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

Hello,

We’re heading to Thailand this summer with our kids and would love to visit Kui Buri National Park. However, after checking the park’s website, it looks like there are no available slots for the days we’ll be there (July 22–24): https://www.thainationalparks.com/kui-buri-national-park/guided-tours/kui-buri-wildlife-safari So, I’m wondering if we *have* to book through them to access the park? (I had the same question for Kaeng Krachan.)

Thanks in advance, and have a great day! Bruno

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

hi, I have two kids aged 12 and 7, and we’d love to visit Costa Rica, especially to explore the national parks and see the wildlife. I was thinking of going during the spring break in 2025. All-inclusive trips are *super* expensive, so I was wondering if it’s doable to plan this independently, even though I don’t drive. Has anyone had experience with this kind of trip? Does it seem realistic to get around using local transport? And what about safety? I’ve traveled alone with my kids before, but only in European countries close to France. Thanks so much for your insights! !

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

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!

Hi there,

We’re planning a trip to Central America and South America, but we’re still unsure about the destination. It’s for a trip in July 2025, so weather is definitely a factor. For Ecuador, the weather seems favorable, but my wife knows an Ecuadorian woman who told her that the security situation has really deteriorated, especially on the west side (beaches, etc.).

Has anyone traveled to Ecuador recently (in 2025) and could share their experience? (security situation, recommended itineraries)

In terms of things to see (typical villages, landscapes), weather, and prices, Ecuador seems more appealing to us than Costa Rica or Panama, which we’re also considering.

Hi everyone,

I’ve read the forum a lot and found a wealth of information. I’ve tried to compile all of it into our itinerary and would love your feedback to finalize the bookings (we’re planning this *very* last-minute).

Here’s what we’re thinking of doing: 22 July: arrival in Johannesburg Night of 22–23: Johannesburg Nights of 23–26: Marloth Park (with Kruger visits on the 24th, 25th, and a crossing visit on the 26th) Nights of 26–28: Graskop (visiting the canyon and Panorama Road on the 27th and 28th) Nights of 28–30: Hoedspruit (visiting the central area of Kruger on the 29th?) Nights of 30 July–1 August: Balule Park (private reserve with safari) Nights of 1–5 August: flight from Hoedspruit to Cape Town, then 2 days in Cape Town, 1 day on the peninsula, and 2 days for wine (just the route) or something else based on your advice (we don’t know where to stay—whether to stay all 5 nights in Cape Town and where in the city, or do 2 nights in Cape Town and 3 nights nearby—but where?) Night of 5–6 August: Kelders for penguins and whales Nights of 6–8 August: Tsitsikamma (what is there to do/see?) Nights of 8–10 August: Addo Park on the 9th 10 August: flight from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg and back home

What do you think? Is there a lot of driving time?

We’d really appreciate your comments and suggestions. Thanks!

Nadia

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 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 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, 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, This summer, we’re spending a month in Malaysia. There are 3 adults and two kids in our group. I’ve just finished planning our itinerary and I’d love to get your thoughts on whether it feels "coherent." Thanks in advance for your feedback! Christelle 07/07 Depart France 10:30 AM 08/07 Arrive KL 7:50 PM 09/07 KL 10/07 KL / Batu Caves 11/07 KL 12/07 KL → Kuching (flight) 13/07 Kuching 14/07 Bako National Park 15/07 Bako → Kuching 16/07 Semenggoh Reserve 17/07 Kuching → Mulu (flight) 18/07 Mulu National Park 19/07 Mulu → Kota Kinabalu (flight) 20/07 Kota Kinabalu → Sandakan (flight) 21/07 Kinabatangan 22/07 Kinabatangan → Sandakan / Sandakan → KL (flight) 23/07 Malacca 24/07 Malacca → Chin Swee Caves Temple 25/07 Chin Swee Caves Temple → Kuala Tahan / Taman Negara Park 26/07 Taman Negara Park 27/07 Kuala Tahan → Kuala Besut 28/07 Perhentian Islands 29/07 Perhentian Islands 30/07 Perhentian Islands 31/07 Perhentian → George Town 01/08 George Town / Penang 02/08 George Town / Penang 03/08 Ipoh 04/08 Cameron Highlands 05/08 Return to KL 06/08 Return to France

Hi there, I’m heading to Los Angeles for 15 days in April with two 15-year-olds. We’ll spend one week in LA and then a week in Death Valley and Sequoia Park. Hotels and a car are already booked. I could use some advice on what clothes to pack and what activities to suggest. I’d love to show them the history of this state. Thanks!

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 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

Hello!

After a long travel hiatus, we’re (finally) back on the road for some getaways! Now with two kids in tow, we’re heading to Thailand for two weeks next February (a destination that’s stood us up twice before but seems perfect for our first big family trip).

We’d have loved to stay longer, but two weeks is already a great start and will be plenty enjoyable.

Key points: - Experience Thailand, not just live our usual routine in Thailand - Avoid crowds as much as possible, even though February will be busy - Not big city fans, so Bangkok (BKK) will be kept to a minimum - Focus on nature, the sea, forests, waterfalls, hiking, kayaking...

At this stage, here’s the rough itinerary I’m considering: - Arrival at 7 AM + a day in BKK

- DEPART for SURAT THANI (BUS) - Transfer + Khao Sok (overnight on the lake / in the trees)

- RETURN to Ko Samui - Transfer to Koh Pha Ngan or Koh Tao (snorkeling)

- RETURN to Khao Lak. While there: * Visit Ao Phang Nga Park by kayak * Excursion to caves / Ko Khao Phing Kan (the "007 beach" lol) * ALTERNATIVE = SIMILAN ISLANDS

- RETURN to KRABI or Koh Phi Phi * Visit Koh Hong or Koh Yao Yai

* Flight from SURAT THANI to BKK - If time left in BKK: - Explore BKK: Wat Pho / floating market / Maeklong Railway Market / Chinatown... - Or a day trip to Ayutthaya - Or a day at Erawan Waterfall (Haew Suwat) - Day +1 = Return to France

Questions I’m pondering: - Is this too ambitious? I think it might be... but since we’d rather see as much as possible than just lounge on a beach... - How to get around on this route? Bus or rental vehicle (which I’d prefer to avoid) - Are there any inconsistencies in the plan I’ve outlined? - Should I adjust any connections or prioritize differently? - Krabi vs. Koh Phi Phi? - Koh Hong vs. Koh Yao Yai?

We’ve booked the first night (using some leftover backpacking perks), but nothing else—so open to all ideas!

If you know a local agency that can offer advice (for a fee), that could work too, since the options feel endless...

Thanks so much for reading this far, and even more if you’ve got tips or suggestions to share!! Best wishes ;)

Hi everyone, We’re planning to visit a small part of Indonesia in October 2026 with our kids (8 years old). Ideally, do you think it’s possible to visit Kinabatangan (3 days), Yogyakarta or Borobudur, and finish with some beginner snorkeling on the Gili Islands in 2 weeks? Thanks for your valuable feedback! 😊

Hi there,

We’re a couple traveling with our 2.5-year-old baby. We’re heading to Patagonia in March or April 2026. We don’t have exact dates yet because this will be the start of a long trip around Latin America. We’ll be traveling by public transport, with our backpacks and a baby carrier for support. We’ll take a domestic flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, and the rest will be by bus.

Here’s the itinerary we’ve planned: - Buenos Aires (5 days) - Ushuaia (5 days or more) - El Calafate (3 days) - El Chaltén (5 days) - Los Antiguos + border crossing at Chile Chico - Puerto Río Tranquilo (Chile) (5 days) - Coyhaique (Chile) (3 days) - Chiloé Island (Chile) (10 days) - Puerto Varas (Chile) (3 days) - Bariloche (5 days) - San Martín de los Andes (3 days) - Mendoza (5 days)

After that, we’re thinking of spending a few days in Córdoba, then a month in Salta. We plan to head back down to Santiago (Chile) and then head north along the Chilean side toward Peru.

What do you think of this itinerary (especially the Patagonia part)? Is it doable with a young child just over 2.5 years old? I’d also love to include Esquel and El Bolsón in Argentina, but I’m not sure how to fit them in or if they’re really worth it. The durations are approximate, depending on what there is to do in each place... Do you have any suggestions for improving it or any tips?

We want to do some easy hikes or half-day walks since we won’t be able to carry him all day. That’s why we’ve intentionally left out Torres del Paine National Park (very expensive and not very baby-friendly, I think). Do you know of any hikes that are accessible with a little one?

Thanks in advance! !

Hi there,

I’m planning a trip to Indonesia between June and August 2025. I’ll be traveling solo with my two daughters, ages 9 and 13, for 7 weeks, and then solo without them for another 3 weeks.

This trip has a special meaning for me—I’ve got a break between my soon-to-be former job and launching my business. It’s my first big solo trip outside Europe with just my girls, and I’m heading to Indonesia because I’ve dreamed of discovering Bali since I was 12 (though I’m *terrified* of mass tourism!). Also, five years ago, I decided to limit myself to one flight every 10 years—this is my "big 40" trip, and it’s really important to me. I’ll probably never return to Indonesia after this.

Beyond that, I’d love to immerse myself in Balinese culture. For the rest of the trip, I’m especially drawn to nature and its grandeur. Basically, outside of Bali, I’d love to see breathtaking natural landscapes that are totally different from what I can find in Europe. I’d also love to spot some endemic wildlife (which my girls would find exciting too!). And if I can squeeze in a few "chill" days to just relax or go snorkeling in a nice, quiet spot, I’m all for it.

I’d love your advice, especially since I’d like to start in Bali (we’re arriving around June 20th—I’m hoping to avoid the peak tourist crowds from the Northern Hemisphere summer break).

Thanks!

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!

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 🙂

Hi, We're traveling as a family with 2 kids (7 and 15 years old) in July 2025 for a road trip in South Africa. We have a round-trip ticket from Paris to Johannesburg and are considering taking 2 domestic flights: one between Johannesburg and Cape Town and another between Cape Town and Durban. Do you know when it's best to book the tickets to get the best fares and which airline to choose? I'm currently finding tickets on Safair for 300 € for 4 between Johannesburg and Cape Town. What do you think? Also, I have a slight hesitation. We're going for 18 days. Do you think it's better to focus on the northern part of the country, including Kruger, or is it worth visiting the Cape region as well (the kids dream of seeing whales!)? Thanks so much for your advice. I’d really appreciate it! Have a great evening, Sophie

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 there! I’m planning a trip with my wife and our three kids (ages 9, 6, and 3) from April 16 to May 6. I’ve started sketching out the itinerary, trying to alternate between visits, hikes, safaris, and downtime. I want to keep the pace relaxed given the kids’ ages. Could you let me know what you think of this route? I removed Nuwara Eliya, which I had originally planned before Ella, to cut down on stops. I was also wondering if I should break up the Arugam Bay to Colombo leg with an overnight in Galle, since it’s a long drive. Thanks in advance for your feedback!

Day 1 – 04/16: Wilpattu Arrival at the airport (08:00) + transfer to Wilpattu (180 km, 4–5 h) + afternoon safari Overnight: Wilpattu Day 2 – 04/17: Wilpattu Morning & afternoon safari Overnight: Wilpattu Day 3 – 04/18: Trincomalee Transfer Wilpattu → Trincomalee (200 km, 4–5 h) + beach relaxation Overnight: Trincomalee Day 4 – 04/19: Trincomalee Nilaveli Beach Overnight: Trincomalee Day 5 – 04/20: Trincomalee Pigeon Island snorkeling Overnight: Trincomalee Day 6 – 04/21: Trincomalee Fort Frederick & relaxation Overnight: Trincomalee Day 7 – 04/22: Sigiriya Transfer Trincomalee → Sigiriya (120 km, ~3 h) + visit to Dambulla Overnight: Sigiriya Day 8 – 04/23: Sigiriya Sigiriya Rock Overnight: Sigiriya Day 9 – 04/24: Sigiriya Minneriya safari Overnight: Sigiriya Day 10 – 04/25: Sigiriya Polonnaruwa & village tour Overnight: Sigiriya Day 11 – 04/26: Ella Transfer Sigiriya → Ella (230 km, 5–6 h) + rest Overnight: Ella Day 12 – 04/27: Ella Little Adam’s Peak & Nine Arches Bridge Overnight: Ella Day 13 – 04/28: Ella Ella Rock Overnight: Ella Day 14 – 04/29: Ella Tea Factory & relaxation Overnight: Ella Day 15 – 04/30: Yala Transfer Ella → Yala (110 km, 2–3 h) + afternoon safari Overnight: Yala Day 16 – 05/01: Arugam Bay Transfer Yala → Arugam Bay (80 km, 2.5–3 h) + beach time Overnight: Arugam Bay Day 17 – 05/02: Arugam Bay Surfing & relaxation Overnight: Arugam Bay Day 18 – 05/03: Arugam Bay Local exploration Overnight: Arugam Bay Day 19 – 05/04: Colombo Transfer Arugam Bay → Colombo (320 km, 7–8 h) + rest Overnight: Colombo Day 20 – 05/05: Colombo City tour & shopping Overnight: Colombo Day 21 – 05/06: Colombo Morning return flight from Colombo

Hi everyone,

Next summer, we (2 adults and a 12-year-old child) have decided to visit Japan.

Admittedly, it’s still early to plan everything, but my wife will soon need to request her vacation time—either in August or July... and we’re hesitating.

I know summer isn’t the ideal time to visit Japan, but we don’t really have a choice... It’s either July or August. On one hand, I’d love to experience the O-Bon festivities from August 14th to 16th, and I’ve drafted an initial itinerary that would let us experience the Gujo Hachiman Bon Odori, possibly visit the Okunoin Cemetery in Koyasan, and be in Kyoto on the 16th for the Gozan Okuribi fires. But on the other hand, I’m worried it’ll be *packed*, especially in Kyoto, and less enjoyable than in July. So, have any of you experienced these celebrations? Are they worth it? Too crowded? Do you know of other celebrations or festivals in July? Thanks for your input!

Hello! I’m so excited to be back on this forum—it’s helped me so much in the past! I need your expert advice for our next trip, which will take us to Central Asia: Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan.

We have a month, and here’s the itinerary I have in mind: Arrival in Tashkent – 2 days Bukhara – 2 days Samarkand – 3 days Panjakent – 1 day The Seven Lakes + Iskanderkul – 3 days Khujand – 2 days Fergana Valley – 3 days Song Kol Lake – 2 days Issyk-Kul Lake – 3 days Charyn Canyon – 1 day Kaindy Lake – 1 day Altyn Emel Park – 1 day Almaty – 1 day and departure

I know the travel times, especially in the mountains, can be long, but I’ve tried to optimize it so we can rest after the long drives. Our family includes three kids aged 5, 13, and 17. We’re used to backpacking. But I have *so* many questions: -Will it be extremely hot in Uzbekistan, but manageable in the other regions on my itinerary? -I’ve read conflicting things about trains in Uzbekistan: is it possible to book train tickets in advance from France? -For the Seven Lakes and Iskanderkul, do I need to hire a driver? Is it easy to find one? Since there are five of us, we’d need a large car… or is it possible to rent a car in Panjakent and drop it off in Khujand? -What’s worth visiting in the Fergana Valley? -I’d prefer to avoid domestic flights, so I planned to break up the Osh-Issyk-Kul Lake route by stopping at Song Kol Lake and taking a horseback ride. Is that realistic? Again, do I need to find a driver, or can we do it independently? -Where’s the best base for Issyk-Kul Lake? The main goal is to relax and swim (is it acceptable for women to wear swimsuits in these regions?) -For the last part of the trip—Charyn Canyon and Kaindy Lake from Issyk-Kul—is it doable, or do I need a driver once more? -Is Altyn Emel Park doable in the summer, or is it too hot? The idea is to see the views and do a short 3-hour hike.

Thanks so much for any firsthand tips or experiences you can share!

Hello everyone, My wife Fanny and I, along with our three kids (ages 10, 12, and 14), are planning a two-week trip to Asia during the February break. This would be our first big family trip, and we’re looking to mix discovery, a change of scenery, some relaxation, and cultural immersion. We want to avoid overly organized tours or over-touristed destinations. Over 20 years ago, Fanny and I used to travel as a couple with backpacks, especially in India and Mongolia, but things have surely changed a lot since then. Now, we’re torn between: • Thailand: for its diversity (beaches, temples, nature) and accessibility for a first family trip. • Laos-Cambodia combo: for a potentially more authentic immersion, but we’re wondering if it’s well-suited for kids. - Sri Lanka: it seems amazing and family-friendly? Is the political situation stable enough? We have a few questions:

Which destination would you recommend for this kind of family setup? What itineraries might work for two weeks without feeling too rushed?

Logistics-wise: can we travel with a round-trip flight ticket, book a few basic hotels, and improvise the rest once we’re there? Or do we need to plan everything in advance (transport, accommodations, activities) for this time of year?

Thanks in advance for your valuable tips! Mathieu