Western Europe

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

Hi everyone, I’m asking for your help because I’m planning a 5-day trip to Scotland starting from Glasgow. I’d like to visit the Isle of Skye—my problem is, is it accessible without a car? And what can you do on this island?

Hi, could you give me your thoughts on the itinerary I’ve put together? We’re not exactly short on stops 1 Edinburgh 2 Edinburgh 3 Tarbet for the seafood festival 4 Tarbet 5 Oban 6 Mull 7 Oban 8 Laggan 9 Portree 10 Inverness 11 Ullapool 12 Durness Tongue 13 Wick Tain 14 Perth 15 St Andrews Edinburgh Thanks

Hi, I’d like to go from Tarbert to Oban. Could you give me some advice, please? Should I take the A83 via Inveraray or the A816 along the coast? Thanks

Hello Community!

I’ll be in Iceland from June 26 to July 14 (19 days). The trip is split into two parts: Day 1 to Day 13 as a 4x4 road trip / Day 14 to Day 19 as the Laugavegur Trek. We’ll be in a 4x4 like a Jimny with a roof tent, and for the trek, we’ll be self-sufficient (tent, sleeping mat, etc.).

I’ve tried to put together a summary below. Even though I’ve already used the forum a lot to build this itinerary, I’d love to hear your thoughts: any improvements? additions? priorities? recommended campgrounds?

Thanks in advance for sharing! :)

Looking forward to reading your replies!

Best, Clément

Day 1 (06/26) – Arrival in Reykjavik

Visit Reykjanes Peninsula, Blue Lagoon, pick up vehicle

Day 2 (06/27) – Reykjavik → Gullfoss (~2h)

Hike Mount Esja, Golden Circle: Thingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss

Day 3 (06/28) – Gullfoss → Vik (~3h30)

Hike Reykjadalur, Seljalandsfoss & Skogafoss waterfalls

Day 4 (06/29) – Vik → Skaftafell / Vatnajökull (~3h)

Fjaðrárgljúfur, hike Svartifoss & Kristinartindar

Day 5 (06/30) – Vatnajökull → Höfn (~2h)

Jökulsárlón, glacier hike (with guide)

Day 6 (07/01) – Höfn → Egilsstaðir (~4h30)

Stokksnes, hike Hengifoss

Day 7 (07/02) – Egilsstaðir → Myvatn (~3h)

Myvatn Nature Baths, Hverfjall, Grjótagjá caves

Day 8 (07/03) – Myvatn → Húsavík (~1h30)

Hike Dettifoss & Selfoss, whale watching

Day 9 (07/04) – Húsavík → Akureyri (~1h30)

Visit Akureyri, hike Súlur

Day 10 (07/05) – Akureyri → Snæfellsnes (~4h30)

Hvítserkur, hike Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Day 11 (07/06) – Snæfellsnes → Borgarnes (~2h)

Snæfellsjökull, Kirkjufell, beaches

Day 12 (07/07) – Borgarnes → Kerlingarfjöll (~3h)

Route to the Highlands, hike colorful mountains

Day 13 (07/08) – Kerlingarfjöll → Landmannalaugar (~3h)

Route via Hveravellir, overnight in Landmannalaugar

Day 14 (07/09) – Laugavegur Trek: Landmannalaugar → Hrafntinnusker (~4-5h hike)

Day 15 (07/10) – Hrafntinnusker → Álftavatn (~6-7h hike)

Day 16 (07/11) – Álftavatn → Emstrur (~6-7h hike)

Day 17 (07/12) – Emstrur → Þórsmörk → Reykjavik (~6h hike + return); end of trek

Day 18 (07/13) – Reykjavik / Landmannalaugar (return) Free hikes: Bláhnúkur, Skalli

Day 19 (07/14) – Departure from Iceland

Hi there,

I’m desperately turning to you all for advice—I just can’t seem to organize myself or make efficient city choices for such a short trip.

There are two of us, and we’re heading to Scotland for a few days in July, without a driver’s license. We arrive in Edinburgh (where we’ve already been) on a Friday at noon and need to be in Glasgow by Monday or Tuesday at the latest.

Between the two, we’d love to catch a glimpse of the Highlands—do you think that’s doable? From Edinburgh, is it easy to get to Inverness, Fort William, or other spots (?) for 2 nights (3 max)? Would you recommend the train or the bus? Which company? Any suggestions for a reasonable little itinerary?

For example, I was thinking of doing Edinburgh → Fort William, and once there, either renting bikes and exploring or taking a round-trip train to Mallaig in the same day, since the route looks stunning.

Alternatively, we could skip the Highlands if there are pretty towns around Edinburgh or Glasgow.

Any tips would be *so* appreciated—thanks a million! !

Hi there, I live in Quebec and I’m planning a trip to Italy. We’re thinking of visiting Rome, Florence, Venice, and Tuscany. Here are a few questions I haven’t been able to find clear answers to online. If anyone can help, I’d really appreciate it—thanks in advance!

- There are different City Passes for Rome. I’ve found the differences between them, but whenever I try to simulate a purchase, I’m always redirected to another site like Tiquet. Is there an official Tourism Office website for these?

- Is it easy to get around Tuscany by public transport, especially in the Chianti region?

- For guided tours (or not), which company do you prefer? Get Your Guide? Viator?

Looking forward to your recommendations—thanks again!

Hi there, I’m planning a trip for early July, departing from and returning to Cagliari. I had originally planned to visit these two areas: 1 - Chia/Teulada/Iglesias 2 - Sinis Peninsula (Tharros/Cabras) and Bosa

But after some thought, I’m wondering if the Gulf of Orosei (Cala Gonone/boat excursions) might be nicer than Chia/Teulada/Iglesias. I’d love to hear advice from travelers who’ve visited these regions of Sardinia.

We’re traveling as a family with two teens. Given the time of year, I don’t think we’ll do much hiking. We’re not big fans of crowded places.

Thanks! Marianne

Hello

Je projette un petit tour en famille avec un ado en voiture dans le Benelux vers la troisième semaine d'août, avec un passage par Amsterdam, en arrivant par le sud et en repartant par le nord. Arriver à Amsterdam en voiture oui, mais me garer dans Amsterdam ça paraît pas une bonne idée, donc je cherche SOIT un hébergement dans une banlieue sympa d'Amsterdam où je pourrais me garer facilement sans que ça me coûte un bras, mais sur le trajet du métro, SOIT un hébergement dans une petite ville pas loin, facilement accessible en train depuis Amsterdam, style 30' max de train. A priori je compte passer max 2 jours 3 nuits sur place. Je vise entre 100€ et 150€ par nuit, avec ou sans petit déj. Des idées? Je suis preneur! Merci.

Mat

Hi everyone,

For the May public holidays, we’ve planned a 5-day trip to Puglia (which feels a bit short, but we couldn’t do otherwise—work commitments!).

We’ll be staying in Bari and plan to explore the surrounding villages on day trips or half-day trips. We’re struggling to decide which ones to visit.

What do you think is doable/reasonable in 5 days? Are some places more worth it than others?

Off the top of our heads, we were considering: Lecce, Ostuni, Alberobello, Brindisi, Matera, and Polignano a Mare... I think we won’t be able to do it all, so we’re thinking of cutting some destinations—but which ones?

Thanks in advance! Tyflore

Hi there, I’m planning a roughly 15-day trip to Scotland at the end of September/beginning of October for a road trip (meaning: renting a car and finding accommodations at strategic points). There won’t be anything original in my itinerary—I’m discovering Scotland for the first time, so I’ll be visiting the most well-known spots. I’d love to hear your thoughts and advice. I’m a bit worried about trying to do *too much* in 15 days—the idea is to enjoy myself and not rush or spend my days in the car.

Here are the places I was thinking of stopping to sleep, which gives an idea of the route I’d like to take:

Day 1: Arrival in Edinburgh in the evening Day 2: Day in Edinburgh Day 3: Edinburgh → Cairngorms Day 4: Cairngorms Day 5: Cairngorms → Inverness Day 6: Inverness → Torridon Day 7: Torridon → Plockton Day 8: Plockton → Isle of Skye Day 9: Isle of Skye Day 10: Isle of Skye Day 11: Isle of Skye → Glenfinnan Day 12: Glenfinnan → Trossachs Day 13: Trossachs → Glasgow Day 14: Glasgow → Edinburgh, departure early afternoon

I’m open to all feedback on the itinerary, especially from those who’ve already explored Scotland. Specifically about the stops/overnights—if there’s a better way to do it and if it’s doable without feeling too rushed. Thanks everyone! 🙂

Hi there, I’d like to climb to the top of Vesuvius by taking the bus from Herculaneum. I’ve figured out how to get there, but what I can’t quite work out is whether I *have* to book on their website or if I can just show up without a reservation. Thanks!

Hi, could you tell me how to get to the airport from Geneva train station (I’ll be arriving from Bourg-en-Bresse, France) and how much time I should allow for the trip? Thanks in advance!

Hi there,

I’m heading to Sicily for the 3rd time at the end of August. I’ve planned to spend 2 nights in the Aeolian Islands. I know you’ll say—rightly so—that it’s too short, but I can’t do any better. I’ve already been to Vulcano.

Which island is the most worth visiting for its stunning landscapes and views?

At this point, I was thinking of spending 1 night on Stromboli (and doing the ascent) and 1 night on Lipari, Salina, or Panarea.

Thanks for your tips, personal experiences, and have a great weekend!

Virginie

Hi there, What are the best things to do around Lakes Como, Garda, and Maggiore? Thanks

Hi, I found an Italian peer-to-peer car rental site that seems much cheaper than traditional car rentals in Italy. I just need to know before booking—has anyone had any direct experience with it?

Thanks in advance

Hi everyone,

We’re heading to Vienna in 3 weeks for a 5-day trip! After reading a few travel journals and discussions about this destination, I still can’t quite figure out what the must-sees are. Your itineraries are so varied that it’s hard to narrow it down!

Ideally, we’d like to explore Vienna without feeling like we’re stuck in museums. If you have recommendations for little green oases, short urban walking routes, or addresses for charming cafés, we’d love to hear them!

Thanks in advance for your help! !

I’m planning a family trip to Vienna next month, and I’m shocked by the entry prices.

Our itinerary includes the classic sights: Hofburg, National Library, Albertina, Schönbrunn, Belvedere, Fine Arts Museum, Natural History Museum, Secession… the total comes to around 200 € per person, and there are six of us!

I’m currently looking into combo tickets to see if we can save some money. There’s the Vienna Pass, but it’s still pretty expensive for the length of our stay.

Does anyone have any suggestions on this?

Hi, I’m planning a wine trip in the Alentejo by car. Starting from Marbella, I can either follow the coast and stop over near Huelva, or head north and stop over near Aracena. I’m wondering which route is more enjoyable and which village is the most interesting for an overnight stop. Thanks

Hi, I saw that you can take the navebus to Pegli. Could you tell me where to catch it, and are there other ways to get there? Also, which is better to visit: Pegli, Bocadasse, Nervi, or Camogli... if you're spending 6 full days in Genoa and have a bit of time to dedicate to one or more nearby spots? Thanks in advance for your answers.

Hi fellow travelers.

I’m planning a trip to the Norwegian fjords soon, and of course, I’ll need to exchange my euros for Norwegian kroner since the currency isn’t the same as in France.

I know you can exchange money at tourist offices or some banks.

Honestly, I’m writing this because it’s my first time traveling to a country that doesn’t use the euro, and I’m wondering how the process works.

Do I need to take care of any administrative steps before heading there, or have special documents on hand to exchange money once I arrive? Do I have to have cash for this?

Or can I just walk into a bank like nothing’s up and exchange money using my bank details, employment contract, etc.?

Anyway, I just wanted to get some details on how it all works and what I’ll need to do to make sure everything goes smoothly and without any issues—I have no idea how this works and don’t want any bad surprises.

Looking forward to your replies! 😉

Hi everyone, I’m planning a week-long trip to southern Portugal with my two teens. I’m looking for accommodation ideally located near Faro. What do you think of the towns of Lagos and Albufeira? Is it easy to get around these places using public transport, or is it better to rent a car to make the most of our stay? If you have any accommodation recommendations (hotel, campsite, Airbnb, or other), I’d love to hear them. Thanks so much in advance for your tips and valuable feedback! Hélène

Bonjour, Lors d'un prochain voyage en Belgique, j'aimerais me procurer sur place un T-shirt Tintin que j'ai vu à la boutique Tintin en ligne et dont la boutique physique est à Bruxelles.

Savez-vous s'il y a d'autres boutiques Tintin ailleurs en Belgique ? Ou des dépositaires de ce T-shirts Je n'ai rien trouvé avec Google .

Merci

Hi there, I’m planning a trip to the White Villages and noticed that many are in the Province of Cádiz—like Setenil de las Bodegas, Olvera, Ubrique, Grazalema, Zahara de la Sierra, Medina-Sidonia, and Vejer de la Frontera. Are all of these worth visiting, or are there others you’d recommend? I’ve already been to Arcos de la Frontera and Ronda in the area and wouldn’t mind returning, of course. I’m also considering the Caminito del Rey, so maybe a few interesting villages in the province of Málaga too. Do you think an itinerary starting from Málaga (arriving at the airport) with 2 or 3 stops (like Ronda, Arcos, and a third in one of these villages) would work? Thanks for your tips!

Hi there, I’ve just booked our flight tickets for my family. We’re heading to Ireland for a week between July and August—it’s our first time (with 1 teen and 2 younger kids).

We’ll be landing in Cork where we’ve rented a car. Initially, I was planning to focus our visits and walks on the Ring of Kerry and Dingle, but it looks like the roads get pretty busy in the summer.

So now I’m thinking of sticking to the "West Cork" area (Beara, Sheep’s Head, Mizen Head), which seems quieter.

For those who know the area, is this a good idea, or are we at risk of missing out on more spectacular landscapes? Thanks in advance! Best regards

Hi there, We’re heading to Norway in May for a self-drive trip around the Bergen area, and we’d love to do a few-hour cruise on the Sognefjord—especially on the day we’ll be near Balestrand-Fjærland. I can’t find any reliable info (the *Routard* guide doesn’t say much except that it’s expensive!). Any ideas? Where should I look or ask? Do we need to book in advance?... Thanks for any tips!

Hi there,

We're planning our next September vacation for 10 days. We're thinking of going to the Balearic Islands but we're torn between Mallorca, Menorca, and Ibiza. And most importantly, which areas should we avoid and which should we prioritize, for example in Mallorca? We want to steer clear of places that are too crowded and too urbanized, and we'll be getting around by rental car.

Is it possible to visit two islands in 10 days with a ferry transfer?

Thanks for your tips!

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

We’re 4 adults traveling to Italy in April/May for a month. We arrive in Marseille and will spend 2 days in Avignon. We’re renting a car and heading to Rome. We’ll visit Cinque Terre and Pisa. We’re looking for accommodations where we can leave the car and explore using nearby public transport. I’d love suggestions for places to stay in Cinque Terre and Rome. If you have any tips for scenic routes (avoiding highways), that’d be great too. Thanks

Hi there, I’m planning to spend two short weeks in Scotland in June, renting a car in Edinburgh with the goal of focusing on the islands. If I can only see two (due to tight timing) out of Lewis, Skye, and Mull, which would you recommend?

I was thinking something like this:

Nantes Edinburgh Flight Edinburgh Ullapool Car Ullapool Lewis / Stornoway Ferry Lewis Car Harris / Tarbert Skye / Uig Ferry Skye Car Skye Scotland Car via the bridge So, I don’t think I’ll have time for Mull.

Thanks for your traveler tips! Daniel