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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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).

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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).

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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 heading to Sicily for the 3rd time at the end of August. I’ve planned to spend 2 nights in the Aeolian Islands. I know you’ll say—rightly so—that it’s too short, but I can’t do any better. I’ve already been to Vulcano.

Which island is the most worth visiting for its stunning landscapes and views?

At this point, I was thinking of spending 1 night on Stromboli (and doing the ascent) and 1 night on Lipari, Salina, or Panarea.

Thanks for your tips, personal experiences, and have a great weekend!

Virginie

Bonjour, Ma fille part en Islande pour un trek de 4 à 5 jours. Notre réseau belge n'est pas couvert en Islande. Quelle est la meilleur alternative pour être joignable au maximum même en randonnée ? Merci

Hi everyone,

I’m heading back to Rome soon, but this time we’re bringing our teens. Instead of wandering the streets like I usually love doing in this city, we’ll be hitting the "must-see" sights with them: the Colosseum and the Vatican.

And that’s where it gets tricky—apparently, we need to book everything in advance. We’re getting lost among all the offers, official sites, GetYourGuide and the like, packages, with prices ranging from one to three times as much and different tour options...

Could you share your booking experiences for: - Colosseum visit, including the underground level - St. Peter’s Basilica, including the dome - Vatican Museums

Thanks! 🙂

Hi, I’m planning a wine trip in the Alentejo by car. Starting from Marbella, I can either follow the coast and stop over near Huelva, or head north and stop over near Aracena. I’m wondering which route is more enjoyable and which village is the most interesting for an overnight stop. Thanks

Hi there, We’re planning to visit the Canary Islands for 10 days. We love hiking and nature in general, and beaches too, though they’re less of a priority. I’m thinking of spending 5 days in Tenerife, then heading to another island—I’m torn between Lanzarote and Palma. I just can’t decide. Thanks for your advice! Juliette

Hi there, I’ve just booked our flight tickets for my family. We’re heading to Ireland for a week between July and August—it’s our first time (with 1 teen and 2 younger kids).

We’ll be landing in Cork where we’ve rented a car. Initially, I was planning to focus our visits and walks on the Ring of Kerry and Dingle, but it looks like the roads get pretty busy in the summer.

So now I’m thinking of sticking to the "West Cork" area (Beara, Sheep’s Head, Mizen Head), which seems quieter.

For those who know the area, is this a good idea, or are we at risk of missing out on more spectacular landscapes? Thanks in advance! Best regards

Hello, We (two adults) would like to visit this legendary place. Recommended time to go—I’m currently planning for early June. Road trip with my car starting from Belgium.

Day 1: Belgium - Innsbruck Day 2: Innsbruck - Lago di Braies: Visit Innsbruck, then head to Lago di Braies. Day 3: Lago di Braies - San Vito di Cadore: Visit Lago di Braies, then Lago di Landro and Misurina. Day 4: San Vito di Cadore: Tre Cime Day 5: San Vito di Cadore: Cinque Torri (5 Torri) Day 6: San Vito di Cadore: Lago di Sorapis Day 7: San Vito di Cadore - St. Maddalena: Lago di Dobbiaco - churches in the late afternoon Day 8: St. Maddalena - Alpe di Siusi Day 9: Alpe di Siusi: Compatsch Day 10: Alpe di Siusi: Seceda Day 11: Alpe di Siusi - Venice: Lago di Carezza Day 12: Venice Day 13: Venice Day 14: Return trip

Thanks, Louis

hi

I’ll be in Copenhagen this coming May for a few days.

Do you have any recommendations for things to visit?

If I had to pick one castle to visit, which one would it be?

I’m torn between: Rosenborg Castle, Amalienborg Palace, or Frederiksborg and Charlottenborg Palaces

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Hello,

My husband and I are planning a trip to Ireland in September 2026. We’ll be flying from Montreal to London, where we’ll spend three nights. After that, we’ll head to Dublin for a few days and take trains to visit the main attractions. Our ideal plan would be to choose hotels near train stations and take tours to the interesting spots. Would 8 days in Ireland be enough for this kind of trip?

Hi there, I’ve been wanting to explore Sicily for a long time. From an all-inclusive hotel so I don’t have to change accommodation every night, and getting around by rental car. About ten days. Which spot would be best to stay so I can explore without excessive driving? What are the must-see sites, knowing that Mount Etna is already my top pick? What are the key things to know about renting and driving a car (laws, speed limits, requirements in certain cities, parking, etc.)?

I'm looking for the best option to visit the Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces (guided tour + tickets), because there are so many choices and I'm overwhelmed trying to pick one that's good value for money and won't rip me off. Thanks! Sandrine

Hi everyone, I rented a car through Klaus Wagen, picking it up in downtown Porto and returning it in downtown Lisbon. After paying, I read some pretty negative reviews about them. So, can anyone reassure me with positive experiences they’ve had with them? Thanks in advance!

Hi, I’d like to visit Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius in one day—of course, if that’s possible—and I’d love to know the price. Best regards.

Hi there, I’m planning a trip for early July, departing from and returning to Cagliari. I had originally planned to visit these two areas: 1 - Chia/Teulada/Iglesias 2 - Sinis Peninsula (Tharros/Cabras) and Bosa

But after some thought, I’m wondering if the Gulf of Orosei (Cala Gonone/boat excursions) might be nicer than Chia/Teulada/Iglesias. I’d love to hear advice from travelers who’ve visited these regions of Sardinia.

We’re traveling as a family with two teens. Given the time of year, I don’t think we’ll do much hiking. We’re not big fans of crowded places.

Thanks! Marianne

Hi everyone,

For the May public holidays, we’ve planned a 5-day trip to Puglia (which feels a bit short, but we couldn’t do otherwise—work commitments!).

We’ll be staying in Bari and plan to explore the surrounding villages on day trips or half-day trips. We’re struggling to decide which ones to visit.

What do you think is doable/reasonable in 5 days? Are some places more worth it than others?

Off the top of our heads, we were considering: Lecce, Ostuni, Alberobello, Brindisi, Matera, and Polignano a Mare... I think we won’t be able to do it all, so we’re thinking of cutting some destinations—but which ones?

Thanks in advance! Tyflore

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

Hi everyone! 🙂

For once, I'm heading north... I’ve decided to spend a short time in Iceland, alone, during the first week of July. I’ll only have 5 full days there. Sure, it’s not much, so I’ll focus on what attracts me the most: the Highlands. Obviously, renting a 4x4—or even a regular car—on my own isn’t an option. That’s why I’m breaking my (probably unfounded) principles and have contacted local agencies for "day tours" in small-group format. Well, small-group up to 15 people, anyway... Oh well, I’m going for it! I’m really hesitant about visiting the Golden Circle on the last day, since I’ve read it’s become super crowded. I’d love your thoughts on this. Plus, if I visit that area, I’d want to include Bruarfoss, and as far as I know, only the Troll agency offers that detour. There’s also the Snaefellsnes Peninsula excursion that appeals to me, but it seems time-consuming. Time-consuming like the Jokulsarlon tour I’ve already booked. (But that’s on the first day, so I’ll still be full of energy!) By the last day, I’ll probably be running on empty... Otherwise, I’ll be doing 3 4x4 excursions that I’m really excited about: 1 in Thorsmork Valley, 1 in Landmannalaugar, and 1 in Kerlingarfjöll.

So, Golden Circle or no Golden Circle—that’s the question... Or maybe a relaxed day visiting Reykjavik and a lagoon. Blue Lagoon? Sky Lagoon? Meh...

Hi there, We’re spending a week in Andalusia in April, starting with 2 days in Seville, then Córdoba, Granada, and Ronda. We’re thinking of renting a car the morning we leave Seville and returning it at the airport on the last day.

Do you know which downtown rental spot is the easiest for quickly getting out of the city? Or maybe it’s simpler to rent at the airport and leave the car in a parking lot for the first 2 days? Thanks in advance for your help!

Amandine

Hi, could you give me your thoughts on the itinerary I’ve put together? We’re not exactly short on stops 1 Edinburgh 2 Edinburgh 3 Tarbet for the seafood festival 4 Tarbet 5 Oban 6 Mull 7 Oban 8 Laggan 9 Portree 10 Inverness 11 Ullapool 12 Durness Tongue 13 Wick Tain 14 Perth 15 St Andrews Edinburgh Thanks

Hi everyone,

The last time we saw the Dolomites—briefly—was back in 1982. Obviously, things have changed dramatically since then, as few Italian tourist spots are spared from crowds these days.

So, I have two questions:

1) When? Which period offers relatively good weather and moderate crowds? I was thinking October, but are the cable cars still running then? And what about accommodations?

2) Where? Which "must-see" spots should we skip? On the other hand, which places should we prioritize?

We’d like to do a few hikes—moderate in terms of time, distance, and elevation gain.

Thanks for your tips!

Hi everyone, I’m sharing my draft itinerary with you because I just booked our flight tickets, and I feel like it’s quite late in the season. So, I’d like to be sure about my stops before reserving the hotels. I’ll be traveling alone with my two adult children. We want to prioritize outdoor walks, avoid too many indoor visits (both for budget and preference), and not spend too much time on the road.

D1: Arrival at 9 AM in Malaga, day in Malaga and overnight stay D2: Head straight to Nerja (1-hour drive) and spend the night there D3: Head straight to Granada (1.5-hour drive), spend the day and night there D4: Granada. Visit the Alhambra (Nasrid Palaces tour at 5 PM) and spend the night D5: Head to Ronda (2.5-hour drive) and spend the night D6: White Villages and overnight in Ronda D7: Head straight to the Costa del Sol (e.g., Estepona), spend the day and night there D8: Return to Malaga to catch our flight

There you go! This itinerary takes into account that we’d like to do a circuit starting from Seville in a few years. That said, it’d be a shame to miss something doable from Malaga.

Questions: Since the Alhambra visit is only at 5 PM, and we’d already have the day to explore Granada, would arriving the day before be a mistake? Or should we skip this day and dedicate it elsewhere (Costa del Sol? Head toward Tabernas?)? The old town appeals to me, but maybe the Sacromonte neighborhood isn’t essential... Same question for Ronda: should we dedicate a full day to it, or combine Ronda and the White Villages in one day? Note that we love wandering around villages outside, so that might answer my question! :)

Final question: Is it better to rent the car at Malaga Airport or in the city? If we rent at the airport, we’d need a hotel with parking, which doesn’t seem easy. Or stay outside the city and park for free near the center if possible? I’ve read comments about taking a taxi to Malaga and then picking up the rental car at the airport the next morning. The taxi would really need to be affordable...

Thanks so much for your feedback and suggestions for visits during this little circuit. Have a great day, everyone! Christine

Hi there,

I’m spending some time in Switzerland this summer. Beyond the landscapes, I’d still like to visit a few cities—especially Bern, Lausanne, Zurich, and Fribourg.

The issue is parking...

For Lausanne, I found a park-and-ride that’s cheaper on Saturdays. But for the others, it gets tricky...

I don’t necessarily plan to park right in the city center, but there don’t seem to be proper park-and-rides...

I see that the Bern–Fribourg railway line is under construction.

I’d really like to avoid paying an arm and a leg for parking over there or relying on a train once an hour.

Same goes for Montreux—it looks pretty complicated...

If you’ve got any tips...

Thanks! !

Hi there,

We’ll be staying in London for 3 nights in September.

Could you recommend a hotel near a tube station, at a good price, with fairly spacious rooms?

Thanks! 🌸

Hi there, I’m heading to Tenerife for a week, from _ to February 14th. I’d love any tips for accommodations as well as hikes.

Thanks in advance for your advice and suggestions! Have a great weekend, Françoise.

Hi there,

I’m planning a trip from Gran Canaria to El Hierro to Tenerife at the end of winter.

My current dilemma is where to book accommodations on Gran Canaria.

We’re planning to stay 7 nights on the island, and our goal is to hike, drive along small roads, discover a few villages, and admire some beaches (just for the views, not for swimming!).

Since the island is quite rugged, the journeys can be long even if the distances are short. I’d like to avoid driving 2 hours every morning and evening to reach the area we want to explore...

I’m thinking of splitting the 7 nights into 4 somewhere and 3 elsewhere.

But where? It seems the center and the northwest might be the best options.

Any advice, given that I’m mainly looking for peace and quiet, a beautiful view, a secluded spot, or a quiet village?

Thanks! :)

Hi there, We’re planning a trip for October to visit Naples (6 nights) and the Amalfi Coast (5 nights). We’ve already got the historic center and the Lapis Museum in Naples, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Procida, Sorrento, and Ravello on our list. Any suggestions, addresses, or tips? Thanks for your help.

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, I’m planning a trip for about ten people—seniors—to Friuli Venezia Giulia in September 2026.

Day 1 – We’ll likely arrive in Treviso and head first to UDINE for two nights. Day 2 – Morning in Udine, then an afternoon visit to Cividale del Friuli. Travel by local train. Day 3 – We’ll leave for a quick visit to Gorizia before heading to TRIESTE for one night. Day 4 – Visit Trieste and Miramare. At the end of the day, take the train to Cervignano, then a local bus to Grado. Stay in Grado for three nights. Day 5 – Explore central Grado and take a boat tour to the island of Barbana. Day 6 – Relaxation day in Grado (as requested by the participants). Day 7 – Visit Aquileia and possibly Palmanova.

Day 8 – Return to the airport or maybe a quick detour to Venice. For the three days in Grado and the surrounding area, I was thinking of hiring a small bus with a driver. It seems like it’d be simpler—what do you think? Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks for your feedback! MADAPOLAM

Hi there, I’m planning our next (pricey) trip to Norway. It’ll be a road trip with accommodations either in Airbnbs or hotels. I’ve been dreaming of going to the LOFOTEN for ages, but I don’t want to skip the big fjords either (Geiranger, Flam, Bergen, Stavanger). So to combine both, I thought of doing a round trip from Trondheim to Stamsund with Hurtigruten and spending 4 nights in the southern LOFOTEN. The fares are so steep that I don’t think I can do more. The coastal road is certainly beautiful up to BODØ, but with the stops to plan, it ends up costing as much as taking the boat—plus the fatigue and extra kilometers. Has anyone taken the Coastal Express with their vehicle from TRONDHEIM to STAMSUND?