Hi there! I’m Simon, and for years I’ve been exploring some of Europe’s most beautiful and well-equipped bike paths. My passion for cycling led me to start a blog where I share my travel impressions, practical tips, and photos taken along the way. I ride both well-known routes like the Alpe-Adria, the Loire à Vélo, and the Rhein Route, as well as lesser-known but equally charming regions.



In my stories, I pay special attention to the quality of infrastructure, cyclist safety, and route accessibility—for young and old, experienced riders and beginners alike. I love discovering and sharing spots that are truly welcoming for cycle tourists: well-marked, with rest areas and easy train access.

On the blog, you’ll find ready-to-follow route suggestions, tips for preparing your bike trips, and plenty of inspiration for your next adventures. I travel with my panniers, a camera in the front bag, and always keep an eye out for what’s around me. Feel free to check out my blog, Cycling Thread—you might find some ideas for your next bike getaway! :-)

* * *

I hope this won’t just be a one-off post—I’ll try to share our bike trips with you here regularly. To start: our May trip on the Elberadweg, the queen of German bike paths, between the stunning city of Dresden and Magdeburg. I invite you to visit:

Elberadweg in Germany – From Dresden to Magdeburg

The Elbe bike path is about 1200 km long, following the river from its source in the Giant Mountains in the Czech Republic to its mouth in Cuxhaven, on the North Sea. The route crosses a variety of landscapes: mountain valleys, vineyards, open plains, and coastline. As is often the case in Germany, the signage is excellent and the route easy to follow.

But what surprised us was the number of cobblestone sections! Sure, the cobblestones are well-laid and fairly smooth—but they’re still cobblestones. And when they disappear, they’re often replaced by concrete slabs, typical of river dikes. That’s just part of the face of this 30-year-old "queen"—a heritage that’s hard to replace entirely with fresh asphalt.

Along the way, don’t miss the many cultural highlights. Dresden impresses with its restored old town, the Frauenkirche, and the Brühl Terraces along the Elbe—it’s one of Germany’s most elegant cities. In Meissen, you can visit the famous porcelain factory and its Gothic cathedral. Wittenberg is a must-stop to follow in Martin Luther’s footsteps, with its castle church and Reformation Museum. And to finish, in Dessau-Roßlau, besides the Bauhaus, don’t miss the stunning Dessau-Wörlitz landscape gardens—one of the oldest English-style parks in Europe.

A few photos to give you a feel for the route and inspire you to check out our blog! :-)











Happy cycling!

Simon

Hi there!

I’m reaching out because two friends and I are planning a one-year world cycling tour. We’ll cover 25,000 km across 30 countries, starting in September 2026. I’d love to share details about our route and budget through our Instagram account:

TricycleWchallenge: https://www.instagram.com/tricyclewchallenge?igsh=MXRwZmdoY2tjZHJ3aA==

We’ll be adding posts as we continue our research (which is already well underway) to show you our gear, route, and budget—with plenty of practical details, of course!

Thanks so much to those who follow us—you’re helping us a lot, especially with finding sponsors!

Hi there, We’ve just returned from 2 weeks in Madagascar, and I wanted to share our experience since we struggled quite a bit to plan our itinerary before leaving. The country is huge, the journeys are long, and with only two weeks, you really have to make choices. For our part, we opted for a fairly realistic itinerary for a first-time visit: Antananarivo, Andasibe, Île aux Nattes, and then Sainte-Marie. The idea was to mix a bit of nature, lemurs, tropical forest, and then a few quieter days by the water—without trying to cross the entire country.

In Andasibe, we spent several days between the Analamazaotra Reserve and Mantadia Park. We were able to spot lemurs, especially the indris, went on a night walk to see chameleons, geckos, and other small animals, and then did a wilder hike in Mantadia. This was probably the stop that felt the most exotic to us, with that humid forest atmosphere, animal sounds, and dense vegetation.

After Andasibe, we headed back to Antananarivo to catch a flight to Sainte-Marie, then took a boat to Île aux Nattes. It’s a tiny car-free island where you get around on foot between beaches, sandy paths, villages, and coconut trees. We mostly slowed down the pace: walking around the island, snorkeling in front of the hotel, meals at Fafana and Coco Sud, swimming, and much simpler moments. It was one of our absolute highlights of the trip.

We wrapped up with a few days in Sainte-Marie, in a more comfortable setting. The island is larger and more developed than Île aux Nattes, with more accommodations and activities. For us, it was mostly about relaxing, enjoying the pool, biking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, and a few short walks. Looking back, we might’ve spent a little less time in Sainte-Marie and a bit more on Île aux Nattes, which left a bigger impression on us.

I’ve tried to break down our itinerary day by day, including travel times, budget, accommodations, transportation, our thoughts on each stop, the pros and cons, and what we’d change if we did it again. I also cover arriving in Antananarivo, the road to Andasibe, the domestic flight to Sainte-Marie, returning to Tana, and our airport experience—where it’s best to allow plenty of extra time. Here’s the link if it helps with your planning:

https://aventures-sans-mesaventure.com/madagascar-itineraire-pour-2-semaines-de-voyage/

In short, our main advice would be not to try to see everything in two weeks. Madagascar requires time, flexibility, and some breathing room. It’s better to pick fewer stops but really enjoy them.

Easter Island, located between Tahiti and Chile, fascinated me with its volcanic landscapes and legendary Moai statues, erected by the first Polynesian inhabitants to honor their ancestors. Mysterious and iconic, this isolated land intrigues with its history and the enigmas that researchers and explorers are still trying to unravel. To help you prepare for your trip, here’s my five-day itinerary. I was able to explore major sites while leaving room for some free and adventurous moments. Here’s the program I followed: Day 1: Discovering Hanga Roa and nearby moais For my arrival, I started slowly by visiting the village of Hanga Roa. I took the time to stroll around, check out some local shops, and especially admire the first moais accessible for free, to ease into the island’s fascinating history. Day 2: The must-see sites with a guide (Vaihu, Te Pito Kura, Anakena, Tongariki, Rano Raraku) The second day was dedicated to the highlights. With a guide, I explored the island’s iconic sites, including the imposing aligned moais of Tongariki and the ancient "statue factory" of Rano Raraku. This intense day helped me understand more about the island’s culture and mysterious history, especially with the paradise-like beach of Anakena at the end of the day. Day 3: Historical sites and museum (Orongo, Rano Kau, Puna Pau, Akivi) On the third day, I continued with a guided morning, particularly at the ceremonial village of Orongo, perched atop Rano Kau. After visiting Puna Pau and Akivi, I spent the afternoon at the museum to deepen my knowledge of the Rapa Nui civilization. Day 4: Bike ride in nature Craving freedom, I devoted this day to a bike ride along the coastline and through the island’s natural spots. It was the perfect opportunity to explore at my own pace and stop at secret coves, enjoying the tranquility of the landscapes. Day 5: Hike to the summit of Terevaka For my last day, I set off on a hike to the summit of Terevaka, the island’s highest point. From there, the 360° view of the island and the ocean is breathtaking and gave me a memorable souvenir of this trip. This five-day stay was a real journey through time, landscapes, and the mysteries of Easter Island! If you want more details on my favorite spots, accommodation ideas, or practical tips, you can check out my article: https://un-tour-dans-le-sac.fr/ile-de-paques-5-jours/

Hi there, if you're looking for info on a 2-week itinerary in Albania, I’ve detailed everything in this post: https://worldseenbymathilde.blogspot.com/2025/09/itineraire-de-15-jours-pour-faire-le.html

> how to do the Theth to Valbona hike and return via Lake Koman > what to visit across the country > our favorite spots and what we don’t recommend > the budget > where to rent a car

PLUS tons of other useful tips!!

Hi there, Bali was a huge crush for me: the kindness of the local people, the culture, the rice terraces, the volcanoes, the beaches... Everything comes together for a dream trip. Even the crowded sites and the crowds don’t take away from its charm. A few tips: - visit the very famous sites as early as possible - don’t book everything in advance so you can adapt your itinerary based on your mood - enjoy Bali and the islands south of Bali—don’t waste one or two travel days heading to the Gili Islands, there’s already so much to discover

I wrote a post with my 16-day itinerary, detailing visits and activities day by day: https://worldseenbymathilde.blogspot.com/2023/05/itineraire-de-16-jours-pour-decouvrir.html

And if you have any other questions, don’t hesitate! :)

Hi there,

A group of friends (4 of us) and I set off on a 17-day road trip across Namibia in a 4x4 with a rooftop tent. I’ve put together a full recap of the trip, including our stops, activities, budget, and the campsites where we stayed—wild camping isn’t allowed in Namibia, so booking campsites is a must. If you need any details, feel free to check out the post here: https://worldseenbymathilde.blogspot.com/2024/11/itineraire-2-semaines-en-namibie-avec.html

Helpful tip: The water at all campsites in Namibia is safe to drink, so no need to buy bottled water—just fill up your 4x4’s tank.

Hi there! In this post, you’ll find our 15-day itinerary in Sicily, including 2 days spent on the Aeolian Islands. It’s packed with info: our visits, favorite spots, hikes, volcanoes, and more! https://worldseenbymathilde.blogspot.com/2023/10/notre-itineraire-de-15-jours-en-sicile.html Feel free to ask if you have any questions! :)

✈️ One-month Vietnam itinerary from North to Central 🇻🇳

We’re sharing this trip from July 2019—our first time traveling around like this. It’s pretty classic, but it’s a great way to start discovering this amazing country that is Vietnam. Hopefully, it’ll give some ideas to those who’d like to head to Southeast Asia!

Our little adventure is detailed in our travel journal, written day by day. You’ll find lots of photos there.

✈️ One-month itinerary idea for Laos 🇱🇦

We’re sharing this trip from July 2024—a pretty classic route for a first visit to Laos. An amazing country that’s still authentic and just starting to embrace tourism. Hope this gives some ideas to anyone thinking of heading to Southeast Asia!

You can check out our day-by-day adventure on our travel journal. There are plenty of photos there too.

✈️ One-month Thailand itinerary idea 🇹🇭

We’re sharing this trip from July 2023—a pretty classic route from Bangkok to northern Thailand. A great circuit for discovering this amazing country. Hope it gives some ideas to those who’d like to head to Southeast Asia!

You can check out our day-by-day adventure on our TRAVEL JOURNAL. There are lots of photos there.

Hello 😊 If you're planning 10 days in Madeira and feeling unsure about the itinerary, my first tip would be: don’t try to “tick everything off.” The island is compact, but the roads are winding and hikes take time. For 10 days, I’d structure the trip into 3 zones:

East (Ponta de São Lourenço + Pico do Arieiro) for spectacular volcanic landscapes

Central (levadas + Fanal forests) for hiking

West (Porto Moniz, cliffs, sunsets) for raw panoramas And save Funchal for early mornings or late afternoons.

A car is essential, and checking the weather ahead is key—it changes quickly with altitude. I’ve broken all this down (optimized route, travel times, parking spots, hike difficulty, what to do based on weather, mistakes to avoid…) in this post: 👉 https://aventures-sans-mesaventure.com/visiter-madere-1-semaine/ Even though it’s built for a week, it adapts easily to 10 days by adding more hikes or slowing the pace. If you’re looking for a balance between breathtaking nature, hiking, and quieter moments, Madeira is a real safe bet.

Hi there! Here’s an itinerary for Egypt if you want to combine beach time, snorkeling/diving, and cultural visits. Hurghada is a great base for getting your PADI certification or just snorkeling—but that’s not all! There are plenty of other activities to do, and you’ll find all the details in this article: https://worldseenbymathilde.blogspot.com/2024/10/hurghada-le-paradis-de-la-plongee-egypte.html After that, you can head to Luxor by minibus from Hurghada. Luxor is a cultural gem and the perfect spot for a hot-air balloon ride. I’ve covered all the sights and info in this article: https://worldseenbymathilde.blogspot.com/2024/10/louxor-en-2-jours-avec-un-guide-prive.html Finally, take a flight to Cairo to visit the famous pyramids. Here’s an article to help you plan your stay in this massive city: https://worldseenbymathilde.blogspot.com/2024/10/le-caire-que-visiter-en-1-jour-et-demi.html

Hi everyone, I just published an article with our itinerary for visiting Copenhagen in 4 days during winter (December): day-by-day schedule, practical info (budget, weather, transport, Copenhagen Card), where to stay, plus our thoughts on the must-sees (Nyhavn, The Little Mermaid, Amalienborg, contemporary art museum, botanical garden) and a balanced take on Christiania. If it can help those planning a city trip: https://aventures-sans-mesaventure.blogspot.com/2026/01/visiter-copenhague-en-4-jours-que-faire.html Happy planning, and if you have any questions, I’m happy to answer! !

Hi there, I just got back from a week-long trip to Marrakech, Morocco, with a stop in Essaouira, and I’ve put together my itinerary, some great tips, and my thoughts on the trip. Hope this helps you plan your own adventure and get excited about it! https://aventures-sans-mesaventure.blogspot.com/2026/01/visiter-marrakech-en-1-semaine.html

Happy travels! :)

Hi there, We went on a 10-day road trip through Andalusia in October 2024, traveling independently. Our itinerary took us through Seville, Ronda, Guadix, and Granada, with a few nature detours and manageable driving distances. We took the time to put together our day-by-day route and some feedback (pace, distances, what we’d do again or skip) in an article, in case it helps other travelers: https://aventures-sans-mesaventure.blogspot.com/2026/01/andalousie-itineraire-road-trip-10-jours.html Happy planning to those heading out soon!

Hi there, We just got back from a 7-day trip to Malta in winter 2025, organized independently. Itinerary: Valletta, Mdina, Mellieħa, cliffs, and natural sites, with generally pleasant but sometimes changeable weather. We’ve put together our day-by-day itinerary and some practical feedback (pace, getting around, what’s really worth it in winter) here: https://aventures-sans-mesaventure.blogspot.com/2026/01/malte-hiver-itineraire-7-jours.html Happy travels to those planning their trip!

Hi there, We just got back from a 2-week trip to Sri Lanka in April 2024, organized independently. Our itinerary took us to: Sigiriya (sunrise from Pidurangala), Kandy, Ella (train), Udawalawe, and Tangalle. We’ve put together our day-by-day itinerary, our experiences from this trip, and some practical tips here: https://aventures-sans-mesaventure.blogspot.com/2026/01/sri-lanka-itineraire-2-semaines.html Happy travels to those planning their trip! !

Hi there, After a road trip along the Costa Verde, I wrote an article with our itinerary, our favorite spots, hikes, accommodations, and plenty of other tips. I hope it can help future travelers: https://worldseenbymathilde.blogspot.com/2024/09/la-costa-verde-de-sao-paulo-rio-bresil.html

The Costa Verde was a real favorite—stunning nature and such a welcoming local community.

Hi, We just got back from a two-week independent trip to China in April 2025. The country can seem intimidating at first (language, transportation, payments), and the language barrier is very real, even in big cities. Our itinerary took us to Beijing, the Great Wall (Mutianyu), then to Guilin, the Longji Rice Terraces (Dazhai), and Wuhan. All travel was by train, subway, and DiDi (local Uber). We’ve put together our day-by-day itinerary and some practical tips based on our experience in this post—hope it helps for a first trip to China: https://aventures-sans-mesaventure.blogspot.com/2026/01/chine-itineraire-2-semaines.html Happy travels to those planning their trip!

Hi there! There are so many valleys to discover in Cappadocia—it’s hard to figure out which ones to visit and in what order before you’re actually there. So, I put together a 3-day itinerary after my trip in October, packed with useful info: the cost of visits, how to book a hot-air balloon flight, which valleys to explore, and more. Here’s the link: https://worldseenbymathilde.blogspot.com/2023/10/3-jours-pour-visiter-la-cappadoce.html

Hope this helps! :)

Hi everyone,

Here’s a blog about a one-month trip for two in Namibia that we took very recently, planned in the third quarter of 2024. The blog covers general considerations for planning, the itinerary we chose, and then the stops we made in chronological order, with links to the photos and videos we took. It also includes links to the campsites and lodges where we stayed, as well as links to activities we didn’t do on our own. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask!

https://serialvolageur.blogspot.com/2025/

Hi there, After an 11-day road trip around Iceland in May 2025, I wrote some posts summarizing our itinerary, activities/sightseeing/hikes, our favorite spots, tips, and a detailed breakdown of how much the trip cost us. I hope this helps other travelers looking to explore Iceland: https://worldseenbymathilde.blogspot.com/2025/05/islande-11-jours-en-van-pour-faire-le.html

Hi everyone,

At the end of October 2024, we were lucky enough to spend a little over a week in Turkey—heading to Antalya. We then set off on a 6-day road trip exploring southern and western Turkey! Since planning a trip isn’t always easy, we’re sharing our itinerary and feedback on the different places we visited.

With a few photos, we hope to wow you 😎!

Here’s our loop itinerary starting from Antalya (a packed schedule, but it let us see so much):

Day 1 - Antalya (Kaleiçi, the historic center of Antalya) and Lara Beach



Day 2 - The Lycian site of Myra and the port of Kaş





Day 3 - The Turquoise Coast: Kaputaş Beach, the beach and dunes of Patara, the Saklıkent Canyon, the “ghost village” of Kayaköy, the ruins of Telmessos, and the Tomb of Amyntas







Day 4 - The Iztuzu Beach and the village of Şirince





Day 5 - The ancient city of Ephesus and the rural village of Birgi



Day 6 - Pamukkale and Hierapolis, then the seaside resort of Side before returning to Antalya (Day 7 in the morning).



So, does this make you want to take a little road trip in Turkey or what 😉?

For each visit, we’ve shared on our personal blog https://ideesdevoyage.fr (type it directly into your address bar) the practical info you need to know (hours, prices, etc.), but most importantly, tips to make the most of your visit (where to park for free, how to avoid crowds, the best time for great lighting, must-see photo spots, and more).

We hope this itinerary and our tips will inspire you and help you plan your future trip to southern and western Turkey.

If you’d like to react or have any questions, don’t hesitate!

Hi there, my partner and I did a road trip in Oman in January 2025 with a 4x4 and a rooftop tent. We only slept in free spots out in nature. It’s essential to have a 4x4 to experience this. The *Oman Off Road* book was a huge help—we bought it locally. I’ve written up our whole adventure and shared all our tips on my blog, including GPS coordinates to help you find campsites or even cross the desert on your own. Here’s the link: https://worldseenbymathilde.blogspot.com/2025/02/notre-itineraire-de-10-jours-oman-en.html

Hi there,

I spent 3 weeks there from May 7th to 28th, 2023.

I arrived and departed from the capital, Lusaka.

I rented a 4x4 equipped for camping/overlanding with the only serious option I found at the time from Fair Car Hires. This was to avoid the long approach times from South Africa or Botswana.

4x4: $3,402 for 18 days (😕), a Toyota Hilux Double-Cab Safari Camper—fully equipped, 3.0L diesel, manual transmission, air-con, Bluetooth radio, and 1 or 2 roof-top tents.

I’d already traveled through Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, and KTP, and Harry (the owner of Lukasa in Lusaka) told me Zambia was the "real Africa." I wasn’t disappointed on that front 😉.

I explored three parks: - Lower Zambezi NP (2 nights camping nearby at Mvuu Lodge) - South Luangwa NP (2 nights at Wildlife Camp + 3 nights at Croc Valley Lodge campsite) - Kafue NP (3 nights at Kasabushi Bush Camp + 3 nights at Mapunga Bush Camp) (Check out my route on a map on my personal site).

That’s a lot of kilometers in 3 weeks—just a few well-paved roads in good condition, but mostly rough roads or tracks, which really slows down your average speed 😕.

No supply issues for fuel or food, but watch out for stock in some grocery stores (one Friday afternoon in Chipata, the fruit and vegetable shelves were empty!).

May is still a bit early in the season, so the grass is still tall in the plains.

Lower Zambezi NP: A mother elephant and her "little one":

South Luangwa NP, near the Mushilashi Bridge:

Kafue NP, morning sunrise:

Kafue NP, spotting two lions on Spinal Road near the Shishemba Loop:

Northern Kafue NP:

Kafue NP, leopard during a morning game drive:

Northern Kafue NP, at my campsite in Mapunga Bush Camp—hippo on night watch (Where’s Charlie? 😉):

Kafue NP, tall grass—buffalo lurking!

In Lusaka, I highly recommend Harry and Geke’s welcoming green property, Lukasa, as a base camp (over Lusaka Pioneer Campsite, where I stayed my first night).

More photos on my personal site: wildescapesoverland.com

Happy to help, Pierre

PS: To the site admins, please consider allowing the .webp image format—it’ll significantly cut your storage costs while keeping great resolution.

Here’s one of our favorite cities in South America. I didn’t dare call it the "capital" because it’s pretty complex for this city.

When I set foot in La Paz, I was immediately struck by its bustling energy and striking contrasts. Perched at over 3,600 meters above sea level, the city blends tradition and modernity in a surprising way. We wandered between the colonial buildings of Plaza Murillo, discovered the secrets of the Witches’ Market with its mysterious potions and amulets, and gained some altitude thanks to the cable car, which offers incredible views of the city and the mountains. For thrill-seekers, we tested the famous Death Road by mountain bike—adrenaline was definitely on tap! Of course, the altitude can be a challenge, so in my article, I also share tips for acclimatizing, great places to stay, and detailed itineraries to make the most of your trip, whether you’re there for a day or three. Anyway, during our trip, we realized that the city is often used as a quick stopover where people don’t linger. And that’s a real shame. Out of 3 weeks in Bolivia, we spent 3 full days in the city and would’ve happily stayed longer. If you want to know more, check it out here: 👉 Read the full article

Hi there, I’m sharing my hiking itineraries on the sea-to-sea trails in Corsica. Perfect for those who want to discover Corsica on foot and are looking for multi-day hikes without major difficulties. That’s right—Corsica isn’t just about the GR 20! My travel journals are all written day by day.

🐻 Mare a Mare Sud + Mare è Monti Sud 👍🏼 TRAVEL JOURNAL A 175-kilometer route with 6,694 meters of elevation gain over 10 stages on the Mare a Mare Sud and Mare è Monti Sud trails in Corsica 🇨🇵 🐻 Mare a Mare Centre 👍🏼 TRAVEL JOURNAL A 106-kilometer route with 4,415 meters of elevation gain over 6 stages on the Mare a Mare Centre trails in Corsica 🇨🇵

🐻 Mare a Mare Nord 👍🏼 TRAVEL JOURNAL A 165-kilometer route with 7,004 meters of elevation gain over 7 stages on the Mare a Mare Nord trails in Corsica 🇨🇵

Hi everyone! I did a road trip in Florida that lets you visit several famous cities, hit the parks, and check out the Keys. Feel free to ask me any questions. If you want the details, read here: https://voyagesfaciles.great-site.net/autotour-floride/?utm_source=vf_241213

Among the road trips through breathtaking landscapes you can take in Southeast Asia—Thailand, for example, and especially Vietnam, where it’s possible to complete three legendary circuits in completely different environments—I highly recommend the Mekong Delta off the tourist trail!

This route is easy to follow, and travelers can use the travel journal and interactive map that MyAtlas, now a Voyage Forum partner, kindly published. For those who want more details, the full day-by-day account of the route, including mileage, is now available on the BOD bookstore. This practical little guide to a lived adventure zooms in on a region that’s still relatively unknown and packed with extra insights from someone who’s spent over twelve years in Southeast Asia.