Hi everyone,

We’re heading to the Pacific Northwest (USA) and Western Canada this summer. We’ve made some progress planning, but we still have a few questions.

Our trip is mostly nature-focused—hiking, wildlife spotting (ideally bears, orcas/whales, otters, etc.), mountains, forests—and a few days in cities, though we’re not big on museums.

We’re looking at flying into Seattle (cheaper than Vancouver), then renting a car and staying in Airbnbs.

A few years ago, we traveled through eastern Canada/USA (Halifax/Montréal/Boston/Halifax) and ended up driving *way* too much and switching accommodations too often. This time, we’d like to settle in a bit more.

Here’s our current plan:

- 2 nights in Seattle to avoid hitting the road right after the flight. One day for a quick city visit, then we’ll leave early after the second night. -> Heading to Olympic National Park from the south.

- 4 nights near Olympic National Park, likely around Forks. -> Then to Port Angeles and a ferry to Vancouver Island via Victoria (maybe 1 night there).

- 7 nights in Port Alberni, which seems like a central base for exploring Vancouver Island (Tofino, Pacific Rim, Cathedral Grove, etc.). We really want to enjoy the area without constantly packing and unpacking.

The issue is, that brings us to 13–14 nights, and we’d like to spend 2 in Vancouver.

We’re wondering if we should head farther north on the island and add a few more days, or reduce our stay in Port Alberni to explore the north as well.

After that, we’d have about a week left. We’re considering a detour near the Canadian Rockies, then slowly making our way back to Seattle via North Cascades National Park.

Anyway, we’d love your input on all this!

Thanks for your suggestions,

Emilie and Thomas

Hi, I’m reaching out to those familiar with British Columbia 😉 My son is on a Working Holiday Visa in Canada and is currently in Calgary. He’s found a great job in Quesnel, in the northern part of the province, starting in March. It seems like it’s a bit in the middle of nowhere, especially since he doesn’t have a car. Could you advise on the quickest way to get from Calgary to Saint-Georges, for example (I think it’s tough to go further by public transport)? Thanks for your help. Claire

Hi there,

I’m planning a month-long trip that’ll take me from San Francisco to Seattle, stopping in Vancouver BC along the way. After tweaking this route every which way and trying to balance must-see spots with more relaxed stops (like the Oregon coast), I’ve landed on this itinerary—I’d love your thoughts!

Days 1 and 2: San Francisco Days 3 and 4: Lassen Volcanic Park Days 5 and 6: Crater Lake Days 7 to 9: Portland Day 10: Astoria or Cannon Beach Day 11: Ruby Beach or Forks (for the Hoh Rain Forest) Days 12 and 13: Port Angeles (for Hurricane Ridge) Day 14: Victoria (Vancouver Island) Days 15 to 17: Ucluelet (Vancouver Island) Days 18 to 20: Vancouver BC Days 21 and 22: North Cascades NP Days 23 to 25: Mt. Rainier Days 26 to 28: Seattle

Of course, there’s travel time built in—for example, the third day on Vancouver Island will mostly be eaten up by getting back to the mainland and Vancouver.

Do you think there are any extra stops or anything I’ve missed? A month feels like a lot and not a lot at the same time… Thanks!

Hi everyone,

Here’s the itinerary I’ve planned for this summer. I’d love to get your thoughts and recommendations on it. We’ll be 2 adults and a 15-year-old teen.

11/07 Calgary - arrival around 9 PM 12/07 Calgary - exploring the city 13/07 Calgary : Stampede 14/07 (Canmore) Banff - Kananaskis Valley - Town of Canmore - Banff Centre - Upper Hot Spring (pool) 15/07 Banff - Johnston Canyon - Lake Louise - Moraine Lake 16/07 Banff - Banff Gondola with ridge walk (1 km) - Lake Minnewanka 17/07 Yoho (Field) - Herbert Lake - Yoho Valley Road (before Field) - Field - Natural Bridge - Emerald Lake + hike to Takakkaw Falls - night at The Crossing 18/07 Jasper - Icefields Parkway - Herbert Lake - Bow Lake - Peyto Lake viewpoint (15 min from the parking lot) - Saskatchewan River Crossing - Columbia Icefield with the Skywalk - Sunwapta Falls - Goat and Glacier Lookout - Athabasca Falls 19/07 Jasper - Maligne Valley - Medicine Lake - Maligne Lake 20/07 Jasper - Whistlers Peak - Miette Hot Springs 21/07 Wells Gray - Yellowhead Highway 22/07 Wells Gray - Helmcken Falls - Dawson Falls - Spahats Falls - Clearwater Lake 23/07 Hat Creek Ranch 24/07 Whistler 25/07 Whistler 26/07 Nanaimo - Sea to Sky Highway - 1.5-hour ferry 27/07 Nanaimo - North Coast - Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park - Old Country Market - Goats on Roof - McMillan Provincial Park - Cathedral Grove 28/07 Victoria - Kinsol Trestle - Malahat Skywalk 29/07 Victoria - whale watching 30/07 Victoria - Inner Harbour - Chinatown - Fisherman’s Wharf floating houses 31/07 Vancouver - 3-hour ferry 01/08 Vancouver 02/08 Departure

We’re being really careful not to spend more than 3 to 4 hours driving between stops. We want to take our time. Thanks for your input....

Hello everyone!

We’re planning a trip to western Canada in September 2025. Here’s the route we’ve mapped out: - Calgary: 2 days - Lake Louise: 4 days, hikes around the lakes (L. Louise, L. Agnes, L. Moraine, L. Emerald) - Icefield Parkway - Jasper: 3 days, L. Maligne, Hot Springs - Fort Fraser - Prince Rupert - Inside Passage by boat - Port Hardy (Vancouver Island) - Port Alberni: 2 days, Cathedral Cove - Ucluelet: 2 days, Tofino - Victoria: 3 days - Crossing to Vancouver - Vancouver: 4 days Total: 27 days.

What do you think?

About the Inside Passage—has anyone here done it? Our only concern is the weather for that boat day between Prince Rupert and the northern part of Vancouver Island. Under clear skies, the landscapes are stunning. If it’s foggy or mediocre weather, well, we’ll have given it a shot! Just know you *have* to book the car passage way in advance.

Thanks for any tips or advice you can share! Cailleurs64

Hi everyone!

Let me introduce us quickly—I’m Matteo (21, originally from Paris, but I’ve been living near the Pyrenees and the Alps for the past 3 years), and my girlfriend Justine (21, grew up in the Alps). We’re starting to get really fed up with being cooped up and sitting in chairs (yep, we’re studying physics and geography at the École Normale Supérieure in Lyon). So, we’re taking a gap year to make a slightly crazy project happen: hitting the road, meeting people, and most importantly—climbing, skiing, and exploring the mountains!

We’ve always been into the mountains: •🧗‍♂️ 6c-7a/b sport climbing, 6b trad •❄️ Skiing and ice climbing (grade 4/5) •🏔️ Alpine climbing in the Alps (Chamonix, Écrins…) and the Pyrenees—I’m training to become a High Mountain Guide

Our project in a nutshell: •Buying a van (or 4x4) converted in British Columbia around September/October 2025. Ideally, we’d go straight to the US to buy the vehicle there (but reselling might be easier if we buy in Canada). •Heading down to the US to climb at legendary spots like Yosemite, Tuolumne (if it’s too hot), Indian Creek, Moab, and Joshua Tree. •Heading back up to the Canadian Rockies around December for skiing, ice climbing, and winter alpine climbing (might be easier to buy skis there). •Selling the vehicle in Canada at the end of the trip (we need to be back in France by early March 2026 because Justine is preparing for the AMM). I’ve already been to the Rockies, but I want to go back in winter for ice climbing. It’ll probably be too cold to sleep in the van, so we’re hoping to find a small cabin, lodge, or chalet (ideally alone or shared to cut costs). Otherwise, we could work for a month or two at a hostel or something to get free accommodation and earn money to rent a place another month just for climbing. •Visa-wise: we’re hoping to get our Working Holiday Visa (WHV) (still waiting for a response) so we can work there during the trip. For the US, we’ll stay as tourists (no work visa—too complicated and expensive). Any feedback on the WHV or differences from a regular work visa would be great. •With our savings (we’re working in mountain huts this summer), we should be able to buy the van. For daily expenses, I’m hoping to tutor online (math and physics). We live pretty simply and resourcefully: we plan to sleep mostly in the van, cook for ourselves, wash in rivers, and make the most of free nature spots. We’re super motivated, pretty well-rounded when it comes to mountain sports, and we’re not afraid to live simply for a year (we’ve got other projects too: biking to Greece with our climbing gear, a trip to Patagonia for alpine climbing).

Questions and advice: Of course, a road trip like this raises a lot of practical questions. This is our first time embarking on an adventure of this scale, so we’d love to hear your experiences and tips. If any of you have done a long van trip in North America or a WHV in Canada, your insights would be incredibly helpful! Here are some of the questions we’ve got: How do we buy (and later sell) a converted van in British Columbia? We’ll probably land in Vancouver. Is it better to look for a vehicle on online classifieds, Facebook groups, or used car dealerships? Are there any pitfalls to avoid when buying? And for selling it a year later, any tips to make it go smoothly (best time to sell, paperwork, etc.)? What budget should we plan for van life in North America and Canada? If you’ve got any info or feedback on the cost of living in a van in Canada/the US, we’d love to hear it. We’re thinking about expenses like gas (a big one, I imagine!), van maintenance, car insurance, possible tolls, campgrounds or paid spots, etc. We’d like to get an idea of a daily or monthly budget so we’re not too tight. In France, we never stay at campgrounds—we prefer being alone or going where we want. Is that possible in the US and Canada? Any tips for saving money (free camping spots, useful apps…) would be great! Visas, borders, and paperwork: We’re hoping to get a WHV for Canada, but in the US, we’ll be on a tourist visa (90 days max with ESTA, I think). Has anyone combined a WHV in Canada with a trip to the US on the same trip? Anything we should know about crossing the border in a van (insurance, customs, how long we’re allowed in the US, etc.)? We want to avoid any administrative hassles, so any advice on this would be super helpful. Route and seasonality for climbing and skiing: We’re thinking of starting climbing in the US around fall 2025 (probably September/October). Is that the right season for Yosemite, Indian Creek, and Moab? Any must-see spots along the way? For winter, we’re aiming for December to March in the Canadian Rockies (Banff, Jasper, Golden…) for skiing and ice climbing. Any tips on ice climbs or major backcountry skiing spots? We’ve got all our climbing, skiing, and alpine gear—should we bring it all or buy some stuff there? Is the “Wilderness Season Pass” for winter in the Rockies worth it? We came across this pass that offers 7 months of unlimited nights in HI mountain hostels in the Rockies. Has anyone here tried it? Are the dorms usually crowded? Working on the road: To fund the trip, we’re planning to work a bit along the way. Any tips for finding work in Canada while traveling (peak seasons at ski resorts, WWOOFing, odd jobs…)? That’s it for our (many) questions 😅! If you’ve done a similar trip—or even just parts of it (van life, climbing tour, winter in Canada…)—we’d love to hear your experiences, or even if you’re in the area and want to share a few days of climbing. All your contacts, advice, and tips will be a huge help.

Thanks in advance! We can’t wait to read your replies and refine our project with your help.

Matteo & Justine

PS: I’m looking for a summer job from August to September, preferably in a mountain hut (extra help, replacements, etc.). If you’ve got any contacts, don’t hesitate! I’ve also posted on another forum about this with my CV and cover letter (DEMANDE dxsdxsdsxdsx - Forum de www.refuges.info).

Hi everyone! I’m planning to spend about a week in Vancouver in September. I’d love all your tips for exploring the city to the fullest, plus recommendations for well-located hotels that are safe and not too expensive—since I’m traveling solo, it’s frustrating that rooms often cost the same whether it’s for one or two people...

Also, what are some great things to do outside Vancouver once I’m there?

Thanks for your suggestions!

Hello,

I have the chance to visit Boston for the holidays and I'm looking for accommodation. Any neighborhoods you’d recommend?

We’ll be there for about ten days and can rent a car or use public transit if needed. What do you suggest in the area? For now, we’re sticking to the city and will decide based on the weather.

See you soon,

Hi there! I’d like to spend a week in the United States with my 19-year-old daughter. It’s her dream to go there, and we’re planning to visit New York in 18 months. For July, we’re looking for a fun week with cultural visits and some shopping, with a budget of 4000 € for two people, including travel. Just a little heads-up—I’m not a big fan of extreme heat! If you have any cool destination ideas or great tips, I’d really appreciate it! Thanks in advance 😊

Hi everyone! 🙂 Just a quick question about King Canyon and Sequoia National Park. Before our night in Miramonte, we plan to visit King Canyon. The next stop will be two nights in Three Rivers to explore Sequoia National Park. I wanted to go all the way to Roaring River Falls on the King Canyon Scenic Byway and then turn back to head to Miramonte. Since we’re coming from Oakhurst, Google Maps says it’s 300 km and 5 hours of driving. Since we also want to hike to see the sequoias (Big Stump Area and Grand Grove) before tackling the King Canyon Scenic Byway, the timing’s going to be tight. How far do you recommend going before turning back to miss as few points of interest as possible on the King Canyon Scenic Byway? Thanks for your advice, and have a great evening! Marcalamar 🙂

Hi everyone! 🙂 As you can see, we're heading back from September 6th to the 27th. Everything’s booked for September—flights, accommodations, and the car. As I plan, I’ll be asking the experts for help. This is our second trip to California, but most of the stops are new to us. We’ll start directly from San Francisco to our first overnight stop, Davis, before heading to Lassen Volcanic Park for 4 nights. Our flight lands at 12:50 PM.

Here’s our itinerary: Day 1: Davis – overnight stop Day 2: Red Bluff – exploring Lassen Volcanic Park (scenic drive to Lake Helen) Day 3: Susanville – scenic drive through the park via the South Entrance, points of interest, and hikes Day 4: Susanville – Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes hike Day 5: Susanville – Warner Valley (hikes) Day 6: South Lake Tahoe Day 7: South Lake Tahoe Day 8: Mammoth Lake Day 9: Mammoth Lake Day 10: El Portal via Tioga Road Day 11: El Portal Day 12: El Portal Day 13: Oakhurst Day 14: Miramonte Day 15: Three Rivers Day 16: Three Rivers Day 17: Coalinga Day 18: Monterey Day 19: Monterey Day 20: San Francisco Day 21: San Francisco Day 22: Departure

For hikes in Lassen Volcanic Park, I’ve planned: Bumpass Hell, Cold Boiling Lake (Day 2) Paradise Meadow (maybe not going all the way), Devastated Area, and the loop around Reflection and Manzanita Lakes (Day 3) Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes (Day 4) Devil’s Kitchen and Boiling Spring Lake (Day 5)

I’ve read there are trails to access the trailheads for Cinder Cone (11 km) and Warner Valley. Are these easy trails for an SUV? Are there any other must-see spots or things we shouldn’t miss?

That’s where I’m at for now. Thanks for your replies, and have a great evening! Marcalamar 🙂

Hi everyone, For our leg from Taos to Albuquerque, we have two options with roughly the same mileage and driving time: Either the light blue route (NM 518 then NM 76) or the dark blue route (NM 68), which would let us visit the Embudo Gas Museum. We’d love to stop at the Chimayó Sanctuary if it’s worth the small detour. We’ll have already taken NM 518 from Las Vegas to Taos. Which route is prettier and has the most points of interest? Afterward, we’ll take the Turquoise Trail between Santa Fe and Albuquerque. Thanks for your input! Marcalamar :)

Hello, As always when you're impulsive, you do things first and ask questions later 😇

I booked a round-trip to NYC (Newark) from 10/17 to 11/01, 2025 at a good price. Now I need to figure out what to do 😎

The initial idea was to go to Nashville. Why? I don’t really know. For info, we’ve already been to NYC and Washington D.C.

That said, I opened an Excel sheet and put this together:

D1: Arrival at Newark around 9 PM. Pick up car and overnight near the airport D2/3: Philadelphia D4: Lancaster (Amish Village) then drive to Shenandoah NP. Overnight in the northern part of the park (Front Royal?) D5: Scenic road - Overnight in Charlottesville D6: Blue Ridge Parkway - Overnight in Troutville D7: Blue Ridge Parkway - Overnight in Boone D8: Blue Ridge Parkway - Overnight in Asheville D9: Blue Ridge Parkway - Overnight in Gatlinburg D10: Smoky Mountains - Overnight in Gatlinburg

That’s where things get tricky.

If I add 2 nights in Nashville, it really tightens up the end of the trip in terms of mileage.

I thought about doing:

D11/12: Nashville D13: Mammoth Cave > Lexington D14: Fayetteville D15: X D16: Drive back to Newark.

But honestly, I’m not happy with the end.

So I thought about adding Gettysburg by adjusting things and shortening D4, which I felt was too packed: D1: Arrival at Newark around 9 PM. Pick up car and overnight near the airport D2/3: Philadelphia D4: Lancaster (Amish Village) - Overnight in York D5: Gettysburg - Overnight in Front Royal D6: Shenandoah NP Scenic Road - Overnight in Charlottesville D7: Blue Ridge Parkway - Overnight in Troutville D8: Blue Ridge Parkway - Overnight in Boone D9: Blue Ridge Parkway - Overnight in Asheville D10: Blue Ridge Parkway - Overnight in Gatlinburg D11: Smoky Mountains - Overnight in Gatlinburg

This leaves me with 5 days to get back to NYC. Maybe via the coast?

What do you think?

Hi everyone,

It’s been a long time since I last asked for your help! After an amazing road trip in the American West in 2011, thanks to all of you, and another one in 2019 from HOUSTON to L.A., this time I’m tackling the East Coast. But I’m stuck on the planning. I’ve booked a round-trip flight to NYC for 3 weeks in August. Now I’m trying to fill in the days. 5 nights already booked in NYC (Monday to Saturday). Then I absolutely want to head down to WASHINGTON for 2 or 3 days. I wanted to do a loop: NYC, Washington, Niagara Falls, Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal, Boston, and back to NYC. I think that’s too many miles for the loop from Washington to Québec and back to NYC in 2 weeks? Especially since the first week is already planned: NYC to WASHINGTON! On the way back from Washington, I’d like to stop in Strasburg, Lancaster, and Gettysburg. Given that I don’t want to take any domestic flights, since my wife really can’t handle them! Originally, I wanted to fly from NYC to DENVER/SLC to do the Yellowstone loop. We’re getting older and don’t have the stamina for that anymore :( Driving down from NYC to Washington, there’s Philadelphia, but that scares me a bit. Back in 2019, before COVID, I thought we were going to get shot in downtown DALLAS! I can’t figure out how to plan 3 weeks around NYC! Considering we didn’t really like San Francisco in 2011 either. Though after 3 weeks in paradise among the canyons, arriving in that big city and going from 40°C to 16°C was a shock :) We prefer nature over big cities. Thanks for your feedback! Cheers

Hi everyone,

I’m traveling with my family to LAS VEGAS to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Are there taxis or buses running from the Strip to the Fremont Street Experience on the evening of December 31, 2024?

I'm thinking of going to Miami at the end of January for 10 days. What do you recommend I see, where to stay, etc.? I'm open to all suggestions. Thanks! Corinne

Hi there,

We're leaving at the end of June and will be driving the route between Buffalo and Cody. We’ve already booked our accommodations and a rodeo in Cody, but during the day, we’ll be driving between the two and I’m unsure about the itinerary. Which route do you think is the most pleasant, interesting, or scenic between: - The northern route via Highway 14 with Sheridan, Lowell, etc. - The southern route with Highways 16/20/14, passing by Loaf Mountain Overlook, Powder River Pass, Ten Sleep Canyon...

We’ll be in a car, so we should be able to drive on any road. Thanks for your input!

Laura

Hi, My 16-year-old son is flying to Grand Rapids with other kids his age. There’s a layover in Detroit. There’s no unaccompanied minor service available. Is it pretty easy to navigate Detroit Airport to catch the connecting flight to Grand Rapids (domestic flight)? There are several of them who speak English well. Thanks for your replies,

Hello, if the off-the-beaten-path enthusiasts are still around 😉, I’d love some info on tackling these trails. I’m not super familiar with the rules, risks, or what to expect—I’m looking for firsthand experience from folks who’ve done it on their own once or multiple times.

Hey everyone, we’re heading to the American West for 21 days in August. Two options for us: renting a regular car and staying in motels, or going with an RV. We’ve traveled a lot in Southern Africa on our own with a 4x4 roof-top tent, but the US is a whole different story. I’d love to hear your thoughts—budget-wise, we’re probably looking at similar costs. Thanks for your input! Thierry

Hi there, We decided this week to use our miles for a trip to Phoenix. We're putting our itinerary together in a hurry, and it's not coming together at all. I'd really appreciate some help if possible, please.

Back in 2007, we did a classic trip: LA, Joshua Tree, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Bryce, Zion, Las Vegas, Yosemite, and San Francisco. This time, we only have two weeks and don’t want to rush from one place to another...

(*-sites not yet visited) Arriving in Phoenix tomorrow morning - Monday the 14th - and leaving for Paris on Monday the 29th. - 14/09: Phoenix* - 2 nights to recover from the trip > Heard Museum, Botanical Garden, Downtown... - 16th: Flagstaff* (Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot Nat. Monument along the way) - 17th-20th: 3 nights at Grand Canyon - Maswik And here’s where it starts getting really messy: - 21st, 22nd... Monument Valley - 23rd... Canyon de Chelly* - 24th, 25th: Petrified Forest, Painted Desert* - 26th-27th: Sedona* - lots of hiking options - 28th: Evening in Phoenix, flight at 3 PM

If Monument Valley isn’t very doable this week because of rain, maybe it’d be better to go somewhere else, like straight to Canyon de Chelly, or even completely different—Zion (great hikes), Valley of Fire, Las Vegas, a night somewhere to break up the drive, Sedona, and then depart from Phoenix. Since this trip is last-minute, we’re a bit disorganized and would really appreciate any advice. Aside from Phoenix and the Grand Canyon, we haven’t booked any hotels yet, so it’s still flexible.

Thanks so much in advance!! Ruby

Hi everyone, does anyone know how to get from Victoria to Tofino without a car? (ferry? Bus?) And once in Tofino, is it easy to get to Pacific Rim Park still without a car? Also, how do you get to Vancouver from Tofino afterward? Finally, do you know of any budget-friendly accommodation in Tofino? Thanks so much for your help!

Hi everyone,

We’re heading to Florida at the end of October with our 2- and 4-year-olds. I’d love to get your thoughts on the itinerary we’re considering.

Since we’re traveling with little ones, we’re keeping the number of stops limited to make things easier for them and avoid packing and unpacking every day.

Here’s the plan so far: Day 1: Land in Orlando at 6 PM Day 2: Orlando (rest day) Day 3: Disney World (Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party starting at 4 PM, so we’ll pick one Disney park for the day) Day 4: Orlando > Anna Maria Island (stopping in St. Petersburg) Day 5: Anna Maria Island Day 6: Anna Maria Island > Fort Myers or Naples Day 7: Fort Myers or Naples Day 8: Visit Sanibel and stay overnight in Fort Myers or Naples Day 9: Fort Myers or Naples > Miami (via Shark Valley) Day 10: Miami Day 11: Miami > Keys (stopping in the Everglades?) Day 12: Day trip to Key West Day 13: Keys Day 14: Keys and return to the airport in the evening for our flight

For the Keys, I was thinking Marathon or Islamorada might be a good base with kids—less driving on the last day, too. What do you think?

For the 3 nights in Fort Myers or Naples, where do you think is better to stay? We’d like to spend one day on Sanibel and the rest relaxing. We’ve only planned 2 nights in Miami. Is that a mistake? Should we cut one night from Naples/Fort Myers to add an extra night in Miami? If so, maybe skip Sanibel. Also, does ending in the Keys instead of Miami seem like a bad idea? We’d be staying in Marathon or Islamorada, which keeps prices more reasonable since it’s a weekday. Plus, it lets us break up the drive from Naples to the Keys without adding an extra stop near the Everglades, which would mean another hotel change for the kids.

Thanks so much for your help!

Caroline

Hi everyone,

We’re planning a road trip on Route 66 in 2027 with our two kids, who’ll be 7 and 4 years old.

My husband would prefer to do it in an SUV, while I’d rather go in a camper van.

What are the pros and cons of each option?

Thanks for your input!

Hi there, We’re 4 adults heading to Montreal on June 13 for 15 days to explore eastern Canada, moving between accommodations. We need a vehicle with enough trunk space for 4 checked bags (24 kg each). Which model should we rent, and which rental company do you recommend (preferably at Montreal Airport)? Thanks to anyone who can help us figure this out—it’s trickier than it seems since car models in Canada aren’t the same as in Europe! Nicolas

Hi everyone, We’re planning to head to Québec on June 11th (departing from CDG) and return around July 3rd, leaving from Toronto—so about 3 weeks there, traveling by rental car. We’re thinking of stopping in Ottawa to visit a friend. We’d love to see the "must-see" spots, but not *too* many, along with nature, parks, some short hikes, canoeing, a seaplane ride, and wrapping up with Niagara Falls. Do you think we can fit all that into the time we have? What are the spots you’d recommend not missing along our route? Is a short trip to Gaspésie at the start of our trip worth considering? Anyway, as you’ve probably guessed, we’re still in the early planning stages and aren’t quite sure how to organize everything 🤪 Thanks in advance for your thoughts and advice!

Hi there, We’re planning a trip in August 2025 with two kids (8 and 11 years old) in a camper van through the American West. Any tips for renting a van? (I’ve started looking, and it seems really expensive—August probably doesn’t help...) But it’ll still be cheaper and more nature-focused than motels... We’re considering this route: Salt Lake City - Great Salt Lake - Yellowstone - Grand Teton, then heading back down toward Lake Tahoe, Yosemite (Sequoia Park if we have time), and San Francisco. Do you think this is doable? Any suggestions for other sites to visit? Also, any recommendations for campgrounds in these areas? Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone,

We’re thinking of heading back to the US but we’re still debating the itinerary. We’d love to revisit New York, but after that...? We’ve already explored the East Coast without making it down to Florida. So we’re wondering if we should go there. New Orleans has been catching our eye, and Memphis with its blues-rock vibe is also really appealing. A road trip that would start on the East Coast and head inland/mid-country. Any suggestions?

Or... we’re even considering stretching all the way to the West Coast: - Passing through LA, which we’d ultimately skipped on our West Coast trip, but maybe it’s not the best time to go with all those wildfires that have devastated iconic spots... - Or heading north to Washington and/or Oregon states, or closer, Montana.

Anyway, I’d love to hear your thoughts on what kind of loop we could do in 4 weeks... Given that in 2023, we spent nearly 6 weeks in the West, covering San Francisco, Yosemite, Death Valley, Mammoth Lake, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Page and its surroundings, Arches, Canyonlands, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Zion, Bryce, and Las Vegas.

On that note, I have to give a big shout-out to Thibaut, aka ITAT, for his time and invaluable advice in planning that West Coast trip. Since then, I’ve really enjoyed taking the time to share tips about places I’ve visited! Speaking of which, don’t hesitate to PM me for West Coast advice! Otherwise, I’ll be sharing a recap of that trip in a travel journal—currently in Word—that I’ll post on the forum later. For those interested, I also made a video montage (with clickable chapters in the description) of those 5 weeks here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx8d4ommhv4. Just a heads-up: the Bodie videos aren’t mine (my GoPro died), and the grass was completely green when we passed through, unlike in the video.

Looking forward to your suggestions! !

Hi everyone,

I’ve been reading reviews of different hotels for 3 nights in Las Vegas, and now I’m totally lost ;) So far, within our budget, we’ve shortlisted: (in no particular order) - the New York New York - the Park MGM - the Planet Hollywood

We’ll be back for just one night in Las Vegas, and for that single night, we’re thinking of staying near the airport. The Luxor seems like a good option based on price—we want to splurge a bit more for the first 3 nights.

Our main priorities are cleanliness, and honestly, it feels like it’s hit-or-miss everywhere... Also, check-in seems to take forever at all these places, and since we land at 6 PM, by the time we get there... with the jet lag, the long check-in is really stressing me out... How’s the soundproofing at these hotels, by the way? We don’t need parking, and the pool isn’t a big deal for us :)

We’re open to other affordable suggestions!

Thanks in advance for all your tips, have a great week!

Hi there,

I’m looking for a hotel room for my wife and me and our 2 kids to visit Manhattan (NYC). We’ll be arriving from Montreal in a rental car.

Do you have any suggestions for hotels with parking or hotels without parking but with affordable parking nearby, either in Manhattan or not too far away?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Gigi