Hi there, we’re planning a 15-day trip to the Azores at the end of April/beginning of May. We’re torn between São Miguel and Terceira, or São Miguel and Flores—could you give us some advice based on the season? We saw a free flight offer within 24 hours of arriving in São Miguel—does this apply to French residents?
Thanks
Terceira is more culture-focused, with Angra do Heroísmo, a World Heritage site.
Flores is all about raw nature and isolation.
Climate:
The further east you go, the wetter, rainier, windier, and foggier it gets. But in spring, there’ll be loads of flowers—that’s where the name Flores comes from! São Miguel is relatively drier, though I did say *relatively*.
The most convenient option is Azores Airlines, which offers direct flights on certain days from CDG to Ponta Delgada. And if you travel with this airline, you get discounts on inter-island flights.
Be careful! Depending on weather conditions, it’s not uncommon for inter-island flights to be canceled and rescheduled. Keep this in mind when planning your trip.
What a great idea to visit this magnificent archipelago—it’s stunning, and the people are so warm and welcoming!
For a first-time experience, I’d recommend São Miguel, Flores, and Corvo.
If you love breathtaking landscapes, you’ll be in for a treat.
So far, I’ve visited São Miguel, Faial, Terceira, São Jorge, and Pico, and I’ll be heading to Flores and Corvo in May.
I really enjoyed Faial too, even though all the islands are incredibly pleasant to visit and absolutely beautiful.
Based on feedback from people I’ve spoken to there, my only regret was not visiting Flores sooner.
If you enjoy hiking, the trails are very well-marked, and the entire archipelago is very well-organized.
The roads are in great condition.
I’d recommend renting a car while you’re there—the buses run on schedules that work for locals but aren’t practical for exploring all the amazing spots on the island.
SATA, the Azores airline, is a good option for flying between São Miguel and Flores. For Corvo, there’s a 30-minute boat ride from Flores, and you can visit Corvo in a day.
Here are the sites I visited in São Miguel:
- Vila Franca do Campo Islet
- Chapel of Our Lady of Peace
- Lagoa do Fogo
- Miradouro da Vista do Rei
- Sete Cidades
- Terra Nostra Park
- Furnas
- Salto do Prego Waterfall
- Sanguinho Village
- Lagoa do Canário
- Miradouro Grota do Inferno
- Ponta da Ferraria
- António Borges Garden
The drives between each location are quick.
If you have any specific questions, I’d be happy to answer them.
Here are some photos from São Miguel:
Hi there,
I just saw your feedback on requests for information about the Azores.
I’m just starting to consider going there for about two weeks, without knowing this destination at all.
My husband and I love quiet, authentic, and wild places.
We’d like to do some traveling around, with plenty of hiking.
We’re planning to go in June.
I’ll look into the places you mentioned in more detail.
If you have any guidebook recommendations or interesting websites to help plan a route, I’d love to hear them.
I think we’ll need to focus on a few islands to avoid rushing around too much.
It seems like this could be a really great destination with a reasonable budget?
If you have any must-visit accommodations or hikes, I’m all ears! :)
I’ll do some more digging and get back to you if that’s okay.
Hi,
I’m planning a trip to Germany for 2027, and I’d like to visit places with lots of history. I’m thinking of renting an Airbnb or something similar. Is it possible to travel around Germany by train? Can I cross into Austria without any complications, obviously with my passport? It’ll be a two-week trip roughly.
Thanks in advance for your tips—they’ll be much appreciated.
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’d like to plan several trips to Italy with my husband.
We’re in our fifties.
Could you suggest some ideas in terms of:
- destinations (ITALY only)
- length of stay
- activities
- tips, advice, warnings
Thanks for sharing your experiences with me.
Hi everyone,
We're heading to Madrid in November and looking for a centrally located hotel. I saw one on Calle de Alcalá.
Does anyone know this street, or do you have other suggestions?
Thanks in advance.
From January 1st to 4th, I’m heading to Barcelona for the first time. Beyond the tourist sites—which are going to cost me an arm and a leg!!—I’d love to spend a day off the beaten path and see some less touristy spots.
What do you recommend? I’ll be getting around on foot, by metro, or possibly by train if it’s not too far. I love both nature and cultural spots.
And one last thing—is Barcelona at night safe for a woman alone, or is it sketchy?
Hi,
We’d like to rent a small car (something like a Peugeot 208) when we arrive at Catania Airport.
... and we’d like to return it in Milazzo on a Sunday.
Could you recommend any rental companies for this kind of one-way rental—affordable and open on Sundays in Milazzo?
Thanks in advance!
Seb
My husband and I are spending 10 days in Extremadura next May. We’d like to hike, see beautiful landscapes and nature, and enjoy the lively atmosphere of towns and villages, especially in the evenings.
I was thinking of using 3 bases to explore the area: around Plasencia (to visit Monfragüe National Park, the Jerte Valley, etc.), around Guadalupe or Cáceres or Trujillo (though isn’t that quite close to Plasencia? We’d like to hike in the Villuercas Mountains), and finally the Montes de Toledo to ease our way back to Madrid (where we’re arriving and departing from). Could you help me decide on the 2 best home bases for northern Extremadura and then around Guadalupe? I don’t think we’ll go near Mérida. I’m not keen on spending hours in the car or on transport 😏
Hello,
We’ll be in York next week—one adult, a 17-year-old, and a 12-year-old. We’ll have a car. If you’ve got any fun activities (games, shows, etc.) or tips, we’re all ears!
We’re three adults planning a trip to Norway in May 2027.
What do you recommend for the Lofoten Islands? We’d prefer to group the places to visit (flights, rental car...??).
Hi there,
I’m heading to Lapland from November 12th to 19th.
I know it’s not the best time for snow cover… so I’ve opted for Saariselkä since it’s further north.
At this point, no activities—reindeer rides, snowmobiling, sledding, etc.—are available online yet, with just a few starting in early December.
My question: if snow arrives in early November 🤞, will it be possible to book things on-site? I’m guessing there aren’t dozens of providers.
Thanks for your feedback!
I'm probably going to spend a week in Naples, but I'd love to hear your thoughts! I've heard that the city is quite dangerous and crime-ridden? I've also heard that "Neapolitans" aren't very welcoming and have a bad temper?
Is this true or just rumors?😊
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,
We’re heading to Norway for the first time as a couple for 8 days in December
I’m really torn about how much time to spend at each stop (and how many stops to make)
We’d like to explore the cities, visit the Christmas market, see some beautiful landscapes, and if we have time, a stave church.
We arrive in Oslo on December 5th around 5 PM and leave from Bergen on December 12th around 11 AM.
Initially, we were thinking:
Oslo from the 5th to the 8th
Train to Bergen on the 8th, then stay until the 12th
But now we’d like to fit Flåm into the itinerary
Do you think it’s better to do:
From the 5th to the 8th: Oslo
On the 8th: train from Oslo to Flåm (arriving at 3 PM)
On the 9th: a short fjord cruise, then the 2 PM train to Bergen (but then the Myrdal–Bergen stretch will be in the dark)
From the 9th to the 12th: Bergen
Or should we adjust the number of nights in each place? Maybe shorten Oslo? Add a night in Flåm? Skip Flåm altogether? I’m not sure 😅
Hello,
We’ve booked our flights to Tromsø from January 9th to 16th, 2027.
Now it’s time to plan our stay, and I’ll admit I’m feeling a bit unsure...
We definitely intend to rent a car, but what route should we take?
Should we book accommodation for the entire stay (7 nights) in Tromsø and do day trips (Sommarøy, Kvaløya, Lyngen, a day in Tromsø, a boat excursion, and then... what else?)? Or spend 3–4 days in Tromsø and hit the road for another 3–4 days somewhere else—but where?
I’d also considered splitting it: 3 days in Tromsø and 3 days in Målselv, so we could explore a different region by car and maybe try some downhill or cross-country skiing.
Is this area interesting beyond skiing?
During a recent trip to Lapland, we already tried dog sledding and snowmobiling, so we’re not planning to repeat those activities. Instead, we’d love to discover the landscapes and Sami culture.
I’d love to hear about your experiences or suggestions to help us plan our trip.
Thanks,
We're heading to Genoa and the Cinque Terre in mid-October for a full week. We're planning to spend two and a half days—three nights—in the Cinque Terre. The idea is to hike between the villages and use the train (or boat) for the trip out (or back). We're thinking of staying overnight, and I was wondering which village to prioritize.
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, 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! 😉
3 weeks camping in the Azores, August 2024
Summer 2026 - 3 weeks in the Azores
Road trip in Iceland with my daughter from May 6 to 13, 2023
Palermo street art
My first trip to Iceland, over 50 years ago.
Back to Swedish Lapland: Trekking the Kungsleden and Crossing Sarek
Two weeks under the Puglia sun
Polynesia: How to choose between the Society Islands, Tuamotu, and the Marquesas?
