Hi there,

I’m desperately turning to you all for advice—I just can’t seem to organize myself or make efficient city choices for such a short trip.

There are two of us, and we’re heading to Scotland for a few days in July, without a driver’s license. We arrive in Edinburgh (where we’ve already been) on a Friday at noon and need to be in Glasgow by Monday or Tuesday at the latest.

Between the two, we’d love to catch a glimpse of the Highlands—do you think that’s doable? From Edinburgh, is it easy to get to Inverness, Fort William, or other spots (?) for 2 nights (3 max)? Would you recommend the train or the bus? Which company? Any suggestions for a reasonable little itinerary?

For example, I was thinking of doing Edinburgh → Fort William, and once there, either renting bikes and exploring or taking a round-trip train to Mallaig in the same day, since the route looks stunning.

Alternatively, we could skip the Highlands if there are pretty towns around Edinburgh or Glasgow.

Any tips would be *so* appreciated—thanks a million! !

Hi there! I’m planning a road trip in a camper van around the fjords in Norway and would love to get some feedback and tips on the itinerary. It’s a 10-day trip: Day 1: Land in Bergen and drive to Odda Day 2: Odda (full-day hike to Trolltunga) Day 3: Kinsarvik (hike in Hardangervidda National Park) Day 4: Geilo (hike in Hallingskarvet National Park) Day 5: Hike in Jotunheimen National Park via the Gjendesheim ferry Day 6: Fossbergom Day 7: Luster and hike in Jostedalsbreen National Park Day 8: Flam Day 9: Bergen Day 10: Bergen + departure

For the camper van rental, I’ve reached out to this site: https://campervanbergen.com, which seems pretty good with reasonable rates. If you have any comments or advice on the itinerary or the rental company, I’d love to hear them! Thanks in advance! Romain

Hi there, 🙂

Summer 2027 is going to be Norwegian for us! We’re heading to the Lofoten Islands first, then Senja, near Tromsø, and finally the North Cape. We’ll likely start from northern Finland (flight tickets and car rentals are more affordable there).

I’d like to book accommodations early to have more options. Good value-for-money places go fast in these pricey Nordic destinations...

But where should we book?

We’re planning to stay around ten nights in the Lofoten Islands.

What’s the best approach?

One place in the central part and explore from there?

One place in the south and another in the center?

Or one in the south, one in the center, and one in the north (3-4-3 nights)?

Our main goal is hiking.

Thanks for your tips!😉

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.

I'm planning a trip to Sardinia in May 2025, visiting historical sites and the deep countryside: what are the most authentic places?

Hello Community!

I’ll be in Iceland from June 26 to July 14 (19 days). The trip is split into two parts: Day 1 to Day 13 as a 4x4 road trip / Day 14 to Day 19 as the Laugavegur Trek. We’ll be in a 4x4 like a Jimny with a roof tent, and for the trek, we’ll be self-sufficient (tent, sleeping mat, etc.).

I’ve tried to put together a summary below. Even though I’ve already used the forum a lot to build this itinerary, I’d love to hear your thoughts: any improvements? additions? priorities? recommended campgrounds?

Thanks in advance for sharing! :)

Looking forward to reading your replies!

Best, Clément

Day 1 (06/26) – Arrival in Reykjavik

Visit Reykjanes Peninsula, Blue Lagoon, pick up vehicle

Day 2 (06/27) – Reykjavik → Gullfoss (~2h)

Hike Mount Esja, Golden Circle: Thingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss

Day 3 (06/28) – Gullfoss → Vik (~3h30)

Hike Reykjadalur, Seljalandsfoss & Skogafoss waterfalls

Day 4 (06/29) – Vik → Skaftafell / Vatnajökull (~3h)

Fjaðrárgljúfur, hike Svartifoss & Kristinartindar

Day 5 (06/30) – Vatnajökull → Höfn (~2h)

Jökulsárlón, glacier hike (with guide)

Day 6 (07/01) – Höfn → Egilsstaðir (~4h30)

Stokksnes, hike Hengifoss

Day 7 (07/02) – Egilsstaðir → Myvatn (~3h)

Myvatn Nature Baths, Hverfjall, Grjótagjá caves

Day 8 (07/03) – Myvatn → Húsavík (~1h30)

Hike Dettifoss & Selfoss, whale watching

Day 9 (07/04) – Húsavík → Akureyri (~1h30)

Visit Akureyri, hike Súlur

Day 10 (07/05) – Akureyri → Snæfellsnes (~4h30)

Hvítserkur, hike Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Day 11 (07/06) – Snæfellsnes → Borgarnes (~2h)

Snæfellsjökull, Kirkjufell, beaches

Day 12 (07/07) – Borgarnes → Kerlingarfjöll (~3h)

Route to the Highlands, hike colorful mountains

Day 13 (07/08) – Kerlingarfjöll → Landmannalaugar (~3h)

Route via Hveravellir, overnight in Landmannalaugar

Day 14 (07/09) – Laugavegur Trek: Landmannalaugar → Hrafntinnusker (~4-5h hike)

Day 15 (07/10) – Hrafntinnusker → Álftavatn (~6-7h hike)

Day 16 (07/11) – Álftavatn → Emstrur (~6-7h hike)

Day 17 (07/12) – Emstrur → Þórsmörk → Reykjavik (~6h hike + return); end of trek

Day 18 (07/13) – Reykjavik / Landmannalaugar (return) Free hikes: Bláhnúkur, Skalli

Day 19 (07/14) – Departure from Iceland

Hi there,

We’re a group of 4 heading out at the end of June for 11 days. I’m just starting my research. We’ll be renting a regular car, not a 4x4. I’m not finding a ton of info on the North. Would love your take on all those kilometers—is there a route that lets us cut out a section? Thanks

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, I'm looking for info on Tuscany with the idea of taking a family vacation at the end of August, but we're not into cities or crowds. We're more into wild nature, beaches, and hiking... I've heard about southern Tuscany—is it too urbanized? Where else should we look? Thanks so much

Hi there, I read your summary of your trip around the Lofoten Islands and I’m interested in the spots where you slept in a tent, but I can’t open your document—would it be possible for you to send it to me?

Hi everyone,

We’re heading to Vienna in 3 weeks for a 5-day trip! After reading a few travel journals and discussions about this destination, I still can’t quite figure out what the must-sees are. Your itineraries are so varied that it’s hard to narrow it down!

Ideally, we’d like to explore Vienna without feeling like we’re stuck in museums. If you have recommendations for little green oases, short urban walking routes, or addresses for charming cafés, we’d love to hear them!

Thanks in advance for your help! !

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 there, Can you share your experiences about Bilbao with us? We're planning to go during the last week of April, with our main goal being to visit the Guggenheim Museum. Despite our research, we're not sure if a week is too long or what there really is to see and do in Bilbao. Should we rent a car to explore the surrounding areas? For San Sebastián, it seems there are pretty convenient buses. Would a day trip there and back be doable? Any advice would be welcome regarding the itinerary, local transportation, hotels, and how long to stay. Thanks in advance! Maevita

Hi everyone, I’m asking for your help because I’m planning a 5-day trip to Scotland starting from Glasgow. I’d like to visit the Isle of Skye—my problem is, is it accessible without a car? And what can you do on this island?

Hello,

We’re planning a short trip at the end of July to explore the legendary mountains and valleys of the Bernese Oberland: round trip from Nancy (Swiss highway vignette planned), 2 nights in a room with a small kitchen in Adelboden, then 2 nights in a hotel at the Gletscherblick in Grindelwald, both with half-board included. Could you share some tips on the best road routes to take, as well as some walking hikes (we’re not as fit as we used to be, so nothing longer than 2-3 hours)? Maybe also 1 or 2 cable car rides—I was thinking of Oeschinensee Lake above Kandersteg and the First gondola above Grindelwald for better panoramic views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau... all while keeping it doable with our schedule. We’ve ruled out the "premium" trip up to the Jungfraujoch for this time. I’m also guessing that paying to access Wengen or Mürren only makes sense if we’re staying there for a few days, right? - Is the road through the narrow valley of the White Lütschine toward Lauterbrunnen and beyond still worth it in terms of views and scenery?

On the way back, if we have a little time to explore Bern’s historic old town, what’s the best parking plan for a 1- or 2-hour stop?

Thanks in advance for your advice, fellow travelers familiar with this beautiful region! 😉

Hi there, What are the best things to do around Lakes Como, Garda, and Maggiore? Thanks

Hi there,

I’m planning a trip to Sicily, and we’ll be renting a car at Palermo Airport. For our first stop, we’d like to visit Palermo itself. I’m really struggling to find a parking spot outside the ZTL (since we don’t know what type of vehicle we’ll have) and that’s not too far to walk from the city center.

It’d also be great if the parking were monitored, since we’ll have all our luggage in the car for this first leg of the trip.

I hope I’m not asking for the impossible! If any of you have some great tips to share, I’d love to hear them.

Thanks for taking the time to read my message—it really means a lot!

Looking forward to your replies,

Alain

Hi, I’m planning a 7-day family road trip in Andalusia (2 adults and 3 kids) at the end of October. Arrival and departure: Malaga airport. Which direction should we take for our trip? Malaga -> Ronda + white villages -> Cadiz -> Jerez -> Seville -> Cordoba -> Granada -> Malaga Or the other way around?

Thanks

Hi there, I’m planning a trip to the White Villages and noticed that many are in the Province of Cádiz—like Setenil de las Bodegas, Olvera, Ubrique, Grazalema, Zahara de la Sierra, Medina-Sidonia, and Vejer de la Frontera. Are all of these worth visiting, or are there others you’d recommend? I’ve already been to Arcos de la Frontera and Ronda in the area and wouldn’t mind returning, of course. I’m also considering the Caminito del Rey, so maybe a few interesting villages in the province of Málaga too. Do you think an itinerary starting from Málaga (arriving at the airport) with 2 or 3 stops (like Ronda, Arcos, and a third in one of these villages) would work? Thanks for your tips!

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 everyone,

I’m looking for a destination for a 3-4 day trip with my older kids on Nov 11. Every year we go away together in Europe for a few days, usually in the spring, but this year it wasn’t possible. In past years we’ve been to London, Amsterdam, Prague, Rome, and Lisbon. They know Spain well. I’m struggling a bit to find something since some cities aren’t (or are poorly) served by airlines at this time of year.

I just found out there are direct flights from Paris to Stockholm that aren’t too expensive, so I was wondering if it’s a destination worth the cost at this time of year?

Thanks so much for your feedback!

Caroline

My daughter and I are planning to visit Puglia in September. We won’t have a car. We’re thinking of staying in Bari for a few days, then exploring the surrounding area before heading to Lecce and finishing in Matera. Do you have any recommendations for hotels or Airbnbs?

Hi there, I’m wondering about spending a week in Basilicata in southern Italy in mid-to-late March. Initially, I was talking about Puglia, but I realize that in my imagination it was actually Puglia—but no, it’s really the timeless charm of Basilicata that I want to discover.

We’d be leaving from Nice. Do any of you have any tips? People who’ve been there recently—how about transport? Accommodations? A possible itinerary? Maybe fly into Naples and rent a car? Thanks for your feedback!

Have a great day,

Barbara

hi, I'm having trouble getting an idea of what the weather's like in this region in winter. I'm thinking of going there the first week of January after spending New Year's Day in Madrid. Is that a good idea? Is it pleasant to walk around the small towns at this time of year? And by car? thanks a lot

Hello, I'm considering doing the "Ruta de la Plata" next September. The plan would be to fly into Madrid, head up to León via Segovia and Valladolid, then down to Huelva before returning to Madrid for the flight back. We're in our seventies and limit ourselves to easy, short walks. For accommodations, well-maintained hotels or guesthouses would suit us, and we'd also like to try 2 or 3 paradores. How many days do you think we should allow for this trip? A round-trip flight to Madrid seems the most practical. We've already explored Andalusia but might consider stopping in Seville or Córdoba again. Thanks to anyone who can advise us on the timing, itinerary, or must-see spots...

Hi there, We’re planning a 10-day trip to Scotland around late December. Is it worth it weather-wise? Has anyone already done this trip during this season? How should we go about renting a car in Edinburgh? And how can we find a bed and breakfast in a castle? Thanks for any tips that could help us out! Daniel

Hi! I’m planning a weekend trip in January but I’m torn between Brussels and Bruges. What do you recommend?

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 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

Hi there,

We're planning our next September vacation for 10 days. We're thinking of going to the Balearic Islands but we're torn between Mallorca, Menorca, and Ibiza. And most importantly, which areas should we avoid and which should we prioritize, for example in Mallorca? We want to steer clear of places that are too crowded and too urbanized, and we'll be getting around by rental car.

Is it possible to visit two islands in 10 days with a ferry transfer?

Thanks for your tips!