Hi, We’re a young couple planning to travel to South Africa after spending about three weeks in Namibia. We’ll arrive in Cape Town around mid-December, with no fixed travel duration (though our budget will eventually set a limit). After browsing through the forum, we’ve realized the country is packed with incredible spots, which makes choosing an itinerary tough. We’re looking for stunning landscapes, hikes, and so on. So, we’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences. When we arrive in Cape Town, we’d like to settle in and take it easy until New Year’s, exploring at a relaxed pace. We know this period coincides with South African holidays—does that make finding accommodations (availability/prices) more difficult? Do you think it’s possible to stay in a nice place for about 15 days without aiming for the most upscale neighborhoods? Maybe somewhere a bit outside Cape Town, like Fish Hoek, and just visit the city occasionally. After that, we’ll have plenty of time (about 2 to 2.5 months) to explore the country. We’d like to take our time. In your opinion, is it better to focus on the Cape Town region, or is it reasonable to consider more distant areas like the Drakensberg or Blyde River Canyon? Can everything be done by car if we take our time, or are domestic flights sometimes more practical? Budget-wise, how much do car rentals cost? For accommodations, we usually look at Airbnb—are they affordable in South Africa? What’s the average nightly rate outside the biggest cities? Are there other platforms you’d recommend for saving on lodging? Finally, regarding safety, are there any regions to avoid besides Johannesburg? We know this is a lot of questions, but we’re still in the early planning stages! Thanks in advance for your advice!

Hi there, For our upcoming trip to China, we're planning to get around by bus and train. For trains, we found a few sites, including: https://www.travelchinaguide.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqfiOqfmBSYlDwjPCXo4nkF7uF3ILYs_o3wlLu9uBy7gC7iN-2C, and for buses: https://www.chinabusguide.com/ but the latter site isn’t very complete. Have any of you tried other sites? Thanks for your help! Alod

Hi there.

I’m planning a getaway to Bali at the end of September. I’m a bit late applying for the international driving permit through the official site. Someone told me about https://international-permit.com/en-us. Is it reliable?

Thanks for your replies.

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a 7-day trip to Marrakech for a sports camp, and I’ll be traveling with just a standard carry-on backpack.

I’d love to hear your best tips and tricks: • What clothes are absolutely essential? • Any advice for managing the heat while traveling light? • Which accessories have been the most useful for you? • Mistakes to avoid on a first trip to Marrakech?

I’m also open to your recommendations for neighborhoods, restaurants, or activities not to miss during my free time.

Thanks in advance for your advice and experience! !

Bonjour,

Pour les vêtements, quand partez-vous ? Si c'est pendant l'été, privilégiez les matières type coton et lin et des vêtements comme pantalons, t-shirts simples car la poussière s'infiltre partout. Vous pouvez short long, type bermuda également (oui il y a des filles qui se baladent en dos nu et haut de bikini mais ce n'est pas vraiment dans la culture locale donc pas très respectueux). Chapeau, crème solaire, lunettes de soleil... des lingettes ça peut être bien aussi.

Pour les erreurs, je dirai que la place Jema El Fnaa est bien sûr sympa à voir mais qu'il ne faut rien y acheter car tout est beaucoup plus cher qu'ailleurs. Les monuments de Marrakech sont de plus en plus prisés donc quand vous le pouvez, réservez en avance ou arrivez tôt.

Hi there,

I traveled through southern Peru in November 2024 and now I’d like to explore the north. We’re a group of 5 people for a 15-day trip.

Iquitos or Nauta for the Amazon rainforest—I saw that you have to fly there. Chiclayo Chachapoyas Kuelap Leimebamba Cajamarca Trujillo And if we have time, Huaraz for the Andes cordillera.

No problem taking overnight buses—they save a lot of time. Or renting a car and figuring it out as we go.

We’d also love to take the train from Lima to Huancayo, but it seems complicated—I don’t understand when it runs.

Thanks for your help! Best regards,

Hi there, we'd love to visit Barbados in March 2026... or April.... It's quite expensive, so I could really use your advice on hotels, etc. We're a couple in our fifties, laid-back but not too much 😄 We’re skipping all-inclusive places since we don’t have breakfast, so they’re not worth it for us. Any tips are welcome! Thanks

merci bien pour c'est information

Hi there, it’s been a long time since I last went to London. I’d love to spend a week there in July with my daughter and my niece (both young adults).

Of course, I’m looking for great tips on accommodation, and I’m wondering about renting an apartment. It seems like a better deal to save on restaurants (with the option of having a few meals at home... but is that really the case? I’m not sure about the cost of a meal in a modest restaurant, the pound exchange rate, or grocery prices...). Otherwise, I’d like to stay in accommodation (hotel or apartment) near a tube station and in Zone 1.

If you have any great tips, I’d love to hear them!

Thanks,

Marsyork

Hello, I’d like to spend 4 weeks in Santo Domingo next January, preferably near the beach for a relaxed, no-frills stay. I’m a senior, and my goal is simply rest and relaxation. Could you share any tried-and-true tips to help me out? Best regards

Hello, We’re planning to travel at the beginning of 2026 (a couple) to visit these two countries (Laos and Cambodia). We’re looking for local travel agencies to organize our trip with a driver and vehicle. For accommodation, staying with locals suits us just fine. If any seasoned travelers have reliable recommendations, we’d love to hear them. Thanks! Best regards, Lionel 1946

hi everyone I’m just starting to plan a trip to Kazakhstan—I’m thinking 4 weeks in summer ’26—and I’m totally in the dark! What route should I take? First off, for my flight ticket, where should I fly into and out of if I want to book soon?

Is it possible to rent a vehicle with a roof rack? Is that generally tolerated? (Maybe around Almaty?)

I love trains, so I’d prefer that mode of transport.

Anyway, I’m counting on your experiences since it’s tough to find practical info about this country. Thanks in advance for your tips

Hi there! Right now, we're in the southeast part, Isan, staying with a French guy. We don’t cook much—at most, a restaurant meal for 5 people costs us 1000 baht, with 3 big tsinga and, of course, a full stomach.

Hi there, I’m planning to spend two months in Mongolia, and I’d love to be welcomed by a nomadic or semi-nomadic family in the Altai Mountains. I can work and, of course, contribute money for my stay! Has anyone already had this experience? Also, is it still possible today to take the Trans-Siberian to Novosibirsk and then cross the Russia-Mongolia border at Tashanta? Looking forward to your replies! Thanks

Hi there, we’re heading to the Seychelles at the end of March for two weeks. I was thinking 5 days in Praslin, 3 days in La Digue, and 5 days in Mahé. Does that time split sound good to you?! For accommodation in Praslin, does the Grande Anse area seem nicer than St Anne for a quiet stay? And on Mahé, is the south coast or the west coast better? Do you know where the boats usually leave from for island-hopping excursions? Last question: I’m a fisherman and I’ll have some gear with me. Do you know where the fishing reserves are? Are there any small harbors where I can hop on a boat with locals? Thanks in advance for your tips!

Bonjour

J’étais en Albanie en mai et on a loué principalement des appartements, petits déjeuners et dîners à l’appartement. Donc on faisait des courses et on trouvait la note bien douce…..

Salut, Merci encore pour ton idée d’itinéraire, je m’en suis d’ailleurs largement inspiré ! 😊 Je reviens vers vous parce que j’aimerais bien avoir votre avis sur la première partie de notre voyage. Après réflexion, on a décidé de ne pas faire toute le pays : financièrement, ça commencerait à piquer un peu trop. Cette première partie représente déjà 48 jours sur les 85 prévus. Le programme envisagé :

Du 21 au 29 décembre : Cape Town et toute la péninsule.

Du 29 décembre au 3 janvier : logement à Gordon's Bay pour explorer les vignobles de Stellenbosch et Franschhoek, la côte ainsi que la Jonkershoek Nature Reserve. On s’est rabattus sur Gordon's Bay car il ne restait plus grand-chose dans notre budget autour de Stellenbosch. 😅

Du 3 au 6 janvier : direction Saldanha pour 3 jours, histoire de profiter du West Coast NP.

Du 6 au 10 janvier : Cederberg, vers Clanwilliam, avec notamment le Sevilla Rock Art Trail.

Du 10 au 13 janvier : pause de 2 nuits entre Clanwilliam et Citrusdal.

Du 13 au 14 janvier : une nuit à Tulbagh.

Du 14 au 16 janvier : logement à McGregor pour profiter du calme et du Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve.

Du 16 au 18 janvier : Montagu.

Du 18 au 19 janvier : nuit de transition à Ladismith, puis route vers Calitzdorp avant d’emprunter le Swartberg Pass pour rejoindre Oudtshoorn.

Du 19 au 22 janvier : 3 nuits à Oudtshoorn.

Du 22 au 26 janvier : Garden Route avec 4 nuits à Wilderness.

Du 26 janvier au 1er février : Plettenberg Bay ou Knysna (on hésite encore, le choix se fera probablement selon le prix des logements 😄). On a volontairement prévu une étape assez longue pour prendre le temps de flâner.

Du 1er au 3 février : 2 nuits à Storms River pour profiter du parc Tsitsikamma (même si on aura peut-être déjà eu l’occasion d’y faire un tour depuis Knysna).

Du 3 au 6 février : 3 nuits à Colchester ou Addo pour découvrir l’Addo Elephant NP.

Pour les logements, on est plutôt satisfaits : on trouve pas mal de chambres ou logements entiers autour de 35 à 40 € la nuit maximum, avec quelques nuits sous tente par-ci par-là. Concernant la voiture, j’ai repéré des tarifs intéressants chez Around About Cars (leur nom revient régulièrement, notamment dans le Guide Michelin). Vu notre itinéraire, je pensais partir sur une petite citadine. À première vue, je ne vois pas vraiment l’intérêt de prendre plus gros, mais je suis preneur de votre retour là-dessus. Pour la suite du voyage (environ 38 jours), je pense prendre un vol entre Port Elizabeth et Durban. L’idée serait ensuite de faire une boucle : Drakensberg → région de Saint Lucia → Hluhluwe, puis retour sur Durban en voiture. Vous en pensez quoi ? On avait envisagé de rejoindre le Drakensberg en passant par le Lesotho (ou le nord du Lesotho), mais entre la petite voiture, les pistes pas toujours adaptées et le nombre de kilomètres à avaler, ça nous semble moins intéressant. Au final, l’avion paraît plus logique et probablement plus économique. À ce stade, on a consommé environ 60 % du budget pour 60 % du voyage, donc on est globalement dans les clous. Par contre, j’ai un peu peur que la deuxième partie soit plus chère que prévu. Sachant qu’il nous restera encore un bon mois pour faire tout ça, j’essaie d’anticiper au maximum. Je vous vois venir : "Et le Kruger alors ?" 😄 Pas d’inquiétude, on sait qu’on passe à côté de quelques grands classiques. Mais on préfère largement prendre notre temps et profiter des régions qu’on visite plutôt que d’enchaîner les kilomètres. Ça nous laissera aussi de belles choses à découvrir lors d’un prochain voyage en Afrique du Sud ! 😉 Merci d’avance pour votre avis ! 👍

Bonjour,

Avec Revolut (compte basic), on est limité à l'équivalent de 200 € de retrait aux DABs (par mois glissant) mais il faut ajouter généralement un commission (je pense 3 %) de frais de service de la banque. Ce sont les seuls frais que je "vois", mis à par parfois des frais de paiements supplémentaires de 3% quand on paie par carte (surtout en Asie).

Bien à vous.

Les chiffres sont têtus

Apparemment ya pas que les chiffres.🙁 On ne doit pas avoir les mêmes. Ceux-là sont à jour( juin 2026) et ne sont pas ceux d'une enseigne particulière. Ce sont bien "les prix des produits en magasin en Albanie"...Mais de toutes façon tu auras tjrs raison.Même si tu es resté un jour dans le centre de Tirana et que tu n'as que cette seule expérience de ton magasin Conad.

https://bdeex.com/fr/price/albania/?type=eat&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

Bonjours, apres avoir fait avec votre aide le sud du perou en 2024 nous aimerions faire le nord.Nous serions 5 ou 6 personnes 1 arriver a lima le soir. 2 visite lima et vols le soir 18h35 pour tarapato 3 ,4,5, jours de prevu la bas pour faire trek dans une reserve ( Réserve nationale Pacaya-Samiria ) ou autre 6 tarapoto , chachapoyas sois en bus de nuit ou jours ou voiture privé. 7 chachapoyas cascade de gocha , canyon de sonde avec retour a pied sur la villes. 8 direction kuelap citadelles, revash arrivé a leymebamba 9 musée de leymebamba route pour cajamarca 10 cajamarca source chaude bus de nuit pour trujillo ou chicliyo ou faire les 2 11,12 ,13, visite et alentour 14 bus de nuit pour lima 15 lima 16 depart a 20 h retour france. Que pensez vous de ce circuit. Attend des conseille. Merci

I’ve got some new questions about Albania!

My boyfriend and I are going there for just 9 days, including the two travel days… It’s not much, but oh well!

Looking at prices online, I get the impression everything’s more expensive than I thought 😅 So, I wanted to get your feedback on a few things:

* Is hitchhiking common, easy, and generally safe in Albania? * Is it possible to find day-to-day accommodations without booking ahead? If so, are they usually cheaper than the ones you find online? * Is wild camping allowed or at least tolerated?

If any of you have traveled there recently, I’d love all the tips and great deals you’ve got!

Thanks ☺️

Hi there, we’re heading to the Cyclades from June 23 to July 9. We’ll arrive in Santorini and leave from Mykonos. We’re thinking of visiting these islands: Folegandros, Milos, Sifnos, Tinos, and Mykonos. Do you think it’s better to book the ferries now (which site do you recommend for booking?) or can we buy the tickets on the spot? Also, do you have any suggestions for accommodation under 100 €/night on each of these islands? Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone! I’m planning my dream trip for next September, lasting about a month. Here’s my itinerary:

Amsterdam: 3 days (departing from Montreal) Tanzania: 3-day safari Zanzibar: 6 days Istanbul: 7 days Return to Montreal.

Since my budget is pretty tight, I’m looking for tips and advice to cut costs without sacrificing the experience. Here are my questions:

Multi-destination flights: What’s the best way to book these connections? Is it better to buy a one-way ticket from Montreal to Amsterdam, then a separate internal flight, or use comparison tools for a multi-destination ticket? Budget safari: Do you have recommendations for local agencies or tips to do a 3-day safari (Serengeti/Ngorongoro) at an affordable price (e.g., camping/glamping instead of luxury lodges)? Accommodation in Zanzibar: Which villages or types of lodging are the most budget-friendly and accessible via local transport for these 6 days? Istanbul: Any tips for well-located but cheap accommodation and great food deals?

Hi there,

I’m planning a 10-day trip to Slovenia in May (9–19 May) and starting to look at accommodations. Unfortunately, I’m only seeing relatively expensive options—nothing under 50 €, and usually around 100–150 €. Traveling solo, that could quickly blow my budget. And 30 € for a bed in a 10-person dorm at a youth hostel feels like a rip-off...

Are there other booking sources besides the usual Booking.com, Airbnb, and Google? Or can anyone confirm if I’ll find more reasonable rates on the ground around Bled, Bohinj, Triglav, or in mountain huts? I’ll be renting a car to optimize my travel, so I won’t be limited geographically.

Thanks so much! !

hi there

I’m planning to spend about twenty days in Réunion in November. I’d like to get around using the *car jaune* (2 € per ticket), but from what I’ve heard, it doesn’t cover the whole island. I’m not looking to head toward the ocean and the beautiful beaches—more toward the mountainous landscapes, even if I’ll just be admiring them from below. 😉 Maybe other buses go where I want to go. By the way, are there any relatively easy mountain hikes, and where?

But here’s the most important part: I don’t want to book anything in advance because I don’t know what my itinerary will look like—it’ll change depending on my mood. 3 days here, 5 days there, etc. On top of that, I’d like to arrange half-board stays with locals—not professionals—by approaching them and asking if they’d be willing to host me (overnight stay, breakfast, and dinner) for 30 € to 40 € per day.

What do you think? Does the price seem reasonable? And is it okay to take the initiative and ask Réunionnais directly?

The tourist office in Réunion told me that since November is peak tourist season, I should book without delay. 🤪

For four years in a row, I traveled across Canada for a month and a half each time, relying only on hitchhiking and half-board stays with Canadians who welcomed me (and refused to let me pay them).

If I’d listened to my family and friends, I never would’ve taken the leap—and that adventure remains one of the best experiences of my life.

Thanks for your input!

Hi there, Could you recommend some nice and affordable neighborhoods to book a hotel in for visiting Nice and exploring its surroundings and nearby villages?

I’d like to know if it’s better to book the entire stay in Nice and take day trips to the villages, or if there are villages worth spending at least one night in to really explore them properly?

Since all the villages are stunning and we have to make a choice, which ones are absolutely must-visit?

My 16-year-old daughter and I will be spending a week there at the end of April. We’ll arrive by TGV from Paris and plan to use public transport during our stay. Do you know if there’s a weekly transport pass available and how much it costs?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hey everyone!

I’m diving into planning a trip I’ve dreamed of for a long time: crossing Africa from North to South solo, with a departure planned for October 2025 for about 8-9 months. I’m leaving from Paris with a starting budget of around 7,000 €, aiming to supplement it with work along the way.

My planned route: Senegal → Gambia → Sierra Leone/Liberia (if logistics work out) → Côte d'Ivoire → Ghana → Togo → Benin → Cameroon → Gabon → Kenya (Masai Mara) → Uganda (Bwindi gorillas) → Rwanda → Tanzania (Kili + Serengeti + Zanzibar) → Mozambique → Malawi → Zambia (Victoria Falls) → Botswana → Namibia → South Africa (Cape Town). Madagascar as a bonus if timing/budget allows from Mozambique.

I’m not a backpacking newbie—I’ve done several trips in Europe and I’m familiar with the lifestyle, hostels, local transport, etc. But Africa is my first big adventure on this continent, and I’ve got some very concrete questions I’d love feedback on from people who’ve been there.

🎭 My big dilemma: flexibility vs. pre-organized work

What matters most to me is NOT rushing through. If I feel good somewhere, I’ll stay longer. If a region doesn’t click, I’ll cut it short. That seems totally incompatible with having pre-booked work or volunteer gigs, yet I need that income to stretch my budget.

I’m torn between two approaches:

Option A: The mixed rhythm: 3-4 weeks of volunteering in a country (free accommodation, full immersion), then 1-2 countries in classic backpacker "vacation" mode, then another mission somewhere, etc. This gives a breathing rhythm and avoids burnout from non-stop volunteering.

Option B: The continuous flow: finding gigs as I go, from the previous country, contacting hosts 2-3 weeks in advance with a flexible date range. Keeping maximum spontaneity but never arriving anywhere without a safety net.

Have you tried either? What actually works on the ground in Africa?

🌍 What I’m really looking for in this trip

Not just the classic tourist spots. I want to see the country as it is—eating at local joints, taking local transport (bush taxis, minibuses, sept-places), staying with locals when possible. The big reserves and safaris are part of the plan (Masai Mara, Serengeti, Okavango), but just as much as hanging out in a residential neighborhood in Dakar, understanding how people really live.

Volunteering or work interests me for that reason too (not just for free lodging, but because it’s the deepest way to dive into a country). Working at a school in Ghana, a lodge in Kenya, a permaculture farm in Mozambique—I see it as an immersion that classic tourism can’t offer.

🎒 My concrete questions

About Workaway and Worldpackers: I’ve read a lot but would love on-the-ground feedback, especially for West and East Africa. Are hosts really flexible with dates for long-term travelers? Do the advertised gigs match reality? Are there alternative platforms you’d recommend for Africa specifically (I’ve heard of Help Exchange, WWOOF Africa, local networks…)?

About "off-platform" jobs: Is it really doable to find informal work on the spot (bars, restaurants, lodges) without prior contacts? In which countries/cities is this most accessible for a French speaker without a local work permit?

About logistics between countries: For those who’ve done the West Coast (Senegal → Ghana → Benin), how did you cross borders? Direct buses or local shared taxis at each border? And for the jump from Central Africa → Kenya, is a flight mandatory, or are there feasible overland routes?

About Madagascar: I’m considering adding it from Mozambique (flight Maputo or Beira → Tana). Those who’ve done it backpacker-style on a tight budget—is 3-4 weeks doable, or is it too short to be worth it?

I’m open to all tips, experiences, warnings, and pleasant surprises. And if you’ve got trusted local contacts (Workaway hosts, associations, community lodges), I’m all ears!

I’ve got tons of questions and I’m eager for any advice or experiences you can share!!

Good evening, As two senior French couples who are used to traveling independently all over the world, we’d like to visit Kenya next November. Now, after seeing and reading a bit everywhere, and with the first quotes for a 6/7-day safari, I’m shocked by the prices (like $2,250) for places like Maasai Mara, where entry alone costs $200 per person per day, plus fees for the driver and vehicle. So if you have any recent great tips or contacts to share to help me out, I’d really appreciate it—because despite the costs, we’d still love to go, while keeping things reasonable. The most plausible solution is probably renting a vehicle with a driver-guide. Thanks in advance for all your replies. Jacques

Hi everyone, I’m planning a trip to Thailand. Since we’ll only be there for two and a half weeks, we want to visit the Krabi area and then Chiang Mai. So we won’t take the train—it’s too long in terms of travel time. We’re wondering if it’s more worthwhile to buy the flight tickets on the spot? If so, is the price difference really significant? From what I see on online booking sites, you’re looking at between 35 and 60 € per person for a Krabi/Chiang Mai route.

Hi everyone, I’m planning a trip to Delhi and I’m looking for a very budget-friendly guesthouse for two people in the Majnu-ka-Tilla neighborhood. If anyone knows a nice place with a low budget, I’d love to get the contact info, rates, or any feedback from your experience. Thanks in advance for your help! 😊