Hi there, We were planning to spend a month in June exploring Croatia (Istria for 1 week, Plitvice Park, Zadar, Split, the islands, Dubrovnik…) and Montenegro, and we’ve already made good progress on our plans. But after reading the forum, we got a bit worried—there are so many negative reviews. Apparently, tourism has exploded, and Croatians are getting more and more fed up (which we totally get), becoming aggressive and disrespectful. The euro has sent prices skyrocketing, and scams of all kinds are popping up—even car vandalism is being mentioned!!

Here’s what we had in mind: Day 1: Our trip was supposed to start from Nice by car, with a stop in Verona to arrive in Croatia the next day. Days 2–6: First possible detour to visit Postojna Cave in Slovenia (or later from Rijeka... but I’ve heard border crossings can be super long!!!) and a 5-night stay in Rovinj (visiting Rovinj, Bale, Poreč, Grožnjan, and other small villages, Pula, maybe Cape Kamenjak, relaxing on beaches, possibly Cres Island). - Days 7–8: Head toward Rijeka and Plitvice Lakes National Park via the coastal road; 2 nights outside the park (given the prices!!!) and visit the park the next day. Do we need to book park entry way in advance for June? - Days 9–11 or 12: Leave for Zadar for 4 nights—one island (Dugi Otok, Pašman Island, Kornati Islands National Park, Silba, Molat, Olib, Premuda, Sakarun Bay, Veli Žal Beach, Iž Island, Ugljan Island), explore the city, and check out the surroundings. - Days 13–15: Head to Split, visit Šibenik, Split, and Trogir. - Days 16–17: Hvar Island. - Days 18–21 or 22: Head to Dubrovnik, explore the city, cross over to Korčula, Prapatno port at the start of the Pelješac Peninsula, via Ston, Mljet Island (Konavle and Cavtat port?).

- Then return to Split to catch the ferry to Ancona or head to Montenegro for 5–7 days.

If you’ve visited Croatia since 2023 (when it joined the Schengen Zone), we’d love to hear your thoughts on traveling there in June. Françoise

Hi everyone, I’m planning my first trip to Greece from October 29th to November 23rd and I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions on the itinerary I’m considering. For a first visit, I’ll definitely cover the traditional tourist route, but I’m also open to off-the-beaten-path ideas. I’m curious and interested in history, archaeological sites, and the islands—more for culture than beaches, anyway, especially in November!

Here’s the plan: 3–4 days in Athens, 2 days in Nafplio: visiting Epidaurus and Mycenae, Stop in Olympia on the way to Delphi via Patras by bus? To avoid backtracking to Athens; 2 days in Delphi, including the site and Mount Parnassus, Explore the Ionian coast and a few islands? A few days in Corfu, 3 days in Meteora, 2–3 days in Thessaloniki, Direct flight from Thessaloniki to Heraklion, Crete, 3–4 days in Crete, November 22nd–23rd: overnight ferry back to Athens to catch my return flight to Montreal.

You’ve probably guessed I’m traveling solo. It might seem a bit scattered right now—I’ve started reading up on Greece, and there are must-see spots. What feels unclear are the 4–5 days between Delphi and Corfu. Also, mid-November in the islands might not be ideal if the weather’s bad.

Is Corfu worth it? Maybe there are other options—like a few days in Albania? Just throwing the idea out there.

Thanks for your input! I’d love to hear about your experiences to help enrich my upcoming trip.

HELLO!

For a trip to the Cyclades in early May (1st–18th), we’re planning to visit Naxos, Amorgos, and finish on Paros to catch a flight back to Athens.

I was wondering if we need to book the ferries now or if we can wait a bit... also, for car rental, can we book on the spot?

For accommodations, our bookings are done except for Paros... any suggestions for good value-for-money options?

Also, any other tips about our route or anything else would be super welcome!!!

Thanks in advance from Quebec! 🙂

Christine

Hi there,

We’re planning a 12-day trip to Greece next February.

It’s our first time, so we’ll be hitting the "Must-Sees"—that should keep us busy enough! 😎

The itinerary isn’t set in stone yet, but we’re already wondering if it’s doable or just crazy, if some stops are essential or a waste of time...

Here’s the plan: Day 1-2-3: Athens (we arrive midday on Day 1) Day 4: Southern Athens (Temple of Neptune) then overnight in Corinth (we’re renting a car from the airport) Day 5-6-7: Western/Southern Peloponnese (one or two places to stay, and the iconic spots: Acrocorinth, Cargo, Mycenae, Sanctuary of Epidaurus, Nafplio, Nemea...) Day 8: Transit to Delphi via Olympia Day 9-10: Delphi, Monastery of Osios Loukas... Day 11: Return to Athens via Thermopylae We were wondering if it’s feasible to add the Meteora monasteries? And Mount Olympus, just for fun?

For accommodations, do you have any recommendations for Athens? Peloponnese? Delphi? In Athens, I think it’s best to stay near the metro line that connects to the airport. But which neighborhood is good? It’s hard to navigate such a big city...

Two more questions: - Is Piraeus worth a visit? - We know February is a quieter time than peak tourist season, and that’s what we like. But there must be consequences—do all sites/museums close by 5 PM (except in Athens, maybe)? What do you do in the evenings once it’s dark?

Thanks in advance for your tips and advice!

Hello, We’re planning (two people in their early sixties!) a trip to Cappadocia next April for 9 days on site, and I need your help.

We land in Ankara. We’re planning 1 day in the capital, then taking a bus to Göreme. I’ve read that Göreme is very touristy and that it’s better to stay in Urgup (or elsewhere). What do you think?

From there, I’m not really sure how to organize our sightseeing "circuit" to avoid too much back-and-forth and keep it coherent… and that’s where I could use your help! We enjoy nature but also cities, a bit of hiking, and discovering unusual spots. Is it necessary to rent a car for more flexibility, or are public transport options doable without losing too much time?

Final question: Is 6 or 7 days in Cappadocia too long? If so, what would you recommend nearby without spending hours on a bus? We prefer seeing less but better, and without rushing too much. Thanks so much, and if you have any great budget-friendly tips, don’t hesitate!! Thanks.

Hi there, We’re planning to visit Crete during the second half of May and rent a car. A knee issue means we can’t do any hiking anymore, just leisurely walks. Is it realistic to explore the whole island by basing ourselves in two spots—one in the east and one in the west? Could you recommend some nice places to stay that aren’t tourist factories? Thanks in advance for your help with my questions. Best regards.

Hi everyone, For about twenty years now, we’ve been regularly visiting the Cyclades to enjoy some rest, sunshine, the sea, scooter rides, lovely tavernas, and the hospitality of the Greeks (around fifteen trips in total). This September, my partner and I have decided to return to Ikaria, the island where we spent a few days in Agios Kirykos and Therma. This year, we’ll be arriving in Evdilos and would love some tips on the southern coast of Evdilos and the central part of the island—places that are doable by scooter (max 20 to 30 km round trip). For those interested, we’d be happy to share our experiences from Tinos, Syros, Amorgos, Ikaria, Fourni, the Small Cyclades, and, from longer ago, Santorini, Paros, Anti-Paros, and Naxos. Happy travels to all

Hello, Our trip is coming together nicely, and I have lots of questions about organizing this visit. We’re now looking to book our tickets for the Auschwitz-Birkenau tour. We have a hotel 5 km from the site, so we don’t need transportation. We’ll park our motorcycles there. Is the 3.5-hour tour complete, or are the others 7 hours because they include travel, as often mentioned in the booking title? Which is the most reliable site to book through? We can’t eat on-site. Can we bring water? Is there a place to eat nearby? There are so many questions, but this visit is very important to me.

Thanks in advance for your answers and advice!

Hi there,

I’m reaching out for your advice on a Crete itinerary. We’re a group of 3 (2 adults and 1 teen) and will be traveling for 13 days / 12 nights in early August. To enjoy the trip without rushing too much, we’ve decided to focus on the western part of the island. Before diving into the details of our planned route, here’s a bit about how we like to travel. We’re big fans of hiking, bivouacking in the Pyrenees, or bike touring. We’re well aware that Crete is a popular summer destination, but we’d like to avoid overly crowded spots while still trying to visit places we consider "must-sees"—or at least those we’re eager to discover. For activities, hiking might be tricky due to the heat, but we’re thinking of water-based fun and historical visits: snorkeling, windsurfing or paddleboarding, gorges, and so on. For accommodations, we’ll mix it up between guesthouses, hotels, and private rentals.

Here’s what we’re considering: Day 1: Arrival in the evening in Heraklion – Night in Heraklion. Day 2: Head to Chania / Night in Chania - 3 nights in Falassarna (exploring Balos and the surrounding area) - 3 nights in Paleochora (discovering Elafonissi and nearby) - 3 nights in Sougia (day trip by ferry to Loutro, Agia Roumeli) Then, return to Rethymnon in the morning by road and spend our last night there (after checking various guides and forums, the ferry option seems a bit too restrictive, so we’re planning to drive back to Heraklion for our flight at the end of the day).

I’m a bit unsure—should we dedicate more time to the northern part of the island? What do you think? Thanks in advance for your valuable tips! Stéphanie

Hi there,

I’m in the middle of planning our trip to Croatia. We’re arriving in early September for a week in Split and leaving from Split as well. We’re a couple with a 20-month-old little girl. We’re renting a car directly at the airport, which I still need to book (I have a GOLD debit card). I hope that won’t be an issue because, logically, with this card, I shouldn’t need to take out extra insurance from the rental company. If you have any recommendations on that, I’d love to hear them.

As for the itinerary I’m planning, I’ve already ruled out Plitvice and Zadar because we don’t want to spend too much time on the road—this is a vacation, after all—and some travelers told me Zadar can be seen quickly and isn’t worth the long drive. For the nights, someone already suggested we spend the last two in Trogir to consolidate.

I particularly love beautiful towns, historic centers, ports, taking photos, shopping, beaches, and seeing stunning places. We’re not big on museums, and hiking with a little one makes long or steep hikes tricky, especially with the heat we might encounter.

Here’s the initial plan I’ve come up with:

Day 1:

Activities: Arrive in Split in the morning, pick up the car, explore the historic center, Marjan Hill... Klis Fortress, and see what else we can add before evening. Night: Initially planned near Plitvice (2 min away).

Day 2:

Activities: Day at Plitvice—check out Entrance 1 or 2 with the baby. Night: Lozovac (2 min from Krka, 16 min from Šibenik, and 1 hour from Zadar).

Day 3: Activities: Zadar and Šibenik. Night: Lozovac (2 min from Krka, 16 min from Šibenik, and 1 hour from Zadar).

Day 4: Activities: Krka National Park (someone recommended going after 4 PM and seeing the "circular" waterfalls) + Primošten. Night: Lozovac (2 min from Krka, 16 min from Šibenik, and 1 hour from Zadar).

Day 5: Activities: Hvar (exploring the island). Night: Jelsa.

Day 6: Activities: Omiš + Starigrad Fortress. Night: Omiš.

Day 7: Activities: Trogir city center, Čiovo Island. Night: Trogir.

I haven’t updated the plan yet because I’m still looking for the best way to optimize it. Someone suggested Makarska and Brač as alternatives to Plitvice.

Given that I’m already planning to visit Hvar with an overnight stay, is it worth adding Brač? If so, maybe taking the ferry without the car—would we still be able to enjoy the day without being too limited? Did I forget anything essential? Thanks in advance—I know answering all these questions can be repetitive, but it’ll save me so much time and help optimize our vacation. I also like to take my time and enjoy being there rather than stressing over preparations, which is why I’m planning just enough. What’s most important to me is optimizing the route and staying in places that let us explore easily. I think we’ll come back another time to enjoy Dubrovnik, which we didn’t include in this itinerary because it’s over two hours away with a border crossing.

What I really want to see: Trogir, Split, Krka, Hvar…

Hi there, We’re planning a 3-week trip in late September with our camper van to explore Bulgaria and Romania. What routes would you recommend, starting from the South? Is there an option to take a ferry in Italy, and is it worth it? Thanks for all your tips!😊

Hello, We’ve finally decided on which Cycladic island to visit... My partner and I are planning our first trip to Greece for June 2025. We’re leaving France for 15 days. Here’s our itinerary, and I’d love your feedback on whether it’s doable, plus any other suggestions... Arrival in Athens for 2 nights = - Visiting the Acropolis, Parthenon, Theatre of Dionysus, Archaeological Museum, Syntagma Square for the changing of the guard, and strolling through the Plaka neighborhood... 4 nights in Nafplio - To explore the town of Nafplio, the Theatre of Epidaurus, Mycenae, and Olympia Then off to Milos for 7/8 nights (it was so hard to pick just one island). I’m considering flying from Athens with Olympic Air. Is it worth doing a guided tour of the Acropolis or the other sites? I’m open to all your tips. Thanks so much.

Hello, My partner and I are planning our first 15-day trip to Greece in June, departing from France. Here’s our itinerary, but I’d love some feedback and tips to see if it’s doable. First week: - Athens (Acropolis, Parthenon, Archaeological Museum, Theatre of Dionysus...) - Nafplio, including a visit to the Corinth Canal, Olympia, the Theatre of Epidaurus, and Mycenae - Delphi and Meteora

Second week: What we’re looking for is a Cycladic island that’s still a bit authentic, with beautiful beaches and maybe crystal-clear water, fishing villages, scooter rides, and—most importantly—no crowds from cruise ships. I’m considering Milos, Sifnos, Naxos... It’s tough to choose! An island that’s well-connected by ferry and also allows for a day trip to another island. Beatrice Anyway, I could really use some help picking the Cycladic island, but also to know if the first week is too packed and, if so, what to prioritize. We’d rather not change hotels every single day. Thanks so much for reading this far and for your reply!

At the risk of drawing some harsh criticism, I’ll admit we were really disappointed: sure, this trip—taken at the end of September—was short (a week), but we’d planned this little road trip (1,000km by car) as a first scouting mission. We won’t be going back anytime soon!

First mistake: we flew into Tirana (from Marseille) when it would’ve been better to fly to Corfu and rent a car in the south of the country instead of staying in the capital, which frankly isn’t all that interesting. From Tirana, we headed east toward Lin, by Lake Ohrid (a very poor region facing Macedonia), then to Korça, which guidebooks call "the most pleasant city in Albania." From there, we drove to Gjirokastra, an old Ottoman town (170km of mountain roads that took us nearly 5 hours...), then further south to Butrint, near Greece. The goal of these stops? To visit UNESCO World Heritage sites. In Lin, 6th-century mosaics; in Korça, a remarkable icon museum; in Gjirokastra, the citadel. At Butrint, we fled at the sight of all the tour buses parked in front of "this major archaeological site in the Mediterranean" and headed back north! The entire Adriatic coast is undergoing severe overdevelopment: developers are destroying the coastline to attract even more tourists (11 million visited in 2024, while Albania only has 3 million residents). We preferred to leave the coastal road (in excellent condition, a future highway) to visit Berat, an Ottoman town topped by a citadel. Our favorite spot. Why were we so disappointed? Villages without charm, outskirts of major cities in advanced decay, trash along the roads... The weight of the communist dictatorship and forced industrialization over forty years is still felt everywhere. The country is recovering but betting on tourism. The result? Newly built villas for the newly rich, beaches near the capital already polluted... Too bad, because the natural landscapes are often stunning, the locals are welcoming (young people learn English, though their parents speak little), and prices remain very reasonable—except in the capital. We’d chosen to stay with locals as much as possible, but like in Croatia, families are turning their homes into guest houses (~35 € per night, hearty breakfast included). Renting the car cost us 312 € for a week (with an international rental company—it’s probably cheaper with a local one, but I prefer understanding the contract I sign), and we cautiously took the optional insurance. Just so you know: Albanians drive fast, seem unfamiliar with traffic rules, overtake before curves, ignore yellow lines, and rarely use turn signals...)

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a family road trip in the Peloponnese in April, arriving and departing from Athens, with a focus on Greek mythology, beautiful hikes, and a balanced pace (we don’t want to spend our days in the car). Here’s our draft itinerary:

Day 1: Early arrival in Athens – visit Acrocorinth and overnight in Corinth

Days 2 & 3: Drive to Dimitsana – hike in the Lousios Gorge (and maybe a detour to Olympia?), mountain villages

Days 4 & 5: Drive to Areopoli (Mani Peninsula) with a stop in Mystras

Day 6: Kalamata, visit Ancient Messene

Days 7 & 8: Pylos, Voidokilia Beach, Palace of Nestor, Gialova Lagoon

Days 9 & 10: Drive to Nafplio (Epidaurus, Mycenae)

Days 11 & 12: Hydra from the port of Ermioni

Days 12–15: Athens I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Does the pace seem reasonable? Should we adjust any stops (too long or too short)? Any must-see mythological sites or hikes along the way, in addition to what I’ve mentioned? Is Olympia really worth the detour from Dimitsana?

Thanks so much for your valuable advice!

Hello

It’s decided—next summer, it’s Cyprus! A region we don’t know yet, with nature, culture, beach time, and diving the Zenobia 😎 We’re thinking of a 2-week trip.

After flipping through the LP guide, I’m still unsure about the best bases—I can’t quite picture the distances...

Option 1: Stay near Larnaca for 1 week and Paphos for the other. But from Larnaca, Cape Greco is doable. Wouldn’t it be better to stay near Cape Greco (Protaras?) instead? What about getting to Lefkara? Same from Paphos—easy to explore as far as Kourion.

Option 2: A single, more central base somewhere between Limassol and Larnaca.

Thanks for your tips and great deals 😉

Hi everyone,

This summer, our family (dad, mom, a 17-year-old teen, and an 11-year-old pre-teen) wants to explore Bulgaria and include 4 days in Istanbul during our trip. I’ve got a rough plan, but I’m not sure if it’s doable—here’s what I’m thinking:

Arrival on August 12th in Sofia at 2:00 PM → pick up rental car, visit Sofia. 13th: Sofia → Rila → Sofia 14th: Sofia to Plovdiv, overnight in Plovdiv 15th: Plovdiv to Nessebar (or Sozopol—which is better?) 16th/17th/18th: Exploring the Black Sea coast, based in Sozopol/Nessebar 19th: Bus from Burgas to Istanbul (7-hour trip) 20th-21st-22nd-23rd: Istanbul 24th: Return bus from Istanbul to Burgas. Overnight in Burgas 25th: Burgas → Veliko Tarnovo (Bojentsi) 26th: Veliko Tarnovo to Sofia via Koprivshtitsa 27th: Early flight home

→ In this itinerary, I’ve planned 4 full days in Istanbul. I could reduce it to 3 (since we’ll also spend the evening of the 19th there) and add an extra day to the return trip from Burgas to Sofia, around Veliko Tarnovo/Koprivshtitsa.

My questions: -My 17-year-old son and I are passionate about music, especially klezmer, Romani, and jazz. Any good spots in Sofia, Istanbul, or elsewhere? -Things to do with an 11-year-old kid? -Experiences with the Burgas-Istanbul bus?

Thanks for your feedback!

Hi everyone,

I'm on my way to Slovakia, where I'll be spending about ten days on vacation in the High Tatras. I've decided to stop in Prague for 24 hours with my two teens (arriving around noon, leaving the next day). We don’t know the city at all. I know a single day is way too short to discover everything, so I’d like to plan a small circuit to see the must-see spots.

Here’s what I’ve planned:

Walk through Nový Svět street Visit the castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, and Golden Lane Quick stop at Vojanovy Sady gardens Malá Strana Square Maltese Square Kampa Island Then the iconic Charles Bridge and a short tour of the Jewish Quarter We’ll head back down to visit Old Town Square (Malé Náměstí, St. Nicholas Church, and the Church of Our Lady before Týn) Head to Wenceslas Square and the Church of Our Lady of the Snows Then to the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius and the Dancing House And finally, back to the starting point.

Estimated distance: 10 km

I was thinking of a little evening stroll up Petřín Hill... what do you think? Are there things that aren’t really worth it, or other spots that are must-sees?

Thanks for your thoughts and feedback!

Stéphane.

I’d like to book tickets for a visit to the Acropolis at the end of April. The official site is down. What do you think of agencies like Get Your Guide? Are they reliable? It’s a lot more expensive. The audio guide option is tempting, but is that reliable too? We’re a bit older and like to take our time...

Do the other museums (National Archaeological Museum and Museum of Cycladic Art) also require reservations? We visited Athens 50 years ago, and it seems like things have changed a lot.

Thanks for any help!

Hi there,

My wife and I are heading to Santorini from October 11th to 18th (it’s her birthday gift). I’ll admit I’m torn between spending the full 7 days on Santorini or combining it with another island (I was thinking Milos) for 2 or 3 days. Since the ferry schedules aren’t announced yet for October, it’s hard to plan ahead.

Do you think 7 days on Santorini is too much, or is splitting 7 days between 2 islands too short? Any other destinations worth considering?

Thanks in advance

Hi everyone, In spring 2025, we’re planning a 10-day trip to Istanbul. There are several museum passes (PASS) available. I’m torn between the Istanbul Welcome Card, Istanbul E-pass, and Istanbul Museum Pass. We’ll be visiting Topkapi, Hagia Sophia, Galata Tower, etc... Based on your experiences, which of these passes would you recommend? Thanks so much!

Hi there, I’ll be in Istanbul from May 8 to 17, 2025. I’ve got one free day. I’m torn between the Princes' Islands or Bursa.... If you had to choose, where would you go??? Thanks so much for your suggestions and opinions.

Hi everyone! We're planning to visit Croatia during the last week of June and the first week of July, flying into Split from Lille. Here's our itinerary: one week in Split to explore the nearby areas and visit the Krka waterfalls, which aren't too far. Then, a second week in Zadar to check out the surrounding sights and head to the Plitvice waterfalls. We'll be renting a car for the entire trip, but for Plitvice, we intentionally want to take a bus from Zadar and spend a night there to take our time exploring this incredible place.

Here's where I'd love your help, please. First, in Split, which rental agency allows payment on-site with a credit card (or debit/credit card) to avoid mandatory last-minute insurance costing several hundred euros? We had this issue in Sardinia last summer—online booking was fine, but once we arrived, they claimed our card wasn’t working and refused to hand over the keys unless we took out extra insurance, which we didn’t need. It’s becoming a frustrating trend, even though I’ll clarify that we have a *credit* card (specifically a debit/credit card, not just a debit card). I don’t want to reopen the debate about credit vs. debit cards—just know that our card explicitly states both terms, even though it’s technically a credit card.

Next, in Zadar, we know there are buses to Plitvice, and sometimes accommodations near bus stops. What’s the name of Zadar’s main bus station where we’ll catch the bus (so we can find nearby accommodation)? More importantly, which bus line and stop (please give the exact stop name) will get us closest to accommodations in Plitvice? I’ve done some research before posting and think I’ve identified the "Mukinje station" stop, which is near Entrance 2 where there are lodgings, and the "flexible bus stop north," which is close to Entrance 1 with accommodations just a few hundred meters away. Perfect for two days in nature without needing the car! I’ve tried to find the exact bus line and route with all the stops between Zadar and Plitvice but haven’t had any luck so far.

Huge thanks in advance to anyone who can share their experiences on these two specific topics: reliable rental agencies and the exact bus station/stop details in Zadar for Plitvice.

Hi there, I’m reaching out for some help planning a short trip to Greece at the end of April with my dad. We’ll be staying for 7 days, flying in and out of Athens, where we’ll rent a car. After quite a bit of research, we’ve decided to explore the Peloponnese, which we don’t know at all. We’ve read that basing ourselves in Nafplio for a few nights and then in Gytheio would be a good way to organize our visits. Here are the main spots we’ve noted so far: Corinth (just the canal, as the rest seems to have little interest based on what we’ve read), Mycenae, Epidaurus, Nafplio, Monemvasia, and Mystras. Could you help us figure out the best route to take? Are there other places worth considering given the time we have? Thanks so much in advance for your help!

Hello. We’re heading to Greece from April 19th to May 1st. We were planning to spend 3 days visiting Athens, then exploring the Peloponnese (Mycenae-Epidaurus, Mistra, Lousios Gorge, Olympia, Patras) + Delphi (or the other way around, starting with Delphi—doesn’t matter).

Except I just realized that April 20th is Easter Sunday: no visits to sites/museums in Athens that day... (nor on Saturday late afternoon, as I’d imagined). But Delphi, Mycenae, etc., will likely be closed too (maybe even on Monday the 21st!).

What do you recommend we visit or do? Our trip is mainly focused on archaeological visits (my kids have been looking forward to Athens/Greece for years!).

Thanks in advance! Have a great evening

Hi everyone on Voyage Forum! In mid-September 2025, a group of friends and I are heading to Montenegro for a week. On my must-see list, I’ve obviously got the Bay of Kotor and Lake Skadar. Besides those two excursions, what else would you recommend seeing or visiting? Just to note, we’ll be staying in the Bijela area.

Another question: Is Tivat Airport operating during that period? I think Transavia flies there. Otherwise, we’d have to go through Dubrovnik, which I’d prefer to avoid—partly because I’ve been there before and partly to skip the border wait.

Looking forward to your replies or suggestions!

Hi everyone,

So, I’m heading to Bulgaria this September. I’ll be based in Varna and plan to rent a car for a few days. I don’t know Bulgaria at all, so I’ve got everything to learn about this country.

I’m an amateur photographer, so I’d love to take some great landscape shots (sea or mountains) as well as photos of picturesque little villages... I’m open to all kinds of tips, and thanks in advance for reading!

Best regards, Patrice

Hi there.

I’m looking for feedback from travelers or tips from locals on how to get around the islands. There are four of us—two teens—and my partner isn’t super comfortable riding a scooter. So, should we rent a car? By the day or for 4 days on each island we’re visiting (Tinos, Paros, Syros)? Is it possible to rent e-bikes? Is that a good idea?

Thanks for your input!

Tom

hello I’m looking for advice for a last-minute trip—about 3 weeks (half Montenegro, half Croatia). I’m traveling solo, backpacker style (low budget, hostels). I’m 40 and love exploring cool spots—cities, beaches, mountains, sports activities, you name it.

I’m torn between renting a car or just going with the flow using buses once I’m there. A car would definitely be more convenient, but it might be pricier—plus, parking (is it paid?) and having to return it to the same place. My plan is to start in Montenegro (flying into Podgorica or Albania) and finish in Croatia, so I’d either need to do short-term rentals per country or one-way.

In Montenegro, here are the spots I’ve noted: - Ulcinj and Velika Plaža beach - A side trip to Lake Skadar and Virpazar - Budva, Sveti Stefan, and Petrovac - Cetinje and Lovćen National Park - Kotor / Perast - Žabljak and Durmitor National Park + rafting in the Tara Canyon Is 8–10 days enough?

And in Croatia, I’ve got: - Dubrovnik - Korčula - Hvar - Split + Trogir and Krka National Park - Zadar - Plitvice Lakes National Park - Croatian Istria / Rovinj / Pula - Zagreb Around 10–12 days.

Any tips on the stops (adding or cutting some from my list) or transportation options?

Thanks in advance!

Hi there. First, please excuse the dry nature of my post—I’m going to talk about insurance and credit cards!

I’m renting a car in Bulgaria using my "Gold Mastercard." I know the benefits, and in this case, I don’t need to take out additional insurance from the rental company.

However, the assistance booklet states: "The insurer cannot, under any circumstances, reimburse the insured for the amount of the CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) or LDW (Loss Damage Waiver) insurance paid to the rental company if the insured forgot to decline it or if it’s automatically included in a package the insured accepted."

The issue is that when I look at different rental companies, it’s often specified that "insurance is included" (non-declinable because it’s part of the package), and I’m worried there might be some minimal CDW or LDW coverage that would prevent my Gold Mastercard coverage from applying if needed.

Since it’s difficult to contact or communicate with rental companies (most bookings are made online) and Mastercard’s responses are pretty vague, I’m turning to you all for help.

Here are my questions: - How can I be sure the rental company’s insurance doesn’t include CDW or LDW? - Do you know of any rental companies where this is clearly stated? - Does Gold Mastercard coverage work with local agencies? - Is it possible for a rental company to refuse Gold Mastercard coverage?

I assume travelers who can answer have already had this experience.

Thanks in advance for your help.