Hi there,

We’re a group of 7 people heading to SRI LANKA in March.

We’re transiting through Mumbai (Air India flight), then after a few hours, we’ll take a SriLankan Airlines flight to Colombo.

The return trip follows the same route 26 days later.

The issue is about the Indian visa.

1- Do we need an Indian visa since we’ll only be at Mumbai Airport for a few hours (no checked baggage)?

2- Do we need a double-entry visa?

Thanks for your help—everything I’ve read online is pretty unclear.

Hi there,

I’m planning to cycle the Vélodyssée from Hendaye to Saint-Brevin in July 2026. My issue: how do I get to Hendaye with my bike? FlixBus doesn’t take bikes, and SNCF is complicated. Any ideas? Has anyone got a solution to suggest? Thanks in advance! Cheers, Patrig

we have flights with Swiss and Lufthansa for January; our flights are still in our booking file. But after reading that the Cambodian ambassador in Paris advised against transiting through Bangkok (which is our case), I reached out to the airlines to potentially change our ticket via Singapore. However, both companies have canceled all flights to Cambodia, regardless of the day or airport. We’ll have our contact on the ground call us on Monday to figure out what to do, especially since no insurance covers war, conflict, etc. If anyone else is in the same situation with an upcoming departure, we can exchange tips

Hello, We’re planning to fly from Paris to Bangkok at the end of June with my wife, our daughter, and the baby who’ll be 4 months old by then. The baby won’t be born for another 2 months, and I was wondering if it’s possible to book the 3 flight tickets now and add the baby after the birth? I read that a ticket isn’t necessary for babies. Can you confirm this for me? Is there a risk that in 2 months they’ll tell me the flight is full and we can’t add our baby? Finally, is it possible to reserve a seat in the first row (where there’s the most space) right now? Thanks so much for your help

Thailand/Cambodia – Tensions at the border Posted on 12/12/2025

Fighting between Cambodian and Thai forces continues across the border area between the two countries.

Travel in this zone (up to 50 km from the border) is dangerous and strongly discouraged.

Furthermore, given the latest developments in the security situation, French travelers and residents are urged to exercise extreme caution in all northern and western provinces bordering Thailand, especially when traveling outside major urban areas (Siem Reap - including Angkor, and Battambang).

In these regions, it is recommended to closely monitor local news.

Facebook page of the French Embassy in Cambodia Website of the French Embassy in Cambodia

Border with Thailand Updated on 26/06/2025

The land border between Thailand and Cambodia has been closed since June 23 for an indefinite period. It is therefore necessary to take an air route to enter or leave Cambodia.

Nearby tourist areas are strongly discouraged: the Mom Bei region (Preah Vihear province) and the temple complexes of Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Tauch, and Ta Krabei (Oddar Meanchey province).

Access from or to the Laotian and Vietnamese land borders is not affected by this restriction.

Hi there, my partner and I are planning a 3-week trip to Scandinavia next June (2026). We’d love to validate our itinerary and get any relevant tips on what to see—or avoid, etc.

Day 1 and 2: Departure from Montreal and arrival in Copenhagen Days 2, 3, 4: Stay in Copenhagen Day 5: Train from Copenhagen to Stockholm Days 5, 6, 7: Stay in Stockholm Day 8: Flight from Stockholm to Oslo Days 8, 9, 10: Stay in Oslo Day 11: Train from Oslo to Bergen (Bergen Line) Days 11, 12: Stay in Bergen Days 13 to 18: 6-night cruise with Hurtigruten or Havila Day 19: Stay in Kirkenes Day 20: Flight from Kirkenes to Oslo Days 20, 21: Stay in Oslo Day 22: Return to Montreal from Oslo.

Thanks so much.

Hello, We’re traveling as a family with two boys aged 10 and 12 to Cairo in February. During our trip, we’re planning to take an overnight train (with or without a sleeper) for the Cairo-Aswan route. Do you know how I can book this remotely?

Also, I’m looking for: - A local contact to sail the Nile by felucca for 3 days from Aswan - A contact to guide us in Cairo

Looking forward to your tips, and thanks in advance! Marie

I’ve read everything and its opposite in travel guides and online. It seems that hotel owners—and the government—require tourists to pay in foreign currency rather than the local one (pounds). This is a huge problem for me since I’ll be in Egypt for 3 months. I can’t exactly walk around with thousands of dollars on me (I’m from Quebec). I could pay with a credit card—easier—but I think there’s an extra fee. Is that really the case? But what do I do if a small-town hotel doesn’t accept credit cards??? I thought about using a WISE debit card, but again, what if the place doesn’t have a payment terminal??? Can I hope that some establishments in less touristy areas might accept payment in pounds? And most importantly: does the same issue apply to paying for entry to archaeological sites??? A big thank you for your insights—I’m totally in the DARK here!!!

Marc Lamarre

Hi everyone,

I’m about to head to Thailand with my kids and I’ve been put in touch with a French-speaking driver who’ll be with us for 3–4 days (for a little "tour" around the provinces near Bangkok).

I’d love to know what the "going rates" are for this kind of service so I can make sure I’m not overpaying.

So if any of you have used this kind of service recently and could let me know what you paid, I’d really appreciate it!

Thanks in advance and have a great week! 😉

Amy

Hi everyone,

My wife and I have booked our tickets from the 24th to the 31st to visit Switzerland, and we want to try skiing for the first time.

Here’s the itinerary I put together with some AI help. I’d love your feedback and tips to tweak the plan! Thanks in advance!

Arrival in Basel on the 24th in the evening, hotel in the city center with breakfast the next morning.

Train from Basel to Interlaken on December 25th, arriving at the hotel around 2 PM.

14:00 – 15:00: Arrival and check-in at Neuhaus Golf & Strandhotel Check-in, rest, and freshen up after the trip. Enjoy the view of Lake Thun—it’s a stunning setting. Grab a coffee or a drink on the terrace or at the hotel bar. The Neuhaus has direct lake access, perfect for a short walk right after settling in.

---

15:30 – 17:30: Downtown & Christmas vibes Bus or taxi (10 min) → Interlaken city center (Hohematte Park). Stroll through the park, take in the views of the Jungfrau, and check out the open shops and chocolateries. Wander around Interlaken’s Christmas market (if it’s still up, often until the 26th). Grab a hot chocolate or mulled wine at a local stand.

---

17:30 – 18:30: Gourmet break or aperitif Café de Paris, Hüsi Bierhaus, or Velo Café for a snack or drink.

For a unique hot chocolate: Funky Chocolate Club (you can even make your own chocolate!). 19:30 – Alpine Christmas dinner

Romantic dinner at a typical restaurant: Spycher Restaurant: fondue and Swiss folklore (reservation recommended). Laterne Restaurant: cozy chalet vibe, traditional cuisine. Des Alpes: local dishes with a view of Interlaken’s lights.

21:30 – Quiet end to the evening Digestive walk around the lake, peaceful and romantic atmosphere. Cozy option: hot bath or reading at the hotel bar with mountain views.

---

Thursday, December 26th — First ski day: Bodmi Arena (Grindelwald)

Goal: Learn to ski gently

🕘 10:00 — Leave the hotel Bus or taxi (5–10 min) → Interlaken Ost train station. Train Interlaken Ost → Grindelwald (departs around 10:20, arrives 10:50).

🕚 11:00 – 13:00 — Beginner ski lesson at Bodmi Arena Booking: Swiss Ski School Grindelwald. Location: Beginner slopes with a “magic carpet.”

🍽️ 13:00 – 14:00 — Lunch on-site

Restaurant Bodmi (view of the Eiger).

☕ 14:00 – 16:00 — Free practice + coffee break in the sun Keep practicing or enjoy the valley views from the terrace.

🚂 16:30 — Return train Grindelwald → Interlaken Ost. 🕖 17:00 — Back to the hotel, relax or take a lakeside walk. 🍽️ 20:00 — Fondue dinner at Spycher Restaurant or Husi Bierhaus.

---

Friday, December 27th — Ski #2: Grindelwald First (blue slope autonomy)

Goal: Improve and enjoy the scenery

🕘 10:00 — Leave hotel → Interlaken Ost → Grindelwald (arrive 10:50). 🕚 11:00 — Rent gear (Skiset or Alpin Center). 🚡 12:00 — Cable car Grindelwald → First (20-minute scenic ride). 🍽️ 12:30 – 15:00 — Ski on the First blue slope, multiple runs at your own pace. 🍽️🏔️ Lunch with a view at Berggasthaus First between runs. ☕ 15:30 – 16:00 — Break at the summit, coffee or hot chocolate. 🚡 16:30 — Cable car descent → return to the station. 🚂 17:30 — Train back → Interlaken Ost → hotel. 🍽️ 20:00 — Free evening (suggestion: dinner at Des Alpes Restaurant, mountain vibe).

---

Saturday, December 28th — Nature day in Lauterbrunnen

Goal: Discover the valley of 72 waterfalls

🕘 10:00 — Leave hotel → Interlaken Ost. 🚂 10:35 — Train Interlaken Ost → Lauterbrunnen (arrive 10:55). 🕚 11:00 – 12:30 — Walk through the village + hike to Staubbach Falls. 🚡 12:30 – 14:00 — Lunch at Hotel Oberland Restaurant or Airtime Café. 🚶 14:00 – 15:00 — Walk to Trümmelbachfälle (45 min on foot, bus available). 🏞️ 15:00 – 16:00 — Visit the indoor waterfalls (entry ~CHF 14). 🚍 16:30 — Return to Lauterbrunnen (bus or on foot). 🚂 17:00 — Train back → Interlaken Ost → hotel. 🍽️ 20:00 — Dinner in Interlaken (Laterne Restaurant or Ox Restaurant & Grill).

---

Sunday, December 29th — Scenic day: Mürren & Allmendhubel

Goal: Effortless alpine views + mountain vibes

🕘 10:00 — Leave hotel → Interlaken Ost → Lauterbrunnen (arrive 10:30). 🚡 10:45 — Cable car Lauterbrunnen → Grütschalp → scenic train to Mürren. 🕚 11:30 – 12:00 — Walk around Mürren, a car-free village. 🍽️🏔️ 12:00 – 13:30 — Lunch at Alpenruh Restaurant (panoramic terrace). 🚡 13:30 – 15:00 — Funicular ride to Allmendhubel, views of Eiger – Mönch – Jungfrau. ☕ 15:30 — Descent to Mürren, coffee or walk. 🚡 16:30 — Cable car + train back to Lauterbrunnen → Interlaken. 🚂 17:30 — Return to the hotel. 🍽️ 20:00 — Cozy dinner (raclette or Swiss soup in Interlaken).

---

Monday, December 30th — Relaxation in Interlaken

Goal: Rest and enjoy the scenery before departure

🕘 10:00 — Leisurely start, walk along Lake Thun. 🚡 11:00 — Funicular to Harder Kulm (~CHF 40 round trip for 2 people). 🍽️🏔️ 12:30 – 14:00 — Lunch at Harder Kulm’s panoramic restaurant (lake views). 🚶 14:30 – 16:00 — Descent and stroll through Interlaken (shopping streets, chocolateries). ☕ 16:00 — Coffee or hot chocolate at Funky Chocolate Club. 🚂 17:30 — Return to the hotel, relax or spa if desired. 🍽️ 20:00 — Dinner at Victoria-Jungfrau Spa & Terrace Restaurant.

Hi there,

I’m planning a 3-week trip to Sri Lanka in January. I’ve always traveled with a backpack, moving every couple of days or so, and I’ve seen the recommended itineraries where you only need one night in each place.

But this time, since I’m really tired, I’d like to settle in for a few days when I arrive. I’d love to find a quiet, pretty spot where I can rest, swim, and eat well ;)

Are there still beautiful places by the sea with few tourists? And do any of you know some great spots or hostels you could recommend for those few days?

After that, I’ll move on to a short itinerary—I know I won’t be able to see everything, and that’s not the goal. No rushing this time ;) just enjoying and discovering at my own pace.

Thanks in advance for your tips!

Hi there! Every year, we go on a cycling trip abroad with panniers, lasting about two weeks. We stay in step lodgings, guesthouses, and the like. We mostly take small roads and really enjoyed northern Montenegro and Albania last year.

We’d love to hear from anyone who’s cycled in these countries before: tips on finding quiet roads, highlights of the regions we’ll pass through, how welcoming the locals are, and so on. Thanks in advance for any replies or exchanges!

Hello,

There are two of us, and we’re spending a few days in Luxor (after a Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan, likely with Terres d'Égypte). On the way back, we’ve planned: - The evening of April 17th: the Karnak Sound and Light show - April 18th: a hot-air balloon ride - After the balloon ride on April 18th, we’re heading to Marsa Alam to join a group leaving for Sataya; our boat departs on the 19th.

Do you know what the cost of a Luxor to Marsa Alam transfer is? I’ve seen prices that vary wildly—some double what others quote—and I’m not sure what budget to plan for.

Can we organize the Karnak Sound and Light show and the hot-air balloon ride on our own, or is it complicated? If you also know of a reliable local agency for transfers and excursions, I’d love to hear about it.

Thanks for your tips!

Hi there, I’d like to visit several islands in the Cyclades in late June - early July 2026 for about 15 days. Stay 3 to 4 days on each one and do some hiking. Your suggestions are welcome—islands, accommodation, hikes, or anything else. Thanks in advance. Twizzle

Hi there, I just booked a round-trip flight from Brussels to Da Nang on eDreams, with a layover in Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific. Does anyone know the check-in procedure for these flights? 1) For flight CX294 BXL-HKG, I’ll need to check in on the Cathay Pacific website, 2) For the next flight CX5552 HKG-DAD, what should I do? I only have a 2h25 layover. Will I need to collect my luggage, go through immigration, and then recheck in at the airport counter, etc.? I’m pretty worried about this layover—I thought check-in could be done on the airline’s website and that my luggage would be transferred automatically during the layover, like with most other airlines... Thanks so much for any help from those who’ve been in this situation!

Hi there,

I’m planning a trip to Argentina where I’ll be arriving at Buenos Aires EZE airport. I’ve seen that there are buses to the city center, but you need a card to board them. Does anyone know the name of the card, and if so, where can I buy it? Thanks, and have a great day!

Ah, Iceland and us—it’s quite the story, or rather, a long wait... The first time we considered going was already 7-8 years ago, after reading travel journals describing breathtaking landscapes, countless active and dormant volcanoes, glaciers, and waterfalls with extraordinary flows. In short, this island, made of fire and ice, right at Europe’s doorstep with its own unique culture, had nothing but advantages, and it was urgent to visit without delay 😇

My *Routard* guidebook is actually from 2016. So why did Iceland make us wait so long before we finally gave in to its charms? Yes, why indeed?

Simply because reading other travel journals revealed the cost of living there—and especially the harsh climate, even in the middle of July 🤪! Some journals described entire weeks of rain and foggy weather, making it tricky to explore the island. The budget wasn’t spared either, because in the most touristy areas, especially in the south and around Myvatn, accommodation prices are downright indecent—even outright robbery. 😕

Plus, in the Highlands, there’s literally no permanent lodging, and the only way to spend several nights there is to camp. And camping in winter conditions wasn’t exactly part of our plans... 😄

So, year after year, this trip kept getting postponed...

until August 2023, when prices for Southern Africa, North or South America, or even Asia were all way too high for summer 2024!

That’s when I turned my attention back to the Land of Fire and Ice and scoured all the comparison sites for the best accommodation deals across the country. Planning for 20 nights, I found 13 nights in "proper" lodging for 5 people at an average cost of under 200 €! A miracle, considering that in the southern glacier region, around Vik or Myvatn, prices range from 300 to 1000 € per night 😮 😮!

Still, that means we’ll have to camp for 7 nights, mostly in the Highlands, near Askja or Landmannalaugar. 😎

For once, I built the daily itinerary entirely around the decently priced lodgings I found 11 months in advance! The shortage of places to stay in some areas forced me to plan a few long transition days and make some tough choices. No big deal, though—there’s so much to do on this island 🙂!

Once the main itinerary was set, everyone agreed to the plan: 2/3 in proper lodging and 1/3 camping, even the most camping-averse among us! *Follow my gaze...*

By the time we bought the flight tickets, I had to tweak the itinerary a bit because one or two places were already booked! Plus, it was impossible to wait for a more refined plan to adjust reservations, since almost all bookings are non-refundable!! The harsh law of supply and demand...

For the car rental, we booked a Hyundai Tucson, approved for the Highlands, from Lava Car Rental—a company I’d read good reviews about in a Facebook group—for a cool 2500 € with full insurance. A real 4x4, like a Defender, would’ve been more than double...! Welcome to Iceland 😕...

Activities and excursions also required some tough choices. We had two must-dos: whale watching in Húsavík (60 € pp on Getyourguide) and a Glacier and Summer Treasure Glacier Walk with BlueIceland (165 € pp with discount codes on Getyourguide).

For the baths, we skipped the Blue Lagoon—too expensive—in favor of the Secret Lagoon and the Myvatn Baths, the Blue Lagoon’s equivalent but half the price.

Two baths for the price of one... and even more, since I spotted several free hot-water swimming spots.

Itinerary: Day 1: Arrival in Reykjavik - Hraunfossar Waterfall - Surtshellir Cave Day 2: Grábrók Crater - Snæfellsnes Peninsula Day 3: Stykkishólmur - Sturlungalaug Hot Springs Day 4: Northwest Coast - Akureyri - Goðafoss Day 5: Myvatn Day 6: Myvatn - Dettifoss - Selfoss - Rauðhólar Day 7: Húsavík Whale Watching - Dettifoss - Selfoss Day 8: Stuðlagil Canyon - Seyðisfjörður Day 9: Puffin colony - Störurð Hike Day 10: Hengifoss - East Fjords, Mjóifjörður Day 11: Viking Village - Jökulsárlón - Fjallsárlón Day 12: Glacier Excursion - Svartifoss Day 13: Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon - Vík Day 14: Þakgil - Lava Show Vík Day 15: Southern Waterfalls Day Day 16: Landmannalaugar - Skalli Hike Day 17: Landmannalaugar - Bláhnjúkur - Brennisteinsalda Day 18: Secret Lagoon, Kerlingarfjöll, and Gullfoss Day 19: Geysir - Reykjavik Day 20: Bruarfoss - Þingvellir - Kerid Crater - Krýsuvík Geothermal Area Day 21: Reykjanes Peninsula

Friday, July 5, 2024, is our last workday before driving up to Alsace overnight to leave the cockers at Grandpa’s for boarding. Then, at 1:30 AM, we’ll head to Frankfurt, where a direct flight to Iceland awaits.

We arrive at 4 AM. Since we leave at 7 AM, the "night" will only last the equivalent of a 30-minute nap 🤪... just enough to get us in the road-trip mood 😏!!

Hi, I’m planning a trip to Australia—Paris to Melbourne. I’m flying with Etihad and have a 1-hour connection in Abu Dhabi. Does that seem doable to you? Thanks for your feedback and experiences!

Hello,

First attempt at a travel journal for me and first post after 7 years away from this forum. 😮 I went to the island of La Palma for 15 days in September 2025. After visiting Lanzarote in February, I was looking for a different and greener island. Well, I wasn’t disappointed. 😎

We stayed in Breña Baja on the east coast of the island, 5 minutes from the airport. This choice was mainly motivated by the desire not to change accommodation during the stay and to be in a "central" location close to amenities. It worked out well, but if I were to do it again, I’d split the stay in two by getting another place in the north of the island to explore that area, which really appeals to me. Note that the island is "climatically divided in two": the west coast is sunnier and drier, while the east coast is often foggy or cloudy. It’s quite impressive when you come out of the LP-3 road tunnel connecting the two sides—you feel like you’ve changed regions even though it’s less than 3 km apart.

Flight options weren’t plentiful (no direct flights from France), so I went with Iberia, connecting in Madrid for 250 € round-trip per person excluding checked baggage (80 € round-trip for one 23 kg suitcase on this route). Make sure to buy the checked baggage at the same time as your flight, as it’ll cost about 15 € more if you add it later. I booked the tickets 5 months in advance directly on Iberia’s website. You could also take a low-cost airline to Tenerife or Gran Canaria and then a flight with a Canarian carrier, but in my opinion, that only makes sense if you’re visiting one of those islands first, as the connection isn’t "guaranteed." The ferry is an option from Tenerife (about 2.5 hours crossing).

Our departure from Lyon was initially scheduled for 6 AM but took off at 9 AM so the crew could rest after the late arrival of the previous flight. This let us grab breakfast on the airline’s dime—thanks, EU Regulation (EC) No 261/2004. 😉 Iberia took a week to reimburse me after I submitted my passport, receipts, and bank details via their online claim form.

Our small but spacious CRJ-1000 Air Nostrum Bye-bye, Bugey nuclear plant And hello, Madrid—or rather, its very dry region. Our layover was initially 4 hours but shrank to 1 hour due to the previous flight’s delay. That worked out for us because Terminal 4 at Barajas is way less comfortable for resting than Lyon’s T1.

Landing with a view of Playa de la Cangrejera and del Pozo. When I say the east coast is often cloudy... 😇 First sight of "plátano" plantations. Banana farming makes up 50% of the island’s GDP!

More to come soon. [;]

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

Hi there,

I’m planning a route through China from Hong Kong to Chengdu.

Here’s the draft:

Hong Kong + Macau (4 nights) Shenzhen (1 night) Guangzhou (2 nights) Yangshuo (3 nights) Sanjiang (1 night) Longji Rice Terraces (1 night) Guilin then head north (1 night) Zhangjiajie (3 nights) Chongqing (1 night) Chengdu (2 nights)

I’d love your thoughts. Can I cut nights from some spots and add them elsewhere?

Quick note—I’ve got a lot of travel experience and I’m pretty fast and efficient (early riser, etc.). So I usually pack in more than the average traveler...

Thanks for your help!

Hi there,

We have the opportunity to get away for a little two-week trip at the very beginning of January, just the two of us, without our kids. Because of the kids, we haven’t traveled much in Asia, so we’d love to take advantage of their absence to explore Thailand. Even though I’m used to planning our trips, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed this time.

We’d like to visit Bangkok and head south by renting a car (we have an international driver’s license, and my husband has driven on the left before). I’ve managed to sketch out a rough itinerary that might work for us, and I’d love to hear your thoughts.

To set the scene: we haven’t booked anything yet, we don’t like spending hours on the beach (though a little time at the end of the day is fine), we love walking and sightseeing, and what we enjoy most is being independent (so if we can avoid group tours, that’s ideal).

After that intro, here’s the rough outline of our itinerary: Day 0: Paris-Bangkok flight Days 1, 2, and 3: Bangkok (Wat Pho, Grand Palace, Wat Arun, markets, boat ride through the khlongs, Jim Thompson House) Day 4: Ayutthaya Day 5: Pick up a rental car and head to Sam Roi Yot Day 6: Sam Roi Yot and Prachuap Khiri Khan Day 7: Drive south – overnight near Surat Thani Day 8: Uthayan Tham Khao Na Nai, then drive to Ao Nang (staying near Tubkaek) Days 9 and 10: Boat trips (Railay, Ko Hong, etc.) Day 11: Drive to Phang Nga with a few stops along the way Day 12: Boat tour (mangroves and Ko Tapu) Day 13: Drive to Phuket Airport and return flight

A few questions and doubts: - I’d considered Cheow Lan Lake but read some not-so-great reviews (crowds, just 3 viewpoints, and the rest was meh). What do you think? - Can we start from Ao Thalane Pier for trips to Ko Hong and Ko Tapu? - I’m not thrilled about driving through Bangkok, but I’m not sure where to rent a car west of the city (since we won’t return it to the same place, I assume it’s best to target rental companies at airports).

Thanks in advance for any tips or feedback you can share to help me (or not 😛) refine this plan before I start booking!

Hi there, it’s been a good 15 years since I last set foot in Thailand.

Back then, I spent 6 weeks there with my partner, traveling backpacker-style without ever booking anything in advance, and we always managed to find a guesthouse. Now we think our son is old enough to travel the same way.

Do you still find it just as easy to snag a guesthouse room everywhere?

What’s the average price range these days in the north and the south?

For our route, we’re thinking roughly BKK / Koh Tao / Koh Samui / Krabi, then the Chiang Mai area. Thanks in advance for your tips!

Hi there,

I can’t seem to complete the payment for my trip on the IRCTC (Indian Railways) site. No matter which payment method I choose, my Visa card isn’t accepted. Has anyone here managed to do it, and if so, could you share the method you used? Thanks in advance! Charlie

Hi there, I’m heading to Kruger Park for 4 days in May 2026. Departing from Paris → Skukuza via JNB on Air France. Here’s what’s worrying me: my flight lands (in theory) at JNB at 8:30 AM (Terminal A), then I’ve got a JNB → Skukuza departure at 10:05 AM (Terminal B). That leaves me with 1 hour and 35 minutes to make the connection and clear customs. I don’t have any checked luggage—just carry-on. I called Air France, and they said it’s doable (in theory) with a minimum connection time of 1 hour 30 minutes (which is why they sold the ticket), but I’ll need to move quickly. From your experience, is this realistic in practice? Can I ask customs officers to let me through as a priority? (I’ve got my flight ticket to show.) Thanks for your insights! Serge

Hi there! 😉

I’ve already created a post for our entire trip to Japan, but I’d love to focus specifically on our stay in Tokyo here. We (two couples of friends) will be spending 6 full days there in early November. Here’s what we’ve planned so far. We’d really appreciate your feedback to validate—or not—our schedule, and especially to hear your tips. Thanks in advance! 😉

DAY 0: Arrival in Tokyo in the evening, so rest and dinner near the hotel.

DAY 1:

09:00 – Shinjuku Gyoen Park

Must-see: ✔ Japanese garden (red bridge, pond) ✔ French garden (perspective and rose garden) ✔ English garden (lawns and maple trees) Photo spot: Red bridge + red maples (koyo).

11:00 – Harajuku & Takeshita Street

Walking route:

Start with Takeshita-dori (kawaii fashion, Japanese crepes). Walk up to Omotesandō (designer architecture: Dior, Prada).

Don’t miss: ✔ Kiddy Land (toys, souvenirs) ✔ Tokyu Plaza Omotesandō (entrance with escalators and mirrors → iconic photo)

12:30 – Lunch

Afuri Harajuku (yuzu ramen, light and fragrant). Alternative: Uogashi Nihon-Ichi (standing sushi, quick and fresh).

14:00 – Meiji-jingū (optional but recommended)

Access: From Omotesandō, enter through the large wooden torii. Must-see: ✔ Decorative sake barrels ✔ Forest path (zen atmosphere) ✔ Main pavilion (respect the purification ritual at the entrance). Duration: 45 min.

16:30 – Return to hotel / rest

JR Yamanote Line from Harajuku → Shinjuku (5 min).

18:30 – Evening in Yurakucho (Gado-shita)

DAY 2 09:00 – Visit to Asakusa

Walking route:

Kaminarimon Gate → photo under the large red lantern. Nakamise-dori → shopping street (souvenirs, snacks: melon pan, senbei). Sensō-ji Temple → main pavilion, five-story pagoda.

Don’t miss: ✔ Omikuji (fortune-telling draw) ✔ Photo with the pagoda and Tokyo Skytree in the background.

11:30 – Akihabara

Walking route: ✔ Yodobashi Camera (gadgets, electronics) ✔ Mandarake (figurines, manga) ✔ Super Potato (retro games)

13:00 – Lunch

Quick option: Ichiran Ramen (Akihabara). Local option: Tendon Tenya (affordable tempura).

14:30 – Free time / shopping

Explore the small alleys for anime shops, figurines, gashapon.

16:30 – Departure for Toyosu (teamLab Planets)

Transport:

JR Yamanote Line from Akihabara → Shimbashi (15 min) Yurikamome Line from Shimbashi → Shin-Toyosu (15 min)

Tip: Book a 6:30 PM slot to enjoy the evening atmosphere.

18:30 – teamLab Planets

Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours. Tip: Bring a towel (barefoot experience in water). Mandatory reservation: (official website).

20:30 – Dinner

Option on-site: DMM Café (Toyosu). Option back in Shinjuku: Izakaya (Torikizoku or Teyandei).

DAY 3:

Excursion to Mount Fuji (Kawaguchiko)

DAY 4:

09:00 – East Gardens of the Imperial Palace

Must-see: ✔ Ruins of Edo Castle ✔ Nijubashi Bridge (iconic photo) ✔ Museum of the Imperial Collections (free) Duration: 1h15. Tip: Open exceptionally this day (public holiday).

10:30 – Walk to Ginza

Walk: 15 min via Marunouchi Naka-dori (chic street with shops and cafés). Tip: Enjoy the autumn decorations and designer façades.

11:00 – Ginza

Must-see: ✔ Ginza Six (modern shopping center) ✔ Nissan Crossing (futuristic car exhibit) ✔ Wako Clock Tower (iconic photo)

14:30 – Shibuya

Walking route: ✔ Shibuya Crossing (photo from Starbucks Tsutaya) ✔ Hachikō Statue ✔ Shibuya Scramble Square → Shibuya Sky (panoramic view of Tokyo and Mount Fuji if the sky is clear). Shopping: Loft, Tokyu Hands, Shibuya 109 (fashion).

17:30 – Return to hotel / rest

JR Yamanote Line from Shibuya → Shinjuku (7 min).

19:30 – Dinner

Izakaya option: Izakaya Tofuro Shinjuku (traditional atmosphere). Modern option: Nabezo Shinjuku (all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu).

DAY 5:

10:00 – Ghibli Museum

Duration: 2 hours. Must-see: ✔ Permanent exhibits (Totoro, My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away) ✔ Exclusive short films (Saturn Theater) Tip: Photos are not allowed inside, but there are beautiful spots outside.

12:00 – Stroll in Inokashira Park

Must-see: ✔ Central pond (boat rental available) ✔ Benzaiten Shrine Duration: 30 min.

14:30 – Nakameguro & Daikanyama

Transport: JR Chuo Line from Mitaka → Shibuya, then Tokyu Toyoko Line → Nakameguro (40 min). Must-see: ✔ Walk along the Meguro River (trendy cafés, design shops) ✔ T-Site Daikanyama (magnificent architecture) Coffee break: Onibus Coffee Nakameguro (artisanal coffee).

17:30 – Return to Shinjuku

Transport: Tokyu Toyoko Line → Shibuya → JR Yamanote Line → Shinjuku.

DAY 6:

Free morning (shopping or relaxation)

Suggestions: ✔ Shopping at Lumine Shinjuku or Isetan ✔ Stop by Don Quijote for souvenirs ✔ Or Thermae-Yu Onsen (if you want a relaxing morning before departure).

14:45 – Arrival in Odaiba

Walking route: ✔ Aqua City (shopping, bay view) ✔ Statue of Liberty (photo with Rainbow Bridge) ✔ DiverCity Tokyo Plaza (giant Gundam statue) Immersive option: Immersive Fort Tokyo (if you want a fun indoor activity).

16:30 – Sunset over Rainbow Bridge

Best spot: Esplanade in front of Aqua City or Odaiba Beach. Photo tip: Wait for the bridge lights to turn on (around 5 PM).

18:30 – Dinner in Odaiba 20:00 – Departure for Tokyo Tower

Transport:

Yurikamome Line from Daiba → Shimbashi → Oedo Line → Akabanebashi (30 min).

Tokyo Tower: ✔ Incredible night view of illuminated Tokyo. ✔ Duration: 45 min to 1 hour.

21:30 – Return to Shinjuku

Transport: Oedo Line → Shinjuku (15 min).

And there you have it—I hope I didn’t go on too long! 😉 Thanks everyone for your advice....

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