Dans quelques jours je vais à Londres avec une amie pour y passer la journée. Ce voyage est organisé par ma fac. Le matin on nous propose pendant environ 2h de découvrir les principaux monuments à pieds et l'après midi c'est "free". Mais mon amie et moi ne sommes pas d'accord, elle aimerait rester avec le groupe pour avoir la visite guidée alors que moi j'envisageais de prendre un london pass traveler et d'aller découvrir nous même les monuments qui nous font envie.
Voici le détail de l'excursion du matin dans le descriptif du voyage :
Le circuit à pieds n'est aucunement obligatoire mais conseillé pour tous ceux qui ne connaissent pas Londres : De Big Ben à Oxford Street en passant par Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Quartier Chinois, Picadilly Circus. Temps libre à partir de Oxford Street
J'aimerais donc votre avis sur la question car je tiens à signaler en plus que nous ne resterons qu'à peine 7h sur place et nous avons envie et l'un et l'autre de découvrir un maximum de choses et pour ma part je crains que 7 heures soit insuffisant pour voir tout ce que nous avons envie de voir alors si en plus nous devons "perdre" 2 heures avec une visite guidée.
Moi non plus j'aime pas trop les trucs de groupe mais ma principale raison c'est le temps. J'ai peur que nous en manquions parce que je me dis entre le trajet pour aller d'un site à l'autre, la file d'attente et enfaite l'attraction en tant que tel, au final 7 heures c'est vraiment pas grand chose. Sinon, je n'ai pas trop peur de me perdre dans la mesure où mon téléphone intègre un gps. La seule chose que je crains c'est par rapport à l'autonomie de ce dernier mais de toute manière par mesure de sécurité je vais imprimer tout les itinéraires.
Dans ce cas, laisse tomber les visites où on fait la queue, comme London eye, par exemple.
Il y a beaucoup de choses à voir où on ne fait pas la queue. Moi, je ne fais jamais la queue, c'est une perte de temps. Visiter une ville ne doit pas ressembler à une journée à eurodisney 😉
Bah je pensais justement à London eye mais aussi au musée Tussauds, l'abbey de westminster, le palais de westminster, la cathédrale de saint-Paul, le marché de Camden, notting hill ainsi qu'un petit tour dans le bus impérial. D'ailleurs il parait que ce dernier est bien dans la mesure où c'est un circuit et qu'en plus on peut avoir la visite traduite en plusieurs langues dont le français. Je trouve cela sympa ...
7h c'est très court et il faut faire des choix. D'autant que Londres est beaucoup plus étendue que Paris.
Attention, je ne sais pas si c'est un problème pour toi mais Mme Tussaud's et l'Abbaye de Westminster sont très cher. Comme les transports en commun d'ailleurs.
Concernant le palais de Westminster, il abrite le Parlement anglais. Il est donc devenu difficile à visiter, en particulier le week-end je dirai.
Camden et Notting Hill pour une première visite... mouais.
Et pas de musée ? Le British Museum ? La National Gallery ? Et Buckingham ?
Bah cela ne me déplairait pas mais comme tu l'as très justement dit, 7 heures c'est court et il faut faire des choix. Mes priorités sont celles que j'ai énnoncé plus haut ... A l'origine je pensais prendre le pass london traveler mais j'ai lu plusieurs messages de personnes qui disaient que ce n'était pas vraiment intéressant ...
Du coup je ne sais plus trop quoi penser ...
Si c'est les bus à étages, ça ne se visite pas, c'est un moyen de transport.
Notting hill, ça ne se visite pas non plus, c'est juste un quartier de Londres. Il y a le marché de Portobello road à Notting hill, c'est le samedi matin, mais ça prend la demi-journée.
London Eye : tu en as pour plusieurs heures de queue. Un truc pour le tourisme de masse, comme Mme Tusseau, à mon avis.
Voilà les musées qui valent le coup à mon avis (ils sont gratuits)
National Gallery (près de Trafalgar Square)
Imperial War Museum (rive sud)
British Museum (près de St Pancras)
Maritime Museum (à Greenwich on y a une vue magnifique sur Londres)
Tu as intérêt à ne pas prendre le métro, mais le bus, beaucoup moins cher (3.50£ le pass pour la journée, qu'on prend aux distributeurs)
ainsi qu'un petit tour dans le bus impérial. D'ailleurs il parait que ce dernier est bien dans la mesure où c'est un circuit et qu'en plus on peut avoir la visite traduite en plusieurs langues dont le français.
Sorry, je vois ce que tu veux dire 😉
Ce sont les bus pour touristes à étages avec plateforme découverte. Moi, je ne me vois là dedans qu'à plus de 75 ans, et encore.... surtout qu'en hiver, il doit y faire très froid.
Prépare ton itinéraire, et prends le bus ordinaire. Ou alors tu auras passé une journée à Londres sans avoir vu le moindre Anglais.
A ta place, je ferai le circuit à pied qui te permettra de voir pas mal de truc (dont l'extérieur de Westminster Abbey et Palace) en deux heures.
Les 5h qui restent, tu as le temps de pas mal de trucs quand même.
Camden et Notting Hill, c'est à vivre plus qu'à visiter : t'as pas le temps.
London Eyes et Mme Tussauds tu risques de te taper 1h de queue (sur 5h...) et tu as le Grévin à Paris.
Donc moi, après la balade, je filerai sur St Paul puis sur le British Museum ou la National Gallery (selon tes goûts).
Si vous êtes de bons marcheurs, ça peut se faire à pied tout ça.
C'est vrai que les bus font aussi la queue... ils sont parfois pare-choc contre pare-choc dans Oxford Street, mais ce qui est sympa, c'est qu'en se mettant à l'étage, on voit beaucoup mieux la ville qu'à pied. De plus, on y est au sec, et on peut s'y reposer. Même si le métro est plus rapide, on y perd plus de temps, car il faut descendre dans la station. Les bus de Londres sont vraiment bien faits. A Paris, je ne circule qu'en métro, mais à Londres, je ne prends que le bus.
N'oublie pas les grands magasins, comme Harrods qui vaut vraiment le détour. De là, tu es près de Hyde Park, et tu peux jeter un oeil au mémorial du Prince Albert, et à la fontaine de la Princesse Diana, des lieux moins touristiques que Mme Tusseau ou London Eye.
Je pense que tu devrais faire la visite à pied avec ton groupe. Même si c'est pénible d'être en troupeau, l'itinéraire est sympa, et je pense que tu perdras du temps en le faisant seul, si tu n'as rien préparé.
Moi, je zapperais juste Covent Garden, qui est un piège à touristes.
Bonjour desivry! On se crois tous le temps lorsqu'on parle de Londres, n'est pas?
Je suis d'origine de Londres et moi et mes amies nous allions souvent a Covent Garden sans obligatoirement etre touriste! J'aime beaucoup Covent Garden et c'est bien plus interessant que Picadilly Circus, par exemple. Je n'ai toujours pas compris pourquoi les Francais surtout, veulent toujours se diriger vers Picadilly car il n'y a vraiment rien a voir d'interessant. C'est un carrefour pour aller ailleurs alors que Covent Garden a une histoire a raconter et de l'animation gratuite toute autour!
Anyway, see you again sometime when someone else asks about where to go and we can start another debate!!😏
take care!
Toujours a la recherche d'un voyage un peu plus differente que les precedents!
En en allant à Covent Garden, je pensais trouver un quartier authentique alors que l'ancien marché est totalement transformé en attraction pour touristes. Au lieu de vendre des légumes, viandes, poissons, etc il n'y a que des boutiques qui n'ont rien à voir avec un marché. Et on a du mal à flâner, tant il y a de monde. Je ne déconseille pas forcément Covent Garden, ça peut plaire. Disons que c'est dans la logique London Eye et Madame Tusseau. 🙂
Picadilly est un carrefour, effectivement il n'y a rien à y faire, mais plein de choses autour : quartier chinois, National Gallery, Soho, où on peut aller à pied. C'est un peu comme la fontaine St Michel à Paris, juste un endroit où il y a plein de monde parce que le quartier est sympa. J'ai logé au Regent Palace Hotel, situé à Picadilly, et c'était vraiment central pour visiter Londres. Je regrette qu'il soit fermé depuis quelques années.
Anyway, see you again sometime when someone else asks about where to go and we can start another debate!!
juste une petite intervention pour regretter que Paris n'ai pas fait le choix de transformer ses anciennes halles comme Covent Garden au lieu d'en faire le "trou" que c'est devenu...
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Hi,
My daughter is heading to Iceland for a 4- to 5-day trek. Our Belgian network doesn’t cover Iceland. What’s the best alternative to stay reachable as much as possible, even while hiking?
Thanks
Hi there, my husband and I are planning a trip to Iceland in mid-October 2026.
Would you have any advice on the best places to visit for a first trip to this destination? Thanks
Hi there, a friend will be visiting Great Britain in August and would like to explore some representative spots in Denmark before heading back to Canada.
What affordable activities could you recommend to him?
He’d really appreciate it, as he has a deep appreciation for Nordic countries—probably because of his own Nordic roots.
Thanks
Hi, I'm heading to Italy soon and I wanted to know if Italian banks charge fees when you withdraw cash at an ATM, or if, like in Spain or Greece, it's better to avoid taking out money and bring cash instead. Looking forward to your replies... Thanks
We’re planning a short trip at the end of July to explore the legendary mountains and valleys of the Bernese Oberland: round trip from Nancy (Swiss highway vignette planned), 2 nights in a room with a small kitchen in Adelboden, then 2 nights in a hotel at the Gletscherblick in Grindelwald, both with half-board included.
Could you share some tips on the best road routes to take, as well as some walking hikes (we’re not as fit as we used to be, so nothing longer than 2-3 hours)? Maybe also 1 or 2 cable car rides—I was thinking of Oeschinensee Lake above Kandersteg and the First gondola above Grindelwald for better panoramic views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau... all while keeping it doable with our schedule. We’ve ruled out the "premium" trip up to the Jungfraujoch for this time.
I’m also guessing that paying to access Wengen or Mürren only makes sense if we’re staying there for a few days, right?
- Is the road through the narrow valley of the White Lütschine toward Lauterbrunnen and beyond still worth it in terms of views and scenery?
On the way back, if we have a little time to explore Bern’s historic old town, what’s the best parking plan for a 1- or 2-hour stop?
Thanks in advance for your advice, fellow travelers familiar with this beautiful region! 😉
Amazing trip in May 2026: fantastic landscapes, such a different vibe from our other journeys, wonderful memories, but...
- Discovering the population: very few "native" Icelanders,
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Hi,
I’ll be in Barcelona at the end of October.
I can choose to be there over the weekend or during the week. Probably 4 nights.
Is there a big difference in terms of crowds in the city and in the museums?
Little or no difference would simplify my itinerary on the way.
Hi there,
I’ll be in Rome from April 1st to 13th, 2026—it’s coming up fast!
I’ve been searching online for tickets to visit the Borghese Gallery, but either there’s no availability or the tickets offered are ridiculously expensive.
Could someone guide me to a website where I can book 2 skip-the-line tickets (I’ve heard you have to reserve in advance online)?
Hi everyone,
I rented a car through Klaus Wagen, picking it up in downtown Porto and returning it in downtown Lisbon.
After paying, I read some pretty negative reviews about them.
So, can anyone reassure me with positive experiences they’ve had with them?
Thanks in advance!
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.
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.
Hello,
We’re heading to Puglia at the end of May. We’re a senior couple. We arrive in Bari, where we’ve booked accommodation for 2 nights. We’ve rented a car.
Day 1: Bari
Day 2: Polignano a Mare – Monopoli
Day 3: Ostuni – Brindisi
Day 4: Lecce
Day 5 & 6: Exploring the coast from Otranto to Santa Maria di Leuca
Day 7 & 8: Gallipoli area
Day 9 & 10: Matera
We’re considering renting a place near Lecce for 5 days and using it as a base to explore the region.
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:
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- 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 there,
We’re planning a trip for October to visit Naples (6 nights) and the Amalfi Coast (5 nights). We’ve already got the historic center and the Lapis Museum in Naples, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Procida, Sorrento, and Ravello on our list. Any suggestions, addresses, or tips?
Thanks for your help.
Hello,
We’re heading to Rome from 21/09, arriving in the early afternoon, and returning on 28/09, leaving in the morning. We’ve already booked our flight tickets and our accommodation in the city center: Via Ezio.
I’d love to get your feedback on our itinerary and if there are any visits we should book right now:
Monday 21 afternoon:
Largo di Torre Argentina: a sacred spot for cats.
Tuesday 22:
The Vatican: Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel in the morning. Afternoon: St. Peter’s Basilica, the dome, and if possible, the necropolis.
Wednesday 23:
Morning: Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Afternoon: Trastevere neighborhood and the Monumento a Garibaldi.
Thursday 24:
Piazza Navona, Church of St. Louis of the French, the Pantheon, Campo de’ Fiori, Piazza Venezia, Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore, Trevi Fountain.
Friday 25:
Villa Borghese, Piazza del Popolo, Spanish Steps, Quirinale, Piazza della Repubblica, and Santa Maria degli Angeli.
Saturday 26:
Aventine and Testaccio neighborhoods, the Capuchin Crypt.
Sunday 27:
Ostia.
Monday 28:
Departure.
Are any days too packed, or should we add more visits?
Thanks for your input and help!
Cheers!
Anne
Summer 2027 is going to be Norwegian for us!
We’re heading to the Lofoten Islands first, then Senja, near Tromsø, and finally the North Cape.
We’ll likely start from northern Finland (flight tickets and car rentals are more affordable there).
I’d like to book accommodations early to have more options.
Good value-for-money places go fast in these pricey Nordic destinations...
But where should we book?
We’re planning to stay around ten nights in the Lofoten Islands.
What’s the best approach?
One place in the central part and explore from there?
One place in the south and another in the center?
Or one in the south, one in the center, and one in the north (3-4-3 nights)?
Hi there,
I’m looking for some great tips for a stay in Palma de Mallorca this summer.
I need cheap flights departing from Toulouse and affordable accommodation for 4 people.
What do you recommend?
Best regards,
I’d love to get your thoughts on the following itinerary (late May). I like to take my time in ruins and museums, and beaches don’t interest me. I’ll be staying in hostels and using public transport. Do you see any major omissions or things that aren’t worth it?
Thanks!
Day 1: Arrival in CATANIA
Day 2: Catania – visit (fish market, cathedral, Biscarri Palace, etc.)
Day 3: Mount Etna (day trip)
Day 4: Morning trip to TAORMINA, visit the town
Day 5: Alcantara Gorge (day trip) + more time in Taormina
Day 6: Trip to SYRACUSE, visit Ortigia
Day 7: Ortigia
Day 8: NOTO (day trip) (or another Baroque town?)
Day 9: Syracuse Archaeological Park + more time in Ortigia (or leave for Enna?)
Day 10: Transport via Enna? TO BE RESOLVED (long, 2 or 3 changes, limited accommodation in Enna...)
Day 11: AGRIGENTO: town and Scala dei Turchi (optional)
Day 12: Valley of the Temples + archaeological museum
Day 13: Departure for TRAPANI (4h), afternoon: town (+ salt flats?)
Day 14: Segesta (day trip) + town/Erice
Day 15: Monte Cofano Nature Reserve (hike + summit) (day trip)
Day 16: Zingaro Nature Park (coastal route out, ridge route back) (day trip)
Day 17: Departure for the AEGADIAN ISLANDS: Levanzo and Favignana (bike), overnight if possible
Day 18: Egadi Islands
Day 19: Departure for PALERMO + first visits
Day 20: The city
Day 21: The city (Monreale?)
Day 22: Options:
- Capo Gallo hike (3.5h round trip) (via Mondello)
- Cefalù (45 min by train)
Day 23: Return flight
Hello,
We’re heading to Bavaria from May 13 to 23, with a side trip to Austria.
Here’s our itinerary:
Day 1: Brussels-Munich
Day 2: Munich
Day 3: Munich and departure for Salzburg
We’ll be staying three nights in Salzburg.
Then we’ll head to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, where we’ll stay for five nights.
Visiting Munich and Salzburg isn’t too tricky.
Once in Garmisch, we’re planning a day in Innsbruck, a day for Neuschwanstein Castle, and the rest is still up in the air.
What’s really got me stumped is that we’d love to see Königssee Lake—everyone says it’s a must-see.
We’d also like to visit the Eagle’s Nest (Kehlsteinhaus), where the landscapes are supposedly stunning.
This would either be a round trip while we’re in Salzburg or on the way between Salzburg and Garmisch, but I’m guessing it’s impossible to do the drive from Salzburg to Garmisch, the Eagle’s Nest, *and* Königssee Lake all in one day.
Plus, the Alpine route between Salzburg and Garmisch seems prettier than the highway.
But honestly, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed with the planning.
We should’ve added a stop between Salzburg and Garmisch, but the hotels are already booked.
Thanks for any advice on the itinerary and visits!
Another question: How far in advance should we book Neuschwanstein, Königssee, and the Eagle’s Nest in May?
Thanks so much in advance for your tips and ideas!
hi
I’m wondering if anyone can give me some info on how to get from Mallorca to Menorca.
Since flights are cheaper to Mallorca, I’d like to go that way.
Thanks so much for your help!
We’re planning a trip to Finland and Norway this summer, starting in Oulu to explore Lapland, heading up to the North Cape, and then making our way down to Bergen.
This route means renting a car in Finland and dropping it off in Norway. My initial searches are showing rental rates that are... astronomical—about three times the price compared to returning it at the starting point.
I’m guessing I’m not the only one wanting to visit both countries. Are there any great tips to drastically reduce the cost of renting a car?
Hi there, we’re a couple of bikers planning a trip to Majorca in June 2026, and I’d love to organize a half-day or full-day boat or catamaran outing. Which coast do you think is the nicest for this, and do you have any suggestions or personal experiences to share? Thanks in advance!
Hi there,
Does anyone know if there are any works in progress at Torcello, and if so, what type of works and how long they’re expected to last?
Thanks in advance
Hi everyone,
I’m sharing my draft itinerary with you because I just booked our flight tickets, and I feel like it’s quite late in the season. So, I’d like to be sure about my stops before reserving the hotels. I’ll be traveling alone with my two adult children. We want to prioritize outdoor walks, avoid too many indoor visits (both for budget and preference), and not spend too much time on the road.
D1: Arrival at 9 AM in Malaga, day in Malaga and overnight stay
D2: Head straight to Nerja (1-hour drive) and spend the night there
D3: Head straight to Granada (1.5-hour drive), spend the day and night there
D4: Granada. Visit the Alhambra (Nasrid Palaces tour at 5 PM) and spend the night
D5: Head to Ronda (2.5-hour drive) and spend the night
D6: White Villages and overnight in Ronda
D7: Head straight to the Costa del Sol (e.g., Estepona), spend the day and night there
D8: Return to Malaga to catch our flight
There you go! This itinerary takes into account that we’d like to do a circuit starting from Seville in a few years. That said, it’d be a shame to miss something doable from Malaga.
Questions:
Since the Alhambra visit is only at 5 PM, and we’d already have the day to explore Granada, would arriving the day before be a mistake? Or should we skip this day and dedicate it elsewhere (Costa del Sol? Head toward Tabernas?)? The old town appeals to me, but maybe the Sacromonte neighborhood isn’t essential...
Same question for Ronda: should we dedicate a full day to it, or combine Ronda and the White Villages in one day?
Note that we love wandering around villages outside, so that might answer my question! :)
Final question: Is it better to rent the car at Malaga Airport or in the city? If we rent at the airport, we’d need a hotel with parking, which doesn’t seem easy. Or stay outside the city and park for free near the center if possible? I’ve read comments about taking a taxi to Malaga and then picking up the rental car at the airport the next morning. The taxi would really need to be affordable...
Thanks so much for your feedback and suggestions for visits during this little circuit.
Have a great day, everyone!
Christine
