Hi there,

I’m spending some time in Switzerland this summer. Beyond the landscapes, I’d still like to visit a few cities—especially Bern, Lausanne, Zurich, and Fribourg.

The issue is parking...

For Lausanne, I found a park-and-ride that’s cheaper on Saturdays. But for the others, it gets tricky...

I don’t necessarily plan to park right in the city center, but there don’t seem to be proper park-and-rides...

I see that the Bern–Fribourg railway line is under construction.

I’d really like to avoid paying an arm and a leg for parking over there or relying on a train once an hour.

Same goes for Montreux—it looks pretty complicated...

If you’ve got any tips...

Thanks! !

Hi there, my partner and I are planning a 3-week trip to Scandinavia next June (2026). We’d love to validate our itinerary and get any relevant tips on what to see—or avoid, etc.

Day 1 and 2: Departure from Montreal and arrival in Copenhagen Days 2, 3, 4: Stay in Copenhagen Day 5: Train from Copenhagen to Stockholm Days 5, 6, 7: Stay in Stockholm Day 8: Flight from Stockholm to Oslo Days 8, 9, 10: Stay in Oslo Day 11: Train from Oslo to Bergen (Bergen Line) Days 11, 12: Stay in Bergen Days 13 to 18: 6-night cruise with Hurtigruten or Havila Day 19: Stay in Kirkenes Day 20: Flight from Kirkenes to Oslo Days 20, 21: Stay in Oslo Day 22: Return to Montreal from Oslo.

Thanks so much.

Hi there,

I’m planning a trip from Gran Canaria to El Hierro to Tenerife at the end of winter.

My current dilemma is where to book accommodations on Gran Canaria.

We’re planning to stay 7 nights on the island, and our goal is to hike, drive along small roads, discover a few villages, and admire some beaches (just for the views, not for swimming!).

Since the island is quite rugged, the journeys can be long even if the distances are short. I’d like to avoid driving 2 hours every morning and evening to reach the area we want to explore...

I’m thinking of splitting the 7 nights into 4 somewhere and 3 elsewhere.

But where? It seems the center and the northwest might be the best options.

Any advice, given that I’m mainly looking for peace and quiet, a beautiful view, a secluded spot, or a quiet village?

Thanks! :)

Hi everyone, I’m sharing my draft itinerary with you because I just booked our flight tickets, and I feel like it’s quite late in the season. So, I’d like to be sure about my stops before reserving the hotels. I’ll be traveling alone with my two adult children. We want to prioritize outdoor walks, avoid too many indoor visits (both for budget and preference), and not spend too much time on the road.

D1: Arrival at 9 AM in Malaga, day in Malaga and overnight stay D2: Head straight to Nerja (1-hour drive) and spend the night there D3: Head straight to Granada (1.5-hour drive), spend the day and night there D4: Granada. Visit the Alhambra (Nasrid Palaces tour at 5 PM) and spend the night D5: Head to Ronda (2.5-hour drive) and spend the night D6: White Villages and overnight in Ronda D7: Head straight to the Costa del Sol (e.g., Estepona), spend the day and night there D8: Return to Malaga to catch our flight

There you go! This itinerary takes into account that we’d like to do a circuit starting from Seville in a few years. That said, it’d be a shame to miss something doable from Malaga.

Questions: Since the Alhambra visit is only at 5 PM, and we’d already have the day to explore Granada, would arriving the day before be a mistake? Or should we skip this day and dedicate it elsewhere (Costa del Sol? Head toward Tabernas?)? The old town appeals to me, but maybe the Sacromonte neighborhood isn’t essential... Same question for Ronda: should we dedicate a full day to it, or combine Ronda and the White Villages in one day? Note that we love wandering around villages outside, so that might answer my question! :)

Final question: Is it better to rent the car at Malaga Airport or in the city? If we rent at the airport, we’d need a hotel with parking, which doesn’t seem easy. Or stay outside the city and park for free near the center if possible? I’ve read comments about taking a taxi to Malaga and then picking up the rental car at the airport the next morning. The taxi would really need to be affordable...

Thanks so much for your feedback and suggestions for visits during this little circuit. Have a great day, everyone! Christine

Hi everyone

We’re thinking of a getaway to Lisbon in October—how much time should we plan? Any great tips or must-see spots?

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I’m heading back to Rome soon, but this time we’re bringing our teens. Instead of wandering the streets like I usually love doing in this city, we’ll be hitting the "must-see" sights with them: the Colosseum and the Vatican.

And that’s where it gets tricky—apparently, we need to book everything in advance. We’re getting lost among all the offers, official sites, GetYourGuide and the like, packages, with prices ranging from one to three times as much and different tour options...

Could you share your booking experiences for: - Colosseum visit, including the underground level - St. Peter’s Basilica, including the dome - Vatican Museums

Thanks! 🙂

Hi there, I’ve just booked our flight tickets for my family. We’re heading to Ireland for a week between July and August—it’s our first time (with 1 teen and 2 younger kids).

We’ll be landing in Cork where we’ve rented a car. Initially, I was planning to focus our visits and walks on the Ring of Kerry and Dingle, but it looks like the roads get pretty busy in the summer.

So now I’m thinking of sticking to the "West Cork" area (Beara, Sheep’s Head, Mizen Head), which seems quieter.

For those who know the area, is this a good idea, or are we at risk of missing out on more spectacular landscapes? Thanks in advance! Best regards

Hi there, I read your summary of your trip around the Lofoten Islands and I’m interested in the spots where you slept in a tent, but I can’t open your document—would it be possible for you to send it to me?

Hi there,

We’re a group of 4 heading out at the end of June for 11 days. I’m just starting my research. We’ll be renting a regular car, not a 4x4. I’m not finding a ton of info on the North. Would love your take on all those kilometers—is there a route that lets us cut out a section? Thanks

Hi everyone! 🙂

For once, I'm heading north... I’ve decided to spend a short time in Iceland, alone, during the first week of July. I’ll only have 5 full days there. Sure, it’s not much, so I’ll focus on what attracts me the most: the Highlands. Obviously, renting a 4x4—or even a regular car—on my own isn’t an option. That’s why I’m breaking my (probably unfounded) principles and have contacted local agencies for "day tours" in small-group format. Well, small-group up to 15 people, anyway... Oh well, I’m going for it! I’m really hesitant about visiting the Golden Circle on the last day, since I’ve read it’s become super crowded. I’d love your thoughts on this. Plus, if I visit that area, I’d want to include Bruarfoss, and as far as I know, only the Troll agency offers that detour. There’s also the Snaefellsnes Peninsula excursion that appeals to me, but it seems time-consuming. Time-consuming like the Jokulsarlon tour I’ve already booked. (But that’s on the first day, so I’ll still be full of energy!) By the last day, I’ll probably be running on empty... Otherwise, I’ll be doing 3 4x4 excursions that I’m really excited about: 1 in Thorsmork Valley, 1 in Landmannalaugar, and 1 in Kerlingarfjöll.

So, Golden Circle or no Golden Circle—that’s the question... Or maybe a relaxed day visiting Reykjavik and a lagoon. Blue Lagoon? Sky Lagoon? Meh...

Hi fellow travelers.

I’m planning a trip to the Norwegian fjords soon, and of course, I’ll need to exchange my euros for Norwegian kroner since the currency isn’t the same as in France.

I know you can exchange money at tourist offices or some banks.

Honestly, I’m writing this because it’s my first time traveling to a country that doesn’t use the euro, and I’m wondering how the process works.

Do I need to take care of any administrative steps before heading there, or have special documents on hand to exchange money once I arrive? Do I have to have cash for this?

Or can I just walk into a bank like nothing’s up and exchange money using my bank details, employment contract, etc.?

Anyway, I just wanted to get some details on how it all works and what I’ll need to do to make sure everything goes smoothly and without any issues—I have no idea how this works and don’t want any bad surprises.

Looking forward to your replies! 😉

Hi there, Can you share your experiences about Bilbao with us? We're planning to go during the last week of April, with our main goal being to visit the Guggenheim Museum. Despite our research, we're not sure if a week is too long or what there really is to see and do in Bilbao. Should we rent a car to explore the surrounding areas? For San Sebastián, it seems there are pretty convenient buses. Would a day trip there and back be doable? Any advice would be welcome regarding the itinerary, local transportation, hotels, and how long to stay. Thanks in advance! Maevita

Hi, I'm looking for info on Tuscany with the idea of taking a family vacation at the end of August, but we're not into cities or crowds. We're more into wild nature, beaches, and hiking... I've heard about southern Tuscany—is it too urbanized? Where else should we look? Thanks so much

Hi everyone,

We’re heading to Vienna in 3 weeks for a 5-day trip! After reading a few travel journals and discussions about this destination, I still can’t quite figure out what the must-sees are. Your itineraries are so varied that it’s hard to narrow it down!

Ideally, we’d like to explore Vienna without feeling like we’re stuck in museums. If you have recommendations for little green oases, short urban walking routes, or addresses for charming cafés, we’d love to hear them!

Thanks in advance for your help! !

Hi everyone,

The last time we saw the Dolomites—briefly—was back in 1982. Obviously, things have changed dramatically since then, as few Italian tourist spots are spared from crowds these days.

So, I have two questions:

1) When? Which period offers relatively good weather and moderate crowds? I was thinking October, but are the cable cars still running then? And what about accommodations?

2) Where? Which "must-see" spots should we skip? On the other hand, which places should we prioritize?

We’d like to do a few hikes—moderate in terms of time, distance, and elevation gain.

Thanks for your tips!

Hello, I’d like to travel alone to the Algarve for about 10 days, as my husband sadly passed away. I’m thinking of going at the end of April or beginning of May 2026. I’ll fly into Faro, then rent a car and head toward the westernmost tip of the coast. Over 10 days, what are the best spots to see from Faro to the tip—hikes along the coastline or even exploring the countryside? For accommodations, can I also stay with locals? And which car rental company is the best? Thanks in advance for your help! Jo

Hi everyone, I’m heading out next week with my van and arriving in Cork to tour Ireland for three weeks. Would you know any off-the-beaten-path spots to discover natural hot springs or rivers where you can take a peaceful dip? Thanks for your suggestions and ideas! Guy

Hello,

After a road trip in Quebec in 2025, we’re looking for a destination this year (around September 20th to October 10th) where we can settle in 2 or 3 spots and explore the area without having to drive 200 km every day to see something. I’ve had my eye on northeastern Spain for a while, and I thought of the Basque Country and its hinterland (Rioja? Navarre?) to avoid too many kilometers from Belgium. Bilbao and San Sebastián seem like must-sees, and beyond that, we love the vibe of small ports, medieval old towns (like Onati), hiking in beautiful landscapes, and cycling on greenways. I also spotted the Bardenas Reales, but it might be too far from a home base—unless we make it an extra stop... Based on this, can you recommend where it’d be interesting to set up base? Have a great evening, Claire

Hi there, I’m planning a roughly 15-day trip to Scotland at the end of September/beginning of October for a road trip (meaning: renting a car and finding accommodations at strategic points). There won’t be anything original in my itinerary—I’m discovering Scotland for the first time, so I’ll be visiting the most well-known spots. I’d love to hear your thoughts and advice. I’m a bit worried about trying to do *too much* in 15 days—the idea is to enjoy myself and not rush or spend my days in the car.

Here are the places I was thinking of stopping to sleep, which gives an idea of the route I’d like to take:

Day 1: Arrival in Edinburgh in the evening Day 2: Day in Edinburgh Day 3: Edinburgh → Cairngorms Day 4: Cairngorms Day 5: Cairngorms → Inverness Day 6: Inverness → Torridon Day 7: Torridon → Plockton Day 8: Plockton → Isle of Skye Day 9: Isle of Skye Day 10: Isle of Skye Day 11: Isle of Skye → Glenfinnan Day 12: Glenfinnan → Trossachs Day 13: Trossachs → Glasgow Day 14: Glasgow → Edinburgh, departure early afternoon

I’m open to all feedback on the itinerary, especially from those who’ve already explored Scotland. Specifically about the stops/overnights—if there’s a better way to do it and if it’s doable without feeling too rushed. Thanks everyone! 🙂

Hi everyone! I’m looking for any info that could help us with the excursions on the MSC Fantasia—Barcelona, Ibiza, Sardinia, Rome, Florence, and Cannes. Places to visit, tips to save us time… The cruise is from July 29 to August 5, 2026. Thanks!

Hi everyone,

For the May public holidays, we’ve planned a 5-day trip to Puglia (which feels a bit short, but we couldn’t do otherwise—work commitments!).

We’ll be staying in Bari and plan to explore the surrounding villages on day trips or half-day trips. We’re struggling to decide which ones to visit.

What do you think is doable/reasonable in 5 days? Are some places more worth it than others?

Off the top of our heads, we were considering: Lecce, Ostuni, Alberobello, Brindisi, Matera, and Polignano a Mare... I think we won’t be able to do it all, so we’re thinking of cutting some destinations—but which ones?

Thanks in advance! Tyflore

Hi there,

We're planning our next September vacation for 10 days. We're thinking of going to the Balearic Islands but we're torn between Mallorca, Menorca, and Ibiza. And most importantly, which areas should we avoid and which should we prioritize, for example in Mallorca? We want to steer clear of places that are too crowded and too urbanized, and we'll be getting around by rental car.

Is it possible to visit two islands in 10 days with a ferry transfer?

Thanks for your tips!

Hi there, I’m heading to Tenerife for a week, from _ to February 14th. I’d love any tips for accommodations as well as hikes.

Thanks in advance for your advice and suggestions! Have a great weekend, Françoise.

Hi! I’m looking for ideas, tips, and great deals for a 15-day road trip around Portugal starting and ending in Faro. Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

Hi there! We’re heading to Andalusia for a week in early April. We’ll spend 3 days in Seville and 1 day in Córdoba. After that, we’d like to rent a car for the remaining 3 days to explore the Costa de la Luz.

We’d love to do some great hikes along the beaches between Tarifa and Cadiz and visit Cadiz itself. Is 3 full days enough to do this? Is it better to stay in Cadiz and explore the area from there, or should we move around to different villages? Do you have any hiking suggestions? We’ve spotted some hikes in Barbate, Trafalgar Beach, and Bolonia.

Thanks for your tips and hiking ideas! :-)

Hi there, I’m planning my first solo trip after watching some coaching videos that say it’s great for personal growth (independence, self-confidence, socializing, etc.).

I’d like to start with a weekend in Amsterdam in a few months.

But I’m wondering—should I follow a pre-made itinerary like the ones in *Lonely Planet* to keep stress low for my first solo weekend, or should I plan my own route by picking the places I want to visit and activities that interest me, then connecting them with Google Maps to build my independence?

Because that’s really the skill I want to work on most during this trip.

The thing is, if I go with the second option, I’m worried I’ll panic trying to find my way once I’m there. So now I’m stuck in a dilemma.

Also, about youth hostels—how far in advance should I book?

Thanks!

Hello fellow travelers! My husband and I would like to spend a few weeks in Jan-Feb-Mar 2025 in Spain.☺️ Our main criteria: shopping, hiking, long walks along the sea, climate 15-24°C, easy transport, languages (French, English, or Spanish), 🥂🏌️‍♀️🚴🎾☀️🎼🏝️ We’ve already been to Marbella and Alicante. However, we don’t know these places apart from suggestions from friends who’ve visited them. 🤔 We’re thinking of renting an apartment or condo near the sea and maybe a car from time to time! We’ve visited Spain a lot and really enjoy it given the distance and climate for these months away from the cold! 😊 Looking forward to your suggestions and tips! Thanks so much! 🤗 Oh, and we’re seniors but in great shape! 💃🕺😉

Hey there, I’m heading to Tuscany in August for three weeks. Does anyone have any tips to share? Thanks in advance! Olivier

Hello,

We're planning to visit Lake Garda from August 10th to 24th with our 4-year-old daughter. We’d stay for 15 days. We’ll be arriving at Verona Airport. We don’t know the area at all. We were thinking of staying near Malcesine. Do you think we should plan for two accommodations to explore the lake? We’d prefer to avoid crowded spots, even though I suspect it might be tricky in August. If you have any great tips or recommendations within a budget of up to 150 € per night, that would be amazing! Do you think a car is essential, or can the lake be easily explored by ferry and bus? For a 15-day stay, would you recommend staying around Lake Garda or visiting one or more other lakes as well? We’re looking for activities suitable for our 4-year-old daughter.

Thanks so much for your help. I

Hi there, We’re spending a week in Andalusia in April, starting with 2 days in Seville, then Córdoba, Granada, and Ronda. We’re thinking of renting a car the morning we leave Seville and returning it at the airport on the last day.

Do you know which downtown rental spot is the easiest for quickly getting out of the city? Or maybe it’s simpler to rent at the airport and leave the car in a parking lot for the first 2 days? Thanks in advance for your help!

Amandine