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 everyone, What great news to read that Voyage Forum is back up and running—I’m so happy! 🙂 I need some advice for a trip we’re planning in 2025: New Caledonia and Australia.

We’ll arrive in Australia on September 1, 2025, and the plan is to spend 2 nights in Melbourne to explore the city, then rent a car to drive from Melbourne to Sydney, where we’ll arrive on September 12. Unfortunately, we won’t have time for the Great Ocean Road

I’ve checked several blogs for this route and here’s the itinerary I’ve put together:

9/4: Melbourne to Philip Island (140 km) – 1 night 9/5: Philip Island to Wilsons Promontory National Park – 2 nights 9/7: Raymond Island (free ferry to cross a 200 m sea channel) – Lakes Entrance – 1 night 9/8: Drive to Narooma (stop at Quarry Beach) – 1 night at "Bodalla Park Forest Rest Area" 9/9: Batemans Bay – Pebbly Beach – Dolphin Point – Jervis Bay – 1 night (to be found) 9/10: Jervis Bay and surroundings – 1 night at Bendeela Picnic Area 9/11: Blue Mountains National Park (1 hour from Sydney) – 1 night (to be found) 9/12: Arrival in Sydney

I know we won’t be able to see everything, and this 9-day route is just a starting point. The goal is to avoid rushing—if we see a place we like, we’ll stop, even if it means seeing less. A vacation where we don’t watch the clock too much! 🙂 Does this route (a mix of several blogs where not all stops are noted) seem realistic or too ambitious? Are there certain spots that are more worth prioritizing over the ones I’ve listed? For example, in one of the blogs I read, travelers skipped Blue Mountains National Park because they chose another site (which I’ve forgotten 😎).

For accommodation, we’ll likely be camping (free or paid), so if you have any suggestions, I’d love to hear them! 😎

Our arrival in Sydney on September 12 depends on my hope to participate in the marathon on September 15, 2025. After that, we’ll leave Sydney on September 17 for Ayers Rock.

Thanks in advance for your tips and ideas—it’s always tricky to plan a route from a distance when time is limited.

And long live this site, which I’ve missed so much since 2020! 😎🙂

Hello,

My wife and I are looking to move to another country.

Please share your experiences and give us some advice!

See you soon

Hello,

I’m Bruno, and I need some advice for planning a long, amazing trip (at least 1 month) to the United States. I want to show my kids the incredible places I visited nearly 30 years ago! 🤪

How do I travel with 3 teens, who should I call, and what do you recommend?

Things have changed so much since then, and it’s way easier to travel at 20 with just a backpack! ^^

Thanks in advance! 😏

I don’t want to write an obituary for VF here; I hope it’s just a rough patch and that we can keep exchanging. But I do want to list all the great things this Forum has given me:

-Some amazing travel stories from Yangguizi, one of which led me to North Korea. Just look at the power of storytelling! And Looping, Mariecurry, Michant... Pondi will see me in the Altai one day. -Meeting a really friendly travel companion, which gave me the confidence to explore the Russian Far North. Where else could I have found a travel buddy for such a unique trip? -Meeting people on the Forum who encouraged me to write and gave me confidence. I even found my Quebecois translator and Breton translator for a few lines here on VF. A big thank you to them. -A wealth of information from reading travel journals, plus the chance to ask specific questions to prepare for a trip. Reading these journals also inspired me to visit new destinations.

And then, Voyage Forum is like a big family made up of so many different personalities. Anonymity breaks down all barriers and inhibitions. Sure, some people can be a pain and might’ve needed some help, there are the lost souls; others are all kindness and warmth; some stand out for their beautiful French; that’s not something to dismiss in these times of language impoverishment; some intellectuals share ideas that often go over my head; there are the ruthless commentators on others’ writing and thoughts. Ego battles flare up—it’s all part of the game. I can’t imagine the work it takes to manage all this. Rarely, a historical discussion takes hold with knowledgeable contributors. How cool is that! It’s fascinating and educational. Unfortunately, political correctness often shuts it down quickly. The trolls are watching!

Thank you, VF. And thank you all who owe it to yourselves. What are the most original contributions?

I find myself feeling more and more jaded when I travel these days. Boredom sets in. I’m not saying I don’t like boredom, but long-term... So, I end up thinking traveling doesn’t really make much sense anymore. Do you ever feel this way?

Nat

Hi everyone, I hope it's okay to reach out about a project I’m really excited to make happen. So, I’m 16 now and will turn 18 in 2022. Once I come of age, I’ll have access to some money that will let me fulfill one of my biggest dreams: visiting South Korea. I wanted to ask those of you who’ve been lucky enough to go or who know the country for some advice. First, I’m planning to go for 3 weeks, but since it’ll be my first solo trip, I was wondering how much I should budget for food over those 3 weeks. Next, if any of you have done a "tourist circuit" there, what’s the average cost, and which cities (aside from Seoul, of course ;)) should I prioritize visiting? And finally, this is a more general question, but what can I do in the next 2 years besides saving up to prepare for this trip? Thanks so much for reading! Best regards,

Hello everyone, I’ve been reading your posts and I can feel my excitement growing... I’m 56, very sporty and sociable, and I’ve never traveled alone before—it’s been on my mind though. I also dream of Asia: Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar? I love discovering landscapes, but most of all, the people. Last year, I went trekking in Ladakh with two friends, and we did it on our own. It was an incredible visual experience—the Ladakh Valley is stunning—but staying with locals, in early July with very few tourists, was an unforgettable experience. On the other hand, I wouldn’t go to India alone. I didn’t like the way men treated women there. Though, I’ve only been once... Anyway, thanks in advance for giving me more reasons to take the plunge solo. Am I too old for this? Thanks a million! Laurence from Bayonne

Hi everyone,

Just sharing a bit about a place we loved in Sulawesi, in an area that’s almost unknown to Western tourists.

Afni and Ilak, a lovely Indonesian couple, built two bungalows on a beach on Banggai Island (the main island of the Banggai archipelago).

The Banggai Islands are an archipelago east of Sulawesi, off the coast of Luwuk. The main island is quite large, with a small town and several villages. From there, you can head to other smaller islands. There are diving spots, snorkeling, paradise-like beaches, Bajo villages, and more. However, there’s no dive center that I know of, no restaurants for Westerners. Very few people speak English—if anyone at all on the smaller islands.

There are still some tourist facilities, though. But since no information is available in English, it remains mostly a destination for local Indonesian tourism for now. That’s what makes it so charming.

When we went there, the bungalows were already built, but the place wasn’t officially open yet because some essential amenities (kitchen, bathroom) were missing. So we’d walk 20 minutes to the nearby village to shower and eat at our hosts’ house. Now it seems all the amenities are finished, and it’s officially open.

We spent about ten days there, on Banggai Island and Mbuang Mbuang Island.

Mbuang Mbuang has stunning lagoons, diving and snorkeling spots, and a hidden jellyfish lake (don’t believe those who say there are only 5 or 6 in the world—they’re forgetting to count this one!). It’s also a bit of an adventure, since: - No one speaks English in the village - There was no phone signal (so no Google Translate to help communicate) - No restaurants (not even a warung!) - Ferries don’t run every day

But the locals are incredibly kind and ready to help, so you never feel lost.

In short, it’s a destination to visit soon—it has all the makings of a new tourist hotspot.

You’ll need plenty of time, though, as the journeys are long, especially if you want to explore islands beyond Banggai. Like anywhere off the beaten path, don’t expect all the Western-style services.

To get there, the easiest way is to fly to Luwuk (there are flights from Makassar and Manado) and take an overnight ferry.

Here’s a little YouTube link about the place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9S2CubaneE

Benjamin

My wife bought a flight ticket (Lucky Air) under her Thai maiden name and was issued a Chinese visa on her new Thai passport but with her French married name (due to administrative requirements). She was denied boarding by the airline in Bangkok for the flight to Kunming—resulting in the loss of our round-trip flight tickets, including mine since we were traveling together—despite presenting both passports at the airline counter at the same time.

Hi! I’m heading to Havana for a week in February. I’m looking for a casa particular that’s affordable, clean, and cozy. Since I’ll be traveling alone, I’d love a place where people are welcoming! Also, I really want to stay in Habana Vieja...

Do you have any recommendations for places you’ve stayed before? I tried booking the casa particular *Chez Nous*, but I never got a response.

Thanks!!

Julie

Dear friends,

I’m a chef and, while traveling in Cambodia, I’d love to take a few cooking classes—just like I did in Thailand and Brazil. Does anyone have any tips or maybe a good address to share? Thanks in advance!

Hello everyone, It’s with immense sadness that I learned this morning of the passing of our friend Nathalie (nadu). Many of us knew her through this forum, which she loved so much. She enjoyed reading your travel stories, joining discussions, sharing her cruise reviews, and offering valuable advice—always with kindness, gentleness, and discretion.

For me, Nathalie was so much more than just a cruise enthusiast. She was a friend, a deeply kind person who was always there to listen, despite the many health challenges she faced with tremendous courage. We corresponded regularly, and sometimes we had the chance to visit each other’s homes or attend the cruise show together with our respective husbands.

We shared a common dream: when we both retired, we had planned to finally go on a cruise together. Life had other plans, and that trip will forever remain a journey we never had the chance to take. That thought weighs heavily on my heart today.

I’ll remember her as a gentle, generous woman who was always ready to help others. Her presence on this forum will leave a huge void, just as her friendship has in my life.

I send my sincerest thoughts to her husband, her family, and all those who had the chance to know her.

Fair winds, Nathalie. I like to think you’re now sailing on an infinitely calm sea, under an eternally blue sky. You’ll remain in our thoughts and hearts every time we talk about cruises or set off on a new journey.

Rest in peace, Nathalie.

For those who’d like to send a message of comfort and sympathy to her husband, you can send me a PM, and I’ll pass it along. THANK YOU

Hi everyone!

A quick travel journal entry to tell you about the Pont de Gau Ornithological Park, near Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer in the Camargue (13).

A real paradise for flamingos... but also for swarms of mosquitoes that attack in squadrons, without warning and dive-bombing! 🦟😄

And I thought these critters didn’t go for spoiled meat! Clearly, they’re not too picky about freshness! 😵

More seriously, it’s a really nice spot for photography and nature lovers. Kids love it too! If you’re in the area, it’s a great discovery to make.

Here are a few shots from my session yesterday at the end of the day.

675 photos on the counter, currently sorting through them... Still testing the camera body. If I keep about twenty, that’ll already be a win!

Anyway, there’s work to do... and some itching on top of that! 📸🦟😄

Summer 2022 left me with a sense of unfinished business, so here I am back in Swedish Lapland for summer 2024, ready to attempt the Sarek crossing again—and this time, tackle part of the Kungsleden too.

After much hesitation, my partner Jean Marie and I decided to start with the Kungsleden, which is, from what we’ve read, stunning but very busy (and it really is!!), and finish with the wilder option: SAREK! This park is known as Europe’s last true wilderness—sounds like a dream, right?! The downside of this plan is that there’s no way to resupply in Sarek, and the Kungsleden isn’t exactly set up for long-distance trekking either, so we’ll have to carry a lot of food for the first part of the trip with Sarek in mind. Oh well, we’re motivated!

Our plan is to start in Abisko (the classic route), head to Vakkotavare (also classic, but with some variations to avoid the official trail and the crowds), then continue the Kungsleden from Saltoluokta. Before reaching Aktse, we’ll set off on an east-to-west crossing of Sarek (weather-dependent, since aside from the Skarja hut in the center of the park, there’s no shelter if conditions turn bad). At least we’ll be on the right side of the park to climb Skierfe and enjoy the jaw-dropping view of Rappaladen if we have to bail on Sarek.

All in all, that’s 17 days of trekking, including 1 rest day and 1 buffer day for weather delays.

So if you’re interested, I invite you to follow our fully packed backpacks!

08/03 - Abisko – 5km before Abiskojaure Some info (guides we used for prep, SFT map, sending food to Saltoluokta) 08/04 – 5km before Abiskojaure - on the east shore of Lake Alisjavri 08/05 – East shore of Lake Alisjavri – just before Tjaktja 08/06 – Just before Tjaktja – above the Salka hut via Nallo 08/07 - Salka – just past Singi + side trip to Djalson Lake 08/08 - Singi – Teusajaure 08/09 - Teusajaure - Vakkotavare (end of the first section of the Kungsleden) 08/10 – rest day in Saltoluokta + round trip to the Sámi village of Pietjaure 08/11 – Saltoluokta – Sitojaure 08/12 - Sitojaure - Skierfe - Sarek or no Sarek? 08/13 – Skierfe – somewhere above Rapadalen 08/14 – Somewhere above Rapadalen – above the Skarki hut 08/15 – Above the Skarki hut - Skarja 08/16 – Camping at Skarja 08/17 – Ruohtesvagge 08/18 – Ruohtesvagge - Padjelantaleden 08/19 – Padjelantaleden - Ritsem – End of the trek 08/20–24 - End of the trip (Lullea - Stockholm) And of course, the recap

Hi there!

I’m inviting you on a stroll through my drawings—a completely subjective, far from exhaustive, and totally personal take, since it’s based on my own sketches. I put this travel journal together after returning in late 2024, mostly using felt-tip pens and pencils, with a few collages thrown in. I worked from our personal photos.

Let’s start with the shotengai...



Our first "wow" moment came as we stepped out of the subway in Asakusa, the Tokyo neighborhood where we’d booked our hotel for our first five nights. Exhausted after our long flight, we finally arrived and took an exit that led straight into a shotengai—one of those covered shopping streets that pop up in city centers and flourished between the 1950s and 1980s.

It was an instant aesthetic shock, like a close encounter of the third kind between the modern city, a typical Asian market with its street stalls, the vintage vibe of the arcade, the sheer abundance of goods, and the bustling crowd—a mix of tourists, pilgrims (thanks to nearby Senso-ji Temple), and locals (it’s a very working-class area). In the end, it set the tone for a feeling we’d experience throughout the trip. Wherever we went, shotengai turned out to be fantastic spots for finding little restaurants, shops, or even fresh produce. Some are like real mazes, like in Kyoto, where we spent ages trying to relocate a restaurant we’d loved ;-)

In Kanazawa, the Omicho Market: And in Kyoto, Nishiki Market:

To be continued...

Here’s my second travel journal since my 2017 one. You can check it out here if you’d like: https://voyageforum.com/forum/densha-otaku-passion-japonaise-d9177495/

This was my first trip back to Japan since the COVID lockdown. Between 2017 (with a short visit in 2018) and 2024, a lot has unfortunately changed. Economic and demographic shifts have led—and will continue to lead—to the closure of many rural railway lines. Fewer residents, fewer travelers, rising operating costs, staffing shortages, and increasingly precarious funding. Then there’s the ever-growing number of tourists who damage everything in their path and frustrate locals. Fortunately, there are still plenty of ways to escape the crowds, even if you do run into groups of Chinese tourists arriving by bus at the Mino Railway Museum or aboard a Kiha 120 crossing the Izumo-Sakane switchback. (Oops, spoiler alert—that’s for my 2025 travel journal.) We’ll see if PM Takaichi has as much success on the ground as he does in his speeches.

I’m lucky to love remote regions and places most tourists don’t know about. Taking public transport—mostly trains—and living like the locals do. That’s what my trips are all about. Those who’ve followed me on these pages know I love trains, especially older ones. These are becoming rarer in regular service, and Japan still isn’t ready to allow even certified museums to run historic trains on public lines, unlike many other countries. I even have my own license to drive historic trams, despite being an IT specialist in my day job. You’ll find some comments that clearly reflect my opinions and experience with the operation and rolling stock of certain lines—sometimes positive, sometimes not.

My trips are always intense. This isn’t about relaxing. It’s about discovering, blending in with locals, being welcomed by associations and museums, and uncovering things most people wouldn’t even imagine exist halfway across the world.

Sorry for the long intro.

Hi,

While researching South Korea, I came across the term "templestay," which refers to a Korean program that lets you stay in a traditional temple to discover Buddhism and Korean culture by living like the temple residents and doing activities like making lanterns. A templestay isn’t just for foreign tourists—on the booking site, I saw that some temples are more geared toward foreigners, with English-speaking monks.

I was wondering if it’s still worth it, especially in temples where the monks don’t speak English?

Hi everyone,

With my girlfriend Christelle, we’ve chosen South Africa for our first trip to Southern Africa, focusing on safaris—after a long debate with a Cape Town/Kruger combo. But that would’ve meant cutting out St Lucia, which would’ve been harder to fit into another trip. And St Lucia—thanks to Michel and all those travel journals—we really wanted to go there.

So our 11-night itinerary ended up like this, mostly shaped by school holidays: - 3 nights in St Lucia - 1 night in Hluhluwe - 1 night at Mkhaya Game Reserve (Eswatini) - 1 night at Hlane Royal National Park (Eswatini) - 3 nights in Kruger (Berg en Dal / Satara / Tamboti) - 1 night at Shindzela Tented Camp in the Timbavati private reserve - 1 final night in Kruger at Lower Sabie

All of this in the off-season and rainy season, just a month after catastrophic floods that killed over 150 people and seriously damaged Kruger’s infrastructure.

I’ll jump straight to St Lucia and skip the loooong journey to get there (with a layover in Frankfurt, landing in Johannesburg, a domestic flight to Durban, and the rest by rental SUV—First Car Rental, perfect, no complaints).

To motivate readers—especially some familiar faces here—I’ll drop in a first photo.

Hi there,

On this forum, I shared my first trip to Tunisia from mid-February to early March (https://voyageforum.com/forum/impressions-tunisiennes-en-direct-d11460662/), a stay I enjoyed so much that six weeks later, I’m back in Tunisia for a full 15 days (I return on April 27).

This time, I landed in Monastir on a direct flight from Nice, again with Tunisair. We left about ten minutes late, and the flight lasted around 1 hour 30 minutes. A meal was served on board (cucumber salad with Edam-like cheese, carrots, and two small portions of dishes I couldn’t identify—semolina with peppers, olives, and parsley, two small rolls, a square of processed cheese, and a chocolate cake). It’s worth noting because it’s not common on flights this short.

In February, France and Tunisia were in the same time zone, but now Tunisia is one hour behind. This time difference and the flight duration work perfectly for a short 15-day trip since it takes me a few days to adjust to jet lag.

Luckily, I’d asked my hotel about the taxi fare from the airport because the drivers (there were several around me) didn’t hesitate to quote outrageous prices. The actual fare is 20 dinars, but one asked for 120 dinars. I refused, and another offered 60 dinars. I replied, "That’s too expensive—I’ll take the metro!" (Having tried the Tunis metro, I had no desire to repeat the experience in Monastir with a suitcase!). I started walking toward the metro, and one of the drivers caught up with me, saying, "20 dinars is fine!" I’ll skip the details, but the negotiation took a little while. When I arrived at the hotel, I told the receptionist someone had asked for 120 dinars. He put his hands to his head and said, "They’re awful!" He remembered our phone call two days earlier when I’d booked (he’s the one who told me I could take the metro).

The Mezri Hotel isn’t expensive. I got a sea-view room for 75 dinars (22 €). (I’d booked a balcony room for 90 dinars but wouldn’t have had time to enjoy it.) It’s well-located but noisy because there’s no double glazing. The receptionist is a very kind older gentleman. He called a friend whose wife is from Tozeur to find out if I should take a bus or a *louage* tomorrow and what time.

I arrived at the hotel around 7:00 PM and had time to stroll along the corniche to the ribat. Despite some run-down buildings, the seaside seemed livelier and cheerier than Sousse’s.

Monastir is the hometown of former president Bourguiba. I passed his mausoleum by taxi. There are Tunisian flags along the avenue by the sea because every year on April 6—the anniversary of Habib Bourguiba’s death—the president of the Republic visits the Bourguiba Mausoleum in Monastir to pay respects.

The taxi driver mentioned other Tunisian presidents. He complained about rising prices and insecurity, blaming President Kaïs Saïed (I’d already heard that security was better under Ben Ali).

At the end of my stay, I’ll take time to explore Monastir, but tomorrow morning, I’m off to Tozeur—a long bus ride awaits me.





TO BE CONTINUED....

Hi everyone!

New to this forum, I’m planning a pretty big project for 2028. I’m heading to Nepal to do a trek from Kathmandu all the way to Everest Base Camp (a cool 5,300 m 😄). This trek is a bit special because even though I’ll be part of a group, I’m going solo (so far, no problem—I’m used to it). But it’s my first real trek, and it’s also a humanitarian one: once I reach base camp, I’ll stay an extra week to help clean up the waste left by tens of thousands of climbers! Since I’m originally from South America, from two countries that share the Andes, I have a deep respect for mountains—they fascinate me. So Everest… it’s kind of the trip of a lifetime!

So, a little question for those who’ve done treks to Everest before… any tips for good mental preparation (I’m already working on the physical side)?

Thanks in advance for your advice! 🙂

Hey there!

This is the spot where we can chill and chat about fishing at sea worldwide 😊

Here are two charming fishermen taking a well-deserved break near Zanzibar!

😉Hi there, A few months ago, CFC put the EN VOGUE experience on sale, departing from Dunkirk. I booked this package to test the boat and onboard services for myself. I’d read a lot of reviews mentioning numerous issues on board, so I wanted to see for myself what it was really like…

Okay, I’ll stop rambling… The package included boarding at 6 PM on Friday, dinner, a show, an overnight stay, and breakfast. We chose an interior cabin for this experience—since the boat wasn’t leaving the dock, we didn’t see the point in paying more… All in all, it cost 130 € per person. My mom joined us; she got the same cabin for 130 € with no single occupancy supplement.

We’d checked in online to board faster. We took the train to DUNKIRK, then a taxi to the shuttle pavilion—7 € for the ride. When we arrived at the pavilion, we were told to wait because there was a connection issue with check-in. Great start… After about ten minutes, we were finally allowed to proceed. At the counter, they said they didn’t have our cabin cards and no record of our check-in… Very odd. With no solution, they put us on the bus and said we’d sort it out at reception. Perfect. We went through security, and they confiscated our water bottles—never seen that before! Then they said my mom had a corkscrew in her bag, so they searched it… but there was no corkscrew. Total amateur hour… They eventually dropped it.

We got on the bus for a ten-minute ride… We boarded the ship with a crew member and headed to reception. Turns out, we weren’t the only ones in this situation. The nightmare began… Only two staff members were handling all the issues, and everything seemed complicated. They told my mom her cabin had been given to someone else 😲. That was the last straw…

It took forever—they had to redo the entire check-in. Finally, they told my mom her cabin was good to go; they’d mixed her up with someone else… After a solid half-hour, we could finally head to our cabin.

I’m determined to test everything: the pool, jacuzzi, show, restaurant, spa, etc… TO BE CONTINUED

Hi everyone,

It was totally by chance that I found this cruise while chatting with Alfred in November 2024. It wasn’t planned, but the price was attractive—one of those "great deals" from Ponant that I love and that don’t exist anymore. Since everyone’s wondering, here’s the answer without waiting for the end of the story: after my various loyalty discounts, I paid **3,250 € per person** for 8 nights/9 days on the expedition cruise *The Essentials of the Seychelles*.

Expedition cruises are by far our favorites. The outings are done by Zodiac with the ship’s naturalist guides, everything’s included, and there’s no need to add any excursions or prepare anything.

We’re liking long flights less and less, so to break up the trip, we decided to stop over in Doha for four days on the way there and one day on the way back.

I’m happy to share the good and not-so-good moments, the great surprises, and the disappointments of this trip with you.

In 2026, traveling becomes a choice. While the same destinations are buckling under mass tourism, there are still preserved alternatives, often just a few hours away from the beaten path. This guide doesn’t ban any countries but suggests different practices and destinations that still breathe. Here are 8 experiences to reinvent for better travel this year.

1. Tanzania: Swap the jeep safari for a walking safari The classic: Setting off to see the "Big Five" and the vast savanna from a 4x4. Why rethink this: You don’t go to see wild animals just to end up in a traffic jam of Toyota Land Cruisers. The noise of engines and exhaust fumes stress the wildlife. Some observation points look like parking lots. The alternative: A walking safari in the Ngorongoro Highlands or the Serengeti, accompanied by Maasai guides. On foot, your senses sharpen: it’s an immersion that a car window blocks.

Practical tip: Opt for mobile bush camps rather than fixed lodges. Look into walking safaris that include bivouacs.

2. India: Skip Kerala’s houseboats for kayaking on secret lagoons The classic: Cruising the famous Backwaters in a houseboat. Why rethink this: Houseboats pollute and destroy the fragile ecosystem of the lagoons. Overcrowding in Alleppey drains the experience of its magic. Not to mention the noise of the engines. The alternative: Munroe Island or Valiyaparamba by canoe or kayak. These northern lagoons remain preserved. You can organize trips with local fishermen, spend a day with families from the area, and sleep in the heart of biodiversity instead of floating resorts.

Good to know: The famous Kettuvallams (houseboats) aren’t that old. Originally, they were rice transport barges. It was only in the 1990s that someone had the idea to add rooms. Authenticity is sometimes a marketing invention!

3. Portugal: Forget Lisbon and the Algarve for the Alentejo The classic: The charm of Lisbon’s azulejos and the golden beaches of the Algarve. Why rethink this: Lisbon is suffocating under Airbnbs, and the Algarve has become a forest of umbrellas and tourist complexes. The Portuguese soul is fading under mass tourism. The alternative: The Alentejo region, between Lisbon and the Algarve. Stay in a *Herdade* (traditional farm), taste amphora wine, and explore wild beaches where cliffs replace concrete. This is Portugal at a slower pace—the one with white villages and endless plains.

Good to know: The Alentejo is the world’s largest cork producer. Cork oaks are harvested only once every 9 years. It’s a region that sets its own rhythm, slow and respectful of nature.

4. Indonesia: Less Bali, more Sulawesi, Java, or Lombok The classic: Spirituality, rice terraces, and Bali’s beaches. Why rethink this: Between water shortages, "spiritual" traffic jams in Ubud, and beaches turned into clubs, Bali needs a break. The island is suffocating. The alternative: Sulawesi for the ancestral rites of the Toraja people, Java for the lunar volcanoes of the East and lost temples, or Lombok for a quieter version of Bali. You’ll rediscover Indonesia’s wild origins.

Good to know: Bali is the only predominantly Hindu island in the world’s largest Muslim country. Exploring Java or Sulawesi reveals a cultural diversity that Bali’s tourist bubble often overshadows.

5. South Korea: Shorten Seoul for Gyeongju and Suncheon Bay The classic: Futuristic modernity and K-Culture in Seoul. Why rethink this: Seoul is experiencing the "Kyoto effect." Historic neighborhoods like Bukchon are closing streets to protect residents’ privacy from the influx of tourists in rented hanboks. The alternative: Gyeongju and Suncheon Bay in the authentic south. Between Gyeongju’s millennia-old temples (the ancient capital) and Suncheon’s biosphere reserve, you’ll discover the real Korea—without the lines.

Good to know: Gyeongju is often called "the museum without walls." You’ll find tumuli (royal tombs shaped like grassy hills) right in the middle of the modern city. Ancient history coexists with the present.

6. Thailand: Escape Bangkok and the southern islands for Isan The classic: Bangkok, then off to Phuket, Phi Phi, or Koh Samui. Why rethink this: The southern islands are suffocating: marine pollution, crowded beaches, authenticity diluted in standardized resorts. The experience feels more like Ibiza than traditional Thailand. The alternative: The Northeast (Isan), the unknown region. Forgotten Khmer temples, authentic villages, colorful local markets, and preserved nature in parks like Phu Kradueng. Few Westerners, lots of authenticity.

Good to know: Isan makes up a third of Thailand but receives less than 5% of tourists. Yet it’s the birthplace of authentic Thai cuisine and preserved traditions. Prices are also two to three times lower.

7. Peru: Skip Machu Picchu for Kuelap and northern Peru The classic: Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. Why rethink this: Strict quotas, mandatory bookings months in advance, sky-high prices, and timed tourist flows. The experience has become administrative before it’s spiritual. The alternative: Northern Peru with Kuelap, the "Machu Picchu of the north" without the crowds. The Gocta Canyon, the Chachapoyas region, and lesser-known but equally fascinating pre-Inca cultures. The modern cable car makes access easy without the hordes.

Good to know: Kuelap is larger and older than Machu Picchu but receives 100 times fewer visitors. Its cyclopean walls reach 20 meters high, and the fortress remains shrouded in mystery.

8. Iceland: Ditch the Golden Circle for the northern fjords The classic: The Iceland tour via the Ring Road and the famous Golden Circle. Why rethink this: The Ring Road has become a single-file line of rental vans. Iconic sites (Golden Circle, Solheimasandur plane wreck, Reynisfjara Beach) are saturated, turning the quest for Icelandic solitude into a crowded parking lot experience. The alternative: The Tröllaskagi Peninsula and the northern fjords. Forget the clock to rediscover the Iceland of the sagas. This is the kingdom of mountains plunging into the sea, secret hot springs accessible only on foot, and fjords where silence reigns.

Good to know: In Iceland, you don’t "own" nature—you borrow it. Over 50% of Icelanders still believe in the existence of *Huldufólk* (the hidden people), elves who live in the rocks. To catch a glimpse of them, they say, you must leave the noise of Route 1’s engines and learn to listen to the silence of the fjords.

HENRY MORGAN HOTEL AND BEACH RESORT

Transfer (half an hour) from the airport to the hotel by minibus. We drop off our suitcases at the airport exit. They are loaded onto another vehicle and transported directly to the hotel, where we pick them up upon arrival.

We’re given our wristbands, two key cards for our room, a remote for the TV, a remote for the air conditioning (ours was already in the room), and a document with a detailed site map and information on restaurant, bar, and other service hours. Reception is open 24 hours.

We got room F3, located on the ground floor of a two-story building. It’s very well situated since it’s in the central part of the resort.

The room has two large beds with super comfortable mattresses, two nightstands, a coffee table with two chairs, two wardrobes, and plenty of storage space.

There’s also a large flat-screen TV. Netflix is included free of charge by the hotel—no subscription required. The safe is also provided at no extra cost.

There’s a mini-fridge, and the housekeeper provides bottles of water. However, it’s suggested to refill the bottles at the water stations by the bar, which we did several times.

The bathroom has a shower, toilet, sink with storage space, a large mirror, a towel rack, a hairdryer, soap, shampoo, and several rolls of toilet paper.

The hot water temperature in the shower varied during our stay. The air conditioning works perfectly.

We have a terrace with a chair and two hammocks.

The room uses 110 volts, and there are a few power outlets in the room.

The buffet restaurant is air-conditioned and open from 7 AM to 10 AM for breakfast, 12 PM to 3 PM for lunch, and 6 PM to 8:30 PM for dinner.

The buffet selection is very varied, and the food is delicious. The wine, both white and red, tastes great. The service is exceptional.

There’s also an à la carte restaurant ($), the Gastro Bar & Winery, open from 11 AM to 10 PM. We didn’t go there.

There’s a snack bar open from 11 AM to 1 PM and 3 PM to 5 PM, but I can’t comment on it since we didn’t visit.

We only went to the lobby bar near the showroom, which is open from 9:30 AM to 11 PM. The staff is very friendly, and the service is excellent.

Beer is served in cans but poured into a glass, and a wide variety of cocktails is available.

Beach towels are placed in our room upon arrival. There’s a kiosk near the main pool where you can exchange them.

There are two pools on-site. Many lounge chairs are arranged around both pools. If you prefer tranquility, I suggest heading to the pool between blocks A and B.

This hotel is located on the stunning public West Bay Beach, which is long and very pretty. It’s great for walking, and the sea color is remarkable.

There are plenty of lounge chairs on the beach, but there’s very little space between them.

There’s a long coral reef near the beach where you can observe beautiful corals and several species of tropical fish, lobsters, squid, leopard rays, turtles, etc. You’ll get a glimpse of these in an upcoming video.

Activities are offered throughout the day, but we didn’t really participate. I can’t comment on them, but the entertainment team seems very dynamic.

During our stay, there was only one evening dance show. Other days featured activities like bingo, karaoke, and games.

We didn’t go to the nightclub.

Wi-Fi is available for free throughout the resort. There are two networks you can connect to, and the passwords are listed in the brochure given to you upon arrival.

There’s also a gym, a spa ($), a boutique ($), and a winery ($).

Check-out is at 11 AM. If you lose or damage equipment or misplace key cards, you’ll be charged fees.

https://youtu.be/_KOCUQbZvsc

This is the place to chat about December’s theme! I’ll start with a little TOUR of the world’s TOURS.

















Of course, you can submit multiple photos of the same tower in the contest—it’s the quality of the photo that’ll be judged during voting, not just the subject!

Hey everyone,

Yesterday, I checked the Thailand forum to see if there were any questions to answer, but not much was happening—it was pretty quiet. Then I scrolled through the Southeast Asia section and realized that, even though Burma (Myanmar) was included, there weren’t many posts about it... I’ve only been there once, back in 1987, so it’s hard to create a photo thread about multiple trips like I sometimes do for Thailand. Still, that one trip was packed with unusual adventures, so I thought I’d share a few stories from it.

Since I didn’t take any notes at the time, this is all from memory—it’s not an exhaustive travel journal and isn’t meant to help plan a future trip to Myanmar.

Don’t expect photos; there won’t be any. I have some, but they’re slides that would need scanning and editing one by one to fix the wear and tear of time—way too much work.

The Context.

Back then (reminder: 1987), I was volunteering in Paris at the counter of a travel agency on Rue des Écoles. The agency was part of a well-known organization based in Mulhouse that mostly offered scheduled flights to Asia, charter flights to the Mediterranean, and flights to Mali with their own plane. They also had a few rare "roots"-style trips to certain destinations—trips where you didn’t bring your tennis racket but were ready to soak in everything, even if it meant tough conditions.

I’d already been to Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines in Asia. The director knew this, so he asked me to accompany a group to Burma. At the time, tours to Burma were already being sold by competitors, but they all had to go through the state-run agency, Touristburma (buses and hotels for tourists, and they only showed you what they wanted you to see—kind of like traveling in North Korea today). The service was only payable in dollars at the official exchange rate (which was six times worse than the black market rate, mind you...), and since it went through the state agency, all the money ended up with the junta.

My job was to do everything *without* going through Touristburma, which was completely illegal there. Nothing would be booked in advance. Back then, the Burmese visa was only valid for 8 days/7 nights, and since clients were paying for the experience, the itinerary was planned ahead. I’d have to find transport and a guide on the black market as soon as I arrived.

The clients weren’t misled—they knew from the start that the trip would be off the books, that officially we’d be a small group of friends (not an agency), unlike the truth (Touristburma wasn’t mandatory for individual travelers), and that it would be challenging. They also knew their trip would cost 3-4 times less while giving them a much better experience of Burma. As for pretending to be a group of friends, there were only six of us, so it worked out.

To cover all expenses (accommodation, transport, excursions), the agency gave me a sufficient budget. They also gave me the *same* budget a second time, which was strictly for bribing officials who might cause trouble, for backshish (tips), and, if needed, to "help" me get out of prison.

Before I left, I was thoroughly briefed by another guy who’d led the previous trip (he’d dealt with all the initial challenges). He explained everything I needed to know, what to watch out for, and advised me on what to bring as "gifts" (samples of well-known perfumes, specific cigarette and whisky brands, etc.). For the perfume samples, I rallied my family, friends, and even stores. For the rest, I’d pick things up at the duty-free shops in Don Muang (Bangkok’s only airport at the time)—I had the budget for it.

I couldn’t wait to leave...

We just spent three weeks in Yunnan. I’ve started writing up a travel journal about the trip.

Hi, I’m planning a trip to Australia—Paris to Melbourne. I’m flying with Etihad and have a 1-hour connection in Abu Dhabi. Does that seem doable to you? Thanks for your feedback and experiences!