Hi, I'm looking for info on Tuscany with the idea of taking a family vacation at the end of August, but we're not into cities or crowds. We're more into wild nature, beaches, and hiking... I've heard about southern Tuscany—is it too urbanized? Where else should we look? Thanks so much
We're looking more for wild nature, beaches, hiking...
Hi, why not consider northern Italy instead?
There’s Piedmont, Lombardy, and the Dolomites for wild nature.
Tuscany is a pretty central region, and as you can guess, Florence is a very touristy city, obviously.
Not to mention it’s really hot in Italy in August.
Further north, you can enjoy the cool mountain air.
Hi there,
The main issue you’ll run into is the heat—especially if you’re used to mountain living. Tuscany is amazing in spring or fall. We went last August too, and honestly, it was pretty tough, even though we live in Carpentras! Maybe the coastal areas are a bit cooler. Here’s a link to our family trip—hope you find some useful info in there. I’d recommend looking for accommodation in an agriturismo farm stay; it’s cheaper than a hotel and perfect for that nature vibe.
https://www.voyagesetenfants.com/1-semaine-toscane-famille-nombreuse/
Nature in Tuscany at the end of August… bad idea because it’s way too hot. I’m a huge fan of Tuscan landscapes—I often recharge there in May or June. After several experiences with extreme heat in June (including this year from the 8th to the 22nd), I’ll only go in May or autumn from now on. Hiking in those stunning landscapes is impossible; the most beautiful routes have no shade, and the distant views disappear in the heat haze. Nothing but downsides. I don’t know the beaches in the area. As for accommodation, pick a place with a pool to cool off if you stick to your plan. Italians who can escape head to the mountains in summer… but it gets crowded by the lakes and in the Dolomites.
I can confirm that agriturismos are a great tip—the same accommodations are cheaper than on Airbnb or Booking.
Hi Fanny,
Your idea of splitting your trip into two separate stays—one for the mountains and one for the sea—seems like a good plan.
For the seaside (I’m guessing you’re tied to August dates), I’d make the same choice as you: southern Tuscany. I haven’t explored that area myself, but the stretch of coast I know (from Carrara to Livorno) is completely urbanized, except for a few pine grove spots. I’d absolutely avoid it—traffic is impossible even in June, so I can only imagine what it’s like in August. The southern coast is less built-up.
For the mountains, the Apuan Alps are stunning, but don’t stay on the Versilia side. Instead, book accommodation in Garfagnana (the inland side of the Apuan Alps).
To escape the worst of the heat, plan activities above 1,000 meters in altitude.
Last year, I hiked in the Apennines north of Arezzo province (check out my travel journal I wrote about it). The elevation is great—it’s mountain hiking through forests with less open scenery.
I also did some hiking in the Apuan Alps back in 2021. I can dig up those details if you’re interested.
Finally, the iconic Tuscan landscapes you see in photos aren’t found by the sea or in the mountains. They’re in the hilly areas between the coast and the mountains, especially in the Siena province.
Don’t expect that kind of scenery near the Apuan Alps—they drop straight into a coastal plain that’s only about 5 km wide (and completely urbanized, as I mentioned earlier).
Western Europe › Spain / Portugal / Italy · 0 replies
Explore three must-see spots in Europe, blending historical heritage and architectural wonders. With GetYourGuide , get skip-the-line tickets and often cheaper…
Hi there, I d like to make the crossing between Barcelona and Civitavecchia with Grimaldi. I d love to hear about your experiences. I m also considering GNV…
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 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! 😉
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)?
