Hi there,

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

The issue is parking...

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

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

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

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

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

If you’ve got any tips...

Thanks! !

Hi everyone

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

Thanks!

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

Hello, VoyageForum friends, and happy holidays! I’m planning a trip with my 19-year-old grandson to Milan for Easter Saturday, Sunday, and Monday in 2025. I’d love your insights on what we can visit in Milan that would interest both my grandson and me (I’m 75). Of course, I’m thinking of the must-sees, but not just those—cozy little restaurants, trendy neighborhoods, and anything else you’d recommend. I’m also looking for a comfortable hotel in the city center that isn’t too expensive!

I’m sure the VoyageForum community will help me uncover some hidden gems! Looking forward to your replies.

After spending 15 days in Tenerife in February 2026, here are a few observations that might be useful for you: - Choosing Puerto de la Cruz turned out to be an excellent decision (compared to Santa Cruz, which is Lonely Planet’s pick, for example). Puerto de la Cruz has two large beaches just a 10-minute walk from the center. The atmosphere around the small port is lovely. It’s a human-scale town. The bus station makes it easy to get anywhere on the island. Carnival season is an exceptional time to visit! - Opting for the unlimited weekly bus pass for 50 € is economical (especially if you're traveling solo), eco-friendly, and practical (lots of departures and returns). The roads on major routes are often congested, and the bus network is improving—you can support this effort by traveling this way. - For hikes, I tested Teide National Park (arrival and departure by bus). Starting from El Portillo at the park entrance, the Arenas Negra circuit (2.5 to 3 hours) is stunning toward the end. You can add a section of Route 1 on the other side of the road (maps and great info at the tourist office). At the other end of the park, "Roques de Garcia" is a spectacular route—crowded but a must-see... - Tourist towns like La Orotava or La Laguna are worth the visit. Garachico has a certain charm too...

I’d love to know if there are any shuttles or other easy and cheaper ways to get to Civitavecchia from Rome Airport, which should be about 70 km away. Thanks in advance for your great tips!

Hi there,

I’m planning a trip to Sicily, and we’ll be renting a car at Palermo Airport. For our first stop, we’d like to visit Palermo itself. I’m really struggling to find a parking spot outside the ZTL (since we don’t know what type of vehicle we’ll have) and that’s not too far to walk from the city center.

It’d also be great if the parking were monitored, since we’ll have all our luggage in the car for this first leg of the trip.

I hope I’m not asking for the impossible! If any of you have some great tips to share, I’d love to hear them.

Thanks for taking the time to read my message—it really means a lot!

Looking forward to your replies,

Alain

Hi there, 🙂

I’m about to book 4 nights in the Italian capital and I’m wondering where the best place to stay would be.

- A neighborhood that’s not too noisy - A neighborhood well served by public transport (airport and the city’s main sights) - A neighborhood with restaurants and supermarkets - A neighborhood with relatively reasonable prices

Public transport is essential. We gave this trip as a gift to someone who won’t be able to walk long distances like we usually do.

I also don’t want to be too far from the historic center.

Termini and Monti seem to fit these criteria? Is Termini a bit sketchy? But sketchy like dangerous or sketchy like homeless people just looking for a place to sleep?

We’ll be traveling off-season.

Thanks for your ideas !

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

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

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

Thanks so much.

Hello,

I’m looking for a trek itinerary for two people in Sweden—something authentic, varied, and spectacular (transport from Stockholm). My partner and I have experience in Norway (Dovrefjell and Jotunheimen) and would love to explore Sweden’s landscapes. Naturally, I’ve been considering the Sarek / Padjelanta / Stora Sjöfallet area. I haven’t decided on a specific destination yet, so I have a few questions and would love input from experienced travelers.

- Which region of Sweden should be a priority if we love mountains?

- Starting in mid-July, which summits in the Sarek / Padjelanta / Stora area are interesting and accessible without gear (crampons, rope, ice axe)? We have solid mountaineering experience and want to gain elevation without overloading our packs. Ideally, summits without crevassed glacier crossings and minimal technical climbing (easy scrambling).

- How many days does it take to complete the north-to-south traverse of Sarek?

Thanks for your tips and ideas! :)

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

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

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

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

Hi there, I’m heading to Florence soon, and since I want to visit as many museums as possible, I’m thinking of getting the Firenzecard (or Firenze Card). From what I’ve gathered online (and feel free to correct me if I’m wrong), with this card, you need to call a phone number to book a specific time slot for the Uffizi Gallery (+39 055 294883). Unfortunately, when I try calling this number from my mobile, I get a message saying the number “is no longer in service.” Has anyone else run into this? Could it be an issue with my phone plan, or has the number changed? Thanks in advance for your help. w.

Hello everyone, We’ll be on vacation in Costa Adeje from 12/28 to 01/09. We’ll be spending New Year’s Eve there, so we’re looking for a nice restaurant by the beach (Playa de la Pinta, Playa de Fanabe, or Playa de Torviscas) that hosts a New Year’s Eve celebration with a fun atmosphere (music). Why by the sea? Because we love counting down to midnight on the sand with all the fireworks. Any recommendations? Thanks in advance. Pascal & Co

Hi there,

I’m coming with my little batch of questions, thinking it’s more sociable to ask here than my favorite AI.

1) In the Faroe Islands, you pay in Danish kroner—that’s clear—and mostly by card. But there are also Faroese kronur, and I’d love to bring some back. Are they available at ATMs? There don’t seem to be any real exchange bureaus in the capital.

2) The Faroe Islands aren’t part of the EU roaming agreement. Local SIM cards are supposedly available everywhere, but does anyone have an idea of prices or an operator to recommend?

Michel

This year, I’ve decided—I’m heading to Venice with my 12-year-old daughter between October 23rd and 28th. Despite my research, I still can’t figure out how the Museum Pass works. I bought it thinking it would give us easier access to some must-see spots. Now, I’m reading that we need to make a specific time reservation for each museum. When I try to do that, all I can do is pay for our entry tickets *again*. This is the case for the Doge’s Palace, the Campanile, St. Mark’s Basilica, and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.

An email to the tourist office didn’t get a helpful response. So now, I’m too nervous to even book a transport pass in advance!!!

If anyone could shed some light on this, it would be amazing.

Hi there,

This year, we booked a rental in Colonno, Italy, by Lake Como.

Everything was going well until my wife wanted to see Milan... Out of 11 days, why not spend a day there, even though I’m not really a "city" person? Then I discovered ZTLs (Zona a Traffico Limitato)...

A 90 € fine if you’re unlucky enough to drive into one, and another 90 € if you drive out... While I was looking for info on where to park without risking a fine in Milan (any tips?), I found out that Como also has a ZTL. (Any parking advice there too?)

My question is: is there a map showing all the cities with ZTLs? Because if it means getting hit with hundreds of euros in fines 9 months later... 😕

The more I look for info, the more I come across unsettling stories... Like people who pass a ZTL sign, turn around immediately, and still get hit with two 90 € fines in 3 minutes... I don’t want to ruin the vacation over a small mistake...

Thanks in advance,

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

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

Thanks for your tips and hiking ideas! :-)

Hi there, I’m heading to Setúbal at the end of June with my granddaughter, and I can’t seem to find clear info on the best way to get from Lisbon Airport to Setúbal. It looks like there’s a train or bus, but I can’t find the exact names of the bus (or train) companies or the precise departure points. Thanks if anyone can help me out! 😉 Just to clarify, I’m on a tight budget and have already ruled out taxis or similar options.

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

Hi fellow travelers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Looking forward to your replies! 😉

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks!

Hi there, I visited the Faroe Islands in late March 2026 for about ten days. I was invited by a friend who lives near Tórshavn, so I don’t have any info on tourist accommodations or car rentals. Still, I’d like to share a few thoughts about my trip: - Before leaving, I consulted travel guides and blogs. I was surprised by how repetitive and unoriginal the featured sites were. This leads hurried travelers to follow the same overcrowded routes, which can annoy locals. I found that all Faroese villages were interesting—they reflect the country’s identity, even without the iconic grass-roofed houses. Those are indeed harmonious and beautiful, but they feel like an exotic cliché. For activities, I loved the lively ports that keep the country running. - I was annoyed by the paid trails in tourist spots. Locals explained that these paths cross private land, and owners are responsible for maintenance and safety. There are plenty of free trails, too—signs at the start detail their features. While not alarmist, the extreme and unpredictable weather is a key factor to consider before setting out. - The wind’s strength really impressed me. The architecture, with doors and windows opening outward to prevent gusts from blowing roofs off, speaks to the harsh climate. Some days, relentless rain and squalls made going outside unappealing. I realized that in this country, it’s best to plan for flexible indoor days. - Distances are relatively short. I was happy to be based near Tórshavn because it was easy to explore one or more places in a day. The roads are in great condition. In late March, diesel was 2 €. Tunnel tolls can add up (~26 € per crossing), making a fixed base less practical than I’d thought. - Everyone agrees: the landscapes are breathtaking. Nature feels untamed here—except for the short grass, thanks to all the woolly sheep. - The flight from Paris to the Faroe Islands (and back) was long in March—11 hours with three legs: Paris-Amsterdam, Amsterdam-Copenhagen, Copenhagen-Vágar. In bad weather, Vágar Airport can close, causing delays. During tourist season, Atlantic Airways offers a direct Paris-Faroe Islands flight, which is more comfortable and cheaper. - I found a book recommendation in a guide that fascinated me after my trip: *Les collectionneurs d'images* by Joanes Nielsen. Through its sometimes caricatured characters, it offers a glimpse into Faroese mentalities from the 1950s to 1970s—attitudes that likely persist today. In conclusion, I’ve traveled a lot and I’m tired of destinations that all start to look the same. The Faroe Islands were a delight—a country stunning in its landscape, climate, and culture, where tourism has barely altered its authenticity.

Hi, I’m planning my trip to La Spezia and I’m struggling to find nice places to visit besides the Cinque Terre and Portovenere. Budget: Mid-range NO hiking

Can you help me out?

Thanks!

Hi everyone! 🙂

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

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

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

Hi everyone, vacation is coming up... Don’t stress about life—with three weeks to go, we’re just starting to plan our days.

If you have any ideas, we’ll be based in Colonno.

Excluding arrival and departure days, we have 9 full days.

Nice hikes? Waterfalls? Towns or villages you absolutely must see? Any zoos or aquariums in this area? I haven’t found anything!

For now, our plans (in no particular order) are:

- A day in Milan - A day in Como - A day in Lugano (on the antiques market day, then returning via Lanzo d’Intelvi for the views) - A day in Locarno (funicular and other attractions)

Maybe a day in Bellinzona—I have to go there during our stay anyway, so why not spend the whole day there?!

My wife wants to take a boat tour on Lake Como.

The GreenWay hike looks nice, especially with a teen, especially since the starting point is behind our rental.

I also spotted the village of Griante because you can hike up to the Chiesa di San Martino church with a great view once you arrive—perfect for our usual picnic...

Anyway, as you can tell, we’re missing ideas for 1 or 2 days. If no one posts, no worries—we’ll figure it out. To be honest, I haven’t really looked beyond the "cities" to visit. But since we’re heading to a very touristy area this time, I thought it might be nice to get some tips!

I went to Lugano for 2 days a few years ago by myself. I swore I’d bring my little family back there. I only visited Lugano, Locarno, and Lanzo d’Intelvi back then.

Planning a trip to Italy in October. I’d love to hear about your experiences. Thanks!

Hi there, I’m heading to Tromsø for a few days in March. I’d love to do a northern lights tour, go on a trip to see orcas, and learn more about Sami culture. Any excursions you’d recommend?

I’m also looking for info on local accommodation—Airbnb’s an option, but if you’ve got other suggestions, I’m all ears!

Thanks for your tips! :)