Posts by Mithron

Dear TomPeru, (Thomas)

Thanks a lot for your (free) promotion of AVIANCA. The topic of my discussion was clearly based on Avianca's flight safety. No comparison with buses in Peru, or the air safety of a small Amazonian airline...

Anyway, I’ll leave you with your personal judgment—which I don’t share at all. If you claim that the accidents happened 30 or 40 years ago, you should at least make sure that the problems and mistakes from back then have been fixed. And it’s certainly not the number of flights (or passengers carried) that tips the scale toward worse safety (or more safety)... you’re just moving the statistics and probabilities...

Thanks, Chris

Hey, why are you even asking the question then? You’re sticking to your wrong judgment about this airline—well, just don’t take it then (it’s simple). 🤪

hi there I'd like to know which airport to land at for Hammamet thanks for your help best regards

Hey, that’s a weird question when you can just Google it—Hammamet has its own airport 😜

hi, what a idea to go through so many middlemen—at this point you don’t even know who you rented this car from. That’s pretty serious. 🤪

Hello, Could anyone recommend a car rental agency on the islands of Sao Miguel and Flores? The small local agencies charge prohibitive prices, and the others seem unreliable (poor car condition, security deposit blocked for over 1000 €, etc...).

Hey, through Booking it’s way cheaper, and their insurance is included or not as well (and if there’s any damage, they reimburse within 10 days max).

hey, 3 days in Varadero must’ve been rough 🤪

Hi there,

Like you, I travel light—this decision came after repeatedly losing my checked bags. But this method really works best for sunny vacations! Even for a month-long trip: - A "cabin-sized" suitcase - An "underseater" bag - A fanny pack

Here are a few more tips I’d add to yours: - If I want to bring back souvenirs, I buy a cheap bag at the last minute and check it on the way back. - I wear the bulkiest items (sneakers, sweater, jacket, etc.) on me. - I pack enough clothes for 6 days—often they last longer—and just wash them at our accommodations.

I’ve convinced my travel companions (partner, friends) to do the same, and they don’t regret it at all! Hard to believe that just 20 years ago, I used to drag around a giant Samsonite 🤪

It’s so much better to leave your home—and your suitcases—behind when you want to disconnect 😉

In my opinion, if your bags were lost, it might’ve been because they lacked luggage tags inside and out. Otherwise, not the smartest move to buy a checked bag for the return trip and pay an overpriced fee 🤪

Hi everyone, I wanted to share a few tips that really helped me prepare my carry-on luggage better. After a few trips (and a few mistakes too!), I’ve finally found a way to organize myself that makes my life a lot easier. Maybe this can help other travelers here. 1. Choose a practical and sturdy bag A good bag is the foundation. I’ve noticed that a model with a solid structure, sturdy wheels, and a well-thought-out interior really changes the experience. Hard-shell suitcases hold up better, especially when you’re hopping between flights. Personally, I use a Lambert suitcase because the interior is super well divided, but the important thing is to find a model that works for you. 2. Rolling your clothes really works It’s simple, but it saves so much space. Plus, it wrinkles less. I do this now for almost everything, especially lightweight clothes. 3. Keep everything in a small kit 100 ml liquids, toothbrush, cream, mini first-aid kit... Having all of that in one clear pouch makes going through security so much easier. It saves you from having to take everything out and put it back in a hurry. 4. A pouch for essentials Passport, headphones, charger, phone... I keep all of that in the same pouch. It saves so much stress when you need to find something quickly, especially on the plane. 5. Traveling lighter makes all the difference Since I started choosing versatile clothes that go well together, I’ve been packing a lot less. Less weight, fewer decisions to make, fewer things to lug around. It really makes traveling more enjoyable, honestly. From the discussions I’ve had with other travelers (and several customers too), I’ve realized you can really simplify your trip just by organizing a little better and choosing good accessories. If you have other tips or methods that work for you, I’d love to read them. We always learn from others on this forum. Looking forward to exchanging with you!

Hey, your post is about carry-on luggage, but we could expand it to checked luggage too. My ex used to take her hydrating skincare products, shampoo, etc., and after using them during the trip, it left her space to bring back souvenirs or clothes she bought.

Like everywhere else in the world, local cash—period!

You're staying for 3 months and don't want to carry too much cash. And you don't want to pay too many fees with your credit card. So I think the best option is to pay through a booking site like Booking.com where you can pay directly in your chosen currency. Personally, I booked with an online bank card that had no foreign exchange fees. And I did notice that prices were often set in USD on-site.

Total nonsense, pfft. Once the booking's paid, does he eat rocks for 3 months? How's he supposed to live for 3 months?? Really some two-bit advice

The AI’s answer seems even more convoluted than I thought...

Does a foreign tourist necessarily have to pay for a hotel stay in Egypt in foreign currency? Yes, a foreign tourist is legally required to pay for their accommodation in Egypt in foreign currency (such as US dollars or euros) or prove that the Egyptian pounds (EGP) used were exchanged at an official bank. This regulation was put in place by the Egyptian government to allow hotels to earn foreign currency and to limit the parallel exchange market. Here’s what it means for you:

Direct payment at the hotel: If you pay directly at the hotel (on-site), you’ll almost certainly be asked to pay in USD, EUR, or another convertible currency. Online bookings: Booking platforms like Booking.com often mention this legislation, stating that payment will be made in a foreign currency, even if the price is displayed in EGP on the site. Proof of exchange: If you insist on paying in Egyptian pounds, some hotels may ask for proof (a bank receipt) showing that you legally exchanged your foreign currency for EGP at an official bank or authorized exchange bureau. Credit card payment: Paying with an international credit card is generally accepted at major hotels and complies with this regulation, as the transaction is processed in foreign currency, which is then converted.

It’s recommended to carry small bills in foreign currency (USD or EUR) for tips and small purchases, but for accommodation, a credit card is often the simplest option to comply with the law

Hey, you’ve got the answer in your post. Withdraw local currency from an official bank on-site, and you’ll get a receipt (so you have proof). That’s the only way to pay the fair price like Egyptians without any extra fees.

Hi there,

Do you think traveling by motorhome along the Côte d'Azur in winter is doable, given that parking restrictions are everywhere in this area? Do you know any nice spots to park and then take bikes to explore? Thanks for your feedback

Hi, there are still quite a few free streets for parking or roads with spots where you can park for free. It’s up to you to check on-site near where you want to go by bike.

Hello.

I’m here to share a very reassuring experience about boarding a flight from France to Guadeloupe without an ID card or passport.

Yesterday, I met up with my friend at her place around 4:00 PM. She told me to leave my bag in my car while we ran an errand because “nothing ever happens here.”

When we got back at 8:00 PM, my car window was smashed, and my bag was stolen. In a panic about forgetting something for the trip, I’d left my whole life in that bag—ID card, passport, driver’s license, health insurance card—total panic. It was 8:00 PM, and our flight was at 10:00 AM the next morning.

We’re on the plane right now, and I’ll tell you what we did.

At 8:30 PM, we went to the police station. No one was there, but there was a number to call for night emergencies. They sent a team to take our statement. We explained that clothes weren’t the issue but that we were traveling the next day. They initially said they couldn’t file the theft report until the next morning. We pleaded a little, and they finally opened the station for us. They gave us the forms for reporting a stolen passport and ID card.

These documents are called either: “Receipt for theft report” or “Theft report”

Even before we finished, we started researching online to see if this paperwork would be enough. The info we found on this forum (from 2014) and what was clearly stated on the Air Caraïbes website totally crushed us. It seemed like it was completely hopeless. Only one person said it depended on the mood of the people we’d deal with at the airport.

Terrible night, total despair.

We arrived at the airport at 6:30 AM for a 10:20 AM boarding. We went to the Air Caraïbes baggage check-in counter way too early to talk to someone. We explained the problem to the first woman we saw.

She immediately reassured us that we’d be able to fly. Basically, if you have the police or gendarmerie document for the theft or loss, it’s 100% okay. No issues with that.

We had to fill out a first statement swearing we were telling the truth about our checked baggage, then a second one for customs after our carry-on bags were inspected.

Didn’t report the theft or loss before arriving at the airport? No problem either—there’s an office in the airport that handles that. Basically, we didn’t *have* to go to the police station.

The only really important thing is to arrive *very* early to have time to sort everything out. If you show up at customs or boarding without having prepared anything beforehand, you’ll obviously get turned away.

If this story reassured or helped you, feel free to leave a comment so this forum gets more visibility on Google and ranks better. I wish I’d read this last night so I could’ve had a good night’s sleep. This morning, my alarm went off at 4:00 AM, and unlike usual, I had a really hard time waking up—like I was heading to prison.

That’s it. Nico and Solène, 40 years old.

Hey, if during your trip Solène tells you “nothing’s gonna happen,” are you still gonna believe her, or will you finally stick to the basics? Like, a car isn’t an apartment, you know? 🤪

hi, you must really struggle daily living in a region you don’t like, where the locals reflect the disdain they read on your face back at you.

I was talking about investors who see a huge opportunity here, just like those who, over 30 years ago, bought land in northern Europe to plant vineyards and produce the future great wines we’ll have less and less of in France due to climate change. The drinking habits of the three local boozers weren’t the point of this post. Nor were those who criticize this beautiful region, which has a bright future—especially with rising temperatures making bookings drop in the south and tourism increase in Brittany and the North every year.

hi there, I recently saw on the show "Le Monde de Jamy" about climate change. People have started planting vineyards in Brittany to produce wine because other wine-growing regions in France are beginning to have issues with the changing climate. Brittany is becoming an asset in this sector, not to mention the tourism that surges when heatwaves hit the south and southwest.

And that intense feeling of decline.

Hi, what’s in decline? Brittany?

with its poor palette of greys and greens

Really? Because Belarus has richer colors? The landscapes in Eastern Europe are pretty much the same—what’s different are the types of pine trees. You have a very dramatic view of things.

France is doing just fine; it’s @tetras who’s not

No, Agnès. The link you shared refers to a movement of about 200,000 people at the very start of the war in Ukraine—there was a context to it. At that time, there were indeed Russians and Belarusians in some countries. I saw it myself in Georgia and Kazakhstan. That’s over now; the vast majority have returned home. Over a significant period, there are fewer people leaving Belarus than France—I know, it’s tempting to think the opposite. But it’s not true, and I’m not making any judgment about it. Just the facts.

But none of this really has much to do with travel return impressions anymore, so let whoever wants to dig deeper do so.

Michel

good evening, you’re forgetting to mention how many French people who left to chase El Dorado come back disillusioned 🤪

And all that for a flight to Spain, which isn’t the hardest to find....

Here’s the recap: he wants to wait until the last minute hoping the price drops Between Christmas and New Year’s, he’s really pushing it and risks paying a lot (trying to find the cheapest during the holidays) 🤪 He doesn’t want Ryanair 🤪 He stopped responding even though we were about to find him something cheaper than his simulation if he gave us more info 🤪 At my place, we use kayaks to go down rivers 🤪 We’re "useless" (in his words) 🤪 Good luck with his search and happy travels!!!

Thanks, I’ll do that!

Hi, unless you’re short on time. The bus is a great option to meet locals because on planes, no one talks to each other 😜 The bus also lets you see the scenery along the way through the windows, plus a few stops to enjoy the country you’re passing through—its food and all...