Hi everyone! We're planning to visit Croatia during the last week of June and the first week of July, flying into Split from Lille. Here's our itinerary: one week in Split to explore the nearby areas and visit the Krka waterfalls, which aren't too far. Then, a second week in Zadar to check out the surrounding sights and head to the Plitvice waterfalls. We'll be renting a car for the entire trip, but for Plitvice, we intentionally want to take a bus from Zadar and spend a night there to take our time exploring this incredible place.

Here's where I'd love your help, please. First, in Split, which rental agency allows payment on-site with a credit card (or debit/credit card) to avoid mandatory last-minute insurance costing several hundred euros? We had this issue in Sardinia last summer—online booking was fine, but once we arrived, they claimed our card wasn’t working and refused to hand over the keys unless we took out extra insurance, which we didn’t need. It’s becoming a frustrating trend, even though I’ll clarify that we have a *credit* card (specifically a debit/credit card, not just a debit card). I don’t want to reopen the debate about credit vs. debit cards—just know that our card explicitly states both terms, even though it’s technically a credit card.

Next, in Zadar, we know there are buses to Plitvice, and sometimes accommodations near bus stops. What’s the name of Zadar’s main bus station where we’ll catch the bus (so we can find nearby accommodation)? More importantly, which bus line and stop (please give the exact stop name) will get us closest to accommodations in Plitvice? I’ve done some research before posting and think I’ve identified the "Mukinje station" stop, which is near Entrance 2 where there are lodgings, and the "flexible bus stop north," which is close to Entrance 1 with accommodations just a few hundred meters away. Perfect for two days in nature without needing the car! I’ve tried to find the exact bus line and route with all the stops between Zadar and Plitvice but haven’t had any luck so far.

Huge thanks in advance to anyone who can share their experiences on these two specific topics: reliable rental agencies and the exact bus station/stop details in Zadar for Plitvice.

HELLO!

For a trip to the Cyclades in early May (1st–18th), we’re planning to visit Naxos, Amorgos, and finish on Paros to catch a flight back to Athens.

I was wondering if we need to book the ferries now or if we can wait a bit... also, for car rental, can we book on the spot?

For accommodations, our bookings are done except for Paros... any suggestions for good value-for-money options?

Also, any other tips about our route or anything else would be super welcome!!!

Thanks in advance from Quebec! 🙂

Christine

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.

Hello, Our trip is coming together nicely, and I have lots of questions about organizing this visit. We’re now looking to book our tickets for the Auschwitz-Birkenau tour. We have a hotel 5 km from the site, so we don’t need transportation. We’ll park our motorcycles there. Is the 3.5-hour tour complete, or are the others 7 hours because they include travel, as often mentioned in the booking title? Which is the most reliable site to book through? We can’t eat on-site. Can we bring water? Is there a place to eat nearby? There are so many questions, but this visit is very important to me.

Thanks in advance for your answers and advice!

Hi there. First, please excuse the dry nature of my post—I’m going to talk about insurance and credit cards!

I’m renting a car in Bulgaria using my "Gold Mastercard." I know the benefits, and in this case, I don’t need to take out additional insurance from the rental company.

However, the assistance booklet states: "The insurer cannot, under any circumstances, reimburse the insured for the amount of the CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) or LDW (Loss Damage Waiver) insurance paid to the rental company if the insured forgot to decline it or if it’s automatically included in a package the insured accepted."

The issue is that when I look at different rental companies, it’s often specified that "insurance is included" (non-declinable because it’s part of the package), and I’m worried there might be some minimal CDW or LDW coverage that would prevent my Gold Mastercard coverage from applying if needed.

Since it’s difficult to contact or communicate with rental companies (most bookings are made online) and Mastercard’s responses are pretty vague, I’m turning to you all for help.

Here are my questions: - How can I be sure the rental company’s insurance doesn’t include CDW or LDW? - Do you know of any rental companies where this is clearly stated? - Does Gold Mastercard coverage work with local agencies? - Is it possible for a rental company to refuse Gold Mastercard coverage?

I assume travelers who can answer have already had this experience.

Thanks in advance for your help.

hi,

I'm looking to rent a small car, not too expensive, for Crete in April. Do you have any great tips? Thanks in advance! Best regards

I’d like to book tickets for a visit to the Acropolis at the end of April. The official site is down. What do you think of agencies like Get Your Guide? Are they reliable? It’s a lot more expensive. The audio guide option is tempting, but is that reliable too? We’re a bit older and like to take our time...

Do the other museums (National Archaeological Museum and Museum of Cycladic Art) also require reservations? We visited Athens 50 years ago, and it seems like things have changed a lot.

Thanks for any help!

Hi, I’m traveling to Greece in May and landing in Athens. I need to book a rental car—could you recommend a rental agency? Also, where are the free shuttles that take you to the agency? Thanks for your help!

Hi, could you recommend a local and reliable car rental agency, not one of the big international chains, at Patras-Araxos Airport in northern Peloponnese or a bit further into town? Thanks.

Hi there,

We’re renting a car to explore Albania in September/October. We’ll start in the north and finish in the south. We’d love to drop off the car near Saranda and take the ferry to Corfu on foot, but it seems we’ll have to return it to Tirana since there’s nowhere else to drop it off. From there, we’d like to take a direct flight to Corfu, but I can’t find any direct flights... I really don’t want to connect through Athens and backtrack when we’re so close! Any suggestions on what to do? Thanks, Carole (Canada)

Hello, My partner and I are planning our first 15-day trip to Greece in June, departing from France. Here’s our itinerary, but I’d love some feedback and tips to see if it’s doable. First week: - Athens (Acropolis, Parthenon, Archaeological Museum, Theatre of Dionysus...) - Nafplio, including a visit to the Corinth Canal, Olympia, the Theatre of Epidaurus, and Mycenae - Delphi and Meteora

Second week: What we’re looking for is a Cycladic island that’s still a bit authentic, with beautiful beaches and maybe crystal-clear water, fishing villages, scooter rides, and—most importantly—no crowds from cruise ships. I’m considering Milos, Sifnos, Naxos... It’s tough to choose! An island that’s well-connected by ferry and also allows for a day trip to another island. Beatrice Anyway, I could really use some help picking the Cycladic island, but also to know if the first week is too packed and, if so, what to prioritize. We’d rather not change hotels every single day. Thanks so much for reading this far and for your reply!

Hi,

Albania is still a relatively new destination, but with its natural beauty and cultural richness, it won’t stay under the radar for long. Would it be possible to organize a discovery trip with a local agency (a reliable one, of course)... Thanks

Hi there! We’re planning our trip to the Cyclades in July and I’d love to know the best place to book ferries.

Thanks in advance!

Hi there, I’ll be in Istanbul from May 8 to 17, 2025. I’ve got one free day. I’m torn between the Princes' Islands or Bursa.... If you had to choose, where would you go??? Thanks so much for your suggestions and opinions.

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 there! This summer, we're planning a 2- to 3-week road trip in one of these countries!! But despite all the reviews we’ve read on the forum, we still can’t decide... It’s so hard to choose between the Carpathians, Budapest, and Krakow!!! Could you give us some advice based on what you know? Thanks, Karine and Christophe

Hi everyone on the travel forum. We’re heading to the Cyclades on May 15th for about a month and we’re debating whether to rent a car on each of the islands we’re visiting. Naxos, Andros, Tinos, Paros, and Santorini—we’ll be staying around 5 days on each. Everything’s booked except for the potential car rental. In your opinion, is it essential, or are public transport options good enough for all or some of these islands? Which companies are the most reliable, and which ones should we avoid (we’ve already had bad experiences with companies that weren’t always very professional). Thanks for your advice!

Hi there,

I’m heading to the Cyclades at the end of May and looking into inter-island ferries. I’m a bit confused because, for example, to go from Mykonos to Naxos, there are 3 ferries leaving at the same time for the same price. So I’m wondering if there are any companies to prioritize (or, on the contrary, to avoid). Thanks in advance for your feedback! 😉

Hi there, I’m looking for some info on these capitals I’m visiting in September and the best way to travel between them, spending 3 days in each city: restaurants, weather, and maybe a French-speaking guide if possible. Thanks.

Hi there.

I’m looking for feedback from travelers or tips from locals on how to get around the islands. There are four of us—two teens—and my partner isn’t super comfortable riding a scooter. So, should we rent a car? By the day or for 4 days on each island we’re visiting (Tinos, Paros, Syros)? Is it possible to rent e-bikes? Is that a good idea?

Thanks for your input!

Tom

Good evening, We go on a cycling trip abroad every year for about twenty days. Obviously, we prefer small roads to discover a country. Is it possible to explore Poland mainly by taking small roads? Apart from the beautiful cities (Kraków, Warsaw, etc.), are there any regions worth discovering by bike? Thanks in advance for your replies. Jean-lucbergot

hi

I’d like to know the opening hours of physical stores between Germany and Austria, and between Austria and Slovenia, that sell the PAPER STICKER toll vignettes that still exist for 2026—non-digital ones. I don’t think they’re open 24/7, and I can’t find the info anywhere. Thanks

We’ve only been to Crete in Greece before, so this trip is new to us—but planning the itinerary isn’t easy because we have to make choices. We’d love to hear from those in the know about the following plan: Day 1: flight to Athens, then flight to Milos 3 days in Milos, 4 days in Sifnos, 3 days in Paros, Final 3 days in Athens. Should we book ferry tickets between the islands in March in advance, or can we wait until the last minute? Same question for accommodations on these different islands. Finally, on the 3 islands we’ve chosen, is renting a car essential, or are the buses enough? Thanks for your help!

Hello everyone,

I’m a bit late planning, but we’re traveling as a family from October 26 to October 31, 2025, to Athens. After that, we’ll continue our journey from the port of Piraeus for a cruise with Celestyal Cruises (November 1 to November 8) in the Cyclades.

First, a few practical tips:

Is it easy to get by speaking French in Athens, or is English a must? Any tips for making yourself understood? Our hotel is located in central Athens. What do you recommend taking from the airport? A taxi, the metro, or the bus?

For sightseeing: We’ll be there for 5 days. What do you recommend? Should we book tickets for the monuments in advance or on-site? I’ve heard about a pass for visiting 5 monuments. What does it include? Do you have to visit all the monuments on the same day, or can you spread it out over the week? On some websites, it mentions that Tuesday, October 28, would be a free day for monuments. Can anyone confirm this, and what are the rules to benefit from it? Thanks in advance to anyone who can help!

What are the main sights to visit on Rhodes itself or the surrounding islands, and what’s the weather like? We’re leaving on May 18th.

Hi everyone on Voyage Forum! In mid-September 2025, a group of friends and I are heading to Montenegro for a week. On my must-see list, I’ve obviously got the Bay of Kotor and Lake Skadar. Besides those two excursions, what else would you recommend seeing or visiting? Just to note, we’ll be staying in the Bijela area.

Another question: Is Tivat Airport operating during that period? I think Transavia flies there. Otherwise, we’d have to go through Dubrovnik, which I’d prefer to avoid—partly because I’ve been there before and partly to skip the border wait.

Looking forward to your replies or suggestions!

Hi, My question is about the open-air museums in Romanian villages. There’s one in Bucharest (Dimitrie Gusti) and another in Sibiu (Astral Museum). Which one is more interesting? Thanks so much. Pascaline

Hi there,

We’re heading to the Cyclades in August 2025 (yes, not the best season…). We’re looking for ferries to get from Paros to Serifos, then from Serifos to Andros. It seems like there aren’t ferries every day to Serifos… And from Serifos to Andros, bookings aren’t open yet. We checked ferryhopper.com. Could anyone give us some info on these routes, please? Is it necessary to book in advance?

Thanks for your help! Best,

Hi there, or γεια σας.

When will the July schedules for Greek ferries (specifically the Prévélis - Karpathos-Sitia route, which I'm interested in) be available?

Catherine

Hi there,

I’ve read that Albanian merchants (hotels, restaurants, gas stations, etc.) aren’t big fans of card payments and that the euro is widely accepted.

How is it these days? Should I plan to pay only in cash (which feels pretty unusual these days...)?

Also, all ATMs seem to charge a minimum withdrawal fee of 5 €. Which networks are the least expensive? And what’s the maximum amount you can withdraw?

Thanks to recent travelers for your answers! 🙂