Hi there! 😊 I’d love to take my two kids (12 and 14) away in July. We’ve never traveled all three of us together before. My son would like to go to Italy, but nothing’s set in stone… We’d like to go abroad, but I have two tricky conditions: - Budget max 1000 € all-in, I’ve tried but I can’t save any more than that 😅 - I have some health issues, so… I can’t drive for more than 2-3 hours. No way we can go by car. Also, once we’re there, I can’t do long hikes or sports (short walks and swimming are fine).

Any ideas, please?

I’ve started looking at Airbnbs and the prices are reasonable, but as soon as I check flight tickets 😵💸🔥

Maybe it’s better to go for an all-inclusive place like Booking.com?

Thanks so much to anyone who can help! 😊

Hi everyone, So great to be back on our forum!...

For the past few years, I’ve been traveling on a budget, especially by sleeping as often as possible in campgrounds or in my car... If I can help, I’d be happy to.

Hi there, We’re planning a trip for 2 adults and 2 kids to Tanzania and Zanzibar. I’ve had a quick look, and the prices are starting to get pretty wild. We’ve got a budget of 8,000 €, and I was thinking of doing three or four days of safari and three or four days in Zanzibar, but even that seems like it might be over budget. Have you got any thoughts? I was also considering heading straight to Zanzibar and doing a one- or two-day excursion by plane instead—maybe that’d be cheaper than staying in a lodge. Anyway, thanks for sharing your experiences and any price tips, departing from Nice!

My friend and I are arriving in New Delhi on March 4th at 12:05 AM. Could anyone recommend a decent and affordable hotel? Is 20 € the going rate? Thanks!

Bonjour 21 au 29 pour CT et la péninsule... Cela me parait long. C'est quand même 8 jours...Perso, je raccourcirais. D'autant que Gordon's bay est vraiment dans le même coin. Saldanha n'est peut-être pas le plus joli coin... port maritime. Le WCNP est vraiment superbe...mais je chercherais plutôt à Langebaan... touristique mais très sudaf... Sur le chemin il y a une possibilité originale Ikwathu... mais les logements proches des bâtiments principaux donc pas ceux proches de la route et les plus proches de la mer. Encore désolé mais le Sevilla rock art trail est plus beau en photo qu'en réalité... Dans ce coin je préfère le Mount Ceder comme base de logement... balades et à un jet de pierre les Staadsal caves et rock art, pour moi magiques... Je supprimerais la nuit à Tullbagh pour y filer et y passer plus de temps (il y a deux logements simples et efficaces...et un très beau camping...) De là je descendrais jusqu'à Swellendam... pour le Bontebook NP... c'est pas l'extase mais c'est pas mal et pas cher... çà c'est si je respecte votre parcours... Après si je perturbe tout... CT ok mais si Gordon's bay c'est pour aller vers Franschoek (endroits que je connais très mal car la route des vins c'est pas mon truc...)... ben je le ferais à partir de CT... quitte à faire une seule nuit dans ce coin. De là je repars plein Ouest pour Langebaan, Ikwathu ou Paternoster (très très beau site camping à Cape Columbine). De là, Tullbagh ou pas et Mount Ceder ou autres dans ce coin (cf plus haut). De là je ne descends pas aussi bas que vous mais je reste au nord via Anysberg NR, Touwsriver et Prince Albert ce qui me met pile sur la route de la Swartberg...je ne fait que passer à Oudtshoorn pour filer vers Wilderness puis Knysna (Buffelsbay, les maisons "hollandaises" sur le chemin etc... Tistsikamma c'est loin de Knysna...) puis Stormsriver... En descendant plus bas via Montagu Ladysmith Calitzdorp Oudtshoorn il vous faut remonter vers la Swartberg... ceci dit il y a moyen de faire un circuit...et pas un allez retour mais c'est une grosse journée... Logiquement vous filez vers la mer... Vous longez jusqu'à Addo...où je pense qu'il est préférable de loger dans Addo NP. PE Durban en avion... ben oui c'est plus court...on zappe l'Eastern Cape... on ne peut pas tout faire dans la vie. De Durban... Drakensberg, oui... du Kamberg Highmoor (belles balades) et Giants et Cath Peak et Monks cowl, on pourra en reparler... Vous descendez de là vers le Hluhluwe... (essayez de loger DANS le Hluhluwe). St Lucia et Isimangaliso oui et oui et encore oui... Mais possibilité de ne pas revenir sur durban et économiser l'avion... et traversant l'Eswatini avec Hlane ou autre comme pause...A moins que Durban marque la fin en AFS ? Et vous êtes aux portes du Krüger... aroundaboutcars ok pour moi 3 fois... Pour la voiture... j'essayerais de prendre quand même assez gros...vous allez y passer du temps. Dans un pays où les accidents ne sont pas rares. Sur des routes pas toujours au top sur certains secteurs... L'idéal est le genre Hilux 2x4 et deux portes... J'ai fait le tour ? Mon opinion mais VOTRE voyage...

Hi, We’re a young couple planning to travel to South Africa after spending about three weeks in Namibia. We’ll arrive in Cape Town around mid-December, with no fixed travel duration (though our budget will eventually set a limit). After browsing through the forum, we’ve realized the country is packed with incredible spots, which makes choosing an itinerary tough. We’re looking for stunning landscapes, hikes, and so on. So, we’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences. When we arrive in Cape Town, we’d like to settle in and take it easy until New Year’s, exploring at a relaxed pace. We know this period coincides with South African holidays—does that make finding accommodations (availability/prices) more difficult? Do you think it’s possible to stay in a nice place for about 15 days without aiming for the most upscale neighborhoods? Maybe somewhere a bit outside Cape Town, like Fish Hoek, and just visit the city occasionally. After that, we’ll have plenty of time (about 2 to 2.5 months) to explore the country. We’d like to take our time. In your opinion, is it better to focus on the Cape Town region, or is it reasonable to consider more distant areas like the Drakensberg or Blyde River Canyon? Can everything be done by car if we take our time, or are domestic flights sometimes more practical? Budget-wise, how much do car rentals cost? For accommodations, we usually look at Airbnb—are they affordable in South Africa? What’s the average nightly rate outside the biggest cities? Are there other platforms you’d recommend for saving on lodging? Finally, regarding safety, are there any regions to avoid besides Johannesburg? We know this is a lot of questions, but we’re still in the early planning stages! Thanks in advance for your advice!

Hello,

There are two of us, and we’re spending a few days in Luxor (after a Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan, likely with Terres d'Égypte). On the way back, we’ve planned: - The evening of April 17th: the Karnak Sound and Light show - April 18th: a hot-air balloon ride - After the balloon ride on April 18th, we’re heading to Marsa Alam to join a group leaving for Sataya; our boat departs on the 19th.

Do you know what the cost of a Luxor to Marsa Alam transfer is? I’ve seen prices that vary wildly—some double what others quote—and I’m not sure what budget to plan for.

Can we organize the Karnak Sound and Light show and the hot-air balloon ride on our own, or is it complicated? If you also know of a reliable local agency for transfers and excursions, I’d love to hear about it.

Thanks for your tips!

Hi there,

I’m planning a trip to Lindos with my 15-year-old son for a week in July.

I’m looking for a 3-star hotel with breakfast and, if possible, half-board. Or any other affordable accommodation (up to 700 € for the week) that isn’t too far from the center of Lindos, since I won’t be renting a car. However, we do want to do some activities (visit to Lymos, etc.).

Thanks in advance.

I’ve got some new questions about Albania!

My boyfriend and I are going there for just 9 days, including the two travel days… It’s not much, but oh well!

Looking at prices online, I get the impression everything’s more expensive than I thought 😅 So, I wanted to get your feedback on a few things:

* Is hitchhiking common, easy, and generally safe in Albania? * Is it possible to find day-to-day accommodations without booking ahead? If so, are they usually cheaper than the ones you find online? * Is wild camping allowed or at least tolerated?

If any of you have traveled there recently, I’d love all the tips and great deals you’ve got!

Thanks ☺️

Hi everyone! I’m planning my dream trip for next September, lasting about a month. Here’s my itinerary:

Amsterdam: 3 days (departing from Montreal) Tanzania: 3-day safari Zanzibar: 6 days Istanbul: 7 days Return to Montreal.

Since my budget is pretty tight, I’m looking for tips and advice to cut costs without sacrificing the experience. Here are my questions:

Multi-destination flights: What’s the best way to book these connections? Is it better to buy a one-way ticket from Montreal to Amsterdam, then a separate internal flight, or use comparison tools for a multi-destination ticket? Budget safari: Do you have recommendations for local agencies or tips to do a 3-day safari (Serengeti/Ngorongoro) at an affordable price (e.g., camping/glamping instead of luxury lodges)? Accommodation in Zanzibar: Which villages or types of lodging are the most budget-friendly and accessible via local transport for these 6 days? Istanbul: Any tips for well-located but cheap accommodation and great food deals?

hi there

I’m planning to spend about twenty days in Réunion in November. I’d like to get around using the *car jaune* (2 € per ticket), but from what I’ve heard, it doesn’t cover the whole island. I’m not looking to head toward the ocean and the beautiful beaches—more toward the mountainous landscapes, even if I’ll just be admiring them from below. 😉 Maybe other buses go where I want to go. By the way, are there any relatively easy mountain hikes, and where?

But here’s the most important part: I don’t want to book anything in advance because I don’t know what my itinerary will look like—it’ll change depending on my mood. 3 days here, 5 days there, etc. On top of that, I’d like to arrange half-board stays with locals—not professionals—by approaching them and asking if they’d be willing to host me (overnight stay, breakfast, and dinner) for 30 € to 40 € per day.

What do you think? Does the price seem reasonable? And is it okay to take the initiative and ask Réunionnais directly?

The tourist office in Réunion told me that since November is peak tourist season, I should book without delay. 🤪

For four years in a row, I traveled across Canada for a month and a half each time, relying only on hitchhiking and half-board stays with Canadians who welcomed me (and refused to let me pay them).

If I’d listened to my family and friends, I never would’ve taken the leap—and that adventure remains one of the best experiences of my life.

Thanks for your input!

We’re planning a week-long trip to southern Tunisia in early September and we’d like to rent a car in Djerba. We don’t have a credit card, only a debit card. Any good tips on rates and reliability?

Hi there,

Could anyone tell me how to connect Central America (starting from which country and with which airline) to Martinique in the most budget-friendly way, please?

Flight duration and number of stopovers don’t matter.

Thanks!

Claire

Hi there.

I’m planning a getaway to Bali at the end of September. I’m a bit late applying for the international driving permit through the official site. Someone told me about https://international-permit.com/en-us. Is it reliable?

Thanks for your replies.

Hi there, Could you recommend some nice and affordable neighborhoods to book a hotel in for visiting Nice and exploring its surroundings and nearby villages?

I’d like to know if it’s better to book the entire stay in Nice and take day trips to the villages, or if there are villages worth spending at least one night in to really explore them properly?

Since all the villages are stunning and we have to make a choice, which ones are absolutely must-visit?

My 16-year-old daughter and I will be spending a week there at the end of April. We’ll arrive by TGV from Paris and plan to use public transport during our stay. Do you know if there’s a weekly transport pass available and how much it costs?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hi everyone,

We’re a young couple planning our first trip to Albania from June 23, 2026, to July 2, 2026. We have a pretty tight budget and want to make the most of this amazing country without breaking the bank.

We’re looking for all the advice you can give to help us plan our stay:

* What are the must-see places to visit? * Which cities or villages are really worth the detour? * What natural sites, hikes, canyons, springs, or viewpoints do you recommend? * Do you know of any free, uncrowded, or particularly beautiful beaches? * Where can we responsibly observe or swim with sea turtles? * What are the most beautiful beaches on the Albanian Riviera that are accessible on a small budget? * What budget-friendly accommodations (hotels, hostels, homestays, campgrounds) do you recommend? * What are the best ways to get around between different regions at a low cost? * Do you know of any reliable and affordable agencies for renting a vehicle (car, scooter, or motorcycle)? What are the average rates at the end of June, and which rental companies do you recommend or advise against? * Is it better to rent a vehicle right when we arrive or stick to local buses and minibuses to keep costs down? * Which restaurants or local specialties offer the best value for money? * Are there any free or low-cost activities we shouldn’t miss? * Which places do you think are overrated or can be skipped when you’re short on time and money? * What practical tips would you have wished you knew before your first trip to Albania?

We’d also love any 10-day itineraries that you particularly enjoyed, along with your budget estimates for accommodation, meals, and transportation.

We’re open to off-the-beaten-path spots and local tips. If you have any secret addresses, hidden beaches, favorite accommodations, or mistakes to avoid, we’d love to hear about them! 😊

Hi, I'd like to find a small hotel on the main street, not too far from the beach. Thanks for your help! Fanfancom

hi I’m planning to visit Quebec this summer and I’d love to hear about any great tips for budget accommodations in Quebec City and elsewhere. Thanks in advance to everyone! Danilo

Hi everyone! This is my first time in Spain, and I don’t know it at all. I’m heading to Barcelona for 3 days, but I don’t have any specific plans yet. I’ve heard it can be quite expensive, so I’d love to get some tips on how not to break the bank during these 3 days! 😊

Hi there, we'd love to visit Barbados in March 2026... or April.... It's quite expensive, so I could really use your advice on hotels, etc. We're a couple in our fifties, laid-back but not too much 😄 We’re skipping all-inclusive places since we don’t have breakfast, so they’re not worth it for us. Any tips are welcome! Thanks

Hi everyone, Next year I’d love to spend some time in the Dolomites and do a few nice hikes—not too difficult. Can anyone give me some tips? I’ve read that it gets super crowded, you have to start really early, and everything’s pretty expensive. Anyone familiar with the area? Thanks for your help

La prochaine fois que tu vas à Tirana, tu vas faire des courses pour te faire à manger dans une des superettes de chaîne, type Conad ou Spar, et tu te feras une idée.

Euh non à Tirana je n'ai pas besoin de faire de courses, je vais à l'hotel et je mange au restaurant😏 Idem dans toutes les grandes villes.

Il y a certainement aussi des endroits discount en Albanie, mais les achats sont à faire en plus grande quantité, pas en portions pour deux...

J'ai dû avoir beaucoup de chance, car sans besoin de chercher , dans chaque petit village comme dans des bourgs plus importants je n'ai dû acheter que dans des supérettes discount!😏. Quelle chance, je devrais jouer au loto! Nous avons acheté à plusieurs reprises: charcuteries diverses, fromages, yaourts, biscuits pâtisseries, fruits de saison et même des boîtes de thon et de maquereau le tout à petit prix très doux! Il n'y a que dans les grandes villes comme Tirana où nous n'avons pas fait de courses car on ne randonne pas en ville! Je me demande bien où tu es allé en Albanie?! Tu bouges un peu lors de tes voyages ? Tu as fais Aéroport/ centre ville de Tirana? Où as tu acheté de l'alimentaire à part chez Conad à Tirana? à l'aéroport? PS: Une chose est certaine la différence de prix ( des denrées alimentaires de base) avec la France ne justifie pas de s'enquiquiner à faire des courses; il vaut mieux manger au restaurant c'est certain.Lorsqu'on faisait nos courses ce n'était pas dans un souci d'économies mais pour pouvoir pique niquer dans la nature. Toutefois pour des étudiants ou des jeunes au revenu modeste la meilleure solution n'est pas l'hotel restaurant mais la location d'appartement équipé pour cuisiner...et donc de faire ses courses. Je n'ai pas fait trop attention en Albanie mais en Roumanie les touristes locaux vont dans des "auberges" où ils peuvent se préparer eux mêmes leurs repas. Nous on prenait la demie pension pendant que les roumains eux préparaient leur barbecue dehors...Ils nous invitaient presque tjrs à l'apéro! Il est d'ailleurs très intéressant de trouver ce type d'adresse qui n'apparait pas sur les centrales de réservation style booking.. c'est souvent un peu moins "moderne" mais combien plus chaleureux et toujours bien moins cher!

Hi everyone, I’m looking for info on Canaima, please. I need the cheapest hotel in Canaima and a tour agency that organizes trips and tours at fair and honest prices—or maybe a local guide, please. Also, which website can I use to buy a round-trip flight ticket from Caracas to Canaima? Thanks so much!

Best regards,

Nous sommes au moins deux ici( sur VF) qui avons fait des courses alimentaires un peu partout dans le pays au nord au sud , sur la côte etc..il en ressort que les prix de l'alimentaire dans n'importe quelle supérette sont au minimum 2 fois moins cher qu'en France..je n'arrive pas à comprendre ton obstination face à un fait indéniable.. Aller au restaurant oui , on y allait tous les soirs ;c'est bien sûr plus pratique et aussi moins cher qu'en France mais il est évident que pour ceux qui ont un budget limité faire ses courses en Albanie et préparer son repas dans son appartement de location est bien plus économique que d'aller au restaurant !

Bonjour,

Pour les vêtements, quand partez-vous ? Si c'est pendant l'été, privilégiez les matières type coton et lin et des vêtements comme pantalons, t-shirts simples car la poussière s'infiltre partout. Vous pouvez short long, type bermuda également (oui il y a des filles qui se baladent en dos nu et haut de bikini mais ce n'est pas vraiment dans la culture locale donc pas très respectueux). Chapeau, crème solaire, lunettes de soleil... des lingettes ça peut être bien aussi.

Pour les erreurs, je dirai que la place Jema El Fnaa est bien sûr sympa à voir mais qu'il ne faut rien y acheter car tout est beaucoup plus cher qu'ailleurs. Les monuments de Marrakech sont de plus en plus prisés donc quand vous le pouvez, réservez en avance ou arrivez tôt.

Quel est ton but dans cette discussion ?

La prochaine fois que tu vas à Tirana, tu vas faire des courses pour te faire à manger dans une des superettes de chaîne, type Conad ou Spar, et tu te feras une idée. Il y a plein de facteurs : tout est importé, de pays où c'est déjà cher, comme l'Italie, la lek est forte, ce qui fait que les prix alimentaires en Albanie sont très similaires à ce qu'ils sont ailleurs en Europe, et puis il y a 'effet "petit magasin", "petit volume", et tourisme. Cela n'est d'ailleurs pas un secret : https://www.balkanweb.com/en/Albania-will-become-more-expensive-in-2025--food-prices-will-exceed-the-EU-average-for-the-first-time/#gsc.tab=0

Maintenant tu te fies à ton expérience, et moi à la mienne.

Michel

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a 7-day trip to Marrakech for a sports camp, and I’ll be traveling with just a standard carry-on backpack.

I’d love to hear your best tips and tricks: • What clothes are absolutely essential? • Any advice for managing the heat while traveling light? • Which accessories have been the most useful for you? • Mistakes to avoid on a first trip to Marrakech?

I’m also open to your recommendations for neighborhoods, restaurants, or activities not to miss during my free time.

Thanks in advance for your advice and experience! !

I’d like to drive to Morocco from Paris via Spain. I was really surprised to see the ferry crossing prices—around 500 €—but especially the crossing time (about 1 hour). Normally, I pay 3000 € to go to Tunisia from Genoa, but that’s for a 24-hour crossing. My question: is it cheaper to buy the ticket on the spot, as some Moroccans have advised me? Though I’ve also heard the opposite. What do you think, considering I need to get to Tétouan around July 17th and return from Tangier around August 4th? Thanks in advance

Good evening, As two senior French couples who are used to traveling independently all over the world, we’d like to visit Kenya next November. Now, after seeing and reading a bit everywhere, and with the first quotes for a 6/7-day safari, I’m shocked by the prices (like $2,250) for places like Maasai Mara, where entry alone costs $200 per person per day, plus fees for the driver and vehicle. So if you have any recent great tips or contacts to share to help me out, I’d really appreciate it—because despite the costs, we’d still love to go, while keeping things reasonable. The most plausible solution is probably renting a vehicle with a driver-guide. Thanks in advance for all your replies. Jacques

Hi there, it’s been a long time since I last went to London. I’d love to spend a week there in July with my daughter and my niece (both young adults).

Of course, I’m looking for great tips on accommodation, and I’m wondering about renting an apartment. It seems like a better deal to save on restaurants (with the option of having a few meals at home... but is that really the case? I’m not sure about the cost of a meal in a modest restaurant, the pound exchange rate, or grocery prices...). Otherwise, I’d like to stay in accommodation (hotel or apartment) near a tube station and in Zone 1.

If you have any great tips, I’d love to hear them!

Thanks,

Marsyork