Eastern Europe

Hi there!!

This summer, we're planning to explore Poland from July 4th to 23rd. I’ve outlined our rough itinerary below—could you let me know if the number of days allocated to each destination makes sense or if there’s anything we should change? Thanks in advance!

S4 Departure, overnight in Würzburg (Germany) to break up the drive. D5 Travel day with visits: Jawor and Świdnica churches, Książ Castle (likely just the exterior), and a few other stops. Overnight in Wrocław. L6 Explore Wrocław M7 Explore Wrocław M8 Visit Kłodzko—is one day enough? Overnight near Auschwitz. J9 Visit Auschwitz, overnight in Kraków V10 Explore Kraków S11 Explore Kraków D12 Visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine, overnight near Zakopane L13 Zakopane M14 Zakopane M15 Visit Zamość, overnight in Lublin J16 Explore Lublin, overnight in Masuria (TBD) V17 Explore Masuria S18 Explore Masuria D19 Depart for Gdańsk, visit the Teutonic Castle, overnight in Gdańsk L20 Explore Gdańsk M21 Explore Gdańsk J22 Explore Gdańsk, possible day trip to Sopot? V23 Visit Toruń, then drive back to Germany. Overnight stop like on the way out. S24 Home!

Best, Christophe

Hi everyone.

With the kids getting older, I’ve finally decided to head somewhere a bit more exotic than our usual (and wonderful) Brittany. We’ve chosen to visit Austria and Slovenia, with a little detour through Zagreb. We’ll be spending a day there, and I’d love to make sure we don’t miss anything. Here’s my little plan—let me know what you think!

- Parking between Ridnjack Park and Zagreb Cathedral - Quick stroll through Dolac Market - Visit Kamenita Vrata (Stone Gate) - Saint Catherine’s Church - Head to Lotrščak Tower: at noon for the cannon firing. - Walk through Grič Tunnel - Head down to Ban Jelačić Square - Then visit Zrinjevac Park (its monuments and beautiful facades) - Head back north to see St. Mark’s Church - Tkalčićeva Street (pedestrian street) and Opatovina Park

There we go... I’ve definitely forgotten a ton of things... What do you think? Thanks!

Stéphane.

Hi there, I was wondering if it's possible to see the highlights of Prague in two and a half days? My flight arrives on a Sunday evening at 9 PM, so we’d have Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday morning to explore. Return flight is on Wednesday at 4:30 PM. Best regards, Christophe

Hello, Our trip is coming together nicely, and I have lots of questions about organizing this visit. We’re now looking to book our tickets for the Auschwitz-Birkenau tour. We have a hotel 5 km from the site, so we don’t need transportation. We’ll park our motorcycles there. Is the 3.5-hour tour complete, or are the others 7 hours because they include travel, as often mentioned in the booking title? Which is the most reliable site to book through? We can’t eat on-site. Can we bring water? Is there a place to eat nearby? There are so many questions, but this visit is very important to me.

Thanks in advance for your answers and advice!

Bonsoir,

je poste ce message car moi et mon ami souhaiterions partir un week-end découvrir Istanbul, mais je voudrai avoir des infos sur cette ville(visites à ne pas manquer....), et quel tour opérateur propose des week-end là-bas ! enfin bref avoir des infos sur cette déstination !!!!!!!!!!

Merci à tous

bonne soirée aurélie

hi Do people speak Italian in Slovenia? (Bled, etc.) Grazie

At the risk of drawing some harsh criticism, I’ll admit we were really disappointed: sure, this trip—taken at the end of September—was short (a week), but we’d planned this little road trip (1,000km by car) as a first scouting mission. We won’t be going back anytime soon!

First mistake: we flew into Tirana (from Marseille) when it would’ve been better to fly to Corfu and rent a car in the south of the country instead of staying in the capital, which frankly isn’t all that interesting. From Tirana, we headed east toward Lin, by Lake Ohrid (a very poor region facing Macedonia), then to Korça, which guidebooks call "the most pleasant city in Albania." From there, we drove to Gjirokastra, an old Ottoman town (170km of mountain roads that took us nearly 5 hours...), then further south to Butrint, near Greece. The goal of these stops? To visit UNESCO World Heritage sites. In Lin, 6th-century mosaics; in Korça, a remarkable icon museum; in Gjirokastra, the citadel. At Butrint, we fled at the sight of all the tour buses parked in front of "this major archaeological site in the Mediterranean" and headed back north! The entire Adriatic coast is undergoing severe overdevelopment: developers are destroying the coastline to attract even more tourists (11 million visited in 2024, while Albania only has 3 million residents). We preferred to leave the coastal road (in excellent condition, a future highway) to visit Berat, an Ottoman town topped by a citadel. Our favorite spot. Why were we so disappointed? Villages without charm, outskirts of major cities in advanced decay, trash along the roads... The weight of the communist dictatorship and forced industrialization over forty years is still felt everywhere. The country is recovering but betting on tourism. The result? Newly built villas for the newly rich, beaches near the capital already polluted... Too bad, because the natural landscapes are often stunning, the locals are welcoming (young people learn English, though their parents speak little), and prices remain very reasonable—except in the capital. We’d chosen to stay with locals as much as possible, but like in Croatia, families are turning their homes into guest houses (~35 € per night, hearty breakfast included). Renting the car cost us 312 € for a week (with an international rental company—it’s probably cheaper with a local one, but I prefer understanding the contract I sign), and we cautiously took the optional insurance. Just so you know: Albanians drive fast, seem unfamiliar with traffic rules, overtake before curves, ignore yellow lines, and rarely use turn signals...)

Hi there,

I’ve read that Albanian merchants (hotels, restaurants, gas stations, etc.) aren’t big fans of card payments and that the euro is widely accepted.

How is it these days? Should I plan to pay only in cash (which feels pretty unusual these days...)?

Also, all ATMs seem to charge a minimum withdrawal fee of 5 €. Which networks are the least expensive? And what’s the maximum amount you can withdraw?

Thanks to recent travelers for your answers! 🙂

Hi, We’re thinking of going to Albania at the end of May, early June 2025. We’re a bit hesitant because the timeline feels tight for planning this trip. We’re considering about ten days there. Does that seem like enough time for a first-time visit? Thanks.

Hi,

Albania is still a relatively new destination, but with its natural beauty and cultural richness, it won’t stay under the radar for long. Would it be possible to organize a discovery trip with a local agency (a reliable one, of course)... Thanks

Hi there,

We’re planning a 12-day trip to Greece next February.

It’s our first time, so we’ll be hitting the "Must-Sees"—that should keep us busy enough! 😎

The itinerary isn’t set in stone yet, but we’re already wondering if it’s doable or just crazy, if some stops are essential or a waste of time...

Here’s the plan: Day 1-2-3: Athens (we arrive midday on Day 1) Day 4: Southern Athens (Temple of Neptune) then overnight in Corinth (we’re renting a car from the airport) Day 5-6-7: Western/Southern Peloponnese (one or two places to stay, and the iconic spots: Acrocorinth, Cargo, Mycenae, Sanctuary of Epidaurus, Nafplio, Nemea...) Day 8: Transit to Delphi via Olympia Day 9-10: Delphi, Monastery of Osios Loukas... Day 11: Return to Athens via Thermopylae We were wondering if it’s feasible to add the Meteora monasteries? And Mount Olympus, just for fun?

For accommodations, do you have any recommendations for Athens? Peloponnese? Delphi? In Athens, I think it’s best to stay near the metro line that connects to the airport. But which neighborhood is good? It’s hard to navigate such a big city...

Two more questions: - Is Piraeus worth a visit? - We know February is a quieter time than peak tourist season, and that’s what we like. But there must be consequences—do all sites/museums close by 5 PM (except in Athens, maybe)? What do you do in the evenings once it’s dark?

Thanks in advance for your tips and advice!

Hello,

My partner and I are heading to Crete for 17 days this summer, from July 25 to August 11, with a rental car. We’ll book the first night or the first two nights, but our plan is to explore the east—and only the east—with no set itinerary and no other reservations.

For those in the know, are we being reckless? 🤣

We’ve had some experience with this kind of travel in Greece before: 10 days in western Crete in 2021 (though that was post-Covid) and 10 days in the Peloponnese in 2024. We only booked the first night each time, and it wasn’t really an issue. Even if we didn’t always find a place in the exact spot we were aiming for, we’d just stay a little further out, a bit less touristy, and it was great!

Do you think this style of travel is still doable in Crete in August by 2026?

Thanks for any insights if you’ve had this experience!

Best,

Hi there,

I’m planning a trip to Greece next February, flying in and out of Athens. The itinerary isn’t set yet (but it’s my first time, so I’ll hit the *must-sees*), but one thing’s for sure—we’re renting a car.

Any rental companies you’d recommend? Local agencies are usually cheaper than the big names (Avis, Europcar, etc.), but you’ve got to know which ones are reliable...

Thanks in advance for your tips! ;)

Bonjour Je pars pour Athènes 1 semaine du 27 novembre au 4 décembre seul. Je veux visiter Athènes et Santorini. Je ne sais pas jusqu'à quel point est-ce possible de suivre ce trajet (Athènes-Santorini-Athènes). Je ne connais pas ce pays ni les distances. Est-ce réalisable et réaliste en 1 semaine de pouvoir visiter Athènes et Santorini? Est-il mieux, si c'est faisable, de prendre l'avion ou le bateau pour faire Athènes-Santorini? Où est-il mieux de dormir pour que mon voyage soit le plus rentable en terme de temps? Me recommanderiez-vous le «Athens backpackers»? Merci à l'avance de votre générosité.

Hi there, The least we can say is that neither the internet nor guidebooks are overflowing with info on Thrace, this region in the far northeast of Greece (part of which is also in Bulgaria and Turkey). Needless to say, if anyone’s already visited this "eastern" Greece, I’d love to hear ANY tips about it. I’m planning to spend 4 or 5 days there next May, with a rental car. The distances seem pretty big, and I don’t want to rack up too many kilometers at the risk of being a bit disappointed—especially, what do you think of the Evros Valley, near the Turkish border? Thanks in advance.

Bonjour , Je suis à la recherche d'un guide francophone pour Visiter Istambul pendant une journée le samedi 14 juillet prochain ; qui pourrait SVP m'indiquer une référence ; éventuellement ses coordonnées afin que je puisse correspondre avec lui avant mon départ Un grand merci à ceux qui pourraient m'apporter une réponse Daniel

-Hi everyone, my brother and I will be traveling between May and June to explore Prague and the Czech Republic in general. -We're looking for locals to help us out—what to do, what not to do, where to go, what to visit, and group outings. -Basically, we need some guidance. Unfortunately, we don’t speak the local language or English well (or at all), so if you speak French, you’re very welcome to help!

-Best regards, Fabrice

Hi everyone! 🙂 We’re planning a one-week trip to Croatia but can’t decide between Zadar and Dubrovnik, especially since we’ll be using public transport or trains to explore the surrounding areas. What are some relaxed, easy things to do around these cities? We don’t want to rush. Of course, we’re really drawn to Plitvice and its park, but Dubrovnik looks so beautiful... For those of you who know these destinations well, could you help us decide, please? Thanks so much!

Hi, My question is about the open-air museums in Romanian villages. There’s one in Bucharest (Dimitrie Gusti) and another in Sibiu (Astral Museum). Which one is more interesting? Thanks so much. Pascaline

Good evening, We go on a cycling trip abroad every year for about twenty days. Obviously, we prefer small roads to discover a country. Is it possible to explore Poland mainly by taking small roads? Apart from the beautiful cities (Kraków, Warsaw, etc.), are there any regions worth discovering by bike? Thanks in advance for your replies. Jean-lucbergot

Hi there

I’ve booked a trip to Prague with my mum in mid-September.

Since I already know the city, I’d love to see something else, but I’m realizing that transport is really slow.

I wanted to go to Karlovy Vary, but it takes longer than I thought… Plus, we won’t be staying near the train station.

So I’m looking for a day trip that’s MAXIMUM 1 hour away by transport.

I really don’t like spending too much time on transport, so if it’s not doable, I’ll just skip it.

If there’s nothing accessible, I won’t bother with day trips—it’s not a big deal.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Hi there! We're heading to Athens in April 2026 with our three kids (ages 7 to 14). We won’t be renting a car and plan to stay in Athens the whole time. What do you think of this itinerary? - Day 1: Arrival and first stroll around Athens (Anafiotika, Monastiraki, Psiri, Areopagus Hill) - Day 2: Acropolis (+ museum?), Plaka, Koukaki or Filopappou depending on how we feel - Day 3: Day trip to Hydra, overnight in Aegina - Day 4: Aegina - Day 5: Changing of the Guard, National Garden, Lycabettus Hill, Panathenaic Stadium, Plaka - Day 6: Organized Peloponnese excursion - Day 7: Athens Riviera, relaxed pace - Day 8: Organized Delphi excursion - Day 9: Departure Thanks in advance! ☀️☀️☀️

Hi there. First, please excuse the dry nature of my post—I’m going to talk about insurance and credit cards!

I’m renting a car in Bulgaria using my "Gold Mastercard." I know the benefits, and in this case, I don’t need to take out additional insurance from the rental company.

However, the assistance booklet states: "The insurer cannot, under any circumstances, reimburse the insured for the amount of the CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) or LDW (Loss Damage Waiver) insurance paid to the rental company if the insured forgot to decline it or if it’s automatically included in a package the insured accepted."

The issue is that when I look at different rental companies, it’s often specified that "insurance is included" (non-declinable because it’s part of the package), and I’m worried there might be some minimal CDW or LDW coverage that would prevent my Gold Mastercard coverage from applying if needed.

Since it’s difficult to contact or communicate with rental companies (most bookings are made online) and Mastercard’s responses are pretty vague, I’m turning to you all for help.

Here are my questions: - How can I be sure the rental company’s insurance doesn’t include CDW or LDW? - Do you know of any rental companies where this is clearly stated? - Does Gold Mastercard coverage work with local agencies? - Is it possible for a rental company to refuse Gold Mastercard coverage?

I assume travelers who can answer have already had this experience.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a family road trip in the Peloponnese in April, arriving and departing from Athens, with a focus on Greek mythology, beautiful hikes, and a balanced pace (we don’t want to spend our days in the car). Here’s our draft itinerary:

Day 1: Early arrival in Athens – visit Acrocorinth and overnight in Corinth

Days 2 & 3: Drive to Dimitsana – hike in the Lousios Gorge (and maybe a detour to Olympia?), mountain villages

Days 4 & 5: Drive to Areopoli (Mani Peninsula) with a stop in Mystras

Day 6: Kalamata, visit Ancient Messene

Days 7 & 8: Pylos, Voidokilia Beach, Palace of Nestor, Gialova Lagoon

Days 9 & 10: Drive to Nafplio (Epidaurus, Mycenae)

Days 11 & 12: Hydra from the port of Ermioni

Days 12–15: Athens I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Does the pace seem reasonable? Should we adjust any stops (too long or too short)? Any must-see mythological sites or hikes along the way, in addition to what I’ve mentioned? Is Olympia really worth the detour from Dimitsana?

Thanks so much for your valuable advice!

Hi,

Has anyone recently traveled to Transnistria (Tiraspol) from Chisinau? I’d like to know how it goes. I know there’s a migration card, but what about cash?

Thanks!

Hello everyone,

I’m a bit late planning, but we’re traveling as a family from October 26 to October 31, 2025, to Athens. After that, we’ll continue our journey from the port of Piraeus for a cruise with Celestyal Cruises (November 1 to November 8) in the Cyclades.

First, a few practical tips:

Is it easy to get by speaking French in Athens, or is English a must? Any tips for making yourself understood? Our hotel is located in central Athens. What do you recommend taking from the airport? A taxi, the metro, or the bus?

For sightseeing: We’ll be there for 5 days. What do you recommend? Should we book tickets for the monuments in advance or on-site? I’ve heard about a pass for visiting 5 monuments. What does it include? Do you have to visit all the monuments on the same day, or can you spread it out over the week? On some websites, it mentions that Tuesday, October 28, would be a free day for monuments. Can anyone confirm this, and what are the rules to benefit from it? Thanks in advance to anyone who can help!

Hello, We’re planning a trip to Crete for Christmas week 2025 and would love advice from travelers who’ve visited the island in winter. What should we expect in terms of weather? Which sights are best to prioritize—or avoid? Is it easy to find restaurants open? Obviously, we’re not expecting to hit the beach 😉 or do long hikes. We love traveling at a relaxed pace, soaking up the local atmosphere without covering too many kilometers by car. Thanks in advance to anyone who can share tips! Best regards,

hi everyone, I’d like to spend two weeks in Poland visiting the most beautiful spots: monuments, landscapes, etc. Do you think two weeks is enough? I’m planning to rent a car and book a room as I go. If anyone’s done this road trip before, I’d love to hear your thoughts and recommendations. Thanks! 🙂

Hi everyone, For about twenty years now, we’ve been regularly visiting the Cyclades to enjoy some rest, sunshine, the sea, scooter rides, lovely tavernas, and the hospitality of the Greeks (around fifteen trips in total). This September, my partner and I have decided to return to Ikaria, the island where we spent a few days in Agios Kirykos and Therma. This year, we’ll be arriving in Evdilos and would love some tips on the southern coast of Evdilos and the central part of the island—places that are doable by scooter (max 20 to 30 km round trip). For those interested, we’d be happy to share our experiences from Tinos, Syros, Amorgos, Ikaria, Fourni, the Small Cyclades, and, from longer ago, Santorini, Paros, Anti-Paros, and Naxos. Happy travels to all

BONJOUR j, aimerais savoir si dans les hotels des villes polonaises , on peut regarder une chaine en français genre france 24 ou euronews ???merci ...