Results for "Prats+|+127"

Hi there

I’d like to know how much a meal costs on average in zloty in Poland (Warsaw, Kraków, Częstochowa, Wadowice), and also the price of souvenirs like postcards and magnets—so I don’t end up with too many zlotys left after my 5-day trip to Poland?

What do you recommend visiting in Bangkok over 2 days during a cruise stop in January?

Hello from Quebec, I’m a French-Canadian from Montreal. I’d love to go to Senegal during the Quebec winter to shorten this long season. Two people told me it’s not worth spending a lot of money to get there from Canada because there’s not much to discover. But I’m still skeptical. I’d love to read real testimonials from travelers who’ve been there, with as much info as possible. Thanks

Hi everyone,

This short stay in Doha is part of a longer trip. It lets us break up a flight to the Seychelles.

Friday, January 16, The Corniche

Despite the adventures we had the day before (read about it here), we just can’t get up later than 8 a.m. Our minds are a bit clearer and a bit more positive after some sleep.

View of the Corniche from the 12th floor.



Breakfast is sumptuous—it really lifts our spirits.

On this Friday morning, almost everything is closed, so we head out to explore the Corniche, which is just a few hundred meters from our hotel in Old Doha.

A marathon is happening today on the Corniche, so the road is closed and empty, making it easy to cross. The palm-shaped streetlights are gorgeous when they’re lit up at night.



A little reminder of Qatar’s once-thriving pearl trade.



A memory of a much more recent past.



The sun is shining, but it’s not very warm—just 19°C at the hottest part of the day. Tough luck, last week it was 24°C.

The walk along the crescent-shaped Corniche is pretty long. From the old town to the modern center, where massive Dubai-style towers rise, it’s a 6 km promenade along the waterfront.



Many dhows are docked, waiting for tourists to take a little cruise in the bay, but visitors are scarce.



The skyscrapers are so stunning, you can’t help but admire them.







to be continued...

Some trips are born twice.

Ours was supposed to happen in 2020. Everything was ready: the itinerary, the flight tickets, hotel reservations and Machu Picchu, the rental car, dreams of high altitudes and wide-open spaces. And then the world stopped.

Like so many other plans, our trip to Peru was put on hold. Disappointment was followed by a more concrete reality: paperwork, endless back-and-forth, and battles to recover some of the costs we’d already paid.

The years went by. Life moved on, with its shifting priorities and unexpected twists. Rescheduling this trip wasn’t possible until 2025.

The itinerary stayed mostly true to what we’d imagined five years earlier. One major difference, though—in 2020, we’d planned to rent a car and explore the roads completely independently. Most importantly, we hadn’t included the three-day Ausangate trek, due to lack of time.

For 2025, our plans evolved. 4x4 rental prices had skyrocketed, and when we looked at our schedule more closely, we realized quite a few days didn’t actually need a vehicle. So we made a different choice and opted for private drivers instead. A decision we never regretted. Always punctual, thoughtful, and available... they were so much more than just drivers.

All our reservations were made in January, except for the trek, which we booked in February.

Finding reliable drivers on our own was tough, so we asked Laurent from Tout Pérou to handle it for us. Going through Tout Pérou also gave us a discount on the train ride to Aguas Calientes, so Laurent booked those tickets too. He also bought our Machu Picchu entrance tickets at the same price we would’ve paid on the official website. When comparing domestic flight prices, we found it was cheaper to book from Peru, so Laurent took care of those as well.

This time, nothing was going to stop us. Peru was waiting. And we were ready. 🙂

Hi there! 🙂

I’m not planning to bring all my meals for the 3 weeks of travel, but I’d like to spice up my picnic lunches and a few dinners in this country that’s not exactly known for its cuisine...

I’ve seen that fruits and vegetables are easy to find. Bread is also no problem.

I’m a bit unsure about the local cheese, but I’ll manage.

Actually, it’s what I’d put in my sandwiches that I’d like to pack: cured sausage, pâtés.

Are these foods allowed through customs?

Also, I’m thinking that bringing 3-4 freeze-dried meals could be a good option. I’ve never bought any before. Which brands are the most flavorful?

I’ve also noticed that real coffee is rare. (Meaning Kyrgyz people drink Nescafé. Sacrilege!) Can I easily find coffee there to make my own?

Finally, which supermarket chain is the best? (Meaning the one with the most variety and, above all, quality!)

Last question: where can I buy a gas stove in Bishkek? (I’ve heard that local gas canisters aren’t compatible with the stove I already own)

Thanks!

A horseback ride by the sea on the Caribbean island of Saint Martin or ... on the beach, but at a walk and trot! It was probably these visions that gave me the irresistible urge to do this horseback trek—to walk on the sand, but as a rider, and also enjoy a swim that was anything but ordinary.





From wish to reality ... all it took was heading to Ranch du Galion. Here we are, on the heights of the east coast of the charming island of Saint Martin, in the heart of the Caribbean.





After a first horseback ride that we really enjoyed, with a simple trip to the beach, it didn’t take much to make us want to repeat the pleasant experience. My daughter Emma had been dreaming of it too—so why not share this change of scenery, but this time opting for a slightly longer trek? It’s the big day. And Jess is there to greet us this morning with a big smile. Jess—or Jessica—is the one who runs this tropical ranch with passion; she looks after a whole little family of horses. This morning, she’ll be our guide and companion for this seaside horseback ride.



So, we set off along the wild shores of the stunning Anse du Galion.

In the enclosures, behind the fences and ropes, some stallions already seem impatient to stretch their legs! They know the place, the routines, and the trails ... and the soothing reward halfway through—a dip in the sea. Maybe that’s what’s causing a little excitement among these mounts!





Horses and ... an iguana slipping into the bushes. Given its appearance—its crest, its parched skin, and the dewlap hanging under its head—you’d think it wasn’t exactly young.



Anyway, back to the horses. Among the mares and stallions, I try to spot "Avenir" and his elegant gait—he was "my" horse during my last trek here, on the trails and sands of Galion. Well, spotting him isn’t going to be easy! My memories are a bit fuzzy, and several of these horses look like him ... -- Before setting off on the trek, it’s time for Jess to choose our mounts. For riders with little experience ... it’ll be calm horses, well-used to trekking—definitely easier and more enjoyable. Titia, a beautiful white mare for my daughter, and Prince, a gentle stallion for me. A little anecdote along the way: we’re really staying in the family for this horseback ride—these two horses are actually related: "my" Prince is the son of the lovely Titia!



to be continued -->

Hi there!!

This summer, we're planning to explore Poland from July 4th to 23rd. I’ve outlined our rough itinerary below—could you let me know if the number of days allocated to each destination makes sense or if there’s anything we should change? Thanks in advance!

S4 Departure, overnight in Würzburg (Germany) to break up the drive. D5 Travel day with visits: Jawor and Świdnica churches, Książ Castle (likely just the exterior), and a few other stops. Overnight in Wrocław. L6 Explore Wrocław M7 Explore Wrocław M8 Visit Kłodzko—is one day enough? Overnight near Auschwitz. J9 Visit Auschwitz, overnight in Kraków V10 Explore Kraków S11 Explore Kraków D12 Visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine, overnight near Zakopane L13 Zakopane M14 Zakopane M15 Visit Zamość, overnight in Lublin J16 Explore Lublin, overnight in Masuria (TBD) V17 Explore Masuria S18 Explore Masuria D19 Depart for Gdańsk, visit the Teutonic Castle, overnight in Gdańsk L20 Explore Gdańsk M21 Explore Gdańsk J22 Explore Gdańsk, possible day trip to Sopot? V23 Visit Toruń, then drive back to Germany. Overnight stop like on the way out. S24 Home!

Best, Christophe

Hey fellow travelers!

So, a new year has begun. It’s time to reconnect with the VF buddies and wish you all my best for 2026—a year I hope is obviously full of travel, since, as I just made up: "If travel’s good, everything’s good" 😄.

To celebrate, I’m inviting you into my new "travel journal," the one from our latest trip in November 2025, a little two-week adventure.

This time, we headed to The Gambia, a tiny country tucked right in the middle of Senegal, before making our way to Casamance.

The Gambia is English-speaking, Senegal is French-speaking, but the locals? They couldn’t care less—because in this part of the world, they mostly speak Wolof, Fula, Jola, or Mandinka. Hence the title: Senegambia 😉.

As usual, I’m sharing the live updates I sent to friends and family—super casual, of course.

I know this isn’t the kind of destination that draws crowds, but if you love adventure, laughter, and emotion, it might just be your thing 😊.

Hugs 😘

Hi everyone,

We’re making a family dream come true: spending a month in Brazil from July 19 to August 20. We’ll land in Rio and spend 6 days there (we’ve finalized a home exchange for a lovely apartment in the Copacabana neighborhood). After that, we’re heading to Minas Gerais by rental car for 11 days (Tiradentes, Ouro Preto, and the Inhotim Institute), then the Costa Verde, and finally 2 days in São Paulo.

We’ll be traveling with our three kids, ages 17, 14, and 9, who are real travelers and good hikers. Goes hand in hand, right? 😄

For now, we’ve planned to visit Ilha Grande (4 days) and then Paraty and its surroundings (3 days). What do you think? Ilha Grande appealed to us for its hikes and beaches, but couldn’t we do that along Paraty’s coast? I’ve read mixed reviews about Ilha Grande...

Thanks for your tips, opinions, and anything else! !

Now that the curtain has fallen on the past year, it’s time to see what’s happening around here. It seems pretty quiet, but I’ll read more in detail later.

First, I need to tell you all an anecdote.

My eldest little girl, in her third year of law school, was really scared she wouldn’t pass the year. I told her: “Trust yourself, you’ve worked so hard, and worst case, if you fail, you’ll just redo the year.” “But I don’t think I’ll make it—they changed the rules, and if I mess up even one unit, I have to start all over.” I knew her grades weren’t exactly stellar, and with what I was about to say, I wasn’t taking much of a risk. “Here’s the deal, sweetheart: if you pass, I promise I’ll take you to India, just the two of us.” I have to admit, India is a country I’ve talked about so much to all my grandchildren that in their minds, it’s become a magical, mythical place (hmm).

July had barely begun when my phone rang, her name flashing on the screen. “Mamido, I did it!” My promise came rushing back—oh no, oh no, oh no! “Congratulations, sweetheart!” A little shyly, she said: “Is the India trip still on?”

And me, replying: “Of course it is!”

And that’s that—a promise is a promise, or you risk losing that precious trust that keeps hearts warm and at peace.

We’re leaving in February. Only 8 days—yikes, the carbon footprint! But we can’t miss her tutorials, or she’ll be kicked out. Personally, that works just fine for me.

Going to India has become a challenge for me. It’s far, it’s exhausting, I sweat, I hate mosquitoes, the spices bother my mouth when I used to love them. There’s noise all the time—at night, the dogs bark nonstop, and we almost get run over. I’ll get lost in the streets because my sense of direction has vanished. I don’t like rice anymore. All that chaos and those cultural differences that once enchanted me now just overwhelm me. But I promised.

The upside—and it’s a big one—Raman, the same driver I’ve had forever, will be at the airport with a sign with our names. We’ll stop at the same little shop for chai (or tea, plain and simple) with that aroma that intoxicates me, halfway through the trip.

It’ll be a tiny trip—staying with friends, I’ll show her a few places I love: Chidambaram, Mamallapuram, and the clinic where I worked. Then we’ll head back. My little girl will go home to her parents.

As for me, I’ll leave right away for our Scottish island with Homme for our chilly winter.

How can you love a country so much you want to live there, then suddenly reject it, no longer able to appreciate what once made it special? That’s the mystery of love, I guess.

I’m sharing our three-week trip to Japan from late October to mid-November 2025. There were four of us—my partner and a couple of friends. I’ve traveled often with my friend Christian (Bolivia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Namibia, Laos), but this time our partners joined us. The rough itinerary: Arrival in Tokyo. Visiting Shinjuku/Shibuya districts + day trip to Kamakura 5 days in the Japanese Alps, from Matsumoto to Kanazawa (via Kamikochi, Hirayu Onsen, and Takayama) 5 days in Kyoto Nara, Osaka, Koyasan Return to Tokyo (Asakusa district), with a day trip to Nikko We booked our flights well in advance (9 months ahead): the flight cost 1086 € per person. Compared to over 2000 € if we’d booked for the same dates just 3 months prior. For accommodations, we mostly used Booking.com. The onsen was booked via Japanican, and in Kyoto, we stayed in an Airbnb. We also made 5 train reservations a month in advance on Klook or directly on the train’s website.

Day 1: Departure from Brussels (October 24, 2025) Early morning takeoff at 6 AM to Munich (1.5-hour layover) with Lufthansa, then a 12-hour flight with ANA, arriving the next morning at 7 AM at Tokyo Haneda.

Day 2: Arrival in Tokyo Airport formalities were quick. The eSIM we bought before leaving activated as soon as we landed (10 GB plan with Saily—more than enough for our mobile internet needs, mainly Google Maps and Google Translate). We’d received 4 ICOCA cards from our neighbors, which we loaded with 15000 ¥ each. We took the Keihin train, then the Yamanote Line. It’s easy to navigate since everything is in English, and each station is announced on scrolling displays in English too.

We got off the Yamanote Line at the station just after Shinjuku because it’s easier to exit that massive station with our luggage. So we ended up in Shin-Okubo, right in the Korean district. A 10-minute walk took us to Villa Fontaine Hotel. A great hotel, well-located north of the Kabukichō district. The room even seemed bigger than we’d expected.

It was 15°C, but it rained—and kept raining on and off all day. Belgian weather, basically. We went for a walk in Shinjuku Gyoen Park. Not as pretty in the rain, but the big greenhouse was interesting.

Then our first ramen (hearty and for 1000 ¥—pretty much the price of all our ramen during the trip). We headed back to the hotel since check-in was after 3 PM. Shower and relax before going out for dinner. Dinner was barbecue at Shichirin Yakiniku Anan (1700 ¥ each—good and cheap). Ordering via tablet wasn’t easy, but luckily it was in English.

We ended the evening with a stroll through Kabukichō before a well-deserved sleep.

Hi there! I have to leave Ivato/Antananarivo on December 16th. I have a lot of ariary that I’d like to exchange for euros since I might not be coming back to Madagascar (after this 21st trip). I think the exchange office at Ivato also buys ariary back. If any of you have seen the rate for this buyback in advance, thanks a million!

We’ve just returned from a 30-day trip to China, 20 years after our last visit to this vast country. What a transformation! So many new highways, high-speed trains, clean public restrooms, very comfortable and affordable hotels, and queues before boarding public transport… Has China really changed this much?

Language Technology has helped overcome—on a very small scale, of course—the language barrier thanks to translation apps on our phones. Unfortunately, very few Chinese people speak English, even in international hotels, which we find baffling, even frustrating, but that’s just how it is, and it’s up to us to adapt. It’s a shame, too, because no one makes an effort to communicate any other way than through their phone, which wasn’t the case when we were there 20 years ago. In restaurants, hotels, and some shops, they’ll show you a voice translation—usually in English—on a phone, and all you have to do is respond.

Payments We never withdrew cash in China. It’s possible to do so, but we never looked for an ATM. On the other hand, we tried to exchange 100 € as soon as we arrived in Xi’an, and it was a real ordeal. We had to do it at a specific bank, The Bank of China, and the administrative process took… an hour! So, no cash. Like everyone else, we used Alipay, one of the most popular online payment systems, and it’s super easy to use. WeChat also works well but is a bit more complicated to set up. It’s so convenient and used absolutely everywhere, even for purchases of 5 yuan, which is roughly the equivalent of about 55 euro cents. 10 yuan equals 1.22 €.

Phone As for the internet, I had installed a VPN before leaving—Let’s VPN—but it was completely useless since we had subscribed to an international plan with our carrier before the trip, which gave us 35 GB of data. No need to ask hotels for Wi-Fi; we only used roaming. It worked perfectly, no matter where we were. So, no VPN or SIM card for us.

TWO ESSENTIAL TOOLS FOR TRAVELING: your passport and your phone Traveling to China is much simpler than you might think. And let’s add that the Chinese, despite the language barrier, are very open and always ready to help.

The itinerary After carefully planning our route and considering the length of our stay (I had initially thought about applying for a visa longer than 30 days to stay for 6 weeks in China), we decided to take advantage of the recent option to stay for 30 days. Of course, we had to make some choices. I booked a one-way ticket from Paris to Xi’an and a return from Kunming to Paris once the itinerary was set: 9 days in northern Gansu 4 days in Hunan, specifically the well-known Zhangjiajie 15 days in Yunnan

Organization, transport, hotels This wasn’t a "backpacker" trip, as the hotels we booked were generally comfortable. I had arranged a car with a driver for the Yunnan portion through the Ciel Yunnan agency. Excellent choice—it allowed us to optimize our route. For the Gansu and Hunan portions, after much deliberation, we decided against hiring a driver. All our travel was by train and taxi. Taxis are available near train stations, airports, and some hotels in big cities. We also used "Didi," the Chinese equivalent of Uber. The app is available through Alipay. Getting around China by train is extremely easy. You just need to book your tickets on a travel site. I used trip.com and travelchina. Since we weren’t traveling during peak season, it was easy to get the tickets we wanted. You can buy train tickets up to 15 days before departure. You can book earlier, but there’s no guarantee you’ll get the time you want, especially during tourist seasons (usually the first week of October or May). Once at the station, you only need to show your passport, and you’ll need it again when leaving the station. Taxis are easy to find and not expensive. For day trips, we usually went through the hotel. Like everyone else, I had checked the prices of online tour agencies beforehand, and they were all overpriced. It’s better to wait until the last minute or, if possible, contact the hotel and ask them. I did this twice. We took domestic flights three times: Xi’an to Dunhuang Lanzhou to Changsha Changsha to Lijiang It’s best to buy flights shortly before departure, as prices are quite low then. There’s no point in booking months in advance. Often, flights only appear 2 months before departure. All hotel reservations were made on trip.com, except for three booked on Booking. Almost all exceeded our expectations in terms of comfort. Rooms were usually spacious, and new technology even makes its way into the rooms with "smart" toilets and automatic curtains… All for a very reasonable price.

The "attractions" That’s the term used on travel sites like trip.com for visits and activities, and it fits perfectly! Don’t expect to move freely around a natural tourist site. Cars aren’t allowed. The process is more or less the same everywhere: you arrive at the visitor center, pay the entrance fee, then, with your ticket or passport (always keep them on you!), you board a bus that takes you to the various viewpoints. The duration of the "tour" is usually indicated. It might seem confusing or even unnatural, but no one can avoid it unless you go to very remote, non-touristy places. Generally, the further west you go, the less this type of visit exists. The upside is that these places are better preserved since access is only by electric shuttle. On the downside, you sometimes have to deal with noisy tourist groups, their guides’ loudspeakers, and their non-stop chatter. But if you move a little further away, you’ll often find yourself alone.

Highlights of this trip:🙂 A 2-day escape to the Badan Jaran Desert—absolutely stunning. The colorful mountains near Zhangye. The Buddhist caves in Gansu. The breathtaking Hani and Yi rice terraces in Yuanyang. The architecture of the old towns, even if they sometimes feel a bit overdone. The warm welcome from the locals.

A little disappointed by: Zhangjiajie, despite its beauty. It was way too crowded, even though we were there in the off-season. And that’s nothing compared to the Stone Forest near Kunming… I also struggled with the food after a while. 😕

A few photos to come…

I’m just starting to plan our trip for late August 2026, but I’ve read multiple times that campsite bookings need to be made *way* in advance if we want to secure a spot—especially in the parks. Before I get too far into my road book, I’d love to get a sense of what “way in advance” actually means.

That leads to another question: what’s the best *channel* for making these reservations? Can I find a list of campsites online?

From what I’ve gathered, there aren’t any fenced campsites—is wild camping allowed?

I’ll admit, I’m short on time, and reading a few threads here has shown me how quick and helpful the experts are 😉.

We’re a group of 4 and plan to rent a 4x4. Rooftop tents seem like the better option given the wildlife (and, well, *people* roaming freely), especially compared to Namibia (which we visited in 2018).

Thanks in advance to everyone!

Hello everyone, Here’s the follow-up to our recent experience (5/11). Upon arrival at Manila T3, don’t look for the immigration office before passport control (this was info we’d gathered but turned out to be outdated). Go through passport control with your eTravel, grab your luggage with a trolley because the obstacle course begins. Head toward the exit hall, turn right, exchange a minimal amount at one of the two counters, continue toward Burger King, turn right, take the elevator at the end of the corridor to the 3rd floor (departure area), then turn right as you exit the elevator, head to the right, go around the big pillar on the left, and you’ll reach the immigration office that will process your extension quickly for the modest sum of 4070 pesos (the price increased due to a new tax as of June). This little route will save you from asking a thousand questions and getting just as many different answers. Next, logically, buy a local SIM card. There are two small kiosks side by side on the ground floor, Smart and Globe. Prices here are triple what you’ll find in the city, but honestly, if I had to do it again, I’d get both SIMs at the airport. For one simple reason: it’s a hassle in the city—you have to find the shop in a mall, go there, wait in line, explain what you want, and it takes forever. We got a Globe SIM at the airport and a Smart SIM in Baguio, and we really struggled. The cheapest rate offered by Globe at the airport is 1500 PHP for 1 month, with calls and 80GB of internet. It’s oversized, but be careful—they’ll try to sell you an even more expensive SIM upfront (2500 PHP). Smart offers roughly the same terms. It’s pricier, but it’s a turnkey solution—the hostess handles registration with the authorities (passport, etc.) and configures your phone. Finally, almost at the far right, there’s a Grab kiosk (taxis, the Asian Uber, which I highly recommend—it’s so convenient!). They’ll arrange a safe taxi for you no matter your destination in Manila. Watch your belongings during all these tasks that keep you occupied—a tourist had their bag stolen while we were there! All this took us two hours from the moment we got off the plane, but you’ll likely save time with these tips. There you go—you’re ready to face Manila’s traffic jams on your way to your hotel. This is just a summary of our own experience; I hope it helps. Have a great stay! 😊

Hello, We’re sailing on the Norwegian Viva from Lisbon to Galveston. From what I’ve read on the NCL site, there’s no formal night; is that correct? If so, that’ll lighten the suitcase! 😊 The ship stops in Cabo Rojo in the Dominican Republic, and I haven’t found much info on this stop—it seems to be recent. I’m thinking of just heading to the seaside near the ship, but if you’ve got another **bon plan**, I’m all ears. Same for La Romana: last time we went to Bayahibe Beach, so if you’ve got another idea... Thanks in advance!

Hello,

We’ve booked our tickets for July—there’ll be 4 of us, maybe 6 (all in our sixties). We’d like to visit 4 islands: Arrival in Praia on July 8th Return from São Vicente on July 29th

Between those dates, I’m not sure how to split our time across each island. We’ll definitely spend at least a week on Santo Antão. We’re planning to visit Santiago, Fogo, São Vicente, and Santo Antão. We’re looking for easy hikes, diving, sightseeing, and a little beach time (but not too much). How do you think we should divide the 3 weeks among the islands? Is 3 days in Fogo enough? Are guides essential, and can we easily find them on the spot? Should we rent a car, given we won’t just be hiking?

Thanks in advance for your advice, tips, warnings, and anything else you can share… and I’ve still got plenty more questions! Valéry

Hi everyone. Are there any travelers here who’ve done a road trip in Myanmar recently? Is it still possible to go, and is it still safe? Or is it better to forget about this destination for now? Thanks...

Hi everyone.

Here’s my personal account (just my own opinion, of course):

My trip lasted 2 months (January to March 2025). Backpacking, solo, and on a very tight budget (15 € per day on average). I traveled from Havana to: Viñales, Santa Marta/Varadero, Cienfuegos, Trinidad, Sancti Spíritus, Camagüey, Bayamo, Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo, Baracoa, Moa, Holguín, Santa Clara, Cienfuegos, and back to Havana.

In Cuba, if you stay in *casas particulares*, you’ll have plenty of options. They’re everywhere. When I did door-to-door, I negotiated prices based on my small budget. Not always accepted, but I still managed to find families willing to host me. The island has fewer and fewer tourists each year, so many now prefer to rent a room at a low price rather than leave it empty. Inflation is insane, and Cubans struggle to get by day to day.

Door-to-door works really well (look for the blue logo of a roof on the house, which means it’s licensed to rent to foreigners)—you’ll see them everywhere. If it makes you feel more secure, you can also book through Airb’n’b, but you won’t be able to negotiate there. Important: make sure to get a VPN subscription on your phone, otherwise you won’t be able to book anything (since Airbnb is a U.S. site).

Now, for the West:

- Viñales: very pretty but *super* touristy! So, food prices are a bit high… but it’s the cheapest place to stay I found in the whole country (3 €-4 per night!!!), because there’s so much competition with *casas* (you’ll find them on every street!).

- Cienfuegos: a human-scale city, I really liked it because it’s so peaceful. Waterfront, pretty square, good prices, wide and well-lit streets—very pleasant…

- Trinidad: very expensive and very touristy. Pretty (cobblestone streets, historic center, natural surroundings), but packed with people…

- Havana: easy to find cheap accommodation if you look in Chinatown. However, you shouldn’t mind the noise and street prostitution (getting approached every 10 meters)… Central Havana is the only well-maintained and upscale part of the city (so very expensive, for tourists with money). Outside of that, everything is run-down, in ruins, or very poor (and cheap as a result).

- Varadero: no interest at all. Very expensive, superficial, and ultra-touristy. Absolutely nothing Cuban about the place. If you still want to go, stay 3 km before in Santa Marta—it’s cheaper, and you can easily walk there.

- Santa Clara: a very pretty small city with its central square. Hard to find a good place to eat with electricity—if you can afford it, go to *El Sol* restaurant, no hesitation! Great welcome and a charming spot to enjoy a meal. For accommodation, I recommend a wonderful person, Juan Carlos. *Casa San Lorenzo* on Calle Martí! Always attentive, a great spirit, and good advice…

For the Center:

- Sancti Spíritus: nothing special… just a stopover city.

- Camagüey: a nice city with welcoming people (like everywhere else), but nothing particularly noteworthy.

For the Southeast:

- Bayamo: very small, nothing special.

- Santiago de Cuba: I loved it! It felt like San Francisco with its hilly layout! Lots of street life, musicians, affordable *casas*, easy to make friendly connections, quiet spots by the water, and lively areas downtown (despite the downside of being approached every 2 minutes). And always, a warm welcome from locals (shoutout to the adorable Erika, Souleydis, and her partner—I’m giving a shoutout to *Casa San Pedro* on Calle Princesa!).

- Guantánamo: no interest. Hard to find accommodation or even food. Nothing special and not very pretty either…

- Baracoa: very pretty, though! Kept in its own juice, very typical, authentic, a peaceful waterfront, and stunning natural surroundings… Easy to find cheap accommodation.

- Moa: the only small town where I stayed 3 days and couldn’t find bottled water… Not much interest, except to rest before hitting the road again.

- Holguín: one of the cities I loved! I stayed over 10 days. Human-scale, lots of places to stay and sleep. No one bothers you in the street (except money changers). It’s a great place to live, and the people are very friendly.

Overall positives: no need to worry—Cuba is ultra-safe, no aggression, no risks. Cubans are very welcoming, smiling, and always ready to help. Public transport everywhere—buses, trucks, *collectivos*, *taxi wha-wha*… The ice cream is to die for (just watch out for power outages and freezers). Great breakfasts in *casas*—hearty and delicious… Movie theaters are practically free (in Cuban pesos), so cheap it’d be a shame to skip them (they’re often empty, by the way). Chess clubs in every city, open to everyone and free (they’re really good!). The general vibe is warm and joyful despite the hardships…

Overall negatives: lots of scams, theft, and prostitution. Except in Havana, the rest of the island has no electricity for most of the day. Hard to find good cheap food (without going to big restaurants or hotels). Often mediocre: pasta or pizza usually have no taste. Paranoia among many people who fear crime, even though the country is very safe… Inflation is so bad that many Cubans struggle to eat or get healthcare (medicine is rare and expensive).

That’s a lot to say, but that’s the gist of it… 😊

My kids are dreaming of discovering Indonesia this summer—they’ll be celebrating their 15th and 20th birthdays! For the occasion, I was thinking of Sulawesi, a bit farther from Bali’s crowds.

I usually plan my trips myself, but I’ll admit I’m a little lost when it comes to transportation and logistics. We’d be there for about 18 days.

I’ve looked into guided tours, but the prices are pretty high. North or south for 3 weeks? Anyone have any firsthand experience to share?

Hi there,

To celebrate an anniversary, we’re dreaming of a truly amazing luxury cruise where we’d be pampered.

We’ve already traveled in the Yacht Club on MSC. It was fantastic, especially since it was in the fjords.

But do you have any other cruise lines to recommend?

hi, I’m going on a cruise on the Costa TOSCANA in October, and I’ll be celebrating my birthday there. I wanted to make it special and try ARCHIPELAGO for the first time. And also go back to Teppanyaki (I really like their menu and the atmosphere). I see there’s a package for 3 culinary experiences at 88 €. According to the description, you can go to the specialty restaurants 3 times. That price seems really low to me, since Archipelago alone costs around 55 €... and with this package, you could go 3 times? Plus, there’s another package next to it: 1 Archipelago and 1 Teppanyaki (without specifying the menu) for 80 €. Has anyone already tried the 3-experience package? What did you think? Thanks for your feedback

The departure: David was on time, as always, to drive us to the airport. At the check-in counter, I was told my passport was damaged and they needed to check if I could board the plane or not. Huge stress. We waited a good twenty minutes while a supervisor checked my passport and let me through. Meanwhile, we’d already come up with backup plans in case I had to stay in Brussels. Anyway, it all worked out in the end—we’ll see in Addis Ababa and Maun if they let me through. Needless to say, I’m really nervous.

The Ethiopian Airlines flight went smoothly. We met up with Jean-Mi and Nadette, our friends from Marseille, in a café at the airport in Ethiopia. We recounted our adventures over coffee. Oh boy, things were getting hectic at the boarding gates—we got in line, and after a long wait, a bus took us to a plane that, hopefully, was headed to Maun and not the Congo.

Four hours later, we arrived. After clearing immigration—phew, my passport was accepted—a rep from the agency picked us up in a taxi to our guesthouse for two days, Riverfront. The hotel was nice, with large rooms featuring mosquito nets, a small kitchenette, and a huge bathroom. There was also a balcony overlooking the river, where water had only arrived the day before. Massive electric fences separated the garden from the river—hard to tell if they were for animals or thieves, probably both, especially since rising water attracts hippos and crocs. We took a walk along the river, and the two French guys from the agency joined us, confirming they’d be back the next afternoon for a briefing. We ordered food to be delivered to the hotel—too lazy to take a taxi.

After a good night’s sleep, we were ready for the 4x4 briefing. We’d rented two Hilux trucks with rooftop tents for the two of us. We spent nearly three hours going over mechanics, camping gear, setting up and taking down the tents, tire management for different terrains, water and fuel tanks—basically, we *think* we’re ready. Time to grab food and do some shopping. We already got lost in town—this bodes well for the rest of the trip.

We decided to eat at a sort of chicken fast-food place in Maun Mall, called Chicken Liken. What a mess. You order, but you have no idea how to get your food. The overwhelmed cashier checked our order four times, forgot Cochies’ dish, and the food was cold. Avoid this place. The supermarket was well-stocked, but with health restrictions, we had to rely on a lot of canned goods. This whole errand took up the entire day. Looks like we’ll be eating a lot of corned beef—should be interesting. After a good shower, Nadette took us to Boma, a really nice restaurant with a touristy but fun vibe. One more good night’s sleep, and the adventure begins!

What’s the maximum weight of gear I can carry in my panniers: - For a woman on an e-bike - And for a man on a muscle-powered bike Thanks

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After Southern Tanzania, I’m sharing a travel story about the Cantal region with you...

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For us, at the start of 2025, Le CANTAL was a true “Terra Incognita”!!

After seeing some tempting TV reports, we decided to fill this gap—especially in terms of landscapes. On the same trip, we’ll also head to the Arcachon Basin, the International Seaplane Gathering in Biscarrosse, and my native Landes region...

So, on May 20th, we left Marseille in the rain and thunder, heading toward Nîmes, Saint-Hippolyte, Mont Aigoual, Florac, and stopping in Marvejols to give my arthritic back a break for the night.





The next morning, we decided to revisit the Parc aux Loups du Gévaudan (Europe’s largest wolf park). As someone used to photo safaris in the wilds of East Africa, I’m not a fan of zoos at all—but I *do* have a deep admiration for wolves!!



Since it’s pretty unlikely I’ll ever see one in the wild, I’ll settle for this Parc aux Loups in Marvejols. This will be our third visit to this incredible gathering of these fascinating canines.

Some are still finishing their chilly night...





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Hi there, I’m not quite sure how to introduce this topic...

Let’s just say that since Covid—and the shutdown of VF—Facebook travel groups have exploded, while travel forums (VF or Le Forum du Routard) are much less active than they used to be.

And that’s where I realize (maybe it’s just my impression) that the average traveler seems to need assistance with *every* little detail... When I look at the questions posted in travel groups on social media—oh my goodness, we’re really not in the same traveler universe. You might think I’m being harsh, even condescending toward the overwhelming majority of travelers, but at the end of the day, travel forums still inspire way more and are much more geared toward long-term travelers, those who set off on adventures, who have the traveler’s soul—rather than those asking what clothes to pack for Bogotá or whether the weather will be nice in Mexico from April 18 to 30...

I’m just noticing that travelers who have the time and love to improvise their trips are becoming really rare...

For a travel aficionado like me, it’s kind of sad to see such a demand for hand-holding... but I guess it fits with our times.

There, I said it!

Hello everyone,

I’ve wanted to take this Norway cruise for a very long time. The first time I booked it was in July 2020 with Azamara. Unfortunately, it was canceled, as everyone remembers. When I tried to book it again, the prices (already a bit high with Azamara) had simply doubled. So, since then, I’ve been keeping an eye out every year for any opportunities...

The last time we sailed with Princess was eleven years ago, and things didn’t go very well. I came back pretty unhappy with their service and quite disappointed. Despite the $600 they gave me as credit for a future cruise, I’d never set foot on one of their ships again.

But this time, the opportunity arose—a fantastic itinerary with lots of stops, a reasonable price for 16 nights (I’ll share the details in the conclusion), and a ship that’s not too big, so to speak, with only 3,000 passengers. I’m not expecting much from the cruise line this time and am boarding the ship with low expectations beyond the itinerary.

Princess has introduced an app to download before the cruise. It’s essential because online check-in is no longer available, and the agency doesn’t send a travel journal. Everything is done through the app. After completing the check-in on the app, we only know that we’ll need to pick up our key, the Medallion, at embarkation by following the blue line in the terminal and presenting our passport.



Up until our departure, the weather forecast for the coming week in Norway is disastrous—rain, rain, and more rain. It was pretty much the same two years ago before our Iceland cruise, and in the end, the weather turned out fine.

If you’re ready to embark on the Emerald Princess to discover this beautiful cruise and the stunning landscapes of Norway, let’s go!

Southampton - Sea day - Bergen - Olden - Åndalsnes - Sea day - Tromsø - Honningsvåg (North Cape) - Alta - Sea day - Molde - Trondheim - Two sea days - Edinburgh - Sea day - Southampton