We’re heading to Puglia from July 30 to August 31, 2020.
I’ve booked a rental with a pool in Locorontondo.
But the more I read guides and forums, the more I regret booking the flight to Bari.
I can still cancel the other reservations, but I’d face penalties for the flight.
It’s packed, avoid August at all costs—traffic jams, stifling heat, price hikes… I’m really having second thoughts.
Our goal isn’t necessarily to hit the beach.
I’m thinking we’ll get up early to go where we want and head back during the hottest part of the day.
Is it *that* bad?
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
We’re heading to Puglia from July 30 to August 31, 2020.
I booked a rental with a pool in Locorontondo.
The more I read guides and forums, the more I regret booking the flight to Bari.
I can still cancel the other reservations, but I’d face penalties for the flight.
It’s crowded, avoid August at all costs—traffic jams, stifling heat, price hikes… Basically, I’m having second thoughts.
Our goal isn’t necessarily to hit the beach.
I’m thinking we’ll get up early to go where we want and head back during the hottest part of the day.
Is it *that* bad?
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
???
Does this mean you "thought Puglia," booked flights… but didn’t research ANYTHING beforehand? Weather, sights, crowds, costs—seems a bit reckless.
So own it, stop reading forums, grab the excellent *Michelin Green Guide Puglia* for 19.50 €, and plan your days to visit *chill* at the best times.
You must’ve noticed Bari’s at the same latitude as southern Spain—and August isn’t Norway!
Hi there, of course at this time of year, European countries are very busy, and Puglia has become particularly touristy in recent years. Unless you have school constraints, it's always better to travel to these regions outside the crowds, meaning before July and after August. I visited Puglia last September—except in the Gargano area, there were still tourists, but fewer than in July and August, of course. I rented a car and was able to park fairly easily without paying, except once in Lecce. The towns in Puglia are old, so they're not really car-friendly. And the beaches, like in many places in Italy, are private and therefore paid during July and August. They're not really relaxing either, since you also pay to have music on the beach on top of the umbrella, sunbed, etc. In September, I was able to enjoy the beaches without music and without paying. That said, it depends on what you're looking for. I stayed near Locorotondo, 4 km from the city center, in a magnificent olive grove. It was the starting point for visiting the surrounding areas. Locorontodo is a pretty little old town, but you can visit it very quickly. Puglia is still really great to see because it has a very rich heritage. From Locoronto, you should go to Basilicata to visit Matera—it's a must-see and only an hour and a half drive away. I stayed for 3 weeks in 3 different accommodations: in Puglia, in the Gargano, then the Bari region, and the last week at the tip of the heel. I had planned itineraries from these three regions and was able to visit at my own pace without stress. Don't hesitate to ask if you have any other questions.
I asked myself the same question last year because I’d read that August isn’t ideal. In the end, I didn’t go and I regretted it... proportionally, there are more people in the south of France or Spain. There are crowds everywhere in August...
It’ll be hot, that’s for sure, and it’ll be busy, but in a month you’ve got time to take it easy :)
You’ve got a pool and you’re not right by the sea, so I think it’s doable.
I’m heading there in June and I can’t wait.
Feeling disappointed before you’ve even left? Such a shame :(😊!!!!
We had a wonderful 19-night trip from Bari back to Bari in August-September 2018...
We had absolutely no issues traveling there in August-September 2018, even though we’re not exactly spring chickens anymore …. We’re used to traveling in Italy, and there were often even fewer tourists there than in other regions of Italy during August-September….
We’re definitely not "beach relaxation" types, and we had some amazing visits, lovely leisurely walks all day long, in some really beautiful places during this trip... Not just early in the morning (Phew)!!!!
Now, booking a whole month in Locorotondo seems like a lot to me, unless you’re planning to spend a lot of time at your accommodation or drive a lot to visit Puglia, Salento, etc., from a single base in Locorotondo...
In my opinion, it might’ve been smarter to split your many nights between Bari, the stunning Matera, the area around Locorotondo, and Salento...
You probably should’ve looked into things to do, how much time to dedicate to visits, the weather, etc., in Locorotondo before booking your flights to Bari and a whole month’s rental with a pool just in Locorotondo (?) ... Just my two cents, but now you’ve got feedback 😎….
Personally, for us: everything was great with our 19-night trip there, and we did: 6 nights and 5 full days near Bari to comfortably visit everything north of Bari up to Barletta (since Gargano wasn’t for me due to my fear of roads), then 1 night in Matera (I really should’ve planned 2 nights there), then 4 nights in Cisternino (very close to Locorotondo), and finally 7 nights in Scorrano... One last night in Bitonto since it’s so close to Bari airport….
We simply booked accommodations, all with air conditioning, following Mathilde’s great advice…. It *is* hot there in August and September, but it’s not humid or unbearable heat, and we managed quite a few visits by the sea—there’s a breeze there, it’s really doable, at least for us 😎... We just liked cooling down our room a bit in the evening before going to sleep for a good night’s rest….
PS: We never hit a single traffic jam during our entire trip, nowhere …. Almost always found free parking (white lines), and the cost of a drink was much lower there than in Florence, Rome, Pisa, Naples, Bologna, etc... No tolls to pay either (or very few—I don’t even remember paying one)...
Our Puglia + Matera + Salento vacation cost us much less for the same number of nights than in other parts of Italy, even though our accommodations were really great and I recommend them whenever I can (in Bari, Matera, Cisternino, Scorrano). But we didn’t book a place with a pool—just two independent single-story villas and two great apartments with large terraces, etc., so visits were easy and nearby :) ... The apartment in Bitonto was very simple, but even though I wouldn’t recommend it to other travelers (it was quite cluttered, belonging to a very elderly lady), it worked out fine for us for one night... In our opinion, she left her home when the booking was confirmed, so we had no regrets about renting her place for just one night if it made her daily life a little better—she was so thoughtful. The apartment was also well-located for us, within walking distance of the train station and Bitonto’s center...
Go without fear! But maybe do a bit more research next time 😊 before booking your flights and vacation rental—it’ll save you unnecessary stress 😎.
Hi there,
Thanks for all your replies. We really don’t have a choice but to travel only during school holidays since we have two middle-schoolers. And for August, no choice either because of my husband’s work.
I honestly didn’t look into the summer crowds in Puglia enough. We went to Portugal last year and had no one on the roads between Lisbon and Porto, so I didn’t pay as much attention to that.
We’ll definitely avoid the beach since we have a pool, and we’ll see how it goes.
Anyway, I’ll share my experience when I get back in this thread.
Since you can't cancel your flight tickets, maybe you can change your single accommodation in Locorontodo to several stays so you can make the most of the different regions to see and the beautiful coastline, and avoid long car journeys. You can reach the Gargano area via a more direct route because the mountain road is indeed very long and winding. I can recommend the hotel where I stayed—you can book directly. In September, I paid 50 € per day for half-board, including parking (valet), a sun lounger, and a parasol on the private beach right by the hotel. The sandy beach is gorgeous near a lovely marina. From there, there are lots of sites to see, and the hilltop towns like Vieste are stunning.
Oops, I made a typo: we're leaving on 13/08, not the 31st.
We're away for two weeks total, with the first night in Bari.
For the rest, I’ve planned to go as far as Matera and Lecce, and we’ll explore the surrounding areas.
Thanks
Hi there, we went to Puglia in August—yes, it’s hot, yes, the vast majority of Italians take their holidays in this region... You’ve got to get up early like in any hot country and take a siesta. Shops close in the afternoon and only reopen at 6 PM. It’s not unusual to see grandmas and kids out at 2 AM—we never felt unsafe at all. We went all the way down to Leuca, which was easy. We didn’t go near the beaches—too crowded. The inland areas are really beautiful and peaceful. Lecce is stunning; we stayed there for a month! It’s a fairly big city and quite expensive, so head to the villages further south—just as interesting, especially if you like backroads and figs... Lots of olive trees are dying at the moment—some are centuries old. I find that really sad. Happy travels...
Thanks so much for this account.
Our rental is right in the middle of the olive groves, but I’ve heard that these trees are dying in Greece, Italy, and Spain.
We set off from Gallipoli... a very, very touristy town in the summer. We went there at Easter! The problem is parking—there are lots of cameras in Italy, so be really careful. Watch out for ZTLs. Do you have a rental car? Stick to paid parking lots. We had a car registered in Lecce that a friend lent us—it was way more relaxed. 😏
Ah, that seems much more doable than a whole month in the same place—like a whole month in Locorotondo... That did seem really odd to me. Don’t worry: it’s a beautiful region with plenty of great sights to see...
Personally, I wouldn’t dream of wandering down an old alley, whether in Locorotondo or Rocamadour—and there are no more alleys in Puglia than in French villages.
Bari (latitude 41°06) isn’t at the same latitude as southern Spain, as someone wrote; it’s actually further north than Madrid (40°40), which is in central Spain. Temperatures in Puglia are the same as in Provence.
As for crowds in Italy, I have to laugh. These past summers, I’ve been to Vienna, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Prague, and Kraków—those places are just as packed as Venice, and Puglia? It’s nothing like Venice.
Hi there, for several years now we’ve been heading to the region in August—but much farther south than Matera. We leave from Rennes, and this year we’ll be staying for 15 days in the Lecce area before visiting Calabria. I don’t have a blog... As for the car, the GPS threw us a few unexpected surprises... We hardly ever go to the coast, though.
Our GPS is Waze and Cam Sam.... Funny, we're from Rennes and we'll be leaving from Nantes too, but we're not staying in a hotel—we're traveling by swapping our apartment.
hi! I traveled through Puglia last September for 3 weeks and stayed in 3 regions: Gargano, the Bari area including Matera in Basilicata, and Salento. I used the WAZE app the whole time, and it took me everywhere without any problems—even to a B&B in the middle of an olive grove out in the countryside...
In Puglia and the Salento: it was the only time our GPS couldn’t get us to our destination, with some accommodations in Italy... Something several travelers have already experienced...
It was tough for our GPS to find the two places we’d booked (in Cisternino and Scorrano)... They were rentals in very small, quiet lanes in the countryside ...
We had to ask locals for help. We’d gotten very close to these places, but then the GPS was completely lost!!! After driving around the countless lanes near both rentals for quite a while, we asked for help—for example, at a riding school—with just a simple *buongiorno*, a big smile, lots of gestures (), and my typed notes, and we received a lot of sincere help in return .
Example: the people at the riding school gathered around, all looked at the name of our rental, the address, etc... They even took out their phones to look up the place online... After discussing among themselves, they called the owner, asked exactly where the rental was... Then they made us understand we should follow a car... They led us to the rental 😎, which turned out to be only 5-7 minutes away. We never got a chance to thank them properly afterward—just a sincere *Grazie* on the spot because they refused any compensation for the call or the time they spent taking us there...
In the end, it’s a really beautiful memory for us because that’s Italian hospitality and kindness 😎.
A little tip after this experience: make sure to ask for the exact GPS coordinates of the rentals if they’re not in city or town centers 😎! Write them down in your GPS at home to check if the addresses work (by comparing with Google Maps, for example) .
I recommended these two rentals to another traveler, and they went there in 2019... They had the same issue with their GPS—it wasn’t easy to find the places—but I’d warned them and given extra directions based on our experience, so everything worked out in the end. But when they got back from their trip, they told me the ‘correct’ addresses provided by the owners still weren’t enough to find the rentals with a GPS if only the address was given .
If I may, some GPS devices require regular updates or they won’t be reliable. I used to have a high-end Garmin GPS that needed paid updates, and despite that, I still had some bad surprises. Since then, I’ve only used Waze on my phone or sometimes the Mappy app, which is also reliable. Both apps are updated regularly and are free. Waze shows speed cameras, roadworks, traffic jams, accidents, and anything else that might block the road, etc. And if there’s a traffic jam, it anticipates and reroutes you immediately via an alternative route. I use it all the time in France, and last September was the first time I used it ABROAD—in Italy. To avoid draining the battery, though, it’s still a good idea to bring a spare one or a car charger that plugs into the cigarette lighter. With a 20 GB plan, I don’t have any extra charges. My friends with built-in GPS systems also complain about having to pay for updates.
Updates are good for us and for the traveler who stayed in the same places as we did in Puglia and Salento 😉
Same experience for both of us with our well-updated GPS 😎
No smartphones for us, so no apps possible, but that’s cool for us 🤪... Personally, just a prepaid map reload before leaving on two very old phones 😉... No phones all year when we know how to avoid them 😉..
We’ll have to get into it, but we’re in no rush at all!!!! We prefer talking to each other and all 😊...
Hey,
Don’t worry: we had the same issue in Puglia and nowhere else (!!!). Even with an updated GPS that we used every day and everywhere, it still gave us trouble!
Smartphones weren’t any better in the countryside—unless we used GPS coordinates...
I think some roads, whether dirt or paved, are so new they haven’t been mapped yet...
Have a great evening!
I have to say, we took the dirt roads—we were literally driving over figs... No houses in sight, we were alone and not in any hurry at all... 2 months in the south of Lecce.
It’s all part of the adventure, even if I’ll admit we sometimes panicked because we like to stick to our meet-up times with the owners of the places we book 😉
Hi,
We're planning to visit Puglia from July 26 to August 9, which is similar to your 2020 dates.
The posts I've read about the heat, traffic, and crowds during this period are really putting me off.
How was your trip?
Thanks for your feedback.
We’re heading to Puglia from July 30 to August 31, 2020.
I booked a rental with a pool in Locorontodo.
The more I read guides and forums, the more I regret booking the flight to Bari.
I can cancel the other reservations, but I’d face penalties for the flight.
It’s crowded, avoid August at all costs—traffic jams, stifling heat, price hikes… In short, I’m having second thoughts.
Our goal isn’t necessarily to hit the beach.
I’m thinking we’ll get up early to go where we want and head back during the hottest part of the day.
Is it *that* bad?
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
???
Does this mean you "thought Puglia," booked flights… but didn’t research ANYTHING beforehand? Weather, sights, crowds, costs—seems a bit reckless.
So own it, stop reading forums, grab the excellent *Guide Vert Michelin Puglia* for 19.50 €, and plan your days to visit "chill" at the best times.
You must’ve noticed Bari’s at the same latitude as southern Spain—August isn’t Norway, after all!
See ya
As a Belgian, I thought Northerners were friendlier, like back home, but you’re *very* French!
I just scrolled through a few Puglia posts and kept running into your condescending messages—acting like experts while judging people!
Just to put you in your place: Bari is actually *north* of Tarragona, which isn’t even in southern Spain—it’s in the northeast, in southern Catalonia. So if you’re going to respond like that, maybe don’t respond at all. Take time to improve your own life; it’ll probably make you nicer in the future.
Your 15 posts are a fantastic "contribution" to the forum, well done...
But digging up one from 2020 (out of context...) just to take a cheap shot doesn’t make you some kind of white knight—quite the opposite, it says a lot about your mentality!
Yeah, I’m tough on "certain" people who treat the forum like a travel agency that’s SUPPOSED to plan everything for them right away! A little effort and research should show goodwill, but this is happening way too often... I’m not the only one who thinks so.
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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! 😉
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
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,
and exceptional discretion from the police, who were notably absent from the white vehicle stopped by the roadside that caught us speeding in mid-May...
To this day, only our inquiry with the car rental company has informed us of a "speeding ticket" message. More than a month later, we still don’t know the "severity" of the offense or the amount of the fine we’ll be "hit with."
Well, well, a taste of Icelandic administrative experience...
I’ve found some great deals on flights to two destinations: Menorca in the Balearic Islands and Alghero in Sardinia.
The flights would take us from Bordeaux to Menorca on the evening of 9/07 and return to Bordeaux in the evening on 13/07.
Or to Alghero very early on 10/07 (departure at 6 AM) and return in the mid-afternoon on 13/07.
We love beautiful landscapes, the sea, snorkeling, walks (hiking), and the charm of villages.
We want to spend some quality time as a couple without our kids and mix discovery with relaxation.
I can’t make up my mind. The transport costs are roughly the same when you factor in parking for Sardinia since the early departure means no public transport from home.
We’ve never been to Menorca, Sardinia, or Italy at all. I’ve been to Majorca, though.
Menorca would be 4 nights and 4 days, while Alghero would be 3 nights and 2.5 days.
Also, what itinerary would you recommend for Alghero and Menorca?
Where to stay?
Thank you so much for your insightful traveler tips.
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:
- 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 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
Hello,
we’re a couple planning a 2-week road trip this August, with a must-stop (about 3 days on Skye). Any route suggestions? Hotel recommendations? Photo spots?
My husband and I are planning a trip to Ireland in September 2026.
We’ll be flying from Montreal to London, where we’ll spend three nights.
After that, we’ll head to Dublin for a few days and take trains to visit the main attractions.
Our ideal plan would be to choose hotels near train stations and take tours to the interesting spots.
Would 8 days in Ireland be enough for this kind of trip?
We’re a group of 4 heading out at the end of June for 11 days.
I’m just starting my research.
We’ll be renting a regular car, not a 4x4.
I’m not finding a ton of info on the North.
Would love your take on all those kilometers—is there a route that lets us cut out a section?
Thanks
