Results for "Mardin+|+123+>+233"

Hi everyone,

My partner and I are heading to Thailand for three weeks (exactly 21 days there) at the beginning of July for our first trip to Asia. During this trip, we want to discover a new culture, beautiful landscapes, eat well, do some beach time (with snorkeling), all while trying to keep it authentic and close to nature.

After some research, I’ve come up with this itinerary—what do you think?

Arrival in Bangkok on Tuesday, July 7 in the morning = 2 days Ayutthaya = 1 day Travel to Chiang Mai = 1 day (flight) Chiang Mai = 2 days Trek = 2 days Travel to Khao Sok = 1 day (flight to Surat Thani + bus) Khao Sok = 3 days (4 nights total) = For this part of the trip, would you recommend staying in Khao Sok village and doing day trips, or planning an overnight stay on the lake? Travel to Koh Phangan = 1 day (bus + ferry) Koh Phangan = 4 days (we’re thinking of staying in the northeast part of the island) Koh Tao = 2 days Return to Bangkok = 1 day (taking a ferry to Chumphon then a flight) Bangkok = 1 day

Thanks for your feedback!

Hi everyone again 🙂

I was thinking of continuing the questions from my first post, but since the title was changed... I’m starting a new thread

The plane should land on Saturday around 11 AM. After collecting luggage and the car, I think we’ll leave the airport between 1 and 2 PM. Question #1: Where should we stop along the way, allowing some buffer time so we don’t end up driving at night if the flight is delayed? (The idea isn’t to sightsee but just to take a break while making progress toward Kruger.)

We’ll spend part of Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (a little over 4 days) in Kruger. Questions #2 and beyond: What route should we take? I’ve considered two options: either enter from the south (Malelane Gate?) and head north up to the Olifants area to exit at Orpen Gate. How many accommodations should we book in this case, and where? Or enter at Orpen Gate and exit near Hazyview (or the other way around, and near Hazyview, should it be Paul Kruger Gate or Phabeni?). In this case, it would allow us to spend 2 nights in one place and 2 in another, but we’d skip the south (or is it possible to visit it in a day?) Well, for accommodations (accessible by sedan), all suggestions are welcome… but I’ve checked October availability, and there aren’t many left 😕 I plan to spend Thursday in the park and exit before it closes to sleep outside, which would save time the next day for the drive to the airport. I was thinking of Hazyview (again, no sightseeing since we already visited the area in 2009), but do you have another/better idea?

For clarity, here’s a summary of the Kruger part: Day 1: Arrival in Johannesburg and drive to ? Day 2: Enter Kruger (likely late morning or early afternoon) Days 3, 4, and 5: Kruger with exit at the end of Day 5 Day 6: Drive to the airport for the Cape Town and surrounds portion

Regarding Kruger bookings, it seems (I lost my old notes when my hard drive crashed—I backed up work documents but not vacation ones, what a mess!) that you can monitor reservations, and if a preferred accommodation becomes available, you can book it and cancel the old one. Is that still the case? (And is it easy to do?)

Thanks in advance for your answers. I’m off to reread travel journals about Cape Town and will probably be back with more questions (the accommodation availability issue seems less urgent there, so less of a priority).

Hi there,

We’re a couple traveling with our 2.5-year-old baby. We’re heading to Patagonia in March or April 2026. We don’t have exact dates yet because this will be the start of a long trip around Latin America. We’ll be traveling by public transport, with our backpacks and a baby carrier for support. We’ll take a domestic flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, and the rest will be by bus.

Here’s the itinerary we’ve planned: - Buenos Aires (5 days) - Ushuaia (5 days or more) - El Calafate (3 days) - El Chaltén (5 days) - Los Antiguos + border crossing at Chile Chico - Puerto Río Tranquilo (Chile) (5 days) - Coyhaique (Chile) (3 days) - Chiloé Island (Chile) (10 days) - Puerto Varas (Chile) (3 days) - Bariloche (5 days) - San Martín de los Andes (3 days) - Mendoza (5 days)

After that, we’re thinking of spending a few days in Córdoba, then a month in Salta. We plan to head back down to Santiago (Chile) and then head north along the Chilean side toward Peru.

What do you think of this itinerary (especially the Patagonia part)? Is it doable with a young child just over 2.5 years old? I’d also love to include Esquel and El Bolsón in Argentina, but I’m not sure how to fit them in or if they’re really worth it. The durations are approximate, depending on what there is to do in each place... Do you have any suggestions for improving it or any tips?

We want to do some easy hikes or half-day walks since we won’t be able to carry him all day. That’s why we’ve intentionally left out Torres del Paine National Park (very expensive and not very baby-friendly, I think). Do you know of any hikes that are accessible with a little one?

Thanks in advance! !

Good evening everyone,

So, it’s settled—the first idea (this book about the lush garden of a New York state parsonage, "this garden obsessed with the love this man had for his late wife." Reverend Cheney musically noting all the birdsongs, the water droplets in the watering can, the wind rushing through cloaks at the end of the 19th century) will be the theme.

Garden: A plot of land, usually enclosed, attached or not to a dwelling, planted with useful or ornamental vegetation.

So, private gardens, vegetable patches, herb gardens, botanical gardens, winter gardens with their lush greenhouses, the "hortus conclusus" of cloisters evoking the Garden of Eden, public gardens, and their extension into parks are all welcome. I’m sure I’ve forgotten some...

Photos can be posted until Monday, November 24 at midnight, following the usual rules: one per message, numbered from 1 to 3, with the location of the shot and, if you’d like, a few details.

Voting, where you explicitly assign 3 to 1 points to your top 3 photos, will take place from Tuesday, November 25 at 12:01 AM until Sunday, November 30 at midnight. The results will be announced on December 1.

Your turn! 😉

Catherine

PS: This thread is reserved for contest photos. For all other photos and conversations under the trees by the fountains, it’s here.

Hi everyone,

I’m looking into a trip to Paris around mid-February. I’d love to know more about the temperature (weather) in Paris, museum access (closures or anything else), how easy it is to get around on foot (slippery due to ice?), public transport, etc.

Also, are there any events or activities I absolutely shouldn’t miss? I could adjust my dates based on what you know.

On another note, I’d love to catch a hockey game. Are there any around Paris? I’m happy to watch a few games no matter the level 🏒🥅

FYI, I’m not afraid of the cold since I’m from Quebec 😁😆😆🧑‍🌾

Thanks in advance 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 everyone,

I’m planning a family road trip in the Peloponnese in April, arriving and departing from Athens, with a focus on Greek mythology, beautiful hikes, and a balanced pace (we don’t want to spend our days in the car). Here’s our draft itinerary:

Day 1: Early arrival in Athens – visit Acrocorinth and overnight in Corinth

Days 2 & 3: Drive to Dimitsana – hike in the Lousios Gorge (and maybe a detour to Olympia?), mountain villages

Days 4 & 5: Drive to Areopoli (Mani Peninsula) with a stop in Mystras

Day 6: Kalamata, visit Ancient Messene

Days 7 & 8: Pylos, Voidokilia Beach, Palace of Nestor, Gialova Lagoon

Days 9 & 10: Drive to Nafplio (Epidaurus, Mycenae)

Days 11 & 12: Hydra from the port of Ermioni

Days 12–15: Athens I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Does the pace seem reasonable? Should we adjust any stops (too long or too short)? Any must-see mythological sites or hikes along the way, in addition to what I’ve mentioned? Is Olympia really worth the detour from Dimitsana?

Thanks so much for your valuable advice!

Take a step back, forget your bearings, and momentarily set aside the boxes we use to categorize life: humans on one side, animals on the other. Immerse yourself in that unsettling zone where man, stripped of his humanity, and the beast—capable of emotions and sensitivity—stand face to face. Who is the predator, who is the prey? Where do fear, barbarism, or extreme violence lie, and where do compassion and philosophy reside?

In this book steeped in anthropomorphism, Stéphanie Artarit weaves a cruel plot and pushes the boundaries of darkness without ever wallowing in the grim or sordid.

A story of love and vengeance, of fierce beasts and humans, where the abominable, the unbearable, and the unthinkable are pierced by the candor and fragile luminosity of the heroine, Bambi, around whom (very) dark passions rage.

The action takes place in the Pyrenees in the mid-1970s. A dilapidated, isolated house, the theater of the unthinkable, where a shattered family ignored by social services lives—or survives: a missing father, a helpless mother, two degenerate twins, Sam and Valerien, a violent older brother, Martin, an absolute bastard, a dog... and a young adolescent, Bambi, the precarious pillar of this teetering balance. To escape this hopeless daily life, she regularly finds refuge in a nearby zoo. Caught during yet another sneaky visit, she is taken to the owner of the place, Noel Rivière, who, moved by her misery (and her ethereal, unreal beauty...), hires her as an apprentice.

This could have been the start of a fairy tale, redemption through love, the bastard permanently neutralized... and a breather for the reader.

But no.

The zoo serves as the backdrop for the second part of the story, which introduces new characters... a little girl, Feline, and a chimpanzee, Adam, placed in an isolated enclosure upon arrival because he was aggressive and unable to live among his own kind.

Humans with primitive animality, animals with astonishing humanity... a deranged, fierce, and heartbreaking Jungle Book. A noir novel with fluid, poetic writing.

A breathless read, almost devoured in one go (in two sittings) because it’s impossible to catch your breath before finding out how far the author will push the limits and what fate she has in store for her characters...

You Don’t Eat Cannibals Stéphanie ARTARIT Belfond Noir

Hi there! I’m heading to Nepal on November 3rd and plan to do a trek to Kala Patthar starting on the 7th (about twelve days). I’m a 68-year-old man in good physical shape and I’m looking for someone or an already-formed group up for the adventure. I’ll be accompanied by a porter and possibly a guide, but I think just the porter is necessary. Last year, I did the Mardi Himal trek in the Annapurna range. This one is 2 to 3 times longer. If you’re interested, drop me a message! Thanks

Hi there, 🙂

The point of this contest isn’t to photograph Mathilde or even to frantically click the "report" button on every post in a thread.

It’s to post **road signs**!

Whether they’re official or not...

Funny or serious...

Of all shapes, all colors, in all languages...

The rules are the same as usual—I’ll let you check out the previous contests for reference. 😛

Just a quick reminder:

- Max of 3 photos per person.

- One photo per post (preferably embedded 😉) with a caption and the photo number.

Submissions close on **Monday, September 22, 2025, at 11:59 PM Paris time**.

Voting starts on **Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 11:59 PM** (and not a second before… 😇), Paris time, and ends on **Monday, September 29, 2025, at the same time** (still Paris time).

Results will be posted on **September 30, 2025**, sometime during the day!

Ready, set, snap!



(To discuss, it’s here…)

Hi there, We’ll be staying in Salta in September and plan to take the "Tren a las Nubes." Should we book from France, or will it be possible to buy our tickets on the day of departure? Will the price be different? We’re hesitating between the bus-train option from Salta (long trip) or just taking the train from San Antonio de los Cobres, which would mean renting a car to get there. What do you recommend? Thanks for your great tips!

Hi everyone, Here’s the theme for August... the world’s felines. Yep, wildlife photography! 😺

Forest cat

So, this theme isn’t exactly a "travel invitation," but coming up with a new one is quite a puzzle 😅. During February’s “white” theme discussion, we had pages of cats, so you should be inspired 😸. I won’t be restrictive—wild felines, domestic cats, and even those in zoos (though I’m not a fan) will be accepted. Plus, engravings, paintings, statues, or any other representations of felines fit the theme. The Sphinx is also welcome ;).



Practical details:

Participation: Each VF member can submit up to 3 photos, until Monday, August 25th at 11:59 PM Paris time. Each photo must be posted in a separate message, with its number (1, 2, or 3). Don’t forget to add a little explanation (comment, location, etc.).

Voting: Each VF member can vote for the 3 photos they consider the best, based on their own criteria and the theme.

Voting will take place from Tuesday, August 26th to Saturday, August 30th at 11:59 PM Paris time.

Selected photos will be ranked in order of preference: - 1st photo: 3 points - 2nd photo: 2 points - 3rd photo: 1 point

The winner is the photographer with the most points.

Results will be published on August 31st. In case of a tie, the number of first-place votes will decide. The winner will have the honor of organizing September 2025’s contest.

Photos that have already been nominated (1st, 2nd, or 3rd place) in another contest are not eligible for this one.

This thread is exclusively for contest submissions. Any discussions or comments should be posted here.

Hi everyone,

This month’s contest theme is WOOD. Wood as a plant material—roots, trunks, branches that make up a tree. Dead or alive, splinters and knots. Sawdust too. Firewood, from the woodshed to the hearth. Wood as a crafting material and all the things it can become: from a spoon to a violin, a boat to a stave church, and so much more—way too long to list! 😉

Technical details:

1. Each of you can post up to 3 photos. One photo per message, numbered 1 to 3. Along with the shot, feel free to share a few written details—location, context, anecdote, or photography technique. Photos can be submitted until Tuesday, July 22 at midnight, Milan time.

2. Voting will take place from Wednesday, July 23 at 00:00 until Tuesday, July 29 at midnight. All forum members can vote for their 3 favorite photos, listing the photographer’s name and the photo number in order of preference: 3 points for first place, 2 for second, and 1 for third.

3. Results will be announced on Wednesday, July 30 during the day. In case of a tie, the number of first-place votes will decide. Photos already featured on a podium are not eligible to compete.

The winner will have the special privilege of organizing August’s contest.

This thread is reserved for contest photos. For other wood-themed photos and general discussions, head here.











Alright, your turn! 😛

Catherine

I just got back from Sardinia 2 and wanted to share my little recap with you. It’s a stunning country, and the people are so welcoming. We were lucky to see it at the end of April—I wouldn’t go in July or August because it gets overcrowded and loses its charm!!! SARDINIA 2: 10 days

-Departure from Geneva to Olbia on Friday, 04/12/24 with EasyJet: 1h30 flight -Return from Cagliari to Geneva on Sunday, 04/21/24 with EasyJet: 1h40 flight (Round-trip price: 314 €) -Car rental with Locauto: 250 €, including 51 € for "full" insurance + 87 € (drop-off at a different airport) -Accommodation every night via Booking 13: room + kitchen *OLBIA: Arrival at the airport… wasted time at Locauto because there was only one person at the desk (you can check in online and send the driver’s license and ID, but it was impossible to do!) Headed to our lodging. *COSTA SMERALDA: The part we liked the least… everything feels artificial since the billionaires moved in (Porto Rotondo, Porto Cervo, Baia di Sardinia). We regret not stopping at Golfo Aranci to see its underwater art museum, Mumart. *ARZACHENA and its archaeological park (Tomba dei Giganti: Coddu Ecchju, Li Muri, Nuraghe la Prisgiona) to see in beautiful nature. Coastal road toward Palau (lagoons with lots of birds). *PALAU: Ferries to La Maddalena Island every 15/30 minutes (37 € for 2 people + 1 car). *** La Maddalena is part of an archipelago with 7 large islands and small islets… absolutely stunning… views of Corsica! *** -La Maddalena: A charming little town with narrow streets. -Follow the scenic coastal road that loops around the island for 21 km (gorgeous). -On the east side of the island, take a 600m bridge to Caprera Island (lots of great hiking trails). -Lots of beaches with granite rocks and wild coves. -Return by ferry to Palau. *SANTA TERESA GALLURA: Departure for Bonifacio 2, 4 km to Capo Testa (cape with a lighthouse… granite rocks). Here, there were Roman quarries. *Drive down a beautiful road along the Costa Paradiso (red trachyte). *CASTELSARDO: A fortified hilltop town worth seeing. *PORTO TORRES: Visit the Basilica San Gavino. *STINTINO and its beaches, including La Pelosa with its Genoese tower… too crowded for us! *Viewpoint at Capo Falcone with a view of Parco dell’Asinara (we didn’t have time to go, but it’s a must). *Drive down to Argentiera via small coastal roads (old lead, zinc, and silver mines). A "ghost town" with a museum that’s apparently only open on weekends at this time of year. *Small road (with stunning sea views) toward Grotta di Nettuno (you get there by a long staircase, but it was too windy and closed!). Capo Caccia. *Drive down (along lagoons with birds, including pink flamingos) toward Alghero (historic center: ramparts, bell tower, churches). The city of coral and lobsters! *Drive along the sea to Bosa, a colorful little town (Malvasia vineyards) between the Temo River and the sea. *Road to Montiferru Castle on a volcanic massif—ruins of the castle with a beautiful panorama of rolling hills (cork oak forests, chestnut trees, oaks) and cultivated plots. *** Cuglieri: Olive oil museum *** *Santa Caterina di Pittinuri, S’Archittu (many beaches with limestone cliffs) (many archaeological sites). *SINIS PENINSULA: Cabras and its lagoons with lots of pink flamingos. Archaeological museum with its Nuragic giants. *Archaeological site of Tharros. *ORISTANO: Not much visited, but it has some beautiful buildings. A traditional Sardinian pastry shop—an absolute delight (DELIGIA, Via Figoli 61). *Road surrounded by marshes, along the coast with beautiful little beaches. *Arrival at Costa Verde: The Piscinas dunes and beaches are stunning. Miniera Montevecchio and the surrounding old mines (Iglesiente road) (Naracauli, Ingurtosu). *** Near Guspini, in the mountains, visit the village of Arbus, where many Sardinian knife makers are based. But make the detour to meet Paolo Pusceddu, the master knife maker who opens his workshop and created the *Museo del Coltello Sardo* Via Roma, 15 · +39 349 053 7765. Absolutely fascinating and super interesting… he also sells his knives at very reasonable prices. *Masua (mines) then Pan di Zucchero. *Porto Flavia: Transport of minerals from a port carved into the cliff with two 600m tunnels… the visit is a must. *IGLESIAS: Worth visiting. *ISOLA DI SANT’ANTIOCO: A bridge connects it to Sardinia 2. Drive around the island via small roads. Calasetta (white and blue houses), Nido del Passeri, Cala Lunga, Capo Sperone, Turri. Beautiful beaches and stunning views. *Road to Teulada, then Chia (see the small road from Chia to Tuerredda). *PULA: Archaeological site of Nora. *CAPOTERRA: We ended our trip with a night at an agriturismo in the middle of olive groves, "Azienda Agricola Corte degli Ulivi" (Pixina Sa Murta, Marco: +39 347 246 2361). Unforgettable welcome, eco-friendly place (wooden house with water and electricity self-sufficiency). *Cagliari airport. In total, 1000 km, and we still didn’t finish exploring (the area south of Olbia and the interior are still on the list). The Sardinians are very welcoming. Sardinia 2 is diverse (beaches, countryside, towns, archaeological sites…). We were lucky to visit at the end of April—summer must be awful with the heat and tourist crowds! Easy to visit with kids.

Here’s the theme for the lovely month of May—no worries, it won’t be lilies of the valley! 😄

This month’s theme is: “Reflection(s)” This leaves a pretty wide scope: reflections in water, of course, but also in windows, on buildings... I’ll leave it to your imagination, but the reflection should be clearly visible.

If this theme has been used before, it doesn’t matter. It’s getting tricky to find new themes that can attract as many participants as possible.

I’m currently in northern Finland and don’t have access to my hard drives, so I’ll add a few photos when I return to France. Here’s just one I took with my smartphone yesterday late afternoon:



Practical details:

Participation: Each VF member can submit up to 3 photos, until Monday, May 26 at 11:59 PM Paris time. Each photo must be posted in a separate message, with its number (1, 2, or 3). Don’t forget to add a little explanation (comment, location, etc.).

Voting: Each VF member can vote for the 3 photos they consider the best, based on their own criteria and the theme.

Voting will take place from Tuesday, May 27 to Saturday, May 31 at 11:59 PM Paris time.

The selected photos will be ranked in order of preference: - 1st photo: 3 points - 2nd: 2 points - 3rd: 1 point

The winner is the author of the photo with the most points.

Results will be published on June 1. In case of a tie, the number of first-place votes will decide. The winner will have the honor of organizing the June 2025 contest.

Photos that have already been nominated (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) in another contest are not eligible for this one.

This thread is exclusively for photos submitted to the contest. Any discussions or comments should be posted in the following thread: https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=10707526;a=10707526

Hi everyone,

We’re back from our vacation in Uzbekistan with our kids—a wonderful trip with amazing memories! I’m sharing our itinerary and a few tips.

**Khiva + Aral Sea (3 days)**

- Arrived in Urgench at 5 AM on Saturday - Transferred to Khiva and spent the day exploring the city (that’s enough time). Among other sights, we struggled to find the Tash Khauli harem—it’s totally worth it! - Sunday: headed to Moynaq (the ship graveyard of the Aral Sea). On the way, we stopped to visit two fortresses in the desert—there are about fifty in varying states of repair. Really beautiful, especially Ayaz-Kala. We continued to Moynaq on a rough road (4-hour drive). - Monday: visited the ship graveyard and the small museum. There isn’t much to see, but we thought it was worth it to understand the consequences of human activity—a real eye-opener. It’s true that it’s a long drive, so you’ll have to decide for yourselves. On the way back to Nukus, we stopped to visit the Mizdakhan necropolis (worth it, even if it doesn’t compare to Bukhara or Samarkand’s buildings—it’s no match for them ;-)) - Evening: flight to Tashkent (saved us a day of travel to get to Bukhara from Khiva)

**Ferghana Valley (3 days)**

- Tuesday morning: left Tashkent by train to reach Margilan by noon. - Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday: visited Margilan’s market, silk/ceramic workshops, and dutar-making (a traditional two-stringed, bulging violin). Arrived in Kokand in the evening. - Thursday: explored Kokand (the palace is worth it) - Summary: Margilan and Fergana aren’t very pretty—only the workshops are interesting. Don’t miss Kokand. This leg could’ve been done in 2 days. - Left Kokand by overnight train to Bukhara (note on overnight trains: *very* small cabins—but for us, overnight train rides are a must ;-)!)

**Bukhara (3 days)**

- Arrived Friday morning: 3 days there—perfect for seeing (and revisiting) everything at our own pace. - Hired a French-speaking guide for one day—really helpful for understanding the history and politics, and getting a better grasp of Uzbekistan.

**Toward Lake Aydar Kul (2 days)**

- Left Monday morning by car for the lake. On the way, stopped at a renowned ceramicist’s workshop and to see Neolithic petroglyphs. Note on the petroglyphs: there’s apparently a 3 km walk to see quite a few, but we skipped it due to time—we regret it! For the kids, it was like a treasure hunt, searching for the petroglyphs among the rocks—they loved it. - Arrived in the evening at a yurt camp with traditional music. The yurts were fun, but we ate in a very Westernized restaurant with way too many tourist groups for our taste. - The next day: a 2-hour camel ride in the desert to see plants and animals. We saw a few things, but it wasn’t very interesting unless you’re going from point A to point B. Then left the camp for Lake Aydar Kul—we ate at a lakeside restaurant, but it was pointless. There must be nice spots, but this one was a bust. - Drove to Samarkand (4 hours)

**Samarkand (2 days)**

- Wednesday–Thursday: explored this stunning city. Two days are enough to see everything, but three would’ve been better to take more time to wander and revisit certain spots. - Another day with a French-speaking guide—we confirm it’s worth it!

**Urgut (1 day)**

- Friday: 1.5 hours from Samarkand, in the mountains. AMAZING! A 3-hour hike in the mountains with a guide (you can do longer). We stayed in a guesthouse—so peaceful, with the sound of the stream and mountain views. It deserves 2 days. - Left by train that evening for Tashkent

**Tashkent (2 days)**

- Saturday: visited Chorsu Market (incredible—even though we’d been to several markets, Tashkent’s is wild), the TV Tower (for the view, but not much else), and lunch at The Plov Center (at the base of the tower)—a plov factory, so cool! You can see the kitchens, it’s insane! Spent a relaxed afternoon on Broadway: a park with ping-pong tables, archery, ice cream stands—great with the kids. - Sunday: Chimgan—took the cable car at a ski resort (no snow this time of year), had a picnic at the top of the mountain—nice. - Evening: off to Tashkent Airport and goodbye, Uzbekistan!

**A few tips:**

- In cities, *must* download Yandex Go—super practical, fast, and cheap for getting around. - We bought a Ucell SIM card: 80 GB of data for 50,000 sums (around 3 €). We put it in an old phone and connected our two phones to it—so handy! - Uzbeks are *so* nice, welcoming, and helpful. - Thank you, Google Translate—few people speak English. - The beds are hard… I think it’s an Uzbek thing!! - Guesthouses: between 50 and 70 € per night for the four of us. Comfortable enough, private bathroom, but not luxury. - Meals: we mostly looked for Uzbek restaurants without tourists. Around 200,000 sums per meal (about 15 €). If you add wine, it adds up fast—one glass of wine = the price of a dish. - Don’t hesitate to buy from markets for picnics (samsa, dried cheese balls, fruits and veggies, bread). You can even taste before buying. Some good (and not-so-good) discoveries ;) - Everything is very clean: the streets, the cities, the accommodations.

**Special thanks to our organizer, Sardor (fluent in French):**

I contacted him by email before we left; he optimized the program we’d planned. He set us up with French-speaking guides and handled all the transport and activities outside the four main cities. Super available via WhatsApp and phone while we were there. All the drivers/guides were *very* punctual. DM me if you need his info.

There you go. Sorry for the long post, but I looked for some of this info before we left—I figured it might help someone.

Happy travels in Uzbekistan! We’ll remember this trip for a long time!

Hi there, The first stop on our trip is Memphis. How much time should we spend there to see the must-see spots? Of course, I’m thinking of Elvis Presley’s house, but I don’t think Memphis is just about that. Any suggestions for accommodation for 4 people? Thanks for your feedback!

Hi everyone,

Could anyone recommend a place to park with a camper van (parking lot or camper van area) so I can visit central Toulouse using public transport?

Thanks in advance for your tips. Best regards

Hi everyone,

This summer, from June 29 to July 5, we’re heading to Florida for a week. We’ll start with Miami Beach on the first day. We have two older teens (22 and 17) and our 25-year-old daughter. It’s our first visit to Florida!

I’d love your thoughts on whether I should add or remove any stops. I put this together based on your travel journals...

- **Day 0** – Arrival Saturday, June 28, 2025, evening at Miami Airport + picking up the rental car - **Day 1 / Sun, June 29, 2025**: Morning bike ride to explore Miami Beach, and one night in Miami Beach - **Day 2 / Mon, June 30, 2025**: OCEAN DRIVE, afternoon at South Beach - **Day 3 / Tue, July 1, 2025**: Morning walk in LITTLE HAVANA/Cuban Quarter + afternoon at Crandon Beach - **Day 4 / Wed, July 2, 2025**: Depart for KEY WEST (3.5-hour drive) – stop in Islamorada. Afternoon visit to Old Town and Hemingway Home - **Day 5 / Thu, July 3, 2025**: Morning at Mallory Square – afternoon return toward Miami + one night in Homestead - **Day 6 / Fri, July 4, 2025**: Visit Everglades Alligator Farms and Flamingo - **Day 7 / Sat, July 5, 2025**: Return to Miami Airport

What do you think?

Thanks for your feedback! I’ll also check out your travel journals for more ideas. I’m all ears for great tips if you’ve booked through Booking or Airbnb!

Hi, I got my ESTA document 15 days ago. I got married this weekend. Can I book my flight ticket under my maiden name -so it matches my ESTA and passport, which won’t be updated for a trip in August? Thanks for your replies!

Our trip lasted a month, from March 10 to April 10, 2024, and was done aboard our Land Rover Defender 110. For those interested, our 4x4 is equipped with mountain-approved 3PMFSF all-terrain tires (non-studded), a removable electric winch that can be attached to either the front or rear of the vehicle, two sand recovery boards, and we bring two pairs of snow chains. We sleep in our Land Rover, which is equipped with a diesel-powered independent heater, a small fridge, and has a layout that allows the dinette to be converted into a bed.

Starting from the Paris region, we crossed Belgium and Germany, took the ferry from Travemünde in northern Germany to Helsinki, followed the Russian border up to northern Finland, then headed into Norway all the way to the North Cape before returning via Norway, taking the ferry from Larvik in Norway to Hirtshals in Denmark, then passing through Germany and Belgium on our way back to France.

Tonight, March 10, 2024, we’ll be sleeping at our daughter’s place in the North.

Tuesday, March 11, we’ll cross Belgium and then enter Germany, where we’ll camp in Bremen.

Wednesday, March 12, we’ll have a quick visit to Bremen in the morning. We had planned to visit Lübeck, but some electrical issues with the car delayed us, so we head straight to the German port of Travemünde, where we’re set to embark at 11:30 PM to cross the Baltic Sea and arrive in Helsinki after 31 hours of sailing (one-way cabin ticket cost: 850 €—quite expensive since we booked last minute).

On the ferry, there are mostly semi-trucks and only a few campervans and passenger cars. The boat is quiet, and the Baltic Sea is calm.

About two hours before arriving in Helsinki, we hear noise along the hull. Surprise—looking out the porthole, we realize we’re sailing on frozen sea ice!

Thursday, March 14, we arrive at the port of Helsinki at 9:30 AM. Disembarking takes a while. As soon as we’re out, we head straight to Rastila Camping (cost: 27 €), about ten kilometers east of Helsinki. Then we go to a Land Rover garage to fix our headlight switch, which stopped working (a real hassle in Finland since you have to drive with low beams on at all times).

After the repair, we visit the stunning Temppeliaukio Church, which is built underground.

On our way back to the campsite, we stop at the supermarket for supplies. Prices are similar to France, except for imported products.

We settle into our snowy campsite spot.

Hello fellow travel forum members,

This time, it's real, concrete stuff.

We’ll be going on a road trip in September this year (if all goes well, yes, I know it’s a bit superstitious, but I can’t help it, especially with the current family circumstances).

There’ll be four of us: my husband, our two grown kids (20 and 24), and me.

The flights aren’t booked yet because I’m still hesitating over the dates (it’s down to a day or two). They should be finalized by the end of this week or sometime next week.

J1 - Friday, August 29: Brussels-SLC via Amsterdam with KLM (I’d love your opinions on this airline since I’ve never flown with them before) – arrival scheduled for early afternoon. J2 - Saturday, August 30: SLC-Moab J3 - Sunday, August 31: Arches – we’ll see if we can get tickets; otherwise, we’ll wake up at dawn (entries possible without a reservation before 7 am) J4 - Monday, September 1: Arches J5 - Tuesday, September 2: Moab - Grand Teton – night booked J6 - Wednesday, September 3: Grand Teton – night booked J7 - Thursday, September 4: Grand Teton - Jackson J8 - Friday, September 5: Jackson J9 - Saturday, September 6: Jackson – evening: Rodeo (tickets booked) J10 - Sunday, September 7: Jackson - Yellowstone – night booked at Lake Yellowstone J11 - Monday, September 8: Yellowstone – night booked at Canyon Lodge J12 - Tuesday, September 9: Yellowstone – night booked at Canyon Lodge J13 - Wednesday, September 10: Yellowstone – night booked at Old Faithful Snow J14 - Thursday, September 11: Yellowstone – night booked at Old Faithful Snow J15 - Friday, September 12: Yellowstone - SLC J16 - Saturday, September 13: departure from SLC J17 - Sunday, September 14: arrival in Brussels

As I mentioned in the intro, the departure and return dates aren’t set in stone yet. Normally, we’d leave on August 29, which would mean visiting Moab and Arches. Otherwise, we’d leave on August 30 and stay in SLC. Around SLC, we’d explore the area, but I’ll admit I’m a bit stuck on what to do there.

For the return, we’d leave SLC on Saturday, September 13, or Sunday, September 14. Our youngest starts classes on Monday, September 15, but he doesn’t mind starting a day later.

Some things are already booked and paid for and can’t be changed (or only with difficulty), so please keep that in mind in your comments. 😕

I’d love to hear about your experiences with a few questions:

* Is it too ambitious to include Arches in the road trip? Especially since the drives are long, particularly the Moab-Grand Teton stretch.

* What do you recommend doing around SLC?

* Same for Jackson. We’ve decided to spend two full days there to take a break between the national parks.

* For the return, I was wondering if spending a day in SLC before heading back to Europe might be a good idea.

Thanks so much in advance for your advice!

Patricia

From the most sophisticated suitcase to the bundle on your shoulder, from gear strapped to a motorcycle to bags on top of buses, what matters is capturing travel with luggage. Whether it's a stroll, an expedition, a simple outing, or a tour—anything goes, as long as the luggage is highlighted, of course 🙂 ........... Here’s my copy-paste:

Every VF member can submit up to 3 photos, until Tuesday, March 25 at 11:59 PM Paris time.

Each photo should be posted in a separate message, with its number (1, 2, or 3).

Don’t forget to add a little explanation (commentary, location, etc.).

Voting:

Every VF member can vote for the 3 photos they think are the best, based on their own criteria and the theme.

Voting will take place from Wednesday, March 26 to Sunday, March 30 at 11:59 PM Paris time.

Photos will be ranked in order of preference: - 1st photo: 3 points - 2nd: 2 points - 3rd: 1 point

The winner is the person whose photo receives the most points.

I’ll be away during the last days of March and won’t be very available, so the results will be announced on April 1st (no, it’s not a joke). And please, while I’m gone, be as well-behaved and disciplined as you always are 🙂

In case of a tie, the number of first-place votes will decide. The winner will have the honor of organizing April’s contest.

Attila, could you please put together the slideshow? You know how to do it, and I don’t!!

Hello everyone, and a big THANK YOU to all the travelers who took the time to reply to my last post and tell me that doing South India in 28 days was a sweet utopia. My dear friends, you were absolutely right. After 4 days in Goa, I settled for exploring all of Karnataka and its beautiful UNESCO-listed temples, and I loved it. Kerala and Tamil Nadu will have to wait until next year when I can take 6 weeks off.

But the purpose of this post is to ask you which guide or website would be best to prepare for the BLUES TRAIL I’d like to do in September or October 2025 over a month: 3 weeks to travel the route, enjoy Nashville a bit too, and the last week to explore Louisiana. I saw that *Le Routard* has a guide on Louisiana. Where else can I find more info?

Thanks so much for your help. Take care of yourselves and happy travels. Régine

Hi, we’re planning to visit Bryce and Zion from Page—what order do you think works best? Given our schedule, we’ll be leaving Page on a Sunday early afternoon. We were thinking of heading to Bryce first (are there a lot of "photo stops"?) to spend the night there. We’ve got a slight preference for Bryce as our first road trip stop and were planning to spend all day Monday there. Is that too much time for Bryce? Then on Tuesday, we’d like to get closer to Zion, drive through it, and head back to Vegas—is that doable? What else could we fit in that day with a return to Las Vegas? Thanks in advance for your tips!

Hello, As a senior woman, I’m planning a 3-week solo trip (late April or early May) to explore the country by public transport, visiting the main cities (Khiva, Bukhara, and Samarkand), the Ferghana Valley, and if possible, the Aral Sea. I’m reaching out to the community to see if there are flights arriving in Urgench and returning from Tashkent—or the other way around? Thanks in advance to anyone with insights! 😉

Hi everyone,

We’re heading out as a family from July 2nd to 16th on a loop from Montreal to Montreal. We’re a couple with a little girl who’ll be turning 7 in July, plus my in-laws (one of whom uses a wheelchair).

Here’s our itinerary:

Wednesday, July 2: Arrival in Montreal in the early afternoon – picking up the car at the airport – exploring the city and overnight in Montreal Thursday, July 3: Montreal – overnight in Montreal Friday, July 4: Visit to Parc Omega – overnight in Saint-Jérôme Saturday, July 5: Heading to Trois-Rivières – visit to a sugar shack (Chez Dany? or another name?) – exploring the old town – overnight in Trois-Rivières Sunday, July 6: Shawinigan – Le Village du Bûcheron in Grandes-Piles? – black bear watching (probably not doable for wheelchair users, I think?!) – overnight in Trois-Rivières Monday, July 7: Heading to Chicoutimi – Saguenay – day at Lac Saint-Jean / Val-Jabert – overnight in Saguenay Tuesday, July 8: L’Anse-Saint-Jean – Saguenay Fjord National Park – overnight in Saguenay Wednesday, July 9: Tadoussac – exploring the area and the town – overnight in Tadoussac Thursday, July 10: Whale watching – Baie-Sainte-Catherine – overnight in Tadoussac Friday, July 11: La Malbaie – Baie-Saint-Paul – overnight on Île aux Coudres Saturday, July 12: Exploring the area? – overnight on Île aux Coudres Sunday, July 13: Montmorency Falls – overnight in Quebec City Monday, July 14: Quebec City – overnight in Quebec City Tuesday, July 15: Quebec City and return to Montreal – overnight in Beloeil Wednesday, July 16: Montreal – evening flight

We’ve booked our rooms to ensure a wheelchair-accessible room is available. When searching on Expedia or Booking, few hotels have rooms with a shower accessible for wheelchairs (so a real PMR room). However, these are cancelable, so if something really stands out, I’m all ears 😉.

We’ve booked our car through BSP Auto and we’re flying with Air Transat.

Thanks for any feedback and tips for the visits.

See you soon 🙂 Jennifer

Hi everyone, our friend is a real Captain with experience—last time we rented in the Balearics and it was amazing. This year, we’d like to rent a sailboat for a week in May or September to sail around the Cyclades. I have a few questions, starting with the wind. 1/ Does it really blow very hard during these periods? Some crew members aren’t exactly seasoned sailors. 2/ Is it better to rent from Athens or one of the Cycladic islands from a cost and time-management perspective? We only have a week. 3/ Which are the most beautiful and wild or least crowded islands, and where should we start? 4/ Do you know of a good sailboat rental agency?

Thanks a million for your answers—I hope some fellow sailors will chime in too!