Results for "métro"

Il y a plein de personnes de "bonne volonté" qui souhaitent partir.... et si pour une fois quelqu'un qui est de retour nous racontait son expérience ? Peut être c'est moi qui a raté un épisode (...). Peut être on écrit plus avant, pas du tout pendant (le TDM) et après .... Comment s'adapter à la vie métropolitaine ? Qui peut me le dire ?

Hi there, The day before boarding the Costa Favolosa for the Norwegian Fjords cruise departing from Hamburg, I'd like to book a hotel. Which one would be the most convenient location-wise relative to the port? Thanks in advance for your reply.

Hi there, I’m heading to Setúbal at the end of June with my granddaughter, and I can’t seem to find clear info on the best way to get from Lisbon Airport to Setúbal. It looks like there’s a train or bus, but I can’t find the exact names of the bus (or train) companies or the precise departure points. Thanks if anyone can help me out! 😉 Just to clarify, I’m on a tight budget and have already ruled out taxis or similar options.

Hi there,

I’m starting to look at neighborhoods in Seoul, and I’m leaning toward staying in a hotel in Insa-Dong—I’ve spotted one really close to Unhyeongung. Is this a good area—nice and convenient for exploring the city?

Otherwise, I’ve also found another hotel in Yongsan-Gu, right near the station of the same name. Is that station useful for getting around Seoul?

Since I’ll be in South Korea for nearly two months, I plan to spend at least a week in Seoul to recover from jet lag (it takes me a while to adjust...). So, I’d love a neighborhood that’s pleasant and a hotel not too far from a subway station.

Thanks in advance!

Hi there, We’re planning a trip for October to visit Naples (6 nights) and the Amalfi Coast (5 nights). We’ve already got the historic center and the Lapis Museum in Naples, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Procida, Sorrento, and Ravello on our list. Any suggestions, addresses, or tips? Thanks for your help.

Hey fellow travelers,

I’m spending two weeks studying Hindi in the mornings in Delhi, in the Hauz Khas neighborhood. What spots should I check out in this area? Any cafés to chill at? How do I get to other parts of Delhi? By rickshaw? Is it easy to negotiate the price upfront?

Thanks in advance. 😊 Marlène

Hi there, We’re heading to Saint Petersburg from June 30 to July 7, 2026, and we’ll be arriving late (9 PM) at our hotel on June 30. Unfortunately, the hotel can’t pick us up from the train station. Is it easy to get a taxi at Saint Petersburg coach station? Thanks for your help!

Hi, Which neighborhood should I choose in Cairo? From what I understand, Giza is close to the pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, but there isn’t much else to do in the evening. Zamalek seems pretty quiet with plenty of restaurants. Basically, I’m looking for a calm neighborhood (if that exists!) where I can stroll around safely and grab a bite to eat in the evening. Thanks in advance.

Hi everyone, Who might have a good apartment address for two people in Porto: arriving on 5/8, leaving on 5/10 Lisbon: arriving on 5/14, leaving on 5/17 Well-located/walkable in both cities With kitchen facilities 1 bedroom for 2 people with private bathroom Thanks in advance

Hi everyone! So happy to be back on this forum—it’s packed with such useful info! 🙂 My husband and I are planning a 2.5-week self-drive trip to Colombia at the end of the year, including some domestic flights. My first question is: is it possible, easy, and safe to do a road trip in Colombia?

Below is our draft itinerary (with questions at each stop):

29/11: France → Colombia. Overnight in Bogotá. 30/11: Exploring Bogotá: La Candelaria and Montserrate. 01/12: Gold Museum (closed on Mondays). Drive to Zipaquirá (1.5 hrs) to visit the Salt Cathedral. Then drive to Villa de Leyva (3 hrs). Explore the town. Overnight in Villa de Leyva. 02/12: Return to Bogotá via Laguna de Guatavita (5 hrs). Is it worth the detour? Overnight in Bogotá. 03/12: Flight to Pereira. Drive to Salento. Overnight in Salento. 04/12: Cocora Valley (hike among the wax palms) followed by a drive around the area. Are there any waterfalls or other sights nearby? 05/12: Visit a coffee finca—any recommendations? Then explore the surroundings: Filandia, Manizales, waterfalls? Hot springs? Which ones? 06/12: Flight to Medellín. 07/12: Exploring Medellín: Centro, Plaza Botero, Comuna 13. How do you visit Comuna 13? Is it easy to get around Medellín? Metro? Buses? 08/12: Drive to Guatapé (2 hrs). Visit the town, stroll around the lake, then El Peñol. Overnight in Guatapé. 09/12: Return to Medellín. 10/12: Flight to Santa Marta. Drive to a hotel near Tayrona Park. 11/12: Tayrona—El Zaino entrance. 12/12: Tayrona—Palangana entrance, then Bahia Concha and Santa Marta. What do you think? 13/12: Drive to Minca (45 mins). Can we reach the village by car? Pozo Azul and Marinka waterfalls. Overnight in Minca (or back in Tayrona?). 14/12: Drive to Puerto Nao (5 hrs). Stop in Ciénaga on the way + boat tour in Nueva Venecia and/or Buena Vista? Not enough time? Overnight in Puerto Nao. 15/12: Exploring Cartagena: Centro, Getsemaní, the walls + La Boquilla if we have time. 16/12: La Boquilla (is it really worth it?) if we didn’t have time yesterday, then back to the beach. 17/12: Return to France.

So, what do you think? Is this doable, or should we tweak it? Thanks in advance for your invaluable feedback and tips! 🙂

Hi there, it’s been a long time since I last went to London. I’d love to spend a week there in July with my daughter and my niece (both young adults).

Of course, I’m looking for great tips on accommodation, and I’m wondering about renting an apartment. It seems like a better deal to save on restaurants (with the option of having a few meals at home... but is that really the case? I’m not sure about the cost of a meal in a modest restaurant, the pound exchange rate, or grocery prices...). Otherwise, I’d like to stay in accommodation (hotel or apartment) near a tube station and in Zone 1.

If you have any great tips, I’d love to hear them!

Thanks,

Marsyork

IMPORTANT NOTICE for those planning to take a bus to another city, state, or destination from Salvador!

Starting January 20, 2026, the intercity bus station Rodoviária is changing its address! The Rodoviária is leaving the Iguatemi area and will now be located in ÁGUAS CLARAS (about twenty kilometers from downtown Salvador).

A brand-new station (the most modern in Brazil) has just been set up there, accessible by car/taxi/Uber/metro. Allow for much more transfer time (especially during rush hours), so leave early if you're heading to Chapada Diamantina or other Brazilian cities by bus.

Remember, there are also private transfers (even French-speaking ones) that can take you directly from your hotel in Salvador to your hotel in Chapada. Sure, it’ll be more expensive, but you’ll save on transfer time and comfort.

Tropical greetings from Salvador,

@ivanbahiaguide

Loyal member of the French-Speaking Brazil Forums for over 15 years already 😊 🇧🇷

Hi everyone! I’m planning a week-long family trip to NYC in October 2026. The focus is on museums and soaking up the New York vibe. I’ve been checking Airbnb, but the prices in Manhattan are through the roof. Since I don’t know NYC well, is it "wise" to look outside Manhattan? Any neighborhoods you’d recommend?

Hi there, We’re a family of 4 with two boys aged 12 and 10 traveling to Egypt in February. We’re spending 3 days in Cairo to take our time exploring the city and the sites before heading south.

-Is it necessary to have a guide to visit the GEM? Are audio guides available? -Do you have any contacts for drivers to organize a few transfers (Giza, Saqqara, Airport)? -Do you know a French-speaking guide who’s friendly, family-friendly, and good at making things exciting, with reasonable prices?

Marie

Hi there,

We’re planning a 12-day trip to Greece next February.

It’s our first time, so we’ll be hitting the "Must-Sees"—that should keep us busy enough! 😎

The itinerary isn’t set in stone yet, but we’re already wondering if it’s doable or just crazy, if some stops are essential or a waste of time...

Here’s the plan: Day 1-2-3: Athens (we arrive midday on Day 1) Day 4: Southern Athens (Temple of Neptune) then overnight in Corinth (we’re renting a car from the airport) Day 5-6-7: Western/Southern Peloponnese (one or two places to stay, and the iconic spots: Acrocorinth, Cargo, Mycenae, Sanctuary of Epidaurus, Nafplio, Nemea...) Day 8: Transit to Delphi via Olympia Day 9-10: Delphi, Monastery of Osios Loukas... Day 11: Return to Athens via Thermopylae We were wondering if it’s feasible to add the Meteora monasteries? And Mount Olympus, just for fun?

For accommodations, do you have any recommendations for Athens? Peloponnese? Delphi? In Athens, I think it’s best to stay near the metro line that connects to the airport. But which neighborhood is good? It’s hard to navigate such a big city...

Two more questions: - Is Piraeus worth a visit? - We know February is a quieter time than peak tourist season, and that’s what we like. But there must be consequences—do all sites/museums close by 5 PM (except in Athens, maybe)? What do you do in the evenings once it’s dark?

Thanks in advance for your tips and advice!

Hi everyone! I’m Tina, and I’ve organized French group trips to China for over 10 years. Over the years, I’ve noticed that the language barrier is the biggest stress for travelers—especially when ordering food, asking for directions, or negotiating in markets! Today, I want to share 5 essential Chinese phrases I’ve taught my travelers—they’re simple, easy to pronounce, and work in 90% of travel situations:

你好 (Nǐ hǎo) = Hello → Polite and useful with everyone (locals, drivers, vendors). 谢谢 (Xiè xie) = Thank you → Chinese people really appreciate this politeness—it makes communication smoother. 多少钱 (Duō shǎo qián) = How much does it cost → Essential for local markets or small shops (menus in French are rare!). 请问，地铁站在哪？ (Qǐng wèn, dì tiě zhàn zài nǎ lǐ?) = Excuse me, where is the subway station? → Swap “subway station” for “hotel” or “restaurant”—it works! 我要这个 (Wǒ yào zhè ge) = I want this → Point at the item and say this phrase—no more misunderstandings!

Bonus tip: Pinyin (the Chinese phonetic alphabet) is super helpful for reading street signs or menus. For example, “Nǐ hǎo” is pronounced “Nee how”—easy to remember!

If you’re planning a trip to China and want more practical phrases or pronunciation tips (to avoid embarrassing mistakes), feel free to send me a private message. I’ve put together a little traveler-friendly guide that I’m happy to share with anyone who wants to prepare stress-free. Don’t hesitate to ask your questions in the comments either—if you’re unsure about a specific communication situation (e.g., in a temple, at the train station), I’d be happy to help! Happy planning for your trip to China—it’s going to be amazing!

Hi there,

I’m traveling alone from my remote Pyrenees home to Roissy Airport, arriving at Austerlitz Station. I’m a bit nervous about getting to the airport—could you suggest a route?

While you’re at it, maybe you could recommend a budget hotel near the airport?

Thanks so much for your help!

Best to you all

Hello everyone,

If you'd like, I invite you to join me for a week-long cruise to northern Greece, visiting ports that are often less crowded with cruise ships.

Itinerary: Athens, Skiathos, Volos, Thessaloniki, Kavala, Limnos, Hydra, Athens

Hi everyone, as a regular in the "bike travel" section, I’m reaching out for some info since I’m planning to come to Montreal at the end of September 2026 for the Road Cycling World Championships. If I get the time off and manage to gather the details, I’ll arrive on Wednesday the 23rd and leave on Tuesday the 29th. Traveling solo with just my backpack, I need answers to: 1°) Do you know of any youth hostels (or similar) within walking distance (less than 3 km) of the finish circuit on Mount Royal? 2°) What’s the best way to get to this accommodation from the airport—metro, bus, etc.?

I’m just starting my research and counting on you all for any tips. My goal is to watch the road races and explore Montreal afterward—restaurants, bars, and more.

Looking forward to your replies, cheers.

Hi there, We're heading to Thailand at the end of February, and after landing in Bangkok, we need to catch the overnight train to Chiang Mai. Could you tell us how to make the transfer? Thanks

Hi everyone, We’re a group of 6 and we’ll be staying near the pyramids in Giza in February. I’m looking for a driver who could pick us up at our hotel to head into downtown Cairo so we can visit different places all day and then bring us back to our hotel. I haven’t found any recent guide names or contacts—thanks for your help!

Hi everyone, I’d like to know if the distance between Miami Airport and the Miami cruise embarkation port is far, and what transfer options are available. If I need to arrive a day early, are there any budget-friendly hotels near the port or the airport? Thanks in advance for all your tips! Cloclo

Hi there,

I’m planning a trip to Argentina where I’ll be arriving at Buenos Aires EZE airport. I’ve seen that there are buses to the city center, but you need a card to board them. Does anyone know the name of the card, and if so, where can I buy it? Thanks, and have a great day!

hi

we’ve got a 16-hour layover at Shanghai Airport in March 2026—is it easy to leave and come back? Do we still need a visa? Or do we have to return to clear customs? Do we need to buy another ticket? Thanks for your help

Hello everyone,

I’m a bit late planning, but we’re traveling as a family from October 26 to October 31, 2025, to Athens. After that, we’ll continue our journey from the port of Piraeus for a cruise with Celestyal Cruises (November 1 to November 8) in the Cyclades.

First, a few practical tips:

Is it easy to get by speaking French in Athens, or is English a must? Any tips for making yourself understood? Our hotel is located in central Athens. What do you recommend taking from the airport? A taxi, the metro, or the bus?

For sightseeing: We’ll be there for 5 days. What do you recommend? Should we book tickets for the monuments in advance or on-site? I’ve heard about a pass for visiting 5 monuments. What does it include? Do you have to visit all the monuments on the same day, or can you spread it out over the week? On some websites, it mentions that Tuesday, October 28, would be a free day for monuments. Can anyone confirm this, and what are the rules to benefit from it? Thanks in advance to anyone who can help!

Hi there!

I’m heading to Hanoi next week and we’ve got a 16-hour layover in Shanghai. Is it worth leaving the airport? We’re Belgian, so no visa required.

Thanks! !

Four days of beach relaxation in this truly curious place let me unwind 15 years ago after trekking through Asia or Africa: swimming in clear, clean water and easing jet lag was my goal; seeing that mirage in the middle of the desert also piqued my curiosity... And then Dubai developed, and now I go there once a year for 15 days without ever getting bored!! My backpacker budget doesn’t stop me from enjoying what I love about travel: discovering cultures, architecture, and beaches with turquoise waters.

I’m sharing my favorite spots here for those who love simplicity and the thrill of being amazed! Dubai stretches over 50 km long. I stay in the historic Bur Dubai neighborhood, which is very "Indian" and separated from Deira (the more "Arab/African" district) by a creek.

You cross from one side to the other on abras, small traditional wooden boats that run all day. My hotel is 4 minutes from the Al Ghubaiba bus station, 5 minutes from the Al Ghubaiba metro, and 6 minutes from the Al Ghubaiba boat station!!! It’s easy to get around from here, and at night, it’s lively—safe to go out, with few tourists but mostly the local middle class who built (and are still building) Dubai. It’s simple and very international.

- **Transport:** ...**Getting there:** I fly with Emirates from Paris. Taking the 9:30 PM flight, I sleep on the plane, land at 6:35 AM, exchange 200 euros once I’ve picked up my luggage, change in the restroom, grab a taxi to the hotel, drop off my suitcase, and head straight to the beach! ...**On the ground:** I buy a silver NOL card, which works for buses, metro, and boats. I top it up as needed—it’s valid for 2 years. ...**Taxis:** They have reliable meters. Pink ones are driven by women. Airport-to-hotel fare: 12 €. You’ll find them everywhere, and they don’t complain about short trips. Between 3 PM and 4 PM, it’s trickier because of shift changes.

- **Best times to visit:** For me, it’s April-May and October-November: not too hot for walking but warm enough to swim! Watch out for air conditioning—your worst enemy. It’s everywhere, even at bus stops. Bring a big scarf or sarong to cover your throat and head—going from 32°C to 16°C when you enter a mall, bus, or taxi is pretty harsh!

- **Hotel:** I stay at the Grand Astoria (Fahidi Street) because the value for price and location is great. It’s very clean, and I skip breakfast because near the bus station, there’s a big Carrefour hypermarket where I buy breakfast supplies, water, camel milk, and picnic snacks. There are two nightclubs downstairs—bring earplugs if you want to sleep before 2 AM. Wi-Fi is spotty; you have to change the password every two days. The staff is lovely. Rooms have a TV (4 Indian channels + BBC), a kettle with tea/coffee sachets, and a mini-fridge you fill yourself.

- **Bur Dubai: "My neighborhood"** In the morning, you can see kids in uniforms waiting for the school bus with their parents—second-generation migrants who’ve settled here. They speak English, Arabic, and their mother tongue, have great education, and are in high demand (I see job ads in the local newspapers in the hotel lobby). From the U.S. to the Middle East, Singapore to South Africa, they have bright futures. In the evenings, families stroll along the creek, and it’s common for bench neighbors to ask where you’re from. The whole world crosses paths here. Even with basic English, it’s friendly and warm—the "take care" as people go their separate ways is a nice touch.

Bur Dubai has plenty to explore if you don’t feel like going far: along the creek, there’s a cluster of reconstructed houses forming the Al Shindagha Museum. One ticket lets you visit all the houses, each with a theme tied to the history of the seven emirates (Dubai is one). It takes a full day, but if you stop for lunch, there are tons of restaurants for all budgets, some right by the water.

Walking in the opposite direction, you reach Al Seef, a reconstruction of old Dubai as a small pearl-fishing port. The architecture is lovely, with souvenir shops. My favorite is the Iranian grocery store, where you’ll find camel milk chocolate, black lemon, and sweets with rose, pistachio, and candied apricot. It’s peaceful to walk around here, even as a solo woman. There are free restrooms everywhere, wooden or stone benches, and a nice breeze in the evening. Plenty of waterfront restaurants or places to grab a drink, plus a few towers across the way—nothing spectacular, but they’re prettily lit. There’s a souk with souvenir shops for those who like that!

- **Restaurants:** Bur Dubai has restaurants representing regions of India and the Indian subcontinent. My favorites: Across from the hotel, Paklyari—a Pakistani spot with excellent mutton biryani for 5 €. At Al Seef, Nablus has a great setting by the water. Across in Deira, the Italian restaurant on the 18th floor of the Rotana—go half an hour before sunset for an amazing view of the creek and skyline. The truffle pizza is 24 €. You can take a taxi from Bur, and after dinner, get dropped off at Al Seef to walk back along the creek. For a great thali, Kathhiyawadi is a 10-minute walk from Burjuman metro. My latest discovery: Bordomavi (near the Rashid Al Hadees Masjid 1 bus stop). One of the servers is Algerian and speaks French. You can swim at the small beach with showers/toilets, then have lunch at the restaurant (57 € for two, with starter, main, dessert, and drinks). The setting is peaceful, in a little fishing port with a cool photo op—traditional boats with the modern skyline in the background!

- **Sunset drinks:** The terrace at Concorde Creek View (Bur Dubai) has a creek view, and Canopy by Hilton (Al Seef) overlooks the creek and skyline. You can get a day pass for the pool, including meals and drinks.

- **Lassi:** Near the hotel, SreeRaj Lassi Bar has great ice cream and lassi. *Tip: Everything is takeout-friendly, including leftovers—great for a picnic the next day.

- **Market:** Don’t miss the Waterfront Market—a huge hall where locals buy fish, meat, fruits, and vegetables from all over the world. I love buying fish, shrimp, and cuttlefish, then having it prepared at Yahya’s waterfront restaurant (grilled, in sauce, fried, etc.) with salad, hummus, tabbouleh, and rice. It’s on the way between "my" beach and the hotel, so I stop by easily. I stock up on fruit, and at the Lulu supermarket upstairs, I grab yogurt, water, etc. No need to carry everything—a taxi (available at the main exit) will drop me right at the hotel!

- **Beach:** My favorite: Al Mamzar Park (15-minute taxi ride, 9 €). It has four lifeguarded beaches with showers and restrooms. Opens at 8 AM, but note: Mondays and Wednesdays are for women and young children only! Entry is 1.50 €. On Beach #2, you can rent sun loungers and umbrellas. Beach #3 (the prettiest) has stone tables with benches under big umbrellas—free! I arrive at 8 AM, set up, and walk for an hour along the water, spotting starfish, colorful fish, birds, and occasionally small jellyfish. From bikinis to burkinis, everyone swims as they like! Dubai is judgment-free—no side-eye, just smiles and greetings. I love seeing joyful, full-figured women on women-only days, playing darbuka and singing. Indian women do yoga (even headstands!), Chinese women practice tai chi... I read a lot and swim far out to the buoy limits. Lifeguards keep watch. It’s safe on land too. Once, a 4x4 driver gave me a dirty look for "serving whisky" to my mom from a plastic bottle—until I made him smell it. It was mint tea! Embarrassed, he immediately called his brother, a gym teacher in Poitiers, to apologize in French! People in Dubai are smiley, polite, and very respectful of elders. On weekends, the park is packed with groups and families barbecuing—joyful chaos in every language!

By 1:30 PM, depending on my mood, I’ll get dropped off at the Waterfront Market for fish or a thali restaurant. Sometimes I take the bus—it stops near the abras on the Deira side. Just cross by boat, then it’s a 3-minute walk to the hotel. Takes 45 minutes (vs. 15 by taxi).

For a treat, try Kite Beach (Abu Manara Masjid bus stop). The SoleMio section offers comfy sun loungers, fluffy towels, and umbrellas for 80 € for two in the front row. Go early—you’ll feel like you have the place to yourself, with the Burj Al Arab in the background. It gets busy on weekends.

From there, you can take a taxi to Dubai Mall (not far) to check out the dancing fountains at sunset, for example.

You can also buy day passes at some hotels with sun loungers, towels, pool access, and lunch credit. I tried the Ritz-Carlton—decent (170 € for two, including meals). Lunch was fine, and the view of the lit-up towers at sunset, with the giant wheel, was stunning. I took the metro back in the evening.

There are plenty of free beaches too, like La Mer—worth seeing more for the decor than the beach itself.

- **Even though my main "sightseeing" involves walking around with my head up, admiring the towers in DIFC (amazing), visiting the stunning Mohammed bin Rashid Library (near Creek metro), wandering the souks (including Little India in Bur and the Iranian mosque), or the spice souks in Deira (go early when it’s quiet),** A day trip to Abu Dhabi is worth it. Take the Bur Dubai-Abu Dhabi bus (pay with your NOL card). If you leave early, you’ll see the sunrise over the desert. At the station, buy a bus ticket to the Louvre, cross the footbridge over the highway, and wait for the bus. After the museum, take a taxi to the Grand Mosque, then another taxi back to the bus station. A full but doable day—no need to stay overnight!

In the evening, I love taking the metro (mostly above ground) and passing between the towering, lit-up skyscrapers—it feels like a sci-fi movie. Just missing flying taxis (they’re in the works!)

Sharjah, the closest emirate, has a fantastic Orientalist museum. From Bur Dubai’s maritime station, boats go to Sharjah in 30 minutes, near the aquarium and maritime museum.

- **Shopping:** I buy Indian chai tea spices, incense, camel milk chocolate, Iranian sweets, and fabric from Indian shops selling saris and fabric by the meter. I have a tailor make shirts, tunics, etc. Some shops sell buttons and trimmings to jazz things up.

- **Malls:** To attract customers, mall owners come up with wild ideas: a ski slope at Dubai Mall (worth seeing once), pretty wooden souks at Madinat, and a giant aquarium at Dubai Mall. At sunset, you can watch the dancing fountains to popular global tunes at the foot of the world’s tallest tower. At its base, there’s an excellent Iraqi restaurant, Samad Al Iraki, where the tea server is Tunisian and speaks French! The Ibn Battuta Mall is unique—you can go there straight from Abu Dhabi by bus, for example. Malls have plenty of dining options and are a place to (finally) see locals... though they’re not that interesting. Malls are served by the metro, while buses run along the coast. In Burjuman Mall, there’s a cybercafé on the ground floor where you can print.

A few helpful sites: Visit Dubai - Official Tourism Site RTA (Roads and Transport Authority) - RTA Services

"But what do *you* do in Dubai?" my friends ask, surprised... Yes, I love traveling to countries where I ride on bumpy roads in buses that break down, sleep in places with mosquitoes and cockroaches, and swelter in heat and humidity. But even far from that kind of travel, Dubai has an exotic charm. There’s something for every taste and budget—once you get past the flight ticket (around 680 €, probably cheaper with a layover). Dubai is about relaxing, swimming, being amazed, chatting, and tasting... A safe, clean vacation with no rudeness, and as a woman, it’s a relief to let your guard down. You come back refreshed and at peace!

Hope my experience helps... Next trip: March 2026, with plans to visit the Guggenheim in Abu Dhabi and whatever other curiosities pop up like magic...

Feel free to add to my experience with your own! Happy travels, Laurence

Hi there,

Assuming our flight takes off, we’re leaving on September 10th... On the 30th, we need to go to Valparaiso by bus—round trip in one day. I tried booking tickets on either Turbus or Pullman from the Alameda station, but neither site lets us enter our nationality because it’s not listed in the dropdown. Is it really necessary to book the bus tickets online, or can we just grab them the morning of—or even 48 hours ahead at the station? Thanks! Odile

Hi, I just read the various discussions about the photo tax that’s being asked for in Uzbekistan, but that info is from 2016/2017. I’m leaving next week for Tashkent/Samarkand/Bukhara/Khiva, and I’ve been told a 50 USD tax is required for photos. I really get the feeling this is a "forced sale" and an exorbitant amount. Have any of you paid this tax recently? Thanks