Grâce aux conseils avisés des uns et des autres sur ce forum, nous sommes rentrés il y a déjà presque deux mois d'un superbe voyage en Ecosse. Nous sommes partis de Beziers par Ryanair un dimanche, arrivée aux alentours de midi à Edimbourgh, prise de la voiture chez Hertz et départ pour Stirling (NUIT 1) où j'avais reservé un très beau BB. Nous sommes partis visiter la ville à pied et avons atterri, après passage dans un pub(à noter, pour ceux qui n'aiment pas la bière, on trouve dans tous les pubs du cidre pression !), dans un resto indien suggéré par notre hôtesse. Nous ne l'avons pas regretté, il était assez exceptionnel même si nous n'y aurions pas pensé de prime abord !...
Départ le lendemain, pour Fort William que nous avons rejoint par la route des écoliers puisque nous sommes passés par Oban !....Aucun regret, je referai la même chose, nous sommes tombés sous le charme d'Oban, nous avons déjeuné sur le port, au "local shellfish" super sympa. Nous sommes remontés sur FW ou plus exactement Onich (NUIT 2) où nous avions un BB. Nous avons pris notre chambre et sommes repartis sur Glen Nevis mais il était trop tard pour faire la grande ballade, dommage, c'était un endroit enchanteur. Diner dans un pub au bord d'un loch....
Départ de FW pour rejoindre Skye. Aucun point d'intérêt à FW, à part le départ pour les randonnées au Ben Nevis.La route était très belle, nous nous sommes arrêtés pour une petite randonnée à Glenfinnan où nous avons pu voir le train de Harry Potter passer sur le viaduc à 10h45 (de mémoire) tout à fait par hasard, c'était plutôt amusant !....puis nous sommes montés par le loch Lochy, Invergarry, le loch Loyne, le loch Cluanie et arrivée sur Eilean Donan Castle sur le loch Duich. Nous avons passé du temps autour mais ne l'avons pas visité, nous y avons pique-niqué. Nous avons décidé de passer sur Sky par le bac, c'était génial. Nous avons pris la route pour Galltair. Ce bac est cher ( 15 livres pour une voiture et deux personnes) mais c'est vraiment sympa à faire et ce lieu est réputé pour ses loutres (nous n'en avons pas vu...), mais la route pour y arriver est vraiment jolie et celle de l'arrivée à Skye est tout aussi belle, nous recommencerions la même chose....Nous sommes allés directement à notre petit appartement que nous avions pris pour deux nuits (NUITS 3 et 4) à Greshornish (génial aussi...) en passant par Portree. Diner au resto du coin...
Une journée entière de soleil radieux sur Skye, tour de la presqu'ile de Waternish jusqu'à Stein (Ardmor Point, visite du joli cimetière..), Dunvegancastle, visite du chateau, très sympa puis, sur place, nous avons pris une barque pour aller voir les phoques, c'était une bonne idée puisque nous avons pu admirer le chateau par le loch et que nous avons vu une foule de phoques guère dérangés par nos passages !....Nous avons pique-niqué à Neist point puis sommes allés marcher jusqu'au phare, génial ...Puis aller sur la presqu'ile de Trotternish, en passant par Uig, chateau de Duntulm, Kilt Rock cascade puis Oldman of Store et arrivée, crevés à Portree pour diner (à ce propos, nous avons testé le resto Harbour view -qui n'a pas la vue sur le port !- recommandé par le Routard mais j'ai été plutôt déçue par le rapport qualité-prix et leur plateau de fruits de mer composé de 4 huitres, de deux sortes de saumon fumé, de 8 grosses langoustines, de pommes de terre et de sauce tout ça pour 25 livres par personne !)....
Le lendemain départ de Skye pour rejoindre Pitlochry (NUIT 5) ...Nous sommes passés par le pont qui relie le continent (Kyle of Lochalsh) puis Plockton (au bord du loch Carron) où nous aurions bien passé deux ou trois nuits..., avons tourné autour du loch Carron et sommes passés par le magasin de la manufacture de tartans et avons pris vers le nord pour aller à Shieldaig par une petite route magnifique. Shieldaig est un petit port ravissant où nous avons flâné un bon moment. Nous avons rejoint Inverness puis direct sur Pitlochry où notre BB était encore une fois très bien.
Le lendemain départ pour Edimbourgh (NUITS 6 et 7) en remontant au nord pour voir le chateau de Blair Castle (à visiter), passer par le Queen's view puis grande route pour la ville !...Deux nuits à Edimbourgh, nous avons beaucoup marché, fait des achats, visité le chateau (beaucoup trop de monde, nous avons coché la case mais aucune envie d'y retourner une autre fois, ), visité une toute petite partie du musée consacrée à l'Ecosse jusqu'à nos jours (le musée nous a semblé génial, mais nous n'avons pas pu y rester faute de temps, dommage ...). Bref, nous n'avons pas vu grand chose de cette ville, nous y reviendrons pour 4 jours.
Conclusion : Nous avons eu un temps plutôt beau à très beau, ce qui nous a permis de profiter des paysages, c'était magnifique et nous avons aimé tous ces lochs ...je regrette de n'être pas montée plus au nord mais nous y reviendrons, c'est certain. Pas de distillerie pourtant j'ai un grand amateur de whisky à la maison mais il a fallu faire des choix, de toutes les façons, ce n'est pas en Ecosse qu'on achète du whisky, plus cher qu'en France. La vie est plus chère en Ecosse, il faut le savoir ...les écossais sont charmants, accueillants, bien élevés, leur accent est tout à fait compréhensible, la conduite à gauche vient vite (il faut que le passager surveille son conducteur pour le remettre éventuellement dans le droit chemin !), c'est un pays assez silencieux et reposant. Bref, nous avons a-do-ré puisque nous sommes rentrés avec plus de 1000 photos !!!....
avec mon mari nous sommes actuellement entrain de regarder pour organiser un autotour avec nos enfants pour juillet prochain avez vous des conseils à nous donner des lieux incontournables à visiter, etes vous satisfait des b&b que vous avez réservé et dans ce cas quelques adresses à nous fournir??
Pour les BB, je suis passée par booking.com, c'était plus facile pour l'étranger. Je veux bien vous laisser mes adresses mais je signale avant que j'avais visé haut et que pour deux, les chambres avec pdéjeuner étaient autour de 120 euros la nuit pour deux !...nous partons une fois par an de cette manière.
Nous aurions passé moins de temps encore à Edimbourgh mais c'est notre côté nature qui parle !...Nous avons surtout aimé la côte de Oban à Skye et Plockton. Beaucoup disent que le nord est absolument splendide, il faudra que nous y retournions. Nous avons été moins séduits par l'intérieur du pays mais c'est normal, les Islands sont tellement belles ....Nous avons vraiment aimé Skye mais le temps étaient splendide, nous aurions décidé d'y passer 4 jours et il aurait fait un temps de gueux, nous ne dirions pas la même chose...le climat est quand même une constante importante là-bas !....
N'ayez aucune inquiétude pour la conduite, les routes sont toutes petites mais il y a des abris pour se croiser partout, c'est bien plus simple qu'en France.
Je viens de me relire, en fait, tout est noté dans mon retour sur ce que nous avons aimé. Avec des enfants, je pense que le musée d'Edimbourgh est très intéressant, les châteaux sont sympas à visiter et ça vaut le coup de partir avec des chaussures de randonnées pour faire de la marche ....
We’re traveling next summer with our three kids, ages 9 to 15. We’ll arrive in Cork by ferry with our car. We’d like to stay several nights at each stop to settle in, take our time, and stay flexible depending on the weather!
What do you think of this 18-day itinerary:
- Day 1: Arrival around 9:30 AM, drive to Kinsale to visit the village and Charles Fort, then accommodation
- Day 2: Blarney Castle + Cork, then accommodation
- Day 3: Travel to Kenmare (stopping at Gougane Barra?)
- Day 4: Glengariff and surrounding area
- Day 5: Healy Pass + southern Beara
- Day 6: Gap of Dunloe + Kenmare and Reenagross Park
- Day 7: Dursey Island
- Day 8: Killarney National Park
- Day 9: Travel to Clare (stopping at Bunratty)
- Day 10: Kilkee + Loop Head
- Day 11: The Burren
- Day 12: Aran Islands
- Day 13: Travel day to Connemara (stopping at Roundstone and Dog’s Bay or via Galway?)
- Day 14: Clifden + Sky Road + beach
- Day 15: Diamond Hill
- Day 16: Kylemore Abbey + Killary Fjord
- Day 17: Drive back to Cork (stopping at Cahir)
- Day 18: Departure
Hi there, after reading a well-known travel guide, it seems like there’s a lot to see and do in Valletta (I’m only talking about Valletta itself). That’s why I’m thinking of spending 2 days there. I don’t want to rush and would like to get a complete overview. However, I’ve noticed that some travelers only spend one day there. For those who know the city well, what do you think? (I’ve also planned the Three Cities for another day, by the way).
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
Our accommodation for 5 days will be near a "Carrefour by Deliveroo Hop." There doesn’t seem to be anything else nearby (it’s a very residential area).
I can’t figure out if it’s delivery-only or if you can also do your grocery shopping there. Does anyone know this type of store and could help me out, please?
Thanks in advance!
PS: I called, but I don’t speak Italian and the store doesn’t speak English—so they hung up on me.
Hi,
I’ve found my upcoming trip for February, and now I’m looking for a one-week getaway in April—somewhere not too far with generally nice weather. Any tips?
Best,😉
Hi everyone, we’re a group of 11 people (including 3 kids under 4) who’d like to do a wine tasting tour starting from Florence (we haven’t rented a car) in Chianti.
We’re looking for an organized tour that leaves from Florence and lets the adults do some wine tasting (and olive oil tasting if possible).
For those who’ve done this tour, do you have any suggestions for tour names that organize these kinds of events? What should we look out for before booking these tours?
Hi, who’s familiar with the Algarve?
Lagos—should I go for a rental or a hotel? How do I get from the airport to the seaside, and how do I get around the city? What’s there to see and do?
Thanks for your ideas and tips!
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.
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, 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, 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,
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!
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
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!
