Western Europe

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,

We’d like to book a shuttle for a transfer from Lille to Brussels Zaventem. I’ve found several shuttle companies online. Which one should we go with for reliability? We want to be sure someone will pick us up for both the outbound and return trips. We came across Holidays Airport, which offers a round trip for 2 adults and 2 kids at 205 €, and A3 at 180 €. I’m a bit surprised because the price difference is pretty big.

What do you recommend? I’ll also check the rates with Aero-Trans and STNavette (though I’ve heard people had issues with STNavette).

Thanks for your advice and experiences!

Hi, For an upcoming trip to Belgium, I’d like to buy a Tintin T-shirt I saw on the Tintin online store—their physical shop is in Brussels.

Do you know if there are other Tintin shops elsewhere in Belgium? Or any retailers that carry these T-shirts? I couldn’t find anything on Google.

Thanks

Hi everyone,

I’m planning an 8-night trip to Norway in early March 2019, specifically around Tromsø and the surrounding area. I’d love to experience the Nordic winter, its vast landscapes, the northern lights, discover the local wildlife, and most of all, take some amazing photos in these magical settings.

But I’ve got a few questions, especially about how to split my nights and plan the route.

I’m planning to land in Tromsø and stay there for 2 or maybe 3 nights—so far, so good—but after that, I’m torn between the Lofoten Islands or Senja Island for the remaining nights.

The Lofoten Islands seem magical for a photography enthusiast like me, with their little harbors and steep mountains, but the downside is the distance from Tromsø, especially in winter. What do you think? Is it doable to make a round trip from Tromsø to Lofoten in a week, especially in winter (are the roads passable? Is the weather unpredictable? Is the drive worth it?)? Because ideally, I’d like to return the rental car to the same agency in Tromsø to avoid extra costs.

After doing some more research, I came across Senja Island, which some blogs call a "mini Norway." The big advantage is that it’s only a 2-hour drive from Tromsø, but is it as charming as the Lofoten Islands?

And if you’ve got any tips for this route, I’m all ears! 😛

I’d love to hear about your experiences or knowledge, and thanks in advance for your replies! 😉

Arnaud

Hello! My husband and I, both retired, are heading to Porto. What are the transportation options from the airport to the city center and our hotel, the CROWNE PLAZA PORTO? What are the fares for the bus, metro, and taxi? Is the hotel well-located for shops, restaurants, and points of interest? What should we visit? Thanks for your tips!

We’re a group of 10 sixty-somethings heading to Rome for three days at the end of May.

Can anyone recommend a reliable local agency for a complete package: tours, hotel, restaurants, etc.?

Hello fellow travelers!!😉 My flight tickets are booked—off to Porto for a 4-day weekend! I was thinking of spending 2 days in the Douro (from my early Saturday morning arrival (!!) until Sunday evening) and 2 days in Porto (from Sunday evening to Tuesday evening). Does that sound reasonable to you? I plan to rent a car for the first two days so I can be free to move around without being tied to train or bus schedules. What are your favorite spots? Any village recommendations to visit and spend the night (Saturday night)? Has anyone done this kind of weekend before? Thanks in advance for all your great tips, and have a wonderful day! Manou

Hi there, I’m visiting Rome from May 20th to 30th. For sightseeing, if you’ve got any great tips or unusual spots, I’d love to hear them. For the classics, should I book online in advance? For meals, I’m also looking for good little places (little = not too expensive). Thanks in advance for your replies.

Best regards,

Christian

Hi there, We’re planning a family stay of 4 days in Santa Susanna on the Costa Dorada in mid-April. We’ve found accommodation within our budget and close to the sea. We’ll definitely visit Barcelona for at least one day. Could you recommend other interesting towns or villages to visit near Santa Susanna? If there are any, that is? Because I might be wrong, but after doing some research, it seems like this town and its immediate surroundings are just beach resorts—maybe a bit too concrete-heavy? It’s fine in the summer, but in April, we might get bored quickly. We’ve even considered changing locations if necessary to get closer to Barcelona since we booked with free cancellation. What do you think? Any advice is welcome. Thanks.

Hi, I’m spending a week in Barcelona at the beginning of March (a city I know a little), would you have any unusual spots or personal favorites to recommend that aren’t necessarily in the guidebooks? Whether it’s cultural, historical, restaurants, or anything else!

Hi there,

I’m just waiting for my time off to be confirmed, and I’ll be heading out either from April 21st to the 24th, or possibly until the 25th.

I’ll be staying in Porto. What is there to do in Porto in 3-4 days? Thanks

We're heading to Rome from May 21st to 24th. Does anyone know some good spots (restaurants) for affordable meals in the city center while we're sightseeing? Thanks

Hi, Do you have any recommendations for well-located accommodation with good value for money to visit Rome? Thanks!

I'm planning a possible 3-week trip to Barcelona. First time in Spain. I like being close to the metro but not right in the tourist center. Can you recommend a safe neighborhood?

Thanks, René

I’d like to spend a trip with 3 days in Porto, then drive down to Lisbon for 3 or 4 days. How many days should I plan for the route between the two, and what’s worth visiting along the way? Thanks

Hi, we're heading to Porto in June for 8 days. I'm thinking we'll look for accommodation once we're there—either a room or an apartment. Is that possible? Thanks. Sylvie

Hi there, Can anyone give me some info on Barcelona neighborhoods? Is Poblenou a good area? Which parts of the city should we avoid? Thanks!

Hi there, we’re heading to Porto next week for a few days. Our itinerary is already set, but as wine lovers, we’re looking for great wine bar recommendations in Porto. Thanks so much if you can help us out with our search! Joannie

Hi, we’re heading to Porto from May 5th to 9th—anyone know a good local spot to hear fado? Thanks

I’ll be in Rome on May 31st and June 1st, and before then, I’d love to find an affordable place to stay for the night before my cruise on the Koningsdam on June 1st.

Hi there, I’ve searched a lot using Voyage Forum’s search engine but can’t find a recent, satisfactory answer. So, I’m asking my question: we’re spending 2 days in Barcelona at the end of May and are looking for a **secure parking lot** where we can leave our car, as we plan to use the metro to get around the city.

Can anyone recommend one or more addresses for a secure parking lot? Thanks in advance for your tips!

Hi everyone, I’ll be in Barcelona from July 30 to August 18 by car and I’m looking for a free parking solution in the city or nearby. Have a great day

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a trip from Porto to Cascais to Lisbon. Is there a direct bus from Porto to Cascais where we’ll be stopping for 2 days? I know I can take a train from Porto to Lisbon and then switch to another train for Cascais, but I was wondering if there’s a direct bus to avoid a connection and the detour via Lisbon... I haven’t found any train options, anyway. On Red Expressos, the bus company, they don’t list Cascais as a destination from Porto. But maybe there’s another company? Thanks in advance for your tips!

I’m visiting Rome in early September and looking for a guide for a day trip to Vatican City—museums and St. Peter’s Basilica—and another day exploring ancient Rome: Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. There are so many guides listed across Rome’s sites—it’s hard to choose! Would anyone have a recommendation for a pleasant guide who helps skip the lines, is knowledgeable, and offers small-group or private tours? Thanks

Hello

I’m planning a little family road trip with a teen to the Benelux region during the third week of August, including a stop in Amsterdam—arriving from the south and leaving to the north. Driving into Amsterdam is fine, but parking in the city itself doesn’t seem like a great idea, so I’m looking for EITHER accommodation in a nice suburb of Amsterdam where I can park easily without it costing an arm and a leg, but still on the metro line, OR somewhere in a small town nearby that’s easily accessible by train from Amsterdam—max 30 minutes away. I’m planning to spend a maximum of 2 days and 3 nights there. I’m aiming for between 100 € and 150 € per night, with or without breakfast. Any suggestions? I’m all ears! Thanks.

Mat

Hi everyone, We're heading to Porto with a small group of friends from September 10th to 14th. I carefully read Pinacoladada’s travel journal, which is already packed with great info—thanks to her! I don’t like falling into tourist traps—could you recommend must-see spots, transportation, restaurants, and shopping tips? (Yes, sorry, I want to know it all!!!) I’d love to use this short trip to start preparing my Christmas gifts! Last year in Lisbon, my suitcase wasn’t big enough, so this year I want to make up for it! I’m looking for good places for a leather jacket, shoes, and of course, cork items! Thanks so much for your help! Have a great day

Hi fellow travelers,

I think October is my favorite time of year to start planning our summer holidays. We're planning a 12- to 14-day trip to Wales (with a few detours into England) next July. After quite a bit of reading, we’ve put together a first itinerary. Just to set the scene: we’re a couple in our late 30s (38 and 37), traveling with our kids aged 9 and 6. We’ll be leaving from Champagne with our car—a sedan—and crossing the Channel by ferry. For the legend: purple stars (things we’d like to see, though we’ll obviously prioritize based on your feedback), orange beds (two-night stops), green beds (one-night stops). Ashford will be a quick overnight stop on the way out, and Swindon a brief stop on the way back (this one might be skipped depending on ferry times). Don’t be surprised not to see Caerphilly or Tintern—they’re already ticked off from our Scotland road trip! 😉



Here’s our shortlist of things to see (in no particular order), keeping in mind we’re especially keen on historical sites like castles, religious landmarks, and a few scenic walks:

Pembroke, Aberaeron, Aberystwyth, Arthur's Stone, Brecon Beacons, Abereiddy Bay, Cadair Idris, Caernarfon, Conwy, Carew Castle, Dolbardarn Castle, Dolgoch Falls, Fforest Fawr, Gower Peninsula, Harlech Castle, Laugharne, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgor... (you get the idea, lol), Llanthony Priory, St. Andrew's Church, Pen y Fan, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Puzzle Wood, Skirrid Inn, Mount Snowdon, St Davids Bishop's Palace, Stokesay Castle, Tenby, Tretower Castle, Valle Crucis Abbey. Thanks in advance to anyone who shares feedback! 😎

Hello,

This spring, my husband and I would like to visit Porto. Does anyone know of a nice hotel in Porto's port area or very close to it, please? Thanks in advance for your tips or info. Best regards, Mamigigi

Hi everyone,

We'd like to go on a week-long trip next February with our two kids (13 and 4 years old) to either Madeira or the Canary Islands.

For this vacation, we're looking for a relaxing week with the option to go hiking, and where the kids can enjoy the pool... We were thinking of an all-inclusive package, even though it's not really our thing (we usually prefer road trips and organizing everything ourselves) just so we don’t have to do anything—especially not cooking! 😎

But I looked into it, and hotels with this package are just massive: 500, 800 rooms 😮, that’s not going to work at all!! And the price for four of us—yikes! So we thought about half-board instead, in a smaller resort. Really, we’d like to avoid concrete everywhere—we prefer nature!

Anyway, I’d love to hear your tips for planning our trip. If you have other destinations that might fit, I’m all ears. We don’t want to go too far, and temperatures around 15°C would be perfect. We want to relax, have a pool for the kids, but still have the chance to explore the area (hiking, etc.).

Thanks, and have a great day

Hi everyone, I’m planning a trip to Barcelona with my girlfriend for 3 days—arriving Saturday midday and leaving Tuesday early afternoon. Here’s what I’ve listed to visit: - Sagrada Familia - Park Güell - Gothic Quarter - La Rambla - Boqueria Market - Picasso Museum

Do you think all of this is doable? I’ve grabbed the metro map and I’m trying to figure out the simplest way to fit everything in. And most importantly, are those famous Barcelona City passes with skip-the-line tickets really worth it?

Thanks, friends! :)