"Faudrait voir si c'est le cas pour ALAMO dans toutes les agences et pour tous les agents de comptoir."
C'est marqué ds leurs règles générales
Et même si vs aviez raison, perso si j'avais pré-réservé et pré-payé une location de voiture chez Alamo, c'est le genre de "détail" dont je me renseignerais avant de partir (pas envie de courir sur place d'une agence à l'autre, pour trouver un hypothétique agent de comptoir compréhensif... ). Mais bon, vu le contexte de l'ensemble de ce topic où on pense que tout va bien se passer, je ne m'étonne plus de rien
Ouest USA 2009 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2800143#2800143
5ème trip USA, 09/2013 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6186946#6186946
j'avais écris sur mon blog un article qui donne quelques conseils pour réussir son voyage a New York avec des enfants en bas ages. Tu y trouveras peut être quelque chose d’intéressant:
Oh.. ce n'est pas moi qui pars
Mais bien que je ne sois pas concernée, j'ai lu vos conseils... et j'en ai retenu un, bien approprié : visiter New York avec un bébé ne se fait pas au pas de charge. Il faut mieux prendre son temps et privilégier de rester aux moins deux ou trois semaines sur place pour bien pouvoir en profiter.
Encore faut-il justement mettre en application ce conseil élémentaire et plein de bon sens 🙂... car il s'applique à tt voyage, et pas uniquement à la visite de NY
Ouest USA 2009 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2800143#2800143
5ème trip USA, 09/2013 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6186946#6186946
"C'est sûr qu'on en profite 🤪
Et puis ça revient pas cher en plus 😏"
C'est sûr que la meilleure solution reste qu'il vaut mieux y aller sans bébé😛 pour ne pas devoir y rester 3 semaines et profiter de NY sans devoir vider le compte en banque (note que pour une telle durée de 3 semaines, tu n'es pas obligé de loger en plein cœur de Manhattan😇)
"Ca nous fait au moins du 3 mois pour la Californie, alors ! "
ça s'appelle presque de l'expatriation😏
Y a que les jeunes pour avoir des idées aussi farfelues en tête... des jeunes "plein aux as" ... ou (plus vraisemblable) qui courent chez leur banquier pour lui demander de "l'aide"😛
Ouest USA 2009 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2800143#2800143
5ème trip USA, 09/2013 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6186946#6186946
😏😏
ça nous ferait un topic farfelu de plus... mais t'inquiète: il y aura tjs des âmes bien pensantes qui donneront de "bons" conseils (aïe... je sens que vais encore m'attirer les foudres de certains😎)
Ouest USA 2009 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2800143#2800143
5ème trip USA, 09/2013 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6186946#6186946
Oui alors justement on commence à stresser car les nôtres on les a fait il y a 2 ans donc pas de soucis, nos ESTA sont fait aussi mais ceux des petits on a déposé le dossier ça fera 1 mois à la mairie, ils nous ont dit 15 jours 3 semaines et on a toujours pas de nouvelles donc je vais appeler demain car il faut qu'on fasse la demande d'ESTA vendredi matin au plus tard...
Il me semble que mon mari a regardé et qu'ils le demandent mais entre ce qui est écrit et ce qui est vraiment fait, peut-être que certains ne s'embêtent pas et je tenterais d'expliquer la chose...
C'est bien des soucis, toutes ces démarches à la dernière minute. Je te souhaite que tout s'arranges et que tu puisses profiter de ton séjour.
Tiens nous au courant.
Kristen
'A valid driver's license from the customer's country of residence is required and must be presented at time of rental. The driver's license must be valid for the entire rental period.
If the driver's license is in a language other than English, an International Driver's Permit is required along with the driver's license.'
Donc en effet pas de permis = pas de location. C'est d'ailleurs le cas partout dans le monde y compris en France, pour pouvoir louer une voiture il faut son permis c'est le minimum!
Ah oui? Le problème c'est que ça mettra plus longtemps à arriver et avec le trajet il y a le risque que ça se perde et puis on change d'hôtel toutes les nuits sachant que pour communiquer avec notre voisin on aura que les mails, pas de portable.
C'est peine perdue... le slogan de ce couple, c'est: Yes, we can... yes, we can... yes, we can...
Maisla lenteur administrative va peut-être éviter la déconfiture à 2 bébés 😛
Ouest USA 2009 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2800143#2800143
5ème trip USA, 09/2013 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6186946#6186946
Reste plus qu'à louer un chauffeur ! 😄 Ou l'emmener ? Un baby sitter driver.
Je la sens mal, la loc sans permis. 🤪 C'est un coup à rester cloué 15 j. à LA… 😎
Bien entendu, on ne peux pas prendre de vehicule de location si on n'a pas de permis, et pas de document le prouvant à presenter.
Mais si c'est valable pour le locataire du vehicule, ca ne l'est pas forcement pour les autres conducteurs. Comme je l'ai déjà dit, HERTZ ne demande pas le permis pour l'epouse en CALIFORNIE.
Le phrase d'ALAMO parle du "customer", pas de tous les conducteurs possibles du vehicule.
Non, Erik, il ne s'agit que de 8 jours sur place😕... d'où une partie du drame qui se joue avec les 3000 km prévus...
Mais moi, je la sens bien la fin de cette histoire:
Faute de passeport, les petits vont rester sagement chez leurs grands-parents.
Et faute de voiture, les parents vont rester raisonnablement 8 jours à LA et ses environs proches
Et ça fera de vraies vacances pour tout le monde😉
Ouest USA 2009 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2800143#2800143
5ème trip USA, 09/2013 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6186946#6186946
Flo, mon mari a son permis et moi aussi d'ailleurs, le souci est qu'il est en fabrication et que le papier qui lui permet de conduire en France ne marche pas à l'étranger.
Merci Kristen, oui on ne va pas se gâcher notre voyage pour ça, mon mari a annulé la réservation chez Alamo et s'est inscrit en Gold chez Hertz où ça a l'air plus simple pour le second conducteur.
Il y a quelque chose que je ne comprends pas, Bastinj, dans le dernier message privé que tu m'as envoyé où tu insultais toutes les personnes qui ne m'ont pas descendue ici et qui m'ont donné des conseils, tu mettais que tu arrêtais de m'écrire car tu avais bien autre chose à faire, alors dis-moi pourquoi viens tu encore cracher ta haine et ta jalousie ici?
Car ça fait longtemps que je rêve de le dire et je ne vais pas me gêner quand je vois que toi tu ne te gênes pas pour venir polluer mon post avec des commentaires aussi inintéressant et dénués d'intérêts les uns que les autres: tu es jalouse que mon mari et moi on ait l'audace de partir avec nos enfants en bas âge alors que toi tu as attendu que tes enfants soient grands, eh oui, mes enfants j'en profite tant qu'ils sont encore petits car ils partiront assez vite de la maison et plus tard ils n'auront plus vraiment envie de partir avec nous mais plutôt avec les copains copines et petits amis.
Donc stp va pourrir d'autres posts avec ton copain Halo car là ça devient vraiment gavant!
Et il est absolument hors de question de laisser nos enfants en France, les passeports seront prêts!
Au fait, on travaille mais on n'est pas plein aux as, on travaille juste dur pour se payer des vacances et pas besoin de faire un emprunt pour ça, on a assez de la maison et des voitures!
J'espère en tous cas qu'on ne tombera pas sur quelqu'un comme toi dans l'avion, car ça, ce serait vraiment des vacances gâchées!
j'ai bien compris mais vas expliquer ca a l'agence de location...surtout si le papier n'est pas valable a l'etranger, il faudra presenter le vrai permis de conduire pour pouvoir louer la voiture, une simple declaration sur l'honneur ne suffira pas, ils vondront le document.
D'après le site de Hertz, en Californie, l'epoux/se est automatiquement accepté comme "authorized driver" et n'a même pas besoin d'être present quand on loue la voiture.
Evidemment, il y aurait un problème si la personne se fait arrêté par la police et n'a pas de permis. Mais pour prendre la voiture, pas besoin de montrer le permis pour l'époux.
Kristen
Et pas que Halo mais aussi Vazyvite, Herikles et cie...
Ah oui ? Parce que j'ai écrit que ce sera compliqué sans permis ? (SANS LE PAPIER EN MAIN, pour ceux qui jouent sur les mots 😠).
Tu préfèrerais sans doute qu'on te dise que ça va bien aller, que les flics vont se contenter de ton sourire… 🤪
Sans permis (SANS LE PAPIER), c'est très risqué, voilà tout. 😛
Je m’autorise un droit de réponse à tout ce fatras de propos incorrects.
Et , comme toi, je vais me passer des formules de politesse 😛
1. Faut que tu ailles vérifier la signification du mot insulte au dictionnaire (asséner des faits avérés, même si ils font mal pcq ils contrecarrent tes projets, ne signifie pas insulter).
Ta faculté d’être bornée et de tout mélanger est immense.
2. Mes commentaires inintéressants et dénués d'intérêts les uns que les autres...
C’est pourtant suite à l’un d’eux que tu viens subitement de changer de loueur de voiture. Tu es bien ingrate !
De même tu as fait fi de nombreux autres conseils qui t’auraient pourtant épargné bien d’autres soucis… Encore eût-il fallu que tu te montres raisonnable et mature pour les entendre… et que tu ne prennes pas le parti de n’écouter uniquement que les avis qui abondaient ds ton sens.
Il n'y a pas de pire aveugle que celui qui ne veut pas voir.
3. Moi, jalouse de ton voyage-éclair et de ton programme road trip… JAMAIS…
Tu veux mon sentiment : je te plains de devoir voyager ds de telles conditions. Tu cumules ts les inconvénients du voyage (vol long, décalage horaire, nombreux km tout schuss en voiture, fatigue, énervements, pleurs d’enfants, etc…), sans en avoir le moindre avantage.
De mon point de vue, c'est un gâchis .
Alors que veux-tu que je t’envie ?
A choisir, je préfère encore le camping bondé de Trifouilly-les-Oies (et Dieu sait que le camping n’est pas ma tasse de thé, surtout celui de Trifouilly-les-Oies).
4. Halo n’est pas du tout, mais alors pas du tout du tout, mon copain
Arrête de mettre ttes les personnes que tu dénigres ds le même moule : certains usent d’insultes, d’autres manient subtilement l’humour.
5. 2200 km sur papier feront largement plus de 2500 km ds la réalité, voilà mon dernier commentaire… Commentaire inutile… puisque, comme lui non plus ne fait pas tes affaires, tu le trouveras sûrement aussi dénué d’intérêt que les autres. Et , une fois de plus, tu refuseras de tenir compte de ce qui est pourtant un fait avéré de plus…
Il est vrai qu’au vu du temps imparti, vs roulerez à tombeau ouvert et n’aurez guère le temps de faire qq détours pour visiter…
6. Encore une dernière chose (comme toi qui rêvais de me dire certaines choses, je ne vais maintenant plus me priver non plus).
C’est agaçant ta façon de te sentir continuellement obligée de te justifier à propos de tout. On ne t’en demandait pas tant… encore qq posts de plus, et on connaissait tout de ta vie privée et de ton intimité.
Il serait temps de grandir et de t’assumer en tant qu’adulte responsable. A 28 ans, tu fais preuve d’immaturité et de niaiseries. Y en a tellement que j’ai cru, à un moment, que tu le faisais exprès. (Note que tu m’as bien faire rire avec ton histoire d'allaitement : je ne sais pas si ça vaut le coup de prendre une assurance complémentaire sachant qu'ici mes enfants ne vont jamais chez le pédiatre, à part pour les visites obligatoires (allaités donc jamais malades))
PS : Épargne -toi la peine de chercher la localisation de Trifouilly-les-Oies😛
Ouest USA 2009 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2800143#2800143
5ème trip USA, 09/2013 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6186946#6186946
Je voulais simplement dire qu'en langage usuel français, le terme "permis de conduire" recouvre 2 notions : l'autorisation de conduire le vehicule, et le document administratif, le papier rose.
Les consequences juridiques de l'absence de permis sont bien entendu completement differentes si vs n'etes pas titulaires du permis, ou si vs ne pouvez simplement pas le presenter.
Il est beaucoup moins grave de conduire sans le papier rose.
Mais certaines personnes, y compris sur ce forum, semblent ne pas avoir fait la distinction entre les 2 notions, et aggravent beaucoup les consequences de l'absence de présentation du document papier.
Halo n’est pas du tout, mais alors pas du tout du tout, mon copain
D'accord avec toi sur ce point. C'est particulièrement injuste de nous reprocher d'être de mèche, alors qu'on s'est justement pris la tête en direct sur ce fil. 🙂 Et je suis toujours une femme, je confirme, pour celles et ceux qui s'inquiètent de savoir si j'ai changé de sexe récemment.
Ah ok, parce que j'imagine mal les flics US s'embarrasser avec la paperasse administrative française…
C'est déjà pas mal qu'ils sachent reconnaître les permis de tous ces touristes. 🙂
Vous n'étiez pas d'accord ici, mais pourriez l'être ailleurs.
Bien sûr. C'était une boutade, sans acrimonie de ma part. De toute façon, les vraies disputes, avec rancune sur dix générations, etc., c'est uniquement sur le concours photo que j'y participe! 😛
"Cela pourrait être intéressant comme partage d'expérince. "
Je ne vois pas trop comment ce trip de 8 jours (LA - Gd Canyon- Monument Valley - Kanab - Las Vegas - LA) puisse servir de modèle, et à qui je pourrais le conseiller un jour … à moins qu’il ne serve de contre-exemple… ou que je ne veuille me débarrasser d’amis devenus trop encombrants😉
Ouest USA 2009 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2800143#2800143
5ème trip USA, 09/2013 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6186946#6186946
merci Renée d'avoir rappelée la date de "départ", je suis depuis le début mais n'ait réagi que sur le somnifère pour les pitchouns ...
si la conclusion supputée par Bastinj se réalise, aurons-nous un post de bebelle44 ? ... pas sûr 😐
mais enfin ça fait vraiment feuilleton : 1) droguons les enfants ... 2) pas de permis pour Mr ... 3) pas de paseports pour les enfants ...
et tout ira bien, les américains comprendront 😏
Et il est absolument hors de question de laisser nos enfants en France, les passeports seront prêts!
dans la beuglante destinée à Bastinj (message 225)
vous avez oublié le chapitre sur la nécessité de prendre des assurances ( message 86)🙁
par contre je ne sais pas si ça vaut le coup de prendre une assurance complémentaire sachant qu'ici mes enfants ne vont jamais chez le pédiatre, à part pour les visites obligatoires (allaités donc jamais malades).
J'aimerais visiter en famille (enfants de 7 et 9 ans) l'ouest américain: Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, et Sequoia Park, en 2 semaines, départ depuis…
Voyager avec des enfants › États-Unis · 35 replies
Je prépare en derrière minute Mon road trip pour début août 2016. Nous patrons en famille: 2 adultes et 2 enfants de 5 et 9 ans. Nous aimons faire de courtes…
Voyager avec des enfants › États-Unis · 13 replies
Je suis nouvelle sur le forum, je viens de m'y inscrire en voyant que vous êtes de bon conseiller, je m'excuse des fautes d'orthographe. Je vous explique ma…
Je parts pour les états unis avec mes 3 enfants j'ais l'intention de faire un périple de 10000 km. Ma question est: est-il nécessaire de réserver dans les…
Voyager avec des enfants › États-Unis · 24 replies
Nous avons trois enfants (7,5 ans et 2 et demi). Nous souhaiterions partir pour les vacances de Toussaint aux Etats Unis. Quel secteur conseillez-vous? -…
Nous sommes une famille avec 2 enfants de 7 et 2 ans et prévoyons de faire un séjour du 21 au 28 décembre 2026 au Maroc.
J'envisage que nous restions 2 jours et 2 nuits à Marrakech pour filer le 3ème matin vers l'erg Chebbi (Merzouga ou Khamlia, à voir), et revenir pour prendre l'avion.
J'envisage de passer par Skoura, la vallée des Roses, les Gorges du Dadès, Tinghir, pour arriver aux dunes de Merzouga . Au retour je passerais par Tamnougalt avant de rentrer sur Marrakech.
Plusieurs remarques, sachant qu'avec des enfants en bas âge tout est plus lent en voyage :
- dans l'idéal j'aimerais circuler en taxi collectif ou bus
- je n'ai pas envie de m'arrêter dormir à Ouarzazate que j'ai déjà visité.
Questions :
- cela vous semble il praticable en décembre (notamment tronçon Marrakech- Ouarzazate)?
- quels arrêts nocturnes me conseillez vous entre Marrakech et Merzouga? Je ferai 2 nuits dans 2 endroits différents, avant de faire 2 nuits à Merzouga, puis 1 nuit à Tamnougalt
- je provilégierais le taxi collectif mais pourra-t-il me déposer un peu plus loin que les centres villes ( si mon auberge se situe à quelques kilomètres plus loin de Boulmane Dades par exemple, ou pas en centre ville de Merzouga mais à Khamlia)? En gros possible de voyager un peu hors des sentiers battus en taxi collectif?
- on adore les auberges familiales, si vous avez des adresses on prend !
Hi everyone, we're heading to Brazil for two weeks during the Easter holidays.
Arriving in Rio and departing from São Paulo. Any recommendations for hotels, guides, or must-see spots?
I’d like to organize everything myself with reliable local drivers, and I’m looking for nice, comfortable accommodations considering my 5-year-old son.
Thanks so much!
Emilie
I’ve read the forum a lot and found a wealth of information. I’ve tried to compile all of it into our itinerary and would love your feedback to finalize the bookings (we’re planning this *very* last-minute).
Here’s what we’re thinking of doing:
22 July: arrival in Johannesburg
Night of 22–23: Johannesburg
Nights of 23–26: Marloth Park (with Kruger visits on the 24th, 25th, and a crossing visit on the 26th)
Nights of 26–28: Graskop (visiting the canyon and Panorama Road on the 27th and 28th)
Nights of 28–30: Hoedspruit (visiting the central area of Kruger on the 29th?)
Nights of 30 July–1 August: Balule Park (private reserve with safari)
Nights of 1–5 August: flight from Hoedspruit to Cape Town, then 2 days in Cape Town, 1 day on the peninsula, and 2 days for wine (just the route) or something else based on your advice (we don’t know where to stay—whether to stay all 5 nights in Cape Town and where in the city, or do 2 nights in Cape Town and 3 nights nearby—but where?)
Night of 5–6 August: Kelders for penguins and whales
Nights of 6–8 August: Tsitsikamma (what is there to do/see?)
Nights of 8–10 August: Addo Park on the 9th
10 August: flight from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg and back home
What do you think?
Is there a lot of driving time?
We’d really appreciate your comments and suggestions.
Thanks!
After scouring the forum without managing to decide, I thought I’d ask for your advice!
Before becoming a mom, we traveled for a year from Iran to Indonesia, and now my partner and I are finally ready to take our first big one-month trip with our kids.
We’d like 2 or 3 places to visit, settle in, and explore the surrounding area.
We’re looking for a destination that’s fairly easy (since our kids aren’t always easy themselves), but I’m hesitant about Thailand (which I didn’t enjoy because it felt too touristy at the time).
I was thinking about Vietnam, which I don’t know at all. Maybe Laos, but spending a few days near a nice beach would be relaxing with two little ones full of energy…
We don’t want to rush through crowded, commercial sites—we want to take our time and discover beautiful places.
We’re planning our second trip to Thailand (2 weeks on-site, late April/early May) as a family with our kids.
On our first trip, we visited Bangkok, Ayutthaya, the River Kwai, Koh Lipe, Koh Phi Phi, and Khao Lak. We especially loved Koh Phi Phi for its limestone cliffs and lush vegetation, as well as Koh Lipe for its crystal-clear waters and snorkeling.
This time, we’d like a trip more focused on nature. We don’t want to visit any cities (maybe a floating market if it’s really worth the detour).
We’re looking for:
- Spectacular jungle;
- Animals in their natural habitat;
- Beautiful hikes or boat rides;
- Paradise-like beaches;
- Turquoise water with excellent snorkeling, preferably directly from the beach (turtles, tropical fish, etc.).
We’re thinking of including Khao Sok, but we’re unsure which islands to combine with this park.
Do you have any suggestions for 2-week itineraries with reasonable travel times? We’re prioritizing landscapes, nature, and the sea above all else.
Hi there,
I’m heading to Oman this coming October with my 13-year-old son for 11 days. My plan is to rent a car, probably a 4x4, to reach villages in the mountains, among other places. We’ll be sleeping in a tent the whole trip.
Since it’s a short stay, we’ll stick to the eastern part of the country, from Muscat to Duqm, most likely.
Any recommendations?! Things to know, like where to exchange money without high fees, a reliable car rental agency, road safety tips, wildlife like snakes, and anything else... I’ve done a lot of research already, but any suggestions would be super helpful!!
Thanks in advance,
Happy travels to everyone,
Céline
I’d love some advice on choosing a Christmas destination for a trip with my partner and our two kids, aged 10 and 12.
We’re looking for a place where we can enjoy great, easy snorkeling with the kids—ideally from the beach or in shallow water.
And if possible, a beautiful spot to explore, with nature, hikes, and a more laid-back, backpacker-friendly vibe than big resorts or mass tourism.
A "reasonable" flight time and not too much jet lag would be ideal!
I’ve been considering Mauritius, Zanzibar (plus possibly Tanzania), Martinique, or Guadeloupe—but maybe you have other suggestions or thoughts on these options?
I wanted to share our experience after a 5-day trip to Armenia with my wife and our 8-month-old baby.
It’s a destination that’s still relatively unknown, but it’s really worth the trip, especially if you enjoy cultural, spiritual, historical, and human-centered travel.
We were looking for a change of scenery but not too complicated with a baby—and easy to organize (even though our travel agency helped us a lot, thanks to them! 😊). In the end, Armenia was a wonderful surprise. It’s not a "postcard-perfect" destination. It’s a raw, mountainous, ancient country with real depth.
And most importantly: Armenians *love* children.
That’s probably what surprised us the most. In restaurants, waitresses, owners, or even other customers would naturally come over to play with our baby, hold them for a few minutes, smile at them, or keep them entertained while we ate.
It wasn’t intrusive. It was very natural, very family-oriented. You can tell that children have a real place in society. For parents traveling with a baby, it’s honestly a pleasure.
Day 1 — Yerevan
We started with Yerevan, a pleasant capital that’s quite easy to explore with a child.
The city isn’t huge. You can stroll around Republic Square, visit cafés, discover markets, and walk at a relaxed pace.
With a baby, it’s pretty practical: you can easily take breaks, return to the hotel, or go back out in the evening. The vibe is laid-back, family-friendly, and we felt safe.
In the evening, Yerevan is very lively. The restaurants are welcoming, and almost everywhere, our baby drew smiles.
Day 2 — Etchmiadzin and Khor Virap
On the second day, we headed to Etchmiadzin, the spiritual heart of Armenia. It’s an important place for understanding the country and its Christian identity.
Then, we visited Khor Virap, facing Mount Ararat.
It’s probably one of the most striking places on the trip. The monastery, the plain, the distant Ararat—everything is visually and symbolically powerful.
With a baby, you just need to plan a relaxed pace, avoid rushing, and take your time.
Day 3 — Garni and Geghard
The third day was one of our favorites.
We visited the Temple of Garni, very different from the monasteries, with a stunning setting in the mountains.
Then we went to Geghard, a monastery partially carved into the rock.
The atmosphere is incredible. It’s quiet, mineral, almost timeless. Even if you’re not very religious, you feel something.
With a child, the visit goes well, but again, it’s best not to overload the day. The key is to keep a flexible pace.
Day 4 — Noravank
On the fourth day, we headed to Noravank.
The road itself is an experience: dry landscapes, mountains, red rocks, valleys. The monastery is surrounded by impressive cliffs.
It’s one of the most beautiful sites we saw in Armenia.
You really get the sense that Armenian monasteries were built in impossible places—between sky, stone, and mountain.
Along the way, you can also pass through the Areni region, known for its wine. With a baby, we mostly prioritized simple breaks, relaxed meals, and uncompressed travel times.
Day 5 — Lake Sevan and return to Yerevan
For the last day, we went to Lake Sevan.
The lake is vast, bright, and surrounded by mountains. The Sevanavank Monastery, up high, offers a beautiful view.
It’s a gentler stop, perfect for ending the trip.
Then we returned to Yerevan for a final dinner. Once again, the welcome in restaurants stood out. In Armenia, traveling with a baby isn’t seen as a hassle. On the contrary, people spontaneously come up to the child.
Our overall impression
In 5 days, you obviously don’t see all of Armenia. To reach Tatev, Dilijan, Haghpat, or Sanahin, you’d need more like 7 to 10 days.
But for a first visit, 5 days are enough to feel the essence: Yerevan, the major monasteries, Mount Ararat, the landscapes, the Christian history, and the Armenian hospitality.
What we loved most:
- the kindness of people toward our baby;
- the very family-friendly atmosphere;
- the monasteries in incredible landscapes;
- the view of Mount Ararat from Khor Virap;
- the atmosphere of Geghard;
- the cliffs of Noravank;
- the food;
- the feeling of safety;
- the fact that the country is still relatively untouched by mass tourism.
What to know when traveling with a baby:
- distances can be longer than expected;
- some roads are mountainous;
- avoid overloading the day;
- it’s better to have a driver or a car;
- plan for breaks, water, diapers, baby meals;
- a stroller isn’t always practical on ancient sites;
- a baby carrier can be very useful.
Recommended 5-day itinerary
For a first trip, I’d suggest:
Day 1: Yerevan
Day 2: Etchmiadzin + Khor Virap
Day 3: Garni + Geghard
Day 4: Noravank + Areni
Day 5: Sevan + return to Yerevan
It’s balanced, not too tiring, and gives a great first impression of the country.
Conclusion
Armenia is a wonderful destination with a baby, as long as you travel slowly and don’t try to see everything.
What touched us most, beyond the landscapes and monasteries, was the attitude toward children. There, you feel that babies are welcomed with real tenderness. In restaurants, people naturally helped us, played with our child, and gave us a few minutes to breathe.
That’s rare, and it makes a big difference in the travel experience.
Armenia isn’t a destination you consume quickly.
It’s a country that you *feel*.
For those who love cultural, spiritual, historical, family, and human-centered travel, I highly recommend it.
Hi everyone,
We're heading to Colombia soon for two weeks as a family with our two 10-year-old boys. I'm a bit behind on planning our itinerary and could really use your advice!
We arrive in Cartagena, where we'll spend 3 nights.
Next, we're heading to the Tayrona area for 3 nights. Could you recommend a nice hotel with a pool, ideally family-friendly? Unfortunately, Senda Watapuy and Senda Koguiwa are already fully booked for our dates.
After that, we were thinking of spending a few days in Minca. Is that a good idea in late July/early August? How many nights would you recommend?
Finally, we're looking for a last stop before returning to France. We've heard about Mompox, but we're hesitant because it seems like a big detour. We love nature, animals, beautiful landscapes, beaches, and authentic places. Do you think Mompox is worth the detour with two kids, or would you recommend another destination (Palomino, Barú, La Guajira...) instead?
We don’t want to take any domestic flights.
Thanks in advance for all your tips and experiences!
This summer, we’ve decided to do a 3-week road trip starting from Nice and heading down to Ksamil in Albania.
We’re leaving from Nice, and our route is already pretty much set:
Nice - Verona (Italy) - Rijeka (Croatia) - Zadar - Split - Budva (Montenegro) - Shkodër (Albania) - Ksamil, then back through Italy via Bari.
The itinerary is packed! 🙂
Do you have any suggestions for things to see—visits, beaches, viewpoints, villages, or excursions—to make the most of our journey?
Hi there, we're planning our vacation in Indonesia. We're a family with two kids aged 11 and 14. We leave on July 26th and return on August 17th, 2026.
We initially planned to visit Bali, Komodo, and Flores, but after looking into it more, we came across Sumatra, which is less touristy... a real plus for us. However, skipping Bali might be a shame.
I was wondering if spending 12 days in Sumatra and finishing with about 7 days in Bali is a doable plan.
Hi,
I’m traveling with my 5-year-old son this summer to Northern Thailand, Northern Vietnam, Yunnan, and Indonesia. I plan to equip him with a GPS tracker, but the SIM cards come with a contract. Do you know what the options are in Asia?
Thanks,
Nora
Hi there,
We’d like to spend 2 days in Lyon in May with our 8- and 12-year-old kids, exploring the city on foot.
We’ll arrive on day 1 around 11 AM and leave on day 2 around 6 PM.
I’ve mapped out two routes and was wondering if they’re doable in our 2 days, and if you have any tips or info on visit prices.
We’re not sure where to stay yet, but we’d like to optimize by booking accommodation (hotel or Airbnb) between the two routes, maybe?
Hi there!
I’m planning a trip with my wife and our three kids (ages 9, 6, and 3) from April 16 to May 6.
I’ve started sketching out the itinerary, trying to alternate between visits, hikes, safaris, and downtime. I want to keep the pace relaxed given the kids’ ages.
Could you let me know what you think of this route? I removed Nuwara Eliya, which I had originally planned before Ella, to cut down on stops. I was also wondering if I should break up the Arugam Bay to Colombo leg with an overnight in Galle, since it’s a long drive.
Thanks in advance for your feedback!
Day 1 – 04/16: Wilpattu
Arrival at the airport (08:00) + transfer to Wilpattu (180 km, 4–5 h) + afternoon safari
Overnight: Wilpattu
Day 2 – 04/17: Wilpattu
Morning & afternoon safari
Overnight: Wilpattu
Day 3 – 04/18: Trincomalee
Transfer Wilpattu → Trincomalee (200 km, 4–5 h) + beach relaxation
Overnight: Trincomalee
Day 4 – 04/19: Trincomalee
Nilaveli Beach
Overnight: Trincomalee
Day 5 – 04/20: Trincomalee
Pigeon Island snorkeling
Overnight: Trincomalee
Day 6 – 04/21: Trincomalee
Fort Frederick & relaxation
Overnight: Trincomalee
Day 7 – 04/22: Sigiriya
Transfer Trincomalee → Sigiriya (120 km, ~3 h) + visit to Dambulla
Overnight: Sigiriya
Day 8 – 04/23: Sigiriya
Sigiriya Rock
Overnight: Sigiriya
Day 9 – 04/24: Sigiriya
Minneriya safari
Overnight: Sigiriya
Day 10 – 04/25: Sigiriya
Polonnaruwa & village tour
Overnight: Sigiriya
Day 11 – 04/26: Ella
Transfer Sigiriya → Ella (230 km, 5–6 h) + rest
Overnight: Ella
Day 12 – 04/27: Ella
Little Adam’s Peak & Nine Arches Bridge
Overnight: Ella
Day 13 – 04/28: Ella
Ella Rock
Overnight: Ella
Day 14 – 04/29: Ella
Tea Factory & relaxation
Overnight: Ella
Day 15 – 04/30: Yala
Transfer Ella → Yala (110 km, 2–3 h) + afternoon safari
Overnight: Yala
Day 16 – 05/01: Arugam Bay
Transfer Yala → Arugam Bay (80 km, 2.5–3 h) + beach time
Overnight: Arugam Bay
Day 17 – 05/02: Arugam Bay
Surfing & relaxation
Overnight: Arugam Bay
Day 18 – 05/03: Arugam Bay
Local exploration
Overnight: Arugam Bay
Day 19 – 05/04: Colombo
Transfer Arugam Bay → Colombo (320 km, 7–8 h) + rest
Overnight: Colombo
Day 20 – 05/05: Colombo
City tour & shopping
Overnight: Colombo
Day 21 – 05/06: Colombo
Morning return flight from Colombo
We’re heading to Sri Lanka for three weeks in July with two kids (ages 6 and 13).
We’ve drafted a rough itinerary but would love to hear from those who’ve already been there 😊
Of course, we want to see everything, but we have to make choices—even though three weeks on the ground lets us do quite a bit.
We originally planned a schedule that felt too packed, so we had to cut one stop. We decided to skip Tangalle, even though we were really tempted. The monsoon won’t let us swim there, and the weather in the south is too uncertain, so we preferred to keep our stops on the east coast. Plus, we don’t think it’s reasonable to cut nights from other places.
We’ve added a stop in Batticaloa, which we think will be a nice break between Arugam Bay and Sigiriya. What do you think?
We’re also debating between Batticaloa and Passikudah.
Does the itinerary seem logical to you?
Here it is:
Sri Lanka Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival around 1 PM at the airport
Night in Negombo
Day 2
Drive from Negombo to Galle
Visit Galle and surrounding areas
Night in Galle
Day 3
Visit Galle and surrounding areas
Night in Galle
Day 4
Visit Galle and surrounding areas
Drive from Galle to Udawalawe
Night in Udawalawe
Day 5
Visit Udawalawe National Park
Night in Udawalawe
Day 6
Drive from Udawalawe to Ella
Night in Ella
Day 7
Ella Rock
+ Nine Arch Bridge
Night in Ella
Day 8
Visit Haputale
Lipton’s Seat and Dambatenne Tea Factory
Train ride back from Haputale to Ella
Night in Ella
Day 9
Little Adam’s Peak
+ drive from Ella to Arugam Bay
Night in Arugam Bay
Day 10
Visit Arugam Bay and surrounding areas
Night in Arugam Bay
Day 11
Visit Arugam Bay and surrounding areas
Night in Arugam Bay
Day 12
Drive from Arugam Bay to Batticaloa
Night in Batticaloa
Day 13
Visit Batticaloa
Night in Batticaloa
Day 14
Drive from Batticaloa to Sigiriya
Night in Sigiriya
Day 15
Lion Rock and Pidurangala
Night in Sigiriya
Day 16
Visit Dambulla
Drive from Sigiriya to Trincomalee
Night in Trincomalee
Day 17
Visit Trincomalee and surrounding areas
Night in Trincomalee
Day 18
Visit Trincomalee and surrounding areas
Night in Trincomalee
Day 19
Drive from Trincomalee to Anuradhapura
Night in Anuradhapura
Day 20
Visit Anuradhapura
Night in Anuradhapura
Day 21
Visit Mihintale
Drive from Anuradhapura to Negombo
Night in Negombo
Day 22
Day in Negombo and return flight
We’d love to hear your thoughts and tips! Thanks in advance!
We’re planning a 4-month trip in spring 2027. We’re looking for a third destination that optimizes transport costs. Ideally, somewhere very different from the other two (Polynesia and Indonesia). Thanks
Hi everyone!
We’re so excited to be heading to Italy for the first time this April with our two kids for a week. We’ve booked our round-trip flight, and we’ll be arriving and departing from Pisa.
Our rough plan so far includes visiting Pisa, taking the train to Florence, and exploring the Cinque Terre. Last night, a friend also suggested adding Siena to the list.
Our kids are 12 and 9 and are used to walking, but we’re not looking to rush around too much. We’d love any advice, especially about accommodation. Should we stay in Pisa and take day trips by train, or split our nights between a couple of different places?
We’re just starting our research, so any tips would be amazing! 😉
Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone.
A few days ago, I asked my 14-year-old son to pick a destination for a trip, and he chose Germany. So, we’re heading to Berlin for four days in February. The catch is that I don’t know this city (or this country) at all—I hadn’t even considered visiting just a month ago .
Could you please share some suggestions to make this first mother-son trip abroad a success? 🙂
Thanks for your tips and great deals.
Nanyne
Next summer, we (2 adults and a 12-year-old child) have decided to visit Japan.
Admittedly, it’s still early to plan everything, but my wife will soon need to request her vacation time—either in August or July... and we’re hesitating.
I know summer isn’t the ideal time to visit Japan, but we don’t really have a choice... It’s either July or August. On one hand, I’d love to experience the O-Bon festivities from August 14th to 16th, and I’ve drafted an initial itinerary that would let us experience the Gujo Hachiman Bon Odori, possibly visit the Okunoin Cemetery in Koyasan, and be in Kyoto on the 16th for the Gozan Okuribi fires. But on the other hand, I’m worried it’ll be *packed*, especially in Kyoto, and less enjoyable than in July. So, have any of you experienced these celebrations? Are they worth it? Too crowded? Do you know of other celebrations or festivals in July?
Thanks for your input!
I’m reaching out because I’ve already read tons of info from other forums (thanks a million, by the way!) and blogs, but now I’m overwhelmed with details and have so many questions. I’m really hoping you can help us figure this out! Here’s the plan:
We’re leaving France for Senegal in our camper van (with two kids, aged 4 and 7), then shipping the van to South Africa before heading to Namibia. We’re planning to leave this summer and should arrive in South Africa in early September. The goal is to reach Réunion by early December, which gives us 3 months to explore Southern Africa. Originally, we wanted to pick up the van in Cape Town, head up to Namibia, and visit the main parks and iconic spots, then go north to Botswana (Etosha Park) and Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls) before heading back down to South Africa to enjoy the milder temperatures while exploring the country. But now we’re wondering how to get back to South Africa. We’ve come up with three options:
- Head back down through Botswana: I’ve read everywhere that Botswana isn’t recommended for kids under 6 (most parks) because it can be potentially dangerous—few enclosures for animals (even though we have a camper van with "secure" beds), and the agencies we’ve contacted don’t recommend it. Plus, southern Botswana is tough to navigate in a camper van.
- Return from central Botswana (Maun) to Windhoek and drive back to Cape Town via Namibia.
- Cross Zimbabwe and potentially Mozambique to head down to Kruger Park and Johannesburg.
Anyone familiar with this region have any recommendations?
Also, is it necessary to book accommodations in advance? Is that only required in certain countries (maybe Botswana/Zimbabwe)? We’d like a mix of camping and lodges.
Hi there,
We’re planning a two-week trip to Colombia with our two kids at the end of July – early August, with a round-trip flight to Cartagena.
What itinerary would you recommend, knowing we’d prefer to avoid domestic flights?
We were thinking of Cartagena, Tayrona Park, Mompox, and maybe an island.
Do you think it’s a shame to skip big cities like Bogotá or Medellín?
Thanks so much in advance for your help!
Good morning! We're heading to Cape Verde for 2 weeks at the end of April—São Vicente, Boa Vista, and Santiago. We’re a family of 5: 3 kids (4, 6, and 12) and 2 adults.
My questions revolve around beaches (a spot with interesting snorkeling and safe swimming for the kids), accommodation (kid-friendly, parks nearby, pool, beach, or nature—more like guesthouses or family-run pensions), hikes (accessible for kids), and whether renting a car makes sense depending on the island, even though local buses are an adventure in themselves.
**Santiago:**
- Beach & snorkeling: Tarrafal, Quebra Canela in Praia, Ribeira da Barca (okay for kids?), Águas Belas?
- Any nice places to stay?
- Hikes: Malagueta?, Baobab Boa Entrada, Pico António (accessible? elevation gain, time to climb, difficulty, interest for kids?)
**Boa Vista:**
- Beach + snorkeling: Santa Mónica, Praia de Chaves, Gatas, ... Estoril Beach in Sal Rei maybe?
- Can we swim at Turtle Bay to see the turtles even though it’s not nesting season?
- Any nice places to stay?
- Hikes: Viana Desert? Can we explore it solo by renting a 4x4 and easily find the points of interest?
- Is it worth renting a 4x4 for our stay in Boa Vista?
**São Vicente:**
- Beach + snorkeling: Laginha, Porto Grande, Praia Grande, Baía das Gatas, São Pedro...? (safe, good snorkeling?)
- Any nice places to stay?
- Hikes: cliffs?, Monte Verde?
Thanks for your feedback, great tips—especially for accommodation where we’re totally in the dark! And your thoughts on whether renting a car is a good idea and which beaches are safest for kids.
Hi,
We’d like to visit the Alpes de Haute-Provence for 2 weeks with our 2 (adult) kids.
Any ideas for things to see and do?
Where should we choose our accommodation (house only) to be centrally located for sightseeing? We’re looking for villages with restaurants and bakeries.
Thanks in advance for your tips!
Best regards
Hi there, we’re heading to Tuscany in the second half of August with two kids (8 and 6 years old).
We’ve zeroed in on the area around Siena and Florence for now.
I’m looking for recommendations on places to stay and things to see that are great for families.
Also, just to add, we’ll be traveling by train and plan to rent a car once we’re there—any tips on car rental companies?
Hello everyone,
We’ve decided to head to Quebec next year—it’s been a dream for the whole family (after watching so many travel shows and the like...). There’ll be five of us: 2 adults, 2 teens (16 and 13), and a child (8 years old). We’re all pretty good walkers, though maybe the teens a little less so—it’s just that age, you know? 😊 That said, they’ve got no problem doing 15 km hikes, just not every single day.
We’re planning to go from July 23 to August 14, arriving and departing from Montreal, so almost 3 weeks.
I’ve started looking into logistics and accommodation prices, but before I dive into bookings, I’d love some advice on the itinerary. I’ve read a few threads here and there.
Our idea is to visit between 3 and 5 different places over the 3 weeks, so that means the same number of accommodations. The goal is to optimize travel as much as possible—I’ve realized that getting around can take a long time.
I think the first two days will be in Montreal to adjust to the time difference, and the last two in Quebec City, though that’s not set in stone.
Anyway, I’m not really sure about the route. I’ve got time to plan everything, but I know the longer we wait, the more expensive and scarce accommodations will get.
Same goes for budget—we’ve set aside a mid-range budget, flights included: 3k per person (1k for the flight). So if you’ve got any great tips or advice, we’re all ears!
I was thinking of going up the St. Lawrence River, but I’m not sure how long that takes or where to stop. Maybe there are other places worth visiting farther away...
Anyway, thanks for reading this far! If you’ve got any questions, don’t hesitate.
I hope you're starting this new year with your head full of travel memories or plans!!
I’d love to spend a week in July on a Greek island with my 8-year-old son. I’m totally in love with Amorgos, but not all the beaches are accessible for him. I’ve been to Santorini and Naxos before and don’t want to go back. Would you have an island to recommend that’s not too crowded 😕, with a few accessible beaches and where we won’t have to fight to get around or park?
A few months ago, I posted a message in the Southern Africa section about a family trip in July/August. In the end, since I had too much trouble deciding on the destination and procrastinated too much with the planning 😎, I changed my mind and we’re going for a completely different trip—to Madagascar, a country we already know a bit since we’ve traveled there several times for 4 to 6 months each time, though our last visit was back in 2012!
The tickets are booked: 19 days on the ground (excluding arrival and departure days in Tana), spanning July and August.
We’re not looking to rack up landscapes (and kilometers). The kids really want to see lots of animals, while we mostly want to show them what daily life is like in Malagasy villages. So ideally, we’d like a trip split into two parts:
- For 8/10 days, a hiking portion. The idea isn’t to do a tough trek in very remote areas but rather to walk from one village to another. Let’s say 3-4 hours a day. And when we arrive in each village, we’d have time to explore a bit, chat with the locals, let our kids play with the village children, etc. Stay with locals when possible. Move to a new village every day or every 2-3 days.
- A few days visiting 1 or 2 national parks (with lemurs if possible to keep everyone happy!)
- With the inevitable travel days, we’ll quickly hit 19 days.
Does this kind of trip sound doable (and fun) to you? Do you know of any villages that would fit our hiking plans?
I don’t have a preferred region yet, except that very dry landscapes appeal to me less. My real love from past trips was the highlands and their bright green rice paddies against red earth, but I’m a bit worried about the cold at this time of year.
After my initial research (thanks to this forum), I get the impression that the Ambalavao/Ambohimahamasina area might meet our criteria. I saw there are "accueil paysan" (farm stays) in that area, which could match what we’re looking for and would let us visit Andringitra National Park and Ranomafana on the way there or back.
But I’m open to all your more original ideas!
For logistical questions (transport, guides, accommodations, etc.), I’ll tackle those later—it’ll depend on the area we choose.
We’re a family with young kids (6 years old, 3 years old, and a newborn) and we’d like to spend about ten days in Aquitaine (in Gironde or Les Landes).
We’d love to be near pretty villages to visit and, if possible, close to the sea.
We’re planning to stay at a campsite with a pool so the kids can play.
Could you recommend any places/villages/campsites for us?
We don’t know the region at all.
We’re a family of five (our kids are 6, 15, and 19) and we’d love to go somewhere warm with our feet in the water during the first two weeks of August 2026. We’d also like to do some cultural visits and a bit of hiking. We were thinking of Guadeloupe—I know it’s not the ideal time of year, but we don’t have much flexibility. Is it really a bad idea, or can we still enjoy it despite the weather?
Another option for us would be Madeira, which seems more reliable weather-wise, but it sounds like the beaches are less accessible and not as nice.
We haven’t really looked elsewhere because everything else (except the Canary Islands, Balearics, or Corsica) seems way too expensive. But if you’ve got any recommendations, don’t hesitate—we’re just starting to look into it.
Hi,
This summer, we’re spending a month in Malaysia. There are 3 adults and two kids in our group. I’ve just finished planning our itinerary and I’d love to get your thoughts on whether it feels "coherent."
Thanks in advance for your feedback!
Christelle
07/07 Depart France 10:30 AM
08/07 Arrive KL 7:50 PM
09/07 KL
10/07 KL / Batu Caves
11/07 KL
12/07 KL → Kuching (flight)
13/07 Kuching
14/07 Bako National Park
15/07 Bako → Kuching
16/07 Semenggoh Reserve
17/07 Kuching → Mulu (flight)
18/07 Mulu National Park
19/07 Mulu → Kota Kinabalu (flight)
20/07 Kota Kinabalu → Sandakan (flight)
21/07 Kinabatangan
22/07 Kinabatangan → Sandakan / Sandakan → KL (flight)
23/07 Malacca
24/07 Malacca → Chin Swee Caves Temple
25/07 Chin Swee Caves Temple → Kuala Tahan / Taman Negara Park
26/07 Taman Negara Park
27/07 Kuala Tahan → Kuala Besut
28/07 Perhentian Islands
29/07 Perhentian Islands
30/07 Perhentian Islands
31/07 Perhentian → George Town
01/08 George Town / Penang
02/08 George Town / Penang
03/08 Ipoh
04/08 Cameron Highlands
05/08 Return to KL
06/08 Return to France