Eastern Europe

Hi there,

We’re planning a 12-day trip to Greece next February.

It’s our first time, so we’ll be hitting the "Must-Sees"—that should keep us busy enough! 😎

The itinerary isn’t set in stone yet, but we’re already wondering if it’s doable or just crazy, if some stops are essential or a waste of time...

Here’s the plan: Day 1-2-3: Athens (we arrive midday on Day 1) Day 4: Southern Athens (Temple of Neptune) then overnight in Corinth (we’re renting a car from the airport) Day 5-6-7: Western/Southern Peloponnese (one or two places to stay, and the iconic spots: Acrocorinth, Cargo, Mycenae, Sanctuary of Epidaurus, Nafplio, Nemea...) Day 8: Transit to Delphi via Olympia Day 9-10: Delphi, Monastery of Osios Loukas... Day 11: Return to Athens via Thermopylae We were wondering if it’s feasible to add the Meteora monasteries? And Mount Olympus, just for fun?

For accommodations, do you have any recommendations for Athens? Peloponnese? Delphi? In Athens, I think it’s best to stay near the metro line that connects to the airport. But which neighborhood is good? It’s hard to navigate such a big city...

Two more questions: - Is Piraeus worth a visit? - We know February is a quieter time than peak tourist season, and that’s what we like. But there must be consequences—do all sites/museums close by 5 PM (except in Athens, maybe)? What do you do in the evenings once it’s dark?

Thanks in advance for your tips and advice!

Hello,

My partner and I are heading to Crete for 17 days this summer, from July 25 to August 11, with a rental car. We’ll book the first night or the first two nights, but our plan is to explore the east—and only the east—with no set itinerary and no other reservations.

For those in the know, are we being reckless? 🤣

We’ve had some experience with this kind of travel in Greece before: 10 days in western Crete in 2021 (though that was post-Covid) and 10 days in the Peloponnese in 2024. We only booked the first night each time, and it wasn’t really an issue. Even if we didn’t always find a place in the exact spot we were aiming for, we’d just stay a little further out, a bit less touristy, and it was great!

Do you think this style of travel is still doable in Crete in August by 2026?

Thanks for any insights if you’ve had this experience!

Best,

Hi there,

I’m planning a trip to Greece next February, flying in and out of Athens. The itinerary isn’t set yet (but it’s my first time, so I’ll hit the *must-sees*), but one thing’s for sure—we’re renting a car.

Any rental companies you’d recommend? Local agencies are usually cheaper than the big names (Avis, Europcar, etc.), but you’ve got to know which ones are reliable...

Thanks in advance for your tips! ;)

Hi there, I’m heading to Athens alone for a week from November 27th to December 4th. I want to visit Athens and Santorini. I’m not sure how feasible this route (Athens-Santorini-Athens) is—I don’t know the country or the distances. Is it doable and realistic to visit both in one week? If it’s possible, is it better to take a flight or a ferry from Athens to Santorini? Where’s the best place to stay to make the most of my time? Would you recommend "Athens Backpackers"? Thanks in advance for your help!

Hi there, The least we can say is that neither the internet nor guidebooks are overflowing with info on Thrace, this region in the far northeast of Greece (part of which is also in Bulgaria and Turkey). Needless to say, if anyone’s already visited this "eastern" Greece, I’d love to hear ANY tips about it. I’m planning to spend 4 or 5 days there next May, with a rental car. The distances seem pretty big, and I don’t want to rack up too many kilometers at the risk of being a bit disappointed—especially, what do you think of the Evros Valley, near the Turkish border? Thanks in advance.

Hi there, I’m looking for a French-speaking guide to visit Istanbul for a day on Saturday, July 14th. Could someone please recommend one, possibly with their contact details so I can get in touch before my trip? Thanks a lot to anyone who can help! Daniel

-Hi everyone, my brother and I will be traveling between May and June to explore Prague and the Czech Republic in general. -We're looking for locals to help us out—what to do, what not to do, where to go, what to visit, and group outings. -Basically, we need some guidance. Unfortunately, we don’t speak the local language or English well (or at all), so if you speak French, you’re very welcome to help!

-Best regards, Fabrice

Hi everyone! 🙂 We’re planning a one-week trip to Croatia but can’t decide between Zadar and Dubrovnik, especially since we’ll be using public transport or trains to explore the surrounding areas. What are some relaxed, easy things to do around these cities? We don’t want to rush. Of course, we’re really drawn to Plitvice and its park, but Dubrovnik looks so beautiful... For those of you who know these destinations well, could you help us decide, please? Thanks so much!

Hi, My question is about the open-air museums in Romanian villages. There’s one in Bucharest (Dimitrie Gusti) and another in Sibiu (Astral Museum). Which one is more interesting? Thanks so much. Pascaline

Good evening, We go on a cycling trip abroad every year for about twenty days. Obviously, we prefer small roads to discover a country. Is it possible to explore Poland mainly by taking small roads? Apart from the beautiful cities (Kraków, Warsaw, etc.), are there any regions worth discovering by bike? Thanks in advance for your replies. Jean-lucbergot

Hi there

I’ve booked a trip to Prague with my mum in mid-September.

Since I already know the city, I’d love to see something else, but I’m realizing that transport is really slow.

I wanted to go to Karlovy Vary, but it takes longer than I thought… Plus, we won’t be staying near the train station.

So I’m looking for a day trip that’s MAXIMUM 1 hour away by transport.

I really don’t like spending too much time on transport, so if it’s not doable, I’ll just skip it.

If there’s nothing accessible, I won’t bother with day trips—it’s not a big deal.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Hi there! We're heading to Athens in April 2026 with our three kids (ages 7 to 14). We won’t be renting a car and plan to stay in Athens the whole time. What do you think of this itinerary? - Day 1: Arrival and first stroll around Athens (Anafiotika, Monastiraki, Psiri, Areopagus Hill) - Day 2: Acropolis (+ museum?), Plaka, Koukaki or Filopappou depending on how we feel - Day 3: Day trip to Hydra, overnight in Aegina - Day 4: Aegina - Day 5: Changing of the Guard, National Garden, Lycabettus Hill, Panathenaic Stadium, Plaka - Day 6: Organized Peloponnese excursion - Day 7: Athens Riviera, relaxed pace - Day 8: Organized Delphi excursion - Day 9: Departure Thanks in advance! ☀️☀️☀️

Hi there. First, please excuse the dry nature of my post—I’m going to talk about insurance and credit cards!

I’m renting a car in Bulgaria using my "Gold Mastercard." I know the benefits, and in this case, I don’t need to take out additional insurance from the rental company.

However, the assistance booklet states: "The insurer cannot, under any circumstances, reimburse the insured for the amount of the CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) or LDW (Loss Damage Waiver) insurance paid to the rental company if the insured forgot to decline it or if it’s automatically included in a package the insured accepted."

The issue is that when I look at different rental companies, it’s often specified that "insurance is included" (non-declinable because it’s part of the package), and I’m worried there might be some minimal CDW or LDW coverage that would prevent my Gold Mastercard coverage from applying if needed.

Since it’s difficult to contact or communicate with rental companies (most bookings are made online) and Mastercard’s responses are pretty vague, I’m turning to you all for help.

Here are my questions: - How can I be sure the rental company’s insurance doesn’t include CDW or LDW? - Do you know of any rental companies where this is clearly stated? - Does Gold Mastercard coverage work with local agencies? - Is it possible for a rental company to refuse Gold Mastercard coverage?

I assume travelers who can answer have already had this experience.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a family road trip in the Peloponnese in April, arriving and departing from Athens, with a focus on Greek mythology, beautiful hikes, and a balanced pace (we don’t want to spend our days in the car). Here’s our draft itinerary:

Day 1: Early arrival in Athens – visit Acrocorinth and overnight in Corinth

Days 2 & 3: Drive to Dimitsana – hike in the Lousios Gorge (and maybe a detour to Olympia?), mountain villages

Days 4 & 5: Drive to Areopoli (Mani Peninsula) with a stop in Mystras

Day 6: Kalamata, visit Ancient Messene

Days 7 & 8: Pylos, Voidokilia Beach, Palace of Nestor, Gialova Lagoon

Days 9 & 10: Drive to Nafplio (Epidaurus, Mycenae)

Days 11 & 12: Hydra from the port of Ermioni

Days 12–15: Athens I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Does the pace seem reasonable? Should we adjust any stops (too long or too short)? Any must-see mythological sites or hikes along the way, in addition to what I’ve mentioned? Is Olympia really worth the detour from Dimitsana?

Thanks so much for your valuable advice!

Hi,

Has anyone recently traveled to Transnistria (Tiraspol) from Chisinau? I’d like to know how it goes. I know there’s a migration card, but what about cash?

Thanks!

Hello everyone,

I’m a bit late planning, but we’re traveling as a family from October 26 to October 31, 2025, to Athens. After that, we’ll continue our journey from the port of Piraeus for a cruise with Celestyal Cruises (November 1 to November 8) in the Cyclades.

First, a few practical tips:

Is it easy to get by speaking French in Athens, or is English a must? Any tips for making yourself understood? Our hotel is located in central Athens. What do you recommend taking from the airport? A taxi, the metro, or the bus?

For sightseeing: We’ll be there for 5 days. What do you recommend? Should we book tickets for the monuments in advance or on-site? I’ve heard about a pass for visiting 5 monuments. What does it include? Do you have to visit all the monuments on the same day, or can you spread it out over the week? On some websites, it mentions that Tuesday, October 28, would be a free day for monuments. Can anyone confirm this, and what are the rules to benefit from it? Thanks in advance to anyone who can help!

Hello, We’re planning a trip to Crete for Christmas week 2025 and would love advice from travelers who’ve visited the island in winter. What should we expect in terms of weather? Which sights are best to prioritize—or avoid? Is it easy to find restaurants open? Obviously, we’re not expecting to hit the beach 😉 or do long hikes. We love traveling at a relaxed pace, soaking up the local atmosphere without covering too many kilometers by car. Thanks in advance to anyone who can share tips! Best regards,

hi everyone, I’d like to spend two weeks in Poland visiting the most beautiful spots: monuments, landscapes, etc. Do you think two weeks is enough? I’m planning to rent a car and book a room as I go. If anyone’s done this road trip before, I’d love to hear your thoughts and recommendations. Thanks! 🙂

Hi everyone, For about twenty years now, we’ve been regularly visiting the Cyclades to enjoy some rest, sunshine, the sea, scooter rides, lovely tavernas, and the hospitality of the Greeks (around fifteen trips in total). This September, my partner and I have decided to return to Ikaria, the island where we spent a few days in Agios Kirykos and Therma. This year, we’ll be arriving in Evdilos and would love some tips on the southern coast of Evdilos and the central part of the island—places that are doable by scooter (max 20 to 30 km round trip). For those interested, we’d be happy to share our experiences from Tinos, Syros, Amorgos, Ikaria, Fourni, the Small Cyclades, and, from longer ago, Santorini, Paros, Anti-Paros, and Naxos. Happy travels to all

Hi there, I’d love to know if you can watch French channels like France 24 or Euronews in hotels in Polish cities? Thanks...

Hi there, I’m heading to Turkey soon for a solid month. I was thinking of exploring the Aegean coast, but I’m a bit worried about crowds… even though it’ll be mid-September. Any hidden gems or favorite spots you’d recommend? Quiet beaches, maybe? Thanks for your tips! Patricia

Hi everyone,

Here’s a little account of our two-week family trip (with two boys aged 7 and 10) to Corfu. I hope it helps other travelers! We chose Corfu because there are direct flights from Paris, and we were looking for a destination where it’d be easy to swim with the kids. We were there from August 14 to 28.

Since I wasn’t sure about the distances and had read quite a bit about Greek driving and the state of the roads, I decided to split the trip into three parts: Corfu Town, the North, and the South.

Corfu Town (3 nights) Day 1: We landed in the late afternoon. Booked three nights via Booking on the edge of the old town (Sueno Garden Apartment), which is walkable from the airport—no need to rent a car for the first few days or stay in Corfu Town. First evening in the old town, dinner at Pane e Souvlaki on Dimarchiou Square. Touristy, but good vibes.

Day 2: Visited the Old Fort. Nice for the Church of St. George, which looks like an ancient Greek temple, and especially for the 360° view from the top. By 11 a.m., the sun was already beating down. Left the fort and strolled through the People’s Gardens. Lunch at Mouragia a bit further away, then backtracked to let the kids swim at Faliraki Bathing Beach.

Day 3: We took bus line 2A from Spinada (in front of the Old Fort) to the end of the runway (stop ΚΑΛΟΚΑΙΡΙ Ε). Poorly signposted when you’re at the top—you have to go down via the bar. Not well set up, which is a shame. The Panagia Vlacherna Monastery is pretty on its little island, but don’t turn around—the landings are impressive. Returned via the 2A with a stop at Mon Repos Beach, where the kids loved jumping off the pier.

North (6 nights) Day 4: Headed to Sidari, rented a small Fiat Panda from Europcar—no issues with this rental company (I booked late, so it’s probably possible to find cheaper). We’d also booked via Booking at Blue Dreams Apartment, just south of Sidari. A family-run hotel with a nice pool, we had a great stay (it’s just been taken over by Belgians who speak French). We wandered around Sidari to the Canal d’Amour. Not easy to access—you have to walk through all the bars, and the tiny beach is pretty dirty. Still, it’s fun for a swim and exploring the cave.

Day 5: Quick breakfast to be at Cap Drastis by 9 a.m. Parked at the top, but there’s very little space (we couldn’t park on the way back), and it’s a dirt road. The signs saying “To the sea” actually lead to a boat dock for a cape tour. You only see the cape from above, not below. A bit of a letdown, but since it was early and no one was down there yet, we treated ourselves to a quick swim. Brunch back in Sidari at Eviva—I recommend it: not Greek at all, but high quality. Agios Stefanos in the late afternoon after the heat. The port is awful (dirty and uninteresting), but there’s a swimming spot just before the beach, near the old port (park above, by the church). No one was there—great moment with the kids.

Day 6: Left around 9 a.m. for Mount Pantokrator. A bit of a climb at the end in the Fiat Panda—it’s steep! The road is long, but I think it’s worth it for the lunar landscape at the top, the monastery-antenna, and the 360° view. Then down to Kassiopi (we paid 5 euros for the Kassiopi Car Park—I think it’s the best option, as there’s no big free parking like in Sidari) and a swim at Paralia Mpataria (small but nice). Really relaxing in the late afternoon. Walked around the peninsula and saw several dolphin pods with amazing jumps. Unforgettable. Kassiopi is more family-friendly than Sidari and has more charm (Sidari has none, so that’s easy!).

Day 7: Morning off at the hotel, then afternoon at Paralia Kalamaki for the inflatable playground the kids had spotted on the way back from Kassiopi. 10 euros per person for an hour, not many people around 4 p.m., and we had a blast. Shallow sandy beach. Not much marine life, but safe for young kids. Note: free freshwater shower. Dinner at Nikos Family Restaurant in Roda. Great welcome and atmosphere. The stifado and soutzoukakia were delicious, and the Greek desserts were amazing too. Next door, at Roda Park restaurant, there was a Greek party with traditional dancing and plaster plate-smashing. Even though we didn’t eat there, everyone was invited to join in the street—it was fun. Probably touristy, but pretty spontaneous, and it was a good time.

Day 8: I’d booked two dives in Paleokastritsa with Achilleon Diving Center, directly via WhatsApp. Great international vibe, two easy but interesting dives (a barracuda school and a “cow” nudibranch at Colovri Reefs, cool crevasses and holes at Donald’s Place). In the afternoon, we visited the Paleokastritsa Monastery (well-maintained, pretty nice) and spent some time at the beach (very crowded).

Day 9: Day off—we enjoyed the hotel pool and went to Olea next door to buy a small olive wood souvenir. Note that the old man who works the wood doesn’t have many fingers left…

South (5 nights) Day 10: Headed to Lefkimmi. Stopped at Achilleion on the way. I knew from reviews that only the gardens were accessible, but I think it’s worth it, even at 7 euros. We passed by the French military cemetery nearby (nothing special, poorly signposted but quiet and peaceful) and ate at Elia Tavern right next door: super good, best calamari of the trip. We’d booked our accommodation at Villa Rosa South Corfu, a bit outside Lefkimmi, near Alikes. Pretty isolated, but the beach is a 3-minute walk away, right next to the old salt pans. On the way, we saw a poster (use Google Lens to translate) for a local festival near Linia. We went that evening: barbecue, concert, and local dancing. Lots of people, but only locals—it was a great time.

Day 11: Short “hike” to Arkoudilas. We parked at the exit of Kavos, just before The Rose Tree restaurant. Some people drive all the way to the beach, but it’s very rocky. We followed the “Monastery” path to see Cape Asprokavos and the ruins of the monastery nearby. To avoid backtracking, we continued through the woods after the monastery to reach Arkoudilas Beach. Nice shaded walk, but dusty road. Dinner at Agali on the Potami Canal (friendly family vibe, but long wait).

Day 12: Boat trip to Sivota with Pegasus. A wooden boat, human-sized. Crowded, but not cramped. Two swimming stops (Blue Lagoon in the morning and a beach in the afternoon) and a 2-hour stop at noon in Sivota. We knew it’d be touristy, but the vibe was good, with some dancing on the way back. Not too many people at the swimming stops.

Day 13: Kouris Museum in Lefkimmi. Okay, don’t go for the history—the guide cracks more jokes than gives rational explanations. Still, we laughed a lot and had a great time. Lunch at The Village on the main road: very fresh, very good. Perfect homemade dip platter. Not the best location since it’s right on the road, but it’s worth it. Free ice cream for the kids, super-friendly owner. Fresh ratatouille (finally, some veggies!). Afternoon at Paralia Issos. View of Korission Lagoon and a walk through the sand dunes, a bit like the Sahara in places (hard to do before 5 p.m., even 6 p.m., because of the heat).

Day 14: I’d booked a visit/tasting at Pontiglio Winery. Short tour of the small site and tasting of the 4 wines produced there: 2 whites, 1 red, 1 rosé. Fresh homemade snacks, fruit for the kids, great welcome. Then to Paralia Kanoula Beach. Mikro Nisi Bar, sunbeds at 20 euros—expensive. But a nice beach with some rocks, so a bit of marine life. We saw octopuses while snorkeling with the kids—great moment.

Honest take on Corfu The island is dirty—not just at the garbage sites, which aren’t collected often enough and overflow constantly, but everywhere. Not a single square meter without cigarette butts, even if you get off the main paths. Stray cats everywhere, wasps everywhere, sewage smells often.

The natural heritage is stunning but ruined by private encroachment on the coastline. Bars and restaurants take over the land right up to the sea. I’d only been to Santorini and Paros about ten years ago, and I don’t remember it being like this at all. Maybe the Cyclades are different now. From talking to a few tourists here and there, it seems Crete is better managed. We still had a good vacation, even if it was sometimes hard to overlook the dirtiness.

Hi there,

For a trip planned next summer, I’m considering this itinerary for a maximum of 3 weeks:

Kalamata Pylos Foinikounta Kardamyli Limeni? Areopoli Mezapos (just a quick stop along the way) Gerolimenas Elafonissos Then we’ll head back up toward Nafplio And Athens for the return flight.

My questions: - Is it possible to find a direct flight to Kalamata, or will we have to go through Athens for a domestic flight? - For Limeni, can we get there from Areopoli? - The drives from Gerolimenas to Elafonissos and from Elafonissos to Nafplio are a bit long—any ideas for stops? Though that might make too many stops overall?!

Thanks for your help in optimizing this itinerary!

Hi there,

We’re renting a car to explore Albania in September/October. We’ll start in the north and finish in the south. We’d love to drop off the car near Saranda and take the ferry to Corfu on foot, but it seems we’ll have to return it to Tirana since there’s nowhere else to drop it off. From there, we’d like to take a direct flight to Corfu, but I can’t find any direct flights... I really don’t want to connect through Athens and backtrack when we’re so close! Any suggestions on what to do? Thanks, Carole (Canada)

Hi,

I’m in Albania for 2 weeks, specifically in Durrës, with my daughter and her friend (both 14), and I was planning to mostly use public transport. But I’m worried it’ll limit our sightseeing and exploring around the country. I’d like to rent a car but I’m not sure how to go about it since I don’t speak the language, and English isn’t always enough to understand all the details and rules around renting a vehicle. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

Stéphanie

Hi everyone,

So, I’m heading to Bulgaria this September. I’ll be based in Varna and plan to rent a car for a few days. I don’t know Bulgaria at all, so I’ve got everything to learn about this country.

I’m an amateur photographer, so I’d love to take some great landscape shots (sea or mountains) as well as photos of picturesque little villages... I’m open to all kinds of tips, and thanks in advance for reading!

Best regards, Patrice

Hi there,

We’re heading to Greece this summer and will be stopping in Nafplio for 3 days. We’d love to visit Epidaurus and Mycenae, but we don’t have a way to get around. We checked the KTEL Argolida website, but couldn’t figure out the right stops or schedules. Is it possible to do a round trip from Nafplio to Epidaurus in one day, as well as Nafplio to Mycenae? If not, are there any cheap alternative options?

Thanks in advance for your tips!

Hi, I need to take a ferry to Sifnos on 17/07 at 7:15 AM, departing from Piraeus. I’ll be staying in Athens near Omonia station, and the metro goes directly to Piraeus. How early should I arrive at the port to make sure I don’t miss the ferry? Is the metro station far from the port? Are the signs to find the right ferry clear? I can’t figure out if the first metro is at 5:30 or 6:30 AM? Because if it’s 6:30, it’s a no-go—I’ll have to arrange a taxi or shuttle... I’m not sure how to handle this early ferry. Any advice would be super helpful! Thanks

Hi there,

When landing in Warsaw (WAW) in the middle of the day, is it possible to reach Bialowieza by public transport before nightfall? Or is it better to spend the night in Warsaw or Bialystok?

In August, is it easy to find accommodation/homestays in Bialowieza without booking in advance? What about the other parks in the area?

Thanks in advance! 🙂

Hi there,

I’m landing in Athens on Sunday, July 6th at 6:30 PM, picking up my rental car at the airport, and heading straight to Nafplio to spend the night.

Do I have enough time to get there and grab dinner? Until what time can I easily find places to eat without any issues?

Another question: I’m thinking of using Waze or Google Maps for directions. Is 4G coverage well-developed, or is it optimistic to count on having service along the way?

Thanks