Posts by Drazen

I don’t know if it’s my worst memory, but it’s definitely one that left a deep mark on me. Early 2000s, I went to the Dominican Republic with my girlfriend (and future wife) and my parents. A travel agency sold us an excursion "you have to do at least once in your life" to Haiti. In a village (slum) near the Dominican border, I saw a tourist from our group give a lollipop to a woman. A few seconds later, she broke it into 3 small pieces with a rock to share with her 3 young children. We all ended the bus ride back in tears, seeing that level of poverty just a few kilometers from Dominican resorts... As for my best memory, it’s hard to choose since there have been so many, but I’d say flying over the Grand Canyon in a small twin-engine plane. What a breathtaking sight—nature’s wonder really hit me!

Hi, thanks for your feedback. I’m seeing a lot of positive reviews about Malacca! I’ll look into that option. Tea plantations could be interesting too. I really enjoyed walking through the plantations in Sri Lanka. Plus, I’m a big fan of green teas...

Hi there, I’m planning a family trip (my wife and I, both 47, and our two sons, aged 5 and 12) to Malaysia for the last week of June and the first two weeks of July 2027. We used to love road trips as a couple, then as a trio, but since our second child arrived, we’ve taken a break with "camping village" style trips. Now feels like the right time to get back to our old habits, while adjusting the pace for the kids. We’re craving Asia. We’ve been lucky enough to visit Thailand, Indonesia (Bali and Lombok), and Sri Lanka before. Friends have raved about Malaysia, so we’re definitely tempted.

For those who know and love Malaysia, what would be a good itinerary starting from Kuala Lumpur, with a maximum of 3-4 stops? We’d like a mix of culture, nature, and relaxation (just to clarify, we’re not big beach fans). All of this without rushing, of course.

Thanks in advance for your tips!

An important point about your schedule: the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games will take place from July 14 to 30, 2028 (with the opening ceremony scheduled for July 14). If you plan to return to France around July 19-20, you’ll be right in the middle of the event in LA! It’s a great opportunity, but it does require booking way ahead (accommodations, transportation), as the city is likely to be packed.

Here’s a balanced itinerary suggestion, designed to alternate between cities, wide-open spaces, and downtime for the kids: For California, 1 to 3 days in San Francisco should be enough to bike across the Golden Gate, visit Alcatraz (book early!), take the Cable Car, and explore Pier 39 and its sea lions. A must-see that appeals to all ages.

On the 4th day, pick up a rental car and head toward the Sierra Nevada.

On the 5th and 6th days, visit Yosemite National Park, which dazzles with its stunning landscapes, waterfalls (often still flowing well in late June), and easy hikes in the valley (with options for biking or canoeing on the Merced River).

For the Utah and Arizona national parks, head toward the Lee Vining/Mono Lake area, stopping along the way on the gorgeous Tioga Pass Road (if open, which it usually is in late June) with a detour to Mono Lake and its tufa towers.

On the 8th day, choose between driving through Death Valley or taking a quicker route. But be careful in summer: by late June/early July, it’s extremely hot. It’s best to cross early in the morning or go around the north to avoid the heat with the youngest.

On the 9th day, plan a night in Las Vegas for the "bright and over-the-top" vibe that kids love (street performances, themed hotels).

On the 10th and 11th days, explore Bryce Canyon National Park and hike down among the hoodoos via the Navajo Loop trail. The ochre rock contrasts with the green pines—it’s magical and doable even for a 5½-year-old (just take breaks on the way back up!).

On the 12th and 13th days, at Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim), this would be the highlight! Enjoy sunsets and sunrises over the vastness, take the free shuttles along the Rim, and hike a short section below (like Bright Angel Trail) if you feel up to it.

For the return to California and the Olympic atmosphere, plan to drive to Joshua Tree National Park/Palm Springs (or a transition stop) on the 14th day. It offers a lunar desert landscape with its intriguing Joshua trees.

From the 15th to the 20th day, soak up the excitement of the city, the beaches (Santa Monica, Venice Beach), the studios (Universal Studios or Warner Bros.), and experience the first week of the Olympic Games (attend a few events or just enjoy the festive vibe around town).

Explora30, it’s really kind of you to take the time to give such a detailed response... but actually, what you’re suggesting is almost exactly what we did back in 2007. As I mentioned in my last post, we’re looking for a different road trip route to "avoid" the crowds in well-known parks like Bryce and Yosemite. Feel free to share any other ideas! We’re especially thinking of including San Diego in our trip.

Alright, the plan is starting to take shape. My wife won the Visa lottery for LA28 tickets, and we scored seats for judo and mountain biking. That’s a great start. Now, we’re wondering if instead of the classic SF-Vegas-LA loop and the nearby national parks, we should try an alternative route—maybe we can come back for the "quieter" version in a few years... Any ideas? Like, flying into Phoenix and driving to San Diego (a city we’ve been drawn to for years) before ending in LA for the third and final week (the first week of the Games). My only must-do is returning to the Grand Canyon for a day or two. I absolutely don’t want to miss that, and I want my two boys to experience it. The goal is still to mix hiking in national or state parks (just a reminder, our boys will be 5½ and 13 in July 2028). Thanks in advance for your suggestions. 😉

Hi there, I’ll be following your discussion because we’re thinking of traveling to Malaysia with our two kids (11 and 4 years old) at the end of June 2027. For now, it’s all still just in the planning stage.

I can confirm the price explosion! Last year, we weren’t in Utah, Arizona, or California but in Oregon and Washington. We mixed hotels and Airbnb or Abritel rentals: we stayed in some nice rentals and cool hotels, but nothing extravagant, and we paid an average of 210 € per night for 4 people That’s way off from the 100 € average in our early days and even the 130 € in 2023... We knew these two states were known to be expensive, but we didn’t think prices had risen *that* much... And on top of those hotel prices, you’ve got to add the cost of food, which has also skyrocketed. These two expense categories have made us think twice about going back for now...

Thanks for your feedback. Prices have indeed shot up everywhere. Still, I visited the beautiful city of Chicago in May 2025 and found the prices relatively reasonable.

Yeah, I know... Hard to believe that back in 2007, I could get by with $60–70 max for a room for two. Crazy inflation! But we all know how it is. We saw the same thing in Florida—went in 2013 and then again in 2020, and lodging costs doubled or even tripled! For SF and LA, we’re planning to stay a bit outside the city and rent an apartment or small house on Airbnb. It’ll still be cheaper than two hotel rooms.

Hi Jerome

20/25 days minus a week in LA at the end leaves a max of 18/19 days for the loop. Like Caussat, this was one of our very first trips following others’ great tips. So I totally get your excitement about going back with the kids. We did this with our three kids—a classic 17-day SF>LA route through the big parks. If you want to check it out, I kept a travel journal (HERE), and the itinerary is in the first post. But it’s probably similar to your 2007 route. Beyond the usual highlights, a few lesser-known spots we loved along the way: Mono Lake (east of Yosemite), Alabama Hills (access via Lone Pine on Hwy 395 heading down to DV—gorgeous road, by the way), Kodachrome Basin (near Bryce, though we were unfortunately too hot to really enjoy it), Red Canyon between Bryce and Lake Powell, and Hanging Garden at Lake Powell... The kids *loved* MV (so did we, actually). There’s so much to see! Happy planning! Laure

Thanks, Laure, for taking the time to reply. I just checked out your "loop"—it’s pretty much what we did in 2007. There are definitely some small variations possible. I’ll look into it quietly online.

Just an idea: For our first trip out West (with many more to follow—it’s not like we’re getting any younger!), each of us picked one place we *had* to visit, and I built the trip around that. Something to think about?

Otherwise, I don’t know what your budget is, but just so you know, prices have skyrocketed in recent years, especially for hotels. Last summer, to find something decent in LA, we had to stay way outside the city. I can’t even imagine what it’ll be like during the Olympics!!!! Not to mention that getting around LA is already a nightmare—during that time, I wouldn’t even want to think about it. So personally, I’d avoid summer 2028, which is going to draw huge crowds before, during, and after the Games…

San Diego didn’t leave a lasting impression on me. Maybe the zoo for your youngest? My daughter was the same age as your oldest on that first trip. Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon are still some of her best memories—more than the cities: LA (including Universal Studios), SF, LV (with a Cirque du Soleil show).

Just a few thoughts.

Thanks for your input! Actually, the whole point is to be there for the Olympics since we’re huge sports fans. We fully experienced the Paris 2024 Games and set ourselves the challenge of going to the LA 2028 Olympics. Even though we’re being realistic, we started saving right after the Paris 2024 closing ceremony. That said, if prices get completely out of hand (flight tickets, accommodation, and car rental), we’ll push it to the following year.

Hello everyone,

After our first trip as a young couple to the West in 2007 (yes, that doesn’t make us any younger!), we’re planning to go back in 2028, but this time as a family of four! (We have two boys who’ll be 5½ and 13 years old in the summer of 2028.)

Our plan is to combine a few big cities (SF and LA, maybe San Diego) with national parks and state parks, mostly! Ideally, we’d like to leave at the end of June and head back to France around July 19–20, so we can enjoy the first week of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Since we already did the "loop" in 2007, there are must-see places we absolutely want to revisit—and especially share with our kids: Bryce Canyon, Yosemite, and above all, the Grand Canyon, which is still the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen on Earth!

On the other hand, some places didn’t leave a big impression on us for various reasons, so we’re not making them a priority: Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, for example.

We’re planning ahead, but might as well be smart about it😏

Do you have any tips for a fun and doable itinerary over about 20–25 days with kids, without rushing?

Thanks in advance for your feedback😉

Hi Caussat, You got me doubting myself. So I just checked my notes from 2015! (Wow, time flies!) Actually, it wasn’t the parking that was paid, but the entry onto Navajo land. $8 back then to add to the tour price. But what blows my mind is that I just realized that in 2015, the Lower Canyon tour was $28! Good luck with your prep, Canales.

I went in 2007 and paid... $0. We’re planning to go back in 2028, but at these exorbitant prices, we’ll sadly skip Antelope Canyon...

Le plus beau sable: Sarasota en Floride, de la farine! La plus belle plage: Tamarindo au Costa Rica😉

Sur les nouveaux véhicules il n'y a plus de prises allumes-cigares, remplacées par des prises classiques ou ports USB.

Bonsoir à tous,

Voilà, mes deux nuits pour Disney sont réservées (on a choisi des Tiny House), il ne me reste que 2 nuits à réserver, dont la dernière avant de reprendre l'avion le lendemain pour 18h00. Et après, on peut passer aux billets des différentes entrées du séjour.

Je ne sais pas si je dois dormir : - En venant de Naples, une nuit à Homestead, 2 nuits à Key West et une dernière nuit à Key Biscane - En venant de Naples, une nuit à Key Largo, 2 nuits à Key West et une dernière nuit à Homestead - En venant de Naples, une nuit à Homestead, 2 nuits à Key West et une dernière nuit à Homestead - En venant de Naples, une nuit à Homestead, 2 nuits à Key West et une dernière nuit à Key Largo

Objectif de visite et activité : snorkeling à Key Largo, magasin outlet à Homestead, Anhinga Trail à Homestead et sur la route venant de Naples, Shark Valley.

Surtout bien garder votre ticket (30$) au passage d'Anhinga Trail car il est valable 7 jours pour toutes les entrées aux Everglades (et donc à Shark Valley).

Oui je suis d’accord. L’Ibis à Sheung Wan est parfaitement placé et l’hôtel est top, très bien insonorisé.

Bonjour J'y reviens depuis 3 semaines: on a adoré! Gros coup de cœur! Sur une semaine complète sur place nous avons pu "faire" les incontournables (Central, Sheung Wan, Victoria Peak(faire la ballade de 2-3 h autour du Peak), Kowloon, marché aux oiseaux…) et des visites un peu hors des sentiers battus (Parcs dans les Nouveaux Territoires, journée sur Lantau, randonnée Dragon's Back, journée sur Macao…)

Vous trouverez mes photos prises durant notre séjour ici: www.jeromecitytrip.com

N'hésitez pas si vous avez des questions. Bons préparatifs!

Hong Kong, l'autre ville qui ne dort jamais... Retrouvez mon regard sur cette ville au sublime mélange entre modernité et les traditions sur www.jeromecitytrip.com

Merci! Les vôtres sont également superbes! J'adore votre style "clair-obscur"😉 Oui j'ai reconnu plusieurs lieux. Je regrette un peu de ne pas être allé jusqu'au désert mais on pas pas tout faire en une semaine. Une autre fois peut-être...

Hello

Gloabalement tout ce qui a attrait avec la Floride a flambé! Billets d'avion mais aussi et surtout logements. J'y suis allé en mai 2013 et globalement je m'en sortais pour 100 dollars maxi par nuit d'hôtel. Pour un séjour fin-février début mars 2020, rien à mois de 250 dollars... Pour les billets d'avion, CDG-MIA et Orlando-CDG avec Lufthansa pour 420€/pax avec baggages en soute.