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.

Hello,

After spending some time reading through the forum posts, I’m finally taking the plunge to ask for your help. We’re planning a family trip—a couple with two kids aged 10 and 12—and we’ll be driving from the Paris region. Flying isn’t an option for us. We’ll pass through Munich on the way out and Mantua on the way back. I’ve tried to design an itinerary that suits our preferences: moving at a relaxed pace, avoiding constant packing and unpacking, and keeping the kids engaged. To give you an idea, our oldest wasn’t too impressed with Corsica because "it was meh, just pretty landscapes to look at." Our youngest is only happy when she can dip her feet in the water, and the parents aren’t fans of lounging on a towel for too long.

After all my research, I’ll admit I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed. Is this itinerary doable without turning into a mad dash? Am I missing any must-see spots? Is the Croatia leg realistic? Is it worth staying 4 nights on Brač, given we’re not big beach fans? Have I accounted for enough time at the border crossings? I’d love to hear your thoughts and advice.

Here’s the planned itinerary from July 21 to August 17: Day 1 to 4: Munich Day 5: Depart Munich for Plitvice Lakes (overnight there) Day 6: Visit Plitvice Lakes (overnight there) Day 7: Drive to Una (overnight in Cardaklije) Day 8: Visit Una (overnight in Cardaklije) Day 9: Rafting? (overnight in Cardaklije) Day 10: Drive to Sarajevo. Visit Jajce and Travnik? (overnight in Sarajevo) Day 11: Visit Sarajevo (overnight in Sarajevo) Day 12: Skakavac Waterfalls or other points of interest in the area (overnight in Sarajevo) Day 13: Drive to Mostar. Visit Konjic and Jablanica (overnight in Mostar or Blagaj?) Day 14: Kravica Waterfalls (overnight in Mostar or Blagaj?) Day 15: Visit Blagaj (overnight in Mostar or Blagaj?) Day 16: Visit Počitelj—drive to Hutovo Blato (overnight where???) Day 17: Visit (overnight where??) Day 18: Visit Split (and Trogir?) (overnight in Split or nearby) Day 19: Ferry to Brač (4 nights on Brač) Day 23: Ferry back to Split—drive to Šibenik (overnight in Šibenik or nearby) Day 24: Day trip to the Kornati Islands? (overnight in Šibenik) Day 25: Krka National Park (overnight in Šibenik) Day 26: Depart for Mantua

What do you think? I’m eagerly awaiting your responses. Thanks so much for your help!

Hi everyone,

We’re heading out as a family from July 2nd to 16th on a loop from Montreal to Montreal. We’re a couple with a little girl who’ll be turning 7 in July, plus my in-laws (one of whom uses a wheelchair).

Here’s our itinerary:

Wednesday, July 2: Arrival in Montreal in the early afternoon – picking up the car at the airport – exploring the city and overnight in Montreal Thursday, July 3: Montreal – overnight in Montreal Friday, July 4: Visit to Parc Omega – overnight in Saint-Jérôme Saturday, July 5: Heading to Trois-Rivières – visit to a sugar shack (Chez Dany? or another name?) – exploring the old town – overnight in Trois-Rivières Sunday, July 6: Shawinigan – Le Village du Bûcheron in Grandes-Piles? – black bear watching (probably not doable for wheelchair users, I think?!) – overnight in Trois-Rivières Monday, July 7: Heading to Chicoutimi – Saguenay – day at Lac Saint-Jean / Val-Jabert – overnight in Saguenay Tuesday, July 8: L’Anse-Saint-Jean – Saguenay Fjord National Park – overnight in Saguenay Wednesday, July 9: Tadoussac – exploring the area and the town – overnight in Tadoussac Thursday, July 10: Whale watching – Baie-Sainte-Catherine – overnight in Tadoussac Friday, July 11: La Malbaie – Baie-Saint-Paul – overnight on Île aux Coudres Saturday, July 12: Exploring the area? – overnight on Île aux Coudres Sunday, July 13: Montmorency Falls – overnight in Quebec City Monday, July 14: Quebec City – overnight in Quebec City Tuesday, July 15: Quebec City and return to Montreal – overnight in Beloeil Wednesday, July 16: Montreal – evening flight

We’ve booked our rooms to ensure a wheelchair-accessible room is available. When searching on Expedia or Booking, few hotels have rooms with a shower accessible for wheelchairs (so a real PMR room). However, these are cancelable, so if something really stands out, I’m all ears 😉.

We’ve booked our car through BSP Auto and we’re flying with Air Transat.

Thanks for any feedback and tips for the visits.

See you soon 🙂 Jennifer

Hi there, I’m heading to Quebec from 08/07/26 to 08/21/26 with my wife and our two sons, aged 8 and 10. I’m sharing my itinerary below—if you have any suggestions or feedback, I’d love to hear it!

Day 1: Arrival in Montreal on Friday, August 7th around 2 PM (it’s also one of my sons’ 8th birthday!). We’ll head to Westmount via public transit or taxi to pick up our Airbnb.

Day 2 & 3: Exploring Montreal.

Day 4: Picking up our rental car (not yet booked, but likely with Hertz via BSP Auto). We’ll explore the area around Montreal and then head to Montebello for the night.

Day 5: Visit to Parc Omega, staying overnight in Montebello (Airbnb).

Day 6: Heading to Shawinigan, possibly catching an evening show at Cité de l’Énergie. I’ve spotted Motel Auberge Pique-Nique for the night.

Day 7: Mauricie National Park. Overnight in Shawinigan.

Day 8: Heading to Lac Saint-Jean. I’ve looked into the Village Historique Val-Jalbert, but many say there are better options for visiting an old village, like the Village Québécois d’Antan near Quebec City. We’ll stay somewhere around the lake.

Day 9: Day around the lake, then overnight in Saguenay. FYI, August 15th is a holiday in Quebec (like in France), so some places might be busier or closed.

Day 10: Heading to Tadoussac. Staying overnight at the youth hostel to meet other travelers.

Day 11: Day in Tadoussac—whale watching and a guided forest excursion to see bears. Another night in Tadoussac.

Day 12: Heading to Quebec City, possibly stopping at Montmorency Falls along the way. We’ll pick up our Airbnb along the St. Lawrence River, not far from the aquarium.

Day 13 & 14: Exploring Quebec City and its surroundings.

Day 15: Returning to Montreal to catch our flight in the late afternoon.

I’ve tried to stay in the same place for two nights in a row for logistical reasons—it’s easier with kids. So far, only the Airbnbs are booked. For the rest, motels seem like the most budget-friendly option. I’d also love to find B&Bs with meals included, like Gîtes de France, but I’m not sure if that’s a thing here—I’m struggling to find options.

Don’t hesitate to let me know if this itinerary seems too packed. I’ve been mindful of the distances, but unfortunately, we can’t do everything, so we’ve had to make some tough choices.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can chime in!

Hi, Part of the family is Canadian, and we usually go there every two years. We’ve already visited quite a bit, but since the family is in New Brunswick, we’ve never really explored Quebec (aside from the two main cities). I’m starting to plan a new little loop for late July 2026 to finally enjoy Quebec a bit more. We’re aiming for about ten days before heading to NB.

Here’s a first draft: Montreal (1 night) Mauricie National Park (1 night) Lac Saint-Jean via Route 155 (2 nights for the zoo and the historic village) Saguenay Fjord National Park (1 night) Then two options to get down to Quebec City: A- Jacques-Cartier National Park via Route 175 B- Tadoussac, then down the St. Lawrence River

We have an 11-year-old and plan to do some hikes. Driving doesn’t bother us, but we also want to take the time to explore. The traditional whale-watching cruise in Tadoussac isn’t planned this time since we’ve already seen whales in Saint Andrews, NB, during our last trip.

Does the itinerary seem reasonable? Which option is nicer for getting down to Quebec City? Is there anything we shouldn’t miss on this loop?

Thanks for your tips! Victor

Hi everyone!!

My wife and I are heading to Thailand in April 2025 with our two daughters, aged 4 and 7. I’d love to get your thoughts and some great tips on our itinerary (which isn’t set in stone at all!!). We’re planning to arrive in Phuket and head straight to Koh Lanta (4/5 nights). I’d love to visit another spot in the area, but nothing’s really grabbing us—so if you’ve got any ideas, we’re all ears! Next, we’re heading to Koh Phangan (the north) for about 4 nights. After that, we’ll head east to Ko Chang and Koh Kood, spending around 3 nights on each island. Then, Bangkok for 2 days and one night before flying back to France. We’ll have about 16-17 days there. Like most people, we’re looking for quiet spots, far from big resorts, with beaches, pools, and walks/activities for our young kids. From my research, the west has great beaches and views, while the east offers a bit more adventure and fewer crowds. Thanks in advance for your feedback!

Quentin, Dune, Juno, and Marley

Hi everyone, We’re planning a trip to Florida during Belgium’s Carnival break, from February 14 to March 1, 2025. I’d love your help putting together our itinerary and getting ideas for family-friendly places to stay 😊 We’ll likely book a multi-destination flight, arriving in Miami and departing from Orlando. Here’s what we’d really love to do: - Visit beaches like Sanibel Island—we’re huge shell collectors 🐚 - See alligators in the Everglades and take a tour there - Spend some downtime in the Keys to relax a bit - Head to the Kennedy Space Center since my son is obsessed with astronauts and rockets - Maybe hit one of Orlando’s theme parks (we were leaning toward Universal, but the prices are just outrageous 😬) - Explore some cool spots in Miami.

We’d also prefer not to switch hotels too often—maybe at least two nights in each place? And no more than a 3-hour drive between stops.

Here’s our rough plan so far: Day 1–3: Miami Day 3–5: Keys Day 5–7: Everglades, Naples, and Sanibel Island Day 7–11: ??? Day 11–14: Orlando and Kennedy Space Center

As you can see, I’m not sure whether to add more days to the places we’re already visiting or if we should swing by Clearwater or somewhere else? Thanks in advance for your tips and recommendations!

Hi! We’ll be in El Nido at the end of February. We’d love to explore the magical islands around it—any tips or guided tours you’d recommend? There are three of us, including a 10-year-old girl, and this will be our last stop before heading home!

Philippines Trip 2024

Flight Paris → Manila

Wednesday, 12/02

Flight Manila → Cebu Sunnyside Moalboal Guest House Guesthouse – 400 m from the beach

Thursday, 13/02 Turtle-sardine tour: 8 € per hotel? Departure between 6 AM and 3 PM Duration: 1 h to 1 h 30

Friday, 14/02 Sharks and waterfalls? Departure at 3 AM?

Or just sharks for 15 €

Saturday, 15/02 Nothing planned or diving

Sunday, 16/02 Watch out: taxi at 8 AM

2 h 10 min drive

Arrival at Quartel Beach Oslob at 10:00 AM Ferry departure from Quartel Beach Oslob at 11:30 AM, Arrival at Bohol, Momo Beach Panglao at 1 PM

50 min taxi / 1000 PHP (15 €) by tuk-tuk or 1500 PHP (24 €) by taxi

We arrive at Southside Hotel at 2 PM

Check if we can get room 7, which is set apart from the others, based on the reviews

Rest and walk along the river

Monday, 17/02 We visit the tarsiers

Tuesday, 18/02 The Chocolate Hills

Wednesday, 19/02 A kayak tour? A cruise?

PS: We sent an email about a dolphin tour—possible for 200 € Abraham Tour to contact for more info and rates

http://whales.bohol.ph/packages.php

Still deciding if we’ll do it.

Thursday, 20/02 Departure from Bohol to catch the flight in Cebu: Leave the hotel at 7 AM

2 h ferry ride Arrival at Pier 1: 11:20 AM

30 min to the airport

Arrival at 1:15 PM: 90 min before the flight, so 1 h 30

Arrival in Coron at 4:05 PM at a homestay

Friday, 21/02 Tour with Hakim or Coron Travel

Then a tour with Hakim’s team: reef and other islands Hakim’s rate between 3200 PHP (50 €) and 2150 PHP (33 €) Coron Travel rate: 1700 PHP (27 €)

Saturday, 22/02 Exploring the area

Sunday, 23/02 Tour with Hakim or Coron Travel

Monday, 24/02 Private tour with Hakim

Tuesday, 25/02 Travel time: accommodation to port is a 5-minute walk?? Arrival at the port at 6 AM Departure from Coron Port at 7:30 AM Ferry travel time: 3 h 30 Arrival at El Nido Port at 11 AM

11-minute drive

Wednesday, 26/02 Boat trips with Go Paradise? Contact via Messenger

Thursday, 27/02

Friday, 28/02

Saturday, 1/03

Sunday, 2/03 Book a Grab for 9 AM Drive to El Nido Airport: 12 minutes Arrival at the airport at 9:30 AM–10 AM Departure at 11:55 AM Landing in Manila at 1:25 PM NAIA Terminal 2 Travel time: 26 min Book a Grab for 2 PM

Hotel in Manila at Malaki Festive

Monday, 3/03 Possibility to explore the city for 3 hours?

Tuesday, 4/03 Departure from Manila at 7:45 PM

Landing in Hong Kong Terminal 1 at 10:15 PM Layover: 1 h 50

Wednesday, 5/03

Landing in Paris Terminal 1 at 7:35 AM

Hi there!

After our Central Asia trip this summer, we’ll be setting foot in Africa for the first time next February with our three kids (ages 5, 13, and 17).

I’ve fine-tuned a little itinerary with ChatGPT based on our interests and expectations, and here’s what came out:

Tuesday, February 24 — Dakar

Landing at 1:00 AM

Early afternoon: visit Gorée Island

Back to Dakar, light dinner

7:00 PM: boarding the ferry “Aline Sitoé Diatta”

Overnight on board (cabin)

Wednesday, February 25 — Ziguinchor

Arrival between 9:00–11:00 AM

Staying with a local host

Stroll: Saint-Maur market, river port

Overnight in Ziguinchor

Thursday, February 26 – Saturday, February 28 — Casamance (Cap Skirring & Oussouye)

February 26: Ziguinchor → Carabane road trip, explore the island, overnight on the island

February 27: Cap Skirring, beach time

February 28: Cap Skirring, relaxation, stroll, beach

Sunday, March 1 – Tuesday, March 3 — Oussouye

Head to Oussouye (~1 hour)

Discover Diola villages, rice fields, market, handicrafts

Overnights: Oussouye (3 nights)

Wednesday, March 4 – Friday, March 6 — Sine-Saloum

Drive to Toubacouta via the Trans-Gambian Highway (Gambia)

Stay with a local host / camp on the bolongs

Activities: pirogue ride in the delta, Serer villages, biking, handicraft discovery

Overnights: Sine-Saloum (3 nights)

Saturday, March 7 – Sunday, March 8 — Petite Côte

Drive to Somone / Ngaparou (~3 hours)

Stay with a local host

Activities: beach, safari at Bandia Reserve, kayaking on the lagoon, craft market

Overnights: Petite Côte (2 nights, including Sunday, March 8, to enjoy the full day before the nighttime departure)

Monday, March 9 — Departure

Transfer to Blaise Diagne International Airport (~45 minutes)

Flight leaves at 2:00 AM

I’ve got a few questions:

- Is an afternoon on Gorée Island worth it? I really want to go, but the ferry departure days are a bit limiting. - How easy is it to get around between these different stops? Can we find a taxi that fits all five of us? - Do you have any accommodation recommendations? I’d love to stay with locals as much as possible—we’re not looking for luxury, just a bed and a shower. - February 28 is my birthday, and I’d love to do something “special”: any ideas for a nice place to stay, a great restaurant, or an out-of-the-ordinary activity? We’ll be around Cap Skirring. - Does this itinerary seem coherent? I really want to visit Casamance, and we’d prefer to stay no more than 3 nights in the same place.

Don’t hesitate to share your tips! Thanks so much!

Hi there, We’re heading to Colombia for 3 weeks from the 9th to the 29th. Here’s the itinerary we’ve planned: Week 1 – Bogotá, mountains, hike in Páramo de Ocetá (8 nights) August 9: Arrival in Bogotá (1 night) August 10–12: Villa de Leyva (2 nights) August 12–14: Monguí + Páramo de Ocetá (2 nights) August 14–17: Barichara (3 nights) Week 2 – Authentic coffee region: Jericó, Pijao, Buenavista (6 or 7 nights) August 18–20: Jericó (2 nights) August 20–21: Salento Hike in La Carbonera August 21–24: Pijao (3 nights)

For the last week, we’re torn between: -The Pacific Coast – Nuquí/Jurubidá (5 or 6 nights) -The Caribbean Coast – Cartagena + Rincón del Mar / Bahía de Cispatá or Tayrona

We’re traveling with our 20-month-old baby, who’s used to traveling and handles transportation and hikes really well. We plan to rent a car and take domestic flights to get around easily.

We’re looking for a trip a bit off the beaten tourist path and would love your thoughts and recommendations on the itinerary and the final options. Caribbean or Pacific? Is Tayrona crowded? Is the park really worth the detour, or is the Pacific coast just as beautiful and wild?

Hi, We’re planning a trip to Sri Lanka with our kids in July (ages 5 and 9). Could I get your thoughts on this itinerary?

D0. Arrival in Sri Lanka at 10 PM, hotel nearby (we’re coming from a stopover in Dubai) D1. Depart for Galle, visit Galle in the afternoon. Overnight in Galle D2. Depart for Tangalle, beach time, then drive to Udawalawa. Overnight in Udawalawa D3. Udawalawa NP, then drive to Ella. Overnight in Ella D4. Ella. Overnight in Ella D5. Drive to Kandy. Visit Kandy. Overnight in Kandy D6. Explore Kandy, then drive to Polonnaruwa. Overnight in Polonnaruwa D7. Polonnaruwa. Overnight in Polonnaruwa D8. Minneriya NP, then Sigiriya. Overnight in Polonnaruwa D9. Drive to Trincomalee. Beach time. Overnight in Trincomalee D10. Whale-watching excursion, Pigeon Island. Overnight in Trincomalee D11. Drive to Anuradhapura. Sightseeing. Overnight in Anuradhapura D12. Wilpattu NP D13. Return to the airport. Flight at 5 PM

I’ll admit the last few days feel a bit rushed. We’d be traveling by car with a driver.

Thanks so much for your help! Bruno

Hi everyone,

We’re heading to Florida as a family from April 6 to 19, 2025, with our two daughters, aged 5 and almost 8. I’ve been working on our itinerary for a while now and would love to get your thoughts and/or recommendations on this road trip. Just to let you know, we’re traveling with our kids and have tried to adapt the activities so everyone can enjoy themselves. Thanks so much for your help!

Day 1 - Sunday, April 6: Miami - Arrival in Miami at 8:55 PM local time - Pick up the rental car and night in Miami Beach

Day 2 - Monday, April 7: Miami Beach - Rent bikes and ride around Miami Beach in the morning - Beach at South Beach in the afternoon - Night in Miami Beach

Day 3 - Tuesday, April 8: Miami - Marathon (2.5-hour drive) - Stroll through the Wynwood neighborhood in the morning - Walk around Little Havana or downtown, or hit the beach in the afternoon, depending on the kids - Drive to Marathon for the night

Day 4 - Wednesday, April 9: Day trip to Key West (2-hour round trip from Marathon) - Fort Zachary Taylor State Park - Stroll through Old Town in the late afternoon and sunset at Mallory Square - Night in Marathon

Day 5 - Thursday, April 10: Marathon - Florida City (1.75-hour drive) - Bahia Honda State Park - If we’re up for it: Turtle Hospital or kayaking - Night in Florida City

Day 6 - Friday, April 11: Everglades - Fort Myers Beach - Start with the Anhinga Trail, then an airboat tour in the area—but where? Any recommendations? - Morning: Shark Valley? Loop Road in Big Cypress National Preserve? I’d love your input here. My youngest is too small to handle biking in Shark Valley on her own (unless there are cargo bikes available?). On foot, it seems tricky, and the shuttles don’t really appeal to us. Is it better to skip Shark Valley and focus on Loop Road? Is the day too ambitious with the drive back to Fort Myers Beach? I wanted to avoid Naples because I’d prefer to stay two nights in each place to avoid changing hotels every day. But if it’s too tight, we’ll do one night in Naples and one in Fort Myers Beach. - Night in Fort Myers Beach

Day 7 - Saturday, April 12: Sanibel Island - Day on the island with bike rentals to reach J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, then beach time (Bowman’s Beach?) - Night in Fort Myers Beach

Day 8 - Sunday, April 13: Fort Myers Beach - Crystal River (3.5-hour drive) - Beach at Siesta Key, then drive to Crystal River - If time and energy allow, Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park upon arrival - Night in Crystal River

Day 9 - Monday, April 14: Crystal River - Weeki Wachee Springs for kayaking to see manatees if we’re lucky, plus the mermaid show (mostly for the kids ) Any other spots for manatees or kayaking? I know it’s not the best month to see them, but you never know! Anything else to do or see in this area? - Night in Crystal River

Day 10 - Tuesday, April 15: Crystal River - Orlando (1.75-hour drive) - A bit of a transition day—maybe Disney Springs and/or an outlet mall - Night in Orlando

Day 11 - Wednesday, April 16: Disney World - Day at Animal Kingdom - Night in Orlando

Day 12 - Thursday, April 17: Disney World - Day at Magic Kingdom - Night in Orlando

Day 13 - Friday, April 18: Cape Canaveral - Visit to the Kennedy Space Center - Night in Orlando

Day 14 - Saturday, April 19: Return - Flight departs Orlando at 1:05 PM

It was tough making choices for the Orlando parks. As a huge Harry Potter fan, I was leaning toward Universal, but the girls have never been to Disney in Paris and are huge Disney fans, so skipping Magic Kingdom seemed tricky.

And that’s my long post! Thanks so much for reading and for your invaluable help.

Carole

Hi everyone,

After letting our backpacks gather dust for several years, we’ve decided to set off on another adventure—this time as a family, with our 10- and 12-year-old kids! We’re planning a trip from mid-June to the end of July, with two stops: Cambodia (2 weeks) and Indonesia (4 weeks). But before diving into the details, we’ve got quite a few questions and doubts.

About Cambodia: We know this period is the rainy season. Is it really a good idea to go then? And if so, is it better to start with Cambodia and then move on to Indonesia, or does the order not matter from a climate perspective? Here are the activities and sites we’ve shortlisted: · The Mekong and Irrawaddy dolphins: do we actually have a chance of seeing them? · The Mondulkiri Project (elephant sanctuary): is this an ethical project? We want to avoid any form of animal exploitation. · The temples of Angkor: are 2 or 3 days enough to fully enjoy them? · Floating villages: where should we go for an authentic experience? Is it possible to spend the night there? · Hikes with waterfalls, lakes, etc.: are there any must-do treks? · And most importantly, what activities or sites would appeal to kids?

For Indonesia: We were there 15 years ago and loved our itinerary: Yogyakarta / Borobudur → Bromo → Kawah Ijen → Bali → Gili Trawangan. This time, we’re torn: · Retracing part of that route to share it with our kids (even if revisiting the same places isn’t super appealing), · Or exploring new regions. What’s almost certain is that we’d like to spend about two weeks in Raja Ampat. For the other two weeks, we’re undecided. We’re looking for kid-friendly ideas for places and activities, while avoiding too many connections for budget and environmental reasons. Since we’ll already see temples in Cambodia, we’d like to mix things up.

And finally… On our last trip to the region, we traveled without kids and went super free-spirited: only the round-trip tickets were booked, and we improvised the rest day by day without any major issues finding accommodation, food, or accessing the activities we’d spotted. Do you think this style of travel is still doable with two kids? Or has it become too risky or stressful? Are there regions where the "backpacker" approach is still possible, and others where it’s better to book in advance? And for certain activities or sites, is it recommended to hire guides?

Thanks in advance for your tips and experiences!

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

Hi there, I’m planning a 3-week trip to China next summer with my husband and our three kids (ages 2, 5, and 7). I haven’t booked the long-haul flight yet (likely arriving in Beijing or Shanghai), but the plan is to then take a domestic flight to Chengdu or even Yibin to spend 13–15 days in Sichuan. My itinerary isn’t set in stone, but I’m thinking Yibin, Leishan, Emei, Bifenxia, Tagong, Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou, and back to Chengdu. We usually travel with a rental car and my husband drives, but that’s not an option in China. I’m not ruling out the train for some routes (like Chengdu–Jiuzhaigou), but with kids and luggage, I think the easiest option is to hire a car with a driver, even for 3–4-hour trips. I’ll book all my hotels in advance. Can I rely on the hotel to arrange this kind of service: departure from Yibin, visit Leishan (with a few hours’ wait), then drive to Emei? That would mean a full-day service with a different drop-off point than the pick-up, and leaving luggage in the car during visits. If so, what should I expect in terms of prices? Or should I book all the transfers through an agency? The prices seem really high that way. Thanks for your input! My main question is about transport, but any feedback on my itinerary is also welcome.

Hi there,

We’re a group of 14 (adults and kids), and we’re planning the following itinerary for next October:

- Day 0: Arrival and visit Fès - Day 1: Depart Fès for Midelt - Overnight in Midelt - Day 2: From Midelt to Merzouga - Overnight in Merzouga (camp in the dunes) - Day 3: From Merzouga to the Dadès Gorges - Overnight in the Dadès Gorges - Day 4: Excursion and hike in the Dadès Gorges - Overnight in the Dadès Gorges - Day 5: From Dadès to Marrakech (visiting Ouarzazate studios and Aït Ben Haddou) - Day 6: Explore Marrakech - Day 7: Return

Any tips or suggestions for this plan? Is quad biking or buggy riding in the dunes (for adults, obviously) worth it? Which spots are really worth stopping at—and which ones aren’t?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Hi everyone,

As part of a four-month world trip with our kids (ages 6, 12, and 13), we’ll be spending four weeks in Indonesia. Choosing destinations is so tough because everything is just so appealing! We’ll be spending some time on Java and will likely make a "quick trip" to Borneo for the orangutan reserve. We also want to experience Bali’s culture and the small islands of the Lesser Sundas, with their incredible marine life... but which ones should we prioritize? For a few days of diving and relaxation, do you think we should go for Nusa Penida, the Gili Islands, or Moyo Island? Is Sumbawa complicated to explore? Is it worth taking the time to visit? Can it be crossed by car to then reach Komodo National Park? Anyway, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Our goal is to avoid overly touristy spots (but not places that feel too unsafe with the kids), to discover local culture and villages, and to be amazed both underwater and above. Thanks so much for your help!

Hi there, We’re heading to California at the end of July for a road trip with our two kids, aged 7 and 9. Here’s our planned two-week itinerary: Los Angeles - San Diego - Palm Springs - Yosemite - Carmel and Big Sur - Santa Barbara - Los Angeles. We don’t want to go to San Francisco. Does this itinerary sound good to you? Any recommendations for accommodations, especially in Yosemite and Carmel?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Hi there,

We’re planning a trip to Thailand with my husband and our two 7-year-old kids. Three weeks in February/March. Our rough itinerary is: arriving in Bangkok for 3-4 days, then Chiang Mai and the surrounding area, and finally an island in the south.

-We land in Bangkok around 7 AM. Any hotel recommendations? We’d love to rest right after we arrive. Budget is around 40 € per night.

For the rest, I’m open to any tips or suggestions:

-Accommodation in Chiang Mai, and maybe a night in an elephant sanctuary park...

-Should we take the overnight train to Chiang Mai on the way there or on the way back?

-Which island should we choose?

We love authentic experiences and connecting with locals...

Thanks so much!!!

Elodie.

Hi everyone,

I’d love to get your thoughts on these two routes I’ve planned to see the highlights of Paris in two days.

I don’t want to take any transportation.

I’ll arrive at the hotel by car on Saturday around noon and won’t pick it up again until the next evening to leave.

**First day:** I’m thinking of starting from the hotel, then heading to the Eiffel Tower - Trocadéro - Galeries Lafayette - Élysée Palace - Tuileries Garden - the Louvre (outside only) and finishing at Les Invalides.

12 km



(The route on the map is just for reference to show the places we’ll visit—it might vary by a hundred meters or so.)

**Second day:** Starting from the hotel, we’ll go to Montmartre - Sacré-Cœur Basilica - Pigalle - Notre-Dame Cathedral - Panthéon - Luxembourg Garden.



What do you think? Am I missing out on anything great with this route?

Since I’m traveling with two kids, do you see any spots on these routes that might be a bit risky safety-wise? 🏴‍☠️

We’re not big museum fans, so we’re not planning to visit any—unless it rains, of course! 😄

One last little question: are there any protests planned in Paris on the weekend of August 16-17? 🙂 Thanks for reading! 😎

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!

Hi everyone, Back from my summer vacation, and it's already time to start planning the next one! I mean, I work to go on vacation and explore with my family—don’t you? Next destination: Mexico (Yucatán and Quintana Roo), When: February/March 2026, Duration: 17 nights there (+1 arrival night, either a layover or late in the evening), Who: Two adults and two young kids (3 and 8 years old), Transport: Rental car Interests: Culture, a little relaxation, hiking (though I’m not sure if the destination is ideal for that), and nature exploration.

The plan is to do the classic route but stay longer in each place—it’s easier to manage with kids. Here’s what I had in mind:

Valladolid = 3 nights to visit Ek Balam, Chichén Itzá, and a cenote. Mérida = 3 nights for a stop in Izamal on the way, exploring Mérida, then Uxmal + a trip to Celestún. Campeche = 2 nights to see the Xtacumbilxunaan cave and the Edzná Maya site. Calakmul = 1 night Bacalar = 3 nights for the Lagoon of Seven Colors, Fort San Felipe, some downtime, and a possible day trip to Cozumel if needed. Tulum = 5 nights to visit Cobá, Tulum, cenotes, the beach, Sian Ka’an + Muyil. Then back to the airport (1h30 drive or 2h if flying into Cancún).

Does this seem well-balanced? Could I improve it by grouping accommodations more? I’m guessing Palenque/Yaxchilán is too far (even if I cut other things from the itinerary)? It still sounds like an amazing trip... Thanks,

Hi everyone,

We’re heading to Corsica for 10 days from April 26 to May 5 as a family with two boys aged 8 and 12. We’ll arrive in Calvi and stay for 7 nights in the hills above L’Île-Rousse. Then we’ll have 2 nights left (accommodation not yet booked) before flying out from Ajaccio.

Of course, we’d like to explore and do a few hikes that are kid-friendly.

Some of the places we’ve shortlisted: - the towns of L’Île-Rousse, Calvi, Saint-Florent, and Corte - the villages of Balagne - the Agriates Desert (Ostriconi beach by car, and Lotu by boat with a hike to Saleccia) - Restonica Gorge - a boat trip to Piana and Scandola

For the last part of the trip, I’m really unsure about: - where to stay? - what to visit? I’d thought about staying near Ajaccio and visiting the Sanguinaires Islands and doing a few hikes along the coast, but I’d also spotted some great options inland around Evisa, like the Aitone Forest, for example.

We’ll return the rental car on May 3 at 10 AM in Monticello and fly out from Ajaccio on May 5 at 7:40 PM.

We’ve rented a car for the whole 10 days.

I’ll admit I’m posting this out of convenience because I’ve been *terrible* at planning this trip and could really use your advice—especially about distances and what’s doable without rushing or spending all our time in the car.

Thanks in advance! Have a great day.

Virginie

Hi everyone, I’d love to get your thoughts on a 13-night trip to Crete this summer. We’ll be 2 adults and 2 kids (5 and 10 years old), and we’re renting a car to get around. ➔ If you have any tips on renting a car, I’m all ears! (I was thinking of picking it up at the airport.) For now, I’m planning a round-trip flight to Heraklion (I’m still debating whether to return from Chania, in which case we’d spend our last night in Paleóchora or Elos). Here’s how I’m splitting up the nights:

08/07 - 11/07 (3 nights) → Heraklion

Visit the Minoan Palace of Knossos Explore the city: archaeological museum, Venetian harbor, Koules Fortress Possible day trip to Matala or the east coast, depending on how we feel

11/07 - 14/07 (3 nights) → Rethymnon

Explore Rethymnon’s old town Walk around Argiroupoli (natural springs, waterfalls) Relax on the beaches in the area

14/07 - 18/07 (4 nights) → Chania

Visit the historic center Day trip to Seitan Limania (wild beach) Day at Balos Beach & Gramvousa (by boat or hike)

18/07 - 20/07 (2 nights) → Paleóchora or Elos ➔ Do you have a preference between these two spots? They both seem like great, low-key places, but Elos is more mountainous.

Hike through Samaria Gorge (full-day trip) ➔ Do you think this is doable with a 5-year-old? I’ve read there’s a bus at the end of the gorge, but I’m worried about missing the ferry and having to rush the kids. Relax at Elafonissi Beach

20/07 - 21/07 (1 night) → Heraklion

Return the day before our flight to avoid stress.

Thanks in advance for your feedback and tips! 😊

Hi there,

We’re planning a little month-long trip to Thailand in July-August with our family (2 adults and 2 kids aged 12 and 15). Below is our tentative itinerary with our main activities—I’d love to hear your thoughts or feedback if there’s a major issue I’ve missed!

Bangkok: 6 nights to "acclimate" and explore the city and Ayutthaya Transfer to Kanchanaburi: 3 nights to discover the area (Bridge, Death Railway, Erawan, and Huai Mae Khamin) Transfer to Kaeng Krachan National Park: 3 nights, full-day visit to the park Transfer to San Roi Yot: 5 nights (Park, Kui Buri, beach) Back to Bangkok, then flight to Chiang Rai: 3 nights (city and surroundings) Transfer to Chiang Mai: 5 nights (city and nearby parks) Return to Bangkok: 2 nights before our flight home

Happy to provide any details!

Hi,

We’re looking at heading to South Africa this summer (early July) with our two kids (6 & 10 years old). Here’s a rough draft of our itinerary so far. What do you think? Is it better to skip Addo? (We can’t add any more days...). If so, should we spend more time on certain stops or add something else? (Cederberg?) Thanks in advance, Bruno

D1 Arrival at 10 AM, rest in Cape Town D2 Cape Town or Cape Peninsula D3 Cape Town or Cape Peninsula D4 Bonteboks National Park; overnight in Heidelberg D5 Botlierskop Game Drive; overnight near Mossel Bay D6 Garden Route; overnight in Plettenberg Bay D7 Bird of Eden and Robberg Nature Reserve; overnight in Plettenberg Bay D8 Tsitsikamma; overnight in Addo D9 Addo D10 Ostrich farm; overnight in Oudtshoorn D11 Buffelsdrift Game Lodge and caves; overnight in Oudtshoorn D12 Garden Route Game Lodge; overnight in Albertinia D13 De Hoop; overnight in De Hoop D14 Hermanus; overnight in Hermanus D15 Betty’s Bay and return to Cape Town D16 Cape Town; departure at 5 PM

Hello everyone,

So, summer 2025 is when I turn 40, and to mark the occasion, I had the idea of doing a road trip through Northern Spain. Since I’ll be traveling with my two kids (9 and 6½ years old), I’m tied to school holidays, but I’m hoping the northern regions of Spain are a little less crowded than the Costa Brava.

We’d leave from Lyon to reach the Atlantic coast, head down to the Basque Country, cross the Spanish border, and then visit: Cantabria - Asturias - Galicia. It’s not exactly around the corner—I’ve seen that it’s about 1,500 km (one way) from Lyon to Galicia. But for this adventure, I’ve got 3 to 3½ weeks. The twist would be doing it in an electric car, stopping for 2-3 days here and there before moving on (alternating between wild camping and hotels). Why electric? Because it’s my company car, and my employer covers the charging and toll costs. Over 3 weeks of vacation, that adds up to big savings.

Question: Do you think this plan is doable? Aside from the charging stops, does the route seem too ambitious for 3 weeks with two kids? And in July/August, are these regions not too packed?

Thanks for your feedback and experiences!

Hi everyone,

We’re heading to Sri Lanka for three weeks in July with two kids (ages 6 and 13). We’ve drafted a rough itinerary but would love to hear from those who’ve already been there 😊 Of course, we want to see everything, but we have to make choices—even though three weeks on the ground lets us do quite a bit. We originally planned a schedule that felt too packed, so we had to cut one stop. We decided to skip Tangalle, even though we were really tempted. The monsoon won’t let us swim there, and the weather in the south is too uncertain, so we preferred to keep our stops on the east coast. Plus, we don’t think it’s reasonable to cut nights from other places. We’ve added a stop in Batticaloa, which we think will be a nice break between Arugam Bay and Sigiriya. What do you think? We’re also debating between Batticaloa and Passikudah. Does the itinerary seem logical to you?

Here it is:

Sri Lanka Itinerary Day 1 Arrival around 1 PM at the airport Night in Negombo Day 2 Drive from Negombo to Galle Visit Galle and surrounding areas Night in Galle Day 3 Visit Galle and surrounding areas Night in Galle Day 4 Visit Galle and surrounding areas Drive from Galle to Udawalawe Night in Udawalawe Day 5 Visit Udawalawe National Park Night in Udawalawe Day 6 Drive from Udawalawe to Ella Night in Ella Day 7 Ella Rock + Nine Arch Bridge Night in Ella Day 8 Visit Haputale Lipton’s Seat and Dambatenne Tea Factory Train ride back from Haputale to Ella Night in Ella Day 9 Little Adam’s Peak + drive from Ella to Arugam Bay Night in Arugam Bay Day 10 Visit Arugam Bay and surrounding areas Night in Arugam Bay Day 11 Visit Arugam Bay and surrounding areas Night in Arugam Bay Day 12 Drive from Arugam Bay to Batticaloa Night in Batticaloa Day 13 Visit Batticaloa Night in Batticaloa Day 14 Drive from Batticaloa to Sigiriya Night in Sigiriya Day 15 Lion Rock and Pidurangala Night in Sigiriya Day 16 Visit Dambulla Drive from Sigiriya to Trincomalee Night in Trincomalee Day 17 Visit Trincomalee and surrounding areas Night in Trincomalee Day 18 Visit Trincomalee and surrounding areas Night in Trincomalee Day 19 Drive from Trincomalee to Anuradhapura Night in Anuradhapura Day 20 Visit Anuradhapura Night in Anuradhapura Day 21 Visit Mihintale Drive from Anuradhapura to Negombo Night in Negombo Day 22 Day in Negombo and return flight

We’d love to hear your thoughts and tips! Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone, My partner, our 6-year-old daughter, and I are heading to South Africa in early July. I’d love your thoughts and insights on our planned itinerary: Day 1: Arrival in Joburg in the early afternoon / Overnight near the airport Day 2: Morning flight to Cape Town / Pick up rental car / Explore the city Day 3: Cape Peninsula (Boulders Beach to see the penguins) Day 4: If the weather allows: whale-watching excursion from Hermanus Day 5: Early morning flight to Kruger (Mpumalanga Airport) - Pick up rental car and head to the Blyde River Canyon Panoramic Route (stops at Mac Mac Falls, Lisbon or Berlin Falls, and Three Rondavels) / Overnight on Orpen Road as close as possible to Orpen Gate Day 6: Enter Kruger National Park via Orpen Gate for a self-drive safari / Overnight to be decided? Day 7: Kruger National Park / Overnight at Letaba Rest Camp (the only night we’ve managed to book in the park so far) Day 8: Self-drive safari from Letaba Rest Camp to Manyeleti Game Reserve (overnight booked at Honeyguide Khoka Moya lodge) Day 9: Morning guided safari in the private reserve, then return to Joburg Day 10: Return flight in the late afternoon from Joburg Airport What do you think? Do you think Day 5 is doable? Does the Panoramic Route in half a day from the airport seem realistic to you? It’s tough to find availability in the rest camps. Any suggestions for a place to stay between Orpen Gate and Letaba (Day 6)? On the way back (Day 9), we’re considering stopping overnight between Kruger Park and Joburg. What do you think? Any towns or stops you’d recommend? Thanks so much for your help!

Hi there,

We’re heading to Japan for 34 days next summer with our 5-year-old daughter. We’ll be arriving and departing from Tokyo.

I’m currently planning our trip, and we’re constrained to head quickly to Okinawa because afterward, the prices for domestic flights rise significantly.

Here’s the rough outline of the route I’m considering. What do you think?

Thanks in advance!

1 night in Tokyo upon arrival. 7 nights in the Kyoto/Osaka area. 9 nights in Okinawa (+ Miyakojima or Ishigaki). 5 nights in the Kyushu region. 9 nights road-tripping through the Japanese Alps. 3 nights in Tokyo before departure.