Western Europe

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.

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

Hello,

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 😏

Thanks for your help!

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!

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!

Hi there,

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...??).

Thanks!

Hello fellow travelers

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 😅

Thanks!

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,

Hi everyone,

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?

Thanks for your help! :)

Hi everyone,

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.

Thanks in advance for your tips!

After 3 nights in Naples, we want to visit the Amalfi Coast. Which town would be the best base?

We’re in Vienna for two days. What are the main sites to visit? Thanks in advance

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!

Hi there,

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.

I’d love a nice spot by the sea in Andalusia in December

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!

We’ve booked 5 days in Dublin and 5 days in Galway.

We’ll be traveling by train or bus.

What are the best places to visit in both cities to avoid repetition?

Louise 🍀

I'd love to organize a romantic weekend in Italy.

What do you recommend?

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

Hey there, I’m heading to Tuscany in August for three weeks. Does anyone have any tips to share? Thanks in advance! Olivier

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

Hello,

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, 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.

Thanks

Hi there, I’m heading to Setúbal at the end of June with my granddaughter, and I can’t seem to find clear info on the best way to get from Lisbon Airport to Setúbal. It looks like there’s a train or bus, but I can’t find the exact names of the bus (or train) companies or the precise departure points. Thanks if anyone can help me out! 😉 Just to clarify, I’m on a tight budget and have already ruled out taxis or similar options.

Hi there, I visited the Faroe Islands in late March 2026 for about ten days. I was invited by a friend who lives near Tórshavn, so I don’t have any info on tourist accommodations or car rentals. Still, I’d like to share a few thoughts about my trip: - Before leaving, I consulted travel guides and blogs. I was surprised by how repetitive and unoriginal the featured sites were. This leads hurried travelers to follow the same overcrowded routes, which can annoy locals. I found that all Faroese villages were interesting—they reflect the country’s identity, even without the iconic grass-roofed houses. Those are indeed harmonious and beautiful, but they feel like an exotic cliché. For activities, I loved the lively ports that keep the country running. - I was annoyed by the paid trails in tourist spots. Locals explained that these paths cross private land, and owners are responsible for maintenance and safety. There are plenty of free trails, too—signs at the start detail their features. While not alarmist, the extreme and unpredictable weather is a key factor to consider before setting out. - The wind’s strength really impressed me. The architecture, with doors and windows opening outward to prevent gusts from blowing roofs off, speaks to the harsh climate. Some days, relentless rain and squalls made going outside unappealing. I realized that in this country, it’s best to plan for flexible indoor days. - Distances are relatively short. I was happy to be based near Tórshavn because it was easy to explore one or more places in a day. The roads are in great condition. In late March, diesel was 2 €. Tunnel tolls can add up (~26 € per crossing), making a fixed base less practical than I’d thought. - Everyone agrees: the landscapes are breathtaking. Nature feels untamed here—except for the short grass, thanks to all the woolly sheep. - The flight from Paris to the Faroe Islands (and back) was long in March—11 hours with three legs: Paris-Amsterdam, Amsterdam-Copenhagen, Copenhagen-Vágar. In bad weather, Vágar Airport can close, causing delays. During tourist season, Atlantic Airways offers a direct Paris-Faroe Islands flight, which is more comfortable and cheaper. - I found a book recommendation in a guide that fascinated me after my trip: *Les collectionneurs d'images* by Joanes Nielsen. Through its sometimes caricatured characters, it offers a glimpse into Faroese mentalities from the 1950s to 1970s—attitudes that likely persist today. In conclusion, I’ve traveled a lot and I’m tired of destinations that all start to look the same. The Faroe Islands were a delight—a country stunning in its landscape, climate, and culture, where tourism has barely altered its authenticity.

Hello, We’re heading to Puglia at the end of May. We’re a senior couple. We arrive in Bari, where we’ve booked accommodation for 2 nights. We’ve rented a car. Day 1: Bari Day 2: Polignano a Mare – Monopoli Day 3: Ostuni – Brindisi Day 4: Lecce Day 5 & 6: Exploring the coast from Otranto to Santa Maria di Leuca Day 7 & 8: Gallipoli area Day 9 & 10: Matera

We’re considering renting a place near Lecce for 5 days and using it as a base to explore the region.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Best regards, Jean Michel

Hi everyone

We’re thinking of a getaway to Lisbon in October—how much time should we plan? Any great tips or must-see spots?

Thanks!

Hi there, 🙂

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)?

Our main goal is hiking.

Thanks for your tips!😉

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,