Results for "Volcan+Auvergne+|+127"

SALUT

NOUS HESITONS ENTRE BALI ET LA REUNION POUR 3/4 SEMAINE EN JUILLET04 POUR NOTRE PREMIER VRAIS VOYAGE AVEC NOS ENFANTS DE 7ET 9ANS

DONNEZ NOUS VOS CONSEILS MERCI

SALUT

NOUS HESITONS ENTRE BALI ET LA REUNION POUR 3/4 SEMAINE EN JUILLET04 POUR NOTRE PREMIER VRAIS VOYAGE AVEC NOS ENFANTS DE 7ET 9ANS

DONNEZ NOUS VOS CONSEIL MERCI

😮 bonjour

les avis sont differents sur le climat en juillet et aout a la réunion

qui connais cete saison ?

DONNEZ MOI VOTRE AVIS????

Est-ce qu'il y a des gens qui sont déjà allé au Panama (ou autre destination d'Amérique centrale) durant le mois de mai - juin? Qu'Est-ce que vous en pensez? Est-ce qu'il fait trop chaud? La nature doit être belle? Est-ce qu.il pleut 24h sur 24?

Enfin nous avons notre destination de cet été pour nous 5 (enfants de 14 ans 6 ans et 4 ans) et je commence à préparer l'itinéraire pour 3 semaines et si vous le souhaitez vous pouvez nous aider en nous donnant des conseils.Merci à tous

1ERE nuit à ALAJUELA

puis une semaine dans une maison sur la péninsule d'osa

Quepos

ferry à puntaneras pour rejoindre la péninsule de nicoya :au choix tambor, montezuma cabo blanco

tamarindo

rincon de la vieja

lac arenal et volcan

cote caraibe cahuita puerto viejo et tortuguero

Voilà c'est peu être un peu beaucoup en 3 semaines ?

La péninsule de nicoya et le guanacaste très touristique vaut il le détour ?

Peut on passer sans difficultés de la fortuna à la cote caraibes par la route de puerto viejo?

Pour tortuguero dans les guides tout me semble bien compliqué pour le logement et la location de bateau help svp

Pour la location de voiture j'ai vu la discussion du lyonnais mais nous choisirons quand même le 4x4 merci pour les adresses de loueurs intéréssantes

Merci d'avance bonnes fêtes de noel à tous

Nous sommes tout un groupe de géographes à partir en Afrique et plus précisément au Cameroun en mai-juin 2004 (si tout se passe bien). Un fidèle de voyageforum aurait il des choses à nous apprendre sur ce pays très attrayant? Est-ce facile de s'adpater lorsqu'on est jamais parti dans un pays au climat tropical et equatorial?

Merci d'avance!

Snounit.🙂

Je souhaite partir une semaine en janvier (du 12 au 18 janvier 2004) avec ma fille de 19 ans et vu que la date approche, j'ai besoin d'aide pour m'orienter. Je n'ai pas fait beaucoup de voyages et je compte m'y mettre dès l'année prochaine. Pour commencer, je préfère ne partir qu'une semaine, pour pas trop cher, mais surtout en voyage "encadré". Mon objectif pour l'instant est de partir une semaine pour me détendre et me reposer dans un endroit agréable et plutôt confortable. Je compte mettre le cap sur la découverte (des gens, des modes de vie, de la nature...) un peu plus tard. J'ai pensé à la Tunisie, la Turquie ou les Grandes Canaries parce que j'habite le Sud de la France (Perpignan) et n'ayant pas un très gros budget, c'est ce qui me semble le mieux. Alors si vous pouvez m'apporter des indications de toutes sortes et des conseils ou même des propositions pour d'autres destinations, pourquoi pas. L'idée de passer cette semaine chez l'habitant, dans n'importe quel pays d'Europe me plairai également beaucoup. Merci pour votre aide

Bonjour, Après Noël, nous allons faire l'ascension du Karthala et serions intéressés par tuyaux de personnes l'ayant faite. Merci Annick et Fred😉

Je pars traverser la Réunion le 16 décembre.

Pour ceux qui y connaissent quelques coins de paradis sur place, conseillez moi je vous enverrai les photos sur mon site. A +

Karavane :)

Bonjour, je pars un mois en Indonésie en juillet 2004 et j'aimerais savoir quelles iles et quels coins de ces iles vous me conseillez sachant que Bali sera incontournable dans mon programme(je dois partir de Dempasar apres) et que j'adore les plans natures(genre volcans, montagnes rizieres...) Merci de vos réponses...

Pour mon voyage Mexico - Panama - Mexico : 2 mois, petit budget, transport : bus, pirogue, train, voiture, moto, ........ avec mon sac à dos.... (a la fin de mon voyage, a ma remonté par la Pan Américan, je me suis fait volé mon sac à dos à 3h du matin au terminal bus "Tica" de San José au Costa Rica : il faut jamais quitté son sac de la main, maintenant sur mon sac j'ai un canedas de vélo et je l'attache même quand je suis à 50cm, comme lors du vol devant 50 personnes......)

le costa rica, c le pays que j'ai trouvé le plus cher !! mais il y a des choses à faire les canaux à la fontière di nicaragua entre Los Chiles et San Carlos (nicaragua) la montagne suisse de Los Chiles dans la région Alajuela le coin de Puerto Limon au départ du "Grand terminal del Caribé" il y a plein de bus : ex : pour Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui par la Panoramique 885 colons à 6h30 & 9h30 les volcans : bus pour le Volcan IRAZU = av2 - C1/3 départ le dimanche à 8 & 10h retour à 12h30 & 14h pour 1430 colons

Globe

hola, voilà je pars dans 10 jours au Guaté puis Salvador. Il est assez difficile de trouver des infos sur le Salvador, surtout kan le temps presse. Alors si kelk1 veut bien me donner kelkes plan, genre ce kil faut vraiment voir, ce kil ne faut pas manker, hotels, le guide ?

merci beaucoup !!!

PS: nous partons dans l'objectif de rencontrer et de visiter differentes associations humanitaires ou en lien avec l'ecotourismes, pour aider, alors si vous avez des adresses aussi elles seront bien venues.

Hasta Luego ...

🙂 Salut !

J'ai lu avec attention les réponses de Memphre et Chech, qui m'intéressent vivement !

Eh oui, je pars pour un mois (novembre 2003) au Guatemala et peut être Belize ?!

Comparé au Mexique, le Guatemala est il un pays plus dangereux ? Doit on se méfier de tout ? Peut on circuler tranquille à peu près partout ???

Nous sommes en train d'élaborer notre circuit, et nous (moi et mon ami) voyagons en bus : est facile de parcourir ces deux pays en bus pour aller partout ?

circuit : Guateciudad - Antigua - Atitlan (solola et petite île) - Chichicastenango (pour le dimanche)Quetzaltenanago - ascension d'un volcan mais lequel ??? - Monterrico - Copan (Honduras) facile pour la frontière ? - Rio Dulce - Livingston - Belize (5 jours environ pour 1 ou 2 plongées et autre site sympa ?) - Tikal - Flores - Ceibal - Guateciudad

En suivant ce parcours, est ce qu'il vous paraît bien ? ou le faire dans un autre sens, avez vous d'autres étapes à conseillez entre ces villes ? Les longs trajets en bus sont possibles sans dangers ?

Merci d'avance de tous vos conseils, car notre départ va vite arriver.. et nous sommes impatients d'avoir pleins de conseils !...

Hasta luego..

bonjour,

j'hésite à partir à la Réunion au mois de février prochain

si qq. y est déjà aller, pouvez vous me donner des renseignements (hôtels, excursions, transfert et prix vers l'île Maurice...)

merci d'avance

Fanny

Sommes un couple de retraité de Montréal. Planifions un voyage de 1 mois à Vienne, Prague, et Budapest en septembre et octobre 2003. Avons identifié apt. location centre de Vienne. Quelqu'un pourrait nous indiquer la facon de trouver apt pour 7 jours à Prague centre-ville également 7 jours à Budapest, Hongrie un tarif d'environ 75$ à 85$ USD par jour. Serons à Vienne pour les semaines des7 et 14 septembre 2003 Prague Tchéquie, la semaine du 22 sept. et Budapest celle du 29 sept. 2003.

Hello à tous !!!!

Je vais avoir deux mois pour voyager en Indonésie je souhaiterais savoir comment je peux répartir mon temps entre Bali, Java et Sumatra sachant trois contraintes : 1/ J'arrive en avion à Denpensar 2/ Je repart par bateau pour Singapour 3/ Je ne veux pas prendre de vol interieur (uniquement train, bus et taxi)

😕😕

l'objectif n'étant pas de tout visiter (pas le temps et aucun interet) mais prendre son temps et rester de temps en temps trois quatres jours dans le même lieu.

Javais pensé à : 3 semaines Bali 4 semaine Java 1 semaine sumatra (à priori je n'irai pas jusqu'à Médan)

😇😇

Vous qui avez l'expérience de ce pays qu'en pensez-vous ??? Merci pour vos réponses ???

bonjour

je fais un tour Amerique (je suis actuellement au Bresil) + Asie (cf mon site www.artandmundo.com) et projette de passer Beiring vers juin-juillet pour le Kamtchatka. Il parait qu on peut y skier ? comment est la capitale (Petro)?. Est ce que ca vaut le coup de faire une boucle par Vladivostock avant Japon?

mille mercis

Salut à tous

Nous allons passer une douzaine de jours au CR en fevrier.Pourriez vous me faire parvenir toutes les infos pour réussir ce voyage ( location de voiture, bus, visites à priviligier ou à éviter etc....

Je vous en remercie par avance.

Cyrval

Hello, nous serons 5 pour un voyage de trois semaines entre le Guatemala et le Belize. On décrit souvent le Guatemala comme une région à risque. Qu'en est-il exactement?

Nous sommes également à la recherche de la zone balnéaire idéale pour passer quelques jours de repos au Belize...nous n'avons pas encore trouvé notre bonheur. Une suggestion?

Hi everyone,

I’m in the middle of planning my trip for February 2027 with my family (4 adults). We’re thinking of a Guatemala-Belize combo. Could you let me know what you think of my itinerary? Should I add or remove anything? Is it too minimalist? Do you recommend renting a car or hiring a driver and guide? For the islands in Belize, is 5 days too much? The volcano hike isn’t included on purpose.

· 02/21 (Day 1) — Arrival in Guatemala Night: Antigua · 02/21 (Day 2) — Antigua, the colonial gem Half-day guided walking tour of convents, churches, and Spanish ruins. Volcanoes as a photo backdrop. Coffee plantation visit. Night: Antigua · 02/22 (Day 3) — Chichicastenango Market → Lake Atitlán Early morning drive to the big indigenous market. Guide to explain Mayan rituals in Santo Tomás Church. Afternoon transfer to Lake Atitlán. Night: Lake Atitlán · 02/23 (Day 4) — The Mayan Villages of Lake Atitlán Lake crossing. Visit the villages of San Juan La Laguna (weaving cooperatives) and Santiago Atitlán. Night: Lake Atitlán · 02/24 (Day 5) — Sololá Market → Return to Antigua Leave the lake in the morning. Visit the authentic high-altitude market of Sololá with a local guide, then drive back to spend the evening in Antigua. Night: Antigua · 02/25 (Day 6) — Flight to Flores → Transfer to Tikal Domestic flight directly to Tikal National Park. Night: Tikal (in the heart of the jungle) · 02/26 (Day 7) — Exploring the City of Tikal Explore the giant Mayan city of Tikal in the middle of the jungle with your French-speaking guide. Enjoy the lodge’s pool to the sound of howler monkeys. Night: Tikal

02/27 (Day 8) — Belize Border → Xunantunich Site → San Ignacio Visit the large Mayan site of Xunantunich right after crossing the border.

Night: San Ignacio

02/28 (Day 9) — Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve Full-day 4x4 tour with the lodge’s guide to explore Big Rock Falls (swimming in natural pools) and caves in the forest reserve.

Night: San Ignacio

03/01 (Days 10 to 15) — San Ignacio → Boat to Ambergris Caye

But I’m still not sure whether to go to Ambergris or Caye Caulker (what do you recommend?)

03/06 (Day 15) — Domestic Flight → International Return Flight (feasible or not?)

Thanks so much for your feedback!

When planning a trip to Panama, you often hear about Panama City, Bocas del Toro, Boquete, or even San Blas. Yet, there’s a region that remains relatively under the radar in travel guides: the Arco Seco.

Located on the Pacific coast, between the provinces of Panamá Oeste, Coclé, Herrera, and Los Santos, the Arco Seco enjoys a generally drier climate than the rest of the country. Even during the rainy season, you’ll often find more sunshine here than in other parts of Panama.

For travelers who love alternating between beaches, nature, hikes, and local discoveries, this region is definitely worth a detour.

A few ideas for visits:

• The beaches of La Ensenada, El Palmar, Punta Barco, and Coronado

• Surfing at El Palmar, one of the most well-known spots on the Pacific coast

• Kitesurfing at Punta Chame, which is highly reputed!

• El Valle de Antón, nestled in an ancient volcanic crater, with its hikes, waterfalls, artisan market, and hot springs

• Various hikes offering stunning panoramas

• The waterfalls in the San Carlos and El Valle areas

• Golf at Vista Mar or Coronado

• Fishing villages where you can still buy freshly caught fish directly from local fishermen

What I particularly love about this region is that it lets you discover a more authentic and peaceful side of Panama while remaining easily accessible from Panama City.

I’ve been living in San Carlos for several years now, and I’m still discovering new places, trails, beaches, and hidden gems.

If anyone is planning a trip to this region and has questions, I’d be happy to share my favorite spots and personal recommendations.

Looking forward to exchanging tips with you!

Joëlle

Hi everyone, I’m currently working on a 30-day itinerary for May/June 2027. 10 days in eastern Java (Malang, Bromo, waterfalls, Meru Beriti Park, Banyuwangi, and Ijen), a short transit in Ubud for a few days, then Flores before heading back to Jakarta. We’ll spend 15 days in Flores (the classic route: Moni, Bajawa, Riung, Ruteng, ending in Labuan Bajo). I’d love some firsthand feedback on flights to Maumere or Ende from Bali Denpasar. I know there are no direct routes and that you have to connect through Labuan Bajo or Timor (I think), which isn’t an issue in itself. But I’ve read here and there that flights to these destinations can be delayed—or worse, canceled—and that it’s better to fly in and out of Labuan Bajo, which isn’t exactly ideal... Thanks for any tips or experiences you can share!

Hello, We’re two senior travelers and would like to visit Cape Verde in Feb 2027. We don’t hike but love meeting people, culture, and nature. Which islands would you recommend, and do you know of any local agencies? Thanks a million!

I spent 3 weeks in Bali last summer (+ 3 nights on Gili Meno and a day trip to Kawah Ijen in Java). So I wanted to see what ChatGPT could suggest for comparison...

Here’s the prompt I gave:

"You’re a local expert guide for Bali.

- Plan a 20-day itinerary for Bali with a side trip to Gili Meno and a day trip to Kawah Ijen in Java without staying overnight.

- I’m traveling with my wife, and I love visiting historical sites, hiking, relaxing at the beach, snorkeling, and exploring rice terraces...

- For the duration of the stay, I don’t want more than 8 places to sleep, and I’d like to stay at least 2 days at each stop to avoid unpacking too often. Except for the last night, where I’m okay with just one night near the airport.

- I prefer neighborhoods that are walkable and try to avoid typical tourist traps, though I don’t want to miss the must-see spots. So suggest a mix of iconic sites and hidden gems.

- Recommend hotels or guesthouses with a budget of 50 to 100 € per night, including breakfast. Make suggestions in areas popular with travelers, specifying the vibe (I prefer quiet), and consider safety and proximity to attractions.

- For lunch and dinner, suggest two to three restaurants that are well-rated by customers.

- Give me a day-by-day program with details on travel times, visiting times for each point of interest, and recommendations for transportation (taxi, train, bike, etc.). Estimate the total cost of the trip, including accommodations, food, transportation, and activities, and suggest two tips for saving money in each category.

- Don’t make anything up—be realistic about travel times, take into account the opening dates and hours of sites, and give me the entry fees for places to visit.

- Ask me all the questions until you’re 95% sure you understand what’s being asked. Don’t generate your response until you’ve understood."

The AI asked for a few clarifications:

"Great request—I can build you a really optimized and enjoyable itinerary, but to be 95% sure I hit the mark, I need a few key clarifications (this will really influence the pace, areas, and accommodations)."

In the end, it proposed a program very close to what we actually did. I’ll skip its accommodation and restaurant suggestions...

Its proposal:

"Ubud (4 nights) => we did 5 nights Sidemen (2 nights) Amed (3 nights) => we’d planned 2 nights Gili Meno (3 nights) => we did Gili between Sidemen and Amed Munduk (3 nights) => we did 2 nights before Pemuteran Pemuteran (3 nights) with Ijen => we did 4 nights Sanur (2 nights + 1 last night) => we chose Jatiluwih instead of Sanur

It suggested "activities" (and accommodations too):

IN UBUD: - Walk around central Ubud (1–2h) - Campuhan Ridge Walk - Tegalalang Rice Terrace - Tirta Empul - Gunung Kawi - Massage / market / slow café

IN SIDEMEN: - Rice terrace hike (2–3h) - Cooking class

IN AMED: - Snorkeling - Japanese Shipwreck - Beach + relaxation - Volcano sunset

ON GILI: - Snorkeling at Gili Meno Turtle Point, Nest Underwater Statues

IN MUNDUK: - Jungle & waterfall hike - Munduk Waterfall + Melanting Waterfall - Loop: 3–4h (perfect for your level) - Ulun Danu Bratan Temple - Twin Lakes

IN PEMUTERAN - Snorkeling: Menjangan Island

For Kawah Ijen, it detailed the day well: 👍 from Pemuteran = best possible option 12 PM: leave hotel (we left at 10 PM) 1 PM: ferry 3 PM: arrival in Java + transfer 11 PM: start ascent 2 AM–6 AM: volcano Return to Bali around 11 AM–12 PM (we got back at 4 PM) 👍 still very intense, but doable with an agency 💰 ~80–120 €/person all-inclusive

IN SANUR: - Relaxation - Quiet beach - Proximity to airport (30 min)"

BUDGET: "3,000 – 3,900 € for 2 people" (We paid 3,200 €)

In conclusion, it’s not (yet) enough, but it’s (already) pretty impressive!

hi there

I’m planning to spend about twenty days in Réunion in November. I’d like to get around using the *car jaune* (2 € per ticket), but from what I’ve heard, it doesn’t cover the whole island. I’m not looking to head toward the ocean and the beautiful beaches—more toward the mountainous landscapes, even if I’ll just be admiring them from below. 😉 Maybe other buses go where I want to go. By the way, are there any relatively easy mountain hikes, and where?

But here’s the most important part: I don’t want to book anything in advance because I don’t know what my itinerary will look like—it’ll change depending on my mood. 3 days here, 5 days there, etc. On top of that, I’d like to arrange half-board stays with locals—not professionals—by approaching them and asking if they’d be willing to host me (overnight stay, breakfast, and dinner) for 30 € to 40 € per day.

What do you think? Does the price seem reasonable? And is it okay to take the initiative and ask Réunionnais directly?

The tourist office in Réunion told me that since November is peak tourist season, I should book without delay. 🤪

For four years in a row, I traveled across Canada for a month and a half each time, relying only on hitchhiking and half-board stays with Canadians who welcomed me (and refused to let me pay them).

If I’d listened to my family and friends, I never would’ve taken the leap—and that adventure remains one of the best experiences of my life.

Thanks for your input!

Hello, my wife and I are planning a trip to Cape Verde at the end of May for 20 days. We’re still unsure which islands to prioritize (they all look amazing!). Santo Antão and São Vicente seem like must-sees. Which other islands should we visit, given that we love hiking (nothing too challenging) and swimming? Thanks

Let’s stick with the water theme—it’s definitely the season (maybe a bit *too* much for some of those dealing with floods 😕). After the flowing waters (with varying energy levels), let’s take it easy with still waters:

Lakes (Annecy)

Ponds (near Moustiers Saint Marie)

Lagoons (Bacalar)

If you’ve got nice photos of a pond—or even a puddle—why not? Natural bodies of water only: no pools or fountains (reservoir lakes are accepted… because they often look like natural lakes ).

The contest rules are the same as always 😉: Up to 3 photos per member, one photo per post (a little explanation is better), and past winning photos from other VF contests aren’t allowed. You have until Sunday, February 22nd at 11:59 PM (Paris time) to post your photos. Voting starts Monday the 23rd at midnight—rank your top 3 photos in order (3, 2, and 1 points). Voting ends Saturday, February 28th at 11:59 PM. Results will be announced on March 1st. The winning photo is the one with the most points (in case of a tie, the photo ranked first the most times wins). The lucky winner gets to organize March’s contest 😎.

Dig into your archives…

Hi there,

We’re planning to hike the GRR2 this summer with a local agency that offers a self-guided south-to-north route. We’re active and hike regularly, but we’ve never done a trek just the two of us without a guide.

I’d love to know if this trail has any dangerous areas? Drop-offs? Are there spots where it’s easy to lose the path?

I’ve seen that some agencies offer a GPS app—does the signal even reach everywhere inland? 🤪

Thanks! 😄

Looking forward to hearing from you! !

Hi everyone,

I hesitated for a long time before publishing this travel journal since it’s been 8 months now since I left Nisyros. But in the end, I found it too beautiful to keep quiet about. So here we go—I finally got around to writing it. Nisyros is a stunning little Greek island, and luckily, it’s well hidden. Located a good twenty hours by boat from Athens, its distance from the Greek mainland deters most tourists from visiting. That’s what makes it an off-the-beaten-path destination. So much for the general info.



Before diving into the details, I should mention that I visited by bike (despite its severe and constant volcanic elevation) as part of a solo trip from France to Turkey. Why this detail? Because out of the ten countries I crossed and the dozens of sites I saw, Nisyros is one of my top three favorites (along with Pag Island, off-season, in Croatia, and Albania for its overall beauty—stunning natural landscapes and the incredible hospitality of its people). Anyway, welcome to this travel journal dedicated to the lovely little volcanic island of Nisyros…



I arrived one beautiful morning in Mandraki, the island’s main port. The twenty-hour boat ride from Athens went by like a breeze. I slept on the deck for three or four hours, sprawled on a bench that was more or less sheltered from the wind. At this time of year (it’s May 2nd), tourists aren’t exactly flocking here, so the boat was far from full. My first glimpse of Nisyros is classic Greek island scenery: blazing sun, an azure sky, and an even deeper blue sea. The trip is off to a great start. I quickly found a small, out-of-the-way hotel (I’m one of those people who avoids crowds as much as possible when traveling, which is getting harder and harder to do). While everyone else from the boat turned right out of the port toward the center of Mandraki, I went left! My nice little hotel was just a hundred meters away, facing a pretty little Orthodox church whose red color contrasted beautifully with the deep blue sea.



I dropped off my panniers in my room so I could ride light for once, then headed toward the next village: Pali. It’s a small fishing village that apparently comes to life a bit in the summer with a few tourists.



As I pedaled along the dock, I passed right by a guy sitting in a chair in full sun. Unfazed despite the sweat pouring down his forehead, he untangled his fishing net with a precision that commanded respect. I gave him the obligatory kalimera (good morning), but he reacted like a deaf-mute—no response at all. On the other hand, his employee answered me kindly from the trawler docked right next to him. Standing on deck, he was also untangling a mess of nets and invited me aboard to chat. That’s Mohamed.



Communication wasn’t easy since he only spoke Greek and I didn’t, but he was cheerful, and his joy was contagious. He proudly showed off their catch of the day: two beautiful rays and a few brightly colored fish. We chatted like that for about fifteen minutes.



When it was time to hit the road again, I said goodbye to Mohamed, who smiled back. But this time, his boss—still dripping sweat in his chair under the scorching sun—greeted me too. Turns out he wasn’t deaf or mute after all.



I continued along the coast since that’s where most of Nisyros’ beaches are. They start lining up just outside Pali. These are black sand beaches, which can’t hide their volcanic origins.



Yesterday afternoon in Athens, I met Peter and Michelle, a Dutch-French couple, while we were waiting for the ferry to depart. The Greek sailors were on strike, so we ended up waiting about twelve hours before setting off. Anyway, we had plenty of time to chat, and Peter, who’s lived on Tilos—a small island near Nisyros—for about twenty years, told me that many migrants pass through these two islands. Most come from Afghanistan and Syria, fleeing authoritarian regimes and the massacres that come with them. They’re looking for *anywhere* else where the future can’t possibly be worse. Peter explained that you often find their belongings on the local beaches. And sure enough, I didn’t have to look far to spot some—clothes, life jackets…



I glanced around, hoping to see one of them to maybe exchange a few words, but no—no one. I was completely alone.



I got back on my bike and spent the rest of the day wandering aimlessly, just exploring this beautiful part of Nisyros. I also picked up some supplies because tomorrow, I’d be heading inland for two days, deep into its four-kilometer-wide caldera to explore the volcano. I’d be sleeping in a tent, so I needed to stock up on food. After a restful night in a real bed—something rare on this bike trip (and I won’t even mention the shower…)—I finally set off for the volcano (I’ll share details about that charming little hotel with the amazing breakfasts at the end of the journal). To reach Stefanos (the name of the main crater), I had to climb to the top of the caldera. It was hot, and some of the slopes were between 10 and 15%, which is steep, especially with a 54 kg bike. But who cares? I was admiring the scenery, and I have to say, I was surprised by how green it was. The higher I climbed, the more beautiful the vegetation became. It stood out against the blue of the sea, and the landscapes inside the island were truly stunning. So, I stopped every five minutes to take photos. Every now and then, I’d come across cows in the middle of the road—or goats in the trees! They climbed with the agility of monkeys to munch on the leaves. I couldn’t get a photo of them because they’d all scatter before I got close. It was actually the noise they made climbing down that tipped me off to their presence. Two villages sit at the top of the caldera: Emporios and Nikia. I passed the first one without climbing up to it, then continued to the second. And let me tell you, Nikia was love at first sight! I found myself pedaling through tiny streets, some barely wider than my bike with its panniers. The walls were white, and the doors were painted in all sorts of colors—green, blue, red… The streets were empty, and silence reigned. But it wasn’t a dead silence. It was more like the kind you find in small, secret, peaceful places. The village exuded tranquility, calm, and well-being. I leaned my bike—with all its gear—against a wall without locking it. It was the first time on this trip that I’d done that. Sure, its weight made it more like a tank than a bike, so you’d have to be *really* motivated to steal it, but here, for some reason, I felt completely at ease. Maybe it wasn’t the smartest move, but I go a lot by instinct, and here, it felt right. So I left my bike there and went to eat a little farther away, at a small restaurant on the village’s main square. It’s famous all over Greece for the beautiful mosaic that covers and decorates the floor. Once I’d eaten and drunk my fill, I hopped back on my bike, which had waited patiently without running off. And the best part? After riding uphill all morning to reach the top of the caldera, all I had to do now was coast downhill to the volcano. Pure bliss in such breathtaking scenery.

Hi there,

In 2024, I spent two months solo in El Salvador. While I’m still putting together my travel journal on Myatlas, here’s a quick recap. It’s a country where it’s really easy to travel without a guide or agency.

SAFETY:

For a long time, the country was considered one of the most dangerous in the world because of the "maras," ultra-violent gangs. But today, I think it’s the safest country in Latin America.

BUDGET:

For French tourists, the country is very affordable, especially in the less touristy regions.

TRANSPORT:

I got around everywhere by local bus.

Local buses go everywhere and run all the time. For me, it’s the best way to travel in El Salvador—you’re fully immersed, moving at the pace of the locals, and interacting with Salvadorans who are eager to connect with travelers.

I saw all sorts of things on those buses—I’ve got dozens of stories!

PEOPLE:

I’m used to traveling all over Latin America, and for me, Salvadorans are the warmest and most welcoming. Everywhere you go, people say, "Welcome to El Salvador!" The connections and long conversations with locals were my favorite part of the trip.

TOURIST CROWDS:

The country isn’t well-known among European tourists, but Americans and Quebecers visit. Overall, it’s still pretty low-key, especially compared to other Central American countries. That said, tourism has been growing since security improved significantly.

WHAT I LOVED ❤️

-Suchitoto, one of the most beautiful colonial towns in Central America.

-The volcanoes—there are so many! Santa Ana is the most touristy.

-The lakes—also plentiful. Coatepeque is the most famous, but there are lots of lagoons too.

-The mountainous regions, where the cooler weather is a nice break: La Palma, Perquín, Cerro El Pital, etc.

-The charming villages along the Ruta de las Flores, especially Nahuizalco with its nighttime atmosphere and food stalls. Juayúa and others are great too.

-The conversations with people who lived through the horrors of the civil war in Perquín and Cinquera. I met one of them by chance while waiting for a bus.

For surfers, El Salvador is a paradise, with world-famous beaches.

WHAT I LIKED LESS:

I loved almost everything, but I found the archaeological sites a bit underwhelming. Joyabaj de Cerén is billed as the "Pompeii of El Salvador," which is a stretch (though it *is* a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historical value).