The end of a golden age For years, travel forums embodied the spirit of mutual aid on the web. Travelers generously shared their experiences, tips, and secret spots. This collective generosity seemed endless. But behind this altruistic facade lay a more complex reality.

The silent infiltration of forums Free travel forums have gradually become marketing hunting grounds. Under the guise of "experienced travelers," professionals in tourism, affiliates seeking commissions, or aspiring influencers testing monetization strategies now lurk.

These fake profiles master the community’s codes. They build credibility by answering dozens of basic questions before subtly slipping in their paid recommendations. A "favorite" hotel mentioned insistently, an "essential" guidebook systematically cited, an "extraordinary" local agency that keeps coming up in conversations.

New travelers can no longer tell the difference between selfless advice and disguised promotion. This informational pollution has gradually eroded the trust that gave these platforms their value.

The rise of paid Travel Planners Faced with this decline, a new profession has emerged: the independent Travel Planner. These professionals fully embrace their commercial status and charge for personalized advice.

The model is transparent: you pay for real expertise, tailor-made itineraries, and guaranteed availability. Some offer packages for 150-300 € to plan a two-week trip entirely. Others charge by the hour.

This professionalization marks a turning point. Travel advice is leaving the realm of volunteerism and entering the world of paid services. Paradoxically, this acknowledged monetization can restore a form of trust: you know what you’re paying for.

The irruption of artificial intelligence But now, a third option is emerging: generative AI. ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and others can now generate travel itineraries in seconds, for free, with no commercial agenda.

AI promises neutral, synthetic, endlessly customizable information. It compiles thousands of sources in real time, suggests alternatives, and adapts recommendations to your budget and time constraints. It doesn’t sell anything, earns no commissions, and has no hotels to promote.

But this apparent neutrality hides its own limitations. AI feeds on existing data, often from the same polluted forums or marketing content. It can invent restaurants that don’t exist, mix up tourist seasons, or ignore recent local realities. It has never walked a city’s streets, negotiated with a tuk-tuk driver, or felt the atmosphere of a neighborhood at nightfall.

The forgotten alternative: authentic local experts In this landscape saturated with dubious information, imperfect AI, and monetized services, one often-overlooked option remains: consulting real local professionals.

Not the agencies at the top of Google’s first page—often the most expensive and generic. But small local businesses, independent guides established for years, still-free municipal tourism offices, and cultural associations organizing themed tours.

These players offer what neither AI nor forums can: embodied, up-to-date, contextualized knowledge of the area. They know the newly opened restaurant, the museum temporarily closed for renovations, the impromptu weekend festival, or the alternative route to avoid construction.

Finding them takes extra effort. You have to search in the local language, look beyond the first page of results, check regional institutional websites, and join community Facebook groups. But this approach is often rewarded with free or low-cost advice of unmatched precision.

Toward an ecology of travel advice The future of travel advice likely won’t be binary but hybrid. AI can rough out itineraries, propose logistical options, and compare alternatives. Travel Planners can refine, personalize, and reassure anxious travelers. Local experts can enrich, correct, and ground advice in on-the-ground reality.

But for this ecosystem to work, we’ll need to develop new discernment. Learn to spot fake profiles on forums. Systematically verify AI suggestions. Assess the real value of a Travel Planner before paying. And, above all, rediscover the habit of contacting those who live there directly.

Travel has always been a school of discernment. It teaches us to distinguish the authentic from the fake, sincere advice from commercial manipulation. In the digital age, this skill becomes more crucial than ever.

Because ultimately, the real question isn’t which information source to prioritize, but how to cultivate our own ability to evaluate, cross-check, and ultimately make informed choices. The best travel guide may still be our critical thinking.

Photo credit: Arakis Travel

Hi there,

I have CyberGhost VPN on my tablet, which I only use for watching TV shows/series abroad. I’d like to install this VPN on my smartphone (to avoid bringing my tablet along), but my phone has several apps I use often.

My question: Are VPNs (including CyberGhost) actually secure on smartphones? I’m worried someone might sneak off with some of my data here and there...

Thanks

Hello everyone.

First and foremost, I hope this topic won’t just focus on my region—the South of France—and that those of you who enjoy exchanging ideas will share what makes your own regions special.

Personally, I’ve often wanted to push back when people call us vulgar (though I’ll admit I sometimes play it up). At heart, we pure-blooded Southerners just have our own way of expressing ourselves, which differs from other regions. We also get heated in conversations pretty easily (some researchers say it’s the influence of the sun and climate in general).

What some perceive as vulgar, we don’t see that way at all.

Do you want a uniform world with no differences? If so, how do you handle traveling to places with cultures completely different from your own?

In the travel community, the word "authenticity" comes up a lot, and it often takes priority in people’s searches.

In my specific case, speaking a purely regional language without having gone to school for it doesn’t help with understanding on this forum. That’s what creates what you call controversies—and what I call passionate exchanges.

I remember a reply from a member in this thread: https://voyageforum.com/forum/ma-vie-en-camargue-pays-origine-en-colombie-pays-c-ur-d10778555/

It left me speechless and ended the conversation because, for him, that’s just how he sees things, and he refuses to debate it, sticking to his position. I’ll quote him, hoping he won’t hold it against me:

"For me, things like bullfighting, boxing, football, and MMA are just tangible proof that human evolution is still at a primitive stage."

For him, our Latin-origin bullfights are barbaric customs. For us *taurins*, we need to see men face wild beasts (bulls and *toros*) at the risk of their lives every day. Does that make us barbarians?

We’ve always had this need to confront death—it’s in our genes.

Take the example he gave about football: fans of the sport would be considered mentally underdeveloped. But what about a kid who’s passionate about the game and has that drive to be a winner, just like a boxer or athletes in other violent sports?

As a traveler myself, passionate about old stones and beautiful historic buildings, I’ve visited Rome but couldn’t fully appreciate it. Religion is everywhere, and I felt like I had a lead weight on my head realizing that millions of people worldwide have believed in a god for millennia.

I’ve also judged believers for basing their faith on archaic texts that don’t prove a god (or gods) ever existed—I still think that, but I’m open to being proven wrong so I can say, "You’ve convinced me I was mistaken."

- If everyone clings to their own ideas and positions, no discussion is possible, and that’s a shame.

I’ll take away two things from my forum interactions: some accuse me of being omnipresent when I just love exchanging ideas. My way of speaking is misunderstood (regional differences), even if I’ll admit I sometimes turn up the heat—or rather, the *aïoli* —which for me is just lively debates 🔥 (a regional specialty).

And my "mocking" side, which I really need to work on.

This topic isn’t just about me—I hope other forum members will share their own regional "specialties" . For example, in Alsace, some older folks switch to their local language when they don’t want outsiders to understand, and I still don’t know if it’s German or something else.

https://www.marseille-tourisme.com/decouvrez-marseille/traditions/le-parler-marseillais/

https://www.lexpress.fr/informations/accent-du-midi-ave-ou-sans_642635.html

Hi there, I saw a deal with T-Mobile: 15 days for $35 Unlimited 5G domestic data - Customers using >50GB may notice reduced speeds - Unlimited domestic calls and text (SMS) - Wi-Fi sharing: unlimited at 3G speeds (600 kbps)

Is it easy to set up, and has anyone tried it already?

Thanks

You’ve probably noticed it: the real travel gems no longer show up in search results. In today’s all-digital age, those local operators, small authentic accommodations, passionate guides, and committed local initiatives remain invisible. No flashy website, no ads, often not even an online presence.

Yet they exist—people who take care of their land, their culture, their community. Hidden in valleys, villages, forests. These are the ones who truly give meaning to travel, the kind you only discover through word of mouth... or among savvy travelers.

A collaborative project is starting to patiently catalog them, one by one. It’s called DirecTravel. Not very well-known yet—it’s just getting started—but already shared among independent travel enthusiasts. Here, no standardization or flashy interface: every address has been discovered on the ground, the old-fashioned way. Some have even been recognized by the Sustainable Travel Awards.

Their approach? Taking the time to listen, build connections, and support local initiatives that will never appear on Google’s first page.

If you’re looking for something beyond the usual recommendations, and if the idea of sharing genuine tips speaks to you, then this project might interest you. And maybe you, too, have a gem to share with them.

Hi there! I’m heading to Thailand for two months. So I thought I’d get a Thai SIM card to use Google Maps for getting around cities, mostly. Here’s my question: will this SIM affect my apps? Or will they work the same as with my Orange SIM? Is there any setup I need to do, or can I just pop in the Thai SIM? I’d also like to switch back to my Orange SIM now and then while I’m in Thailand—on the same phone. Will I need to reset the phone, or will it reconnect without any issues? Thanks in advance for your tips! Best, Huiclos

hi there I’d love to get some opinions—I’ve never used Airbnb before. They’re offering a key handover via lockbox. Any tips or advice? Is it reliable? Best,

Hello. We’re a retired couple heading to Sri Lanka from January to March. After the November floods, I’d like to know if we can offer hands-on help to the locals, maybe pack some clothes or other items people might need in our luggage, and who we could give them to. Thanks for any info from those on the ground.

Hi there, A question for those who’ve looked into this. What’s more advantageous or preferable: buying a local SIM card for GPS and SMS (we’ll handle calls via WhatsApp), or going with a plan from our mobile provider (Orange) that offers international packages with several options up to 150GB? Does anyone know the price of SIM cards at Vodacom?

Thanks to anyone who chimes in! 😉

Dan

Bad news: starting October 2025, the Mauritian tourism ministry is introducing a new tax of 3 € per night per traveler, on top of the existing 55 € fee. This could make other destinations like Madagascar—where no tourism tax is charged—more appealing.

My daughter and three of her friends went to Île Sainte-Marie, Madagascar. I haven’t heard from them in two days. Could you please tell me if you know this bar and hotel? This is the last photo she sent me, and I’d like to get in touch with them... thanks so much

I just installed the Maps.Me app on my phone. I only recently found out about this app. I’m traveling in 2 weeks and a few days, and I’m a bit stuck on how to use it. I’m from the Montreal (Quebec) area, and I’d love to know if there’s a kind soul out there who could help me get started and use the app at least minimally. If there are private lessons available, I’d be interested in those too.

Thanks in advance for your help. Simon

Hi,

Many of us have noticed that bugs have been making it difficult to navigate the forum lately.

I’ll let Kate and Ticapi explain the issue:

I went to your profile to check out the Thailand travel journal, and when I clicked on it, it brought me back here again. All week, I’ve been dealing with bugs like this—it’s really discouraging from continuing on VF.🙁

I had the same thing happen, and multiple times. For me, it was Montagnard’s latest journal that kept coming up no matter which discussion I clicked on.

Hopefully, a solution will be found soon.🙂

Hi everyone.

My family and I have decided to do a little 10-day road trip through Germany, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia. Practically all European countries require a vignette to drive on highways or in certain zones. For Germany, an Eco vignette is required to drive in certain areas, like downtown Munich. Would anyone know if this site: https://vignette-allemagne.fr/ is legit? It seems easy to use and quick, but it’s not referenced or mentioned anywhere.

Genuine site or scam? Thanks for your feedback. Best regards,

Stéphane.

Hi everyone, I used to use the Traveler Buddy app to manage my trips. In this app, you could forward your hotel, flight, event confirmations, etc. by email, and everything was automatically organized so you could easily keep track of your itinerary. Unfortunately, the app doesn’t seem to be working anymore. Would you have any suggestions for another app like this, please? Thanks!

Huge disappointment. I’d seen that Friendly Shoe Shop was recommended by a blog. I went there with the intention of buying a small leather backpack. I visited once for a look around, then went online to compare prices with shops in Europe, like Marius, which specializes in leather. I realized that for the same price ($145 US), I could find the same thing in Paris. I went back to Friendly Shoe Shop and tried to see if it was possible to negotiate. The saleswoman immediately reacted. With a smile, she took the bag, put it back on display, and told me: "If you want to negotiate, go to the market!" Basically, she was telling me to get lost. You can easily apologize by saying prices are fixed and non-negotiable, but it’s unacceptable to react that way when the prices are excessive. It’s really taking tourists for a ride.

When you know the cost of living in Vietnam, this price is nothing short of a scam. I’m not questioning the quality of the product. If the workers were paid 3 or 5 times the normal rate, I wouldn’t mind. But there’s no indication that’s the case.

In summary, in Hoi An, you have the choice between: - Quality shops where you’ll pay the same price as in a European capital, which gives the owner a huge margin since they don’t pay import taxes, transportation costs, and manufacture directly, etc. - Counterfeit shops where you won’t pay much for mediocre quality.

Friendly Shoe Shop has nothing friendly or fair about it. It’ll suit people who travel for two or three weeks, have the means, and want to say when they get home that they bought a bag or shoes in Hoi An. For everyone else, there’s nothing fair about it…

Hi,

I'm looking to buy an ultra-lightweight 50/55L travel backpack with a suitcase or front opening. Does anyone have any brand and/or model recommendations? Thanks, Emma

Hello,

After 20 years of operation and a 4-year hiatus, we were happy to rediscover this forum following its acquisition by Myatlas.

At the very beginning of the adventure, there was a section allowing members to share their ideas—good or bad, feasible or not—with the team in charge to help perfect the forum.

So, to help VoyageForum regain its momentum and adapt to new audiences and a new environment, why not put our heads together and suggest some improvement ideas in this thread?

I’ll get the ball rolling!

Travel journals are limited to 300 photos because photo storage is expensive. This limitation is completely understandable, and Myatlas found a solution by offering a paid subscription for those who wanted to exceed the free photo limit. Maybe this approach could be adapted here? Limiting without offering an alternative is a reason members leave.

"Les rencontres voyageurs" is a must-attend event for all travel enthusiasts, at the heart of France’s most beautiful gatherings.

Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a beginner looking for your first adventures, these meet-ups aim to bring people together, inspire, and share knowledge.

They offer a unique opportunity to chat with inspiring travelers, discover their authentic stories, their favorite spots around the world, and their practical tips for traveling peacefully and enrichingly 😉

"Les rencontres voyageurs" also feature conferences and masterclasses led by industry experts, covering a variety of topics such as responsible travel, content creation, and optimizing itineraries.

These sessions, both practical and inspiring, are designed to expand your knowledge and fuel your projects. On top of that, there are fun and educational activities, including the famous traveler quiz, encouraging exchanges and conviviality. Finally, visitors can explore an exhibition of travel vehicles, vans, 4x4s, nomadic equipment, and chat with professionals about van conversions, mobility, and innovations dedicated to vanlife. A complete, immersive experience that’s all about discovery.

Destination choices for summer 2025 are evolving, with some countries gaining popularity while others see a decline.

According to recent data, summer 2025 shows notable shifts in the preferences of French travelers. Spain, Greece, and France are seeing a drop in bookings compared to 2024. On the other hand, Tunisia (+11.2%), Italy (+10.6%), and especially Egypt (+36.1%) are experiencing a significant rise in popularity. The United Kingdom is also showing notable growth (+28.7%) among medium-haul destinations. For long-haul trips, the United States is surprising with a 17.3% increase in bookings, despite a complex geopolitical context. These trends reflect a diversification in travelers' choices for summer 2025. Read the article...

Travelers in 2025 are leaning toward immersive and original experiences. Here are 3 new trendy terms to casually drop in your next conversation 😉:

"Cowboy Core" is gaining popularity, with trips focused on country music and horseback riding across vast plains.

"Destination Dupes" offer less crowded and more affordable alternatives to overrun tourist spots, like Albania instead of the Greek islands.

Finally, "Goods Getaways" encourage tourists to discover gourmet products that have gone viral on social media—such as Japanese matcha or Dubai chocolate—by visiting their place of origin.

Check out the article

What are your positive and negative experiences with dental implants in different countries around the world? Looking for something like 4-5 dental implants, good quality-to-price ratio.

Thanks.

Hi there, Everything’s in the title. For those who’ve already been to South Africa, I was wondering if our French type C plugs work with the sockets you’ve encountered in your accommodations there. Apparently, South Africa uses types D, M, and N, and type C plugs are only compatible with type N sockets. Do accommodations mostly have type N sockets? Or are they mostly D and M, which would mean buying an adapter? Thanks for your replies!

Europe is packed with spectacular carnivals where traditions and festivities blend in vibrant, colorful parades. In 2025, several must-see events will draw visitors, including:

1. Cologne Carnival (Karneval) in Germany 2. Menton Lemon Festival (Fête du Citron) in France 3. Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival in the Canary Islands 4. Binche Carnival in Belgium 5. Nice Carnival in France 6. Cádiz Carnival in Spain 7. Basel Carnival (Fasnacht) in Switzerland 8. Dunkirk Carnival in France 9. Rijeka Carnival in Croatia 10. London Carnival in the UK

A great opportunity to discover unique celebrations without heading to Venice, which is already well-known to the general public. See the slideshow

A study reveals that 60% of French people opt for trips within France, reflecting a strong preference for domestic tourism. Additionally, 51% want to reduce their carbon footprint, confirming a growing awareness of environmental issues. Trends also show a diversification in accommodation choices, with a rise in independent rentals and an emerging interest in artificial intelligence for travel planning—though its adoption remains limited. Read more...

France’s first ski resorts will open their slopes to skiers this Saturday, November 23, 2024.

Val Thorens, Tignes, and the Grands Montets area in Chamonix are kicking off the ski season. Read more ...

At the Seto forum (Association of Travel Agents), it was highlighted that, despite an uncertain geopolitical context, summer bookings are showing a slight increase (+1.4% overall as of the end of April), with +1.6% on medium-haul and +0.6% on long-haul flights. This growth is supported by an expected revenue increase of +2.9% and an average basket rise of +3.2%.

In terms of destinations, the Greek islands remain at the top despite a slight decline of -1%, the Balearic Islands are gaining ground (+2%), and Tunisia stands out with strong growth (+13%) thanks to its excellent value for money. For long-haul, Mauritius continues to dominate (+9%), while the United States is experiencing a downturn (-14%), behind Indonesia (-6%) and ahead of the Dominican Republic (+4%). Finally, French Polynesia (+16%) and Vietnam (+41%) are emerging as booming destinations.

Read the article

I’ve kept quiet about them... to preserve them. Those are the words of a passionate traveler who recently wrote to us. For years, he’s been discovering rare, authentic places... and chooses to say nothing. Out of respect. Out of fear of destruction. Out of love for secrecy. What would you do? You stumble upon a magical spot, still untouched by mass tourism. Do you keep it to yourself... or do you open the door, gently, to other travelers? At DIRECTRAVEL, we’re asking ourselves these questions. Can sharing be an act of passing something on? Or is it always the beginning of the end for these preserved places? Read the article here.

Photo credit: Frédéric Soltan

Hi everyone,

I’m in the middle of looking to buy a new hard-shell cabin suitcase and a large hard-shell suitcase too. I came across the brand Delsey Paris. Is this brand worth it? So I wanted to get your feedback as fellow travelers:

Have you already tried this brand?

Is the quality up to par?

Do you think it’s more high-end, a good value for money, or too expensive for what it is? I can’t figure it out—they have cheap suitcases in hypermarkets and others at high prices on their website.

And most importantly: do you have other brands to recommend for comparison?

I travel a few times a year (mostly by plane), so I’m looking for a suitcase that’s sturdy, practical, and not too heavy. Thanks in advance for your opinions 😊 I’m all ears for your experiences, good or bad!

According to a recent report, Japan is emerging as the most popular destination for summer 2025, with a notable increase in bookings for Tokyo (+19%) and Osaka (+17.2%) compared to 2019. The depreciation of the yen is contributing to this attractiveness.

Paris remains a must-visit European destination.

The Asia-Pacific region is showing a strong recovery, with cities like Shanghai, Seoul, Beijing, and Singapore ranking in the top 10.

Among beach destinations, Mallorca (Spain), Nha Trang (Vietnam), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), and Hurghada (Egypt) are particularly in demand.

Tirana, the Albanian capital, is experiencing exceptional growth of +178.8% compared to 2019, largely due to an influx of European visitors, particularly Italians.

Additionally, Jeddah in Saudi Arabia is seeing a 27.2% increase, confirming its emergence as a tourist destination.

Read the article