Hello,

AI, social media, YouTube, etc... In an era where information is easily accessible with just one click, we’d love to hear more about your travel experiences and how we can improve Voyage Forum for you.

Hi everyone, We have a chance to stop in Hanoi on our way from Japan back to France. We arrive on Tuesday, May 12th around 2 PM and leave for France on Saturday, May 16th around 10 PM. I’d like to do a 2-day cruise in Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay, then either 2 days in Ninh Binh or 1 day. - 12/05: Hanoi - 13/05: cruise - 14/05: end of cruise and head to Tam Coc - 15/05: sightseeing - 16/05: early departure for Hanoi, day in Hanoi, then flight to France at 10 PM We don’t want to be overwhelmed by crowds of tourists and prefer to be on our own.

Do you have any tips for us—agencies, transport, sights, accommodation, or visits? Thanks so much for your feedback! Best regards, Isabelle

Seasonal swap of our house in the Hautes-Alpes for your camper van to visit Piedmont. It’s located in Saint Apollinaire 05160 and overlooks the Serre-Ponçon lake—visible on the site (HomeExchange ID: #2005813). - You’ll also love the small family-friendly resort of Réallon (8 km away), perfect for summer/winter with its chairlifts, easy hikes, mountain biking, and all winter sports: https://www.reallon-ski.com/ - For the more adventurous, the Gourniers valley at the edge of the Écrins National Park (10 km away) offers more challenging and rugged mountains. We’re two young retirees and now have all the time in the world. Dates are flexible, but we’d prefer between 01/07 and 11/07/2025. Don’t hesitate to get in touch. luclemoel2012@gmail.com

I’ve put together this information sheet based on my own experience, feedback from my clients, and reviews from travelers on various travel forums and social media.

I think it’s important to share the reality of these postcard-perfect little islands with their white sandy beaches and palm trees before you set off. That way, you can make the most of your trip to the San Blas Islands, know exactly what to expect, and decide if this destination is right for you.

The San Blas Islands are run by the indigenous Guna people. They have their own rules, and Panamanian law doesn’t really apply. Today, their main income comes from tourism, so please note that foreigners aren’t allowed to operate cabanas there. This means that as soon as you board their small boats, you’re in the hands of the Gunas, and it’ll be tough to complain about delays, logistical issues, or refunds. Wait times can be long, and the Gunas are pretty informal—at first glance, they might even seem unwelcoming. But you have to understand that their culture and way of life are simply different from yours.

You’ll find plenty of tour operators offering day trips or one- or two-night stays on the same islands at different prices. I think all these listings create confusion and uncertainty for travelers. You can book with operators who care about their clients and deal directly with them, while others act only as intermediaries or booking systems between travelers, the Gunas, and transport companies without providing any follow-up during your stay. Don’t forget that all the San Blas Islands are beautiful, and your choice shouldn’t be based on which of the 365 islands is the prettiest, but on the hospitality of the Guna family, the accommodation, and the service they provide. I also recommend avoiding San Blas on weekends and public holidays.

To explain the sometimes "low" level of service mentioned in traveler reviews, you need to understand that the San Blas Islands are very basic and rustic—that’s also the charm of the experience, which, for some of you, will push you out of your comfort zone. Not all huts have electricity, or even light. If you want to charge your phone, ask the island owner, who might charge you a small fee. Needless to say, WiFi isn’t available on all islands.

Not all Gunas working there have studied hospitality management, logistics, gastronomy, or tourism. There’s been a big "boom" in the last 10 years, and they haven’t been trained for it.

Regarding the 4x4 road transport, expect to be a bit cramped since the car can fit 6 passengers. Also, you might face delays, or the car might already be waiting for you because the pickup route can change, and sometimes other passengers are late, causing delays. To avoid this, I recommend paying extra for private transport—it’ll make your trip smoother and save you frustration before arriving in San Blas, as well as on your return to Panama City, which can sometimes be chaotic.

Stay flexible! Expect delays, lack of communication, waiting for someone or something without knowing why, rustic cabanas, no fish but pasta instead (yes! sometimes the fish season is low!), fried eggs and bread for breakfast—but in the end, everything works out if you can accept these little inconveniences. Just enjoy the adventure!

Finally, the San Blas Islands have a waste collection problem, so you might see trash on the islands, especially during the summer season due to strong currents. Most of the waste comes from the sea and the mainland. For the sake of the island, please take your trash with you.

Hi there, I’m planning a stay at the Sian Kan in the Riviera Maya and was wondering if anyone’s been there recently. If so, are the location, welcome, services, and food still as excellent as they used to be? I’ve heard that since the train between Cancun and Tulum was built, things might have gone downhill. Thanks for your feedback! Lise

Hello,

I’ve heard a lot about WISE for low-cost money transfers (booking/paying for safari services). I’m looking for feedback from people who’ve actually used WISE to pay at a restaurant or withdraw local cash from an ATM.

Could you share what you consider the "pros" and "cons" of the WISE debit card compared to a traditional bank card? Also, do you think there are any risks? If so, what are they? Thanks in advance for shedding some light on this—I’m only interested in firsthand experiences.

Thanks!

...

Hello,

I’m reaching out for your help because I’m struggling to figure out the best train and car route for a 25-night trip in Kyushu. Here are the cities I’d like to visit, along with my current itinerary, which doesn’t feel quite right. I’m also wondering where the best places to pick up and drop off the rental car would be. International flights from Osaka + the SL Hitoyoshi train ride are part of the plan.

Current (unsatisfactory) draft itinerary I’m trying to optimize: Day 1: Arrival in Osaka Day 2-3: 2 nights in Osaka Day 4: Osaka to Izumi (Kagoshima Prefecture) via overnight train to Izumi Day 5: Full day in Izumi, overnight in Izumi Day 6: Izumi to Hitoyoshi, stopping via Kumamoto (SL Hitoyoshi train) Day 7: Hitoyoshi Day 8: Ebino + overnight in Kobayashi or Takaharu Day 9: Cape Toi + overnight Day 10: Koshima + overnight near Obi or Miyazaki? Day 11: Nichinan Coast / Obi / Udo Jingu / Aoshima Day 12: Miyazaki Day 13: Aya + overnight in Miyazaki Day 14: Hyuga + overnight in Nobeoka Day 15: Around Nobeoka + overnight in Nobeoka Day 16: Shiiba + overnight in Shiiba Day 17: Shiiba + drive to Yamaga + overnight Day 18: Yamaga Day 19: Yamaga Day 20-22: Amakusa Day 23: Kumamoto Day 24: Kumamoto + overnight in Osaka Day 25: Departure for France

Does this seem balanced? Are there any ways to optimize travel times or the logical flow of the route? Where should I pick up and drop off the rental car?

Thanks in advance if anyone can help me think this through!

Hi there,

Based on your experience, do you have any advice to help me choose the right balcony cabin on the Lyrial for the Southern Loop expedition? I’d like one that’s well-placed for easy access to both outdoor and indoor decks for photos (e.g., a standard cabin, not a suite).

For example, would you prefer starboard or port side? Deck 4 or 5? The first cabin from the front or does it not matter?

Thanks for your help!

Hi there, what do you think of this itinerary, please? Do you think it’s doable? We’re two adults—it’s our honeymoon trip! 🙂 Our main interests lean more toward nature and landscapes than cultural visits (though we won’t rule out one or two temple visits).

01/10/2025 W 10:30 AM – Departure from CDG (overnight flight) 02/10/2025 Th 11:25 AM – Arrival in Denpasar -> Ubud (south of the city) – overnight in Ubud 03/10/2025 F – Excursions around Ubud – overnight in Ubud 04/10/2025 Sa – Excursions around Ubud (Jatiluwih) – overnight in Ubud 05/10/2025 Su – Excursions around Ubud – overnight in Ubud 06/10/2025 M – Ubud -> Amed – overnight in Amed 07/10/2025 Tu – Amed – overnight in Amed 08/10/2025 W – Amed -> Padangbai – overnight in Padangbai 09/10/2025 Th – Padangbai -> Gili Air (first morning boat) – overnight on Gili Air 10/10/2025 F – Gili Air – overnight on Gili Air 11/10/2025 Sa – Gili Air – overnight on Gili Air 12/10/2025 Su – Gili Air -> Nusa Lembongan – overnight on Nusa Lembongan 13/10/2025 M – Nusa Lembongan – overnight on Nusa Lembongan 14/10/2025 Tu – Nusa Lembongan – overnight on Nusa Lembongan 15/10/2025 W – Nusa Lembongan – overnight on Nusa Lembongan (or return to Bali depending on sea conditions) 16/10/2025 Th – Jimbaran or Seminyak – overnight in Jimbaran or Seminyak 17/10/2025 F – Jimbaran -> Denpasar – departure at 6:45 PM (overnight flight) 18/10/2025 Sa 8:00 AM – Arrival at CDG – overnight at home

Thanks in advance for your feedback! [;]

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!

Hi, Just a heads-up if you're in Montreal this weekend. It's the bike show at the Palais des congrès de Montréal from February 21 to 22. Enjoy your visit! 🙂

Hi Isabelle,

Thanks for starting this! 🙂 Here’s our cruise:

22/02 - Sounou / MSC VIRTUOSA / 15 days / Lesser Antilles / Fort-de-France

Happy 2025! Thanks so much! 😊

Hi everyone, I’d love to hear from your experience—does having just a carry-on bag actually save time during boarding and disembarking? Thanks in advance! Muriel

Hello,

I’m looking for your help planning a 3-week road trip from mid-September to early October starting in Montréal.

We’d like to explore part of Québec and the Gaspésie, and we’re intentionally starting with the Gaspésie because if we leave it for the end (early October), the weather might be less favorable and a lot of places will already be closed. I’ve also read that the fall colors are more beautiful in the Mauricie and Laurentides regions toward the end of our trip (early October).

Here’s the itinerary we’ve come up with:

Montréal (arrival and departure airport) -> Québec City -> Charlevoix -> Crossing the St. Lawrence River from St-Siméon to Rivière-du-Loup -> Rimouski and Parc du Bic -> Gaspésie along the coast (Matapedia, Percé, Bonaventure Island, Gaspé, Forillon Park) -> Crossing the St. Lawrence River from Matane to Baie-Comeau -> Tadoussac to Lac Saint-Jean via the route along the Saguenay River -> Return to Montréal via La Tuque, crossing the Laurentides and Mauricie Park

This is our first time in Canada, so don’t hesitate to be critical (I won’t take it badly ;)), if the route seems too ambitious (we know there’ll be a lot of driving!) or if it’s better to skip some stops that aren’t must-sees.

Thanks so much for your help.

Hi there, After exploring southern Peru in 2024 with your help, we’d love to head north next. There’ll be 5 or 6 of us: 1. Arrive in Lima in the evening. 2. Visit Lima and take a flight at 6:35 PM to Tarapoto. 3, 4, 5. Spend a few days there to trek in a reserve (Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve) or somewhere else. 6. From Tarapoto to Chachapoyas—either by overnight bus, daytime bus, or private car. 7. In Chachapoyas: Gocta Waterfall, Sonche Canyon, and walk back to town. 8. Head to Kuelap citadel, Revash, and arrive in Leymebamba. 9. Leymebamba museum, then route to Cajamarca. 10. Cajamarca hot springs, overnight bus to Trujillo or Chiclayo—or do both. 11, 12, 13. Visit and explore the area. 14. Overnight bus back to Lima. 15. Lima. 16. Depart at 8 PM for France. What do you think of this itinerary? Looking forward to your advice. Thanks

Hi there,

I’d love to get your thoughts and advice/tips for my trip to Malaysia.

I’m heading to Malaysia for 20 days starting in mid-August with three other people.

My plan was to go straight to Kota Kinabalu. I’d like to go rafting (if you have any agencies to recommend, I’m all ears), climb Mount Kota Kinabalu (is it worth it? And again, if you have an agency in mind), and check out the night market (I’m not entirely sure what it’s like).

After that, I’d head to Sandakan (not sure how yet) and do a little 3-day, 2-night safari.

Then from Sandakan (still not sure how), go to Tawau to visit Sipadan for some diving.

And then head back home.

Nothing’s set in stone yet—I’m open to tons of suggestions. I feel like I could do more. I’d seen Taman Negara jungle, but it’s way off the route, so I’m not sure if it’s doable. I’d also love to find other interesting diving spots.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hi, I’d love to get your thoughts on a one-way transfer from Cairo to Hurghada on January 2nd. I’m traveling with my parents and I’m torn between a private car transfer or flying with Air Cairo (a bit worried about last-minute cancellations or delays). We’d leave around 10 AM. Is the road dangerous by car? If flying, is Air Cairo a reliable airline? Thanks!

Lilia

Hi everyone,

I’d love to get your thoughts on the itinerary we’re planning for this summer (August) with our three older teens. We’ve booked our round-trip flight from Lyon to Rio. Originally, we were thinking of heading down to Paraty / Ilha Grande... but after checking, the water temperature seems a bit too cool, so we’d prefer to go to Bahia state for a bit more warmth. Our interests: discovering the people and cities, enjoying the beach and relaxation, a few short hikes, etc.

What do you think of this itinerary? Too much time lost in transit?

Day Stop J1 Flight J2 Early morning arrival in Rio J3 Rio J4 Rio J5 Rio J6 Flight to Foz do Iguaçu J7 Foz do Iguaçu J8 Foz do Iguaçu J9 Flight to Salvador J10 Salvador J11 Salvador J12 Ilha de Tinharé: Morro de São Paulo J13 Ilha de Tinharé: Morro de São Paulo J14 Ilha de Tinharé: Morro de São Paulo J15 Ilha de Boipeba J16 Ilha de Boipeba J17 Ilha de Boipeba J18 Ilha de Boipeba to Salvador J19 Salvador to Rio J20 Flight J21 Arrival in France Thanks so much for your help!!!! Flo

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Hi everyone, Your thoughts on SIM cards and eSIMs for Rajasthan? I have a Free mobile plan for 19.99 € that includes internet but not calls. Can I use WhatsApp to contact people in France without extra charges? Or should I buy a local SIM? What about eSIMs? Your opinions, recommendations, warnings... Thanks

Hi there,

I’d love your input, please. Here’s my itinerary: We’re leaving from Quebec for Rome – 4 nights Vienna – 9 nights Hallstatt – 2 nights Salzburg – 4 nights Innsbruck – 4 nights That leaves 3 nights to place somewhere between Innsbruck and Paris, ideally with a direct connection (I’ve looked but can’t find anything—I’m hoping you can help me out ). We’ll be returning to Quebec from Paris.

It could be a seaside spot to relax after what I’m sure will be an amazing trip, but that’s not a must. We also love beautiful cities and small villages.

Looking forward to your suggestions for these last 3 nights—thanks in advance! Have a great evening, Phantoma

Hi everyone,

I’d love to get your thoughts on these two routes I’ve planned to see the highlights of Paris in two days.

I don’t want to take any transportation.

I’ll arrive at the hotel by car on Saturday around noon and won’t pick it up again until the next evening to leave.

**First day:** I’m thinking of starting from the hotel, then heading to the Eiffel Tower - Trocadéro - Galeries Lafayette - Élysée Palace - Tuileries Garden - the Louvre (outside only) and finishing at Les Invalides.

12 km



(The route on the map is just for reference to show the places we’ll visit—it might vary by a hundred meters or so.)

**Second day:** Starting from the hotel, we’ll go to Montmartre - Sacré-Cœur Basilica - Pigalle - Notre-Dame Cathedral - Panthéon - Luxembourg Garden.



What do you think? Am I missing out on anything great with this route?

Since I’m traveling with two kids, do you see any spots on these routes that might be a bit risky safety-wise? 🏴‍☠️

We’re not big museum fans, so we’re not planning to visit any—unless it rains, of course! 😄

One last little question: are there any protests planned in Paris on the weekend of August 16-17? 🙂 Thanks for reading! 😎

Hi, I need your help because I’m stuck. I booked 6 flight tickets to Palermo on August 6th through the Lastminute site. The flight is operated by Air France, and I just realized my name is wrong. I immediately contacted Air France, who told me it’s up to Lastminute to make the change, but they say it’s Air France’s responsibility. I’m really anxious because I’m traveling with my two kids. Can you help me? Thanks

Hi everyone, I’m asking for your help because I’m planning a 5-day trip to Scotland starting from Glasgow. I’d like to visit the Isle of Skye—my problem is, is it accessible without a car? And what can you do on this island?

Hi, could you give me your thoughts on the itinerary I’ve put together? We’re not exactly short on stops 1 Edinburgh 2 Edinburgh 3 Tarbet for the seafood festival 4 Tarbet 5 Oban 6 Mull 7 Oban 8 Laggan 9 Portree 10 Inverness 11 Ullapool 12 Durness Tongue 13 Wick Tain 14 Perth 15 St Andrews Edinburgh Thanks

Hi everyone, I’d love to get your thoughts on a 13-night trip to Crete this summer. We’ll be 2 adults and 2 kids (5 and 10 years old), and we’re renting a car to get around. ➔ If you have any tips on renting a car, I’m all ears! (I was thinking of picking it up at the airport.) For now, I’m planning a round-trip flight to Heraklion (I’m still debating whether to return from Chania, in which case we’d spend our last night in Paleóchora or Elos). Here’s how I’m splitting up the nights:

08/07 - 11/07 (3 nights) → Heraklion

Visit the Minoan Palace of Knossos Explore the city: archaeological museum, Venetian harbor, Koules Fortress Possible day trip to Matala or the east coast, depending on how we feel

11/07 - 14/07 (3 nights) → Rethymnon

Explore Rethymnon’s old town Walk around Argiroupoli (natural springs, waterfalls) Relax on the beaches in the area

14/07 - 18/07 (4 nights) → Chania

Visit the historic center Day trip to Seitan Limania (wild beach) Day at Balos Beach & Gramvousa (by boat or hike)

18/07 - 20/07 (2 nights) → Paleóchora or Elos ➔ Do you have a preference between these two spots? They both seem like great, low-key places, but Elos is more mountainous.

Hike through Samaria Gorge (full-day trip) ➔ Do you think this is doable with a 5-year-old? I’ve read there’s a bus at the end of the gorge, but I’m worried about missing the ferry and having to rush the kids. Relax at Elafonissi Beach

20/07 - 21/07 (1 night) → Heraklion

Return the day before our flight to avoid stress.

Thanks in advance for your feedback and tips! 😊

Hi, Is there, to your knowledge, an outfitter or several outfitters that include a visit to Little Finland in Nevada in their offerings? If so, have you had any experience with them and do you have their contact details? Thanks in advance!

Hi there, I read your summary of your trip around the Lofoten Islands and I’m interested in the spots where you slept in a tent, but I can’t open your document—would it be possible for you to send it to me?

Hello, I need your help. We’re a family of four (kids aged 5 and 8), and we’re really excited to explore North Sulawesi for three weeks in August! We’re planning to visit Manado, Bunaken, Tangkoko, the Togian Islands, and possibly Makassar and Bira. Does anyone know how to get from the Togian Islands to Makassar without too much hassle/difficulty? (Fast boat, stops, etc.)