Western Europe

Hi, I’m planning a 7-day family road trip in Andalusia (2 adults and 3 kids) at the end of October. Arrival and departure: Malaga airport. Which direction should we take for our trip? Malaga -> Ronda + white villages -> Cadiz -> Jerez -> Seville -> Cordoba -> Granada -> Malaga Or the other way around?

Thanks

Hi there, We’re planning a family stay of 4 days in Santa Susanna on the Costa Dorada in mid-April. We’ve found accommodation within our budget and close to the sea. We’ll definitely visit Barcelona for at least one day. Could you recommend other interesting towns or villages to visit near Santa Susanna? If there are any, that is? Because I might be wrong, but after doing some research, it seems like this town and its immediate surroundings are just beach resorts—maybe a bit too concrete-heavy? It’s fine in the summer, but in April, we might get bored quickly. We’ve even considered changing locations if necessary to get closer to Barcelona since we booked with free cancellation. What do you think? Any advice is welcome. Thanks.

Hi everyone, I’m planning a trip to Barcelona with my girlfriend for 3 days—arriving Saturday midday and leaving Tuesday early afternoon. Here’s what I’ve listed to visit: - Sagrada Familia - Park Güell - Gothic Quarter - La Rambla - Boqueria Market - Picasso Museum

Do you think all of this is doable? I’ve grabbed the metro map and I’m trying to figure out the simplest way to fit everything in. And most importantly, are those famous Barcelona City passes with skip-the-line tickets really worth it?

Thanks, friends! :)

Hello, We’re heading to the Lofoten Islands from February 17 to 24, 2026—my husband (a fishing enthusiast), our 7-year-old daughter, and me. The flight tickets are booked (arrival and departure from Evenes), the car is rented, and the itinerary is more or less set. I just have a few questions left and was hoping to get some advice/tips from your experiences. We’ve planned two bases: Henningsvær and Nusfjord. Originally, I had planned:

Arrival at Evenes at 2:30 PM, pick up the car, drive (3h) to the Lofoten Islands 4 nights in Henningsvær 3 nights in Nusfjord Drive to the airport (5h) and departure at 3:20 PM

Looking back and considering the unpredictable weather, I’m thinking that a 5-hour drive on the last day before returning the car and catching our flight might not be the best idea. So now, I’m considering spending 3 nights in Henningsvær, 3 nights in Nusfjord, and one last night on the way to the airport. What do you think? Would you have any villages to recommend along the route between the Lofoten Islands and Narvik where we could spend the night and maybe explore for our last 24 hours in Norway? A few practical questions: I’ve heard that most shops, restaurants, cafés, etc., will be closed since it’s the off-season, but on the other hand, I see that Henningsvær is a village that comes alive during the skrei fishing season. I was wondering if everything would be closed or if it would still be possible to visit shops, workshops, and galleries. As for skrei fishing, my husband would love to fish with locals for 2 or 3 days. I found some options online, but nothing’s open yet for February. Will it be possible to join skrei fishing with locals or certain organizations? One last question for now: should we bring our own snowshoes, or will it be possible to rent them there (including for kids)? Thanks in advance, and have a great day!

Hello, I’m going on this cruise and have a few questions: 1° Should we exchange euros for kroner before leaving, or can we exchange on the spot—or even withdraw with a Visa Premier card? 2° Has anyone already done this cruise and could tell us about it? 3° Is there a must-do MSC excursion, or do you have any backup plans?

Our itinerary is Hamburg, Bergen, Molde, Trondheim, Ålesund, Vik i Sogn, Stavanger, Oslo, Hamburg.

Thanks to anyone who can guide us!

Hi everyone, We're heading to Porto with a small group of friends from September 10th to 14th. I carefully read Pinacoladada’s travel journal, which is already packed with great info—thanks to her! I don’t like falling into tourist traps—could you recommend must-see spots, transportation, restaurants, and shopping tips? (Yes, sorry, I want to know it all!!!) I’d love to use this short trip to start preparing my Christmas gifts! Last year in Lisbon, my suitcase wasn’t big enough, so this year I want to make up for it! I’m looking for good places for a leather jacket, shoes, and of course, cork items! Thanks so much for your help! Have a great day

Hello! My husband and I, both retired, are heading to Porto. What are the transportation options from the airport to the city center and our hotel, the CROWNE PLAZA PORTO? What are the fares for the bus, metro, and taxi? Is the hotel well-located for shops, restaurants, and points of interest? What should we visit? Thanks for your tips!

Hi, we’re heading to Porto from May 5th to 9th—anyone know a good local spot to hear fado? Thanks

Hi there, I’ve searched a lot using Voyage Forum’s search engine but can’t find a recent, satisfactory answer. So, I’m asking my question: we’re spending 2 days in Barcelona at the end of May and are looking for a **secure parking lot** where we can leave our car, as we plan to use the metro to get around the city.

Can anyone recommend one or more addresses for a secure parking lot? Thanks in advance for your tips!

Hi everyone, I’ll be in Barcelona from July 30 to August 18 by car and I’m looking for a free parking solution in the city or nearby. Have a great day

Hi, I’m spending a week in Barcelona at the beginning of March (a city I know a little), would you have any unusual spots or personal favorites to recommend that aren’t necessarily in the guidebooks? Whether it’s cultural, historical, restaurants, or anything else!

I'm planning a possible 3-week trip to Barcelona. First time in Spain. I like being close to the metro but not right in the tourist center. Can you recommend a safe neighborhood?

Thanks, René

Hi there, Can anyone give me some info on Barcelona neighborhoods? Is Poblenou a good area? Which parts of the city should we avoid? Thanks!

Hi there, We’d like to spend a few days in Barcelona... the issue is accommodation, and we don’t know anything about it. My brother’s driving to a campsite up north, and his brother-in-law left at 5 AM when there are only two of us... I just got back from my 7th trip to the US, where I know all my spots, so I’m a bit lost here.

Hi there, We’re planning to visit the Canary Islands for 10 days. We love hiking and nature in general, and beaches too, though they’re less of a priority. I’m thinking of spending 5 days in Tenerife, then heading to another island—I’m torn between Lanzarote and Palma. I just can’t decide. Thanks for your advice! Juliette

Hello, I’m planning a trip for about ten people—seniors—to Friuli Venezia Giulia in September 2026.

Day 1 – We’ll likely arrive in Treviso and head first to UDINE for two nights. Day 2 – Morning in Udine, then an afternoon visit to Cividale del Friuli. Travel by local train. Day 3 – We’ll leave for a quick visit to Gorizia before heading to TRIESTE for one night. Day 4 – Visit Trieste and Miramare. At the end of the day, take the train to Cervignano, then a local bus to Grado. Stay in Grado for three nights. Day 5 – Explore central Grado and take a boat tour to the island of Barbana. Day 6 – Relaxation day in Grado (as requested by the participants). Day 7 – Visit Aquileia and possibly Palmanova.

Day 8 – Return to the airport or maybe a quick detour to Venice. For the three days in Grado and the surrounding area, I was thinking of hiring a small bus with a driver. It seems like it’d be simpler—what do you think? Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks for your feedback! MADAPOLAM

Hi, We’ll be arriving late at night and have a very early flight the next morning, so getting a hotel wouldn’t be worth it. We’d like to know if there’s a nice spot in Terminal 1 where we can catch some sleep or at least get comfortable for a few hours. Thanks to anyone who’s familiar with the terminal or has been in the same situation as us

Hi everyone! I’m planning a little trip in October and wanted to share where I’m at with my preparations. We’re heading to Alicante from October 18th to 23rd and will be staying on C/ Bailén. (We won’t have a car.) We’ve decided to buy a bus and tram card with 20 trips for the two of us to start. Depending on the weather, here’s what we’ve planned: a visit to Alicante including the covered market, the bullring (?), Santa Cruz… La Illeta del Banyets, Lucentum, the MARQ museum, ELCHE, Tabarca Island, Villajoyosa, Villena Castle, Orihuela (if we have time). Any thoughts? Anything that doesn’t seem worth it? I’m bringing my snorkel mask and a wetsuit just in case.

I remember a bit of Spanish—just *unas pocas palabras*—but otherwise, I get by in English. I’m bringing some euros in small bills. I don’t eat gluten, lactose, legumes, or rice—not allergic, but I feel sick if I eat them. If there are any dishes you’d recommend trying (I’ve heard about *patatas bravas*, and there must be seafood and octopus), or anything for my husband, who can eat everything.

We’re hoping to find a holiday vibe with some atmosphere, even though we’ll be there at the end of October.

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, I’d like to visit Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius in one day—of course, if that’s possible—and I’d love to know the price. Best regards.

Hi there! I'm heading to Venice from September 17th to 21st. I'm looking for an itinerary, great tips, hidden gems in Venice, and good deals for gondolas, tours, etc... Thanks in advance for all your advice!

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 there,

I’d love your input, please. Here’s my itinerary: We’re leaving from Quebec for Rome – 4 nights Vienna – 9 nights Hallstatt – 2 nights Salzburg – 4 nights Innsbruck – 4 nights That leaves 3 nights to place somewhere between Innsbruck and Paris, ideally with a direct connection (I’ve looked but can’t find anything—I’m hoping you can help me out ). We’ll be returning to Quebec from Paris.

It could be a seaside spot to relax after what I’m sure will be an amazing trip, but that’s not a must. We also love beautiful cities and small villages.

Looking forward to your suggestions for these last 3 nights—thanks in advance! Have a great evening, Phantoma

Hi, Has anyone ever tried the Faroe Islands in January? I know the weather won’t be great and the days will be short... but it’s tempting. I’d love to hear about your experiences. Thanks so much in advance!

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 everyone,

I bought a Trenord train ticket online from Milano Centrale station to Como. While I’ve been to Italy several times and taken trains before, this is my first time traveling with this company.

The app says the QR code will be available when the ticket becomes valid, which is at the train’s departure time. But I was wondering if there are turnstiles like the ones in French stations, and I’d like more details on how to use tickets with Trenord. I tried looking for information but couldn’t find everything I needed.

Thanks in advance! 🙂

Hi everyone, I’m planning to spend about 9 days in Sweden (round trip to Stockholm) in July (without a car, most likely). We’d like to spend 4 or 5 days in Stockholm to really enjoy it. For the rest of the trip, I’m struggling to find good ideas. I’ve seen the Gullmar Fjord or small towns like Kjallbacka or Lysekil, or even the Bohuslän cliffs, but on various travel sites, they don’t mention whether it’s easy to get around, if there are excursions, or what transport options are available. Do you have any suggestions for where to stay for 3 days (outside a big city) with easy transport? Thanks for your help. Dominique

Hi there, I’m planning a one-week trip to Italy, with Milan and Rome as my destinations. I’ll be taking a bus to Milan with FlixBus (which I’m not thrilled about since it’s not a great company), and I’ll stay for two days. After that, I’ll take the train to Rome. I’d like to know if the bus station is far from downtown Milan. For the trip to Rome, I’m thinking of booking the train via Trainline—is that a good idea? Also, which station does the train leave from? I think there are two stations in Milan. Please share any info you can to help me prepare for the trip. Thanks a million!

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, 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.