Se déplacer en Croatie
by Anjofabe
This discussion is in French, the community’s main language.
Original post
Je recherche un moyen de me déplacer en croatie : j'ai réservé un séjour d'une semaine près de Biograd (face aux iles Kornati). Je souhaiterai aller à Split, Dubrovnik, Plitvice, Krka. Nous sommes 4 (2 adultes + 11ans +15ans). J'ai pensé louer une voiture. Est-ce la meilleur solution ? Combien ça coute ? Est-ce que ces visites sont envisageables ?
la croatie est un pays civilisé et pas la brousse ni la jungle, donc louer une voiture ne pose aucun problème.
soit tu le fait de France en passant par les loueurs bien connus (si tu ne trouves pas Biograd, tu le faits à Zadar qui n'est pas loin et que tu peux te joindre en bus) soit par des loueurs locaux que là où tu logeras on t'indiquera; les prix sont les mêmes qu'en France! Pour aller à PLIVICE sur la journée aucun problème à condition de partir tôt, y a environ 2h à 2h1/2 de route (en partie autoroute payante) puis de l'ordre de 2h de marche à pied au moins si tu veux aller au plus loin de la partie la plus touristique (autour du lac en particulier y a des ventes de sandwich croate, c'est à dire bien bourratif)
soit tu le fait de France en passant par les loueurs bien connus (si tu ne trouves pas Biograd, tu le faits à Zadar qui n'est pas loin et que tu peux te joindre en bus) soit par des loueurs locaux que là où tu logeras on t'indiquera; les prix sont les mêmes qu'en France! Pour aller à PLIVICE sur la journée aucun problème à condition de partir tôt, y a environ 2h à 2h1/2 de route (en partie autoroute payante) puis de l'ordre de 2h de marche à pied au moins si tu veux aller au plus loin de la partie la plus touristique (autour du lac en particulier y a des ventes de sandwich croate, c'est à dire bien bourratif)
JP
ouh lala c'est loin Dubrovnik de Biograd! En 2004 nous fumes à Pakostane, pas loin de là! Ben nous avions longé la cote jusqu'à Dubrovnik (nous y étions allé avec notre voiture pendant 4 semaines) et nous avons mis presque la journée et en fin MAI!! Donc en juillet/aout faut pas y compter, et le bus c'est encore plus lent.
Nous y retournons l'an prochain en mai/juin et lourons quelque chose via cela: http://rasin.free.fr
et y allons avec notre voiture en nous arrettant à quelque part en cours de route (de Lyon) peut être vers Padoue ou alors en prenant le ferry la nuit entre Ancone et Zadar ou Split!!
Mais une semaine à Biograd sera vite passée: Zadar une journée Plivice une autre Trogir et Split une troisième les Kornati une 4ème
et la 5ème (et 6ème si vous avez) je vous laisse libre court!!
Bon séjour!
Nous y retournons l'an prochain en mai/juin et lourons quelque chose via cela: http://rasin.free.fr
et y allons avec notre voiture en nous arrettant à quelque part en cours de route (de Lyon) peut être vers Padoue ou alors en prenant le ferry la nuit entre Ancone et Zadar ou Split!!
Mais une semaine à Biograd sera vite passée: Zadar une journée Plivice une autre Trogir et Split une troisième les Kornati une 4ème
et la 5ème (et 6ème si vous avez) je vous laisse libre court!!
Bon séjour!
JP
bonjour,
un ajout à ce qui a été dit. Nous sommes aussi aller il y a un an en croatie par les biais du site rasinfree aussi (excellent!) donc ce doit etre vers biograd et nous avons loué une voiture en France mais attention, seule l'agence sixt nous permettait d'aller en croatie avec la voiture car c'est hors de l'Union européenne (300euros pour 10 jours). Sinon il y a toujours la possibilité de louer sur place une voiture. Nous avons mis trois jours pour descendre mais ca peut se faire en deux. Nous sommes descendus par Allemagne, Autriche, Slovenie et croatie - c'est la route la moins chere, les autoroutes etant gratuites en Allemagne mais beaucoup de travaux. Retour par l'Italie parfait mais il faut un budget autoroute. cela dit pour 4 personnes, cela reste la solution la moins chère !
Enfin, concernant Krka, beaucoup plus petit que Plitvice mais j'ai trouvé que ca valait vraiment le détour. Nous avons fait cette visite avant Plitvice mais le nord du parc m'a vraiment séduite et je crois que c'est ce que j'ai vu de plus beau en Croatie.
Et effectivement de biograd il faut compter une journée intense à plitvice, une pour les Kornati. Etant sur place une semaine nous n'avons pas eu le temps de faire Split et encore moins Dubrovnik qui doit être tout de même loin !
Bon voyage !
un ajout à ce qui a été dit. Nous sommes aussi aller il y a un an en croatie par les biais du site rasinfree aussi (excellent!) donc ce doit etre vers biograd et nous avons loué une voiture en France mais attention, seule l'agence sixt nous permettait d'aller en croatie avec la voiture car c'est hors de l'Union européenne (300euros pour 10 jours). Sinon il y a toujours la possibilité de louer sur place une voiture. Nous avons mis trois jours pour descendre mais ca peut se faire en deux. Nous sommes descendus par Allemagne, Autriche, Slovenie et croatie - c'est la route la moins chere, les autoroutes etant gratuites en Allemagne mais beaucoup de travaux. Retour par l'Italie parfait mais il faut un budget autoroute. cela dit pour 4 personnes, cela reste la solution la moins chère !
Enfin, concernant Krka, beaucoup plus petit que Plitvice mais j'ai trouvé que ca valait vraiment le détour. Nous avons fait cette visite avant Plitvice mais le nord du parc m'a vraiment séduite et je crois que c'est ce que j'ai vu de plus beau en Croatie.
Et effectivement de biograd il faut compter une journée intense à plitvice, une pour les Kornati. Etant sur place une semaine nous n'avons pas eu le temps de faire Split et encore moins Dubrovnik qui doit être tout de même loin !
Bon voyage !
Nama
Bonjour,
nous avons sejourné en Croatie en aout dernier 2 semaines complétes, je pense qu'il te sera difficile de réaliser le programme que tu as prévu, la distance entre biograd et dubrovnik n'est pas énorme mais la circulation est dense et pas d'autoroute idem pour Plitvice (une partie d'autoroute vers cette destination) par contre le site de Plitvice est grandiose. intéressant également de faire une journée de bateau dans l'archipel des Kornati .
Nous avions notre propre véhicule nous avons fait le 1er jour : la Bretagne - Grenoble, 2ème jour Grenoble - Venise - 3ème jour Venise - l'ile de Krk ensuite nous avons circulé en alternant camping et chambre chez l'habitant
Bonne vacance
Nous allons en Croatie en avion et nous avons peur d'être un peu coincé sur place. C'est pouquoi j'essaye de voir avant de partir (15 jours) les possibilités de ce déplacer entre la location d'une voiture sur place ou l'utilisation des transports en commun comme le bus pour prévoir les coûts supplémentaires....
Pourquoi ne pas y aller avec son propre véhicule.Je l'ai fait l'année passé sans problèmes.
Quelques images sur :
http://fugueensolmineur.blogs-de-voyage.fr/
Quelques images sur :
http://fugueensolmineur.blogs-de-voyage.fr/
Carpe Diem
qui connait l'hotel l'hotel club Adria près de Biograd ?
🙂 j'en reviens juste de l'hotel adria, franchement c'était très sympa, malgré beaucoup de gens qui critiques ( ce sont principalement des personnes agées ) !!! qui comparent avec d'autre pays !!!
l'hotel est très bien, les chambres sont climatisées, et nettoyer tous les jours, les serviettes de bains changées tous les 2 jours, le buffet très bien, ne t'attends pas non plus à manger de grand plats c'est assez simple, la gastronomie n'est pas leur point fort...les animateurs sont géniaux !!! 😉 le bar et la piscine très bien exposés...des activités te seront proposées tous les jours...la réception est super aussi...
au niveau des excursions je te conseilles de ne pas les prendre a l'hotel mais de te débrouiller seule... voila si tu as d'autres questions n'hésites pas...
🙂 j'en reviens juste de l'hotel adria, franchement c'était très sympa, malgré beaucoup de gens qui critiques ( ce sont principalement des personnes agées ) !!! qui comparent avec d'autre pays !!!
l'hotel est très bien, les chambres sont climatisées, et nettoyer tous les jours, les serviettes de bains changées tous les 2 jours, le buffet très bien, ne t'attends pas non plus à manger de grand plats c'est assez simple, la gastronomie n'est pas leur point fort...les animateurs sont géniaux !!! 😉 le bar et la piscine très bien exposés...des activités te seront proposées tous les jours...la réception est super aussi...
au niveau des excursions je te conseilles de ne pas les prendre a l'hotel mais de te débrouiller seule... voila si tu as d'autres questions n'hésites pas...
virginie
As-tu fait des excursions ? Lesquelles ? Où-t-es-tu adressée ? Pour quel budget ? Merci de m'aider dans ces choix car c'est bientôt le départ et j'ai beaucoup de difficultés pour me renseigner et prévoir mes déplacements...
oui alors nous avons fait 3 excursions : - les îles kornati (nous sommes partis avec l'hotel ) nous avons bien aimé cependant elle n'est pas non plus indispensable à faire : 30 euros par personnes environ le repas est compri c'est un ptit resto plus que simple sur une ile (tu manges pas grand chose je n'ai pas trop aimé personnellement...) - les chutes de krka nous sommes aussi parti avec l'hotel c'était génial vraiment à faire absolument a peu près le meme prix que les iles kornati mais c'est juste une demi journée ;-)
- les lacs de Plitvice a faire absolument c'était grandiose...c'est la plus chere excursion et la nous ne sommes pas partis avec l'hotel mais avec nos propres moyens nous avons loué une voiture a la journée ( nous sommes partis avec d'autre couple de l'hotel) la location 50 € la journée...et l'entrée des lacs 110 kuna voila
sinon pour le shoppind il y a zadar très jolie ville tu vas jusqu'a biograd et tu prends un bus qui te dépose directement à zadar..les ruelles sont sympa...
voili voilou... bon voyage c'est vraiment jolie la croatie
oui alors nous avons fait 3 excursions : - les îles kornati (nous sommes partis avec l'hotel ) nous avons bien aimé cependant elle n'est pas non plus indispensable à faire : 30 euros par personnes environ le repas est compri c'est un ptit resto plus que simple sur une ile (tu manges pas grand chose je n'ai pas trop aimé personnellement...) - les chutes de krka nous sommes aussi parti avec l'hotel c'était génial vraiment à faire absolument a peu près le meme prix que les iles kornati mais c'est juste une demi journée ;-)
- les lacs de Plitvice a faire absolument c'était grandiose...c'est la plus chere excursion et la nous ne sommes pas partis avec l'hotel mais avec nos propres moyens nous avons loué une voiture a la journée ( nous sommes partis avec d'autre couple de l'hotel) la location 50 € la journée...et l'entrée des lacs 110 kuna voila
sinon pour le shoppind il y a zadar très jolie ville tu vas jusqu'a biograd et tu prends un bus qui te dépose directement à zadar..les ruelles sont sympa...
voili voilou... bon voyage c'est vraiment jolie la croatie
virginie
Un grand merci virginie0503 pour tous ces tuyaux. Où as-tu louer la voiture ? A l'hôtel ? Es-tu allée jusqu'à Dubrovnik? Y-a-t-il des activités nautiques à faire pour les ados ? lesquelles ? Que peut-on rapporter de croatie comme souvenirs ?
à notre hotel il y avait à disposition des voitures de locations...tous les matins le loueur venait, il faut réserver la veille pour le lendemain. nous ne sommes pas allées jusqu'a Dubrovnik malheureusement, car de Biograd nous en avions pour 5 heures et demi de route !!! pour les activités nautiques je pense que tu peux te renseigner en bord de mer...et pour les souvenirs il n'y a rien que tu puisses rammener de spécial...sinon des t-shirt marquer croatie ( tout se genre de ptits trucs) mais rien de bien particulier, notre animatrice nous avait prévenu dans e car lors du trajet de l'aéroport à l'hôtel...
voila
à notre hotel il y avait à disposition des voitures de locations...tous les matins le loueur venait, il faut réserver la veille pour le lendemain. nous ne sommes pas allées jusqu'a Dubrovnik malheureusement, car de Biograd nous en avions pour 5 heures et demi de route !!! pour les activités nautiques je pense que tu peux te renseigner en bord de mer...et pour les souvenirs il n'y a rien que tu puisses rammener de spécial...sinon des t-shirt marquer croatie ( tout se genre de ptits trucs) mais rien de bien particulier, notre animatrice nous avait prévenu dans e car lors du trajet de l'aéroport à l'hôtel...
voila
virginie
Merci beaucoup pour tous ces bons renseignements. Faut-il emmener palmes tuba raquettes de tennis ?
ce qu'il faut absolument que tu emmenes se sont des chaussures de plages ( sandalette pour l'eau ou des vieilles baskets ) car il n'y a pas de sable sur les plage croates mais se sont des cailloux autant dans l'eau que sur les plages...pour le reste tu vois...
bon voyage à toi et ta famille 🙂
ce qu'il faut absolument que tu emmenes se sont des chaussures de plages ( sandalette pour l'eau ou des vieilles baskets ) car il n'y a pas de sable sur les plage croates mais se sont des cailloux autant dans l'eau que sur les plages...pour le reste tu vois...
bon voyage à toi et ta famille 🙂
virginie
Zadar Dubrovnik, ça prend 6 à 8 h selon la circulation et comme il y a foule en été, cela peut être plus long. A noter que la route est en partie une route côtière... Mais il y a aujourd'hui une partie d'autoroute qui permet de réduire le temps au moins jusqu'à Split...
Pour discuter de tout : www.forumdesforums.com
Me voici de retour. C'était super. La canicule. Nous avons fait les lacs de Plitvice, les îles Kornati et les cascades de Krka en louant une voiture à la journée à l'hotel pour 50€ par jour. Nous avons visité Sibenik, Trogir, Split et Zadar. un seul regret ne pas avoir vu Dubrovnik car effectivement ça ne roule pas en Croatie !... L'hotel Adria à Biograd est bien surtout il y a une superbe équipe d'animation. Seul problème, l'invasion d'un groupe de danseurs (100 vieux) dans l'hotel.
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Bonjour,
après avoir réserver un Airbnb en janvier dernier pour les vacances de cet été à Sarajevo... Mon "hôte" à annuler sans raison notre réservation, cela ne m'était jamais arrivé.
Forcément maintenant impossible de trouver une location à prix "normal" à Sarajevo avec parking ... On se rabat sur la capitale de la République Serbe de Bosnie, Banja luka qui me trottait déjà dans un coin de la tête avant de réserver Sarajevo.
J'ai déjà pas mal d'idées en tête, sans avoir trop fouiner sur la région. Mais si certains ce sont déjà rendus sur place et on des idées ? Même pour la restauration je suis preneur !
et même si ce n'est pas à côté, je pense passer une journée à Sarajevo !
Forcément maintenant impossible de trouver une location à prix "normal" à Sarajevo avec parking ... On se rabat sur la capitale de la République Serbe de Bosnie, Banja luka qui me trottait déjà dans un coin de la tête avant de réserver Sarajevo.
J'ai déjà pas mal d'idées en tête, sans avoir trop fouiner sur la région. Mais si certains ce sont déjà rendus sur place et on des idées ? Même pour la restauration je suis preneur !
et même si ce n'est pas à côté, je pense passer une journée à Sarajevo !
Hi there,
We’re two forty-something friends spending two weeks in the Baltic countries. Between Lithuania and Estonia, we’d love to swing by Minsk.
From what I’ve read on this forum and other sites, I think I’ve got it right: from Vilnius, by bus, you need an up-to-date passport, travel insurance, and Belarusian rubles.
A couple more questions—what about euros if we’re carrying a few hundred?
And which sites are reliable for finding accommodation or a hotel for 3–4 days in Minsk? With the usual sites (Airbnb and Booking, for example) being blocked, the alternatives seem to be less familiar or pricier (like hotels.com). There are other sites, but it’s never easy to know how trustworthy they are. What should we look for in Minsk if we’re used to Airbnb or Booking?
One last question—has anyone here tried crossing via Daugavpils?
Thanks a bunch!
We’re two forty-something friends spending two weeks in the Baltic countries. Between Lithuania and Estonia, we’d love to swing by Minsk.
From what I’ve read on this forum and other sites, I think I’ve got it right: from Vilnius, by bus, you need an up-to-date passport, travel insurance, and Belarusian rubles.
A couple more questions—what about euros if we’re carrying a few hundred?
And which sites are reliable for finding accommodation or a hotel for 3–4 days in Minsk? With the usual sites (Airbnb and Booking, for example) being blocked, the alternatives seem to be less familiar or pricier (like hotels.com). There are other sites, but it’s never easy to know how trustworthy they are. What should we look for in Minsk if we’re used to Airbnb or Booking?
One last question—has anyone here tried crossing via Daugavpils?
Thanks a bunch!
We're back. It's still a bit tough to get precise info, so here's a quick trip report!
A good starting point is Shkoder, a really pleasant city. You can easily explore Shkoder itself in a day or two.
Two accessible spots: Valbona and Theth. In both cases, local travel agencies in Shkoder or online offer round-trip or one-way access packages. Super handy, especially for Valbona.
Valbona and Theth are both very steep! There aren’t many easy hikes for less sporty folks (like me!).
Valbona: The highlight is the amazing 2.5-hour boat ride across Lake Koman. There are day trips from Shkoder, but you’ll only get a short tour of the lake. The best option is to do the full crossing—so spend a night in Valbona (or two if you want to hike in the valley) and return.
Theth is deeply nestled in the mountains. The village at the end of the valley, which is a dead end, has lots of hotels, but they’re pricey. Other hostels are scattered along the mountainside road, but it’s a steep climb down to the village or to the start of the two easy hikes (waterfalls and the Blue Eye). For us, it was a one-hour descent (and ascent!). It’s fine if you have a car; otherwise, keep an eye out for a taxi (cheap) or try hitchhiking—it works really well. Access from Shkoder to Theth is through an agency. The road is in great condition, and you can also rent a car for 2-3 days in Shkoder. If we did it again, that’s the option we’d choose.
We didn’t do the trek and returned to Shkoder each time. I can’t speak to its difficulty, but we were there in late May, and even experienced hikers had given up because of heavy rain and snow.
Hope this helps! It’s a stunning region you shouldn’t miss.
A good starting point is Shkoder, a really pleasant city. You can easily explore Shkoder itself in a day or two.
Two accessible spots: Valbona and Theth. In both cases, local travel agencies in Shkoder or online offer round-trip or one-way access packages. Super handy, especially for Valbona.
Valbona and Theth are both very steep! There aren’t many easy hikes for less sporty folks (like me!).
Valbona: The highlight is the amazing 2.5-hour boat ride across Lake Koman. There are day trips from Shkoder, but you’ll only get a short tour of the lake. The best option is to do the full crossing—so spend a night in Valbona (or two if you want to hike in the valley) and return.
Theth is deeply nestled in the mountains. The village at the end of the valley, which is a dead end, has lots of hotels, but they’re pricey. Other hostels are scattered along the mountainside road, but it’s a steep climb down to the village or to the start of the two easy hikes (waterfalls and the Blue Eye). For us, it was a one-hour descent (and ascent!). It’s fine if you have a car; otherwise, keep an eye out for a taxi (cheap) or try hitchhiking—it works really well. Access from Shkoder to Theth is through an agency. The road is in great condition, and you can also rent a car for 2-3 days in Shkoder. If we did it again, that’s the option we’d choose.
We didn’t do the trek and returned to Shkoder each time. I can’t speak to its difficulty, but we were there in late May, and even experienced hikers had given up because of heavy rain and snow.
Hope this helps! It’s a stunning region you shouldn’t miss.
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Timeframe: mid-September to mid-October... dates are flexible, and we might stay even longer.
Initially, I had planned this itinerary:
Athens (3), Naxos (4), Paros (4), Santorini (4), then a flight to Istanbul (7–10 days!!). This would let us maximize our flights and experience another culture.
That’s a lot of ferries, though... I’ve already cut out Milos.
Our second option would be to stay 2 x 15 days on two different islands, but I’d still keep Istanbul as our next destination... or maybe 30 days on one island that offers the chance to take day trips to other islands where the ferry ride is no more than 2 to 2.5 hours. For example, Naxos to Paros only takes 30 minutes. We could return the same evening or stay overnight.
Naxos seems like the best option!!!
For Istanbul, of course we want to do a day cruise on the Bosphorus and see Hagia Sophia. If we stay 6–7 days, what would be the other main attractions? Are there any points of interest we can reach by local bus?
Our second option would be to stay 2 x 15 days on two different islands, but I’d still keep Istanbul as our next destination... or maybe 30 days on one island that offers the chance to take day trips to other islands where the ferry ride is no more than 2 to 2.5 hours. For example, Naxos to Paros only takes 30 minutes. We could return the same evening or stay overnight.
Naxos seems like the best option!!!
For Istanbul, of course we want to do a day cruise on the Bosphorus and see Hagia Sophia. If we stay 6–7 days, what would be the other main attractions? Are there any points of interest we can reach by local bus?
Hi there!
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Thanks!!
A little trip report from an 11-day journey to Albania at the end of April 2026, with two friends in their early sixties and beyond...
Our route: Berat, Gjirokastër, Himarë, Tirana
Here are some opinions, tips, and great deals to share:
Flight Round-trip Beauvais-Tirana: Ryanair, 260 € with checked baggage (20 kg) and seat selection. Flight was fine and on time. 2h 30min flight.
Exchange: 1 € was worth 95 lek in April 2026. We were advised to exchange in the airport hall at the Illiria counter (98 lek outside the security zone), saying we wouldn’t find a better rate. However, the exchange rate was 93 lek for 1 euro, while in the city it was 95...
Car rental at Tirana airport for 9 days via Booking.com: 144 € (56 € for the car rental and 88 € for optional full insurance deductible waiver).
Wheego agency: the car was fine, but be careful when signing the contract—they tried to convince us that the insurance taken through Booking didn’t cover everything and insisted we take their own insurance for 250 €... We refused.
After reading about driving in Tirana, instead of starting our trip by visiting the capital, we decided to head straight to Berat upon arrival and return the car at the end of the trip to explore the city on foot. This turned out to be a great choice!
Accommodations: All our stays were booked via Booking.com. Everyone prefers to be paid in euros and in cash—they mention this when booking.
Berat: 2-hour drive from the airport.
Accommodation: Vila Arben Elezi: 135 € for 3 nights with breakfast and private parking. The room was decent and clean but a bit dark, located slightly below ground level near the parking. However, the breakfast on the rooftop was excellent, especially with the stunning view of the "city of a thousand windows." Great location.
Berat was our favorite—there are lovely walks through the different neighborhoods on both sides of the river, each with a very different vibe. The citadel visit is also fascinating, as it’s like a small town within the fortress.
The walk along the river is pleasant, with plenty of restaurant choices. Other restaurants in the old town are also very nice. The White House Restaurant, on the first floor along the road, is good and offers a great view of the Gorica district.
Gjirokastër:
Accommodation: Te Ajdini Guest House: 120 € for 3 nights with breakfast. A private home stay. There’s free parking just before entering the city, a 5-minute walk from the accommodation, which is very convenient since the cobblestone streets are narrow and parking is tricky. Yes, it’s a climb to get to the place, but everything in this city is uphill... The room was bright and clean. Breakfast was very good, hearty, and served in the courtyard with a view of the castle. The guesthouse is a 5-minute walk from the city center (the bazaar) but in a quiet area.
Restaurants: Rrapi and Kujtimi—good and affordable with their little pergolas.
The old town of Gjirokastër is charming but very touristy, with streets packed with souvenir shops and restaurant tables and chairs. Lots of people.
-The bunker visit (near the tourist office) is very interesting: Cold War Tunnel.
The castle offers a beautiful view of the city.
-Visit to the Ottoman house Skenduli: very well done. Don’t forget to climb the ladder facing a trapdoor in the ceiling to see the roof’s framework—it’s like a forest of beams: impressive!
-The bridge Ura e Ali Pasha: A steep 45-minute climb from the city to the site is worth it, but once you reach the viewpoint (which is stunning), you have to go back down a path to reach the bridge. You can drive to the viewpoint, but parking is very tricky.
Around Gjirokastër:
-Just outside the city: Lake Liqeni i Viroit: a nice, ordinary-looking lake, but at the end, there’s a natural spring making the water crystal clear and a brilliant blue—really spectacular, like photos of Blue Eye near Sarandë.
-Drive to Përmet along the gorges: beautiful viewpoints along the way and lovely countryside.
Himarë:
Accommodation: Vila Kosteli: 120 € for 2 nights with breakfast—slightly overpriced for this type of place but very close to a small beach and not far from the promenade with all the restaurants. Private parking, but very tight (4 cars on a tiny lot along the road). The "sea view" room is a bit obstructed by the building across the street. However, the rooftop breakfast view is beautiful. Friendly staff.
Himarë is a pleasant seaside resort, quite calm (but it was April...). There’s a cute promenade with restaurants along the beach. The castle on the heights of Himarë is worth a visit.
Around Himarë:
-Qeparo is worth a quick stop, but Qeparo village is really worth the detour: a village lost in the heights after a scenic drive up from the coastal road—narrow but well-maintained. Beautiful view from the top and a charming village.
-The Big Bunker and Llogora Panorama: take a right turn several kilometers after Dhermi—a road that climbs steeply from the start... A breathtaking winding road that reaches 900 meters in altitude. The view is stunning.
-Several small villages between Dhermi and Himarë are worth a quick stop.
-Porto Palermo Castle is somewhat disappointing.
Tirana:
Taxi from Tirana airport to the city center: 15 € with electric taxis (Green Taxi, Bee Taxi, Do Taxi).
Accommodation: Hotel Nevi Apartment: 63 € for 2 nights. A private apartment in an older building but very clean and well-equipped, with a kitchen and small enclosed balcony.
Great welcome and contact—the owner even booked a taxi for our departure. Very well located, close to the main square, shops, and restaurants. A small supermarket nearby is perfect for stocking up on breakfast supplies.
The city is lively and dynamic, with plenty of green spaces and promenades. Buildings are popping up everywhere, often with surprising architecture—like a building shaped like a face, a huge golden cube, and many others under construction.
-Sky Tower: at the top, a rotating bar offers a 360° view of the city and its buildings. Drinks are a bit pricier than usual, but it’s totally worth it (6 € for a beer or a glass of white wine, 3 € for coffee). We were there for sunset, and it was amazing! A must-do. Arrive early, as it fills up quickly.
-The House of Leaves: a house used for secret surveillance and interrogations during the dictatorship... A great way to learn about the surveillance systems of that era.
-Bunk’Art 2: a bunker in the heart of the city—very interesting, covering the dictatorship period and its system...
-The Pazari i Ri Bazaar: the new bazaar district. The large hall is worth a visit, but souvenir prices are often higher than elsewhere... The area is nice.
Restaurant: Kastrati Restaurant—a bit like a canteen with lots of traditional dishes. It’s on the first floor of a building. Excellent value for money, and the waitress explains the dishes in French.
That’s a little overview of our trip and my personal impressions! Albania is a beautiful and pleasant country to visit. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
That’s a little overview of our trip and my personal impressions! Albania is a beautiful and pleasant country to visit. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
What are the main sights to visit on Rhodes itself or the surrounding islands, and what’s the weather like? We’re leaving on May 18th.
Hi everyone,
We’re thinking of spending 3 weeks in Crete between mid-August and early September, renting a car, quickly exploring a few spots in the east, and focusing on the west, southwest, and south.
I’m worried about the heavy tourist crowds. Is it really more noticeable than elsewhere in Greece? Is there a way to avoid the crowds without missing out on the iconic places, which I imagine are stunning in Crete? Thanks for your thoughts and experiences!
Hi,
I'm heading to Greece via Albania soon. Does anyone have info on transportation from Gjirokastër to Ioannina?
Which company, fares, and schedules—it's not very clear with Google.
Thanks!
Patrice
Thanks!
Patrice
Hi everyone,
I’m just passing through Bratislava quickly (one afternoon, one night, one morning) and I’d love to see the highlights of the city. I’ve put together a little itinerary—feel free to let me know what you think!
Start at the castle and its beautiful viewpoint Visit the Baroque gardens St. Martin’s Cathedral, quick visit National Theatre Discover the Cumil statues Primatial Palace via Hlavné Namestie Michael’s Gate Grassalkovich Palace via Obchodna Walk across Namesti Slobody to head back to the upside-down pyramid Head down to the Blue Church Cross the Danube to see Sad Janka Krala, then return via the UFO Bridge There you go—10 km and a packed day! What do you think?
Thanks, Stéphane.
I’m just passing through Bratislava quickly (one afternoon, one night, one morning) and I’d love to see the highlights of the city. I’ve put together a little itinerary—feel free to let me know what you think!
Start at the castle and its beautiful viewpoint Visit the Baroque gardens St. Martin’s Cathedral, quick visit National Theatre Discover the Cumil statues Primatial Palace via Hlavné Namestie Michael’s Gate Grassalkovich Palace via Obchodna Walk across Namesti Slobody to head back to the upside-down pyramid Head down to the Blue Church Cross the Danube to see Sad Janka Krala, then return via the UFO Bridge There you go—10 km and a packed day! What do you think?
Thanks, Stéphane.
Hi,
I’m renting a car in Greece (Heraklion).
Should I get extra insurance?
What’s driving like with the Greeks?
Thanks for any tips!
Hi there,
we’re heading to Crete from May 8th to 15th, staying at a hotel in Agia Pelagia, 20 km from Heraklion, on half-board, so we’ll be back every evening. What daily itinerary would you recommend? We love hiking and discovering local cultures...
Thanks in advance!!
Hello,
We’re heading to Prague with so much excitement from June 10th to 20th. I’ve got three main questions for those who live there or have visited:
- What are your thoughts on what to pack clothing-wise? What’s the weather usually like at this time of year? We’re a bit sensitive to the cold—we live way down in southern Andalusia and are used to the *calor* 😎... Should we pack rain gear? Are we likely to get a lot of rain (which we’re dreading a little, but we couldn’t choose other dates)?
- I’ve seen there are "passes" for various attractions, museums, and sites, including one that’s valid for 10 days but costs a whopping 160 € per person—that’s an average of 16 € per day. Do you think it’s really worth it? We won’t be spending our days rushing between every indoor site; we also love wandering the streets and discovering things a bit "at random." If we do two paid visits a day, that’ll probably be the max... Can we make it worth the cost with that? Of course, we want to visit the castle and take a boat trip as a minimum. Are the sites included in these passes iconic, or are they more "minor" attractions? Does having the pass help us skip long lines?
- Finally, a question about communication: I speak French, obviously, plus Spanish and English fluently, but very little German (haven’t practiced in ages), and no Russian or Czech at all. My husband knows a few words of Russian, but it’s "Cuban" Russian—about the same level as my current German 🙂 !! Can we still get by without too much trouble? We don’t want to spend 10 days not saying a word to anyone and communicating only with gestures!!
Thanks for your valuable tips and opinions.
hi,
I'm looking to rent a small car, not too expensive, for Crete in April. Do you have any great tips? Thanks in advance! Best regards
I'm looking to rent a small car, not too expensive, for Crete in April. Do you have any great tips? Thanks in advance! Best regards
Hi there!
We’re heading to Crete (Heraklion) as a couple and I’d like to rent a car.
1) Do we need an international driver’s permit?
2) Are rentals super expensive?
Thanks everyone!
Hi there
I’d like to know how much a meal costs on average in zloty in Poland (Warsaw, Kraków, Częstochowa, Wadowice), and also the price of souvenirs like postcards and magnets—so I don’t end up with too many zlotys left after my 5-day trip to Poland?
I’d like to know how much a meal costs on average in zloty in Poland (Warsaw, Kraków, Częstochowa, Wadowice), and also the price of souvenirs like postcards and magnets—so I don’t end up with too many zlotys left after my 5-day trip to Poland?
Hi everyone,
I’m just passing through the city very quickly (one afternoon, one night, one morning) and I’d love to see as many must-see spots as possible. I’ve put together a little itinerary—let me know what you think!
Visit to Varosliget Park Heroes’ Square Quick stop in the southern part of Margitsziget (for the photo with the Budapest sign!!!) Gül Baba Mausoleum and Rose Garden Fisherman’s Bastion Church of the Assumption of Our Lady of Budavár Tóth Árpád stny promenade Budavar Palace Freedom Square Parliament
This is just a first draft. I still have a few months to tweak it.
Thanks!
Stéphane.
I’m just passing through the city very quickly (one afternoon, one night, one morning) and I’d love to see as many must-see spots as possible. I’ve put together a little itinerary—let me know what you think!
Visit to Varosliget Park Heroes’ Square Quick stop in the southern part of Margitsziget (for the photo with the Budapest sign!!!) Gül Baba Mausoleum and Rose Garden Fisherman’s Bastion Church of the Assumption of Our Lady of Budavár Tóth Árpád stny promenade Budavar Palace Freedom Square Parliament
This is just a first draft. I still have a few months to tweak it.
Thanks!
Stéphane.
hello
I’m looking for advice for a last-minute trip—about 3 weeks (half Montenegro, half Croatia).
I’m traveling solo, backpacker style (low budget, hostels). I’m 40 and love exploring cool spots—cities, beaches, mountains, sports activities, you name it.
I’m torn between renting a car or just going with the flow using buses once I’m there. A car would definitely be more convenient, but it might be pricier—plus, parking (is it paid?) and having to return it to the same place. My plan is to start in Montenegro (flying into Podgorica or Albania) and finish in Croatia, so I’d either need to do short-term rentals per country or one-way.
In Montenegro, here are the spots I’ve noted: - Ulcinj and Velika Plaža beach - A side trip to Lake Skadar and Virpazar - Budva, Sveti Stefan, and Petrovac - Cetinje and Lovćen National Park - Kotor / Perast - Žabljak and Durmitor National Park + rafting in the Tara Canyon Is 8–10 days enough?
And in Croatia, I’ve got: - Dubrovnik - Korčula - Hvar - Split + Trogir and Krka National Park - Zadar - Plitvice Lakes National Park - Croatian Istria / Rovinj / Pula - Zagreb Around 10–12 days.
Any tips on the stops (adding or cutting some from my list) or transportation options?
Thanks in advance!
I’m torn between renting a car or just going with the flow using buses once I’m there. A car would definitely be more convenient, but it might be pricier—plus, parking (is it paid?) and having to return it to the same place. My plan is to start in Montenegro (flying into Podgorica or Albania) and finish in Croatia, so I’d either need to do short-term rentals per country or one-way.
In Montenegro, here are the spots I’ve noted: - Ulcinj and Velika Plaža beach - A side trip to Lake Skadar and Virpazar - Budva, Sveti Stefan, and Petrovac - Cetinje and Lovćen National Park - Kotor / Perast - Žabljak and Durmitor National Park + rafting in the Tara Canyon Is 8–10 days enough?
And in Croatia, I’ve got: - Dubrovnik - Korčula - Hvar - Split + Trogir and Krka National Park - Zadar - Plitvice Lakes National Park - Croatian Istria / Rovinj / Pula - Zagreb Around 10–12 days.
Any tips on the stops (adding or cutting some from my list) or transportation options?
Thanks in advance!
Hi there,
I’m heading to Pelion with my partner and then to Chalkidiki around mid-September (from September 12th to 26th). I arrive in Thessaloniki on Saturday evening and plan to spend a day there to check out the market (though it’s marked as temporarily closed on Google??) and, most importantly, enjoy the local food scene.
After that, I’ll head toward Meteora (Sunday evening/Monday), spend a week in Pelion, and then head up to Nikiti to finish the trip (5 days in Vourvourou) and explore the beaches of Sithonia. We’ll also make a trip to Afytos since I think it’s worth the detour.
About Pelion, I’m really not sure where to stay because the distances between Volos and Afissos aren’t straightforward.
I’m looking for a quiet spot but with a little evening activity—like strolling through a village or by the sea. I’ve seen a few suggestions via ChatGPT, but I’m not convinced about the vibe (Milies, Makrinitsa).
Volos is big… but kind of ugly.
We love hiking, spending time in picturesque/typical villages, and, like everyone else, tasting local specialties. As for balancing the trip, I’m open to changes or adjustments if you’ve got any tips—I’d love to hear them, along with any other ideas.
I’m heading to Pelion with my partner and then to Chalkidiki around mid-September (from September 12th to 26th). I arrive in Thessaloniki on Saturday evening and plan to spend a day there to check out the market (though it’s marked as temporarily closed on Google??) and, most importantly, enjoy the local food scene.
After that, I’ll head toward Meteora (Sunday evening/Monday), spend a week in Pelion, and then head up to Nikiti to finish the trip (5 days in Vourvourou) and explore the beaches of Sithonia. We’ll also make a trip to Afytos since I think it’s worth the detour.
About Pelion, I’m really not sure where to stay because the distances between Volos and Afissos aren’t straightforward.
I’m looking for a quiet spot but with a little evening activity—like strolling through a village or by the sea. I’ve seen a few suggestions via ChatGPT, but I’m not convinced about the vibe (Milies, Makrinitsa).
Volos is big… but kind of ugly.
We love hiking, spending time in picturesque/typical villages, and, like everyone else, tasting local specialties. As for balancing the trip, I’m open to changes or adjustments if you’ve got any tips—I’d love to hear them, along with any other ideas.
Hi! We’d like to go away for 10 days around May 15th, either to Menorca or Crete—we don’t know either place. We love hiking, unspoiled nature, good food, swimming, and, if possible, avoiding crowds. We enjoy getting off the beaten track. Menorca seems ideal because it’s not far by plane from Lyon, but if Crete is really wilder and more beautiful in terms of landscapes, we can add an extra hour of flight time. Can you help us out? Thanks!
Hi everyone,
I'm on my way to Slovakia, where I'll be spending about ten days on vacation in the High Tatras. I've decided to stop in Prague for 24 hours with my two teens (arriving around noon, leaving the next day). We don’t know the city at all. I know a single day is way too short to discover everything, so I’d like to plan a small circuit to see the must-see spots.
Here’s what I’ve planned:
Walk through Nový Svět street Visit the castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, and Golden Lane Quick stop at Vojanovy Sady gardens Malá Strana Square Maltese Square Kampa Island Then the iconic Charles Bridge and a short tour of the Jewish Quarter We’ll head back down to visit Old Town Square (Malé Náměstí, St. Nicholas Church, and the Church of Our Lady before Týn) Head to Wenceslas Square and the Church of Our Lady of the Snows Then to the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius and the Dancing House And finally, back to the starting point.
Estimated distance: 10 km
I was thinking of a little evening stroll up Petřín Hill... what do you think? Are there things that aren’t really worth it, or other spots that are must-sees?
Thanks for your thoughts and feedback!
Stéphane.
I'm on my way to Slovakia, where I'll be spending about ten days on vacation in the High Tatras. I've decided to stop in Prague for 24 hours with my two teens (arriving around noon, leaving the next day). We don’t know the city at all. I know a single day is way too short to discover everything, so I’d like to plan a small circuit to see the must-see spots.
Here’s what I’ve planned:
Walk through Nový Svět street Visit the castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, and Golden Lane Quick stop at Vojanovy Sady gardens Malá Strana Square Maltese Square Kampa Island Then the iconic Charles Bridge and a short tour of the Jewish Quarter We’ll head back down to visit Old Town Square (Malé Náměstí, St. Nicholas Church, and the Church of Our Lady before Týn) Head to Wenceslas Square and the Church of Our Lady of the Snows Then to the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius and the Dancing House And finally, back to the starting point.
Estimated distance: 10 km
I was thinking of a little evening stroll up Petřín Hill... what do you think? Are there things that aren’t really worth it, or other spots that are must-sees?
Thanks for your thoughts and feedback!
Stéphane.
Hello
It’s decided—next summer, it’s Cyprus! A region we don’t know yet, with nature, culture, beach time, and diving the Zenobia 😎 We’re thinking of a 2-week trip.
After flipping through the LP guide, I’m still unsure about the best bases—I can’t quite picture the distances...
Option 1: Stay near Larnaca for 1 week and Paphos for the other. But from Larnaca, Cape Greco is doable. Wouldn’t it be better to stay near Cape Greco (Protaras?) instead? What about getting to Lefkara? Same from Paphos—easy to explore as far as Kourion.
Option 2: A single, more central base somewhere between Limassol and Larnaca.
Thanks for your tips and great deals 😉
It’s decided—next summer, it’s Cyprus! A region we don’t know yet, with nature, culture, beach time, and diving the Zenobia 😎 We’re thinking of a 2-week trip.
After flipping through the LP guide, I’m still unsure about the best bases—I can’t quite picture the distances...
Option 1: Stay near Larnaca for 1 week and Paphos for the other. But from Larnaca, Cape Greco is doable. Wouldn’t it be better to stay near Cape Greco (Protaras?) instead? What about getting to Lefkara? Same from Paphos—easy to explore as far as Kourion.
Option 2: A single, more central base somewhere between Limassol and Larnaca.
Thanks for your tips and great deals 😉
I’d like to book tickets for a visit to the Acropolis at the end of April. The official site is down. What do you think of agencies like Get Your Guide? Are they reliable? It’s a lot more expensive. The audio guide option is tempting, but is that reliable too? We’re a bit older and like to take our time...
Do the other museums (National Archaeological Museum and Museum of Cycladic Art) also require reservations? We visited Athens 50 years ago, and it seems like things have changed a lot.
Thanks for any help!
Do the other museums (National Archaeological Museum and Museum of Cycladic Art) also require reservations? We visited Athens 50 years ago, and it seems like things have changed a lot.
Thanks for any help!
hi,
I just booked a flight and hotel (Mövenpick in Durrës) for my husband and me for late May. We’re thinking of spending (I haven’t really decided yet) one day in Tirana, one day around Berat, and one day around Gjirokastër and the Albanian Riviera. We were planning to hire a private driver for the day. I asked the hotel if they could find one for me... they brushed me off! Yet I usually do this for all my trips.
Would you have a name, a company, or someone I could contact?
Otherwise, is it "dangerous"—road conditions and Albanian driving—to rent a car?
Do I need an international driver’s permit?
thanks
I just booked a flight and hotel (Mövenpick in Durrës) for my husband and me for late May. We’re thinking of spending (I haven’t really decided yet) one day in Tirana, one day around Berat, and one day around Gjirokastër and the Albanian Riviera. We were planning to hire a private driver for the day. I asked the hotel if they could find one for me... they brushed me off! Yet I usually do this for all my trips.
Would you have a name, a company, or someone I could contact?
Otherwise, is it "dangerous"—road conditions and Albanian driving—to rent a car?
Do I need an international driver’s permit?
thanks
We’ve only been to Crete in Greece before, so this trip is new to us—but planning the itinerary isn’t easy because we have to make choices. We’d love to hear from those in the know about the following plan:
Day 1: flight to Athens, then flight to Milos
3 days in Milos,
4 days in Sifnos,
3 days in Paros,
Final 3 days in Athens.
Should we book ferry tickets between the islands in March in advance, or can we wait until the last minute?
Same question for accommodations on these different islands.
Finally, on the 3 islands we’ve chosen, is renting a car essential, or are the buses enough?
Thanks for your help!
HELLO!
For a trip to the Cyclades in early May (1st–18th), we’re planning to visit Naxos, Amorgos, and finish on Paros to catch a flight back to Athens.
I was wondering if we need to book the ferries now or if we can wait a bit... also, for car rental, can we book on the spot?
For accommodations, our bookings are done except for Paros... any suggestions for good value-for-money options?
Also, any other tips about our route or anything else would be super welcome!!!
Thanks in advance from Quebec! 🙂
Christine
For a trip to the Cyclades in early May (1st–18th), we’re planning to visit Naxos, Amorgos, and finish on Paros to catch a flight back to Athens.
I was wondering if we need to book the ferries now or if we can wait a bit... also, for car rental, can we book on the spot?
For accommodations, our bookings are done except for Paros... any suggestions for good value-for-money options?
Also, any other tips about our route or anything else would be super welcome!!!
Thanks in advance from Quebec! 🙂
Christine