Hello,

After 20 years of operation and a 4-year hiatus, we were happy to rediscover this forum following its acquisition by Myatlas.

At the very beginning of the adventure, there was a section allowing members to share their ideas—good or bad, feasible or not—with the team in charge to help perfect the forum.

So, to help VoyageForum regain its momentum and adapt to new audiences and a new environment, why not put our heads together and suggest some improvement ideas in this thread?

I’ll get the ball rolling!

Travel journals are limited to 300 photos because photo storage is expensive. This limitation is completely understandable, and Myatlas found a solution by offering a paid subscription for those who wanted to exceed the free photo limit. Maybe this approach could be adapted here? Limiting without offering an alternative is a reason members leave.

Hello, Happy to see VoyageForum "back in action" again, and even though I know my post is a bit off-topic, I’ll give it a shot anyway: We’re a group of four looking to take an organized trip to Canada at the end of September/beginning of October 2025, starting from Quebec. These kinds of tours exist, but our main issue is that local agencies don’t handle pre-routing from France, which is a deal-breaker for us. Of course, we’re not at all opposed to traveling in a (small) group. Thanks for your replies and any leads you might have.

Hi there, I saw a deal with T-Mobile: 15 days for $35 Unlimited 5G domestic data - Customers using >50GB may notice reduced speeds - Unlimited domestic calls and text (SMS) - Wi-Fi sharing: unlimited at 3G speeds (600 kbps)

Is it easy to set up, and has anyone tried it already?

Thanks

Hello! I’m a former VF lover (and, incidentally, an explorer of my Atlas 😊) and I’m genuinely thrilled the forum is reopening, but I have two little questions.

Over the past four years, I’ve put together a few travel journals that I’d love to share, but there are two things that bother me: - How can I edit my post after a few hours? (Because sometimes I need to correct mistakes even two days later.)

- At the end of VF’s previous run, there were a few members who were really unpleasant and enjoyed derailing certain discussions. As a result, I know several people who stopped coming to VF because of that. So, for MY travel journals, I’d really like to keep the vibe positive and kind. Is there any way to set something up so the person who starts a discussion can block them?

Thanks, and long live VF!

Hi there, Does anyone know how tobacco checks work for luggage in Australia? What’s the allowed quantity? I assume there’s a declaration form to sign for customs. Is there a baggage search afterward, or are sniffer dogs used? What’s the fine if you exceed the allowed amounts? Thanks for sharing your experience!

On this forum, we talk a lot about trekking in the Himalayas, but I’d love to share another side of Nepal: its spiritual, cultural, and religious atmosphere, especially in Kathmandu.

Nepal, much like Tibet and Bhutan, is deeply connected to the Himalayas—the ultimate sacred mountain range. This small country exudes a calming vibe, shaped by a strong spiritual dimension. What I loved most was the unique sensory experience you get there. Walking around temples and tantric monasteries, a distinct scent fills the air—aromatic plants used for ritual fumigation. Locals mainly burn Himalayan juniper, cedar, sandalwood, and other local essences. This fragrant smoke is a way to purify the space and reach the deities, and you’re constantly enveloped in these aromas.

Another striking aspect is the sound. As soon as you step outside, you hear bells ringing in front of temples. People ring them three times before praying to announce their presence to the deities. Nepal is also the birthplace of singing bowls and sound meditation practices. In Kathmandu, you can easily find meditation sessions or "sound baths."

The spiritual dimension is everywhere: a Hindu sadhu practicing asceticism, a lama in deep red robes with his mala, turning a prayer wheel while murmuring "Om mani padme hum." Newar Buddhism, Tantrism, and Hinduism coexist harmoniously in daily life.

For those who love exploring a destination through its culture and spirituality, Nepal is an unforgettable place. What was your spiritual experience in Nepal like?

Hi, We’re leaving for South Africa soon (on 10/9) and I was wondering if there’s a need for things like paracetamol, since we can bring some! And if so, how should we go about it—can we drop them off at a private lodge, in Kruger, in Cape Town...? Thanks for any tips or experiences you can share—quickly, since we’re leaving soon! 😉

Hi everyone, Your thoughts on SIM cards and eSIMs for Rajasthan? I have a Free mobile plan for 19.99 € that includes internet but not calls. Can I use WhatsApp to contact people in France without extra charges? Or should I buy a local SIM? What about eSIMs? Your opinions, recommendations, warnings... Thanks

We're planning a trip to Vietnam with La Palanche, a travel agency in Hanoi. If anyone here has used them, could you share your experience with this agency, please? Thanks

Hi there,

I’m heading to Brazil soon—Rio, Iguazu, Paraty, Ilha Grande.

Two things are worrying me: - Mosquitoes and the nasty diseases they carry: are there a lot of mosquitoes and risks in these areas in May? - Safety: what’s the current situation in the tourist areas I mentioned?

Thanks for any info!

Virginie

Hi there, I’m Laura, and I’m looking for a few people to answer some questions so I can understand your travel wishes and challenges. It won’t take long—I can chat here, by email, or by phone. Don’t worry, I’m not selling anything! 😊

Hi there,

I’m looking for people to interview because I’d love to understand your travel desires to help refine my professional project. Just to clarify, the goal is simply to understand your aspirations/barriers, etc.—I’m not trying to sell anything.

The idea would be to chat for about 30 minutes to an hour over the phone, answering a few questions. I’m most interested in people who travel in France, love nature activities, prefer to avoid overly touristy paths, enjoy unique experiences, and are into local artisans and producers...

Does this sound like you? Feel free to message me. Just to be clear, I won’t share any details from our conversations.

Have a great evening, everyone.

Hi everyone, the Groupe Militaire de Haute Montagne recently carried out a rescue operation for two extremely skilled mountaineers in the Himalayas. You might think it sounds like a Christmas tale, but no—just listen:

https://www.defense.gouv.fr/actualites/defcast-sauvetage-lhimalaya

Hi there, I just found out that VF is back...!! What a joy....

A huge thank you—this site is so rich in exchanges and the range of information you can find here.

Bravo to the team for your perseverance and courage in getting through that difficult period.

You're coming back strong.... I wish you a long life and nothing but good things ahead...

Be careful if you're in Konstanz—your phone might connect to a Swiss carrier in certain spots (for me, it was a parking lot near Switzerland and on Mainau Island). You could be charged at least 30 € for roaming if your phone stays connected. I'm with Poste Mobile.

For those in France near the Swiss border, don’t stay in roaming mode. For those like me in Germany, turn off mobile data or get a Swiss plan for 15 €.

Bonjour ,

Je n'arrive plus à accéder aux rubriques " derniers messages " ou " dernières discussions " , on m'affiche " désolé , votre recherche n'a donné aucun résultat " .

Et si je veux voir les messages d'un membre du forum je n'ai accès qu'aux (très ) anciens messages , pas aux plus récents.

Bonjour ,

Je n'arrive plus à accéder aux rubriques " derniers messages " ou " dernières discussions " , on m'affiche " désolé , votre recherche n'a donné aucun résultat " .

Et si je veux voir les messages d'un membre du forum je n'ai accès qu'aux (très ) anciens messages , pas aux plus récents.

Bonjour, j'ai eu le même problème depuis mercredi. C'est résolu depuis ce matin, peut-être grâce à votre signalement !

Hi there, I have a question about the eSIM card: I bought an eSIM from Saily for my trip to Japan in 5 days. What should I do with my Samsung smartphone? What should I do with my current SIM card: deactivate/remove it? It says activation in Japan is automatic—what does that mean exactly?

Hi VF,

Surprise this morning: all VF pages have a dark background... I'm not a big fan! Did I accidentally do something wrong yesterday while checking my profile? Or is this a decision on your part to change the background color for everyone? I seem to remember François suggested this option (screen background choice) to forum users back in 2020, shortly before the site became inaccessible. I looked in "my options" for a way to switch back to the old light background but didn’t find anything. What should I do? No pun intended, but thanks for shedding some light on this! :-)

Murielle

Hi there, This might seem a bit out of the blue, but I really need some info, insights, and advice—especially tips! I’d love to go volunteer in countries that need help. Thanks, and please keep any negative comments to yourself

Hi, I’d love to know if there’s a website that gives a rough idea of how much time you should spend visiting a particular city or country. I know my question is super general, but it’d be really great if such a site existed.

Thanks in advance for your help. Take care and happy travels.

Régine

Hi, I was in Montreal for the Grand Prix today and I’d love to know where to buy this alcoholic iced tea can (Hoop Tea) before I leave—I can’t find it anywhere! Thanks so much for your help

Just a few words so I don’t forget the one who had the magical touch and the ingenious idea of creating a wonderful site that made the word "travel" resonate for thousands of people.

Thank you, François, and rest in peace...

Hi, I’m thinking of using GPS on my phone for a trip from the Peloponnese to central and northern Greece, as well as Cephalonia and Paxos. Based on the local networks, does this seem doable, or should I get a pocket Wi-Fi or something else? Thanks for your help

Hi everyone, I’m spending 15 days in South Korea. I’d like to know how I can get a guitar while I’m there. Since I’m a guitarist, I’d love to keep playing while I travel around the country. Thanks for your help! Have a great day, Titi

Hi there, Back from Sri Lanka, we have some local currency left. This could be useful for you. Here’s what I’m offering: 1 x 5000-rupee note 3 x 1000-rupee notes 2 x 500-rupee notes 3 x 100-rupee notes 2 x 50-rupee notes 6 x 20-rupee notes That’s a total of 9520 Sri Lankan rupees, or 31 €. This way, you can start your trip without having to withdraw money right away at the airport and without paying any fees. For reference, here are some typical costs: Bottle of water: 130–160 Rs, tuk-tuk ride: 100–500 Rs, bus trip: 50–200 Rs, meal with a drink: 1500–2500 Rs. Possible to send in an envelope.

I saw this photo online and it doesn’t say exactly where this unnamed structure is... I’d really appreciate an answer to my question. Thanks so much in advance! Simon

What are the different steps to withdraw money from an ATM? Brunomichele

Hi, I can't seem to sign up for the trip to Madagascar contest? It keeps saying "an error occurred." Has anyone else run into the same problem? Thanks

Hi everyone. I just joined this site and I’m trying to enter the contest, but no luck! For those who managed to do it, could you tell me how you did it? I followed all the instructions 😏 Thanks