Posts by VoyageForum

The last travel journal about Turkmenistan was from 2019. So here’s a quick update on this vast desert country, which is now a bit easier to visit than before. In 5 days, I saw 2 Hongkongers, a few Germans, and a Chilean at the crater, 10 Chinese people in a capital bazaar, and that’s it!

After visiting Hungary, Slovenia, Romania, and Poland in recent years, I’ve fallen in love with Eastern European countries. I adore the Slavic soul, its Austro-Hungarian villages, the gentle landscapes, the Carpathian mountains, and that slightly mysterious atmosphere. Slovakia evokes a certain imagination with its deep forests, medieval castles, and cobbled villages.

I’d already spent 3 days in Tokyo a few years ago on a business trip, which left me with a great impression. Y, my Thai partner, had never been there. That’s why we opted for a pretty classic itinerary, including a few castles and Kyoto among other things.

In the summer of 2026, we packed our backpacks again to wander around Jotunheimen National Park in Norway. We hadn’t heard of this park just a few months earlier—we discovered it by following threads online. Described as the most mountainous in the country, it really appealed to us after scrapping our initial plan further north.

When talking about the Caribbean island of Saint-Martin, it’s customary to praise its coastline and dreamy beaches—they truly deserve it. But in this story, I’d like to highlight other memories, aspects, and impressions for a slightly different kind of change of scenery.

My first trip to Morocco was in the early 90s. Four more followed... I had never been further north than Casablanca, Volubilis, or Fez—it was time to fix that oversight!

In the end, we wanted to go to Flores for its lush nature (and also because it’s reputed to be the most breathtaking), to São Jorge for its natural/rural vibe, and to Terceira for its cultural side and its *impérios*.

Oh right, if you're heading to Gyeongju, you can cut back on the hanok-focused visits in Seoul to explore other sides of the city.

It seems to be working again on our end—is it back up for you too?

Question: Are you only visiting Seoul in Korea? Because there are hanok villages in Andong, at the foot of Jirisan, Gyeongju, and Gwangju (for more off-the-beaten-path spots). Otherwise, you’ve got the social media favorites: Gyeongju and Jeonju.

Bukchon is a completely renovated district. Of course, the whole area is beautiful with the view of Namsan, but these are hanoks straight out of a decorating magazine (most have floors, which doesn’t exist in traditional architecture), and the big problem is that in May, it’s going to be swarmed with groups and influencers with their tripods. Instead, head toward Samcheong-dong (it’s down the hill toward Gyeongbokgung Palace) to find fewer people. In Seochon, the hanoks are more authentic. You’ll need to wander deeper into the alleys to find them. On Naver Map, zoom in on Pil-dong—there’s an old writer’s hanok open to the public.

Another place to see them: follow the west wall of Changdeokgung Palace, go up the street (you *have* to go up it) where the ticket booths for the palace are, and at the very end, there’s a small neighborhood with hanoks, including one belonging to a painter and the Royal Korean Culinary Academy.

In these central districts, I highly recommend exploring the hidden alleys—don’t stick to the main streets.

Hi there,

It’s pretty packed! Maybe you’re trying to see too much. For example, if you really want to explore Seochon’s narrow alleys and hanoks, you’ll need at least 2 hours.

Anyway, just saying it might feel a bit rushed, and you might not get to enjoy it fully.

Hello, The grand halls of the Glaoui Palace in Telouet have been restored.

Hello,

An "indestructible" animal? That doesn’t exist. The animal will need rest and not to have you on its back all the time; otherwise, its spine will indeed be severely damaged, and that’ll be the end of it. Plus, it’s impossible to assess whether an animal can support at least 80 kg just from a photo. You’ll need to adapt your plans to the animal, not the other way around.

For your information, Voyajou's message and photos were removed at their request as they were not related to Thailand.

Dreaming of exploring Argentina? For a departure on January 17, 2027, the specialist AmériGo still has 3 spots available on its guided tour "Land of Contrasts," with an exclusive 200 € discount per person reserved for VoyageForum readers.

Dreaming of discovering Argentina? For a departure on January 17, 2027, the specialist AmériGo still has 3 spots left on its guided tour "Land of Contrasts," with an exclusive discount of 200 € per person reserved for VoyageForum readers.

In 14 days, this small-group trip lets you explore radically different landscapes, from the glaciers of Patagonia to the Iguazú Falls, passing through the mountains of northwestern Argentina and Buenos Aires.

From Tierra del Fuego to the glaciers of Patagonia The tour starts in Ushuaia, at the southern tip of the American continent. On the agenda: exploring Tierra del Fuego National Park and sailing on the Beagle Channel, between mountains, islets teeming with birds, and sea lions. Next up is El Calafate to discover one of Argentina’s most impressive natural sites: the Perito Moreno Glacier. The trip also includes a boat ride on Lake Argentino to admire other glaciers, as well as an evening at a traditional Patagonian *estancia*, complete with a grilled lamb *asado*.

From Iguazú Falls to the colorful mountains of Salta A dramatic change of scenery in Iguazú, where the tropical forest is home to nearly 275 waterfalls. The itinerary lets you see the falls from both the Argentine and Brazilian sides, offering two complementary views of this incredible natural site. Further west, in the Salta region, the landscapes turn Andean. Travelers cross the Quebrada de las Conchas and its reddish rock formations, discover the Seven Colors Mountain in Purmamarca, and visit the vineyards of Cafayate, with a tasting of local wines. The trip wraps up in Buenos Aires, with a tour of its iconic neighborhoods, from La Boca to San Telmo, and an evening dedicated to tango.

A guided small-group tour

This 14-day, 12-night tour is limited to a maximum of 16 participants. It’s perfect for travelers who want to explore several key regions of Argentina in one trip without having to organize all the necessary travel themselves. The package includes international and domestic flights, accommodations, local transportation, scheduled visits, and many meals. AmériGo, a specialist in Latin America for over 20 years, handles the trip’s organization and all the tour stages.

3 last spots and a 200 € discount for VoyageForum readers

The next departure is set for January 17, 2027, right in the middle of the southern summer. There are currently only 3 spots left for this tour, priced at 7,295 € per person. For this occasion, AmériGo is offering a 200 € discount per person to VoyageForum readers, valid until October 17, 2027. To take advantage of it:

Check out the program on AmériGo’s website. Click on "Book." Enter the code in the "Advantage Code" field.

Discover the tour and take advantage of the offer for VoyageForum readers →

Offer valid until October 17, 2026, for the January 17, 2027 departure, subject to availability and AmériGo’s terms. Article created in partnership with AmériGo.

Oh, reading you, I thought you were planning a trip to Morocco... but apparently, you're selling eSIMs...

Hi there,

For me, it was Maroc Telecom that worked everywhere, whether in the Atlas Mountains or in the Erg Chegaga.

Having your own car to escape for a weekend in Marseille offers unbeatable freedom. You can already picture driving along the magnificent Corniche Kennedy, admiring the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, or enjoying a wild getaway to the Calanques. However, Marseille’s traffic and its reputation for traffic jams might make visitors think twice.