Results for "Porto+|+9+>+225"

Bonjour,

j'ai réservé un séjour du 29 janvier au 6 février pour un groupe de 15 personnes à l'hotel Occidental Jack Tar à Puerto Plata.Cette réservation a été faite par l'intermédiaire de Go Voyages, en novembre.Aprés avoir réglé le montant total du séjour, j'ai été informé qu'il y avait un surbooking sur cet hotel (annoncé 5* par Go Voyages), et on m'a proposé le choix entre deux hotels 4*, le Lupéron et le Paraiso del sol. Mon choix a été orienté par Go Voyages, qui m'a déconseillé le Lupéron (problèmes récents et clients mécontents).

Par ailleurs, la classification de ces hotels est différente selon les voyagistes. La plupart du temps, on les trouve avec 4*(Jack Tar) et 3*(Paraiso et Lupéron). Go Voyages annonce même que le Paraiso est un 4* "supérieur"...

Vu les commentaires glanés içi oû là dans les discussions...j'ai comme le pressentiment de faire partie de ceux qui se sont fait avoir!

Avez-vous des témoignages oû infos allant dans ce sens?

merci

Bonjour a tous. J'ai réservé 15 jours au El Pueblito a Cancun en février ! Avez-vous séjourné à cet hotel ? Les opinions que j'ai lues sont plutot partagées. 😉

hola,

alors voilà on se casse dans 2 semaines pour un itinéraire Guaté-Salvador et nicaragua.... au nica on voudrait aller du coté de corn island, little c.i etc... on se demande kel est le meilleur le moyen pour rejoindre corn island. Je sais kil est possible de longet le fleuve depuis le costa-rica pour remonter a la frontière du nica ..mais est-ce ke ca vaut la peine ?

sinon toute infos sur le pays, bons plans, bonne adresses .. des trucs à voir ki vous ont marqué !!! welcome les infos!!!! également sur le salvador ????

merci à ki voudra prendre le temps de me répondre !!!

Salutations, maud

Bonjour,

je cherche tout information pertinante sur le chemin de compostelle... (les prix, la durée, l'hébergement) tout tout tout. Je dois dire que je quitterais le Québec en Mai 2004 est ce un bon mois pour de la belle température?? Par quel ville est-il préférable de commencé?? J'aimerais beaucoup en savoir d'avantage...je me suis renseigné pour m'acheter un bouquin sur le sujet mais les prix sont beaucoup trop élevés alors je vais commencé par chercher de l'information par internet je penserai pour le livre plus tard....alors j'attend de vos nouvelles avec impatience....

merci 🙂

ariane

Merci a jaisalmer et a trans pour les réponses apportées à ma précédente question. Pour ce qui concerne la sécurité au brésil, j'aimerais avoir votre avis. j'ai lu toutes sortes de choses, et si je prends certaines au pied de la lettre, j'annule mon voyage... Bien entendu, en prenant un peu de recul, je me dis qu'avec un minimum de précaution (pas d'étalage de billet de banque, de bijoux ou d'appareil photo dernier cri, pas de visite de "quartiers chauds"...) je devrais pouvoir passer un séjour agréable. Mais qu'en est-il vraiment, je rappelle que je vais voyager avec un groupe d'une vingtaine de personne (tour operator français), le fait d'être en groupe protège t'il, ou génére t'il les convoitises? Mon circuit commence à salvador, se poursuit par l'amazonie, ouru preto et belo horizonte, puis iguacu et rio. Certains endroits sont-ils plus à craindre que d'autre? (rio j'imagine...)

Merci à ceux qui répondront

BONJOUR,

J'AI RESERVE AVEC DES AMIS UN SEJOUR DE 16 NUITS DANS CET HOTEL AVEC UN DEPART LE 12/07/03.

SERAIT-IL POSSIBLE D'AVOIR QUELQUES AVIS SUR CET HOTEL DE LA PART DE PERSONNES QUI AURAIENT SEJOURNEES RECEMMENT DANS CE LIEU ? LA PLAGE ET LE SITE DANS SON ENSEMBLE SONT-ILS AGREABLE ?

PAR AVANCE MERCI.

je souhaiterai partir au brésil tout le mois de mai. Est ce la bonne période. Je suis une fille de trente et j'hésite entre partir seule ou avec un ami. Que me conseiller vous. Certains m'ont déconseillé de partir seule.

Bonjour à tous !!!!!!!

Je suis en train de préparer un petit periple dans les pays ci-dessus.

Je sais, c'est la honte, je suis française et je ne connais pas le sud de la France... Mais cette année j'y vais!!!!

Je compte partir avec un ami en "road trip" avec ma ptite 205. Je sais, ce n'est peut-etre pas la meilleure solution, mais je pense que c'est ce qui nous permettra d'etre le plus mobile? Je serai interessee d'avoir des commentaires là-dessus si vous avez deja fait un genre de voyage similaire...

Aussi, si vous pouviez me recommander des coins à ne pas manquer pour le sud de la France, ce serait adorable! Je pense qu'on va aller d'ouest en est pour rejoindre l'espagne en direction de Barcelone.

Tous bons conseils bienvenus then, Un grand merci d'avance,

Bon surf a tous!!!

Salut

Je veux aller soit en inde soit au perou en juillet et en aout et je voudrais pas payer l'aller retour + de 800 euros.

Mais voila, pour différentes raisons, je ne peux pas pendre mes billets avant le mois d'avril.

Trouverais-je encore des prix intéressants à ce moment la? Si oui, ou? comment ?

Dois je attendre 2 ou 3 jours avant mon depart pour prendre un billet? est-ce que ca marche vraiment ca? Suis je sur de partir?

Et puis aussi, comment faire pour avoir des dates open?

Et pour arriver ds une ville et repartir depuis une autre. Est ce + cher? facile à trouver?

Merci de vos réponses.

hi, I’m looking for a country to visit for 10 days in February. What do you recommend for a trip with some sunshine, hiking, and sightseeing?

Thanks for your help

Looking for a travel destination close to home that’s refreshing and combines sea and mountains? The beauty of Corsica awaits you after a short flight with Air Corsica. You can relax in the morning on Palombaggia Beach, with its crystal-clear waters, and explore the Aiguilles de Bavella in the afternoon, accessible via various hiking trails.

Numerous flights to and from Corsica Whether you're looking for a flight ticket to Ajaccio to mainland France, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Austria, or other European countries, visit Air Corsica’s website. This airline, a specialist in air transport to and from Corsica, offers year-round and seasonal connections from and to four major cities on the island: Ajaccio (southwest), Bastia (north), Calvi (northwest), and Figari (south).

For example, you can book an Ajaccio-Brussels Charleroi flight or a flight to Corsica from the mainland, such as Ajaccio-Lyon.

Packages that include vehicle and hotel reservations Air Corsica’s "Drive + Auto" option lets you book your rental car at the same time as your flight ticket. Once you’ve paid for your Ajaccio-Nice flight, for instance, just contact the customer service team—available 7 days a week—to add the "Drive + Auto" service, available on the island and the mainland through partnerships with Hertz Corsica and Europcar France.

If you’d like to explore Corsica by motorcycle or scooter, Air Corsica has partnered with envie2rouler. You’ll get preferential rates with the "Drive + Moto" service.

With Air Corsica, you can also choose your hotel when booking your flight. On the Corsican airline’s website, you can view accommodations offered by Air Corsica’s partner, the world’s leading hotel booking platform, Booking.com.

Free services and Air Corsica’s unique features Several routes operated by Air Corsica are part of its public service mission, connecting Corsica to mainland France. The flights in question are those between Ajaccio, Bastia, Figari, Calvi, and Nice, Marseille, or Paris-Orly. On these routes, complimentary drinks (hot and cold) and snacks are offered. Enjoy some *canistrelli*, small Corsican biscuits, while you’re at it.

Since January 2024, as part of Air Corsica’s public service activities, a special fare for Corsican residents has been introduced. There’s also a dedicated fare for students living in Corsica.

Starting in September 2026, Air Corsica will expand its international network through code-sharing agreements with airlines French Bee and Air Caraïbes. This means passengers traveling from Corsica to France, particularly on an Ajaccio-Orly flight, can book a single journey that takes them from the *Île de Beauté* all the way to the United States.

The Desert of Agriates, the citadels of Calvi and Porto-Vecchio, Mont Gozzi, the cliffs of Bonifacio... there are so many natural landscapes and historical sites to see in Corsica that you’ll quickly want to go—and return.

After a pretty disastrous weather-wise trip to Gran Canaria, we’re hoping this time the sun will shine in Puglia. It’s not a sure thing, though—the weather’s been awful all over Europe in early May.

For those who’d like to (re)read the story without the digressions, it’s here.

Saturday, May 16: This time we’re flying out of Charleroi (Brussels South): the ticket prices, flight times, and proximity all worked for us. The airport (Ryanair) was recently renovated... but it’s still not very well organized. There are hardly any seats in the boarding areas, and... the restrooms cost money!!! The flight goes smoothly, though, and we land in Bari a little late.

We quickly pick up our rental car, a very local-looking Pandina (even more so than the Fiat 500 in this region), and hit the Italian roads... and their unique driving quirks (like the fact that the countless road signs along the streets and in towns are purely decorative 😏, and that Italian cars don’t have turn signals 😮... except for rental cars).

About an hour later, we arrive at our first accommodation, right in the middle of the countryside near Monopoli. The owner isn’t there, but they’ve left us a ton of info via messages and even turned on the space heater, which is a nice touch. We explore the property:



And the next morning before breakfast, its immediate surroundings:





Sunday, May 17: After our "seaside" experience in Gran Canaria last weekend (packed with people and locals), we decide to start inland. After a hearty breakfast,



we head toward Alberobello, a super touristy village famous for its trulli—those stone houses with conical roofs. We easily find a free parking spot on a street near the Aia Piccola district, where some trulli are still lived in year-round.





We almost immediately come across the Trullo Sovrano (the only two-story one), which you can visit (but we skip it—it’s opening time, and there’s already a line).



From there, we head down toward the Basilica of Cosma e Damiano... but we don’t go in because there’s a mass.



Now we’re on the main Piazza del Popolo, which connects the two districts of Alberobello: Rione Aia Piccola and Rione Monti, the more touristy one.

Hi there,

I’ve never bought a SIM card abroad or even used prepaid cards in France...

So I’m wondering how it all works?

You buy a SIM card and pop it into your phone. Okay, so far so good... 😏

But after that?

I can’t find the price of prepaid cards or how they work with MegaCom.

If someone could give me a step-by-step guide... 😊

Thanks! 🙂

This is where we chat.

A little trip report from an 11-day journey to Albania at the end of April 2026, with two friends in their early sixties and beyond... Our route: Berat, Gjirokastër, Himarë, Tirana Here are some opinions, tips, and great deals to share: Flight Round-trip Beauvais-Tirana: Ryanair, 260 € with checked baggage (20 kg) and seat selection. Flight was fine and on time. 2h 30min flight. Exchange: 1 € was worth 95 lek in April 2026. We were advised to exchange in the airport hall at the Illiria counter (98 lek outside the security zone), saying we wouldn’t find a better rate. However, the exchange rate was 93 lek for 1 euro, while in the city it was 95... Car rental at Tirana airport for 9 days via Booking.com: 144 € (56 € for the car rental and 88 € for optional full insurance deductible waiver). Wheego agency: the car was fine, but be careful when signing the contract—they tried to convince us that the insurance taken through Booking didn’t cover everything and insisted we take their own insurance for 250 €... We refused. After reading about driving in Tirana, instead of starting our trip by visiting the capital, we decided to head straight to Berat upon arrival and return the car at the end of the trip to explore the city on foot. This turned out to be a great choice! Accommodations: All our stays were booked via Booking.com. Everyone prefers to be paid in euros and in cash—they mention this when booking. Berat: 2-hour drive from the airport. Accommodation: Vila Arben Elezi: 135 € for 3 nights with breakfast and private parking. The room was decent and clean but a bit dark, located slightly below ground level near the parking. However, the breakfast on the rooftop was excellent, especially with the stunning view of the "city of a thousand windows." Great location. Berat was our favorite—there are lovely walks through the different neighborhoods on both sides of the river, each with a very different vibe. The citadel visit is also fascinating, as it’s like a small town within the fortress. The walk along the river is pleasant, with plenty of restaurant choices. Other restaurants in the old town are also very nice. The White House Restaurant, on the first floor along the road, is good and offers a great view of the Gorica district. Gjirokastër: Accommodation: Te Ajdini Guest House: 120 € for 3 nights with breakfast. A private home stay. There’s free parking just before entering the city, a 5-minute walk from the accommodation, which is very convenient since the cobblestone streets are narrow and parking is tricky. Yes, it’s a climb to get to the place, but everything in this city is uphill... The room was bright and clean. Breakfast was very good, hearty, and served in the courtyard with a view of the castle. The guesthouse is a 5-minute walk from the city center (the bazaar) but in a quiet area. Restaurants: Rrapi and Kujtimi—good and affordable with their little pergolas. The old town of Gjirokastër is charming but very touristy, with streets packed with souvenir shops and restaurant tables and chairs. Lots of people. -The bunker visit (near the tourist office) is very interesting: Cold War Tunnel. The castle offers a beautiful view of the city. -Visit to the Ottoman house Skenduli: very well done. Don’t forget to climb the ladder facing a trapdoor in the ceiling to see the roof’s framework—it’s like a forest of beams: impressive! -The bridge Ura e Ali Pasha: A steep 45-minute climb from the city to the site is worth it, but once you reach the viewpoint (which is stunning), you have to go back down a path to reach the bridge. You can drive to the viewpoint, but parking is very tricky. Around Gjirokastër: -Just outside the city: Lake Liqeni i Viroit: a nice, ordinary-looking lake, but at the end, there’s a natural spring making the water crystal clear and a brilliant blue—really spectacular, like photos of Blue Eye near Sarandë. -Drive to Përmet along the gorges: beautiful viewpoints along the way and lovely countryside. Himarë: Accommodation: Vila Kosteli: 120 € for 2 nights with breakfast—slightly overpriced for this type of place but very close to a small beach and not far from the promenade with all the restaurants. Private parking, but very tight (4 cars on a tiny lot along the road). The "sea view" room is a bit obstructed by the building across the street. However, the rooftop breakfast view is beautiful. Friendly staff. Himarë is a pleasant seaside resort, quite calm (but it was April...). There’s a cute promenade with restaurants along the beach. The castle on the heights of Himarë is worth a visit. Around Himarë: -Qeparo is worth a quick stop, but Qeparo village is really worth the detour: a village lost in the heights after a scenic drive up from the coastal road—narrow but well-maintained. Beautiful view from the top and a charming village. -The Big Bunker and Llogora Panorama: take a right turn several kilometers after Dhermi—a road that climbs steeply from the start... A breathtaking winding road that reaches 900 meters in altitude. The view is stunning. -Several small villages between Dhermi and Himarë are worth a quick stop. -Porto Palermo Castle is somewhat disappointing. Tirana: Taxi from Tirana airport to the city center: 15 € with electric taxis (Green Taxi, Bee Taxi, Do Taxi). Accommodation: Hotel Nevi Apartment: 63 € for 2 nights. A private apartment in an older building but very clean and well-equipped, with a kitchen and small enclosed balcony. Great welcome and contact—the owner even booked a taxi for our departure. Very well located, close to the main square, shops, and restaurants. A small supermarket nearby is perfect for stocking up on breakfast supplies. The city is lively and dynamic, with plenty of green spaces and promenades. Buildings are popping up everywhere, often with surprising architecture—like a building shaped like a face, a huge golden cube, and many others under construction. -Sky Tower: at the top, a rotating bar offers a 360° view of the city and its buildings. Drinks are a bit pricier than usual, but it’s totally worth it (6 € for a beer or a glass of white wine, 3 € for coffee). We were there for sunset, and it was amazing! A must-do. Arrive early, as it fills up quickly. -The House of Leaves: a house used for secret surveillance and interrogations during the dictatorship... A great way to learn about the surveillance systems of that era. -Bunk’Art 2: a bunker in the heart of the city—very interesting, covering the dictatorship period and its system... -The Pazari i Ri Bazaar: the new bazaar district. The large hall is worth a visit, but souvenir prices are often higher than elsewhere... The area is nice. Restaurant: Kastrati Restaurant—a bit like a canteen with lots of traditional dishes. It’s on the first floor of a building. Excellent value for money, and the waitress explains the dishes in French.

That’s a little overview of our trip and my personal impressions! Albania is a beautiful and pleasant country to visit. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Hey there!

This is the spot where we can chill and chat about fishing at sea worldwide 😊

Here are two charming fishermen taking a well-deserved break near Zanzibar!

Hi everyone,

It’s been ages since I last dropped by here... maybe simply because, apart from Nepal, I haven’t really had the chance to hit the road lately. 😉

This year, I’d love to spend a few days in Lisbon, probably in late May or early June. But with my budget being what it is, I’m looking for great tips to avoid wasting time once I’m there and risk missing out on hidden gems or unusual culinary specialties and/or quirky activities! I’m hoping to find a room in a local’s home where I can stay in a quiet neighborhood near the center, so I can get around without relying too much on public transport—my walking shoes are my best travel buddies. I’d love all your recommendations, especially for parks, small neighborhood markets, casual eateries for a quick bite, your favorite viewpoints to soak in the scenery (I’m bringing my travel journal to sketch my getaway in watercolors), events around traditional art and crafts, and so on. All your advice will definitely help me travel peacefully and come back with my head full of vibrant memories! Thanks in advance, everyone! Isabelle

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

Hi everyone, After a year where I’ve worked way too much and with a house under renovation, it’s become essential to take a breather. My contract ends on 01/30, and I’ll try to find a new client for early March, so overall, let’s go somewhere in February! I thought Réunion with the full trek around the Mafate cirque for reconnecting with Nature would be perfect, but since it’s cyclone season, it wasn’t such a great idea. Then came the idea that Southeast Asia could fulfill the peace-and-beach vibe, especially Cambodia with its cultural past, but the flight ticket price and a chat with a friend made me change my mind—and boom, Cape Verde popped up, with Santo Antão for hiking and São Vicente for culture and the beach. So I bought a ticket a week ago, and oh, what a coincidence—it’s during Carnival! Except now, I don’t know if it’s reality or just exhaustion talking, but I feel like I’m making a mess of things. I’ve traveled a lot without even booking the first night, but this time, I pre-booked 2 nights in Mindelo (though one of them ended up canceling itself). But the main issue is that I arrive on Monday, 02/09 at 6 PM and leave on Sunday, 02/22 at 11 AM, and there’s a little hiccup in the logical organization—actually, several hiccups—since I don’t really have any organization right now, and that’s where I need help Because Carnival is in full swing from 02/15 to 02/17, right in the middle of my trip, so the logic of my visit to Santo Antão isn’t clicking for me. Plus, I just checked, and there’s zero accommodation available in Mindelo from 02/15 to 02/18 😕 So I don’t know: should I skip Carnival, should I forget about planning and just wing it once I’m there, should I stay on São Vicente after Carnival (because I read Montaganrd’s trip report, and he made São Vicente sound like a rock !), or should I keep in mind the option of heading to Santiago afterward and buying a return flight to Paris from Praia? I need help 🏴‍☠️

Hi, We’re heading to Cape Verde in January. We’re scheduled to arrive in Praia on a Saturday around 11 AM. I read somewhere that the exchange rate for Euros to Escudos is the same everywhere—110 escudos for 1 euro. Can anyone confirm this? If that’s the case, I assume there’s a currency exchange desk at the airport, and the rate isn’t too bad? So, it’s better to exchange at the airport, right? What do you think? I don’t want to use ATMs. Otherwise, are banks in town open on Saturdays? I read they close by 3 PM?

Hey there, VF crew!

After wrapping up our travel journal on Java (link below), we’re now diving into our recent adventure in Puglia! Happy reading... Off we go on an adventure in Java (and a bit of Bali) | Travel journal > Indonesia | Voyage Forum

Day 1 - October 19

When you tell your friends and family you’re itching to escape to the other side of the planet to mingle with the Mongols, you can usually expect a barrage of questionable jokes and terrible puns. For this new adventure, it’s a different destination but the same old story—this time, we’re visiting the "pouilleux" (the "scruffy" ones). We’re taking off straight for Puglia! If you need a cheat sheet to remember where this oddly named place is on a world map, just think of it this way: Puglia is the maiden name on the ID card of the heel of the Italian boot! Personally, I prefer to remember it as the land of creamy burrata, the smell of focaccia fresh from the oven, orecchiette shaped by mamas, golden olive oil that shines like the sun (which beams down here 300 days a year), amaretto that makes you happy, and those famous trulli—those little hobbit-like dry-stone houses straight out of a movie set...

But I’ll stop spoiling the rest of our trip and focus on a factual rundown of this first Puglian day. So, are you joining us on this new adventure beyond our Gallic borders? Either way, Sasha (my youngest) and Luna (Flo’s daughter) didn’t need much convincing to stick with us and keep up the pace!

Our plane drops our little crew in Bari, the site of a famously tragic battle lost in 1991. But revenge is sweet! After renting a motorized carriage, we escape the landing zone and head to our military base of operations: Ostuni, a strategic little town where we’ll set up camp for the next four days. Why Ostuni? First, for its central location, which lets us explore a region packed with must-see gems. Second, for its vibe and beauty, which have earned it quite the reputation. Perched high on a hill, the *città bianca* (the "White City") lives up to its nickname. It literally dazzles visitors. The reason? The whitewashed facades of its houses, a testament to the region’s rich architectural heritage.





We arrived late last night, so only the two bravest soldiers volunteered to scout ahead at dawn, while the younger recruits stayed behind—for now. But not for long! After the first wave of streets and the next round of exploration, headquarters made the inevitable call to retreat. Reinforcements were needed! A few strategic errands, a breakfast ration, and our battalion marched in tight formation, flag held high, to conquer Ostuni the White! *Charge!* In my squadron leader’s memoirs, I’ll write that I didn’t expect Ostuni to put up such a fight. What I thought would take two hours to conquer turned into a humbling experience—we could only bow in respect to its beauty, its relentless charm. The alleys are whiter, more labyrinthine, narrower, and more photogenic than the last. *Veni, vidi, vici*—but what an entrance, my troops!

Hi there, I’ve been traveling for 18 years now, at least 6 months a year, and as the years go by, I actually enjoy coming back to France more and more—a feeling I struggled with at first. I mean, we always think the grass is greener elsewhere. But in the end, I find meaning in that saying about how there’s no place like home. I still love traveling just as much, but now my trips are shorter, and I enjoy spending more time in our beautiful country, even though I don’t hesitate to criticize it. How about you? How do you handle coming back from your travels?

And we still haven’t seen everything! Before setting off for new horizons at the end of this year, it’s time for me to share my trip to Cape Verde this summer 2025.

I particularly love these spontaneous trips, and our stay in Cape Verde is one of those because it was only at the beginning of April that we decided on this getaway, which had been catching our eye for a while, given our love for the mountains.

As always—well, when it’s open—I turned to VF, and I want to immediately thank Marie, aka ptitortue, who helped me a lot in planning this trip through her travel journals and our exchanges!

Because Cape Verde is both small and vast! We decided not to rush from one airport to another, to enjoy the places and the people, but also to relax, since the work backlog from being stuck in May (see my previous travel journal 😅) had to be caught up on in June.

So, 4 islands will be our winners from 06/28 to 07/19:

Santiago first for logistical reasons, as round-trip flights from the capital Praia were the cheapest (650 €/person from Lyon via Lisbon with TAP, still!)

São Vicente, because it’s the gateway to the next one but ultimately more than that...

Santo Antão, pretty much the main goal of the trip since Marie (and the photos) had really sold it to me.

And finally, Sal Island, for some rest—a non-negotiable condition for my other half—and we’ll see that I should’ve listened to Marie...

That said, what a chatterbox I am—buckle up, flight attendants at the doors, off we go on new beautiful escapes! (Thanks to Sophie for the easy loan)

Last note for my eager fan club 😏: yes, there will be alcohol—how could there not be in the land of grogue!

It starts here:

https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=10790234;a=10790234

Hi everyone, thanks for your advice! I’m starting a new thread because it seems my first one about Senegal was deleted—or maybe it’s just my computer acting up again 😉. Anyway, I’ve decided to go to Benin instead. I’ll be there from January 5th to February 2nd—why count the days when you love traveling😄? I’d love all your tips on accommodations, restaurants, and itineraries. I’m basically starting from scratch to plan my trip.

Hi there, I'm starting a new travel journal with my itinerary and memories in mind, and maybe a few photos if I can find some.

The context:

April 2020, I was supposed to go to Uzbekistan, and October 2020 to Texas: both canceled due to COVID. Summer vacations in 2020 weren’t gonna be fun. Optimistic, I’d rescheduled both trips for roughly the same dates in 2021: the first was canceled again because of COVID, the second due to U.S. entry conditions (still COVID-related!). Summer vacations in 2021 *had* to be more fun, or I was gonna lose it!!! Plus, our parents are dealing with health issues, which is weighing us down—we really need to get away!

So I looked into where we could go, somewhere we could live almost normally. I saw that Madeira had implemented strict COVID measures but that life on the island was pretty chill afterward. For me, Madeira = sun + hiking + landscapes. BINGO.

Day 1: The flight and arrival on the island

Flight with TAP via Lisbon, departing around noon. We wore our masks properly on the plane. (My last flight was to Portugal, and I told myself I’d break the jinx and leave COVID behind us.) Layover in Lisbon, then an afternoon flight to Madeira. The landing went smoothly, no wind. Cristiano Ronaldo Airport in Funchal is known for being one of the trickiest in the world due to crosswinds. The checks were standard, except COVID added an extra step. Before the trip, I had to fill out a questionnaire (Madeira Safe). Once there, a group of young people—probably students—greeted us, each with a tablet. The health questionnaire and vaccine check were super quick. Then we saw a doctor, and just like that, we were wished a great stay. Honestly, it was so well organized that it only took 10 minutes. We wouldn’t put our masks back on until we returned!

A taxi took us to our hotel in the hills above Funchal—a pretty upscale place, which isn’t our usual style, but we needed it this time! Dinner on the hotel terrace with the city at our feet. Amazing!

HOTEL: Quinta da Bela Vista

The +: We’re traveling!!! The -: Nothing.

Hey there, it's me again—back with my usual travel journal share for our loved ones, from our 15-day trip in October 2019.



"Ah, here it is at last—that sweet scent of elsewhere so dear to Cricri and Lulu’s noses, that mix of apprehension and desire when facing the unknown.

We’re really diving into the unknown this time, taking you to the island of SAO TOMÉ... also known as the island: *‘Wait, what did you say?’* 😄. Because apparently, no one’s heard of Sao Tomé—except our Portuguese friends.

It’s an archipelago of three islands smack in the middle of the world, right on the equator, off the coast of Gabon.



No, these aren’t the sun-soaked, Polynesian lagoon islands. Here, *‘it rains, it pours...’* pretty much all the time, it seems.

There’s not much to *‘see’* in the traditional tourist sense—EXCEPT for stunning landscapes, lush vegetation, a few beaches with golden or black sand, colonial buildings still in their original state, a single main road, and plenty of *‘tracks’* that are more or less drivable. All this surrounded by an African population that speaks Portuguese and is known for its warm welcome.

Well, that should be enough for our happiness—and hopefully yours too! 😊



Ready for landing?

A new work assignment means our vacation dates can't stay the same.

We had planned to go to the Canary Islands, but flight prices are skyrocketing with this new holiday schedule.

So, I’m looking for an alternative to Gran Canaria and El Hierro and found two round-trip flights with Wizz Air to Tirana.

398 €, including baggage and seats—perfect!

Plus, the departure and return times are great, which is pretty rare for a low-cost flight!

All that’s left is to rent a car, plan the route, and book accommodations.

With two weeks, we’ll have to make some choices!

Here’s the final itinerary: Shkodra (2 nights), Valbonë (3 nights), Tirana (1 night), Lake Ohrid (1 night), Korçë (1 night), Përmet (1 night), Gjirokastër (1 night), Himarë (2 nights), Berat (2 nights), and Krujë (1 night).

A mix of countryside and small towns, a bit of the Mediterranean, and some mountains!

Late October isn’t the best season, so let’s keep our fingers crossed for the rest...

Hello, We’ve just returned (2 senior couples) from 18 days in Cape Verde (21/01 to 7/02) that we really enjoyed. The temperature was great—20° to 27°—admittedly a bit windy at times, but the friendliness of the Cape Verdeans made up for it. Paris Orly, direct flight with Transavia (cheap if you book in advance). We landed in São Vicente, with a 12 € city transfer. We had a fantastic 2-bedroom apartment in downtown Mindelo—Av. Fernando Ferreira Fortes, "Casa So Morabeza"—for 58 € per night. The owner lives in France and communicates instantly via WhatsApp. We spent 2 days exploring the (beautiful) city of Mindelo and its port activity, plus a private taxi tour of the island (6000 CVE for the day). Then we took the Armas ferry (recommended company—1500 CVE) to Santo Antão. From there, a collectivo (450 CVE per person) took us to Ribeira Grande, a central base for hikes. We stayed in a brand-new, modern, and well-equipped 2-bedroom apartment—*Apartamentos Modernos*—for 6770 CVE per night, staying 6 nights. I highly recommend it for its location in town and proximity to *aluguers* and *collectivos* for hiking. The hikes were stunning: - The coastal trail from Fontainhas to Cruzinha (taxi for 1500 CVE) - The route from Corda to Coculi (taxi for 2000 CVE + 100 CVE per person for the return) - The trail from Cova to Cidade de Pombas (taxi for 2000 CVE + 100 CVE per person for the return) - The hike from Miradouro to Ribeira Grande (taxi for 2000 CVE) - The coastal road from Ribeira Grande to Ponta do Sol (visit and lunch at *Mini Familiar* in the city center—excellent and affordable) for the round trip. Ribeira Grande has plenty of restaurants, but avoid *5 de Julho*—it’s loud and slow. We loved: *Bellcanto*, *Cantinho da Amizade*, and *Boca-Fina Churrasqueria*. Meals with drinks cost around 800–1000 CVE. Back to São Vicente by ferry (1500 CVE), then an airport transfer (12 €) and a flight (99 €) to Santiago’s Praia. The airport-to-city transfer was 15 €. We stayed at *Kelly’s* in Plato, Praia, which was disappointing—not ideal for two couples—but well-located. One day was spent visiting the massive *Suspicia* market, then a collectivo to Cidade Velha (2 x 200 CVE round trip per person). We hiked up to the fort, explored *Rua Banana*, and had lunch at *Praça do Mar* by the beach. We rented a car for 6 days (29000 CVE) from *Slimpycar* in Praia. On Saturday, we visited the huge *Assomada* market—don’t miss it!—then hiked to *Boa Entrada* and *Poilon*, the largest and most impressive tree we’ve ever seen. We stayed for 2 nights (138 €) in a beautiful valley in *Picos*—a spacious, lovely house with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a large living area, surrounded by nature and animals. Lina, the charming neighbor, prepared dinner (8.50 €) and breakfast (4.50 €) for us. Next, we headed to *Tarrafal*, stopping to visit the concentration camp (500 CVE)—a must-see—before arriving. We spent 3 nights (184 €) in a fantastic house called *"Maison Familiale"*—huge, with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 kitchens, 5 toilets, and a large terrace with sea views. It was absolutely stunning and very close to the beach and numerous restaurants. We did a beautiful 3.8 km hike to the *Farol da Ponta Preta* lighthouse. Tarrafal’s beach is lively and pleasant, with bars, restaurants, and even acrobats! We also explored *Ribeira da Prata* to see the *Piscina Natural de Cuba* (not easy to find). We loved discovering isolated villages like *Ponta Furna*, *Ponta Labrão*, and *Fazenda*. For food, I recommend *Mira Mar* at *Mama’s*. On the way back to Praia, we took the east coast route via *Calheta de São Miguel*, *Pedra Badejo*, and *Praia Baixo*—nothing extraordinary, just a rugged, wild coastline with beaches that seemed a bit tricky to access. Our last evening in Praia was nice. The seaside esplanade was lively, and many Cape Verdeans were swimming at *Prainha* beach, which seemed very accessible and safe. If you’d like more info—addresses, etc.—feel free to message me privately. I’ll respond. Jacquesler.