Hey everyone, so happy the site is back!
After traveling solo across Iran and the Stan countries from one end to the other,
this time I’m heading to Southeast Asia with my wife and our 3-year-old.
I went to the Philippines almost 10 years ago and actually met some forum members there. It was love at first sight.
I’ve booked tickets from January 10 to March 31 for Bangkok (amazing price from Milan).
I was thinking of spending:
3 weeks in Thailand
3 weeks in Vietnam
1 month in the Philippines.
Don’t worry, I won’t spam the forum with a thousand messages asking how to get from point A to point B :)))
I’m reaching out to the experts or regulars here for suggestions and ideas!
For Thailand,
Obviously, some beautiful beaches wouldn’t hurt for a bit of relaxation. I was thinking of Koh Phayam or Koh Kood (or Koh Chang). If anyone knows a nice spot, even if it’s not on an island, I’m all ears.
It’s tricky to ask this for Thailand, but I’m looking for a bit of tranquility (so I’ll probably avoid Phuket, Koh Samui, etc.). (Though I know sometimes you just need to get off the beaten path to find some peace, but I’m not sure if that’s the case in Thailand.)
Vietnam—I have no idea!! A friend mentioned Danang, which could be a good base to explore the countryside/inland areas.
And the Philippines—I had a huge crush on the country (Bantayan, Dumaguete, Sipalay, Siquijor) and really want to go back, maybe to new places/islands.
I have one constraint:
We’ll stay in the same place each time. With a kid, it’s tough to move every 2 days (unlike when I’m solo), and I hope this will let us connect with locals by staying put for 3 weeks at a time. (Plus, my budget is pretty tight, so the idea is to negotiate a good price for 3 weeks in the same accommodation.)
(My rough budget is 1000 € per month for the three of us: 450 € for lodging, 450 € for food, and 100 € for a scooter. This doesn’t include boat, bus, etc. transfers.)
If you have any ideas, tips, or experiences to share, I’m all ears!
I’m totally open to shortening or extending our stays in each country, even if it means skipping one of the three.
Hi everyone, I’ve spent two solid months reading the Lonely Planet and pretty much every post about Thailand here, plus French and English blogs. Now I’d love to get your expert opinions on our itinerary.
We’re heading off in August 2025 with our 7-year-old daughter. We only have a maximum of three weeks off, and I’m keeping an eye on flight prices before booking (1400 € per person really stings 😕).
So here’s what I’ve planned—let me know if you spot any major issues or if I’ve been way too "optimistic."
D1 - Arrival in Bangkok / rest, quick visit, overnight stay D2 - More temple visits, etc. D3 - Morning flight to Chiang Mai D4 - More Chiang Mai sightseeing D5 - Day trip to Chiang Rai (guided tour to book: blue and white temple), return to Chiang Mai late in the evening D6 - More Chiang Mai visits / Elephant Nature Park in the afternoon D7 - Morning flight to Koh Samui, sightseeing D8 to D10 - More Koh Samui visits D11 to D13 - Ferry to Koh Phangan D14 to D15 - Ferry to Koh Tao D16 - Return to Koh Samui, then flight to Bangkok D17 - Day trip to Ayutthaya, return to Bangkok in the evening D18 - Flight back to France :(
I know a lot of you recommend heading straight to Chiang Mai to recover from the international flight, but my partner and I NEVER sleep on planes (personally, I’ve been flying to Taiwan since I was little and have never slept more than an hour on a 14-hour flight...), so it’s essential for us to rest upon arrival . That’s also why I opted for domestic flights instead of the sleeper train—I know we’d lose over 10 hours and wouldn’t be able to rest properly in those conditions. And I’m sure you’ll also say BKK > North > South is too much for three weeks, but I really want to see as much as possible. Given how much the flights will cost, I’m not sure when we’ll be able to come back 🏴☠️.
So, questions: 1. Since we’ll only be in Bangkok for a maximum of two nights and need to easily reach the airport with luggage (and a child), which neighborhood should we prioritize? We’d love to experience the evening vibe of Asian night markets, ideally within walking distance of the hotel or just a few metro stops away. I’ve looked at Chinatown, but the BTS seems far... Should we go for somewhere near BTS Saphan Taksin or BTS Krungthonburi? But is the area lively in the evening with food courts, etc.? We’d also like to treat ourselves to a hotel with a pool.
2. Have we planned too many days in the south? Should I skip Koh Tao and just do Koh Samui + Koh Phangan? My partner and daughter aren’t strong swimmers, so we’re looking for beautiful beaches without too much current. Crowded beaches don’t bother us—we just want stunning turquoise waters without killer waves . Going all the way to Koh Tao and then back to Koh Samui to catch the flight to Bangkok seems too stressful. Is it still possible these days (I haven’t seen any recent posts on this) to head to Koh Samui in August and decide on the spot how many nights to spend in Koh Phangan or Koh Tao based on how we feel, booking hotels as we go? Or is that too risky?
If you have any better suggestions for fitting all this in while reducing internal flights, I’m all ears for your great tips
D1 - Arrival in Bangkok / rest, quick visit, overnight stay D2 - More temple visits, etc. D3 - Morning flight to Chiang Mai D4 - More Chiang Mai sightseeing D5 - Day trip to Chiang Rai (guided tour to book: blue and white temple), return to Chiang Mai late in the evening D6 - More Chiang Mai visits / Elephant Nature Park in the afternoon D7 - Morning flight to Koh Samui, sightseeing D8 to D10 - More Koh Samui visits D11 to D13 - Ferry to Koh Phangan D14 to D15 - Ferry to Koh Tao D16 - Return to Koh Samui, then flight to Bangkok D17 - Day trip to Ayutthaya, return to Bangkok in the evening D18 - Flight back to France :(
I know a lot of you recommend heading straight to Chiang Mai to recover from the international flight, but my partner and I NEVER sleep on planes (personally, I’ve been flying to Taiwan since I was little and have never slept more than an hour on a 14-hour flight...), so it’s essential for us to rest upon arrival . That’s also why I opted for domestic flights instead of the sleeper train—I know we’d lose over 10 hours and wouldn’t be able to rest properly in those conditions. And I’m sure you’ll also say BKK > North > South is too much for three weeks, but I really want to see as much as possible. Given how much the flights will cost, I’m not sure when we’ll be able to come back 🏴☠️.
So, questions: 1. Since we’ll only be in Bangkok for a maximum of two nights and need to easily reach the airport with luggage (and a child), which neighborhood should we prioritize? We’d love to experience the evening vibe of Asian night markets, ideally within walking distance of the hotel or just a few metro stops away. I’ve looked at Chinatown, but the BTS seems far... Should we go for somewhere near BTS Saphan Taksin or BTS Krungthonburi? But is the area lively in the evening with food courts, etc.? We’d also like to treat ourselves to a hotel with a pool.
2. Have we planned too many days in the south? Should I skip Koh Tao and just do Koh Samui + Koh Phangan? My partner and daughter aren’t strong swimmers, so we’re looking for beautiful beaches without too much current. Crowded beaches don’t bother us—we just want stunning turquoise waters without killer waves . Going all the way to Koh Tao and then back to Koh Samui to catch the flight to Bangkok seems too stressful. Is it still possible these days (I haven’t seen any recent posts on this) to head to Koh Samui in August and decide on the spot how many nights to spend in Koh Phangan or Koh Tao based on how we feel, booking hotels as we go? Or is that too risky?
If you have any better suggestions for fitting all this in while reducing internal flights, I’m all ears for your great tips
Hi there,
I’m planning my first trip to Asia next summer with my partner and our daughter, who’ll be 3 and a half at the time, for 4 weeks (maybe 5).
I’ve heard that the timing is better for visiting Indonesia, but I’m hesitant because Thailand seems more accessible, and I’m worried that traveling to Indonesia during high season might be less enjoyable and a lot more expensive due to the number of tourists. We love cultural sites as much as natural ones, and we’re big foodies. We’re not necessarily looking for luxury and tend to take our time, travel by public transport, and look for accommodations with a good value for money—though we do occasionally splurge on a high-end restaurant.
I’m also wondering when and where to buy flight tickets and how comfortable the journey will be (especially for our daughter) if we fly with Thai Airways or Garuda.
Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts and tips!
Damien
I’m planning my first trip to Asia next summer with my partner and our daughter, who’ll be 3 and a half at the time, for 4 weeks (maybe 5).
I’ve heard that the timing is better for visiting Indonesia, but I’m hesitant because Thailand seems more accessible, and I’m worried that traveling to Indonesia during high season might be less enjoyable and a lot more expensive due to the number of tourists. We love cultural sites as much as natural ones, and we’re big foodies. We’re not necessarily looking for luxury and tend to take our time, travel by public transport, and look for accommodations with a good value for money—though we do occasionally splurge on a high-end restaurant.
I’m also wondering when and where to buy flight tickets and how comfortable the journey will be (especially for our daughter) if we fly with Thai Airways or Garuda.
Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts and tips!
Damien
The couple involved refused to pay the extra fee demanded by the flight coordination company. Things quickly escalated. It got so bad that the man ended up physically fighting with an airport agent, even rolling on the ground.
https://www.nicematin.com/faits-divers/il-refuse-de-payer-un-supplement-bagages-le-litige-se-termine-en-bagarre-a-l-aeroport-de-nice-999711
If you can’t afford to pay for your luggage, don’t travel 😡. What’s next? Are they gonna hit the tour guide in Mykonos because the price of the tour went up without warning 🤪?
A heads-up to all EasyJet travelers: baggage checks are more strict than ever!
https://www.nicematin.com/faits-divers/il-refuse-de-payer-un-supplement-bagages-le-litige-se-termine-en-bagarre-a-l-aeroport-de-nice-999711
If you can’t afford to pay for your luggage, don’t travel 😡. What’s next? Are they gonna hit the tour guide in Mykonos because the price of the tour went up without warning 🤪?
A heads-up to all EasyJet travelers: baggage checks are more strict than ever!
Hi there,
This afternoon I had a flight at 5:10 PM to Amsterdam from Nice (final destination: Berlin). I arrived at the airport a little before 3:00 PM and saw that the flight was now leaving at 6:30 PM. I went to the counter to point out that I wouldn’t have time to make my connection, and they told me I’d be spending the night in Amsterdam.
When the agent checked her computer, she saw that I’d been put on a flight with another airline and asked if I hadn’t received an email.
In the end, I had to change terminals and leave at 7:05 PM with Swiss Airlines, then Air Baltic.
Just to clarify, I checked in less than 24 hours ago for both KLM flights (Nice-Amsterdam and Amsterdam-Berlin) where I had seats assigned. I checked my emails carefully, and I was never notified!
Luckily, the Swiss Airlines flight left later—otherwise, at 3:00 PM, I wouldn’t have had time to check in (I have a checked bag), and I don’t know how I would’ve proven I never got an email. Also, thankfully, I went to the counter much earlier than planned for the 6:30 PM departure.
In the end, I was lucky because with KLM, I would’ve lost a whole day. And it’s a good thing I always travel for at least two full weeks because I’ve often lost a day due to delays—I wouldn’t do that for a week or a weekend getaway...
This is the first time this has happened to me, but there’s a first time for everything!
This afternoon I had a flight at 5:10 PM to Amsterdam from Nice (final destination: Berlin). I arrived at the airport a little before 3:00 PM and saw that the flight was now leaving at 6:30 PM. I went to the counter to point out that I wouldn’t have time to make my connection, and they told me I’d be spending the night in Amsterdam.
When the agent checked her computer, she saw that I’d been put on a flight with another airline and asked if I hadn’t received an email.
In the end, I had to change terminals and leave at 7:05 PM with Swiss Airlines, then Air Baltic.
Just to clarify, I checked in less than 24 hours ago for both KLM flights (Nice-Amsterdam and Amsterdam-Berlin) where I had seats assigned. I checked my emails carefully, and I was never notified!
Luckily, the Swiss Airlines flight left later—otherwise, at 3:00 PM, I wouldn’t have had time to check in (I have a checked bag), and I don’t know how I would’ve proven I never got an email. Also, thankfully, I went to the counter much earlier than planned for the 6:30 PM departure.
In the end, I was lucky because with KLM, I would’ve lost a whole day. And it’s a good thing I always travel for at least two full weeks because I’ve often lost a day due to delays—I wouldn’t do that for a week or a weekend getaway...
This is the first time this has happened to me, but there’s a first time for everything!
Hi!
Sri Lanka has announced it could run out of fuel in the coming weeks if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked. The government has implemented a mandatory four-day workweek to save oil, and there are long lines at gas stations due to fears of an early shortage.
In Vietnam, the government has warned all airlines that flights will need to be reduced due to a lack of kerosene. The country imports two-thirds of its jet fuel from China and Thailand, but both countries have now banned exports out of fear of domestic shortages.
The state is asking airlines to plan ahead and park aircraft to drastically reduce operations, starting with domestic flights and then international ones. International carriers will also need to cut back on their rotations.
This will begin in the coming days. 🙁
Hi,
Right now, with the war raging in Iran and affecting all the neighboring countries of the Persian Gulf, many airports are completely closed to all traffic.
Several airlines like Qatar Airways, Emirates, and others have almost completely halted their operations.
Whether in the Middle East or Africa, many travelers are stranded—maybe for a long time... A heartfelt thought for them and the struggles this will cause.
Four months ago, I was in Kenya with a flight booked through Qatar Airways... I can’t even imagine how I’d react if I were stuck there now. ??
Wishing all these travelers courage, patience, and success in making it back home.
...
Doha Airport on October 21, 2025:
...
Right now, with the war raging in Iran and affecting all the neighboring countries of the Persian Gulf, many airports are completely closed to all traffic.
Several airlines like Qatar Airways, Emirates, and others have almost completely halted their operations.
Whether in the Middle East or Africa, many travelers are stranded—maybe for a long time... A heartfelt thought for them and the struggles this will cause.
Four months ago, I was in Kenya with a flight booked through Qatar Airways... I can’t even imagine how I’d react if I were stuck there now. ??
Wishing all these travelers courage, patience, and success in making it back home.
...
Doha Airport on October 21, 2025:
...
Hi there,
When I run searches on Skyscanner, I see that only Lufthansa has flights to Seoul with just one stop. Air France doesn’t show up, even though I thought the French airline served Seoul? I can’t even log into the Air France website—it keeps glitching.
When I run searches on Skyscanner, I see that only Lufthansa has flights to Seoul with just one stop. Air France doesn’t show up, even though I thought the French airline served Seoul? I can’t even log into the Air France website—it keeps glitching.
Hi there,
I’m right in the middle of planning a trip to the American West—23 days from 07/30 to 08/23.
Departure from Orly to Los Angeles with a layover in San Francisco, and return from Los Angeles to Orly.
Day 1: Orly - San Francisco (1 night)
Day 2 & 3: Los Angeles (2 nights)
Day 4, 5 & 6: San Francisco (3 nights)
Day 7: Lake Tahoe (1 night)
Day 8 & 9: Portland (2 nights)
Day 10, 11 & 12: Seattle (3 nights)
Day 13 & 14: Yellowstone (2 nights)
Day 15 & 16: Salt Lake City (2 nights)
Day 17 & 18: Las Vegas (2 nights)
Day 19 & 20: Grand Canyon (2 nights)
Day 21 & 22: Los Angeles (2 nights)
Day 23: Return flight (1 night in the air)
The flight’s already booked: 2250 € for 3 people. Car’s reserved—just finalized the last booking today: a Rav4 for 23 days from Sixt in Santa Monica, 715 € (all insurance included). Hotels are booked with free cancellation since I keep finding better options, and the itinerary isn’t 100% set yet.
The flight’s already booked: 2250 € for 3 people. Car’s reserved—just finalized the last booking today: a Rav4 for 23 days from Sixt in Santa Monica, 715 € (all insurance included). Hotels are booked with free cancellation since I keep finding better options, and the itinerary isn’t 100% set yet.
Hi there, we’re looking at a flight from Montreal to Zurich, then Zurich to Brussels (final destination). There are two couples and two kids in our group, and the layover is listed as 50 minutes. I wanted to check if this is doable before booking...
Hi there,
My daughter, wife, and I are starting to plan a two-week trip to Japan for... April 2026. My wife wants us to really treat ourselves, so we’re considering business class (we usually fly premium economy or even economy). Since we’re departing from Paris and want a direct flight, we have three options: JAL, ANA, or Air France.
I’ve flown Air France in business quite a bit for work, and I do find it very comfortable. But I wonder if I’m just defaulting to a national bias—maybe the other two airlines have advantages I’m not considering.
If I’m looking at criteria like: - Comfort (especially for sleeping) - Meals - Entertainment
Any advice? Personal experiences? Have any of the three airlines updated their business class on this route recently?
Thanks! !
My daughter, wife, and I are starting to plan a two-week trip to Japan for... April 2026. My wife wants us to really treat ourselves, so we’re considering business class (we usually fly premium economy or even economy). Since we’re departing from Paris and want a direct flight, we have three options: JAL, ANA, or Air France.
I’ve flown Air France in business quite a bit for work, and I do find it very comfortable. But I wonder if I’m just defaulting to a national bias—maybe the other two airlines have advantages I’m not considering.
If I’m looking at criteria like: - Comfort (especially for sleeping) - Meals - Entertainment
Any advice? Personal experiences? Have any of the three airlines updated their business class on this route recently?
Thanks! !
Hello,
I’ve been dreaming about the Silk Road for a long time and hope to visit Uzbekistan next year with my husband and son (11 years old). Late April to early May.
I’m planning a very classic itinerary: Tashkent - Samarkand - Bukhara - Khiva - Tashkent.
I checked the Uzbekistan Railways website, but it seems you can only book tickets three months in advance?
Otherwise, I’ve seen some people in other discussions suggest booking through Uzrailway. Are these the apps below? Are they reliable?
I really don’t want to go through a travel agency—I’d prefer to organize everything myself—and it seems the only hurdle is booking the trains. I was thinking of taking the train from Tashkent to Samarkand, then to Bukhara, and finally to Khiva, before flying back from Urgench to Tashkent with Uzbekistan Airways (is that a bad idea?🤪). What do you think?
Since we’re traveling with a child, I’d rather book and organize everything in advance to avoid any potential hassles. I tend to plan my trips much more now than I used to😏.
Would you have any great accommodation recommendations (not luxury, but not a youth hostel either)? We prefer places with charm, friendly owners, and a nice setting...
Also, I speak several languages but not Uzbek or Russian🤪... Is English widely spoken these days?
Thanks everyone 🙂
I’ve been dreaming about the Silk Road for a long time and hope to visit Uzbekistan next year with my husband and son (11 years old). Late April to early May.
I’m planning a very classic itinerary: Tashkent - Samarkand - Bukhara - Khiva - Tashkent.
I checked the Uzbekistan Railways website, but it seems you can only book tickets three months in advance?
Otherwise, I’ve seen some people in other discussions suggest booking through Uzrailway. Are these the apps below? Are they reliable?
I really don’t want to go through a travel agency—I’d prefer to organize everything myself—and it seems the only hurdle is booking the trains. I was thinking of taking the train from Tashkent to Samarkand, then to Bukhara, and finally to Khiva, before flying back from Urgench to Tashkent with Uzbekistan Airways (is that a bad idea?🤪). What do you think?
Since we’re traveling with a child, I’d rather book and organize everything in advance to avoid any potential hassles. I tend to plan my trips much more now than I used to😏.
Would you have any great accommodation recommendations (not luxury, but not a youth hostel either)? We prefer places with charm, friendly owners, and a nice setting...
Also, I speak several languages but not Uzbek or Russian🤪... Is English widely spoken these days?
Thanks everyone 🙂
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.
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
Hello,
Since it came into force, Regulation 261/2004 of the European Parliament and Council, which defines air passenger rights, has faced fierce resistance from airlines, backed by IATA (the association representing almost all passenger airlines).
Beyond the airlines' often abusive—and even frequently bad-faith—resistance to passenger rights, IATA has been lobbying EU institutions for years, with the Council paying close attention for a long time.
As a result, the Council and the Commission have been proposing revisions to Regulation 261/2004 for years that are particularly unfavorable to passengers. The latest attempt nearly eliminated the right to compensation for delays of 3 hours or more upon arrival at the final destination.
However, since this is a regulation of both the European Parliament AND the Council, the two bodies had to agree.
But the European Parliament has always stood firm, consistently responding that passenger rights must be preserved.
After 11 years of struggle, it seems likely that we’re finally nearing the end of the match between the European Commission, the Council (the 27 heads of state or government), and the European Parliament.
Indeed, the Commission and the European Parliament have agreed on a text that will be debated again on Monday, July 6, 2026, with a vote scheduled for July 7, 2026. It’s very likely that this text, which would come into force in a year, will be adopted.
The main changes would be as follows: - Families with children will no longer be forced to pay to sit together on planes; - A flight will be considered canceled (not just delayed) if it departs more than one hour late; - Right to compensation for arrival at the final destination if the delay exceeds 3 hours (no longer "3 hours OR more"). The arrival time will be when the plane, having reached its parking spot, engages its parking brakes (no longer when the aircraft door opens); - Airlines can no longer refuse boarding or charge extra on the return flight for a passenger who didn’t take the outbound flight; - If a flight is canceled, the airline must, at the same time as informing passengers of the event, offer the choice between a refund and re-routing, and inform them of their rights to assistance and, if applicable, compensation; - The airline must, without undue delay, inform passengers of the reason; - In the case of a connecting flight, if the connection is missed and the delay at the final destination entitles the passenger to compensation, the responsible airline will be liable. This is very different from the current situation, where, under the KLM ruling, any airline operating a segment of the flight is liable for compensation. This promises more disputes that the Court of Justice of the European Union will have to resolve if two separate airlines operating segments of a connecting flight are both responsible for the delay. See this case for an example: https://retardimportantavion.wordpress.com/2026/04/18/swiss-international-air-lines-la-mauvaise-foi/ Moreover, this case demonstrates in advance another potential dispute: It could be argued that it wasn’t a missed connection since the flight was canceled before the first leg even departed. - Within 96 hours of a flight that could entitle passengers to compensation, the airline must contact them to inform them of their rights and explain the next steps. - Passengers must claim their right to compensation within 9 months. This is very different from the current situation, as Regulation 261/2004 sets no time limit. Currently, national law applies—in France, the limit is 5 years. The airline must respond within 30 days. If the airline refuses compensation on the grounds of "extraordinary circumstances," it must specify which type of case it refers to from the list in the annex of the new regulation. If the case isn’t on the list, the airline must explain what the event was, why it qualifies as extraordinary circumstances with "clear, substantial, and concise" explanations, and why it’s directly linked to the reason given. It must also declare what "reasonable measures" were taken to mitigate the issue. This is, of course, a huge change in the regulation, with the clear goal of preventing airlines from declaring just anything as "extraordinary circumstances" to avoid compensation. - If, within 3 hours of a last-minute canceled or delayed flight, the airline hasn’t offered re-routing under comparable transport conditions and as soon as possible—whether on one of its own flights or another airline’s—the passenger will have the right to arrange their own re-routing and demand a refund for the new ticket, up to 400% of the original ticket price. This is a significant improvement that would have likely prevented the case described here: https://retardimportantavion.wordpress.com/2024/01/12/reacheminement-catastrophique-droit-indemnisation-meme-circonstances-extraordinaires-2/ - If a flight is canceled due to "extraordinary circumstances," the airline will only be required to offer up to 3 nights in a hotel. This is a major change, as there’s currently no limit. Expect disputes if the extraordinary circumstances end while the passenger hasn’t been re-routed. - The price of a flight, as first displayed, must obligatorily include a cabin bag. This doesn’t prevent the airline from offering a price reduction if the passenger waives the cabin bag. This will put an end to abnormal practices, such as (just one example) Condor charging extra for a cabin bag on long-haul flights like Frankfurt (Germany)–Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic)–Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic)–Frankfurt. - Free correction of a passenger’s name if requested 48 hours before departure. Note: This can’t be used to replace one passenger with another—just to correct a typo, e.g., Dupont instead of Dpont. - Airlines’ websites and apps must include information on how to file a claim.
It’s clear that, despite a few details, these changes are very positive for upholding passenger rights. It remains to be seen whether this text will be definitively adopted on July 7, 2026, as is very likely, and, more importantly, whether IATA will encourage airlines to loyally respect these new rules or persist in their old habits.
Best regards,
Since it came into force, Regulation 261/2004 of the European Parliament and Council, which defines air passenger rights, has faced fierce resistance from airlines, backed by IATA (the association representing almost all passenger airlines).
Beyond the airlines' often abusive—and even frequently bad-faith—resistance to passenger rights, IATA has been lobbying EU institutions for years, with the Council paying close attention for a long time.
As a result, the Council and the Commission have been proposing revisions to Regulation 261/2004 for years that are particularly unfavorable to passengers. The latest attempt nearly eliminated the right to compensation for delays of 3 hours or more upon arrival at the final destination.
However, since this is a regulation of both the European Parliament AND the Council, the two bodies had to agree.
But the European Parliament has always stood firm, consistently responding that passenger rights must be preserved.
After 11 years of struggle, it seems likely that we’re finally nearing the end of the match between the European Commission, the Council (the 27 heads of state or government), and the European Parliament.
Indeed, the Commission and the European Parliament have agreed on a text that will be debated again on Monday, July 6, 2026, with a vote scheduled for July 7, 2026. It’s very likely that this text, which would come into force in a year, will be adopted.
The main changes would be as follows: - Families with children will no longer be forced to pay to sit together on planes; - A flight will be considered canceled (not just delayed) if it departs more than one hour late; - Right to compensation for arrival at the final destination if the delay exceeds 3 hours (no longer "3 hours OR more"). The arrival time will be when the plane, having reached its parking spot, engages its parking brakes (no longer when the aircraft door opens); - Airlines can no longer refuse boarding or charge extra on the return flight for a passenger who didn’t take the outbound flight; - If a flight is canceled, the airline must, at the same time as informing passengers of the event, offer the choice between a refund and re-routing, and inform them of their rights to assistance and, if applicable, compensation; - The airline must, without undue delay, inform passengers of the reason; - In the case of a connecting flight, if the connection is missed and the delay at the final destination entitles the passenger to compensation, the responsible airline will be liable. This is very different from the current situation, where, under the KLM ruling, any airline operating a segment of the flight is liable for compensation. This promises more disputes that the Court of Justice of the European Union will have to resolve if two separate airlines operating segments of a connecting flight are both responsible for the delay. See this case for an example: https://retardimportantavion.wordpress.com/2026/04/18/swiss-international-air-lines-la-mauvaise-foi/ Moreover, this case demonstrates in advance another potential dispute: It could be argued that it wasn’t a missed connection since the flight was canceled before the first leg even departed. - Within 96 hours of a flight that could entitle passengers to compensation, the airline must contact them to inform them of their rights and explain the next steps. - Passengers must claim their right to compensation within 9 months. This is very different from the current situation, as Regulation 261/2004 sets no time limit. Currently, national law applies—in France, the limit is 5 years. The airline must respond within 30 days. If the airline refuses compensation on the grounds of "extraordinary circumstances," it must specify which type of case it refers to from the list in the annex of the new regulation. If the case isn’t on the list, the airline must explain what the event was, why it qualifies as extraordinary circumstances with "clear, substantial, and concise" explanations, and why it’s directly linked to the reason given. It must also declare what "reasonable measures" were taken to mitigate the issue. This is, of course, a huge change in the regulation, with the clear goal of preventing airlines from declaring just anything as "extraordinary circumstances" to avoid compensation. - If, within 3 hours of a last-minute canceled or delayed flight, the airline hasn’t offered re-routing under comparable transport conditions and as soon as possible—whether on one of its own flights or another airline’s—the passenger will have the right to arrange their own re-routing and demand a refund for the new ticket, up to 400% of the original ticket price. This is a significant improvement that would have likely prevented the case described here: https://retardimportantavion.wordpress.com/2024/01/12/reacheminement-catastrophique-droit-indemnisation-meme-circonstances-extraordinaires-2/ - If a flight is canceled due to "extraordinary circumstances," the airline will only be required to offer up to 3 nights in a hotel. This is a major change, as there’s currently no limit. Expect disputes if the extraordinary circumstances end while the passenger hasn’t been re-routed. - The price of a flight, as first displayed, must obligatorily include a cabin bag. This doesn’t prevent the airline from offering a price reduction if the passenger waives the cabin bag. This will put an end to abnormal practices, such as (just one example) Condor charging extra for a cabin bag on long-haul flights like Frankfurt (Germany)–Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic)–Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic)–Frankfurt. - Free correction of a passenger’s name if requested 48 hours before departure. Note: This can’t be used to replace one passenger with another—just to correct a typo, e.g., Dupont instead of Dpont. - Airlines’ websites and apps must include information on how to file a claim.
It’s clear that, despite a few details, these changes are very positive for upholding passenger rights. It remains to be seen whether this text will be definitively adopted on July 7, 2026, as is very likely, and, more importantly, whether IATA will encourage airlines to loyally respect these new rules or persist in their old habits.
Best regards,
Hi there,
I’m facing a rather unusual issue with SAUDI AIRLINES.
I booked a flight to Jakarta with a layover in Jeddah for July directly on their website on February 25th, paying for our three tickets via PAYPAL.
I quickly received confirmation that my flight was booked and our e-tickets were issued.
However, after several days, I noticed we were never charged for the tickets, and I saw on our PayPal account that the payment authorization was still pending.
At first, I chalked it up to cross-border or banking delays… but since I use PayPal often and the debit from my bank account is usually almost immediate, I called PayPal. They told me that neither they nor I had anything more to do: when a transaction is paid using their solution, the payment is systematically validated by the seller before the transaction (an automated process, I imagine). However, PayPal confirmed that SAUDI hadn’t done this and that they had a month to do so, otherwise the transaction would be canceled by PAYPAL and SAUDI wouldn’t receive the funds. There must have been a technical glitch because normally, I shouldn’t have received the tickets until they had received the payment.
Given the reviews I’ve read about their customer service, I’m worried they might cancel our tickets without notice once they realize their mistake—or that they’ll ask us to pay the amount at that point (since the closer we get to the date, the higher the price goes).
So, I’ve been trying to contact them nonstop via their app (I’ve submitted about 10 tickets), I’ve called them, messaged them on Messenger and Instagram, and so far, I haven’t gotten any response. Either they don’t read my message to the end and just reply that the flight is confirmed + resend the tickets, or more recently, they tell me the issue is being handled by another department. We tried calling them again on Saturday, but no luck—the French-speaking agents were always busy. On Messenger, they keep asking for the secret code sent by SMS at the start of the conversation, but of course, I never receive anything even though my number is correctly registered in my SAUDI account.
I don’t know what else to do, and I’m not sure if I’m right to worry they might cancel our tickets.
I’m afraid this could jeopardize our dream trip, for which I’ve already booked hotels and activities… and we were really looking forward to it.
I hope you can shed some light on this?
Thanks for taking the time to read this
At first, I chalked it up to cross-border or banking delays… but since I use PayPal often and the debit from my bank account is usually almost immediate, I called PayPal. They told me that neither they nor I had anything more to do: when a transaction is paid using their solution, the payment is systematically validated by the seller before the transaction (an automated process, I imagine). However, PayPal confirmed that SAUDI hadn’t done this and that they had a month to do so, otherwise the transaction would be canceled by PAYPAL and SAUDI wouldn’t receive the funds. There must have been a technical glitch because normally, I shouldn’t have received the tickets until they had received the payment.
Given the reviews I’ve read about their customer service, I’m worried they might cancel our tickets without notice once they realize their mistake—or that they’ll ask us to pay the amount at that point (since the closer we get to the date, the higher the price goes).
So, I’ve been trying to contact them nonstop via their app (I’ve submitted about 10 tickets), I’ve called them, messaged them on Messenger and Instagram, and so far, I haven’t gotten any response. Either they don’t read my message to the end and just reply that the flight is confirmed + resend the tickets, or more recently, they tell me the issue is being handled by another department. We tried calling them again on Saturday, but no luck—the French-speaking agents were always busy. On Messenger, they keep asking for the secret code sent by SMS at the start of the conversation, but of course, I never receive anything even though my number is correctly registered in my SAUDI account.
I don’t know what else to do, and I’m not sure if I’m right to worry they might cancel our tickets.
I’m afraid this could jeopardize our dream trip, for which I’ve already booked hotels and activities… and we were really looking forward to it.
I hope you can shed some light on this?
Thanks for taking the time to read this
Hi everyone,
We’re heading to Thailand with our four kids (ages 18, 17, 12, and 10) from August 3rd to 15th, 2026. I’ve been there twice before, but that was over 20 years ago, so I’m completely out of the loop !
We arrive in Bangkok on the morning of the 3rd and leave on the evening of the 15th.
Here’s our rough itinerary—I’d love your thoughts: 1 night in Bangkok on the 3rd (with a little sightseeing during the day), then the Grand Palace, reclining Buddha, and a floating market on the 4th. On the evening of the 4th, we take an overnight train to Chiang Mai. We’ll stay in Chiang Mai from the 5th to the 8th. On the evening of the 8th, we take an overnight train back to Bangkok. On the morning of the 9th, we head to Koh Samui. We’ll stay there from the 9th to the 12th, then return to Bangkok on the 13th. We’ll spend the afternoon of the 13th, the 14th, and the 15th in Bangkok before flying back to France 🙁.
So here are my questions: - Do you think this "itinerary is doable"? - Do you think it’s necessary to travel first class, or is second class with Air Co sufficient for the Bangkok to Chiang Mai trip? - Any recommendations for a great hotel with a pool, super central, so we can do most things on foot and visit the night market in Chiang Mai? - Any recommendations for a great hotel with a pool, super central, so we can do most things on foot and visit the night market in Bangkok? - Any recommendations for a great hotel with a pool, super central, so we can do most things on foot and visit the night market in Koh Samui?
For hotels, we’d like to spend a maximum of 200 € per night for the six of us.
Thanks in advance for your help! Mathilde
We’re heading to Thailand with our four kids (ages 18, 17, 12, and 10) from August 3rd to 15th, 2026. I’ve been there twice before, but that was over 20 years ago, so I’m completely out of the loop !
We arrive in Bangkok on the morning of the 3rd and leave on the evening of the 15th.
Here’s our rough itinerary—I’d love your thoughts: 1 night in Bangkok on the 3rd (with a little sightseeing during the day), then the Grand Palace, reclining Buddha, and a floating market on the 4th. On the evening of the 4th, we take an overnight train to Chiang Mai. We’ll stay in Chiang Mai from the 5th to the 8th. On the evening of the 8th, we take an overnight train back to Bangkok. On the morning of the 9th, we head to Koh Samui. We’ll stay there from the 9th to the 12th, then return to Bangkok on the 13th. We’ll spend the afternoon of the 13th, the 14th, and the 15th in Bangkok before flying back to France 🙁.
So here are my questions: - Do you think this "itinerary is doable"? - Do you think it’s necessary to travel first class, or is second class with Air Co sufficient for the Bangkok to Chiang Mai trip? - Any recommendations for a great hotel with a pool, super central, so we can do most things on foot and visit the night market in Chiang Mai? - Any recommendations for a great hotel with a pool, super central, so we can do most things on foot and visit the night market in Bangkok? - Any recommendations for a great hotel with a pool, super central, so we can do most things on foot and visit the night market in Koh Samui?
For hotels, we’d like to spend a maximum of 200 € per night for the six of us.
Thanks in advance for your help! Mathilde
Hello,
So glad the site is back up and running. It's such a useful treasure trove of information!
We're in the midst of planning our 4-week family trip to Thailand in July 2025. I've managed to sort out and book hotels and other activities across various sites, but I'm stuck on some transfers between different locations. Could you confirm or suggest better solutions, keeping in mind we're traveling with two kids aged 12 and 15 and I'd like to minimize risks for transfers.
I’d especially like to know if taxis/Grab are readily available for transfers 2, 3, and 6 below.
Transfers:
1. Bangkok - Kanchanaburi: planned by train 2. Kanchanaburi - Kaeng Krachan National Park: planned by taxi/Grab 3. Kaeng Krachan National Park - Hua Hin or San Roi Yot: planned by taxi/Grab 4. San Roi Yot to Bangkok Airport: planned by taxi, as trains wouldn’t get us there in time for our flight or would require an extra night in Bangkok 5. Bangkok - Chiang Rai: domestic flight 6. Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai: planned by public bus, taxi/Grab possible 7. Chiang Mai - Bangkok: domestic flight
Thanks for your feedback.
So glad the site is back up and running. It's such a useful treasure trove of information!
We're in the midst of planning our 4-week family trip to Thailand in July 2025. I've managed to sort out and book hotels and other activities across various sites, but I'm stuck on some transfers between different locations. Could you confirm or suggest better solutions, keeping in mind we're traveling with two kids aged 12 and 15 and I'd like to minimize risks for transfers.
I’d especially like to know if taxis/Grab are readily available for transfers 2, 3, and 6 below.
Transfers:
1. Bangkok - Kanchanaburi: planned by train 2. Kanchanaburi - Kaeng Krachan National Park: planned by taxi/Grab 3. Kaeng Krachan National Park - Hua Hin or San Roi Yot: planned by taxi/Grab 4. San Roi Yot to Bangkok Airport: planned by taxi, as trains wouldn’t get us there in time for our flight or would require an extra night in Bangkok 5. Bangkok - Chiang Rai: domestic flight 6. Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai: planned by public bus, taxi/Grab possible 7. Chiang Mai - Bangkok: domestic flight
Thanks for your feedback.
Hi, I need your help because I’m stuck. I booked 6 flight tickets to Palermo on August 6th through the Lastminute site. The flight is operated by Air France, and I just realized my name is wrong. I immediately contacted Air France, who told me it’s up to Lastminute to make the change, but they say it’s Air France’s responsibility. I’m really anxious because I’m traveling with my two kids. Can you help me?
Thanks
Hi there,
Hi, I just bought a flight ticket on eDreams. My account was debited, but I haven’t received the tickets. I checked my spam folder, but no luck. Could you provide me with a contact number or a link to their site so I can file a complaint? Alternatively, if anyone has a solution, I’d be interested in getting a refund. I contacted my bank, but since the amount has already been debited, what can they do? Thanks in advance!
Hi, I just bought a flight ticket on eDreams. My account was debited, but I haven’t received the tickets. I checked my spam folder, but no luck. Could you provide me with a contact number or a link to their site so I can file a complaint? Alternatively, if anyone has a solution, I’d be interested in getting a refund. I contacted my bank, but since the amount has already been debited, what can they do? Thanks in advance!
Hi,
Is it better to get around Ko Lanta with kids by taxi, tuk-tuk, or by renting a car? I don’t want to use a scooter since I don’t have a motorcycle license.
Thanks
Hi there, we're planning a 3-week trip to Indonesia in October 2026 with our kids, who’ll be 5 and a half and 3 and a half years old.
We’re thinking of visiting Komodo—maybe on a cruise—Sulawesi, and Raja Ampat.
We were wondering if it’s doable with young kids? Are they welcome on boats? In homestays?
We’re not the type to shy away from traveling with our kids, but since it *is* pretty far off the beaten path, we’ve got some questions.
Thanks in advance for your feedback! !
Hi everyone,
We’re planning a week-long trip to Finnish Lapland in February 2026 with two kids aged 7 and 4.
I’ve spent quite a bit of time browsing websites and this forum, but I still have a few questions left.
We’ll be landing in Rovaniemi but won’t be staying there, so we’re planning to rent a car. Do you have any recommendations for rental companies? Is a Golf-sized car sufficient, or should we opt for something better suited to the conditions?
I found some nice accommodations near Akaslompolo. Is the area nice? Are there restaurants, shops, etc.? If it were just me, I’d go for total isolation, but I’m not alone 😎 If not, do you have any alternatives within a 2-hour radius of Rovaniemi? I’d also spotted Luosto.
We’re planning the classic activities: - Visiting a reindeer farm (but no sled ride); - A dog-sledding excursion; - Ice fishing; - A few evenings hunting for auroras using our car and a dedicated app; - A day in Rovaniemi for Santa Claus Village, the Arctic Museum, and the small Ranua Zoo; - An ice hockey game; - And maybe a day of skiing.
Do you have any recommendations for activity providers?
What kind of clothing layers do you recommend for the kids at this time of year?
Is the amethyst mine in Luosto worth it? I think the prices are over the top and can’t figure out why… Maybe there’s a good reason?
Thanks in advance for your answers.
Best regards.
We’re planning a week-long trip to Finnish Lapland in February 2026 with two kids aged 7 and 4.
I’ve spent quite a bit of time browsing websites and this forum, but I still have a few questions left.
We’ll be landing in Rovaniemi but won’t be staying there, so we’re planning to rent a car. Do you have any recommendations for rental companies? Is a Golf-sized car sufficient, or should we opt for something better suited to the conditions?
I found some nice accommodations near Akaslompolo. Is the area nice? Are there restaurants, shops, etc.? If it were just me, I’d go for total isolation, but I’m not alone 😎 If not, do you have any alternatives within a 2-hour radius of Rovaniemi? I’d also spotted Luosto.
We’re planning the classic activities: - Visiting a reindeer farm (but no sled ride); - A dog-sledding excursion; - Ice fishing; - A few evenings hunting for auroras using our car and a dedicated app; - A day in Rovaniemi for Santa Claus Village, the Arctic Museum, and the small Ranua Zoo; - An ice hockey game; - And maybe a day of skiing.
Do you have any recommendations for activity providers?
What kind of clothing layers do you recommend for the kids at this time of year?
Is the amethyst mine in Luosto worth it? I think the prices are over the top and can’t figure out why… Maybe there’s a good reason?
Thanks in advance for your answers.
Best regards.
Hi there!
We’re heading to Thailand next February and will be stopping in Chiang Mai with our 4- and 6-year-olds, plus a couple of friends with a 6-year-old as well.
We’re looking for a boutique-style hotel (we’re not big fans of large chain establishments if we can avoid them) with a pool. The tricky part is finding family rooms.
Any recommendations, please? :) Thanks so much for your help!
See you soon! !
Any recommendations, please? :) Thanks so much for your help!
See you soon! !
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!
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 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
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
Hi there,
I’ll be traveling to Tuscany with my family (my wife and two kids, aged 6 and 8) from April 26 to May 5. Here’s a rough draft of our potential itinerary—I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions so I can tweak and improve it. We haven’t finalized our accommodations yet, but they’ll likely be near Florence (2 nights), Lucca (2 nights), Monteriggioni (2 nights), Pienza, Montalcino, and Greve in Chianti.
- April 26: o Arrival in Florence around 12:00 PM - April 27: o Florence - April 28: o Florence – Pistoia – Lucca - April 29: o Lucca – Pisa – Lucca - April 30: o Lucca – Volterra – San Gimignano – Monteriggioni - May 1: o Monteriggioni – Siena – Monteriggioni - May 2: o Monteriggioni – Abbey of Santa Maria di Monte Oliveto – Baccoleno – Castelmuzio – Chapel of Madonna di Vitaleta (San Quirico d’Orcia) – Pienza - May 3: o Pienza – Montepulciano – Montichiello – Abbey of Sant’Antimo – Bagno Vignoni Thermal Baths – Montalcino - May 4: o Montalcino – Castellina in Chianti – Radda in Chianti – Badia a Coltibuono – Volpaia – Montefioralle – Greve in Chianti - May 5: o Greve in Chianti – Florence airport
Thanks for any insights! 😉
I’ll be traveling to Tuscany with my family (my wife and two kids, aged 6 and 8) from April 26 to May 5. Here’s a rough draft of our potential itinerary—I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions so I can tweak and improve it. We haven’t finalized our accommodations yet, but they’ll likely be near Florence (2 nights), Lucca (2 nights), Monteriggioni (2 nights), Pienza, Montalcino, and Greve in Chianti.
- April 26: o Arrival in Florence around 12:00 PM - April 27: o Florence - April 28: o Florence – Pistoia – Lucca - April 29: o Lucca – Pisa – Lucca - April 30: o Lucca – Volterra – San Gimignano – Monteriggioni - May 1: o Monteriggioni – Siena – Monteriggioni - May 2: o Monteriggioni – Abbey of Santa Maria di Monte Oliveto – Baccoleno – Castelmuzio – Chapel of Madonna di Vitaleta (San Quirico d’Orcia) – Pienza - May 3: o Pienza – Montepulciano – Montichiello – Abbey of Sant’Antimo – Bagno Vignoni Thermal Baths – Montalcino - May 4: o Montalcino – Castellina in Chianti – Radda in Chianti – Badia a Coltibuono – Volpaia – Montefioralle – Greve in Chianti - May 5: o Greve in Chianti – Florence airport
Thanks for any insights! 😉
Hello,
My wife, our kids (aged 5 and 9), and I will arrive in Fukuoka on May 27, 2026. We plan to visit Japan for about a month—maybe a month and a half (we’re starting our 11-month world trip in Japan, so I’m flexible with dates).
For the driver’s license, can I get it translated in advance and receive it in France? If so, do you know of a website or contact that handles this?
For car rental, which company would you recommend? I did a simulation on Nippon Rent-A-Car, and it seems like a solid option. As for driving, I’ve already driven in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and Thailand, so if all the signs are also in Latin letters, I should be fine! That said, I know I won’t be driving in big cities like Osaka, Kyoto, or Tokyo.
We love the freedom a car provides.
Broadly speaking, we’d like to follow this route (mixing car rental and trains): Fukuoka > Hiroshima > Himeji > Osaka > Kyoto > areas around Mount Fuji > Nagano > Nikko > Tokyo
We’ll rent the car from Fukuoka to Himeji and from Kyoto to Tokyo.
I’m torn between exploring the northern coast (Nagato / Matsue / Tottori / Miyazu) or sticking to the southern coast (Fukuoka / Hiroshima / Fukuyama / Himeji). We’d love to see both the "must-see" sites and some more offbeat, hidden spots—places off the beaten path.
I’m also not ruling out a little road trip around Kyushu. I still need to look into the details of what to see there.
Best regards, Cédric
My wife, our kids (aged 5 and 9), and I will arrive in Fukuoka on May 27, 2026. We plan to visit Japan for about a month—maybe a month and a half (we’re starting our 11-month world trip in Japan, so I’m flexible with dates).
For the driver’s license, can I get it translated in advance and receive it in France? If so, do you know of a website or contact that handles this?
For car rental, which company would you recommend? I did a simulation on Nippon Rent-A-Car, and it seems like a solid option. As for driving, I’ve already driven in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and Thailand, so if all the signs are also in Latin letters, I should be fine! That said, I know I won’t be driving in big cities like Osaka, Kyoto, or Tokyo.
We love the freedom a car provides.
Broadly speaking, we’d like to follow this route (mixing car rental and trains): Fukuoka > Hiroshima > Himeji > Osaka > Kyoto > areas around Mount Fuji > Nagano > Nikko > Tokyo
We’ll rent the car from Fukuoka to Himeji and from Kyoto to Tokyo.
I’m torn between exploring the northern coast (Nagato / Matsue / Tottori / Miyazu) or sticking to the southern coast (Fukuoka / Hiroshima / Fukuyama / Himeji). We’d love to see both the "must-see" sites and some more offbeat, hidden spots—places off the beaten path.
I’m also not ruling out a little road trip around Kyushu. I still need to look into the details of what to see there.
Best regards, Cédric
