connaissance là encore, pas de condo sur l'île. Il vous faudra laisser votre voiture à Chiquila, compter 100 pesos de parking/24h dans une enceinte privée.
Avez-vous une suggestion de condo à louer en bord de mer? Réponse au-dessus. Pas à ma connaissance sur Puerto Morelos. Mais, de PalmaGrand, le plus éloigné avec Puerto Marino de la mer, il faut 10 minutes en voiture pour être garé à Puerto Morelos "plage" et avoir les pieds dans le sable. Un peu moins depuis PalmaReal situé en bordure de la 307, la carretera Federale Cancun-Bélize, donc un peu plus de bruit cependant. Et le trafic routier camion est important, même la nuit, donc attention à ne pas trop louer en bordure...
Avez-vous trouvé des pots sans sucre et agent de conservation? Je sais qu'il y a un Walmart... Le Mexique est un pays développé et vous devriez pouvoir y trouver , à certaines marques près, tout ce que vous trouvez en France. Il y a effectivement les Walmart mais aussi les CHEDRAUI, qui semble être une enseigne locale mais déclinée du petit supermarché de quartier à l'hyper comparable aux nôtres comme celui de Playa del Carmen. Les mexicains ont aussi des enfants, et donc sauf si peut-être habitudes alimentaires ou besoins alimentaires spécifiques, pas de soucis de ce coté là.
Avez-vous apporté une poussette? Est-ce que ça roule bien à Puerto Morelos ou Isla Holbox? Ou c'est mieux un porte-bébé. J'opterai pour le porte-bébé car même si le Mexique est un pays magnifique, ses infrastructures ne sont pas toujours toutes super bien entretenues, notamment les trottoirs. Puerto Morelos était en travaux importants en avril mai pour remettre à niveau son centre dans la partie littorale mais je vous conseillerai quand même le porte bébé n'ayant pas plus d'infos sur l'état actuel des trottoirs depuis. Au niveau de la colonia, idem. Très animée en soirée souvent, le porte bébé semble être une bonne alternative à la poussette. LA circulation dans Puerto Morelos colonia est très souvent fluide et sans souci particulier. Attention au Dimanche surla partie littorale et dans une moindre mesure sur la colonia car c'est le jour de repos des Mexicains et la plage fait partie de leur essence vitale. C'est festif, s uper sympa, bariolé et joyeux. Mais respectueux. Il est donc souvent plus difficile de se garer ce jour là. Mais pas impossible.
Avez-vous loué une voiture avec siège de bébé (pas pour Holbox)? Si oui, quelle était la compagnie? Je te conseille Expedia.fr par qui je suis passé lors de mes deux derniers séjours. Tu peux te faire rappeler par un de leurs agents qui te dira tout. J'ai trouvé les meilleurs tarifs chez eux et des prestations comme indiquées, pas de surprises. Attention aux assurances supplémentaires qu'on te demandera de prendre sur place. Il faut réfléchir, ca double le prix de la location parfois mais cela peut aussi être le prix de la tranquillité. J'ai loué par Mexx et Alamo sur place via Expedia.fr. Les deux rien à dire.
Avez-vous visité un cenote avec un jeune bébé? Une suggestion? Les cenotes sont innombrables, plus de 10 000 connus dans le Yucatan et le Quintana roo. L'eau y est fraîche, de 20, parfois moins, à 24 degrés en moyenne. Certains sont affleurant à la surface de la terre (Cénote Azul en allant vers Tulum depuis Playa del Carmen, surla droite de la CF 307), d'autres sont accessibles via des escaliers car la surface de l'eau se situe entre 10 et 30 mètres sous la surface de la terre. Dans ce type de cenote, certains sont à ciel ouvert (X'canche à Valladolid) ou souterrain (Chaak Tun à Playa del Carmen où on vous équipe en snorkeling, inadapté au pitchoun de 7 mois selon toute vraisemblance. Ou bien Suytun à Valladolid mais là, mis à part les marches à descendre pour rejoindre l'eau, parfaitement réalisable avec le pitchoun). Il faut donc préparer sa visite de cenotes depuis la France pour être sur de son coup. A savoir que depuis Puerto Morelos débute la ruta de cenotes qui semble offrir différents types de formations: www.tripadvisor.fr/...catan_Peninsula.html
Est-ce que la mer (plage) est belle à la fin novembre à Puerto Morelos ou Isla Holbox? Oui. Même si depuis cette année, il est dit qu'il y a des sargasses sur les plages (peu ou pas du tout à Holbox où j'ai passé deux jours en avril dernier) cela n'a rien à voir avec les champs d'algues que j'ai pu voir aux infos dans les antilles françaises. Il y a des algues sur quelques mètres en bord de rivage mais très vite (10 à 15m) on retrouvait en mai dernier une eau cristalline sans problème. Après c'est à l'appréciation de chacun de voir si c'est de nature à pourrir un séjour ou pas. Cela n'a pas ruiné le mien dans tous les cas. :)
Y a-t-il des choses que vous jugez indispensables à apporter? Nous pensions acheter sur place la nourriture pour bébé... Comme dit plus haut vous devriez pouvoir trouver tout ce dont vous aurez besoin sur place. Si vous louez une maison ou un appartement, vous avez 90% de chance d'y trouver un blender dans la cuisine. Donc de quoi faire éventuellement à manger en frais. Il faut absolument par contre penser à rincer les légumes, ne jamais boire l'eau du robinet même si les choses ne semblent pas être aussi catastrophiques que souvent dit. L'eau s'achète en bouteilles comme en France ou bien en conditionnement en magasins (walmart ou Chedraui) de 5 et 10 litres. Il peut exister de plus gros conditionnement mais je vous en déconseille l'achat, la manipulation devient galère :) Comptez cependant que vous allez très certainement doubler votre consommation d'eau sur place par rapport à la France. J'y étais en avril mai, je n'étais pas loin de 4litres d'eau par jour sous 35°. Et plus encore selon vos activités. Sans oublier les autres boissons (cerveza y margarita ) .
Attention aux glaçons!!! A faire aussi avec de l'eau en bouteille, comme la cuisson des aliments même si la T° de 100 degrés atteinte supprime pas mal de menaces. Idem pour le brossage des dents, pensez à l'eau en bouteille.
Là encore, si vous louez une maison, il y a de fortes chances que vous y trouviez une glacière. Sinon, achetez en une. Et partez toujours avec de l'eau, surtout si vous prévoyez de faire un peu de route. Reste aussi la possibilité de s'arrêter et d'acheter au coup par coup ce dont on a besoin mais j'avais de mon coté très vite pris l'habitude de l'eau glacée dans la glacière, voire même dans l'habitacle du véhicule. A noter que, en caricaturant, la clim des voitures n'a que deux réglages, ou presque, A fond et arrêtée. Et ca donne soif.
en cas de galère, sachez que les magasins OXXO, il y en a des dizaines, sont ouvert 7/7 et 24/24. Vous ne pouvez pas ne pas en trouver. C'est impossible :) Les tarifs y sont légèrement plus élevés que dans les enseignes déjà citées mais c'est très raisonnable. Donc pas de panique si vous partez sans eau par oubli :)
A prendre: Les protections solaires MAX, les apaisants pour piqures de moustiques (bien plus rares que dans le Var où je réside), les répulsifs à moustiques aussi, utiles en jungle, lunette de soleil. Les chapeaux, ombrelles aussi mais vous trouverez tout sur place à des prix bas, je ne suis pas certain qu'ile st utile de vous embarrasser avec depuis la France, sauf peut-être pour le pitchou qui l'aura de suite dès l'arrivée,
Je sais qu'il existe des produits spéciaux pour "stériliser" les légumes frais, il suffit de qques gouttes à ajouter à l'eau pour les rincer et les laisser tremper 10-15 minutes. Mais je ne trouve pas le nom. Pharmacie? Médecin? A voir sur place peut-être.
Pour le reste, mais mes enfants sont maintenant grands, je ne vois pas d'autres conseils à vous donner. Si vous avez d'autres questions....
Est-ce que votre bébé est tombé malade? La tourista est une éventualité à prendre en compte, partir avec une automédication adaptée sur avis du médecin est à envisager. C'est ce que nous faisons à chaque fois. En 11 semaines sur place et en ayant bu de l'eau du robinet par mégarde à plusieurs reprises, de même que je me suis souvent brossé et rincé les dents avec l'eau du robinet, je n'ai pas été malade. D'où mon commentaire laissé plus haut sur une situation parfois annoncée comme plus grave qu'en réalité. Mais le conseil de la plus grande prudence face à l'eau bue reste valable. Mon épouse a connu un épisode transitoire (trois jours), mon fils rien. Est-ce une vérité universelle, je ne pense pas. Les exemples de gens tombés malades sont nombreux. Donc prudence. Notamment pour le bébé.
Les ruines de Coba avec bébé, est-ce faisable? Oui. Vous ne monterez sans doute pas au sommet de la pyramide car la descente est dangereuse mais lCoba se visite sans soucis avec le bébé, d'autant qu'une grande partie du site reste sous couvert de végétation, donc pas mal d'ombre.
Avez-vous un quelconque conseil pour voyager avec un bébé au Yucatan? Surveillez l'hydratation sera mon conseil unique. pour le reste, l'évidence, la protection contre le soleil est constante.
Merci et au plaisir de lire vos conseils. Dominique et JF
JP et Valérie Futurs expats :) Bon voyage à tous les trois.
Plage de XPU HA après Playa del Carmen, direction Tulum. 24 avril 2018 Peu d'algues dans l'eau.

Cenote Azul

MSC Melody... Croisière à oublier rapidement.
Mexique - Incroyable découverte - Expat à court terme
Bonjour et merci pour votre réponse sympa.
En fait Puerto Morelos est composée de deux parties si je peux m'exprimer ainsi.
La partie littorale construite autour du village de pécheurs initial qui est Puerto Morelos à proprement parler.
Et la partie appelée Colonia Zetina Gazca de mémoire qui est la ville qui s'est développée au-delà de la CF 307, que je nomme "colonia" dans mon message précédent.
Entre les deux, soit entre la 307 et Puerto Morelos "plage", il y a de la mangrove et une forme de lagune non navigable à ma connaissance. Et sans doute jamais constructible, la ville ne pouvant donc que s'étaler le long de la 307 ou bien s'échapper vers la jungle, éloignant peu à peu ses futurs quartiers de la plage.
Sur le littoral, un peu plus loin en allant vers Playa del Carmen, on trouve un terminal portuaire assez moderne m'a t'on dit.
Voilà pour les infos complémentaires
Bonne journée
JP
MSC Melody... Croisière à oublier rapidement.
Mexique - Incroyable découverte - Expat à court terme
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Do you have any suggestions for things to see—visits, beaches, viewpoints, villages, or excursions—to make the most of our journey?
Thanks everyone!
This summer, we’ve decided to do a 3-week road trip starting from Nice and heading down to Ksamil in Albania.
We’re leaving from Nice, and our route is already pretty much set: Nice - Verona (Italy) - Rijeka (Croatia) - Zadar - Split - Budva (Montenegro) - Shkodër (Albania) - Ksamil, then back through Italy via Bari.
The itinerary is packed! 🙂
Do you have any suggestions for things to see—visits, beaches, viewpoints, villages, or excursions—to make the most of our journey?
Thanks everyone!
Hi everyone,
I’ve read the forum a lot and found a wealth of information. I’ve tried to compile all of it into our itinerary and would love your feedback to finalize the bookings (we’re planning this *very* last-minute).
Here’s what we’re thinking of doing: 22 July: arrival in Johannesburg Night of 22–23: Johannesburg Nights of 23–26: Marloth Park (with Kruger visits on the 24th, 25th, and a crossing visit on the 26th) Nights of 26–28: Graskop (visiting the canyon and Panorama Road on the 27th and 28th) Nights of 28–30: Hoedspruit (visiting the central area of Kruger on the 29th?) Nights of 30 July–1 August: Balule Park (private reserve with safari) Nights of 1–5 August: flight from Hoedspruit to Cape Town, then 2 days in Cape Town, 1 day on the peninsula, and 2 days for wine (just the route) or something else based on your advice (we don’t know where to stay—whether to stay all 5 nights in Cape Town and where in the city, or do 2 nights in Cape Town and 3 nights nearby—but where?) Night of 5–6 August: Kelders for penguins and whales Nights of 6–8 August: Tsitsikamma (what is there to do/see?) Nights of 8–10 August: Addo Park on the 9th 10 August: flight from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg and back home
What do you think? Is there a lot of driving time?
We’d really appreciate your comments and suggestions. Thanks!
Nadia
I’ve read the forum a lot and found a wealth of information. I’ve tried to compile all of it into our itinerary and would love your feedback to finalize the bookings (we’re planning this *very* last-minute).
Here’s what we’re thinking of doing: 22 July: arrival in Johannesburg Night of 22–23: Johannesburg Nights of 23–26: Marloth Park (with Kruger visits on the 24th, 25th, and a crossing visit on the 26th) Nights of 26–28: Graskop (visiting the canyon and Panorama Road on the 27th and 28th) Nights of 28–30: Hoedspruit (visiting the central area of Kruger on the 29th?) Nights of 30 July–1 August: Balule Park (private reserve with safari) Nights of 1–5 August: flight from Hoedspruit to Cape Town, then 2 days in Cape Town, 1 day on the peninsula, and 2 days for wine (just the route) or something else based on your advice (we don’t know where to stay—whether to stay all 5 nights in Cape Town and where in the city, or do 2 nights in Cape Town and 3 nights nearby—but where?) Night of 5–6 August: Kelders for penguins and whales Nights of 6–8 August: Tsitsikamma (what is there to do/see?) Nights of 8–10 August: Addo Park on the 9th 10 August: flight from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg and back home
What do you think? Is there a lot of driving time?
We’d really appreciate your comments and suggestions. Thanks!
Nadia
Hi there, we're planning our vacation in Indonesia. We're a family with two kids aged 11 and 14. We leave on July 26th and return on August 17th, 2026.
We initially planned to visit Bali, Komodo, and Flores, but after looking into it more, we came across Sumatra, which is less touristy... a real plus for us. However, skipping Bali might be a shame.
I was wondering if spending 12 days in Sumatra and finishing with about 7 days in Bali is a doable plan.
Thanks for your feedback!
We initially planned to visit Bali, Komodo, and Flores, but after looking into it more, we came across Sumatra, which is less touristy... a real plus for us. However, skipping Bali might be a shame.
I was wondering if spending 12 days in Sumatra and finishing with about 7 days in Bali is a doable plan.
Thanks for your feedback!
5 days in Armenia with an 8-month-old baby
Hi everyone,
I wanted to share our experience after a 5-day trip to Armenia with my wife and our 8-month-old baby.
It’s a destination that’s still relatively unknown, but it’s really worth the trip, especially if you enjoy cultural, spiritual, historical, and human-centered travel.
We were looking for a change of scenery but not too complicated with a baby—and easy to organize (even though our travel agency helped us a lot, thanks to them! 😊). In the end, Armenia was a wonderful surprise. It’s not a "postcard-perfect" destination. It’s a raw, mountainous, ancient country with real depth.
And most importantly: Armenians *love* children.
That’s probably what surprised us the most. In restaurants, waitresses, owners, or even other customers would naturally come over to play with our baby, hold them for a few minutes, smile at them, or keep them entertained while we ate. It wasn’t intrusive. It was very natural, very family-oriented. You can tell that children have a real place in society. For parents traveling with a baby, it’s honestly a pleasure.
Day 1 — Yerevan
We started with Yerevan, a pleasant capital that’s quite easy to explore with a child.
The city isn’t huge. You can stroll around Republic Square, visit cafés, discover markets, and walk at a relaxed pace.
With a baby, it’s pretty practical: you can easily take breaks, return to the hotel, or go back out in the evening. The vibe is laid-back, family-friendly, and we felt safe.
In the evening, Yerevan is very lively. The restaurants are welcoming, and almost everywhere, our baby drew smiles.
Day 2 — Etchmiadzin and Khor Virap
On the second day, we headed to Etchmiadzin, the spiritual heart of Armenia. It’s an important place for understanding the country and its Christian identity.
Then, we visited Khor Virap, facing Mount Ararat.
It’s probably one of the most striking places on the trip. The monastery, the plain, the distant Ararat—everything is visually and symbolically powerful.
With a baby, you just need to plan a relaxed pace, avoid rushing, and take your time.
Day 3 — Garni and Geghard
The third day was one of our favorites.
We visited the Temple of Garni, very different from the monasteries, with a stunning setting in the mountains.
Then we went to Geghard, a monastery partially carved into the rock.
The atmosphere is incredible. It’s quiet, mineral, almost timeless. Even if you’re not very religious, you feel something.
With a child, the visit goes well, but again, it’s best not to overload the day. The key is to keep a flexible pace.
Day 4 — Noravank
On the fourth day, we headed to Noravank.
The road itself is an experience: dry landscapes, mountains, red rocks, valleys. The monastery is surrounded by impressive cliffs.
It’s one of the most beautiful sites we saw in Armenia.
You really get the sense that Armenian monasteries were built in impossible places—between sky, stone, and mountain.
Along the way, you can also pass through the Areni region, known for its wine. With a baby, we mostly prioritized simple breaks, relaxed meals, and uncompressed travel times.
Day 5 — Lake Sevan and return to Yerevan
For the last day, we went to Lake Sevan.
The lake is vast, bright, and surrounded by mountains. The Sevanavank Monastery, up high, offers a beautiful view.
It’s a gentler stop, perfect for ending the trip.
Then we returned to Yerevan for a final dinner. Once again, the welcome in restaurants stood out. In Armenia, traveling with a baby isn’t seen as a hassle. On the contrary, people spontaneously come up to the child.
Our overall impression
In 5 days, you obviously don’t see all of Armenia. To reach Tatev, Dilijan, Haghpat, or Sanahin, you’d need more like 7 to 10 days.
But for a first visit, 5 days are enough to feel the essence: Yerevan, the major monasteries, Mount Ararat, the landscapes, the Christian history, and the Armenian hospitality.
What we loved most:
- the kindness of people toward our baby; - the very family-friendly atmosphere; - the monasteries in incredible landscapes; - the view of Mount Ararat from Khor Virap; - the atmosphere of Geghard; - the cliffs of Noravank; - the food; - the feeling of safety; - the fact that the country is still relatively untouched by mass tourism.
What to know when traveling with a baby:
- distances can be longer than expected; - some roads are mountainous; - avoid overloading the day; - it’s better to have a driver or a car; - plan for breaks, water, diapers, baby meals; - a stroller isn’t always practical on ancient sites; - a baby carrier can be very useful.
Recommended 5-day itinerary
For a first trip, I’d suggest:
Day 1: Yerevan Day 2: Etchmiadzin + Khor Virap Day 3: Garni + Geghard Day 4: Noravank + Areni Day 5: Sevan + return to Yerevan
It’s balanced, not too tiring, and gives a great first impression of the country.
Conclusion
Armenia is a wonderful destination with a baby, as long as you travel slowly and don’t try to see everything.
What touched us most, beyond the landscapes and monasteries, was the attitude toward children. There, you feel that babies are welcomed with real tenderness. In restaurants, people naturally helped us, played with our child, and gave us a few minutes to breathe.
That’s rare, and it makes a big difference in the travel experience.
Armenia isn’t a destination you consume quickly. It’s a country that you *feel*.
For those who love cultural, spiritual, historical, family, and human-centered travel, I highly recommend it.
Hi everyone,
I wanted to share our experience after a 5-day trip to Armenia with my wife and our 8-month-old baby.
It’s a destination that’s still relatively unknown, but it’s really worth the trip, especially if you enjoy cultural, spiritual, historical, and human-centered travel.
We were looking for a change of scenery but not too complicated with a baby—and easy to organize (even though our travel agency helped us a lot, thanks to them! 😊). In the end, Armenia was a wonderful surprise. It’s not a "postcard-perfect" destination. It’s a raw, mountainous, ancient country with real depth.
And most importantly: Armenians *love* children.
That’s probably what surprised us the most. In restaurants, waitresses, owners, or even other customers would naturally come over to play with our baby, hold them for a few minutes, smile at them, or keep them entertained while we ate. It wasn’t intrusive. It was very natural, very family-oriented. You can tell that children have a real place in society. For parents traveling with a baby, it’s honestly a pleasure.
Day 1 — Yerevan
We started with Yerevan, a pleasant capital that’s quite easy to explore with a child.
The city isn’t huge. You can stroll around Republic Square, visit cafés, discover markets, and walk at a relaxed pace.
With a baby, it’s pretty practical: you can easily take breaks, return to the hotel, or go back out in the evening. The vibe is laid-back, family-friendly, and we felt safe.
In the evening, Yerevan is very lively. The restaurants are welcoming, and almost everywhere, our baby drew smiles.
Day 2 — Etchmiadzin and Khor Virap
On the second day, we headed to Etchmiadzin, the spiritual heart of Armenia. It’s an important place for understanding the country and its Christian identity.
Then, we visited Khor Virap, facing Mount Ararat.
It’s probably one of the most striking places on the trip. The monastery, the plain, the distant Ararat—everything is visually and symbolically powerful.
With a baby, you just need to plan a relaxed pace, avoid rushing, and take your time.
Day 3 — Garni and Geghard
The third day was one of our favorites.
We visited the Temple of Garni, very different from the monasteries, with a stunning setting in the mountains.
Then we went to Geghard, a monastery partially carved into the rock.
The atmosphere is incredible. It’s quiet, mineral, almost timeless. Even if you’re not very religious, you feel something.
With a child, the visit goes well, but again, it’s best not to overload the day. The key is to keep a flexible pace.
Day 4 — Noravank
On the fourth day, we headed to Noravank.
The road itself is an experience: dry landscapes, mountains, red rocks, valleys. The monastery is surrounded by impressive cliffs.
It’s one of the most beautiful sites we saw in Armenia.
You really get the sense that Armenian monasteries were built in impossible places—between sky, stone, and mountain.
Along the way, you can also pass through the Areni region, known for its wine. With a baby, we mostly prioritized simple breaks, relaxed meals, and uncompressed travel times.
Day 5 — Lake Sevan and return to Yerevan
For the last day, we went to Lake Sevan.
The lake is vast, bright, and surrounded by mountains. The Sevanavank Monastery, up high, offers a beautiful view.
It’s a gentler stop, perfect for ending the trip.
Then we returned to Yerevan for a final dinner. Once again, the welcome in restaurants stood out. In Armenia, traveling with a baby isn’t seen as a hassle. On the contrary, people spontaneously come up to the child.
Our overall impression
In 5 days, you obviously don’t see all of Armenia. To reach Tatev, Dilijan, Haghpat, or Sanahin, you’d need more like 7 to 10 days.
But for a first visit, 5 days are enough to feel the essence: Yerevan, the major monasteries, Mount Ararat, the landscapes, the Christian history, and the Armenian hospitality.
What we loved most:
- the kindness of people toward our baby; - the very family-friendly atmosphere; - the monasteries in incredible landscapes; - the view of Mount Ararat from Khor Virap; - the atmosphere of Geghard; - the cliffs of Noravank; - the food; - the feeling of safety; - the fact that the country is still relatively untouched by mass tourism.
What to know when traveling with a baby:
- distances can be longer than expected; - some roads are mountainous; - avoid overloading the day; - it’s better to have a driver or a car; - plan for breaks, water, diapers, baby meals; - a stroller isn’t always practical on ancient sites; - a baby carrier can be very useful.
Recommended 5-day itinerary
For a first trip, I’d suggest:
Day 1: Yerevan Day 2: Etchmiadzin + Khor Virap Day 3: Garni + Geghard Day 4: Noravank + Areni Day 5: Sevan + return to Yerevan
It’s balanced, not too tiring, and gives a great first impression of the country.
Conclusion
Armenia is a wonderful destination with a baby, as long as you travel slowly and don’t try to see everything.
What touched us most, beyond the landscapes and monasteries, was the attitude toward children. There, you feel that babies are welcomed with real tenderness. In restaurants, people naturally helped us, played with our child, and gave us a few minutes to breathe.
That’s rare, and it makes a big difference in the travel experience.
Armenia isn’t a destination you consume quickly. It’s a country that you *feel*.
For those who love cultural, spiritual, historical, family, and human-centered travel, I highly recommend it.
Hi,
I’m traveling with my 5-year-old son this summer to Northern Thailand, Northern Vietnam, Yunnan, and Indonesia. I plan to equip him with a GPS tracker, but the SIM cards come with a contract. Do you know what the options are in Asia?
Thanks,
Nora
Hi there,
We’d like to spend 2 days in Lyon in May with our 8- and 12-year-old kids, exploring the city on foot.
We’ll arrive on day 1 around 11 AM and leave on day 2 around 6 PM.
I’ve mapped out two routes and was wondering if they’re doable in our 2 days, and if you have any tips or info on visit prices.
We’re not sure where to stay yet, but we’d like to optimize by booking accommodation (hotel or Airbnb) between the two routes, maybe?
Thanks for your help!
I’ve mapped out two routes and was wondering if they’re doable in our 2 days, and if you have any tips or info on visit prices.
We’re not sure where to stay yet, but we’d like to optimize by booking accommodation (hotel or Airbnb) between the two routes, maybe?
Thanks for your help!
Hi there!
I’m planning a trip with my wife and our three kids (ages 9, 6, and 3) from April 16 to May 6.
I’ve started sketching out the itinerary, trying to alternate between visits, hikes, safaris, and downtime. I want to keep the pace relaxed given the kids’ ages.
Could you let me know what you think of this route? I removed Nuwara Eliya, which I had originally planned before Ella, to cut down on stops. I was also wondering if I should break up the Arugam Bay to Colombo leg with an overnight in Galle, since it’s a long drive.
Thanks in advance for your feedback!
Day 1 – 04/16: Wilpattu Arrival at the airport (08:00) + transfer to Wilpattu (180 km, 4–5 h) + afternoon safari Overnight: Wilpattu Day 2 – 04/17: Wilpattu Morning & afternoon safari Overnight: Wilpattu Day 3 – 04/18: Trincomalee Transfer Wilpattu → Trincomalee (200 km, 4–5 h) + beach relaxation Overnight: Trincomalee Day 4 – 04/19: Trincomalee Nilaveli Beach Overnight: Trincomalee Day 5 – 04/20: Trincomalee Pigeon Island snorkeling Overnight: Trincomalee Day 6 – 04/21: Trincomalee Fort Frederick & relaxation Overnight: Trincomalee Day 7 – 04/22: Sigiriya Transfer Trincomalee → Sigiriya (120 km, ~3 h) + visit to Dambulla Overnight: Sigiriya Day 8 – 04/23: Sigiriya Sigiriya Rock Overnight: Sigiriya Day 9 – 04/24: Sigiriya Minneriya safari Overnight: Sigiriya Day 10 – 04/25: Sigiriya Polonnaruwa & village tour Overnight: Sigiriya Day 11 – 04/26: Ella Transfer Sigiriya → Ella (230 km, 5–6 h) + rest Overnight: Ella Day 12 – 04/27: Ella Little Adam’s Peak & Nine Arches Bridge Overnight: Ella Day 13 – 04/28: Ella Ella Rock Overnight: Ella Day 14 – 04/29: Ella Tea Factory & relaxation Overnight: Ella Day 15 – 04/30: Yala Transfer Ella → Yala (110 km, 2–3 h) + afternoon safari Overnight: Yala Day 16 – 05/01: Arugam Bay Transfer Yala → Arugam Bay (80 km, 2.5–3 h) + beach time Overnight: Arugam Bay Day 17 – 05/02: Arugam Bay Surfing & relaxation Overnight: Arugam Bay Day 18 – 05/03: Arugam Bay Local exploration Overnight: Arugam Bay Day 19 – 05/04: Colombo Transfer Arugam Bay → Colombo (320 km, 7–8 h) + rest Overnight: Colombo Day 20 – 05/05: Colombo City tour & shopping Overnight: Colombo Day 21 – 05/06: Colombo Morning return flight from Colombo
Day 1 – 04/16: Wilpattu Arrival at the airport (08:00) + transfer to Wilpattu (180 km, 4–5 h) + afternoon safari Overnight: Wilpattu Day 2 – 04/17: Wilpattu Morning & afternoon safari Overnight: Wilpattu Day 3 – 04/18: Trincomalee Transfer Wilpattu → Trincomalee (200 km, 4–5 h) + beach relaxation Overnight: Trincomalee Day 4 – 04/19: Trincomalee Nilaveli Beach Overnight: Trincomalee Day 5 – 04/20: Trincomalee Pigeon Island snorkeling Overnight: Trincomalee Day 6 – 04/21: Trincomalee Fort Frederick & relaxation Overnight: Trincomalee Day 7 – 04/22: Sigiriya Transfer Trincomalee → Sigiriya (120 km, ~3 h) + visit to Dambulla Overnight: Sigiriya Day 8 – 04/23: Sigiriya Sigiriya Rock Overnight: Sigiriya Day 9 – 04/24: Sigiriya Minneriya safari Overnight: Sigiriya Day 10 – 04/25: Sigiriya Polonnaruwa & village tour Overnight: Sigiriya Day 11 – 04/26: Ella Transfer Sigiriya → Ella (230 km, 5–6 h) + rest Overnight: Ella Day 12 – 04/27: Ella Little Adam’s Peak & Nine Arches Bridge Overnight: Ella Day 13 – 04/28: Ella Ella Rock Overnight: Ella Day 14 – 04/29: Ella Tea Factory & relaxation Overnight: Ella Day 15 – 04/30: Yala Transfer Ella → Yala (110 km, 2–3 h) + afternoon safari Overnight: Yala Day 16 – 05/01: Arugam Bay Transfer Yala → Arugam Bay (80 km, 2.5–3 h) + beach time Overnight: Arugam Bay Day 17 – 05/02: Arugam Bay Surfing & relaxation Overnight: Arugam Bay Day 18 – 05/03: Arugam Bay Local exploration Overnight: Arugam Bay Day 19 – 05/04: Colombo Transfer Arugam Bay → Colombo (320 km, 7–8 h) + rest Overnight: Colombo Day 20 – 05/05: Colombo City tour & shopping Overnight: Colombo Day 21 – 05/06: Colombo Morning return flight from Colombo
Hi everyone,
We’re heading to Sri Lanka for three weeks in July with two kids (ages 6 and 13). We’ve drafted a rough itinerary but would love to hear from those who’ve already been there 😊 Of course, we want to see everything, but we have to make choices—even though three weeks on the ground lets us do quite a bit. We originally planned a schedule that felt too packed, so we had to cut one stop. We decided to skip Tangalle, even though we were really tempted. The monsoon won’t let us swim there, and the weather in the south is too uncertain, so we preferred to keep our stops on the east coast. Plus, we don’t think it’s reasonable to cut nights from other places. We’ve added a stop in Batticaloa, which we think will be a nice break between Arugam Bay and Sigiriya. What do you think? We’re also debating between Batticaloa and Passikudah. Does the itinerary seem logical to you?
Here it is:
Sri Lanka Itinerary Day 1 Arrival around 1 PM at the airport Night in Negombo Day 2 Drive from Negombo to Galle Visit Galle and surrounding areas Night in Galle Day 3 Visit Galle and surrounding areas Night in Galle Day 4 Visit Galle and surrounding areas Drive from Galle to Udawalawe Night in Udawalawe Day 5 Visit Udawalawe National Park Night in Udawalawe Day 6 Drive from Udawalawe to Ella Night in Ella Day 7 Ella Rock + Nine Arch Bridge Night in Ella Day 8 Visit Haputale Lipton’s Seat and Dambatenne Tea Factory Train ride back from Haputale to Ella Night in Ella Day 9 Little Adam’s Peak + drive from Ella to Arugam Bay Night in Arugam Bay Day 10 Visit Arugam Bay and surrounding areas Night in Arugam Bay Day 11 Visit Arugam Bay and surrounding areas Night in Arugam Bay Day 12 Drive from Arugam Bay to Batticaloa Night in Batticaloa Day 13 Visit Batticaloa Night in Batticaloa Day 14 Drive from Batticaloa to Sigiriya Night in Sigiriya Day 15 Lion Rock and Pidurangala Night in Sigiriya Day 16 Visit Dambulla Drive from Sigiriya to Trincomalee Night in Trincomalee Day 17 Visit Trincomalee and surrounding areas Night in Trincomalee Day 18 Visit Trincomalee and surrounding areas Night in Trincomalee Day 19 Drive from Trincomalee to Anuradhapura Night in Anuradhapura Day 20 Visit Anuradhapura Night in Anuradhapura Day 21 Visit Mihintale Drive from Anuradhapura to Negombo Night in Negombo Day 22 Day in Negombo and return flight
We’d love to hear your thoughts and tips! Thanks in advance!
We’re heading to Sri Lanka for three weeks in July with two kids (ages 6 and 13). We’ve drafted a rough itinerary but would love to hear from those who’ve already been there 😊 Of course, we want to see everything, but we have to make choices—even though three weeks on the ground lets us do quite a bit. We originally planned a schedule that felt too packed, so we had to cut one stop. We decided to skip Tangalle, even though we were really tempted. The monsoon won’t let us swim there, and the weather in the south is too uncertain, so we preferred to keep our stops on the east coast. Plus, we don’t think it’s reasonable to cut nights from other places. We’ve added a stop in Batticaloa, which we think will be a nice break between Arugam Bay and Sigiriya. What do you think? We’re also debating between Batticaloa and Passikudah. Does the itinerary seem logical to you?
Here it is:
Sri Lanka Itinerary Day 1 Arrival around 1 PM at the airport Night in Negombo Day 2 Drive from Negombo to Galle Visit Galle and surrounding areas Night in Galle Day 3 Visit Galle and surrounding areas Night in Galle Day 4 Visit Galle and surrounding areas Drive from Galle to Udawalawe Night in Udawalawe Day 5 Visit Udawalawe National Park Night in Udawalawe Day 6 Drive from Udawalawe to Ella Night in Ella Day 7 Ella Rock + Nine Arch Bridge Night in Ella Day 8 Visit Haputale Lipton’s Seat and Dambatenne Tea Factory Train ride back from Haputale to Ella Night in Ella Day 9 Little Adam’s Peak + drive from Ella to Arugam Bay Night in Arugam Bay Day 10 Visit Arugam Bay and surrounding areas Night in Arugam Bay Day 11 Visit Arugam Bay and surrounding areas Night in Arugam Bay Day 12 Drive from Arugam Bay to Batticaloa Night in Batticaloa Day 13 Visit Batticaloa Night in Batticaloa Day 14 Drive from Batticaloa to Sigiriya Night in Sigiriya Day 15 Lion Rock and Pidurangala Night in Sigiriya Day 16 Visit Dambulla Drive from Sigiriya to Trincomalee Night in Trincomalee Day 17 Visit Trincomalee and surrounding areas Night in Trincomalee Day 18 Visit Trincomalee and surrounding areas Night in Trincomalee Day 19 Drive from Trincomalee to Anuradhapura Night in Anuradhapura Day 20 Visit Anuradhapura Night in Anuradhapura Day 21 Visit Mihintale Drive from Anuradhapura to Negombo Night in Negombo Day 22 Day in Negombo and return flight
We’d love to hear your thoughts and tips! Thanks in advance!
We’re planning a 4-month trip in spring 2027. We’re looking for a third destination that optimizes transport costs. Ideally, somewhere very different from the other two (Polynesia and Indonesia). Thanks
Hi everyone!
We’re so excited to be heading to Italy for the first time this April with our two kids for a week. We’ve booked our round-trip flight, and we’ll be arriving and departing from Pisa.
Our rough plan so far includes visiting Pisa, taking the train to Florence, and exploring the Cinque Terre. Last night, a friend also suggested adding Siena to the list.
Our kids are 12 and 9 and are used to walking, but we’re not looking to rush around too much. We’d love any advice, especially about accommodation. Should we stay in Pisa and take day trips by train, or split our nights between a couple of different places?
We’re just starting our research, so any tips would be amazing! 😉
Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone.
A few days ago, I asked my 14-year-old son to pick a destination for a trip, and he chose Germany. So, we’re heading to Berlin for four days in February. The catch is that I don’t know this city (or this country) at all—I hadn’t even considered visiting just a month ago .
Could you please share some suggestions to make this first mother-son trip abroad a success? 🙂
Thanks for your tips and great deals.
Nanyne
Hi everyone,
Next summer, we (2 adults and a 12-year-old child) have decided to visit Japan.
Admittedly, it’s still early to plan everything, but my wife will soon need to request her vacation time—either in August or July... and we’re hesitating.
I know summer isn’t the ideal time to visit Japan, but we don’t really have a choice... It’s either July or August. On one hand, I’d love to experience the O-Bon festivities from August 14th to 16th, and I’ve drafted an initial itinerary that would let us experience the Gujo Hachiman Bon Odori, possibly visit the Okunoin Cemetery in Koyasan, and be in Kyoto on the 16th for the Gozan Okuribi fires. But on the other hand, I’m worried it’ll be *packed*, especially in Kyoto, and less enjoyable than in July. So, have any of you experienced these celebrations? Are they worth it? Too crowded? Do you know of other celebrations or festivals in July? Thanks for your input!
Next summer, we (2 adults and a 12-year-old child) have decided to visit Japan.
Admittedly, it’s still early to plan everything, but my wife will soon need to request her vacation time—either in August or July... and we’re hesitating.
I know summer isn’t the ideal time to visit Japan, but we don’t really have a choice... It’s either July or August. On one hand, I’d love to experience the O-Bon festivities from August 14th to 16th, and I’ve drafted an initial itinerary that would let us experience the Gujo Hachiman Bon Odori, possibly visit the Okunoin Cemetery in Koyasan, and be in Kyoto on the 16th for the Gozan Okuribi fires. But on the other hand, I’m worried it’ll be *packed*, especially in Kyoto, and less enjoyable than in July. So, have any of you experienced these celebrations? Are they worth it? Too crowded? Do you know of other celebrations or festivals in July? Thanks for your input!
Hello,
I’m reaching out because I’ve already read tons of info from other forums (thanks a million, by the way!) and blogs, but now I’m overwhelmed with details and have so many questions. I’m really hoping you can help us figure this out! Here’s the plan: We’re leaving France for Senegal in our camper van (with two kids, aged 4 and 7), then shipping the van to South Africa before heading to Namibia. We’re planning to leave this summer and should arrive in South Africa in early September. The goal is to reach Réunion by early December, which gives us 3 months to explore Southern Africa. Originally, we wanted to pick up the van in Cape Town, head up to Namibia, and visit the main parks and iconic spots, then go north to Botswana (Etosha Park) and Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls) before heading back down to South Africa to enjoy the milder temperatures while exploring the country. But now we’re wondering how to get back to South Africa. We’ve come up with three options: - Head back down through Botswana: I’ve read everywhere that Botswana isn’t recommended for kids under 6 (most parks) because it can be potentially dangerous—few enclosures for animals (even though we have a camper van with "secure" beds), and the agencies we’ve contacted don’t recommend it. Plus, southern Botswana is tough to navigate in a camper van. - Return from central Botswana (Maun) to Windhoek and drive back to Cape Town via Namibia. - Cross Zimbabwe and potentially Mozambique to head down to Kruger Park and Johannesburg.
Anyone familiar with this region have any recommendations?
Also, is it necessary to book accommodations in advance? Is that only required in certain countries (maybe Botswana/Zimbabwe)? We’d like a mix of camping and lodges.
All advice is welcome!
I’m reaching out because I’ve already read tons of info from other forums (thanks a million, by the way!) and blogs, but now I’m overwhelmed with details and have so many questions. I’m really hoping you can help us figure this out! Here’s the plan: We’re leaving France for Senegal in our camper van (with two kids, aged 4 and 7), then shipping the van to South Africa before heading to Namibia. We’re planning to leave this summer and should arrive in South Africa in early September. The goal is to reach Réunion by early December, which gives us 3 months to explore Southern Africa. Originally, we wanted to pick up the van in Cape Town, head up to Namibia, and visit the main parks and iconic spots, then go north to Botswana (Etosha Park) and Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls) before heading back down to South Africa to enjoy the milder temperatures while exploring the country. But now we’re wondering how to get back to South Africa. We’ve come up with three options: - Head back down through Botswana: I’ve read everywhere that Botswana isn’t recommended for kids under 6 (most parks) because it can be potentially dangerous—few enclosures for animals (even though we have a camper van with "secure" beds), and the agencies we’ve contacted don’t recommend it. Plus, southern Botswana is tough to navigate in a camper van. - Return from central Botswana (Maun) to Windhoek and drive back to Cape Town via Namibia. - Cross Zimbabwe and potentially Mozambique to head down to Kruger Park and Johannesburg.
Anyone familiar with this region have any recommendations?
Also, is it necessary to book accommodations in advance? Is that only required in certain countries (maybe Botswana/Zimbabwe)? We’d like a mix of camping and lodges.
All advice is welcome!
Hi there,
We’re planning a two-week trip to Colombia with our two kids at the end of July – early August, with a round-trip flight to Cartagena.
What itinerary would you recommend, knowing we’d prefer to avoid domestic flights?
We were thinking of Cartagena, Tayrona Park, Mompox, and maybe an island.
Do you think it’s a shame to skip big cities like Bogotá or Medellín?
Thanks so much in advance for your help!
Good morning! We're heading to Cape Verde for 2 weeks at the end of April—São Vicente, Boa Vista, and Santiago. We’re a family of 5: 3 kids (4, 6, and 12) and 2 adults.
My questions revolve around beaches (a spot with interesting snorkeling and safe swimming for the kids), accommodation (kid-friendly, parks nearby, pool, beach, or nature—more like guesthouses or family-run pensions), hikes (accessible for kids), and whether renting a car makes sense depending on the island, even though local buses are an adventure in themselves.
**Santiago:** - Beach & snorkeling: Tarrafal, Quebra Canela in Praia, Ribeira da Barca (okay for kids?), Águas Belas? - Any nice places to stay? - Hikes: Malagueta?, Baobab Boa Entrada, Pico António (accessible? elevation gain, time to climb, difficulty, interest for kids?)
**Boa Vista:** - Beach + snorkeling: Santa Mónica, Praia de Chaves, Gatas, ... Estoril Beach in Sal Rei maybe? - Can we swim at Turtle Bay to see the turtles even though it’s not nesting season? - Any nice places to stay? - Hikes: Viana Desert? Can we explore it solo by renting a 4x4 and easily find the points of interest? - Is it worth renting a 4x4 for our stay in Boa Vista?
**São Vicente:** - Beach + snorkeling: Laginha, Porto Grande, Praia Grande, Baía das Gatas, São Pedro...? (safe, good snorkeling?) - Any nice places to stay? - Hikes: cliffs?, Monte Verde?
Thanks for your feedback, great tips—especially for accommodation where we’re totally in the dark! And your thoughts on whether renting a car is a good idea and which beaches are safest for kids.
See you soon! Christophe
My questions revolve around beaches (a spot with interesting snorkeling and safe swimming for the kids), accommodation (kid-friendly, parks nearby, pool, beach, or nature—more like guesthouses or family-run pensions), hikes (accessible for kids), and whether renting a car makes sense depending on the island, even though local buses are an adventure in themselves.
**Santiago:** - Beach & snorkeling: Tarrafal, Quebra Canela in Praia, Ribeira da Barca (okay for kids?), Águas Belas? - Any nice places to stay? - Hikes: Malagueta?, Baobab Boa Entrada, Pico António (accessible? elevation gain, time to climb, difficulty, interest for kids?)
**Boa Vista:** - Beach + snorkeling: Santa Mónica, Praia de Chaves, Gatas, ... Estoril Beach in Sal Rei maybe? - Can we swim at Turtle Bay to see the turtles even though it’s not nesting season? - Any nice places to stay? - Hikes: Viana Desert? Can we explore it solo by renting a 4x4 and easily find the points of interest? - Is it worth renting a 4x4 for our stay in Boa Vista?
**São Vicente:** - Beach + snorkeling: Laginha, Porto Grande, Praia Grande, Baía das Gatas, São Pedro...? (safe, good snorkeling?) - Any nice places to stay? - Hikes: cliffs?, Monte Verde?
Thanks for your feedback, great tips—especially for accommodation where we’re totally in the dark! And your thoughts on whether renting a car is a good idea and which beaches are safest for kids.
See you soon! Christophe
Hi,
We’d like to visit the Alpes de Haute-Provence for 2 weeks with our 2 (adult) kids.
Any ideas for things to see and do?
Where should we choose our accommodation (house only) to be centrally located for sightseeing? We’re looking for villages with restaurants and bakeries.
Thanks in advance for your tips!
Best regards
Hi there, we’re heading to Tuscany in the second half of August with two kids (8 and 6 years old).
We’ve zeroed in on the area around Siena and Florence for now.
I’m looking for recommendations on places to stay and things to see that are great for families.
Also, just to add, we’ll be traveling by train and plan to rent a car once we’re there—any tips on car rental companies?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Hello everyone,
We’ve decided to head to Quebec next year—it’s been a dream for the whole family (after watching so many travel shows and the like...). There’ll be five of us: 2 adults, 2 teens (16 and 13), and a child (8 years old). We’re all pretty good walkers, though maybe the teens a little less so—it’s just that age, you know? 😊 That said, they’ve got no problem doing 15 km hikes, just not every single day.
We’re planning to go from July 23 to August 14, arriving and departing from Montreal, so almost 3 weeks. I’ve started looking into logistics and accommodation prices, but before I dive into bookings, I’d love some advice on the itinerary. I’ve read a few threads here and there. Our idea is to visit between 3 and 5 different places over the 3 weeks, so that means the same number of accommodations. The goal is to optimize travel as much as possible—I’ve realized that getting around can take a long time. I think the first two days will be in Montreal to adjust to the time difference, and the last two in Quebec City, though that’s not set in stone.
Anyway, I’m not really sure about the route. I’ve got time to plan everything, but I know the longer we wait, the more expensive and scarce accommodations will get. Same goes for budget—we’ve set aside a mid-range budget, flights included: 3k per person (1k for the flight). So if you’ve got any great tips or advice, we’re all ears!
I was thinking of going up the St. Lawrence River, but I’m not sure how long that takes or where to stop. Maybe there are other places worth visiting farther away...
Anyway, thanks for reading this far! If you’ve got any questions, don’t hesitate.
Thanks, everyone.
We’re planning to go from July 23 to August 14, arriving and departing from Montreal, so almost 3 weeks. I’ve started looking into logistics and accommodation prices, but before I dive into bookings, I’d love some advice on the itinerary. I’ve read a few threads here and there. Our idea is to visit between 3 and 5 different places over the 3 weeks, so that means the same number of accommodations. The goal is to optimize travel as much as possible—I’ve realized that getting around can take a long time. I think the first two days will be in Montreal to adjust to the time difference, and the last two in Quebec City, though that’s not set in stone.
Anyway, I’m not really sure about the route. I’ve got time to plan everything, but I know the longer we wait, the more expensive and scarce accommodations will get. Same goes for budget—we’ve set aside a mid-range budget, flights included: 3k per person (1k for the flight). So if you’ve got any great tips or advice, we’re all ears!
I was thinking of going up the St. Lawrence River, but I’m not sure how long that takes or where to stop. Maybe there are other places worth visiting farther away...
Anyway, thanks for reading this far! If you’ve got any questions, don’t hesitate.
Thanks, everyone.
Hi there
I hope you're starting this new year with your head full of travel memories or plans!!
I’d love to spend a week in July on a Greek island with my 8-year-old son. I’m totally in love with Amorgos, but not all the beaches are accessible for him. I’ve been to Santorini and Naxos before and don’t want to go back. Would you have an island to recommend that’s not too crowded 😕, with a few accessible beaches and where we won’t have to fight to get around or park?
Have a great day Christelle
I hope you're starting this new year with your head full of travel memories or plans!!
I’d love to spend a week in July on a Greek island with my 8-year-old son. I’m totally in love with Amorgos, but not all the beaches are accessible for him. I’ve been to Santorini and Naxos before and don’t want to go back. Would you have an island to recommend that’s not too crowded 😕, with a few accessible beaches and where we won’t have to fight to get around or park?
Have a great day Christelle
Hello,
A few months ago, I posted a message in the Southern Africa section about a family trip in July/August. In the end, since I had too much trouble deciding on the destination and procrastinated too much with the planning 😎, I changed my mind and we’re going for a completely different trip—to Madagascar, a country we already know a bit since we’ve traveled there several times for 4 to 6 months each time, though our last visit was back in 2012!
The tickets are booked: 19 days on the ground (excluding arrival and departure days in Tana), spanning July and August.
We’re not looking to rack up landscapes (and kilometers). The kids really want to see lots of animals, while we mostly want to show them what daily life is like in Malagasy villages. So ideally, we’d like a trip split into two parts: - For 8/10 days, a hiking portion. The idea isn’t to do a tough trek in very remote areas but rather to walk from one village to another. Let’s say 3-4 hours a day. And when we arrive in each village, we’d have time to explore a bit, chat with the locals, let our kids play with the village children, etc. Stay with locals when possible. Move to a new village every day or every 2-3 days. - A few days visiting 1 or 2 national parks (with lemurs if possible to keep everyone happy!) - With the inevitable travel days, we’ll quickly hit 19 days.
Does this kind of trip sound doable (and fun) to you? Do you know of any villages that would fit our hiking plans?
I don’t have a preferred region yet, except that very dry landscapes appeal to me less. My real love from past trips was the highlands and their bright green rice paddies against red earth, but I’m a bit worried about the cold at this time of year.
After my initial research (thanks to this forum), I get the impression that the Ambalavao/Ambohimahamasina area might meet our criteria. I saw there are "accueil paysan" (farm stays) in that area, which could match what we’re looking for and would let us visit Andringitra National Park and Ranomafana on the way there or back.
But I’m open to all your more original ideas!
For logistical questions (transport, guides, accommodations, etc.), I’ll tackle those later—it’ll depend on the area we choose.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions
A few months ago, I posted a message in the Southern Africa section about a family trip in July/August. In the end, since I had too much trouble deciding on the destination and procrastinated too much with the planning 😎, I changed my mind and we’re going for a completely different trip—to Madagascar, a country we already know a bit since we’ve traveled there several times for 4 to 6 months each time, though our last visit was back in 2012!
The tickets are booked: 19 days on the ground (excluding arrival and departure days in Tana), spanning July and August.
We’re not looking to rack up landscapes (and kilometers). The kids really want to see lots of animals, while we mostly want to show them what daily life is like in Malagasy villages. So ideally, we’d like a trip split into two parts: - For 8/10 days, a hiking portion. The idea isn’t to do a tough trek in very remote areas but rather to walk from one village to another. Let’s say 3-4 hours a day. And when we arrive in each village, we’d have time to explore a bit, chat with the locals, let our kids play with the village children, etc. Stay with locals when possible. Move to a new village every day or every 2-3 days. - A few days visiting 1 or 2 national parks (with lemurs if possible to keep everyone happy!) - With the inevitable travel days, we’ll quickly hit 19 days.
Does this kind of trip sound doable (and fun) to you? Do you know of any villages that would fit our hiking plans?
I don’t have a preferred region yet, except that very dry landscapes appeal to me less. My real love from past trips was the highlands and their bright green rice paddies against red earth, but I’m a bit worried about the cold at this time of year.
After my initial research (thanks to this forum), I get the impression that the Ambalavao/Ambohimahamasina area might meet our criteria. I saw there are "accueil paysan" (farm stays) in that area, which could match what we’re looking for and would let us visit Andringitra National Park and Ranomafana on the way there or back.
But I’m open to all your more original ideas!
For logistical questions (transport, guides, accommodations, etc.), I’ll tackle those later—it’ll depend on the area we choose.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions
Dear Travelers,
We’re a family with young kids (6 years old, 3 years old, and a newborn) and we’d like to spend about ten days in Aquitaine (in Gironde or Les Landes). We’d love to be near pretty villages to visit and, if possible, close to the sea. We’re planning to stay at a campsite with a pool so the kids can play. Could you recommend any places/villages/campsites for us? We don’t know the region at all.
Thanks so much!
Camille
We’re a family with young kids (6 years old, 3 years old, and a newborn) and we’d like to spend about ten days in Aquitaine (in Gironde or Les Landes). We’d love to be near pretty villages to visit and, if possible, close to the sea. We’re planning to stay at a campsite with a pool so the kids can play. Could you recommend any places/villages/campsites for us? We don’t know the region at all.
Thanks so much!
Camille
Hi there,
We’re a family of five (our kids are 6, 15, and 19) and we’d love to go somewhere warm with our feet in the water during the first two weeks of August 2026. We’d also like to do some cultural visits and a bit of hiking. We were thinking of Guadeloupe—I know it’s not the ideal time of year, but we don’t have much flexibility. Is it really a bad idea, or can we still enjoy it despite the weather?
Another option for us would be Madeira, which seems more reliable weather-wise, but it sounds like the beaches are less accessible and not as nice.
We haven’t really looked elsewhere because everything else (except the Canary Islands, Balearics, or Corsica) seems way too expensive. But if you’ve got any recommendations, don’t hesitate—we’re just starting to look into it.
Thanks so much,
Pierre
We’re a family of five (our kids are 6, 15, and 19) and we’d love to go somewhere warm with our feet in the water during the first two weeks of August 2026. We’d also like to do some cultural visits and a bit of hiking. We were thinking of Guadeloupe—I know it’s not the ideal time of year, but we don’t have much flexibility. Is it really a bad idea, or can we still enjoy it despite the weather?
Another option for us would be Madeira, which seems more reliable weather-wise, but it sounds like the beaches are less accessible and not as nice.
We haven’t really looked elsewhere because everything else (except the Canary Islands, Balearics, or Corsica) seems way too expensive. But if you’ve got any recommendations, don’t hesitate—we’re just starting to look into it.
Thanks so much,
Pierre
Hi,
This summer, we’re spending a month in Malaysia. There are 3 adults and two kids in our group. I’ve just finished planning our itinerary and I’d love to get your thoughts on whether it feels "coherent."
Thanks in advance for your feedback!
Christelle
07/07 Depart France 10:30 AM
08/07 Arrive KL 7:50 PM
09/07 KL
10/07 KL / Batu Caves
11/07 KL
12/07 KL → Kuching (flight)
13/07 Kuching
14/07 Bako National Park
15/07 Bako → Kuching
16/07 Semenggoh Reserve
17/07 Kuching → Mulu (flight)
18/07 Mulu National Park
19/07 Mulu → Kota Kinabalu (flight)
20/07 Kota Kinabalu → Sandakan (flight)
21/07 Kinabatangan
22/07 Kinabatangan → Sandakan / Sandakan → KL (flight)
23/07 Malacca
24/07 Malacca → Chin Swee Caves Temple
25/07 Chin Swee Caves Temple → Kuala Tahan / Taman Negara Park
26/07 Taman Negara Park
27/07 Kuala Tahan → Kuala Besut
28/07 Perhentian Islands
29/07 Perhentian Islands
30/07 Perhentian Islands
31/07 Perhentian → George Town
01/08 George Town / Penang
02/08 George Town / Penang
03/08 Ipoh
04/08 Cameron Highlands
05/08 Return to KL
06/08 Return to France
Hi everyone,
I’m planning a 3-week trip to Malaysia this July with my 6-year-old son.
I’d thought we’d go this year, but we ended up returning to Samui instead.
I’ve decided to limit it to 4 stops to avoid moving around too often and to fully enjoy each place without rushing. The travel times between each spot aren’t too long, except for the one between Sandakan and Langkawi.
* 05: Arrival in KL in the afternoon. 06: Day in KL. I’ve been there a few times and know the city a bit.
* 07: Head to Kota Kinabalu 08 – 09: In KK
* 10: Flight from Sandakan to Sepilok 11: In Sepilok
* 12: Flight to Kinabatangan 13 – 14: In Kinabatangan
* 15: Head to Langkawi 15 – 21: In Langkawi
* 22: Return to KL 23 – 24: In KL
* 25: Return flight
Any thoughts on this itinerary? I have a rough idea of what we’ll do at each stop after checking online and with ChatGPT.
Thanks! 🙂
I’ve decided to limit it to 4 stops to avoid moving around too often and to fully enjoy each place without rushing. The travel times between each spot aren’t too long, except for the one between Sandakan and Langkawi.
* 05: Arrival in KL in the afternoon. 06: Day in KL. I’ve been there a few times and know the city a bit.
* 07: Head to Kota Kinabalu 08 – 09: In KK
* 10: Flight from Sandakan to Sepilok 11: In Sepilok
* 12: Flight to Kinabatangan 13 – 14: In Kinabatangan
* 15: Head to Langkawi 15 – 21: In Langkawi
* 22: Return to KL 23 – 24: In KL
* 25: Return flight
Any thoughts on this itinerary? I have a rough idea of what we’ll do at each stop after checking online and with ChatGPT.
Thanks! 🙂
Hi there,
We’re heading out at the end of February for a road trip with our two kids, ages 3 and 7. Our itinerary includes Ait Ben Haddou, Tizi-n-Tichka, Sourate, Tinghir, Zagora, Ouarzazate, Ouzoud, and Essaouira. I’d love recommendations for accommodations, restaurants, and typical/spectacular spots to visit. We’d like to spend a night in the Zagora desert. We’re looking for authenticity and a friendly vibe—not tourist traps—for our trip. We’ll be there during Ramadan—any tips? Thanks in advance!
Your fellow globetrotter’s perspective is invaluable.
We’re heading out at the end of February for a road trip with our two kids, ages 3 and 7. Our itinerary includes Ait Ben Haddou, Tizi-n-Tichka, Sourate, Tinghir, Zagora, Ouarzazate, Ouzoud, and Essaouira. I’d love recommendations for accommodations, restaurants, and typical/spectacular spots to visit. We’d like to spend a night in the Zagora desert. We’re looking for authenticity and a friendly vibe—not tourist traps—for our trip. We’ll be there during Ramadan—any tips? Thanks in advance!
Your fellow globetrotter’s perspective is invaluable.
Hi there!
After our Central Asia trip this summer, we’ll be setting foot in Africa for the first time next February with our three kids (ages 5, 13, and 17).
I’ve fine-tuned a little itinerary with ChatGPT based on our interests and expectations, and here’s what came out:
Tuesday, February 24 — Dakar
Landing at 1:00 AM
Early afternoon: visit Gorée Island
Back to Dakar, light dinner
7:00 PM: boarding the ferry “Aline Sitoé Diatta”
Overnight on board (cabin)
Wednesday, February 25 — Ziguinchor
Arrival between 9:00–11:00 AM
Staying with a local host
Stroll: Saint-Maur market, river port
Overnight in Ziguinchor
Thursday, February 26 – Saturday, February 28 — Casamance (Cap Skirring & Oussouye)
February 26: Ziguinchor → Carabane road trip, explore the island, overnight on the island
February 27: Cap Skirring, beach time
February 28: Cap Skirring, relaxation, stroll, beach
Sunday, March 1 – Tuesday, March 3 — Oussouye
Head to Oussouye (~1 hour)
Discover Diola villages, rice fields, market, handicrafts
Overnights: Oussouye (3 nights)
Wednesday, March 4 – Friday, March 6 — Sine-Saloum
Drive to Toubacouta via the Trans-Gambian Highway (Gambia)
Stay with a local host / camp on the bolongs
Activities: pirogue ride in the delta, Serer villages, biking, handicraft discovery
Overnights: Sine-Saloum (3 nights)
Saturday, March 7 – Sunday, March 8 — Petite Côte
Drive to Somone / Ngaparou (~3 hours)
Stay with a local host
Activities: beach, safari at Bandia Reserve, kayaking on the lagoon, craft market
Overnights: Petite Côte (2 nights, including Sunday, March 8, to enjoy the full day before the nighttime departure)
Monday, March 9 — Departure
Transfer to Blaise Diagne International Airport (~45 minutes)
Flight leaves at 2:00 AM
I’ve got a few questions:
- Is an afternoon on Gorée Island worth it? I really want to go, but the ferry departure days are a bit limiting. - How easy is it to get around between these different stops? Can we find a taxi that fits all five of us? - Do you have any accommodation recommendations? I’d love to stay with locals as much as possible—we’re not looking for luxury, just a bed and a shower. - February 28 is my birthday, and I’d love to do something “special”: any ideas for a nice place to stay, a great restaurant, or an out-of-the-ordinary activity? We’ll be around Cap Skirring. - Does this itinerary seem coherent? I really want to visit Casamance, and we’d prefer to stay no more than 3 nights in the same place.
Don’t hesitate to share your tips! Thanks so much!
After our Central Asia trip this summer, we’ll be setting foot in Africa for the first time next February with our three kids (ages 5, 13, and 17).
I’ve fine-tuned a little itinerary with ChatGPT based on our interests and expectations, and here’s what came out:
Tuesday, February 24 — Dakar
Landing at 1:00 AM
Early afternoon: visit Gorée Island
Back to Dakar, light dinner
7:00 PM: boarding the ferry “Aline Sitoé Diatta”
Overnight on board (cabin)
Wednesday, February 25 — Ziguinchor
Arrival between 9:00–11:00 AM
Staying with a local host
Stroll: Saint-Maur market, river port
Overnight in Ziguinchor
Thursday, February 26 – Saturday, February 28 — Casamance (Cap Skirring & Oussouye)
February 26: Ziguinchor → Carabane road trip, explore the island, overnight on the island
February 27: Cap Skirring, beach time
February 28: Cap Skirring, relaxation, stroll, beach
Sunday, March 1 – Tuesday, March 3 — Oussouye
Head to Oussouye (~1 hour)
Discover Diola villages, rice fields, market, handicrafts
Overnights: Oussouye (3 nights)
Wednesday, March 4 – Friday, March 6 — Sine-Saloum
Drive to Toubacouta via the Trans-Gambian Highway (Gambia)
Stay with a local host / camp on the bolongs
Activities: pirogue ride in the delta, Serer villages, biking, handicraft discovery
Overnights: Sine-Saloum (3 nights)
Saturday, March 7 – Sunday, March 8 — Petite Côte
Drive to Somone / Ngaparou (~3 hours)
Stay with a local host
Activities: beach, safari at Bandia Reserve, kayaking on the lagoon, craft market
Overnights: Petite Côte (2 nights, including Sunday, March 8, to enjoy the full day before the nighttime departure)
Monday, March 9 — Departure
Transfer to Blaise Diagne International Airport (~45 minutes)
Flight leaves at 2:00 AM
I’ve got a few questions:
- Is an afternoon on Gorée Island worth it? I really want to go, but the ferry departure days are a bit limiting. - How easy is it to get around between these different stops? Can we find a taxi that fits all five of us? - Do you have any accommodation recommendations? I’d love to stay with locals as much as possible—we’re not looking for luxury, just a bed and a shower. - February 28 is my birthday, and I’d love to do something “special”: any ideas for a nice place to stay, a great restaurant, or an out-of-the-ordinary activity? We’ll be around Cap Skirring. - Does this itinerary seem coherent? I really want to visit Casamance, and we’d prefer to stay no more than 3 nights in the same place.
Don’t hesitate to share your tips! Thanks so much!
Hello,
I’d like to go to Morocco with my 10-year-old daughter for three weeks in February.
Do you think, as women traveling alone, we’ll feel comfortable? Sorry if my question seems odd, but when I mentioned my plans, I got some hesitant reactions.
I’ve never been to North Africa. I’ve traveled several times to the Sultanate of Oman, where I felt very at ease as long as we respected the basic cultural norms. For those who know Morocco, do you think it’s different? Would it be appropriate for me to cover my head?
I was thinking of arriving in Agadir and spending a few days in Taghazout and the surrounding area. After that, if you have any tips, I’m all ears. We’re looking to discover Moroccan cultures, see artisans at work, or even try our hand at a local craft—we’d love that. Simply meeting families, seeing landscapes, animals, and soaking in the culture gently, opening ourselves to something new—that’s what motivates us. And if there are opportunities to listen to local music, even better.
We’ll be traveling by public transport. Thanks in advance for your ideas. Happy travels to everyone.
I was thinking of arriving in Agadir and spending a few days in Taghazout and the surrounding area. After that, if you have any tips, I’m all ears. We’re looking to discover Moroccan cultures, see artisans at work, or even try our hand at a local craft—we’d love that. Simply meeting families, seeing landscapes, animals, and soaking in the culture gently, opening ourselves to something new—that’s what motivates us. And if there are opportunities to listen to local music, even better.
We’ll be traveling by public transport. Thanks in advance for your ideas. Happy travels to everyone.
we’re taking our grandkids in early 2026 (14 and 10 years old) without their parents. Do we really need to have birth certificates and other forms translated by a sworn translator?
Hi there, I’m really sorry if this question has already been asked several times—I’ve been scouring blogs, forums, and various sites for a while now, but I still have some more specific questions for our trip...
First off, we’re a family of four with two kids aged 10 and 14. We’ve already been to Thailand and Laos five times with them (each trip lasting a month or six weeks), and we’re huge Thailand lovers, but this year we’d like to discover Indonesia, which we don’t know at all (for a duration of 4 or 5 weeks between late June and late July). We travel pretty "roots" style with a budget of 100 € per day and avoid touristy areas as much as possible. We get around using local transport, rent scooters, and take our time (for a one-month trip, we usually visit 4 destinations to really soak it in). So here are my upcoming questions:
For a first visit, I wanted to focus on a single island—Lombok—by taking a flight from Paris to Denpasar and then a boat to Lombok. Do you think the following route would work? - Kuta Lombok - Gili Gede - Gili Meno - Tetebatu
I saw there’s a local boat to Lombok—has anyone here taken it before? For those who’ve been there during this period, do you know if Gili Meno and Gili Gede get crowded, or should we focus more on the coasts? To get between these spots, are there buses, or do we need to take private taxis? As for accommodations, we’re used to booking triple rooms for all four of us in Thailand. For those who travel with kids, do you know if that’s doable in Indonesia, or should we book two double rooms instead?
Last (slightly silly) question: We want to go to Indonesia because our son dreams of seeing beautiful marine life while snorkeling—I think Lombok is a good choice for that. But my daughter is a huge fan of those "knick-knack" markets full of Chinese trinkets that you find all over Thailand. Do you know if Lombok has any day or night markets where we could go?
Thank you so much for your help! !
First off, we’re a family of four with two kids aged 10 and 14. We’ve already been to Thailand and Laos five times with them (each trip lasting a month or six weeks), and we’re huge Thailand lovers, but this year we’d like to discover Indonesia, which we don’t know at all (for a duration of 4 or 5 weeks between late June and late July). We travel pretty "roots" style with a budget of 100 € per day and avoid touristy areas as much as possible. We get around using local transport, rent scooters, and take our time (for a one-month trip, we usually visit 4 destinations to really soak it in). So here are my upcoming questions:
For a first visit, I wanted to focus on a single island—Lombok—by taking a flight from Paris to Denpasar and then a boat to Lombok. Do you think the following route would work? - Kuta Lombok - Gili Gede - Gili Meno - Tetebatu
I saw there’s a local boat to Lombok—has anyone here taken it before? For those who’ve been there during this period, do you know if Gili Meno and Gili Gede get crowded, or should we focus more on the coasts? To get between these spots, are there buses, or do we need to take private taxis? As for accommodations, we’re used to booking triple rooms for all four of us in Thailand. For those who travel with kids, do you know if that’s doable in Indonesia, or should we book two double rooms instead?
Last (slightly silly) question: We want to go to Indonesia because our son dreams of seeing beautiful marine life while snorkeling—I think Lombok is a good choice for that. But my daughter is a huge fan of those "knick-knack" markets full of Chinese trinkets that you find all over Thailand. Do you know if Lombok has any day or night markets where we could go?
Thank you so much for your help! !