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Trip Report: 2 Weeks in Madagascar – Andasibe, Île aux Nattes, and Sainte-Marie
by Aventure98 · 2026-05-10 · 0 replies
Hi there, We’ve just returned from 2 weeks in Madagascar, and I wanted to share our experience since we struggled quite a bit to plan our itinerary before leaving. The country is huge, the journeys are long, and with only two weeks, you really have to make choices. For our part, we opted for a fairly realistic itinerary for a first-time visit: Antananarivo, Andasibe, Île aux Nattes, and then Sainte-Marie. The idea was to mix a bit of nature, lemurs, tropical forest, and then a few quieter days by the water—without trying to cross the entire country.

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

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

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

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

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

In short, our main advice would be not to try to see everything in two weeks. Madagascar requires time, flexibility, and some breathing room. It’s better to pick fewer stops but really enjoy them.
An obstacle course to take the Kandy-Ella train in Sri Lanka
by Aventure98 · 2026-02-18 · 0 replies
Honestly, taking the train in Sri Lanka is no walk in the park. Between tickets disappearing in minutes, platforms that aren’t always very clear, and that infamous “full” sign displayed weeks in advance, you quickly feel like you’re playing the lottery. There’s even a real black market for tickets on the island: some seats are resold at higher prices through middlemen or agencies, which makes things even trickier. Everyone knows someone who knows someone who sells tickets. But we learned the hard way that this isn’t the safest way to get them, and we had to find another solution at the last minute.

We definitely went through a bit of an obstacle course to manage the booking. But once on the train, riding through the tea plantations between Kandy and Ella, we understood why everyone raves about it. Tea plantations, misty mountains, little bridges, and breathtaking valleys. To make the most of the scenery on the Kandy → Ella route, it’s best to sit on the right side of the train (and on the left if you’re going Ella → Kandy). As for the class, 2nd class reserved is, in our opinion, the best compromise: authentic vibe, open windows and doors, but with a guaranteed seat. Remember to pack enough water, snacks, and toilet paper for this 7-hour journey that somehow flies by.

I’ve gone into more detail about all this in the article for those who’d rather plan a bit better than we did.
https://aventures-sans-mesaventure.com/prendre-le-train-au-sri-lanka-guide-complet/ Happy travels! :)
Currency on Île aux Nattes
by Tchockie · 2026-02-16 · 17 replies
Hi everyone, I’m heading to Île aux Nattes in a few weeks and I’d like to know if euros are accepted in the island’s restaurants. At the hotel where I’ll be staying, they take card payments, but for activities, I can’t find any reliable info. Could anyone tell me the approximate cost in euros and/or ariary for a week (food outside the hotel) on the island for two people?

Also, has anyone ever exchanged money at the Paris Magenta exchange bureau? Thanks!
Back from a trip to southern Morocco near Agadir: Mirleft and its surroundings
by Aventure98 · 2026-01-25 · 0 replies
Traveling alone with my 10-year-old daughter in Morocco
by Breizhwoman · 2026-01-20 · 8 replies
Hello, I’d like to go to Morocco with my 10-year-old daughter for three weeks in February. Do you think, as women traveling alone, we’ll feel comfortable? Sorry if my question seems odd, but when I mentioned my plans, I got some hesitant reactions. I’ve never been to North Africa. I’ve traveled several times to the Sultanate of Oman, where I felt very at ease as long as we respected the basic cultural norms. For those who know Morocco, do you think it’s different? Would it be appropriate for me to cover my head?

I was thinking of arriving in Agadir and spending a few days in Taghazout and the surrounding area. After that, if you have any tips, I’m all ears. We’re looking to discover Moroccan cultures, see artisans at work, or even try our hand at a local craft—we’d love that. Simply meeting families, seeing landscapes, animals, and soaking in the culture gently, opening ourselves to something new—that’s what motivates us. And if there are opportunities to listen to local music, even better.

We’ll be traveling by public transport. Thanks in advance for your ideas. Happy travels to everyone.
Feedback on 1-month China itinerary
by Cedric13600 · 2026-01-07 · 12 replies
Hi there,

I’d love to get some feedback on our 30-day / 29-night itinerary in China. We’ll be there in September as a family with two kids (6 and 10 years old). Do you think I should cut a few nights between Wulingyuan (Avatar Mountain) and Yangshuo? I’ve planned 15 nights total there. We’ll be on a round-the-world trip starting May 2026 and will need to do schoolwork with the kids. Hoping to fit it in during train rides!! Ever since I started planning this China itinerary, I’ve been discovering completely mind-blowing places I’d never heard of before—30 days feels way too short for China!!!

Here’s our itinerary:

Beijing - 4 nights Forbidden City Great Wall of China Temple of Heaven

Xi’an - 3 nights Terracotta Army Muslim Quarter & Great Mosque

Chengdu - 3 nights Zoo - Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding Wenshu Yuan Temple

Wulingyuan (Avatar Mountain) - 3 nights "Avatar Mountains"

Zhangjiajie - 2 nights Tianmen Mountain

Furong Town - 2 nights

Fenghuang - 2 nights

Guilin - 2 nights Chuanshan Park Guilin Yaoshan Scenic Attraction Reed Flute Cave

Yangshuo - 4 nights Biking along the Yulong River Moon Hill Ruyi Peak Xianggong Hill

Shanghai - 4 nights Shanghai Disneyland Yu Garden / Yuyuan Garden Yuyuan Bazaar

Thanks! Cédric
3 weeks in Sri Lanka in August - seeking advice
by Familyof4921 · 2025-12-06 · 4 replies
Hi everyone,

I’ve planned a three-week itinerary for this summer, from August 9 to 27, in Sri Lanka: Negombo – 1 night Sigiriya and the Cultural Triangle – 4 nights Kandy – 2 nights Ella – 3 nights Tangalle – 6 nights Colombo Airport – 1 night

I know this isn’t the ideal time for the south since the beach conditions aren’t great, but we’ve booked a hotel with a pool and won’t be swimming in the sea. We want to relax after all the travel since we’re bringing our two kids, aged 6 and 8.

I know the east would be better, but (i) I’m struggling to find suitable accommodation, and (ii) it adds a lot of travel time, and my kids can only handle about 3 hours at a stretch.

I looked into Arugam Bay, but it’s a 7-hour trip back to Colombo from there.

I’ve checked every weather site imaginable, but they don’t all agree. Do you think we’ll spend our whole trip in the rain, or is the monsoon in the south mostly limited to the sea, as I’ve read?

I’m worried about ending up in the middle of a natural disaster with my two young kids, given recent events.

Thanks for your advice! S

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