Hi there,
My partner and I are planning to visit Paros from June 4th to 11th, 2025.
I’ve been reading a lot of conflicting things, so I’m a bit confused.
Does Paros feel more like St. Tropez or Porto-Vecchio—overcrowded, too built-up, and has it lost its authentic charm?
Are umbrella and sunbed prices on the beach still reasonable?
Thanks so much for your input—we’re thinking of heading there in early June with my partner.
Hi everyone,
Here’s a little account of our two-week family trip (with two boys aged 7 and 10) to Corfu. I hope it helps other travelers! We chose Corfu because there are direct flights from Paris, and we were looking for a destination where it’d be easy to swim with the kids. We were there from August 14 to 28.
Since I wasn’t sure about the distances and had read quite a bit about Greek driving and the state of the roads, I decided to split the trip into three parts: Corfu Town, the North, and the South.
Corfu Town (3 nights) Day 1: We landed in the late afternoon. Booked three nights via Booking on the edge of the old town (Sueno Garden Apartment), which is walkable from the airport—no need to rent a car for the first few days or stay in Corfu Town. First evening in the old town, dinner at Pane e Souvlaki on Dimarchiou Square. Touristy, but good vibes.
Day 2: Visited the Old Fort. Nice for the Church of St. George, which looks like an ancient Greek temple, and especially for the 360° view from the top. By 11 a.m., the sun was already beating down. Left the fort and strolled through the People’s Gardens. Lunch at Mouragia a bit further away, then backtracked to let the kids swim at Faliraki Bathing Beach.
Day 3: We took bus line 2A from Spinada (in front of the Old Fort) to the end of the runway (stop ΚΑΛΟΚΑΙΡΙ Ε). Poorly signposted when you’re at the top—you have to go down via the bar. Not well set up, which is a shame. The Panagia Vlacherna Monastery is pretty on its little island, but don’t turn around—the landings are impressive. Returned via the 2A with a stop at Mon Repos Beach, where the kids loved jumping off the pier.
North (6 nights) Day 4: Headed to Sidari, rented a small Fiat Panda from Europcar—no issues with this rental company (I booked late, so it’s probably possible to find cheaper). We’d also booked via Booking at Blue Dreams Apartment, just south of Sidari. A family-run hotel with a nice pool, we had a great stay (it’s just been taken over by Belgians who speak French). We wandered around Sidari to the Canal d’Amour. Not easy to access—you have to walk through all the bars, and the tiny beach is pretty dirty. Still, it’s fun for a swim and exploring the cave.
Day 5: Quick breakfast to be at Cap Drastis by 9 a.m. Parked at the top, but there’s very little space (we couldn’t park on the way back), and it’s a dirt road. The signs saying “To the sea” actually lead to a boat dock for a cape tour. You only see the cape from above, not below. A bit of a letdown, but since it was early and no one was down there yet, we treated ourselves to a quick swim. Brunch back in Sidari at Eviva—I recommend it: not Greek at all, but high quality. Agios Stefanos in the late afternoon after the heat. The port is awful (dirty and uninteresting), but there’s a swimming spot just before the beach, near the old port (park above, by the church). No one was there—great moment with the kids.
Day 6: Left around 9 a.m. for Mount Pantokrator. A bit of a climb at the end in the Fiat Panda—it’s steep! The road is long, but I think it’s worth it for the lunar landscape at the top, the monastery-antenna, and the 360° view. Then down to Kassiopi (we paid 5 euros for the Kassiopi Car Park—I think it’s the best option, as there’s no big free parking like in Sidari) and a swim at Paralia Mpataria (small but nice). Really relaxing in the late afternoon. Walked around the peninsula and saw several dolphin pods with amazing jumps. Unforgettable. Kassiopi is more family-friendly than Sidari and has more charm (Sidari has none, so that’s easy!).
Day 7: Morning off at the hotel, then afternoon at Paralia Kalamaki for the inflatable playground the kids had spotted on the way back from Kassiopi. 10 euros per person for an hour, not many people around 4 p.m., and we had a blast. Shallow sandy beach. Not much marine life, but safe for young kids. Note: free freshwater shower. Dinner at Nikos Family Restaurant in Roda. Great welcome and atmosphere. The stifado and soutzoukakia were delicious, and the Greek desserts were amazing too. Next door, at Roda Park restaurant, there was a Greek party with traditional dancing and plaster plate-smashing. Even though we didn’t eat there, everyone was invited to join in the street—it was fun. Probably touristy, but pretty spontaneous, and it was a good time.
Day 8: I’d booked two dives in Paleokastritsa with Achilleon Diving Center, directly via WhatsApp. Great international vibe, two easy but interesting dives (a barracuda school and a “cow” nudibranch at Colovri Reefs, cool crevasses and holes at Donald’s Place). In the afternoon, we visited the Paleokastritsa Monastery (well-maintained, pretty nice) and spent some time at the beach (very crowded).
Day 9: Day off—we enjoyed the hotel pool and went to Olea next door to buy a small olive wood souvenir. Note that the old man who works the wood doesn’t have many fingers left…
South (5 nights) Day 10: Headed to Lefkimmi. Stopped at Achilleion on the way. I knew from reviews that only the gardens were accessible, but I think it’s worth it, even at 7 euros. We passed by the French military cemetery nearby (nothing special, poorly signposted but quiet and peaceful) and ate at Elia Tavern right next door: super good, best calamari of the trip. We’d booked our accommodation at Villa Rosa South Corfu, a bit outside Lefkimmi, near Alikes. Pretty isolated, but the beach is a 3-minute walk away, right next to the old salt pans. On the way, we saw a poster (use Google Lens to translate) for a local festival near Linia. We went that evening: barbecue, concert, and local dancing. Lots of people, but only locals—it was a great time.
Day 11: Short “hike” to Arkoudilas. We parked at the exit of Kavos, just before The Rose Tree restaurant. Some people drive all the way to the beach, but it’s very rocky. We followed the “Monastery” path to see Cape Asprokavos and the ruins of the monastery nearby. To avoid backtracking, we continued through the woods after the monastery to reach Arkoudilas Beach. Nice shaded walk, but dusty road. Dinner at Agali on the Potami Canal (friendly family vibe, but long wait).
Day 12: Boat trip to Sivota with Pegasus. A wooden boat, human-sized. Crowded, but not cramped. Two swimming stops (Blue Lagoon in the morning and a beach in the afternoon) and a 2-hour stop at noon in Sivota. We knew it’d be touristy, but the vibe was good, with some dancing on the way back. Not too many people at the swimming stops.
Day 13: Kouris Museum in Lefkimmi. Okay, don’t go for the history—the guide cracks more jokes than gives rational explanations. Still, we laughed a lot and had a great time. Lunch at The Village on the main road: very fresh, very good. Perfect homemade dip platter. Not the best location since it’s right on the road, but it’s worth it. Free ice cream for the kids, super-friendly owner. Fresh ratatouille (finally, some veggies!). Afternoon at Paralia Issos. View of Korission Lagoon and a walk through the sand dunes, a bit like the Sahara in places (hard to do before 5 p.m., even 6 p.m., because of the heat).
Day 14: I’d booked a visit/tasting at Pontiglio Winery. Short tour of the small site and tasting of the 4 wines produced there: 2 whites, 1 red, 1 rosé. Fresh homemade snacks, fruit for the kids, great welcome. Then to Paralia Kanoula Beach. Mikro Nisi Bar, sunbeds at 20 euros—expensive. But a nice beach with some rocks, so a bit of marine life. We saw octopuses while snorkeling with the kids—great moment.
Honest take on Corfu The island is dirty—not just at the garbage sites, which aren’t collected often enough and overflow constantly, but everywhere. Not a single square meter without cigarette butts, even if you get off the main paths. Stray cats everywhere, wasps everywhere, sewage smells often.
The natural heritage is stunning but ruined by private encroachment on the coastline. Bars and restaurants take over the land right up to the sea. I’d only been to Santorini and Paros about ten years ago, and I don’t remember it being like this at all. Maybe the Cyclades are different now. From talking to a few tourists here and there, it seems Crete is better managed. We still had a good vacation, even if it was sometimes hard to overlook the dirtiness.
Here’s a little account of our two-week family trip (with two boys aged 7 and 10) to Corfu. I hope it helps other travelers! We chose Corfu because there are direct flights from Paris, and we were looking for a destination where it’d be easy to swim with the kids. We were there from August 14 to 28.
Since I wasn’t sure about the distances and had read quite a bit about Greek driving and the state of the roads, I decided to split the trip into three parts: Corfu Town, the North, and the South.
Corfu Town (3 nights) Day 1: We landed in the late afternoon. Booked three nights via Booking on the edge of the old town (Sueno Garden Apartment), which is walkable from the airport—no need to rent a car for the first few days or stay in Corfu Town. First evening in the old town, dinner at Pane e Souvlaki on Dimarchiou Square. Touristy, but good vibes.
Day 2: Visited the Old Fort. Nice for the Church of St. George, which looks like an ancient Greek temple, and especially for the 360° view from the top. By 11 a.m., the sun was already beating down. Left the fort and strolled through the People’s Gardens. Lunch at Mouragia a bit further away, then backtracked to let the kids swim at Faliraki Bathing Beach.
Day 3: We took bus line 2A from Spinada (in front of the Old Fort) to the end of the runway (stop ΚΑΛΟΚΑΙΡΙ Ε). Poorly signposted when you’re at the top—you have to go down via the bar. Not well set up, which is a shame. The Panagia Vlacherna Monastery is pretty on its little island, but don’t turn around—the landings are impressive. Returned via the 2A with a stop at Mon Repos Beach, where the kids loved jumping off the pier.
North (6 nights) Day 4: Headed to Sidari, rented a small Fiat Panda from Europcar—no issues with this rental company (I booked late, so it’s probably possible to find cheaper). We’d also booked via Booking at Blue Dreams Apartment, just south of Sidari. A family-run hotel with a nice pool, we had a great stay (it’s just been taken over by Belgians who speak French). We wandered around Sidari to the Canal d’Amour. Not easy to access—you have to walk through all the bars, and the tiny beach is pretty dirty. Still, it’s fun for a swim and exploring the cave.
Day 5: Quick breakfast to be at Cap Drastis by 9 a.m. Parked at the top, but there’s very little space (we couldn’t park on the way back), and it’s a dirt road. The signs saying “To the sea” actually lead to a boat dock for a cape tour. You only see the cape from above, not below. A bit of a letdown, but since it was early and no one was down there yet, we treated ourselves to a quick swim. Brunch back in Sidari at Eviva—I recommend it: not Greek at all, but high quality. Agios Stefanos in the late afternoon after the heat. The port is awful (dirty and uninteresting), but there’s a swimming spot just before the beach, near the old port (park above, by the church). No one was there—great moment with the kids.
Day 6: Left around 9 a.m. for Mount Pantokrator. A bit of a climb at the end in the Fiat Panda—it’s steep! The road is long, but I think it’s worth it for the lunar landscape at the top, the monastery-antenna, and the 360° view. Then down to Kassiopi (we paid 5 euros for the Kassiopi Car Park—I think it’s the best option, as there’s no big free parking like in Sidari) and a swim at Paralia Mpataria (small but nice). Really relaxing in the late afternoon. Walked around the peninsula and saw several dolphin pods with amazing jumps. Unforgettable. Kassiopi is more family-friendly than Sidari and has more charm (Sidari has none, so that’s easy!).
Day 7: Morning off at the hotel, then afternoon at Paralia Kalamaki for the inflatable playground the kids had spotted on the way back from Kassiopi. 10 euros per person for an hour, not many people around 4 p.m., and we had a blast. Shallow sandy beach. Not much marine life, but safe for young kids. Note: free freshwater shower. Dinner at Nikos Family Restaurant in Roda. Great welcome and atmosphere. The stifado and soutzoukakia were delicious, and the Greek desserts were amazing too. Next door, at Roda Park restaurant, there was a Greek party with traditional dancing and plaster plate-smashing. Even though we didn’t eat there, everyone was invited to join in the street—it was fun. Probably touristy, but pretty spontaneous, and it was a good time.
Day 8: I’d booked two dives in Paleokastritsa with Achilleon Diving Center, directly via WhatsApp. Great international vibe, two easy but interesting dives (a barracuda school and a “cow” nudibranch at Colovri Reefs, cool crevasses and holes at Donald’s Place). In the afternoon, we visited the Paleokastritsa Monastery (well-maintained, pretty nice) and spent some time at the beach (very crowded).
Day 9: Day off—we enjoyed the hotel pool and went to Olea next door to buy a small olive wood souvenir. Note that the old man who works the wood doesn’t have many fingers left…
South (5 nights) Day 10: Headed to Lefkimmi. Stopped at Achilleion on the way. I knew from reviews that only the gardens were accessible, but I think it’s worth it, even at 7 euros. We passed by the French military cemetery nearby (nothing special, poorly signposted but quiet and peaceful) and ate at Elia Tavern right next door: super good, best calamari of the trip. We’d booked our accommodation at Villa Rosa South Corfu, a bit outside Lefkimmi, near Alikes. Pretty isolated, but the beach is a 3-minute walk away, right next to the old salt pans. On the way, we saw a poster (use Google Lens to translate) for a local festival near Linia. We went that evening: barbecue, concert, and local dancing. Lots of people, but only locals—it was a great time.
Day 11: Short “hike” to Arkoudilas. We parked at the exit of Kavos, just before The Rose Tree restaurant. Some people drive all the way to the beach, but it’s very rocky. We followed the “Monastery” path to see Cape Asprokavos and the ruins of the monastery nearby. To avoid backtracking, we continued through the woods after the monastery to reach Arkoudilas Beach. Nice shaded walk, but dusty road. Dinner at Agali on the Potami Canal (friendly family vibe, but long wait).
Day 12: Boat trip to Sivota with Pegasus. A wooden boat, human-sized. Crowded, but not cramped. Two swimming stops (Blue Lagoon in the morning and a beach in the afternoon) and a 2-hour stop at noon in Sivota. We knew it’d be touristy, but the vibe was good, with some dancing on the way back. Not too many people at the swimming stops.
Day 13: Kouris Museum in Lefkimmi. Okay, don’t go for the history—the guide cracks more jokes than gives rational explanations. Still, we laughed a lot and had a great time. Lunch at The Village on the main road: very fresh, very good. Perfect homemade dip platter. Not the best location since it’s right on the road, but it’s worth it. Free ice cream for the kids, super-friendly owner. Fresh ratatouille (finally, some veggies!). Afternoon at Paralia Issos. View of Korission Lagoon and a walk through the sand dunes, a bit like the Sahara in places (hard to do before 5 p.m., even 6 p.m., because of the heat).
Day 14: I’d booked a visit/tasting at Pontiglio Winery. Short tour of the small site and tasting of the 4 wines produced there: 2 whites, 1 red, 1 rosé. Fresh homemade snacks, fruit for the kids, great welcome. Then to Paralia Kanoula Beach. Mikro Nisi Bar, sunbeds at 20 euros—expensive. But a nice beach with some rocks, so a bit of marine life. We saw octopuses while snorkeling with the kids—great moment.
Honest take on Corfu The island is dirty—not just at the garbage sites, which aren’t collected often enough and overflow constantly, but everywhere. Not a single square meter without cigarette butts, even if you get off the main paths. Stray cats everywhere, wasps everywhere, sewage smells often.
The natural heritage is stunning but ruined by private encroachment on the coastline. Bars and restaurants take over the land right up to the sea. I’d only been to Santorini and Paros about ten years ago, and I don’t remember it being like this at all. Maybe the Cyclades are different now. From talking to a few tourists here and there, it seems Crete is better managed. We still had a good vacation, even if it was sometimes hard to overlook the dirtiness.
Hi there,
My wife and I are heading to Santorini from October 11th to 18th (it’s her birthday gift). I’ll admit I’m torn between spending the full 7 days on Santorini or combining it with another island (I was thinking Milos) for 2 or 3 days. Since the ferry schedules aren’t announced yet for October, it’s hard to plan ahead.
Do you think 7 days on Santorini is too much, or is splitting 7 days between 2 islands too short? Any other destinations worth considering?
Thanks in advance
My wife and I are heading to Santorini from October 11th to 18th (it’s her birthday gift). I’ll admit I’m torn between spending the full 7 days on Santorini or combining it with another island (I was thinking Milos) for 2 or 3 days. Since the ferry schedules aren’t announced yet for October, it’s hard to plan ahead.
Do you think 7 days on Santorini is too much, or is splitting 7 days between 2 islands too short? Any other destinations worth considering?
Thanks in advance
Hi everyone,
I’m planning a family road trip in the Peloponnese in April, arriving and departing from Athens, with a focus on Greek mythology, beautiful hikes, and a balanced pace (we don’t want to spend our days in the car). Here’s our draft itinerary:
Day 1: Early arrival in Athens – visit Acrocorinth and overnight in Corinth
Days 2 & 3: Drive to Dimitsana – hike in the Lousios Gorge (and maybe a detour to Olympia?), mountain villages
Days 4 & 5: Drive to Areopoli (Mani Peninsula) with a stop in Mystras
Day 6: Kalamata, visit Ancient Messene
Days 7 & 8: Pylos, Voidokilia Beach, Palace of Nestor, Gialova Lagoon
Days 9 & 10: Drive to Nafplio (Epidaurus, Mycenae)
Days 11 & 12: Hydra from the port of Ermioni
Days 12–15: Athens I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Does the pace seem reasonable? Should we adjust any stops (too long or too short)? Any must-see mythological sites or hikes along the way, in addition to what I’ve mentioned? Is Olympia really worth the detour from Dimitsana?
Thanks so much for your valuable advice!
I’m planning a family road trip in the Peloponnese in April, arriving and departing from Athens, with a focus on Greek mythology, beautiful hikes, and a balanced pace (we don’t want to spend our days in the car). Here’s our draft itinerary:
Day 1: Early arrival in Athens – visit Acrocorinth and overnight in Corinth
Days 2 & 3: Drive to Dimitsana – hike in the Lousios Gorge (and maybe a detour to Olympia?), mountain villages
Days 4 & 5: Drive to Areopoli (Mani Peninsula) with a stop in Mystras
Day 6: Kalamata, visit Ancient Messene
Days 7 & 8: Pylos, Voidokilia Beach, Palace of Nestor, Gialova Lagoon
Days 9 & 10: Drive to Nafplio (Epidaurus, Mycenae)
Days 11 & 12: Hydra from the port of Ermioni
Days 12–15: Athens I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Does the pace seem reasonable? Should we adjust any stops (too long or too short)? Any must-see mythological sites or hikes along the way, in addition to what I’ve mentioned? Is Olympia really worth the detour from Dimitsana?
Thanks so much for your valuable advice!
Hello everyone,
I’m a bit late planning, but we’re traveling as a family from October 26 to October 31, 2025, to Athens. After that, we’ll continue our journey from the port of Piraeus for a cruise with Celestyal Cruises (November 1 to November 8) in the Cyclades.
First, a few practical tips:
Is it easy to get by speaking French in Athens, or is English a must? Any tips for making yourself understood? Our hotel is located in central Athens. What do you recommend taking from the airport? A taxi, the metro, or the bus?
For sightseeing: We’ll be there for 5 days. What do you recommend? Should we book tickets for the monuments in advance or on-site? I’ve heard about a pass for visiting 5 monuments. What does it include? Do you have to visit all the monuments on the same day, or can you spread it out over the week? On some websites, it mentions that Tuesday, October 28, would be a free day for monuments. Can anyone confirm this, and what are the rules to benefit from it? Thanks in advance to anyone who can help!
I’m a bit late planning, but we’re traveling as a family from October 26 to October 31, 2025, to Athens. After that, we’ll continue our journey from the port of Piraeus for a cruise with Celestyal Cruises (November 1 to November 8) in the Cyclades.
First, a few practical tips:
Is it easy to get by speaking French in Athens, or is English a must? Any tips for making yourself understood? Our hotel is located in central Athens. What do you recommend taking from the airport? A taxi, the metro, or the bus?
For sightseeing: We’ll be there for 5 days. What do you recommend? Should we book tickets for the monuments in advance or on-site? I’ve heard about a pass for visiting 5 monuments. What does it include? Do you have to visit all the monuments on the same day, or can you spread it out over the week? On some websites, it mentions that Tuesday, October 28, would be a free day for monuments. Can anyone confirm this, and what are the rules to benefit from it? Thanks in advance to anyone who can help!
Hi there,
We want to go to Greece in May. I have no idea how to plan our 10-day trip. Athens is a must, but after that, I'm lost. We're looking for unusual spots that aren't necessarily touristy but still want to hit the must-see places. We're skipping Santorini given the current events.
Thanks so much in advance for your help—it was already super useful for New York!
Hello.
We’re heading to Greece from April 19th to May 1st.
We were planning to spend 3 days visiting Athens, then exploring the Peloponnese (Mycenae-Epidaurus, Mistra, Lousios Gorge, Olympia, Patras) + Delphi (or the other way around, starting with Delphi—doesn’t matter).
Except I just realized that April 20th is Easter Sunday: no visits to sites/museums in Athens that day... (nor on Saturday late afternoon, as I’d imagined). But Delphi, Mycenae, etc., will likely be closed too (maybe even on Monday the 21st!).
What do you recommend we visit or do? Our trip is mainly focused on archaeological visits (my kids have been looking forward to Athens/Greece for years!).
Thanks in advance! Have a great evening
Except I just realized that April 20th is Easter Sunday: no visits to sites/museums in Athens that day... (nor on Saturday late afternoon, as I’d imagined). But Delphi, Mycenae, etc., will likely be closed too (maybe even on Monday the 21st!).
What do you recommend we visit or do? Our trip is mainly focused on archaeological visits (my kids have been looking forward to Athens/Greece for years!).
Thanks in advance! Have a great evening
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.
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!
Hi there
I’ve booked a trip to Prague with my mum in mid-September.
Since I already know the city, I’d love to see something else, but I’m realizing that transport is really slow.
I wanted to go to Karlovy Vary, but it takes longer than I thought… Plus, we won’t be staying near the train station.
So I’m looking for a day trip that’s MAXIMUM 1 hour away by transport.
I really don’t like spending too much time on transport, so if it’s not doable, I’ll just skip it.
If there’s nothing accessible, I won’t bother with day trips—it’s not a big deal.
Any ideas?
Thanks
I’ve booked a trip to Prague with my mum in mid-September.
Since I already know the city, I’d love to see something else, but I’m realizing that transport is really slow.
I wanted to go to Karlovy Vary, but it takes longer than I thought… Plus, we won’t be staying near the train station.
So I’m looking for a day trip that’s MAXIMUM 1 hour away by transport.
I really don’t like spending too much time on transport, so if it’s not doable, I’ll just skip it.
If there’s nothing accessible, I won’t bother with day trips—it’s not a big deal.
Any ideas?
Thanks
Hi everyone!
I’m heading to Croatia for the second time (first time was 5 days in Dubrovnik), but this time I’ll be seeing more of the country since I’m renting a car to drive between Dubrovnik and Split. I’ve got 2 days and 2 nights for the trip, and I was wondering which stops I could make. I’m looking for quiet, typical villages or spots where I can swim peacefully—just a nice break between the two touristy cities. 😊
Thanks in advance for your help!
I’m heading to Croatia for the second time (first time was 5 days in Dubrovnik), but this time I’ll be seeing more of the country since I’m renting a car to drive between Dubrovnik and Split. I’ve got 2 days and 2 nights for the trip, and I was wondering which stops I could make. I’m looking for quiet, typical villages or spots where I can swim peacefully—just a nice break between the two touristy cities. 😊
Thanks in advance for your help!
Hi there,
After booking an Airbnb last January for this summer’s vacation in Sarajevo... My "host" canceled our reservation without any reason—this has never happened to me before.
Of course, now it’s impossible to find a place to stay at a "normal" price in Sarajevo with parking... So we’re falling back on the capital of the Republika Srpska, Banja Luka, which had already crossed my mind before I booked Sarajevo.
I already have quite a few ideas in mind, without having dug too deep into the region yet. But if anyone has already been there and has suggestions? Even for restaurants—I’m all ears!
And even if it’s not right next door, I’m planning to spend a day in Sarajevo!
Of course, now it’s impossible to find a place to stay at a "normal" price in Sarajevo with parking... So we’re falling back on the capital of the Republika Srpska, Banja Luka, which had already crossed my mind before I booked Sarajevo.
I already have quite a few ideas in mind, without having dug too deep into the region yet. But if anyone has already been there and has suggestions? Even for restaurants—I’m all ears!
And even if it’s not right next door, I’m planning to spend a day in Sarajevo!
Hi everyone,
So, I’m heading to Bulgaria this September. I’ll be based in Varna and plan to rent a car for a few days. I don’t know Bulgaria at all, so I’ve got everything to learn about this country.
I’m an amateur photographer, so I’d love to take some great landscape shots (sea or mountains) as well as photos of picturesque little villages... I’m open to all kinds of tips, and thanks in advance for reading!
Best regards, Patrice
So, I’m heading to Bulgaria this September. I’ll be based in Varna and plan to rent a car for a few days. I don’t know Bulgaria at all, so I’ve got everything to learn about this country.
I’m an amateur photographer, so I’d love to take some great landscape shots (sea or mountains) as well as photos of picturesque little villages... I’m open to all kinds of tips, and thanks in advance for reading!
Best regards, Patrice
Hello,
I’m planning a trip to Corfu (Greece) and want to rent a car to explore the island. I’ve heard that you can’t rent a car after a certain age—I’m 81. What do you all think?
Hi there,
We’re renting a car to explore Albania in September/October. We’ll start in the north and finish in the south. We’d love to drop off the car near Saranda and take the ferry to Corfu on foot, but it seems we’ll have to return it to Tirana since there’s nowhere else to drop it off. From there, we’d like to take a direct flight to Corfu, but I can’t find any direct flights... I really don’t want to connect through Athens and backtrack when we’re so close! Any suggestions on what to do? Thanks, Carole (Canada)
We’re renting a car to explore Albania in September/October. We’ll start in the north and finish in the south. We’d love to drop off the car near Saranda and take the ferry to Corfu on foot, but it seems we’ll have to return it to Tirana since there’s nowhere else to drop it off. From there, we’d like to take a direct flight to Corfu, but I can’t find any direct flights... I really don’t want to connect through Athens and backtrack when we’re so close! Any suggestions on what to do? Thanks, Carole (Canada)
-Hi everyone, my brother and I will be traveling between May and June to explore Prague and the Czech Republic in general.
-We're looking for locals to help us out—what to do, what not to do, where to go, what to visit, and group outings.
-Basically, we need some guidance. Unfortunately, we don’t speak the local language or English well (or at all), so if you speak French, you’re very welcome to help!
-Best regards, Fabrice
-Best regards, Fabrice
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
Hi there,
We’re planning a 12-day trip to Bulgaria and we’d love to do the monastery route—anyone have suggestions to share? Thanks in advance!
We’re planning a 12-day trip to Bulgaria and we’d love to do the monastery route—anyone have suggestions to share? Thanks in advance!
Hi there,
We’re planning a 12-day trip to Greece next February.
It’s our first time, so we’ll be hitting the "Must-Sees"—that should keep us busy enough! 😎
The itinerary isn’t set in stone yet, but we’re already wondering if it’s doable or just crazy, if some stops are essential or a waste of time...
Here’s the plan: Day 1-2-3: Athens (we arrive midday on Day 1) Day 4: Southern Athens (Temple of Neptune) then overnight in Corinth (we’re renting a car from the airport) Day 5-6-7: Western/Southern Peloponnese (one or two places to stay, and the iconic spots: Acrocorinth, Cargo, Mycenae, Sanctuary of Epidaurus, Nafplio, Nemea...) Day 8: Transit to Delphi via Olympia Day 9-10: Delphi, Monastery of Osios Loukas... Day 11: Return to Athens via Thermopylae We were wondering if it’s feasible to add the Meteora monasteries? And Mount Olympus, just for fun?
For accommodations, do you have any recommendations for Athens? Peloponnese? Delphi? In Athens, I think it’s best to stay near the metro line that connects to the airport. But which neighborhood is good? It’s hard to navigate such a big city...
Two more questions: - Is Piraeus worth a visit? - We know February is a quieter time than peak tourist season, and that’s what we like. But there must be consequences—do all sites/museums close by 5 PM (except in Athens, maybe)? What do you do in the evenings once it’s dark?
Thanks in advance for your tips and advice!
We’re planning a 12-day trip to Greece next February.
It’s our first time, so we’ll be hitting the "Must-Sees"—that should keep us busy enough! 😎
The itinerary isn’t set in stone yet, but we’re already wondering if it’s doable or just crazy, if some stops are essential or a waste of time...
Here’s the plan: Day 1-2-3: Athens (we arrive midday on Day 1) Day 4: Southern Athens (Temple of Neptune) then overnight in Corinth (we’re renting a car from the airport) Day 5-6-7: Western/Southern Peloponnese (one or two places to stay, and the iconic spots: Acrocorinth, Cargo, Mycenae, Sanctuary of Epidaurus, Nafplio, Nemea...) Day 8: Transit to Delphi via Olympia Day 9-10: Delphi, Monastery of Osios Loukas... Day 11: Return to Athens via Thermopylae We were wondering if it’s feasible to add the Meteora monasteries? And Mount Olympus, just for fun?
For accommodations, do you have any recommendations for Athens? Peloponnese? Delphi? In Athens, I think it’s best to stay near the metro line that connects to the airport. But which neighborhood is good? It’s hard to navigate such a big city...
Two more questions: - Is Piraeus worth a visit? - We know February is a quieter time than peak tourist season, and that’s what we like. But there must be consequences—do all sites/museums close by 5 PM (except in Athens, maybe)? What do you do in the evenings once it’s dark?
Thanks in advance for your tips and advice!
Hi there,
I’m planning a trip to Greece next February, flying in and out of Athens. The itinerary isn’t set yet (but it’s my first time, so I’ll hit the *must-sees*), but one thing’s for sure—we’re renting a car.
Any rental companies you’d recommend? Local agencies are usually cheaper than the big names (Avis, Europcar, etc.), but you’ve got to know which ones are reliable...
Thanks in advance for your tips! ;)
I’m planning a trip to Greece next February, flying in and out of Athens. The itinerary isn’t set yet (but it’s my first time, so I’ll hit the *must-sees*), but one thing’s for sure—we’re renting a car.
Any rental companies you’d recommend? Local agencies are usually cheaper than the big names (Avis, Europcar, etc.), but you’ve got to know which ones are reliable...
Thanks in advance for your tips! ;)
At the risk of drawing some harsh criticism, I’ll admit we were really disappointed: sure, this trip—taken at the end of September—was short (a week), but we’d planned this little road trip (1,000km by car) as a first scouting mission. We won’t be going back anytime soon!
First mistake: we flew into Tirana (from Marseille) when it would’ve been better to fly to Corfu and rent a car in the south of the country instead of staying in the capital, which frankly isn’t all that interesting. From Tirana, we headed east toward Lin, by Lake Ohrid (a very poor region facing Macedonia), then to Korça, which guidebooks call "the most pleasant city in Albania." From there, we drove to Gjirokastra, an old Ottoman town (170km of mountain roads that took us nearly 5 hours...), then further south to Butrint, near Greece. The goal of these stops? To visit UNESCO World Heritage sites. In Lin, 6th-century mosaics; in Korça, a remarkable icon museum; in Gjirokastra, the citadel. At Butrint, we fled at the sight of all the tour buses parked in front of "this major archaeological site in the Mediterranean" and headed back north! The entire Adriatic coast is undergoing severe overdevelopment: developers are destroying the coastline to attract even more tourists (11 million visited in 2024, while Albania only has 3 million residents). We preferred to leave the coastal road (in excellent condition, a future highway) to visit Berat, an Ottoman town topped by a citadel. Our favorite spot. Why were we so disappointed? Villages without charm, outskirts of major cities in advanced decay, trash along the roads... The weight of the communist dictatorship and forced industrialization over forty years is still felt everywhere. The country is recovering but betting on tourism. The result? Newly built villas for the newly rich, beaches near the capital already polluted... Too bad, because the natural landscapes are often stunning, the locals are welcoming (young people learn English, though their parents speak little), and prices remain very reasonable—except in the capital. We’d chosen to stay with locals as much as possible, but like in Croatia, families are turning their homes into guest houses (~35 € per night, hearty breakfast included). Renting the car cost us 312 € for a week (with an international rental company—it’s probably cheaper with a local one, but I prefer understanding the contract I sign), and we cautiously took the optional insurance. Just so you know: Albanians drive fast, seem unfamiliar with traffic rules, overtake before curves, ignore yellow lines, and rarely use turn signals...)
First mistake: we flew into Tirana (from Marseille) when it would’ve been better to fly to Corfu and rent a car in the south of the country instead of staying in the capital, which frankly isn’t all that interesting. From Tirana, we headed east toward Lin, by Lake Ohrid (a very poor region facing Macedonia), then to Korça, which guidebooks call "the most pleasant city in Albania." From there, we drove to Gjirokastra, an old Ottoman town (170km of mountain roads that took us nearly 5 hours...), then further south to Butrint, near Greece. The goal of these stops? To visit UNESCO World Heritage sites. In Lin, 6th-century mosaics; in Korça, a remarkable icon museum; in Gjirokastra, the citadel. At Butrint, we fled at the sight of all the tour buses parked in front of "this major archaeological site in the Mediterranean" and headed back north! The entire Adriatic coast is undergoing severe overdevelopment: developers are destroying the coastline to attract even more tourists (11 million visited in 2024, while Albania only has 3 million residents). We preferred to leave the coastal road (in excellent condition, a future highway) to visit Berat, an Ottoman town topped by a citadel. Our favorite spot. Why were we so disappointed? Villages without charm, outskirts of major cities in advanced decay, trash along the roads... The weight of the communist dictatorship and forced industrialization over forty years is still felt everywhere. The country is recovering but betting on tourism. The result? Newly built villas for the newly rich, beaches near the capital already polluted... Too bad, because the natural landscapes are often stunning, the locals are welcoming (young people learn English, though their parents speak little), and prices remain very reasonable—except in the capital. We’d chosen to stay with locals as much as possible, but like in Croatia, families are turning their homes into guest houses (~35 € per night, hearty breakfast included). Renting the car cost us 312 € for a week (with an international rental company—it’s probably cheaper with a local one, but I prefer understanding the contract I sign), and we cautiously took the optional insurance. Just so you know: Albanians drive fast, seem unfamiliar with traffic rules, overtake before curves, ignore yellow lines, and rarely use turn signals...)
Hi everyone! 🙂
We’re planning a one-week trip to Croatia but can’t decide between Zadar and Dubrovnik, especially since we’ll be using public transport or trains to explore the surrounding areas.
What are some relaxed, easy things to do around these cities? We don’t want to rush.
Of course, we’re really drawn to Plitvice and its park, but Dubrovnik looks so beautiful...
For those of you who know these destinations well, could you help us decide, please?
Thanks so much!
Hi there, we're planning to spend a few days in Corfu and then a week in the surrounding area, and we were wondering if southern Albania is worth visiting. Could we explore it in a week from Corfu?
Thanks
Hi there,
We’re planning to visit Crete during the second half of May and rent a car.
A knee issue means we can’t do any hiking anymore, just leisurely walks.
Is it realistic to explore the whole island by basing ourselves in two spots—one in the east and one in the west?
Could you recommend some nice places to stay that aren’t tourist factories?
Thanks in advance for your help with my questions.
Best regards.
Hello,
We’re heading to Greece in April.
We’ll only be in Athens for 2 days (we’re not big fans of big cities) and then doing a road trip to Delphi and the Peloponnese.
We wanted to do a guided tour with a guide because our kids are really into ancient Greece.
Initially, we were thinking of a guided tour of the Acropolis, but it seems complicated since the only day that works for us is Easter Monday.
After some thought, we’re wondering if maybe a guided tour of Delphi would be better?
Because the Acropolis already has lots of explanatory panels and is very well-documented, whereas Delphi might not be as much.
Also, the only guided tours we found for the Acropolis are at 11:00–11:30 AM, which is exactly when it’s packed, and we try to avoid crowds (we were planning to visit the Acropolis as early as 9:00 AM).
What do you think?
Thanks in advance!
Have a great day
Hi lovely community,
I need your help for the last part of our trip to Greece next June. We’ll be in Thessaloniki and need to drive to Athens (485 km) in the same day. We’d like to stop for lunch—where should we go??
Please, we need ideas and suggestions!
Thanks everyone
Hi there!
I’m sharing our itinerary for May/June 2027—23 days. This is our first time in Greece, so we’re starting with the must-see spots. We’re planning another trip later to explore the north, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, and some islands.
- Athens, 4 nights - Corinth area, 2 nights (Heraion of Perachora, Canal, Acrocorinth) - Nafplio, 3 nights (Mycenae, Epidaurus, Methana peninsula) - Gefira, 2 nights (Monemvasia) - Areopoli, 2 nights (Mani). Maybe add an extra night and stay on the peninsula??? Based on my calculations, the Mani loop is about 100 km—doable in a day, but it’d be a quick trip. - Sparta or Pikoulianika, 2 nights (Mystras) - Dimitsana, 2 nights (Lousios Gorge, monasteries) - Olympia, 2 nights (via Lagkadia?) - Delphi or Arachova, 3 nights (via the west coast, Galaxidi bridge) (Delphi, Hosios Loukas Monastery) - And back to Athens.
This is just a rough draft for now. We’re planning to stay in hotels or book through Booking.com. What do you think? Thanks for your feedback and suggestions!
- Athens, 4 nights - Corinth area, 2 nights (Heraion of Perachora, Canal, Acrocorinth) - Nafplio, 3 nights (Mycenae, Epidaurus, Methana peninsula) - Gefira, 2 nights (Monemvasia) - Areopoli, 2 nights (Mani). Maybe add an extra night and stay on the peninsula??? Based on my calculations, the Mani loop is about 100 km—doable in a day, but it’d be a quick trip. - Sparta or Pikoulianika, 2 nights (Mystras) - Dimitsana, 2 nights (Lousios Gorge, monasteries) - Olympia, 2 nights (via Lagkadia?) - Delphi or Arachova, 3 nights (via the west coast, Galaxidi bridge) (Delphi, Hosios Loukas Monastery) - And back to Athens.
This is just a rough draft for now. We’re planning to stay in hotels or book through Booking.com. What do you think? Thanks for your feedback and suggestions!
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.
We’re a Canadian couple, both 77, and we’re already planning our vacation for fall 2027.
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,
We’re planning a 3-week trip in late September with our camper van to explore Bulgaria and Romania.
What routes would you recommend, starting from the South?
Is there an option to take a ferry in Italy, and is it worth it?
Thanks for all your tips!😊
