Results for "Lac+Bourget+|+127"

Hi everyone,

If I want to take a seaplane tour... is it necessarily around Mauricie, or do you have other spots to recommend? If I want to see whales... it's around Grandes-Bergeronnes from land. If I want to see belugas... it's around Baie-Sainte-Catherine. If I want to see seals... where is it? If I want to see moose... it's in Gaspésie. If I want to see bears... it's around Saint-Jean-des-Piles on the banks of the St. Maurice River. If I want to visit the Museum of First Peoples' Civilizations... where is it? If I want to go canoeing... it's around Lac de la Mauricie or Mont-Tremblant. If I want to see a beautiful waterfall, it's Montmorency Falls. If I want to eat the best poutine, where is it?

Just to remind you, my round trip is: Montreal – Mauricie – Lac Saint-Jean – Tadoussac – Gaspésie – Charlevoix – Quebec City... but I'm really hesitating between Montreal, Mauricie, Charlevoix, Quebec City, the Saguenay Fjord, Lac Saint-Jean, Tadoussac, the Gaspésie ferry, and back to Montreal.

Thank you for your valuable tips—I’m taking notes! If you have other suggestions, as well as restaurants and accommodations along the way, I’d really appreciate it!

Hi there,

I’m spending some time in Switzerland this summer. Beyond the landscapes, I’d still like to visit a few cities—especially Bern, Lausanne, Zurich, and Fribourg.

The issue is parking...

For Lausanne, I found a park-and-ride that’s cheaper on Saturdays. But for the others, it gets tricky...

I don’t necessarily plan to park right in the city center, but there don’t seem to be proper park-and-rides...

I see that the Bern–Fribourg railway line is under construction.

I’d really like to avoid paying an arm and a leg for parking over there or relying on a train once an hour.

Same goes for Montreux—it looks pretty complicated...

If you’ve got any tips...

Thanks! !

I’ve lived in Savoie long enough to tell you one thing: Vanoise National Park isn’t just a pretty postcard. Here, nature is vast, untamed, and incredibly alive. Whether you're visiting for a holiday or live in a nearby valley, here are my top picks you shouldn’t miss.

Sleeping in a mountain hut—the best way to experience the mountains

Hiking in Vanoise National Park is already magical, but spending a night in a refuge? That’s sacred. I recommend the glacier tour, a 4- to 7-day trek with stops at huts like L’Arpont, Dent Parrachée, or Leisse. The food’s great, you’ll meet other hikers, and in the early morning, when the sun lights up the peaks, I guarantee you won’t be thinking about your emails. Even a single night at Refuge du Fond d’Aussois or La Valette is enough to unplug.

High-altitude lakes: when the peaks reflect in the water

High-altitude lakes are a bit like my madeleine de Proust. I love climbing up early in the morning when everything’s still quiet. Lac Blanc, starting from Termignon, is a pretty accessible hike, often punctuated by the whistling of marmots. Wilder, Lac de la Glière near Champagny-en-Vanoise is one of my favorite spots for a picnic far from everything.



Glacial valleys—my breath of fresh air

I often go there to reconnect with the mountains, especially when I want a spectacular setting without hours of climbing. The Orgère valley, starting from Saint-André in Maurienne, is a gem. Easy to access, super wild, with its Swiss pine trees and singing streams... You’re instantly immersed in the alpine atmosphere. A little higher up, from Val Cenis/Termignon, I recommend the Cirque du Génépy. It’s an old glacial landscape just the way we love it: rocks smoothed by ice, near-total silence, and a real sense of the end of the world.

Glacier mountaineering at the heart of the ice

For the more athletic (and always with a guide, of course), climbing the Grande Casse, 3,855 m, remains a legendary goal. I’ve only done it once, but what a rush! You’ll need crampons, an ice axe, and good fitness, but the view up there is indescribable. There are also more accessible glacial routes around Pointe de la Réchasse or the Dôme de Chasseforêt.

Gateways to Vanoise National Park

Bonneval-sur-Arc... this little village perched at 1,835 meters, I never get tired of it. It’s kept its charm: stone houses, slate roofs, fountains... It’s simple, everything’s beautiful. It’s also a great base for hiking in the park. And then there’s Pralognan-la-Vanoise, my favorite gateway. It’s a mountain village just the way I like them—quiet streets, typical chalets, and above all, direct access to incredible landscapes.

Hello Departing on August 29 from San Francisco.

I’m not sure if it’s because I’m booking last-minute (I usually reserve way in advance) or if it’s because it’s early September—whereas we usually travel in late September—but I feel like prices have really gone up. Luckily, the dollar is weak right now!

I’ll post the start of the road trip, and I’m looking for your suggestions because I’m a bit stuck around Lassen since I had to cut one day from the rest of the trip.

D1: Flight Marseille → Paris → SFO, night in SFO D2: SFO (3rd time, so it’s just because we love it, but we’ve already done almost everything—we’ll revisit our favorite spots and especially do some walking tours). Night in SF D3 & 4: Heading to Fort Bragg for two nights D5 & 6: Night in Eureka, visiting southern Redwood D7 & 8: Crescent City, visiting northern Redwood D9: Heading to Mount Shasta, night in Mount Shasta D10: Lassen (north entrance), night in Mineral D11: Lassen south, mid-afternoon departure for North Lake Tahoe (two nights) and exploring the area D13 & 14: South Lake Tahoe D15: June Lake D16: Morning walk, then heading toward Fresno, overnight stop in the area D17: King’s Canyon, night at the lodge D18: Drive to Sequoia and walk, night in Three Rivers D19: Big morning in Sequoia, then heading to Pacific Grove (our favorite spot) for three nights to rest and walk along the Pacific D22: Probably (but still undecided) a detour to Sacramento to visit the California State Capitol… if we’re not too lazy, we’ll see D23: Return to San Francisco… night on the coast near the ocean (Pacifica or Half Moon Bay) D24: Return to France

Thanks for your constructive help, and don’t hesitate to criticize—I always try to stay at least two nights in each place and take time to rest a bit. Obviously, we’ve already done all the red rock areas…

Hi everyone,

We're currently planning our itinerary for this summer (late July - August) in China. Our travel style is more backpacker-oriented—we're used to traveling in Latin America, booking things just 3 days in advance. Could you share your thoughts on this route?

We’re particularly wondering about: - Yangshuo (which seems very touristy) → Xingping instead? The park Bajiaozhai? - How to get around and find accommodation in the small Miao and Dong villages? - Should we book trains and hotels in advance for late July and early August?

Thanks so much!

28-Jul Monday Kunming: Bamboo Temple Dian Chi Lake Kunming 29-Jul Tuesday Visit the city center Lake bike tour Dali Dali 30-Jul Wednesday Three Pagodas / Cangshan Mountain Dali Dali 31-Jul Thursday Transport to Shaxi - visit 1 - Dali Old Town Coach Station (大理古城客运站) 2 - Arrive Jianchuan Coach Station 3 - Local green or yellow minibuses to Shaxi Dali → Jianchuan → Shaxi Shaxi 01-Aug Friday Quick visit Shaxi → Lijiang Shaxi Shaxi 02-Aug Saturday Quick visit Shaxi → Lijiang Shaxi Lijiang 03-Aug Sunday Tiger Leaping Gorge trek 04-Aug Monday Tiger Leaping Gorge Qiatou Lijiang / Dali 05-Aug Tuesday Dali → Kunming → Kaili Full-day transport Kaili 06-Aug Wednesday Langde Miao Village - Xijiang Miao Village Kaili 07-Aug Thursday Visit village Kaili 08-Aug Friday Visit village Zhaoxing 09-Aug Saturday AM: Train to Guilin - PM: Elephant Trunk Hill / night barbecue Zhaoxing → Guilin (1h) Guilin 10-Aug Sunday Bajiaozhai (Park / hike) Ziyuan 11-Aug Monday Bajiaozhai (Park / hike) Ziyuan 12-Aug Tuesday Yangshuo Yangshuo 13-Aug Wednesday Yangshuo Yangshuo 14-Aug Thursday Yangshuo Yangshuo 15-Aug Friday Guilin → HK (3.5h) Guilin → HK (3.5h) 16-Aug Saturday Hong Kong

We're planning to cycle through Slovenia on touring bikes from July 14th to August 14th. We're used to camping, but I get the feeling there are large areas without campsites. Is wild camping allowed? If not, is it easy to stay with locals?

Could you tell me about the must-see spots in Slovenia? I'm thinking of finishing in Istria, at a seaside campsite to relax and enjoy the sea. Is it pretty quiet there?

Thanks so much, Mireille.

Friday, April 18 Night in Guwahati Before leaving the guesthouse, I drop off a small bag that I’ll pick up when I return. I take a tuk-tuk at 7:40 AM to get to the sumo departure point for Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya. My bag is loaded onto the roof, my seat is assigned, and we have to wait for the car to fill up.



While waiting, I watch the street come to life. I have fun photographing the different modes of transport passing by.









Time passes faster when you’re occupied. We leave at 8:20 AM, and the driver does door-to-door service along the way. We make our first stop for 25 minutes at 9:10 AM, then another for breakfast at 10:10 AM. The scenery is very different from Assam and Nagaland. We drive alongside a pine forest and a large lake. There are beautiful viewpoints, but the driver isn’t stopping for sightseeing, so I have to settle for looking through the car windows.

We finally arrive in Shillong at 11:45 AM. The driver stops in the middle of nowhere, so I have to walk up the street to find a taxi. I flag one down, and he agrees to take me to my new guesthouse, the Rockski Boutique Bed & Breakfast. No sooner do I arrive than a storm with a heavy downpour welcomes me. When I arrived in Guwahati at the end of October, I’d booked a guide with a car for this week. There’s no public transport to get from village to village, so I had to take a car to visit. The tourism manager, Sachin, sent me a message to let me know that the driver, Welbis, will pick me up tomorrow morning at 8 AM. The temperature is much cooler here—only 19°C. At 2:30 PM, the rain stops, and I take the opportunity to explore the city. I start with the cathedral. Today is Good Friday, so I’m going to see how it’s celebrated here. Meghalaya is a Catholic state. The cathedral isn’t far from the guesthouse—it’s huge and all blue.



I arrive during mass, and it’s impossible to enter—the faithful are numerous outside in the parking lot. Giant screens broadcast the ceremony.

Hi everyone,

In November, we’re planning to do the Ha Giang loop and the RC4 by motorbike without a guide. 😎 We’re looking for a decent place to stay/rent in Ha Giang.

If anyone has any info, we’d be really interested.

Thanks in advance! 😉 Ladava

Hi, I’m traveling alone with my daughters (9, 8, and 15) to Bali for almost 3 weeks in July. We’re staying mainly in Ubud and Amed. Are there any must-see places and beaches we absolutely shouldn’t miss? Also, any shows or performances worth checking out? I plan to get around using the Grab app—is that enough? Thanks! !

Hi there, For our upcoming trip to Central Asia starting on July 7th, we have two spots available in our car with a French-speaking driver. We’ll depart from Almaty in Kazakhstan, visiting the Charyn Canyon, then the Kolsay and Kayindy lakes. After crossing the border into Kyrgyzstan, our itinerary in this nomadic country includes Karakol, Djety Oguz, and the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul: Skazka Canyon, Barskoon Gorges... all the way to Lake Song-Kul, where we’ll take a rest day to enjoy the surroundings. We’ll return to Bishkek via Kyzyl-Oi and the Suusamyr Valley on July 16th. Two people can join us for this part of our journey from Almaty to Bishkek. DM us if you're interested. Best, Marie

Hi there, We’re planning a 3-week camper van road trip in August 2026 with our two kids (5 years old and 14 months). I’m looking for feedback from families who’ve explored Quebec in a camper van—specifically, whether it’s more budget-friendly than renting a car/hotel/restaurants. The itinerary is still being planned, but it’ll likely follow the classic loop: Montreal / Mauricie / Quebec City / Tadoussac / Saguenay / Lac Saint-Jean / Gaspésie / Montreal. With the camper van, I’ve got a few questions:

Can you rent a camper van and pick it up/drop it off in Montreal? What budget should we set aside for renting the RV + campsites? Are there free spots where we can sleep in the camper van? Without using official campsites. Are there other rental companies besides the two main ones (Canadream and Cruise America)?

Thanks so much for your replies—they’ll really help us make a decision. Azurplage

Hello, I need some advice because I can't decide on an itinerary. We're going to join our son around September 20th, who's spending a year in Canada on a working holiday visa. I did the classic Quebec loop over 30 years ago, so I’m ruling out the Saguenay Fjord and Lac Saint-Jean right away. Here are the stops (overnights) I’ve tentatively planned:

D1-2-3: Quebec City D4: Malbaie Gorges National Park via Routes 360 and 362 D5: Malbaie Gorges National Park (fishing and canoeing) D6: Tadoussac (walks and whale watching from the shore, hiking up to Cap du Bon Désir) D7: Whale-watching zodiac excursion – ferry – Bic National Park D8: Bic National Park D9: Carleton-sur-Mer via the Matapedia Valley D10: Percé D11: Percé (Bonaventure Island excursion) D12: Forillon National Park D13: Forillon National Park D14: Sainte-Anne-des-Monts via Route 132 D15: Sainte-Anne-des-Monts (Gaspésie National Park) D16: Kamouraska D17: Quebec City D18-19-20: Montreal

I feel like one night in Tadoussac is too short. Wouldn’t it be better to add another night there and only spend one night in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, skipping Gaspésie National Park? Just to clarify, we love nature and hiking but limit ourselves to about 10 km per day.

Also, I’m wondering about the distances (even though I tried to keep them reasonable), the short stops (max 2 nights except in Quebec City and Montreal, so not much time to settle in), and the weather in Gaspésie in late September-October (my husband doesn’t handle the cold well). Maybe it’d be better to only go as far as Bic National Park, then head back, and add more nights at Malbaie Gorges National Park (I didn’t stay in a park on my first trip, and my son, who got his fishing license, would be proud to bring us dinner 😊), Tadoussac, and maybe around Bic/Rimouski?

One last detail: the plan is to land in Quebec City, rent a car on D4, return it on D17, and take the train or bus to Montreal the next day, where we’ll catch our flight 4 days later. This is to cut down on rental costs and avoid having a car in Quebec City.

Thanks for reading this far—I hope I can count on your advice! 😊

Claire

Hello,

After having to cancel our trip to Uganda in December 2020, we finally decided to go in December/January. We leave on December 28th and return on January 18th, which gives us 20 days and 20 nights there 🙂

The main goal of this trip is to meet primates, big and small. We won’t skip the birds and other mammals or the local culture and people, but we want to maximize our chances of meeting our monkey friends.

It’ll be a self-drive road trip with lodge stays. The 4x4 is booked, as are the chimpanzee and gorilla permits, and most of the accommodations.

I’m reaching out because I have a big question mark about my itinerary. Here’s what was originally planned (with the parts I’m unsure about in bold):

1 night in Entebbe on arrival day 1 night at Ziwa Rhino & Wildlife Ranch (rhino trek and shoebill trek) 2 nights at Murchison Falls NP (Murchison River Lodge) 2 nights at Lake Albert (Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve) 2 nights in Kibale (for the chimpanzee habituation day) 2 nights in Queen Elizabeth NP (chimpanzee trek in Kyambura Gorge) 2 nights in Bwindi, Ruhija sector (gorilla trek) 2 nights at Lake Mutanda (gorilla trek in Mgahinga) 1 night in Kisoro (golden monkey trek in Mgahinga) 1 night at Lake Bunyonyi 2 nights in Lake Mburo NP 2 nights near Mabamba Swamps (for the shoebill and to relax before flying back)

My "issue": The lodge at Lake Albert only has availability for the first of the 2 nights. So I’m hesitating between a few options (if you have other ideas, I’m all ears!):

1- Add an extra night at MFNP and make a stop somewhere between MFNP and Kibale. But where? 2- Keep 1 night at Lake Albert and do 3 nights in Kibale (but is 3 days in Kibale too much?) 3- Do 3 nights at MFNP and 3 nights in Kibale, with a long drive between the two 4- 2 nights at Lake Albert but at another lodge not in Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve (is there enough to fill 2 days? Any lodge recommendations?)

A huge thank you for your help and advice 🙂 Have a wonderful sunny weekend, Pascale

Hi there, We’re heading to Quebec from July 7 to 21 with our two kids (ages 5 and 7) and my wife, and we’re putting together an itinerary while keeping some flexibility (though much less than we’d hoped, since we’re realizing accommodations are already filling up fast!). Below is our draft plan—pretty far along since we’ve booked 9 out of 14 nights—but it’s definitely not perfect. We’d love some advice on what to do after Parc du Bic (3 nights to improvise) before heading back to Parc Omega, where we’ve booked a tipi :-) It seems clear that a 3-day Gaspésie loop isn’t doable (too bad about Percé and Parc Forillon, but I think we’re already covering a lot of ground with this route!). But what about the option of driving up to Sainte-Anne-des-Monts to spend a day in Parc de la Gaspésie before the (long) drive back, and still enjoying part of the coastal road, which looks stunning? Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

3 nights in Montreal (booked) Day 1 to 3 – July 7 to 9: Montreal

2 nights near Lac Saint-Charles, 20 min from Quebec City (booked) Day 4 – July 10: Montreal → Montmorency Falls → Quebec City (~3h drive) Day 5 – July 11: Quebec City

2 nights in the Saguenay region (booked) Day 6 – July 12: Quebec City → Baie-Saint-Paul → Canopée Lit (Saguenay), 20 min from Tadoussac Day 7 – July 13: Day in Tadoussac/Les Bergeronnes for a whale-watching excursion, then back toward the Saguenay Fjord for the evening and overnight stay

1 night in Parc du Bic (booked)

Day 8 – July 14: Ferry from Les Escoumins (2 PM) → Trois-Pistoles → Parc du Bic

3 nights to improvise—is it even feasible to go without reservations in July for a family of 4? Day 9 – July 15: Hikes/activities in Parc du Bic – overnight near Cap-Chat/Sainte-Anne-des-Monts??? Other ideas? Day 10 – July 16: Parc de la Gaspésie? Day 11 – July 17: More hikes? Then drive back toward the Mont-Joli area?

1 night at Parc Omega (booked)

Day 12 – July 18: Long drive back from Mont-Joli? Maybe via Kamouraska for a meal break, then overnight at Parc Omega

2 nights near Montreal or surrounding area

Day 13 – July 19: Visit Parc Omega, then a relaxed drive back via scenic routes to Montreal or nearby

Day 14 – July 20: Last day and night in Montreal or the suburbs, fun activities with the kids

Day 15 – July 21: Flight home in the evening

Hi everyone,

My husband and I are planning a road trip with our 18- and 17-year-old kids in the western USA. We’d like to end with a few days of beach time. Below is our itinerary—could you let me know if it’s doable in the time we have and if the route makes sense?

Arrival in Las Vegas 07/29 Zion National Park 07/30 Bryce Canyon 07/31 Monument Valley 08/01 Lake Powell-Antelope Canyon 08/02 Grand Canyon 08/03 Phoenix or Scottsdale (I’m still unsure—any thoughts?) 08/04 Oatman 08/05 San Diego 08/06–08/08 Los Angeles 08/09–08/13 Las Vegas 08/14 (departure)

For Los Angeles and San Diego, do you have any nice hotels to recommend?

Thanks so much

Hi there, I’m right in the middle of planning a trip to the American West—23 days from 07/30 to 08/23. Departure from Orly to Los Angeles with a layover in San Francisco, and return from Los Angeles to Orly. Day 1: Orly - San Francisco (1 night) Day 2 & 3: Los Angeles (2 nights) Day 4, 5 & 6: San Francisco (3 nights) Day 7: Lake Tahoe (1 night) Day 8 & 9: Portland (2 nights) Day 10, 11 & 12: Seattle (3 nights) Day 13 & 14: Yellowstone (2 nights) Day 15 & 16: Salt Lake City (2 nights) Day 17 & 18: Las Vegas (2 nights) Day 19 & 20: Grand Canyon (2 nights) Day 21 & 22: Los Angeles (2 nights) Day 23: Return flight (1 night in the air)

The flight’s already booked: 2250 € for 3 people. Car’s reserved—just finalized the last booking today: a Rav4 for 23 days from Sixt in Santa Monica, 715 € (all insurance included). Hotels are booked with free cancellation since I keep finding better options, and the itinerary isn’t 100% set yet.

Hello everyone! I just got back from a little trip to Cambodia, and I really wanted to share this experience with you—because honestly, it was wow from start to finish. I set my bags down in Siem Reap, and even though I knew the temples would be amazing… I wasn’t expecting that much beauty. Angkor Wat, of course, is THE classic, and you quickly understand why. I went super early in the morning to see the sunrise (yes, 4:30 AM wake-up, and no complaining 😊), and I don’t regret a second of it: that soft light, the silhouettes of the towers in the mist… you feel so small. I also loved Bayon, with its mysterious faces, and Ta Prohm, overrun by giant roots—guaranteed Tomb Raider vibes, but without the crowds of Lara Croft. What I found amazing is that beyond the big temples, there are plenty of quieter, almost forgotten spots where you can sit, listen to the birds, and just soak in the moment. It was hot (really hot!), so I didn’t hesitate to take breaks in the shade with a nice cold mango juice. For nature, I took a little trip to Tonlé Sap Lake. Very different, more raw, but super interesting. The floating villages are surprising—it makes you think about life at the rhythm of the water, and I was lucky enough to chat a bit with a local thanks to my guide. Authentic, simple, and touching. And then those kids rowing like pros in plastic boats… respect. In short, this trip did me so much good. Landscapes that filled my eyes, sincere smiles, and that feeling of having brushed against something bigger, something older. Cambodia—I’m not really leaving it behind; I’m bringing a little piece of it with me. If you’re hesitating about going: just go for it! And if you have any practical questions, I’d be happy to chat 😊

Hi there, We’re leaving from Montreal and planning to bike the Petit Train du Nord route. Any ideas for loops so we don’t have to return the same way? We’re thinking of a one-week trip. Thanks in advance for your tips! Rachel

Hi there, By sheer chance, a family housewarming in Brussels gave us the opportunity to depart from Zeebrugge for our first experience with CFC, allowing us to discover ports we didn’t know (which has become rare). After some questions before departure while browsing the forums, we discovered this company with great pleasure. Of course, luck may have played a particularly favorable part: dream weather, a sea as calm as a lake, and boarding and disembarking almost as if the ship were reserved just for us, since during our departure from Zeebrugge, only a small number of passengers were taking advantage of the unoccupied cabins from the previous cruise ending in Le Havre. As a result, we couldn’t get a suite, but our balcony cabin was very functional, with plenty of storage and a whirlpool bath we thoroughly enjoyed. Admittedly, the carpet was a bit worn, but it wasn’t a big deal. Having a large enough table allowed us to have breakfast in the cabin (our usual habit) in excellent conditions. The ship, a reasonable size, was pleasant, in great condition, and had many comfortable lounges. A large enclosed and heated space with a pool, jacuzzi, and deck chairs offered a calm atmosphere without intrusive activities (which is rare). I won’t mention the entertainment since we barely participated, but I think there was plenty of choice, including a "special bridge" activity. The restaurant had a lovely setting, with quick service and particularly attentive staff, reminding us of cruises from the past. The food was good quality and well-presented, though portions were quite small—something big eaters might regret. We loved the charm of an old-fashioned theater with comfortable seats and a table for drinks. The shows were fairly high quality, though opinions may vary. They catered mainly to a French-speaking audience, which is quite rare, and featured a live orchestra. The excursions seemed reasonably priced for what they offered, but we didn’t participate since we prefer organizing things ourselves. To sum up, we were pleasantly surprised by this "old little ship" with a mostly French-speaking, very attentive staff, all in a great atmosphere.

Hi there, I spent 25 days in October 2023 in Madagascar on a motorcycle, solo. Covered 3,000 km with no prior planning. And with no real motorcycle experience. However, it’s crucial to find a reliable person for motorcycle rental. Mine wasn’t extremely well-maintained, and I had quite a few issues. Here’s an overview of the itinerary, including descending the Tsiribihina River by pirogue, the Tsingy, heading down to Tuléar, and back up the RN7 (Isalo, Tsarasoa Valley, Lake Sahambavy, etc.).

It was an incredible life and travel experience. A fabulous country, breathtaking landscapes, and a smiling population despite the hardships of life.

If I can answer any questions, don’t hesitate!

I've already visited Morocco more than eight times and usually stick to the Atlas, the south of the Atlas, and the coast (between Mirleft and Essaouira). This year, in May, I'd like to (re)discover the south. Here's my question: From Marrakech to Skoura: In a Dacia Duster, I'd like to take this route to explore the Ighel M'Goun. I'd like to follow this itinerary (with stops for accommodation in Ben el Ouidane? and in Demnate?): The route I'm considering: - Marrakech toward Beni Mellal via N8 - Before Beni Mellal, take the R304 toward Ben El Ouidane - In Ben el Ouidane, take the R306 (via Ouaouizarthe), then the R302, and via El Had and Ait Bou Guemes, join Demnate - Demnate to Skoura via the R307 Your comments/suggestions are welcome!

Hello,

As a tea enthusiast, I’m a bit frustrated that I can’t find anything on this topic in the forum.

I’m familiar with the concept of Chinese tea shops where you can stay a while and sample, but are there any travelers here who have experience or tips to share for finding, buying, and bringing back good tea at fair prices? Tourist traps to avoid, expected level of negotiation, good/bad spots (for tea and maybe even equipment), reasonable prices, visiting gardens independently, etc.

Just to clarify: my budget is limited. I usually spend between 10 and 15 € per 100g on Chinese websites.

For my part, I’d love a closer look at these areas:

Hangzhou and the entire West Lake area for Longjing and maybe Anji bai cha Huangshan and Tangkou for Huangshan mao feng and Qimen/Keemun. Wuyi for yan cha (oolong rock teas) and jin jun mei Xiamen and Anxi for Tie guan yin and white teas (Yin zhen, Bai mu dan, and Shou mei) Shanghai for… everything!

Thanks.

Hi there, We’re planning a trip in August 2025 with two kids (8 and 11 years old) in a camper van through the American West. Any tips for renting a van? (I’ve started looking, and it seems really expensive—August probably doesn’t help...) But it’ll still be cheaper and more nature-focused than motels... We’re considering this route: Salt Lake City - Great Salt Lake - Yellowstone - Grand Teton, then heading back down toward Lake Tahoe, Yosemite (Sequoia Park if we have time), and San Francisco. Do you think this is doable? Any suggestions for other sites to visit? Also, any recommendations for campgrounds in these areas? Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone, There’s not much info out there on Nicaragua in general, which is why I posted my questions here on the forum... but didn’t get many answers since it’s tough to find any anyway. It’s a stunning country, but my experience was mixed. There are areas with very few tourists (which is exactly what we were looking for), but as a result, there’s almost no way to get around (unless you walk, and even that’s not easy or always possible) and no real tourist infrastructure. Finding info is nearly impossible—there’s practically nothing, so it’s hard to know what you’ll find in a given place, whether it’s worth taking a 12-hour bus ride across the country, only to turn around 48 hours later. The easy and pleasant spots: Granada, Ometepe, San Juan del Sur and the Pacific beaches, León, and the Corn Islands. These are the places mentioned in guidebooks (the rest is jungle to the east, not many roads south of the lake, and no boats on the lake either—except for the Rivas-Ometepe connection). Venturing off the beaten path is really tough. The Caribbean coast: aside from the Corn Islands (which are very touristy but not easy to reach by ferry from Bluefields), or if you want to take a flight with La Costeña, book in advance—there are often very few seats! The rest isn’t particularly satisfying, especially Pearl Lagoon, where swimming isn’t possible due to unsafe water. Don’t expect a postcard-perfect setting. But everything’s worth it if you have the time... Buses: there are plenty, and they’re super cheap—but be warned, they stop everywhere, take forever, and are loud (though kind of charming in a vintage way). Too many buses can ruin a trip. Lodges: affordable on a small budget, except in Managua and along the entire Caribbean coast! For example, beaches like El Tránsito (which is gorgeous) charge at least $50 or $60 per night for a basic room. Good to know. In Matagalpa, we tried to rent a motorcycle to get around—impossible. I asked everywhere, but there was no way. So we cut our stay short because once you’ve explored Selva Negra, there’s not much else to do (an 8-hour bus ride to see a waterfall? No thanks). These might seem like small details, but they really matter when you want to enjoy where you are and discover nice spots—you end up stuck. Bring plenty of mosquito spray + oral antihistamines: mosquitoes and bites are a *serious* nuisance. (I got over 200 bites in one go during a trip to a humid tropical forest, even though I was covered and protected.) All in all, it’s an adventurous, exploratory trip. The people are great, and we never felt unsafe (even though some travelers have had *really* bad experiences). I thought there’d be a carnival since it was the right time of year—nothing. No dancing, not festive at all (compared to Brazil, for example, it’s the complete opposite). We saw animals, but no toucans, for example! For a beautiful, pristine, and well-organized trip, everyone agrees—go to Costa Rica, but be prepared to pay a lot more. Nicaragua is something else entirely. For surfers, though, it’s amazing! Personally, I love watching fish in clear, calm waters, hiking in nature, and swimming—I think I picked the wrong destination, but I’m glad I got to experience this totally wild side of Central America! :-)

Hi there,

I’m planning a trip to Panama in the summer of 2026 (2 adults and 2 kids, ages 9 and 6).

Here’s my first draft for the itinerary. Could you give me some advice, please?

Day 1: Panama City + night 1 Day 2: Departure for the San Blas Islands (I don’t have a transfer company yet and I’m hesitant to drive there myself in an SUV) + 1 or 2 nights depending on the price Day 3 (or 4): Return to Panama City + departure for Isla Grande (maybe too much in one day, so maybe an extra night in Panama City and leave the next day for Isla Grande) For Isla Grande, should I go through Portobelo? Day 3 or 4: Isla Grande + night Day 4 or 5: From Isla Grande to Lake Gatun for an Embera immersion (I haven’t checked the travel time yet) + night Day 5 or 6: Departure from Lake Gatun to El Valle de Antón + 2 or 3 nights Day 7 or max Day 9: Head to the Gulf of Chiriquí and Boca Chica + 2 or 3 nights? Day 9 or max Day 12: Boquete + 2 nights Day 11 or 14: Bocas del Toro (one of the surrounding islands) + 2 nights Day 13 or 16: Return to Panama City by plane the day before the international flight. I don’t have all 21 nights planned yet, but there are still some details to work out with your help ;)

Also, is it possible to rent a car in Panama City and drop it off at the Bocas del Toro airport? (I think so...) Finally, what are the steps for driving back from Bocas del Toro to Panama City (to avoid the domestic flight)?

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone,

Here’s the itinerary I’ve planned for this summer. I’d love to get your thoughts and recommendations on it. We’ll be 2 adults and a 15-year-old teen.

11/07 Calgary - arrival around 9 PM 12/07 Calgary - exploring the city 13/07 Calgary : Stampede 14/07 (Canmore) Banff - Kananaskis Valley - Town of Canmore - Banff Centre - Upper Hot Spring (pool) 15/07 Banff - Johnston Canyon - Lake Louise - Moraine Lake 16/07 Banff - Banff Gondola with ridge walk (1 km) - Lake Minnewanka 17/07 Yoho (Field) - Herbert Lake - Yoho Valley Road (before Field) - Field - Natural Bridge - Emerald Lake + hike to Takakkaw Falls - night at The Crossing 18/07 Jasper - Icefields Parkway - Herbert Lake - Bow Lake - Peyto Lake viewpoint (15 min from the parking lot) - Saskatchewan River Crossing - Columbia Icefield with the Skywalk - Sunwapta Falls - Goat and Glacier Lookout - Athabasca Falls 19/07 Jasper - Maligne Valley - Medicine Lake - Maligne Lake 20/07 Jasper - Whistlers Peak - Miette Hot Springs 21/07 Wells Gray - Yellowhead Highway 22/07 Wells Gray - Helmcken Falls - Dawson Falls - Spahats Falls - Clearwater Lake 23/07 Hat Creek Ranch 24/07 Whistler 25/07 Whistler 26/07 Nanaimo - Sea to Sky Highway - 1.5-hour ferry 27/07 Nanaimo - North Coast - Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park - Old Country Market - Goats on Roof - McMillan Provincial Park - Cathedral Grove 28/07 Victoria - Kinsol Trestle - Malahat Skywalk 29/07 Victoria - whale watching 30/07 Victoria - Inner Harbour - Chinatown - Fisherman’s Wharf floating houses 31/07 Vancouver - 3-hour ferry 01/08 Vancouver 02/08 Departure

We’re being really careful not to spend more than 3 to 4 hours driving between stops. We want to take our time. Thanks for your input....

Hi everyone, I’ve browsed this forum a lot about Ladakh and haven’t found answers to my questions... so here’s my post. I’m heading there next July with a friend for a solid ten days of cycling (no e-bikes) in Ladakh. The flight to Leh is booked for both of us and our bikes. I’ve got my route planned out pretty precisely; the main goal is to climb Umling La, which is currently the world’s highest motorable road at 5,798 m. We’re also planning to tackle 3 or 4 other passes over 5,000 m, including Photila, just next door at a little over 5,500 m.

I’ve read accounts from Europeans saying it’s impossible for foreigners to spend a night in Hanle... that the closest accommodation to the Chinese border would be in Nyoma. What do you think about that?

Also, some say the road between Hanle and Chushul (the one via Tsaga) is off-limits to non-Indians... Is the parallel route, the one via Mahé and Kaksang La (5,400 m), open to foreigners?

Is the road along Pangong Lake (the one through Merak and Man) also off-limits to foreigners?

Thanks for your feedback!

Hi there! 🙂

Our summer destination is set: it’ll be a European loop starting from Auvergne, heading down to southern Croatia and then Montenegro, with a return via Mostar.

We’ll zip down to southern Croatia in two stages (we’ve been as far as Šibenik on a previous trip). Here are our booked stops:

Split – 2 nights Makarska – 1 night (via Sveti Jure) Pelješac Peninsula – 6 nights (day trips to Dubrovnik and Korčula from here – Mljet?) Kotor – 1 night Between Cetinje and Budva – 3 nights (Lovćen, Budva, Lake Skadar from our rental) Near Žabljak – 3 nights (via Ostrog / Mrtvica Canyon, Durmitor National Park) Mostar – 2 nights (via Blagaj)

Back to Auvergne in two stages.

Here are my questions:

- Any ideas for sights, detours, or hikes (no more than 500 m elevation gain and 15 km distance) along this route?

- What’s the deal with crossing borders between Croatia and Montenegro, then Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina? I’ve read that the crossing between the first two countries can take hours in the summer...

- Crowds in Croatia: Dubrovnik is apparently best avoided on days when cruise ships dock. I found a site that shows how many ships arrive each day. It says none on Sundays—but is Sunday really accurate? What other places suffer from overtourism? (Before Italian vacation season starts.)

All your suggestions are welcome (just FYI, guided tours, jet skis, jet-set vibes, and quad-bike conga lines are *not* on my wishlist)!

Thanks! 😉

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...

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a short trip—max one week—to connect to the Dolce Via starting from La Voulte and then link up with the Dolce Fluvia. I’d like to head up via Le Puy and was wondering if it’s best to make the connection by going through Saint-Agrève, then up to Chambon/Lignon, and finally to Raucoules. Does anyone have a nice route suggestion? I’m traveling with a loaded touring bike (a Farrad TX800 with two rear panniers), but I’m limiting my load to 13 kg. I’m aiming for around 70 km a day, max 80 km, and I usually sleep at campsites or in a guest room if the rain’s too heavy.

On my way up to Le Puy-en-Velay, I plan to come back down through the Ardèche mountains, then head to Aubenas and the Rhône Valley. Does anyone have route ideas with scenic roads (like Lac d’Issarlès) or any other suggestions?

Thanks for all the tips!

Christian