On ne se connait pas et donc il vous est difficile de savoir comment et pourquoi j'ai fait ce montage...
En fait je ne cache pas une nature écolo, mais je fais des montages audio-visuels divers et variés sur des thèmes tout aussi divers et variés...
Le naufrage provoqué par ce "brave" Schettino m'a simplement donné l'idée de mettre en image ce petit clin d'oeil qui veut faire la part des choses entre le Venise qu'on peut visiter tranquillement et en quasi-solitaire dès lors que l'on s'éloigne des sentiers de fourmis et celui du tourisme de masse... J'y ai été bien aidé puisque c'était pendant le carnaval 2007...
La relation entre le tourisme de masse et la possibilité d'un accident de bateau un jour est venue toute seule, au feeling ... Voila c'est tout simple et ma réflexion quand j'ai fait ce montage allait certainement bien moins loin que la votre à l'instant présent :) ... et je ne pensais nullement à la pollution qui s'échappe des cheminées de ces monstres aquatiques...
Edit : du coup j'ai oublié de répondre en partie, sur les "coups de poing"..
En fait c'était pour signifier que d'un coup les touristes présents étaient plus attirés par la présence du bateau qui apparaît après que par le carnaval lui-même... Voyez jusqu'où ça va :) ...
C'est un peu par hasard que je suis tombé sur cette discussion que j'ai, je l'avoue, parcouru en diagonale et puis je lis les derniers posts où ça parle d'une vidéo ou peut être un montage ? Là mon attention monte d'un cran, aurais je oublié quelque chose ? Je pars à la recherche du fameux document.😉 Enfin je le trouve, je le lance puis au bout de quelques secondes je met le diaporama en pause histoire de vérifier que je suis bien sur la rubrique "Croisière" de VF plutôt que sur celle de "Photographie et vidéo en voyage", pas de doute je suis bien sur la première nommée. Je continue la lecture et il me faut pas longtemps pour comprendre qu'il y a du boulot derrière ce montage, d'abord de la qualité au niveau cadrage dans les différentes prises de vues, une bande son qui soutient bien les images et met pas longtemps à me transporter dans l'ambiance vénitienne. Bref une bien belle réalisation pas si fréquente à voir dans le coin. Bon, J'attend avec impatience ta prochaine réalisation sur la Toscane, je sais qu'il y a de beaux paysages et surtout de très belles lumières là bas, en tous cas de quoi t'exprimer derrière ton viseur. 😉
Et quand on sait que ces gros navires à l'arrêt polluent autant qu'un million de voitures....😇
Bonjour,
Je ne vais pas répondre sur le sujet des bateaux ou non à Venise mais sur votre assertion. Je suis retraité de l énergie et je connais très bien le sujet.
En mer à 20 noeuds un navire de 100000 t consomme 40Mw de puissance .a quai il a besoin de 6 Mw.il faut 200l de fioul pour produire 1Mw.donc à quai un bateau de cette taille brûle 1200 litres par heure.
Si vous divisez ce chiffre par la consommation horaire d une voiture soit 6litres vous obtenez 200 voitures en équivalence.
Si votre chiffre est bon alors il faudrait à quai par heure 1000000 de voitures multipliés par 6litres soit 6millions de litres ou 6000m3 par heure.ce qui équivaut pur une journée à quai à un énorme tanker.......
Et pour finir un bateau à un réservoir que de 3000 à 4000m3.
Voilà la réalité.....loin de votre assertion
Quand à ceux qui parlent de solaire et d éoliennes je peux sur votre demande vous envoyer le lien du logiciel RTE.qui vous donnera en permanence à l instant 't' la production de cette énergie.c est très parlant .....
Cordialement à tous et surtout profitez bien de votre entrée dans Venise en bateau qui font pour moi moins de dégâts que les vapporettos..
J Jacques
Oulah ! Je ne vais pas entrer dans une querelle d'expert que je ne suis pas, loin de là.. J'ai simplement repris un extrait d'article de Thalassa qu'on peut certainement vouloir accuser de parti-pris...
Si mon assertion ne tient pas, vous oubliez qu'il s'agit d'un côté de gas-oil et de filtres à particules sur les véhicules, et de fuel lourd sans filtrage de l'autre... Il semblerait que de nouvelles dispositions vont imposer à ces géants des mers une autre source d'énergie à quai...
Je n'en sais pas davantage et comme je l'ai écrit plus haut je ne défends pas la cause écolo...
Article de Thalassa
Chargés en fioul lourd, ces paquebots seraient responsables d’une pollution atmosphérique semblable à celle dégagée par un million d’automobiles par jour, même à l’arrêt. Une pollution qui s’explique par le fait que, durant les escales, ces villes flottantes continuent de nécessiter une alimentation énergétique continue. Certaines villes portuaires ont ainsi commencé à se plaindre de cette pollution dont ils en supportent le coût, comme c’est le cas de la ville de Southampton, en Angleterre, qui dénonçait récemment la pollution émise par le grand paquebot de croisière du monde, le « Harmony of the Seas », qui brûle quotidiennement pas moins de 250 000 litres du diesel le plus polluant au monde.
Bonjour, bien sûr si cela vient de Thalassa....
Un chiffre juste pour l harmony qui consomme en navigation 250 t de fioul par jour.ce qui correspond à mes calculs.
Le fioul brûlé aujourd'hui n a plus rien à voir avec celui de 25 ans en arrière.il est totalement desulfure et possède très peu de résidus.de plus les moteurs sont de haute technologies et n, on rien à voir avec les anciens moteurs des années 1990.ces moteurs sont de plus spéciaux pour avoir un graissage parfaits de l embouteillage dans de très mauvaises mers.
En. Conclusion on entends souvent dans les médias d énormes bêtises surtout pour faire passer certains messages....
Mon propos n est pas de dire qu' il n y a pas de pollution .mais pas dans la grandeur annoncée.
Je suis bien évidemment pour le raccordement en France sur une borne alimentée par le nucléaire sans risque de particules fines, mais pour les autres pays qui tournent au fioul ou au charbon , je ne vois qu'un déplacement du problème
Quand au énergies vertes , je vous envoie en mode le logiciel RTE et vous pourrez jugez l enfumage médiatique.
Bonjour Jean Jacques,
Quand on parle de la pollution des bateaux de croisière à quai, on ne parle pas des émissions de CO2, pour lesquelles votre calcul est exact, on parle des particules fines et du soufre.
Pour le soufre, selon vos propres chiffres un bateau dégage 1200 l /hX 3% (valeur moyenne du fuel lourd non désulfuré), soit 1200X0.03X.85 = 32,4 kg /hde soufre.
Une voiture dégage 6l/hX 50/1000000 (50 ppm, valeur maximale en Europe)X.75 = 0.000225 kg/h
ce qui donne un minimum d'équivalence de 144 000 voitures pour un bateau.
Pour les particules fines, c'est beaucoup plus, mais les chiffres sont moins clairs.
Yes, et une autre source avec, chiffrée, la production de particules fines sur le pont d'un des bateaux... Je veux bien qu'on me dise que c'est partial, trafiqué, etc, jusqu'à ce qu'on avance d'autres constats du genre disant le contraire...
Ceci dit il est clair que les derniers bateaux construits le sont avec des normes beaucoup plus restrictives... L'enquête n'a certainement pas choisi les plus récents...
Je lis par hasard cette discussion, ce qui m'amène à dire que si l'arrivée des bateaux dans Venise est vécue par beaucoup comme une catastrophe visuelle, écologique....ce n'est pas l'avis de bien des commerçants, bien évidemment.
Cependant, je sais qu'il existe deux projets alternatifs :
- l'arrivée des bateaux à Trieste et transferts des croisiéristes en bateaux plus petits.
- construire un terminal à Punta Sabbioni, mais la population locale s'y oppose.
Hélas, j'ai bien peur que tous les projets s'écroulent devant les intérêts commerciaux des marchands de croisiéres et l'essor de leur fréquentation, les intérêts des commerçants.
La pollution visuelle et autre à encore de beaux jours devant elle.
Ce ne sont que quelques réflexions personnelles qui ne prétendent pas dire les vérités ni être exhaustives devant ce problème bien réel.
Le profit à court terme est bien un moteur actuel de l'économie, la gestion du patrimoine naturel ou culturel va encore avoir à attendre...
Si le chemin est difficile, le difficile est le chemin.
Pour l'avoir vécu le matin vers 06:00 le personnel lavait le pont arrière du Harmony of the Seas qui était noirci par les fumées.
Pour l'avoir vécu aussi j'ai déjà traversé plusieurs fois Venise avec Costa et Msc. Il y a un remorqueur à l'avant et un à l'arrière. Et les hélices du bateau ne tournent pas. Je crois que les principaux responsables de la dégradation des berges sont les "vaporettos" qui circulent comme des malades.....
Bonne soirée
..... je ne pensais pas revenir sur cette discussion, mais votre observation croise une pensée que j' avais, lors de notre dernière sortie du port de Venise, sur le MSC Sinfonia en Octobre 2016 .... ou nous étions avec ... 8 autres bateaux de croisières !!!.
Pour chaque " entrée ", pour chaque " sortie ", il y a 2 remorqueurs ... qui font l' aller ... et le retour.... avec des remous plus importants que les " nôtres ".
En cette belle journée du mois d' octobre, entre le premier bateau arrivé, et le dernier reparti, il y avait eu : - .... 72 passages de remorqueurs ... !
Que ce soit les hélices des remorqueurs ou celles des bateaux de croisière, le mal est là, car les remorqueurs, pour pouvoir tirer, ont des hélices placées très profond ce qui affouille les fonds, au contraire des vaporettos, dont les hélices sont plus proche de la surface, mais qui, en raison de leur vitesse font des vagues.
Une réunion la semaine prochaine à Venise, puis une autre à Rome le 7 novembre. Dans cette dernière, il semble qu'une décision définitive sera prise (sur les endroits où iront les bateaux et par où ils passeront). 😛
Sinon, 1 clic droit sur l'article de journal, puis demander la traduction en français...
Je n'ai pas cette fonction de traduction.Mais sinon beaucoup de décisions passées n'ont pu être appliquées.De plus avec le referendum d'hier les niveaux de décision peuvent se discuter...
C'est surtout pour les Cies qui ont Barcelone comme "tête de ligne" car c'est la que sont dirigés les clients en package vol + croisière et surtout c'est la que ce fait le principal de l'avitaillement du navire, avec des contrats surement biens négociés et pas obligatoirement transférables ailleurs !
Pour les autres en "simple escale" surement un problème marginal, une escale ça se change assez facilement
Pour en revenir au sujet initial Venise n'aura pas beaucoup de choix que de limiter le trafic croisière seules questions ... quand , qui (quel tonnage maxi) et ou reporter les "exclus"
Bon voyage et surtout voyagez zen!
Michel France (85)
Tout à fait d'accord avec vous, les escales peu de problèmes mais beaucoup de têtes de ligne et là...
Pour Venise , le problème vient beaucoup de la répartition de la manne financière, qui paye à qui ...à Venise à la Région à l'Etat , je parle des redevances , taxes etc....J'avais lu que l'Etat prenait beaucoup et Venise avait peu.
La solution de remplacement c'est Marghera, le port industriel, mais là qui paye ? nouveau terminal , chenal maritime etc...J'ai déjà fait escale là-bas , sinistre....
C'est une des solutions mais cela implique de lourds travaux de chenal maritime.
L'autre solution c'est Marghera , mais pas de terminal et chenal.
Le canal de la Giudecca deviendrait admissible pour beaucoup si les compagnies de croisières paieraient encore plus à la ville et aux associations directement.
Quand il y a la Fête du Rédempteur par exemple, avec pont piéton provisoire entre St-Marc et la Giudecca, les bateaux de croisière arrivent quand même au terminal... Faut donc croire que c'est déjà possible à l'heure actuelle sans travaux pharaoniques... Simplement, on veut absolument passer devant St-Marc pour sauvegarder les selfies des croisièristes... 😉
Faux ! Justement une fois j'étais en croisière lors de cette fête et nous avons été à Marghera ...donc je peux en parler.
Parler de selfies des croisiéristes marque un profond mépris pour ceux-ci alors qu'il s'agit de problème financier et économique au bénéfice des collectivités et des croisiéristes.
Bonjour Mathilde,
Je suppose qu'il n'y a pas assez de profondeur pour contourner Giudecca par le sud ? Ou est-ce le moindre intérêt ( ! ) que de passer devant la place Saint Marc qui empêche cela ?
Si le chemin est difficile, le difficile est le chemin.
Je ne suis pas spécialiste dans le domaine des profondeurs dans le secteur...
Si Hanches est arrivé à Marghera sans passer par le canal de la Giudecca, je me dis qu'on pourrait aussi arriver en face au terminal croisières habituel (sauf si problèmes réels de profondeur justement), mais j'ai l'impression qu'on nous raconte (pas Hanches, "on" en général) des tas de choses à ce propos parce qu'on veut absolument que les bateaux passent devant St-Marc (pour la "photo du siècle"). Dans ce cas, mon mépris est dirigé contre les abrutis qui auraient pris cette décision, pas contre les croisiéristes qui en profitent (tant mieux pour eux tant que cela en sera ainsi).
En tous cas, je n'entends plus parler des options arrivée à Trieste ou Punta Sabbioni.
Par contre, je te suis totalement sur la folie de faire passer de tels bateaux devant St Marc.
Image déplorable vue d'en bas, mais je comprends ceux qui profitent de la " vue d'en haut "
Si le chemin est difficile, le difficile est le chemin.
Même réponse qu'à Mathilde, regardez la carte maritime avec les chenaux et vous comprendrez.
Le passage devant la place St Marc est lié à la nécessité de suivre le chenal . Et avec les remorqueurs aucun risque.
Il faut créer un autre chenal...qui va payer ? ou alors que les bateaux s'amarrent en pleine zone industrielle à Marghera....et qui va pleurer Venise....
Les défenseurs de l'environnement ont réécrit à Gentiloni, avant qu'il n'arrive à Venise demain matin, pour demander que les bateaux de croisières arrivent à Marghera...
...mais j'ai l'impression qu'on nous raconte (pas Hanches, "on" en général) des tas de choses à ce propos parce qu'on veut absolument que les bateaux passent devant St-Marc (pour la "photo du siècle")...
+1000
Il faut être d'une naïveté extreme pour ne pas le croire ! je ne suis même à penser que c'est presque l'unique raison !
Encore un des travers généré par le gigantisme des navires !
Faut il attendre un évènement grave ( accident attentat ...) pour arreter ce "cirque" du passage devant la place St Marc ?
PS sui arrivé a Venise au siècle dernier (début années 70) sur un navire de 200 passagers
Bon voyage et surtout voyagez zen!
Michel France (85)
Ce matin, c'est le comité contre les "Grandi Navi" qui manifeste à Marghera à l'arrivée de Gentiloni, eux, ils ne veulent carrément pas de navires de croisière, même à Marghera (dans la lagune)...
Entretemps, Gentiloni est ressorti prendre le soleil...
Il a parlé du référendum, de la raffinerie qu'il venait de visiter, mais apparemment pas un mot sur les bateaux de croisières.
Il a insisté sur le côté environnemental qui s'est amélioré, on peut espérer que cette position se maintiendra quand on en arrivera au sujet des bateaux de croisières...
Faudra sûrement attendre au moins jusqu'au 7 novembre... 😛
On nous annonce que la décision finale sera bien présentée le 7 novembre.
Dans l'immédiat, on nous dit :
que les très gros bateaux iront à Marghera où l'on va construire une structure pour en accueillir deux, sur un canal industriel, avant le chantier naval de Fincantieri. Ils n'iront pas (ou plus) dans le secteur de Montesyndial (là iront les containers)...
et les autres, si je comprends bien, iront au terminal actuel, reste à comprendre par où il passeront, là je ne saisis pas dans l'article s'ils passeront par le canal Victor Emmanuel ou si l'on va creuser un canal avant Fusina en diagonale pour rejoindre le terminal croisière. Ce sera certainement mieux (enfin je l'espère !) expliqué le 7 novembre...
J'ai, pour l'instant, l'impression qu'on en revient à ce projet de 2014, voir http://www.vasonlus.it/?p=5345 Au moins, là il y a un plan assez compréhensible...
En tout état de cause, quand les travaux seront finis, si l'on creuse ce nouveau canal, les bateaux ne passeront plus par le canal de la Giudecca.
Donc, dès 2019, tous les bateaux entreraient par le sud par Malamocco, suivraient le canal des pétroliers, puis le canal Victor Emmanuel (qu'on va draguer en partie pendant 1 année). Les très gros bateaux s'arrêteraient à Marghera, les autres poursuivraient le Canal Victor Emmanuel (boucle, puis route parallèle en gros au pont de la Liberté) et iraient au Terminal de Croisière actuel.
Apparemment donc, on ne creuse rien en diagonale de Fusina au Terminal de Croisières.
Dès 2019, aucun bateau ne devrait plus passer par le Canal de la Giudecca.
Apparemment, c'est confirmé, les bateaux de plus de 55.000 tonnes ne pourront plus passer par le canal de la Giudecca, ils passeront par le canal des pétroliers, puis par le canal Victor Emmanuel pour aller au terminal croisière. Les très gros resteront à Marghera. Il est question d'un délai de 3-4 ans pour y arriver...
Les promesses n'engagent que ceux qui les écoutent...car quid du financement...et des pertes de recettes pour la Ville de Venise, les habitants sont prêts à payer ?
Si on impose à des compagnies de ne plus aller à Venise, ils n'iront pas spécialement à Marghera .car les croisiéristes bouderont ce port inaccessiible.
Apparemment, c'est confirmé, les bateaux de plus de 55.000 tonnes ne pourront plus passer par le canal de la Giudecca, ils passeront par le canal des pétroliers, puis par le canal Victor Emmanuel pour aller au terminal croisière. Les très gros resteront à Marghera. Il est question d'un délai de 3-4 ans pour y arriver...
Merci pour l'info.
Je ne maîtrise pas l'italien est-ce 55.000 tonnes ou tonneaux ?
De fait, les compagnies ne positionnaient plus, à Venise, de navire de jauge supérieure
à 96.000 tonneaux.
Si c'est 55.000 tonneaux tous les navires actuels, Costa ou MSC, dépassent ce chiffre et sont
donc concernés par cette interdiction.
Cordialement
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If you're planning your trips for 2026, Bruno Maltor's latest video should catch your interest. The travel tips YouTuber lists about ten destinations that could seriously complicate your stay this year.
What to expect in 2026
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10 destinations scrutinized
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Not the agencies at the top of Google’s first page—often the most expensive and generic. But small local businesses, independent guides established for years, still-free municipal tourism offices, and cultural associations organizing themed tours.
These players offer what neither AI nor forums can: embodied, up-to-date, contextualized knowledge of the area. They know the newly opened restaurant, the museum temporarily closed for renovations, the impromptu weekend festival, or the alternative route to avoid construction.
Finding them takes extra effort. You have to search in the local language, look beyond the first page of results, check regional institutional websites, and join community Facebook groups. But this approach is often rewarded with free or low-cost advice of unmatched precision.
Toward an ecology of travel advice
The future of travel advice likely won’t be binary but hybrid. AI can rough out itineraries, propose logistical options, and compare alternatives. Travel Planners can refine, personalize, and reassure anxious travelers. Local experts can enrich, correct, and ground advice in on-the-ground reality.
But for this ecosystem to work, we’ll need to develop new discernment. Learn to spot fake profiles on forums. Systematically verify AI suggestions. Assess the real value of a Travel Planner before paying. And, above all, rediscover the habit of contacting those who live there directly.
Travel has always been a school of discernment. It teaches us to distinguish the authentic from the fake, sincere advice from commercial manipulation. In the digital age, this skill becomes more crucial than ever.
Because ultimately, the real question isn’t which information source to prioritize, but how to cultivate our own ability to evaluate, cross-check, and ultimately make informed choices. The best travel guide may still be our critical thinking.
Travel is, above all, a story of encounters.
Those that inspire us, guide us, and make us dream.
That’s why we’re happy to announce a partnership between Petit Futé and VoyageForum, two worlds that share the same passion: travel experienced and recounted by those who truly set off.
In practical terms, you can now find VoyageForum directly on PetitFuté.com, through:
Over 190 destinations linked to the forum: on each “Discover the destination” page, a “Travelers’ Forum” tab lets you access discussions, tips, and testimonials from travelers just like you.
A link to the forum in the “Community” menu under “Discover the forum”, where you can chat, ask questions, or simply dream about your next getaway.
This partnership marks a new step in giving travelers even more of a voice.
A way to connect practical information and lived experience, to share insights so everyone can plan their trips by relying on what’s most valuable: exchanges between enthusiasts.
Thanks to all of you who keep this wonderful community alive, day after day.
Because travel is even more beautiful when it’s shared
You’ve explored the world, captured landscapes, and lived unique moments…
What if now was the perfect time to bring them to life on paper?
With the discount offered by MyAtlas for 1 month, turn your best memories into a real printed travel journal—something to flip through, share, and cherish.
Holding a real photo book in your hands is so different from scrolling through files on a hard drive. It’s something to treasure and share with loved ones over a nice slice of cake. A tangible way to keep your travel memories alive.
PROMO CODE: PROMOVF15
Discount: 15%
Valid until: November 13, 2025!
One use per person
Don’t miss out on this limited-time offer—if you’ve got travel photos waiting to be printed, now’s the time to go for it!
I’ve kept quiet about them... to preserve them.
Those are the words of a passionate traveler who recently wrote to us.
For years, he’s been discovering rare, authentic places... and chooses to say nothing.
Out of respect. Out of fear of destruction. Out of love for secrecy.
What would you do?
You stumble upon a magical spot, still untouched by mass tourism.
Do you keep it to yourself... or do you open the door, gently, to other travelers?
At DIRECTRAVEL, we’re asking ourselves these questions.
Can sharing be an act of passing something on?
Or is it always the beginning of the end for these preserved places?
Read the article here.
We’ve got a little game for you (okay, it’s not a walk in the park—you’ll have to do some digging!) with DirecTravel: the prize is 5 nights for one person at the Nilaya Experience guesthouse, right in the heart of Kerala, India.
The stay is worth 700 €. It’s set in a magical spot among the rice fields, offering a relaxing and 100% authentic getaway, far from the noise, hosted by Raghu and Véronique.
How to enter is simple:
1- Head over to directravel.org.
2- Browse the site to find the answers to the 10 contest questions. Click here for the questions.
Each question includes a clue to guide you to the right page.
3- Answer all 10 questions correctly to validate your entry.
Contest Rules
The game is free and with no purchase necessary.
A random draw will be held on September 19, 2025, among all correct entries.
The winner will be contacted directly by DIRECTRAVEL.
The prize is non-transferable, non-exchangeable, and valid based on the accommodation’s availability.
What if your travel memories had a place in a real journal? 🌍
Back-to-school season is when we get back into our routines, but it’s also when we look back on the great memories from summer. We often promise ourselves we’ll organize our photos, jot down our stories… and then life gets busy. Those memories slowly fade, stuck in our phones...
Travel journals from MyAtlas are here to change that. They let you gather your stories, your images, and your emotions in a beautiful keepsake you can hold onto and share. It’s like a personal diary, but illustrated by your travels.
Creating your journal also extends the travel experience: reliving your photos, rediscovering details you’d forgotten, and bringing those moments back to life.
Use the code BIENVENUE10 for 10% off your first album ;)
A new step for visitors starting September 2025
Laos is modernizing its border entry procedures. From September 1, 2025, the Laos Immigration Police Department will pilot a new online arrival registration system for foreign passport holders.
This new procedure is similar to Thailand’s recent switch to a digital arrival card system (introduced in May 2025). Just like in Thailand, travelers heading to Laos will still need a valid visa—either an e-visa obtained online in advance or a visa on arrival (VOA) at eligible checkpoints—but they can now skip the paper immigration forms at the border.
TikTok is currently experimenting with a hotel booking feature directly integrated into its app, in partnership with a well-known specialized platform. American users can now search for and book accommodations without leaving TikTok. Meanwhile, content creators with over 1,000 followers can promote hotels and restaurants in the U.S. and earn commissions or vouchers for bookings. This test, limited to the U.S. market for now, aligns with the trend of social commerce. There’s no doubt this initiative will be closely watched by major players in the online travel industry.
Originally planned for an official opening on July 3, 2025, the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, which has already been partially open since autumn 2024, has had its official inauguration pushed back to the end of the year. This decision, made due to growing tensions in the Middle East, was motivated by the desire to give the event the international dimension it deserves.
Spanning 500,000 m²—larger than the Louvre (which has 360,000 m² of total space, including 73,000 m² of exhibition areas)—the museum will house up to 100,000 artifacts, including the complete collection of Tutankhamun and a monumental statue of Ramses II.
It can already welcome 4,000 visitors per day with limited access, with a future capacity estimated at 13,000 per day once fully open.
It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of François Boucher, the founder of VoyageForum.
We will remember his passion for travel, but most of all, the pride he took in this forum, which has become indispensable among travelers. While there may have been heated debates, we ask that you show respect for him.
François was still very active on the forum, especially in the technical development section. VoyageForum was his life’s work. He worked passionately to update the site and make up for the 4 years of closure due to the pandemic.
Today, VoyageForum has also lost its developer.
That’s why we’re reaching out to this community to continue François’s legacy. If there are any former or current developers among you who know PERL and would be willing to help, your support would be greatly appreciated.
According to a recent study, Bangkok ranks first among the top 100 global destinations for remote workers in 2025. The Thai capital stands out for its excellent value for money, solid infrastructure, and high satisfaction levels among digital nomads.
Dubai, London, Tokyo, and Nakhon Ratchasima (in Thailand) complete the top 5, each catering to different priorities (safety, connectivity, cultural vibrancy). The study also highlights the cost-of-living gaps between cities: from Weligama (Sri Lanka), very affordable, to New York, the most expensive.
Social media engagement and visitor return rates are also becoming key indicators for assessing a destination’s appeal to nomads.
We’re thrilled to share an exclusive offer from our partner Subocea for August:
80 € per person per day to board a private luxury boat in Egypt with friends, family, or colleagues!
The offer includes everything on-site (accommodation, meals, activities, etc.), except for the flight.
Onboard, snorkel with turtles!
A unique opportunity to experience an unforgettable adventure in an exceptional setting while meeting other community members.
Hurry: only 26 spots available! 😉
Departure is imminent—a great chance to escape and reconnect.
If you’ve been looking for a reason to pack your bags, here it is!
Interested? Contact us quickly to book or get more info!
You’ve probably noticed it: the real travel gems no longer show up in search results. In today’s all-digital age, those local operators, small authentic accommodations, passionate guides, and committed local initiatives remain invisible. No flashy website, no ads, often not even an online presence.
Yet they exist—people who take care of their land, their culture, their community. Hidden in valleys, villages, forests. These are the ones who truly give meaning to travel, the kind you only discover through word of mouth... or among savvy travelers.
A collaborative project is starting to patiently catalog them, one by one. It’s called DirecTravel. Not very well-known yet—it’s just getting started—but already shared among independent travel enthusiasts. Here, no standardization or flashy interface: every address has been discovered on the ground, the old-fashioned way. Some have even been recognized by the Sustainable Travel Awards.
Their approach? Taking the time to listen, build connections, and support local initiatives that will never appear on Google’s first page.
If you’re looking for something beyond the usual recommendations, and if the idea of sharing genuine tips speaks to you, then this project might interest you. And maybe you, too, have a gem to share with them.
Travel bookings to the United States are seeing a significant drop in France for summer 2025, with over a 30% decrease in the spring and around -11% for summer departures.
Several reasons explain this disengagement:
an unfavorable exchange rate at the start of the year,
very high prices on the ground (accommodation, dining),
negative experiences with immigration,
as well as a political and social context perceived as off-putting (civil rights, safety, tense social climate).
Tourism professionals also note difficulties for Florida and some Southern states, while destinations like New York and Orlando are faring better.
The recent drop in the dollar and airfares could, however, encourage last-minute departures, and tourism stakeholders are betting on a gradual recovery starting this autumn, with major events planned for 2026 like the World Cup or the 250th anniversary of the United States.
This summer, your memories deserve more than just a corner of film!
For the summer season, our partner MyAtlas is offering you an exclusive deal: 10% off all travel journals to print with the code ETEVF25 😛
Perfect for preserving your photos, anecdotes, itineraries, and highlights, the MyAtlas journal turns every trip into a real keepsake book—personalized and ready to flip through anytime.
Whether you're off on an adventure or exploring just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to capture the essence of your getaways and relive them again and again.
Don’t let your best stories gather dust in your phone: print them, share them, and above all, treasure them 😉
This forum was closed for a long time after COVID, then due to its sale by the previous owner. Since 2022, there have been notable changes for Russia. It became possible to travel to Russia as a tourist again after COVID restrictions ended in summer 2022. But before that, in March 2022, the EU and member countries cut air links with Russia, as well as train lines. They also cut Russian banks off from the Euro-American banking network—meaning cards and wire transfers.
EU-based insurers stopped offering policies for Russia.
The Green Card for cars in Russia was also discontinued.
Then the EU abolished the simplified visa regime agreement with Russia.
All in all, a summary of the current practical aspects would be helpful.
I’ve been traveling to Russia regularly for about twenty years, and after the long COVID break, I resumed in autumn 2022.
Visa
The usual paper visa is much more expensive. On one hand, because the previous regime was scrapped, and on the other, because invitations for multi-entry visas are pricier. A single-entry 30-day visa costs 80 €. The multi-entry one is 240 €. To be sure you’ll get a 12-month multi-entry, it’s best to buy a telex invitation from the MID (Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs), though there are few resellers. Prices vary depending on the seller.
E-visas are now available for Schengen passport holders. A big simplification for trips up to 16 days within a 60-day validity period. You can apply from 40 days up to 5 days before your desired date. Issued in up to four days. The site is https://evisa.kdmid.ru/ Cost: 50 €. Processed through an Emirati bank (United Arab Emirates).
Medical Insurance
Medical insurance with repatriation is required to get a visa. So you’ll need to buy a policy. This brings up payment methods. If you’re already familiar with Russia and have a Russian bank account, you can pay with your Russian card. Otherwise, you’ll have to buy from a site that accepts payments via a Belarusian bank—which means your bank must work with Belarus—or go through https://goingrus.com/fr/insurance
Transport from the EU
Minibus (marshrutka) from Kirkenes (Norway) to Murmansk. Schedules are coordinated with flights from Oslo, which arrive between 11:00 and 12:00. They wait on the right as you exit the airport. Some are chartered by groups and leave directly, but may have space—ask the driver. Otherwise, two companies run the route, with a stop in town at the corner of the Scandic, where they depart around 14:00 or 15:00. Payment in cash (NOK or RUB) to the driver. Main operator: https://borodinbus.com
Bus from Tallinn (Estonia) to St. Petersburg. The border crossing is on the Narva River. The Russian road checkpoint has been closed since January 2024 for construction expected to last 2.5 years, so reopening is possible in summer 2026. In the meantime, it’s a two-bus journey: Tallinn-Narva, then walk across the bridge between the Estonian and Russian checkpoints at Ivangorod, followed by another bus. Several companies: Luxexpress, Ecolines, Baltic Shuttle, Anniston, СКСавто.
Bus from Riga to Pskov or St. Petersburg (final destination). Departs from Riga’s bus station (behind the train station) daily between 18:00 and 19:00. Arrives in Pskov between 01:00 and 02:00 (Russian time). Company: СКСавто. There’s another bus around 21:00 with Ecolines, but it’s longer, with a long stop at the border.
Bus from Gdańsk to Kaliningrad. Several buses per day. From the PKS bus station, behind Gdańsk’s central station, on the other side of the boulevard. From Kaliningrad, a 1-hour flight to St. Petersburg costs around 5000 RUB.
Basically, unless you’re planning to go to Murmansk and the Kola Peninsula—and possibly from Murmansk, flights to Arkhangelsk, then Nenetsia (Naryan-Mar), etc.—the three main crossing points with airports are Tallinn, Riga, and Gdańsk.
The Gdańsk-Kaliningrad bus is the fastest, and the ticket to St. Petersburg is very reasonable.
The Narva-Ivangorod route is the riskiest in terms of potential queues and crossing time. Holiday periods are especially risky. Last mid-June, I took a 14:00 bus from Tallinn. I’d bought a single-berth compartment on the Grand Express St. Petersburg-Moscow train, leaving at 23:00, with the idea of a good night’s rest before a Moscow-Magadan flight. A 7-hour queue at the border meant I arrived at St. Petersburg’s bus station at 23:00—missed the train, had to book a room, and spent time finding a reasonably priced flight to Moscow the next day for the same airport as my Magadan flight.
The Riga-Pskov route is a bit long but relaxed. If you get off in Pskov, you can still get decent sleep between 02:00 and 12:00. The Oktyabrskaya Hotel is cheap. I’ve also stopped in Izborsk. You ask the driver when boarding in Riga. The stop is on the federal highway—cross the road, and the main inn is 200m away. You can explore the medieval site the next morning before taking a bus to Pskov (30 km).
From Pskov, there are fast regional Lastochka trains—three or four per day—to St. Petersburg, taking 3.5 hours. Very comfortable and affordable.
Also, two daily flights with Azimuth to Moscow-Vnukovo from 5000 RUB. A one-hour flight. It’s a section of Pskov’s military airfield, just a few kilometers from the city center.
Money
Cash. The EU issued a nonsensical decree: a ban on importing EU currency (euros, zloty, kroner, forints, etc.) except for personal travel use. This doesn’t make sense because as a citizen of a eurozone country, you *have* to have euros—cash or electronic (card). You can’t travel without them. The stipulation about a limit for personal use is absurd because personal use can mean anything from a hostel bed to a luxury hotel room, plus transport (flight tickets, train tickets in Russia), restaurants, etc. Estonian customs officers ask about this at the border when leaving. They ask in Estonian, then Russian, then English, depending. Since I cross with a French passport, I just say, "Sorry, I don’t understand," no matter what. Then they ask with a questioning look, "Euro?" and I shake my head. I haven’t been searched, but they do ask to glance in your bag. Russians with large suitcases often get checked.
Cards and phone apps: if you have a Russian bank account.
Telephony and Internet
Roaming works but is pricey. Okay for calls and SMS, but very expensive for data. In that case, use an e-SIM with your home carrier if your phone supports it. Otherwise, look into prepaid rechargeable SIMs in Russia for data only—like SIM cards for mobile modems.
Russian SIM: Since this year (2025), as of March, it’s mandatory to be registered in the EBS (Unified Biometric System) to buy a SIM card. For a non-resident foreigner, this means first registering for a SNILS at an MFC (Multifunctional Center)—also called "My Documents." The SNILS is the pension center, which doesn’t require residency. After getting your SNILS number and certificate, you register on the public services portal, Gosuslugi. Finally, you register in the EBS system (voice sample—you read numbers—and a biometric facial photo).
Personal Car
The Green Card no longer covers Russia, and neither do EU-based insurers. But third-party liability insurance (OSAGO) is mandatory. Since the closure of the Russian checkpoint at Ivangorod for construction and the Finnish border closure, the routes are from Kirkenes in Norway, the Estonia-Pskov route, and—since the Belarus-Russia joint visa this year—the Belarus route, e.g., Poland-Terespol-Brest or Lithuania-Belarus.
No OSAGO sales if you cross via Kirkenes. I didn’t see any at Shumilkino, the Russian checkpoint after Estonia toward Pskov. If you have a Russian card, you can buy online, of course. Otherwise, pay in cash on-site at certain company offices (specific forms aren’t available at all agencies) or online by paying to a third-party account outside Russia—with added fees.
Spotlight on the "What A Trip Festival" in Montpellier
From September 22 to 28, 2025, head to Montpellier for the What A Trip Festival, the must-attend event for travel and adventure in images 😉
This event draws around 40,000 passionate visitors who come to (re)discover the world through documentary film screenings, followed by meet-ups, conferences, and workshops.
The "travel village" hosts a dedicated fair: exhibitor booths, a travel bookstore, photo exhibitions, food trucks, and free concerts set the pace.
The "Les rencontres voyageurs" booth will be there to offer you: a friendly atmosphere, conferences, masterclasses, fun games, and even interviews!
From December 9th to 12th, experience a winter getaway in the heart of the Czech capital, under the magical lights of the Christmas markets.
Enjoy an all-inclusive stay, blending cultural discoveries and festive holiday vibes with Hasamélis & MyAtlas.
Explore Prague’s treasures: Old Town Square, the castle, and the Town Hall Tower for breathtaking views…
This guided tour also takes you to exclusive, privately booked venues: Strahov Monastery, Estates Theatre, Municipal House… A rich cultural program in a cozy, festive atmosphere.
Calling all adventure and off-road enthusiasts: the must-attend event of the year is just around the corner!
From August 26 to 30 in Valloire, don’t miss THE OFF-ROAD SHOW, the premier event dedicated to expeditions, overlanding, and motorized exploration.
4x4s, trucks, motorcycles, SSVs, gear, travel, test drives, meet-ups... Over 180 exhibitors and the 4th edition of the Rencontres Voyageurs, a 1,000 m² space hosted by Campers Lab and MyAtlas.
On the program: Activities, talks, interviews, masterclasses...
One motto: get inspired, connect, explore... in the heart of the Alps.
At the Seto forum (Association of Travel Agents), it was highlighted that, despite an uncertain geopolitical context, summer bookings are showing a slight increase (+1.4% overall as of the end of April), with +1.6% on medium-haul and +0.6% on long-haul flights. This growth is supported by an expected revenue increase of +2.9% and an average basket rise of +3.2%.
In terms of destinations, the Greek islands remain at the top despite a slight decline of -1%, the Balearic Islands are gaining ground (+2%), and Tunisia stands out with strong growth (+13%) thanks to its excellent value for money. For long-haul, Mauritius continues to dominate (+9%), while the United States is experiencing a downturn (-14%), behind Indonesia (-6%) and ahead of the Dominican Republic (+4%). Finally, French Polynesia (+16%) and Vietnam (+41%) are emerging as booming destinations.
"Les rencontres voyageurs" is a must-attend event for all travel enthusiasts, at the heart of France’s most beautiful gatherings.
Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a beginner looking for your first adventures, these meet-ups aim to bring people together, inspire, and share knowledge.
They offer a unique opportunity to chat with inspiring travelers, discover their authentic stories, their favorite spots around the world, and their practical tips for traveling peacefully and enrichingly 😉
"Les rencontres voyageurs" also feature conferences and masterclasses led by industry experts, covering a variety of topics such as responsible travel, content creation, and optimizing itineraries.
These sessions, both practical and inspiring, are designed to expand your knowledge and fuel your projects. On top of that, there are fun and educational activities, including the famous traveler quiz, encouraging exchanges and conviviality. Finally, visitors can explore an exhibition of travel vehicles, vans, 4x4s, nomadic equipment, and chat with professionals about van conversions, mobility, and innovations dedicated to vanlife.
A complete, immersive experience that’s all about discovery.
VoyageForum needs you more than ever! To continue making it the biggest space for exchange, inspiration, and sharing, we want to better understand your desires and expectations.
Take a few moments to answer our survey and let’s build the future of VoyageForum together!
Big traveler survey! We want to know everything! 🌍
Dreaming of your next trip already? So are we, but to better understand the desires and habits of French travelers, we need your help to later offer the best tips, good deals, trips, and more.
It’s a short form (promise, it only takes a few minutes).
And... there might just be a 50 € gift voucher up for grabs for one of the participants. Just like that, to thank you for taking part✨
Just click on this link: https://tally.so/r/mRrj6J and check the box based on your travel preferences 🧳✈️
Thanks in advance for lending a hand!
The cruise sector has seen a remarkable rebound since the pandemic, with 2024 attendance 20% higher than in 2019—outpacing air traffic growth, which was limited to 10%.
This performance is driven by an early recovery in the U.S. starting in 2021, competitive pricing, and enhanced onboard offerings. Cruise companies have invested in innovation, with a notable increase in patents related to passenger health (14%) and onboard services (50%).
These efforts have attracted a younger clientele, with millennials now making up 34% of passengers. This recovery model could inspire the airline industry to accelerate its own rebound.
