Western Europe

Hi there, Could anyone recommend a car rental agency on São Miguel and Flores islands? The small local agencies have prohibitive prices, and the others seem unreliable (poor car condition, security deposit blocked for over 1000 €, etc.).

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!

Hi everyone,

My wife and I have booked our tickets from the 24th to the 31st to visit Switzerland, and we want to try skiing for the first time.

Here’s the itinerary I put together with some AI help. I’d love your feedback and tips to tweak the plan! Thanks in advance!

Arrival in Basel on the 24th in the evening, hotel in the city center with breakfast the next morning.

Train from Basel to Interlaken on December 25th, arriving at the hotel around 2 PM.

14:00 – 15:00: Arrival and check-in at Neuhaus Golf & Strandhotel Check-in, rest, and freshen up after the trip. Enjoy the view of Lake Thun—it’s a stunning setting. Grab a coffee or a drink on the terrace or at the hotel bar. The Neuhaus has direct lake access, perfect for a short walk right after settling in.

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15:30 – 17:30: Downtown & Christmas vibes Bus or taxi (10 min) → Interlaken city center (Hohematte Park). Stroll through the park, take in the views of the Jungfrau, and check out the open shops and chocolateries. Wander around Interlaken’s Christmas market (if it’s still up, often until the 26th). Grab a hot chocolate or mulled wine at a local stand.

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17:30 – 18:30: Gourmet break or aperitif Café de Paris, Hüsi Bierhaus, or Velo Café for a snack or drink.

For a unique hot chocolate: Funky Chocolate Club (you can even make your own chocolate!). 19:30 – Alpine Christmas dinner

Romantic dinner at a typical restaurant: Spycher Restaurant: fondue and Swiss folklore (reservation recommended). Laterne Restaurant: cozy chalet vibe, traditional cuisine. Des Alpes: local dishes with a view of Interlaken’s lights.

21:30 – Quiet end to the evening Digestive walk around the lake, peaceful and romantic atmosphere. Cozy option: hot bath or reading at the hotel bar with mountain views.

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Thursday, December 26th — First ski day: Bodmi Arena (Grindelwald)

Goal: Learn to ski gently

🕘 10:00 — Leave the hotel Bus or taxi (5–10 min) → Interlaken Ost train station. Train Interlaken Ost → Grindelwald (departs around 10:20, arrives 10:50).

🕚 11:00 – 13:00 — Beginner ski lesson at Bodmi Arena Booking: Swiss Ski School Grindelwald. Location: Beginner slopes with a “magic carpet.”

🍽️ 13:00 – 14:00 — Lunch on-site

Restaurant Bodmi (view of the Eiger).

☕ 14:00 – 16:00 — Free practice + coffee break in the sun Keep practicing or enjoy the valley views from the terrace.

🚂 16:30 — Return train Grindelwald → Interlaken Ost. 🕖 17:00 — Back to the hotel, relax or take a lakeside walk. 🍽️ 20:00 — Fondue dinner at Spycher Restaurant or Husi Bierhaus.

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Friday, December 27th — Ski #2: Grindelwald First (blue slope autonomy)

Goal: Improve and enjoy the scenery

🕘 10:00 — Leave hotel → Interlaken Ost → Grindelwald (arrive 10:50). 🕚 11:00 — Rent gear (Skiset or Alpin Center). 🚡 12:00 — Cable car Grindelwald → First (20-minute scenic ride). 🍽️ 12:30 – 15:00 — Ski on the First blue slope, multiple runs at your own pace. 🍽️🏔️ Lunch with a view at Berggasthaus First between runs. ☕ 15:30 – 16:00 — Break at the summit, coffee or hot chocolate. 🚡 16:30 — Cable car descent → return to the station. 🚂 17:30 — Train back → Interlaken Ost → hotel. 🍽️ 20:00 — Free evening (suggestion: dinner at Des Alpes Restaurant, mountain vibe).

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Saturday, December 28th — Nature day in Lauterbrunnen

Goal: Discover the valley of 72 waterfalls

🕘 10:00 — Leave hotel → Interlaken Ost. 🚂 10:35 — Train Interlaken Ost → Lauterbrunnen (arrive 10:55). 🕚 11:00 – 12:30 — Walk through the village + hike to Staubbach Falls. 🚡 12:30 – 14:00 — Lunch at Hotel Oberland Restaurant or Airtime Café. 🚶 14:00 – 15:00 — Walk to Trümmelbachfälle (45 min on foot, bus available). 🏞️ 15:00 – 16:00 — Visit the indoor waterfalls (entry ~CHF 14). 🚍 16:30 — Return to Lauterbrunnen (bus or on foot). 🚂 17:00 — Train back → Interlaken Ost → hotel. 🍽️ 20:00 — Dinner in Interlaken (Laterne Restaurant or Ox Restaurant & Grill).

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Sunday, December 29th — Scenic day: Mürren & Allmendhubel

Goal: Effortless alpine views + mountain vibes

🕘 10:00 — Leave hotel → Interlaken Ost → Lauterbrunnen (arrive 10:30). 🚡 10:45 — Cable car Lauterbrunnen → Grütschalp → scenic train to Mürren. 🕚 11:30 – 12:00 — Walk around Mürren, a car-free village. 🍽️🏔️ 12:00 – 13:30 — Lunch at Alpenruh Restaurant (panoramic terrace). 🚡 13:30 – 15:00 — Funicular ride to Allmendhubel, views of Eiger – Mönch – Jungfrau. ☕ 15:30 — Descent to Mürren, coffee or walk. 🚡 16:30 — Cable car + train back to Lauterbrunnen → Interlaken. 🚂 17:30 — Return to the hotel. 🍽️ 20:00 — Cozy dinner (raclette or Swiss soup in Interlaken).

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Monday, December 30th — Relaxation in Interlaken

Goal: Rest and enjoy the scenery before departure

🕘 10:00 — Leisurely start, walk along Lake Thun. 🚡 11:00 — Funicular to Harder Kulm (~CHF 40 round trip for 2 people). 🍽️🏔️ 12:30 – 14:00 — Lunch at Harder Kulm’s panoramic restaurant (lake views). 🚶 14:30 – 16:00 — Descent and stroll through Interlaken (shopping streets, chocolateries). ☕ 16:00 — Coffee or hot chocolate at Funky Chocolate Club. 🚂 17:30 — Return to the hotel, relax or spa if desired. 🍽️ 20:00 — Dinner at Victoria-Jungfrau Spa & Terrace Restaurant.

Hi everyone! I’m looking for any info that could help us with the excursions on the MSC Fantasia—Barcelona, Ibiza, Sardinia, Rome, Florence, and Cannes. Places to visit, tips to save us time… The cruise is from July 29 to August 5, 2026. Thanks!

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 !

Hi,

We’d like to book a shuttle for a transfer from Lille to Brussels Zaventem. I’ve found several shuttle companies online. Which one should we go with for reliability? We want to be sure someone will pick us up for both the outbound and return trips. We came across Holidays Airport, which offers a round trip for 2 adults and 2 kids at 205 €, and A3 at 180 €. I’m a bit surprised because the price difference is pretty big.

What do you recommend? I’ll also check the rates with Aero-Trans and STNavette (though I’ve heard people had issues with STNavette).

Thanks for your advice and experiences!

Hi, I’m planning a long weekend in Porto soon with 4 other adults, and I’d love some info about the rechargeable Andante card for public transport. Since we’ll be traveling across different zones, I’m thinking of getting the single-trip rechargeable option. When we buy it, do we *have* to purchase just one trip for a specific zone, or can we buy multiple trips for the same zone—or even one for one zone and another for a different zone? Also, how do we go about recharging it?

Otherwise, is the Andante Tour 72-hour card a better deal? The catch is we’ll need to get to the airport on the 4th day, and it won’t be valid anymore by then.

Thanks for your tips!

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a trip from Porto to Cascais to Lisbon. Is there a direct bus from Porto to Cascais where we’ll be stopping for 2 days? I know I can take a train from Porto to Lisbon and then switch to another train for Cascais, but I was wondering if there’s a direct bus to avoid a connection and the detour via Lisbon... I haven’t found any train options, anyway. On Red Expressos, the bus company, they don’t list Cascais as a destination from Porto. But maybe there’s another company? Thanks in advance for your tips!

Hi, we're heading to Porto in June for 8 days. I'm thinking we'll look for accommodation once we're there—either a room or an apartment. Is that possible? Thanks. Sylvie

Hello,

This spring, my husband and I would like to visit Porto. Does anyone know of a nice hotel in Porto's port area or very close to it, please? Thanks in advance for your tips or info. Best regards, Mamigigi

Hi there,

I’m just waiting for my time off to be confirmed, and I’ll be heading out either from April 21st to the 24th, or possibly until the 25th.

I’ll be staying in Porto. What is there to do in Porto in 3-4 days? Thanks

Hi there,

I’m heading to Rome soon and wanted to book my tickets for the Colosseum.

I found the official site, but I don’t understand when it’s possible to make a reservation.

Apparently, it’s 30 days in advance for the underground tour since everything is already booked up for the next 30 days...

But what about the Colosseum + Arena visit? The site shows tickets for the next 7 days, but nothing after that. Are tickets released just a week in advance for this combo, not 30 days?

Thanks for any clarification! !

Hi there, I’m heading to Rome on February 20, 2020, and as the title says, I’d love some tips and places to visit, etc... I’ll take anything that can help me prepare for my trip! Thanks to anyone who takes the time to reply! 😊

I’ll be in Rome on May 31st and June 1st, and before then, I’d love to find an affordable place to stay for the night before my cruise on the Koningsdam on June 1st.

Hi there, I’m visiting Rome from May 20th to 30th. For sightseeing, if you’ve got any great tips or unusual spots, I’d love to hear them. For the classics, should I book online in advance? For meals, I’m also looking for good little places (little = not too expensive). Thanks in advance for your replies.

Best regards,

Christian

We’re a group of 10 sixty-somethings heading to Rome for three days at the end of May.

Can anyone recommend a reliable local agency for a complete package: tours, hotel, restaurants, etc.?

We're heading to Rome from May 21st to 24th. Does anyone know some good spots (restaurants) for affordable meals in the city center while we're sightseeing? Thanks

Hi, Do you have any recommendations for well-located accommodation with good value for money to visit Rome? Thanks!

I’m visiting Rome in early September and looking for a guide for a day trip to Vatican City—museums and St. Peter’s Basilica—and another day exploring ancient Rome: Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. There are so many guides listed across Rome’s sites—it’s hard to choose! Would anyone have a recommendation for a pleasant guide who helps skip the lines, is knowledgeable, and offers small-group or private tours? Thanks

I’d like to spend a trip with 3 days in Porto, then drive down to Lisbon for 3 or 4 days. How many days should I plan for the route between the two, and what’s worth visiting along the way? Thanks

Hi everyone,

I’m Aurélie and I’m new to the forum. I’m planning a little trip with a friend to Spain (Seville) and Portugal (Porto) soon... unless Covid decides to ruin the fun! My friend and I are big fans of cool rooftop bars with a great view. By any chance, do you have any recommendations? I’ve done some searching and heard about Portobello, but if you’ve got any suggestions, I’d love to hear them.

Thanks, and happy travels!

Hello fellow travelers!!😉 My flight tickets are booked—off to Porto for a 4-day weekend! I was thinking of spending 2 days in the Douro (from my early Saturday morning arrival (!!) until Sunday evening) and 2 days in Porto (from Sunday evening to Tuesday evening). Does that sound reasonable to you? I plan to rent a car for the first two days so I can be free to move around without being tied to train or bus schedules. What are your favorite spots? Any village recommendations to visit and spend the night (Saturday night)? Has anyone done this kind of weekend before? Thanks in advance for all your great tips, and have a wonderful day! Manou

Hello,

We’re heading to Porto for 4 days in mid-March. Over this short trip, could anyone help us plan our visits, please? We’ll be staying at a hotel. Thanks

Hi there, we’re heading to Porto next week for a few days. Our itinerary is already set, but as wine lovers, we’re looking for great wine bar recommendations in Porto. Thanks so much if you can help us out with our search! Joannie

Hi there, I’m starting a little European road trip where I want to explore the capitals of our continent. I’m currently in Rome, and my next destination is Lisbon!

If you’ve got any restaurant, bar, or place recommendations, I’d love to hear them!

Thanks in advance! 😊

Hi everyone!

I’m currently on a road trip in southern Spain, stopping for a few days in Mérida and Badajoz, then heading toward Lisbon, which I’ve been strongly recommended to visit 🙂

Any ideas for sights, restaurants, bars, or must-do activities in my upcoming destinations? I’m all ears!

Thanks in advance! 😎

hi there,

I'm looking for recommendations for my next European destination. What museums in Scotland would you suggest? Thanks in advance!

hi, After a stay in Portugal, I'm off to visit Scotland. I'm looking for recommendations for beautiful viewpoints to sketch in my travel journal. If you have any tips, I'd love to hear them! Thanks in advance! :)

Hi there, We’re planning a 10-day trip to Scotland around late December. Is it worth it weather-wise? Has anyone already done this trip during this season? How should we go about renting a car in Edinburgh? And how can we find a bed and breakfast in a castle? Thanks for any tips that could help us out! Daniel

Hi! I’m planning a weekend trip in January but I’m torn between Brussels and Bruges. What do you recommend?