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Tips for preparing a trip to Tanzania
by Mhm555 · 2025-08-16 · 9 replies
Hi everyone! My mom (75 years old, in great shape!) and I (40) are planning a trip to Tanzania between October 26th and November 16th (duration: 2 to 3 weeks). Yes, it’s a bit short notice to organize, but we don’t really have a choice :) Here’s the rough idea:

Exploring the country on the go, with a touch of spontaneity and local encounters (not a 100% fixed itinerary). Personally, I’m used to total improvisation when traveling solo, but in this case, I’d prefer to be a bit more informed/structured.

Potentially climbing Kilimanjaro (for me) before ending with a few relaxing days in Zanzibar.

Maybe renting a 4x4 to stay independent?

No luxury requirements: we prioritize authenticity over comfort (as long as it’s at least clean). We’re not opposed to camping either if it lets us do some cool stuff! Not a huge budget, but this time we’re not completely broke either :)

I’m reaching out to you here for:

Ideas for off-the-beaten-path itineraries.

Advice on whether a guide is necessary in certain places or recommendations for reliable and friendly local contacts/tour operators.

If you have any recommendations, experiences, or great tips, we’re all ears! Thanks in advance for your advice and kindness.

See you soon.
Trip to the Maldives without all-inclusive packages: is it doable?
by Mavietongs · 2025-08-04 · 4 replies
Hi, I’d like to stay on several islands in the Maldives solo with a budget of under 120 € for 2 people per day for accommodation and food. I’m not including transport. Is this possible? On Booking, I’ve found hotels for under 80 € that seem great, some even offer half-board for 20 € for 2. I thought you’d need a much bigger budget… Do you know the price of a meal at a local restaurant on the inhabited islands? And drinks? From what I’ve heard, there’s no alcohol there, right? I’d also like to know if it’s easy to travel between atolls and from one island to another by boat. Do you have any island recommendations? I’m planning to stay for 3 weeks and visit 4-5 islands. This destination is almost always offered as all-inclusive stays with pretty luxurious hotels, so I’m finding very little info on how to do it without pre-organized trips. Thanks for your tips and travel feedback! PS: Long live the return of VoyageForum!
11 unforgettable days in Oman
by Joël53 · 2025-07-08 · 17 replies
We visited the northern/northeast part of Oman, the most touristy area, last February over 11 days there. It’s a great time to go because the temperatures are pleasant and there aren’t too many tourists, even though the country is only just starting to develop its image. 11 days was enough for us to see the essentials, but you can always extend your stay depending on what you want.

2 days in Muscat, 2 days in the desert—we would’ve happily stayed longer—2 days in the mountains, 3 days in the wadis, and the rest for the cities, villages, and the coast.

Oman offers stunning landscapes and a genuinely warm welcome. We always felt safe, never experienced any malicious looks or gestures.

As usual for our trips, we chose to organize everything ourselves but with a guide to better explore and soak up the local culture.

The point of my post isn’t to recount our journey but to encourage and reassure anyone considering this destination.

If I can be of help, I’m happy to answer your questions based on what I know.
Tips for my second Japan trip itinerary
by Arwena · 2025-07-01 · 10 replies
Hi everyone,

I’m planning to return to Japan for 15 days in April. This will be my second trip there. I’m starting to think about my itinerary.

I arrive in Tokyo in the evening and will spend one night there before taking the train to Hiroshima. I’ll stay in Hiroshima for 2 nights. Then, I’m heading to Kyoto (there are still so many beautiful things I want to see there), and I think I’ll stay for 3 nights. I also want to go back to Nara to visit the Pink Temple (probably in the morning before heading back to Kyoto).

And after that? I’d like to return to Hakone to try and catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji (I didn’t see it last time—it was cloudy). I’m thinking of staying one night there, probably in Odawara.

And then? I’ll head back to Tokyo and take the train to explore the surrounding areas and spend the day at some sites?

While in Tokyo, I want to visit Yokohama. I went to Kamakura last time and really loved it, but I don’t think I’ll go back.

I’ll end my trip in Tokyo, with my second-to-last night at the Muji Hotel and my last night near the airport.

That’s the plan so far—I’m open to your suggestions and itinerary tips!

Thanks in advance.
Vaccines and treatments for Thailand
by 4ecofuel · 2025-06-27 · 33 replies
Hi there,

I’ve already visited quite a few countries across several continents, but I’m pretty new to Asia.

I’m planning a trip to Thailand in October or November, and I wanted to check about health precautions: malaria treatment, vaccinations (hepatitis A or others...). I’ll mostly be in the northern region, around Chiang Mai, where I’ll spend a lot of time in nature and the mountains. Then I’ll head south to Phuket or Krabi and visit Khao Sok National Park. I’ll finish up in Bangkok, with a likely detour to Kanchanaburi.

From what I understand, for a stay of less than 60 days, I don’t need a visa (I’m a French national)? I just need to fill out the TDAC form 3 to 5 days before arrival?

Thanks for your advice! Fred
Feedback on our summer trip to Bulgaria
by Tonton44 · 2025-06-05 · 5 replies
Hi there,

This summer, we’re heading to Bulgaria as a family (2 adults and 2 kids aged 15 and 12). Our flights and rental car are already booked, and our accommodations are pre-reserved (cancellable). Just so you know, we prefer nature over cities for our vacations.

I’d love your thoughts on our itinerary—specifically, any interesting sites, hikes, or nature activities you’d recommend. - Day 1: Arrival in Sofia at 11 PM - Day 2: Sofia - Day 3: Drive to Veliko Tarnovo, overnight there - Day 4: Drive to the Black Sea (we were supposed to go to Varna, but our booking was canceled) - Days 5–8: We were planning to stay in Varna and visit Balchik and Nesebar. But since our accommodation fell through, we’re wondering if we should spend only 2 nights in Varna and 3 in Nesebar instead. What do you think? - Day 9: Drive to Sinemorets - Days 10–11: Sinemorets, Strandja (3 nights in Sinemorets) - Days 12–13: Plovdiv - Days 14–16: Rhodopes, staying in Yagodina for 3 nights - Day 17: Melnik - Days 18–20: Bansko (Bansko Jazz Fest, hikes) - Day 21: Rila Monastery, then overnight in Sapareva Banya - Day 22: Seven Rila Lakes hike - Day 23: Return to Sofia and fly home

Does this route feel balanced, or too rushed? What do you think are the must-see spots along the way?

Thanks! PM
Discussion for June 2025's theme: a series
by Kate · 2025-06-01 · 65 replies
Here we can chat, have fun, ask questions, post off-topic photos... Hope you'll like this theme 🙂 The contest is here
50-Minute Layover in Zurich with Kids: Is It Doable?
by Vincent1212 · 2025-04-08 · 7 replies
Hi there, we’re looking at a flight from Montreal to Zurich, then Zurich to Brussels (final destination). There are two couples and two kids in our group, and the layover is listed as 50 minutes. I wanted to check if this is doable before booking...
Shopping in Hoi An, Vietnam
by Davtahiti19 · 2025-03-24 · 5 replies
Huge disappointment. I’d seen that Friendly Shoe Shop was recommended by a blog. I went there with the intention of buying a small leather backpack. I visited once for a look around, then went online to compare prices with shops in Europe, like Marius, which specializes in leather. I realized that for the same price ($145 US), I could find the same thing in Paris. I went back to Friendly Shoe Shop and tried to see if it was possible to negotiate. The saleswoman immediately reacted. With a smile, she took the bag, put it back on display, and told me: "If you want to negotiate, go to the market!" Basically, she was telling me to get lost. You can easily apologize by saying prices are fixed and non-negotiable, but it’s unacceptable to react that way when the prices are excessive. It’s really taking tourists for a ride.

When you know the cost of living in Vietnam, this price is nothing short of a scam. I’m not questioning the quality of the product. If the workers were paid 3 or 5 times the normal rate, I wouldn’t mind. But there’s no indication that’s the case.

In summary, in Hoi An, you have the choice between: - Quality shops where you’ll pay the same price as in a European capital, which gives the owner a huge margin since they don’t pay import taxes, transportation costs, and manufacture directly, etc. - Counterfeit shops where you won’t pay much for mediocre quality.

Friendly Shoe Shop has nothing friendly or fair about it. It’ll suit people who travel for two or three weeks, have the means, and want to say when they get home that they bought a bag or shoes in Hoi An. For everyone else, there’s nothing fair about it…
E-cigarettes in Thailand: Is it risky to bring one through customs?
by Alexbr · 2025-03-18 · 21 replies
Hey everyone! Apparently, e-cigarettes are banned in Thailand. But... can you still get through customs with one in your suitcase, just to vape indoors at your hotel or accommodation? Thanks
2 weeks in mojito country - March 2024 (Cuba)
by Pboulard · 2025-02-02 · 19 replies
Hey everyone,

A lot has happened in 4 years when it comes to travel. It wasn’t a little virus that would stop us from traveling, even if we sometimes had to adjust our destinations. So, I’m going to try to get back into posting travel journals, starting with destinations where there aren’t many recent stories.

I’ll begin with our trip of 2 weeks exploring the western part of Cuba. For those eager to read the story, I invite you to check out MyAtlas, where I started writing my travel journals during VoyageForum’s long hiatus:
https://www.myatlas.com/Lofwyra/cuba-petit-detour-au-pays-du-mojito

Our itinerary, traveled in a 1954 classic American car with our driver Yoan, who spoke excellent French. I’ll add links to the posts as I write them.

2 nights in Habana Vieja - <<click here to go directly to the post>> 2 nights in Playa Larga** 2 nights in Cienfuegos** 3 nights in Trinidad*** 2 nights in Matanzas*** 3 nights in Viñales**** 1 night in Havana, downtown and Vedado

Before diving into the story, here are a few photos of what stood out to us beyond the usual sights of this country:

🙂 The birds, in large numbers—hummingbirds, pink flamingos, pelicans, and especially the tocororo, Cuba’s endemic bird, considered the national bird because the colors of its plumage match the Cuban flag.

🙂 Matanzas, a city that doesn’t get much attention, sandwiched between Varadero and Havana. It doesn’t have the architectural splendor of Trinidad or Cienfuegos, some streets are really dirty, but it has a dynamic, lively vibe that really touched us.

🙂 The ever-present blue, in the architecture, the cars, and the natural surroundings.

...and what we called the "Cuban style": rum and cigars in the company of Che 😎

There’s still so much more to remember about this captivating and vibrant country, despite the economic crisis hitting Cubans hard... to be continued in the story.

Happy reading, Pascale
A Trip to Australia: New South Wales
by Jlcro · 2025-01-09 · 34 replies
Wednesday, November 15, 2023 Flight Cairns – Sydney Okay, let’s recap. We’ve traveled through Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland, and tonight we’ll be in New South Wales. We’ll even lose an extra hour—and a bunch of degrees! We’re on a flawless journey so far. One of our suitcases is almost two kilos overweight. The guy checking us in gives us a nice smile and decides to overlook the excess baggage fee.

A flight, for once, without a hitch, no delay (just half an hour…). Taxi… We discover our… room… We’ve got a suite like never before on this trip. It’s a posh apartment on the 7th floor—on cloud nine, really! We can’t believe it. 113.26 € per night! The Meriton Suites Mascot Central if you ever find yourself in this city… We even have a washing machine (and it works!). Such a change from the cabins in the west!



We don’t linger, though. We take the metro. Why? Well, yeah, we’re still kids at heart—off to the Opera House, of course!









Restaurant prices have doubled. Even tripled. We reluctantly settle for a pizzeria because that T-bone for 155 AUD (100 €)…

We know how to handle ourselves. There’s a Woolworths right downstairs. And we’ve got a kitchen, remember! And a terrace! We even have huge bats to brighten up our skies!
Help with 12-day Peru itinerary
by Mike9966 · 2025-01-04 · 4 replies
Hi there, I’m reaching out to get your thoughts on an upcoming trip to Peru. The issue is that I unfortunately don’t have enough time to do everything. I’ve put together four itineraries and would love your feedback on them.

Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Option 4 Day 1 August 14, 2025 Flight Canada – Lima Bus Lima – Huacachina Accommodation Huacachina Flight Canada – Lima Bus Lima - Huacachina Accommodation Huacachina Flight Canada – Lima Bus Lima - Huacachina Accommodation Huacachina Flight Canada – Lima Bus Lima - Huacachina Accommodation Huacachina Day 2 August 15, 2025 Visit Huacachina Bus Huacachina – Arequipa Overnight bus accommodation Visit Huacachina Accommodation Huacachina Visit Huacachina Accommodation Huacachina Visit Huacachina Bus Huacachina – Arequipa Overnight bus accommodation Day 3 August 16, 2025 Visit Arequipa Accommodation Arequipa Bus Huacachina – Lima Flight Lima – Juliaca Accommodation Puno Visit Paracas Accommodation Paracas Visit Arequipa Accommodation Arequipa Day 4 August 17, 2025 Colca Canyon excursion Transfer Arequipa-Puno Accommodation Puno Visit Lake Titicaca Accommodation Puno Bus Paracas – Lima Flight Lima - Cusco Colca Canyon excursion Accommodation Arequipa Day 5 August 18, 2025 Visit Lake Titicaca Bus Puno-Cusco (7:00 AM) Overnight bus accommodation Bus Puno - Cusco Visit Cusco Accommodation Cusco Visit Cusco Accommodation Cusco Flight Arequipa – Cusco Visit Cusco Accommodation Cusco Day 6 August 19, 2025 Visit Humantay Lake Accommodation Cusco Visit Humantay Lake Accommodation Cusco Visit Humantay Lake Accommodation Cusco Visit Humantay Lake Accommodation Cusco Day 7 August 20, 2025 Visit Sacred Valley Accommodation Ollantaytambo Visit Sacred Valley Accommodation Ollantaytambo Visit Sacred Valley Accommodation Ollantaytambo Visit Sacred Valley Accommodation Ollantaytambo Day 8 August 21, 2025 Visit Machu Picchu Accommodation Ollantaytambo Visit Machu Picchu Accommodation Ollantaytambo Visit Machu Picchu Accommodation Ollantaytambo Visit Machu Picchu Accommodation Ollantaytambo Day 9 August 22, 2025 Bus Ollantaytambo - Cusco Visit Sacred Valley Accommodation Cusco Bus Ollantaytambo - Cusco Visit Sacred Valley Accommodation Cusco Bus Ollantaytambo - Cusco Visit Sacred Valley Accommodation Cusco Bus Ollantaytambo - Cusco Visit Sacred Valley Accommodation Cusco Day 10 August 23, 2025 Bus Cusco – Vinicunca Visit Rainbow Mountain Accommodation Cusco Bus Cusco – Vinicunca Visit Rainbow Mountain Accommodation Cusco Bus Cusco – Vinicunca Visit Rainbow Mountain Accommodation Cusco Bus Cusco – Vinicunca Visit Rainbow Mountain Accommodation Cusco Day 11 August 24, 2025 Flight Cusco – Lima Visit Lima Accommodation Lima Flight Cusco – Lima Visit Lima Accommodation Lima Flight Cusco – Lima Visit Lima Accommodation Lima Flight Cusco – Lima Visit Lima Accommodation Lima Day 12 August 25, 2025 Flight Lima - Canada Flight Lima - Canada Flight Lima - Canada Flight Lima - Canada
One-month itinerary in Central Asia
by Gomar · 2025-01-03 · 26 replies
Hello! I’m so excited to be back on this forum—it’s helped me so much in the past! I need your expert advice for our next trip, which will take us to Central Asia: Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan.

We have a month, and here’s the itinerary I have in mind: Arrival in Tashkent – 2 days Bukhara – 2 days Samarkand – 3 days Panjakent – 1 day The Seven Lakes + Iskanderkul – 3 days Khujand – 2 days Fergana Valley – 3 days Song Kol Lake – 2 days Issyk-Kul Lake – 3 days Charyn Canyon – 1 day Kaindy Lake – 1 day Altyn Emel Park – 1 day Almaty – 1 day and departure

I know the travel times, especially in the mountains, can be long, but I’ve tried to optimize it so we can rest after the long drives. Our family includes three kids aged 5, 13, and 17. We’re used to backpacking. But I have *so* many questions: -Will it be extremely hot in Uzbekistan, but manageable in the other regions on my itinerary? -I’ve read conflicting things about trains in Uzbekistan: is it possible to book train tickets in advance from France? -For the Seven Lakes and Iskanderkul, do I need to hire a driver? Is it easy to find one? Since there are five of us, we’d need a large car… or is it possible to rent a car in Panjakent and drop it off in Khujand? -What’s worth visiting in the Fergana Valley? -I’d prefer to avoid domestic flights, so I planned to break up the Osh-Issyk-Kul Lake route by stopping at Song Kol Lake and taking a horseback ride. Is that realistic? Again, do I need to find a driver, or can we do it independently? -Where’s the best base for Issyk-Kul Lake? The main goal is to relax and swim (is it acceptable for women to wear swimsuits in these regions?) -For the last part of the trip—Charyn Canyon and Kaindy Lake from Issyk-Kul—is it doable, or do I need a driver once more? -Is Altyn Emel Park doable in the summer, or is it too hot? The idea is to see the views and do a short 3-hour hike.

Thanks so much for any firsthand tips or experiences you can share!
A trip to Australia: Far North Queensland
by Jlcro · 2024-12-18 · 17 replies
Thursday, November 9, 2023 Cairns

TV scriptwriters are a funny bunch. As soon as their ordinary mug starts becoming recognizable on the street thanks to success, their egos start swelling. They walk on clouds. So, one of the guys who worked on the script for our trip—the one who specifically came up with the bit about the SD card being ejected into the great beyond—has built himself a nice little reputation. The kind that can sometimes launch a real career. Then, inevitably, they just can’t stop. That’s how this guy had the poor idea of adding one last twist to the sequence that made him a one-day star. An idea that’s basically about squeezing the lemon until the very last drop, if you know what I mean. The little bag I take everywhere with my essentials—car keys, camera, phone—has also hosted a bunch of secondary items over time. Tissues, a book, city maps... whatever. It became a mess! So I finally decided to sort it out. I empty it onto a table. And there, stunned, I find the memory card that Dom and I desperately searched for on all fours on Cahill’s Crossing walkway, remember? Under the shocked gaze of a little Australian girl. It had ejected straight into my bag! What do you think? Should we fire the scriptwriter? It’s way too improbable! Stuff like that doesn’t happen in real life, right?

We head out to explore Cairns. The city is mostly about the waterfront, the Esplanade. You’ll find tons of bronze plaques there, most of them in memory of a deceased loved one. All you have to do is shell out a few hundred euros, and one day, a bewildered tourist will read your prose, charmed by your lovely turns of phrase. Vanity is a thriving business!

It makes for some reading... We spot our parakeets again... What were they called? Oh right, in abundance! Everywhere, banyan fig trees provide shade from a sun that never seems to tire. Parks... Here, kids are king. Luxury hotels with their infinity pools...

You don’t know where to look first... You’ve got to go all out. Google... Where can we rent bikes? When we finally track down the only operator in town, we find the place closed. A bit further on, a Visitor’s Center might find us an alternative? We meet a charming young guy, super dynamic and a great communicator. We leave without bikes but with a full snorkeling package for the day after tomorrow! I call the shop that let us down... Well done! The owner was at the doctor’s; he’s back now, and we can make a deal!

- Oh, Dominique, where are you off to like that, so proudly and at full speed? - Me? To the Botanic Garden, of course! It’s huge and free!

They’ve recycled oil tanks into art galleries!



A trip to Australia: the Northern Territory.
by Jlcro · 2024-12-15 · 18 replies
Thursday, November 2, 2023 Lake Argyle – Katherine

We had a great time. Now we’ve got to pay the price. We’re down one stop before Katherine. Gotta do the whole trip in one go—6 hours of driving. Let’s go! We’re a bit low on fuel with only 300 kilometers of range. The only station at the lake doesn’t open until 9 a.m., and the next (and only) one is 227 kilometers away… Should we risk it? Except for a magnificent frilled-neck lizard darting across the road on its big hind legs and an emu quickly disappearing into the bush, we didn’t see much. Oh—there was also a donkey, lost and panicked in the middle of the road… A quiet road with some beautiful scenery, some worrying bushfires

and a few opportunities to stop for a "warrior’s rest" (never go beyond the first second of the thought that starts drifting off the road…) We cross an invisible border as we enter the Northern Territory, which comes with consequences—we immediately lose an hour and a half by changing time zones. The speed limit goes from 110 to 130.

We arrive at the self check-in in Katherine. As usual, we’re a little taken aback at first. The noise, for starters. There’s a group rehearsing, it seems. We go check it out. We pass through the doors separating "The Stuart" from the adjoining bar and stumble upon what feels like collective hysteria. Turns out, it’s a concert. Aboriginal musicians completely fired up by some incredible music! There are just three of them, but they’re delivering a wall of sound that reminds us of South Africa’s finest neo-techno with a trance-like vibe. The crowd is wild! They’re singing in unison, screaming with joy. We get gently kicked out by security because we’re carrying our groceries, and they’re not having it. We promise ourselves we’ll come back once we’ve put them away in our little fridge.

Then we land. We end up finding plenty of nice things. It’s very possible we’ll like this place!

We head back to enjoy our post-battle Happy Hour. The concert’s over, but the crowd’s still riding the high. It’s indescribable. People are shouting across the room, screaming just for the fun of it—men and women alike. There’s pool, some beat-up arcade games being shaken like coconut trees. Dom and I feel like anthropologists. We’re pretty blown away. It’s epic! And the beer’s half the price it is elsewhere! We’ll definitely be back—that’s for sure!

We give up on finding a restaurant. Not sure they even exist, at least not this season. So, we’ve got a microwave—we eat at home on our little terrace, with a musical accompaniment from a massive orchestra of birds. It sounds amazing!
Back from 4 weeks in Mozambique
by Fragrataloup · 2024-11-26 · 15 replies
hi everyone, we’re just back from 4 weeks in Mozambique. If you need any info—even though the situation’s getting more and more chaotic—just ask!
Opinions on Azerbaijan Airlines and Uzbekistan Airways?
by UnaMilanese · 2024-11-14 · 20 replies
Hi everyone,

For my round-trip flights between Milan and Tashkent, I have several airline options, with Turkish Airlines being the most familiar and offering plenty of combinations. But I’m also being offered an outbound flight with a layover in Baku via Azerbaijan Airlines and a direct return (7.5 hours without stretching my long legs 😱) with Uzbekistan Airways. I’m not a fan of flying at all (I feel uneasy when I’m not on solid ground, but it’s a necessary evil when you’re short on time). However, I’m tempted by the idea of trying these two airlines and getting a glimpse of Baku Airport.

Do you have any advice that could tip the scales toward curiosity or fear?

Catherine
14-day road trip in the United States: Memphis, Nashville, Atlanta...
by Elice75 · 2024-11-08 · 15 replies
Hi there, I know these aren’t the most popular destinations on the forum, but I thought I’d give it a shot. I’d love to do a road trip loop next April, and I really want to visit Nashville and Memphis first. Browsing the forum, I saw that Atlanta / Memphis / Nashville / Charlotte / Charleston / Savannah / Atlanta might be a good route. But I’m only planning to go for 14 days, and it seems like that might be too much. What do you think? I mostly want to enjoy the music scene in the area and pass through the Smoky Mountains. I know I won’t have much time to stop for hiking, but oh well... I’m saving Louisiana and New Orleans for another trip. Thanks to anyone who can help me map out my route and make the most of this part of the U.S. that I don’t know at all yet.
Choosing a Destination in Southern or East Africa
by Moumouminus · 2024-11-03 · 17 replies
Hello, We’re a family from Réunion with three kids, used to active holidays: biking, camping, hitchhiking, and finding last-minute accommodations.

This time, we’d like to visit a country in Southern or East Africa (since it’s close to our island—flights to Johannesburg aren’t too expensive). The kids dream of seeing animals, but we don’t want to spend our whole holiday in a 4x4!

My husband and I know West Africa well (we’ve lived for months in Burkina, Benin, and Madagascar), where it’s easy to get around by public transport, get unexpectedly invited into villages, and find food in roadside eateries... But we’re not sure if we can find that same vibe in "safari" countries.

More specific criteria:

- See animals and varied landscapes, but without ending up with 25 4x4s around one elephant... - Not spend 5 hours a day in the car every day - Do some travel by public transport - A holiday focused not just on nature but also on taking time to meet locals - Be able to hike (or even bike, canoe...) - Camp for all or part of the trip

Given all this, which destination would you recommend? South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe? Or Kenya, Tanzania? Or somewhere else?

I’ve read tons of websites and forums but I’m still confused!

This would be for about 3 weeks next July-August.

Thanks for your help!
Art Nouveau Around the World - Discussion
by Ragamuffin · 2024-11-01 · 19 replies
This is where we chat, not on the contest thread
15-Day Family Road Trip: Rovaniemi - Swedish Lapland - Lofoten
by Ambre67 · 2024-11-01 · 14 replies
Hello,

I’m starting to plan our summer 2025 trip. We’ll be traveling as a family (2 adults and 2 teens), most likely in mid-July. Here’s a first draft of our itinerary. I’d love to hear your thoughts on whether this 15-day route is doable. We’ll be renting a car in Rovaniemi.

- Rovaniemi (2 nights) - Jokkmokk (1 night) - Kiruna (1 or 2 nights???) - Narvik (1 night) - Lofoten Islands (3 or 4 nights???) - Bodø (2 nights) - Return through Sweden, but where to stay between Bodø and Luleå to break up the drive????? (1 night) - Luleå (1 or 2 nights???) - Return to Rovaniemi (1 night)

What do you think of this route? I’m open to all suggestions—whether there are places to add, remove, or adjust. Thanks in advance for your help!
ETA Thailand (Electronic Travel Authorization)
by Djiap · 2024-10-29 · 23 replies
Hi, does anyone know the status of the ETA that’s supposed to go into effect in December 2024 (and needs to be requested on the e-visa portal www.thaievisa.go.th)? Is it officially starting on December 1st? I’ve got my flight on the 7th of December and I’m on a Non-O Retirement visa with a re-entry. From what I understand, it’ll only apply to visa-free entries and should allow a 60-day stay in the kingdom with the option to extend for 30 more days. So I’m wondering if I need to apply for this since I already have a valid visa. Thanks in advance for your answers! 😊
Editing our posts and blocking members in discussions we've started
by Solene40 · 2024-10-19 · 60 replies
Hello! I’m a former VF lover (and, incidentally, an explorer of my Atlas 😊) and I’m genuinely thrilled the forum is reopening, but I have two little questions.

Over the past four years, I’ve put together a few travel journals that I’d love to share, but there are two things that bother me: - How can I edit my post after a few hours? (Because sometimes I need to correct mistakes even two days later.)

- At the end of VF’s previous run, there were a few members who were really unpleasant and enjoyed derailing certain discussions. As a result, I know several people who stopped coming to VF because of that. So, for MY travel journals, I’d really like to keep the vibe positive and kind. Is there any way to set something up so the person who starts a discussion can block them?

Thanks, and long live VF!
Hikes, gites, and transport in Réunion and Mauritius
by Macphil3 · 2024-10-16 · 5 replies
Hi everyone, After finishing the season (gîte on the Compostela trail), it’s our turn to hike! We’re heading to Réunion for 6 weeks, then Mauritius, and maybe Rodrigues. We leave on November 5th. What are the must-do hikes, starting with easy ones to get our legs back in shape (yep, 7 months of inactivity!) and then a bit more challenging, but most importantly, no risk of vertigo. Sorry, that’s just how it is—can’t do it 😅. As for gîtes, should we book a few days in advance, or do we need to plan now? And what about transport? Should we rent a vehicle instead? We’d love any tips you have. Thanks! Philippe and Corinne
Départ de Naples en famille: Pouilles et/ou côte Amalfitaine English translation pending
by Tiflof · 2020-09-24 · 6 replies
Bonjour,

sauf nouvelles restrictions, nous devrions partir en famille dans le sud de l'Italie, du 18 au 30 octobre. A l'origine, on cherchait à aller dans les Pouilles, de peur que la côte amalfitaine soit trop touristique. Mais finalement, nous n'avons pas trouvé de vol intéressant pour Bari ou Brindisi, et le Covid a sans doute également rebattu les cartes en termes de fréquentation sur les lieux très touristiques. Nous nous poserons à Naples le 18 au soir et partirons le 30 au matin. Nous sommes 2 adultes et 2 enfants de 9 et 5 ans.

Nous sommes un peu perdus au niveau de l'itinéraire à faire, tant il y a à voir et à faire! On fait le choix de ne pas visiter Naples. Bien que cela puisse plaire aux parents, on se dit que les enfants n'y trouveront pas leur compte, et qu'on trouvera d'autres villes de taille plus humaine.

Si nous avions 3 semaines, ce qui n'est pas le cas, voici ce qu'on a retenu comme lieux possibles où loger 1,2 ou 3 nuits, mais il faudra faire des choix:

-Ischia et Procida (par exemple 2 nuits à Ischia, et peut-être stop d'une demi journée à Procida sur le trajet ferry en provenance de Naples)

-Le Vesuve et Pompéi (si on le fait, visite guidée pour les enfants, sinon on les connait, il vont en avoir marre 😏). A l'origine on n'avait pas vraiment mis ces 2 endroits dans notre itinéraire, de peur que ce soit trop "disneyland". Mais on se pose tout de même la question...

-La côte Amalfitaine, en tout cas de Positano a Salerno

- Matera (on y tient, 2 nuits par exemple)

- Les Pouilles "nord" de Polignano a mare à Ostuni (3 nuits par exemple)

- Les Pouilles "sud" autour de Lecce et Otranto (3 nuits par exemple)

Pour un premier voyage en italie, avec des enfants qui ne veulent pas non plus passer leur vie en voiture, quelles seraient selon vous les endroits immanquables?

Je sais que ma question est pour l'instant vague, mais j'espère qu'au fil des échanges, cela me permettra d'affiner, de savoir à quoi m'attendre, mais également de savoir moi-même ce que j'attends de ce voyage!
Recherche de TO local pour voyage de noce en 2021 en Ouganda English translation pending
by Bardamu76 · 2020-09-22 · 7 replies
Bonjour à tous,

Le projet Voyage de noces Ouganda se remet sur les rails ! Nous avons eu la chance de pouvoir nous marier en septembre (sans cluster en plus 😉 ) et nous nous projetons maintenant vers le voyage.

Etant donné le contexte, nous planifions le voyage pour juillet 2021 si possible. Après réflexion nous aimerions faire le choix d'un voyage de 2-3 semaines avec guide chauffeur (vous êtes bcp à prôner le self-drive ici mais je n'ai pas envie de me mettre ce stress là pour mon voyage de noces, étant moi-même un conducteur très occasionnel).

Arrive la question cruciale : avec qui partir ?

Certains récits font état de guides un peu folklo qui peuvent rendre le voyage très difficile, d'autres de véhicules peu fiables.. Bref, avez-vous des personnes ou des organismes à recommander pour une première prise de contact (les TO premium type Voyageurs du Monde étant d'emblée exclus pour des raisons budgétaires) ?

Un grand merci par avance

François
Des voyages après les annulations? English translation pending
by Brigitte42 · 2020-09-18 · 53 replies
Bonjour à tous ! Pour faire suite au message fermé ( nos-experiences-demandes-remboursements-suite-annulation-cause-covid-19 ) car trop 'gonflé' : plus de 1200 réponses ! , j'ouvre un nouveau sujet, qui est la suite logique du précédent !

Après les annulations - demandes de remboursements abouties ou non cette année, suite au Covid, j'aimerais que vous nous racontiez la suite de l'histoire :

- Qu'est - il advenu de vos projets de vacances ? - Avez- vous persévéré et obtenu un remboursement ou un report ? - Faites- vous de nouveaux projets ou avez vous déjà pu tenter, avec réussite, un autre voyage ?

Pour démarrer le sujet, voici ce que nous avons prévu : -- les 2 voyages ( USA et Yucatan ) qui étaient prêts seraient reportés à 1 an, peut-être à 2 : c'est de l'optimisme ... -- le voyage de mai, 3 semaines dans les Pouilles : quasi complètement remboursé ; peut-être reporté au printemps : il est fin prêt aussi ! -- cette année, vacances de 6 nuits à la belge : 3 jours à la Côte et 3 jours dans les Ardennes ; un peu court mais une météo plus qu'agréable ; belle bouffée d'air ... J'espère que vous avez mieux à nous raconter !

Bonne journée à tous .
La symphonie du nouveau monde English translation pending
by Pondy · 2020-09-10 · 38 replies
2 septembre 2095

Dans trois semaines, j’ai 85 ans. Ca va passer vite. Ce matin ma hanche me fait souffrir. Le médecin que j’ai eu en téléconsultation m’a dit qu’une intervention ne serait pas intéressante pour moi compte tenu du contexte. J’ai vu le Bourdon de la Santé Sociale se poser sur le perron d’Adrien. Depuis quelques jours ceux de la Brigade Géronte volaient en rase motte. Je vais ouvrir les volets, aérer la maison, boire mon verre d’eau et saluer Adrien, lui souhaiter bon voyage éternel.

Depuis les années 2040 les établissements pour personnes âgées et dépendantes n’existent plus et les vieillards restent chez eux jusqu’au bout de leur vie autorisée.

La grande guerre sanitaire de 2020 à 2024 a profondément modifié l’existence et, avec les changements climatiques , les forêts desséchées et les campagnes désertiques se sont multipliées. Les gouverneurs des cinq continents, l’Afrique, l’Asie, l’Europe, l’Amérique et l’Océanie ont édicté la LMN (loi du monde nouveau) et chaque habitant sur la planète s’est adapté à cette nouvelle donne. Les voyages d’agrément et d’affaires n’existent plus depuis longtemps et les sites de voyageurs se sont éteints les uns après les autres.

En ville, les gens courent en tout sens les yeux rivés sur leur écran et, en dehors du bruit sourd des voitures électriques, du bourdonnement des climatiseurs qui tournent à plein régime malgré les lourdes taxes, on dirait des villes de fantômes où les passants, visages penchés, évitent leur congénères en douceur. Durant la GGS (grande guerre sanitaire), les masques obligatoires avaient subtilement modifié les rapports, mais quand les villes avaient pu s’équiper de dômes, bulles transparentes enveloppant les cités et pulsant un air pur débarrassé de particules nocives, les gens qui craignaient l’hypercapnie avaient enfin respiré librement.

Il y a plusieurs mois que je n’y vais plus.

Pour voyager, il suffit de cliquer sur le Mur de Vie installé dans toute habitation. Il est possible de naviguer dans le passé, visiter chaque pays de l’ancien temps exactement comme si on y vivait et sans risques sanitaires. Bruits et odeurs sont diffusés et pour peu que l’on anticipe, le drone d’alimentation peut livrer des plats lyophilisés du pays choisi. Très souvent, je me projette en Inde et me promène dans les rues surpeuplées, grimpe sans fatigue les marches des temples. Un plaisir oublié sans transpiration, sans microbe, sans saleté.

Je vais sucer ma pastille de tétrahydrocannabinol. Depuis que j’ai 80 ans , j’ ai droit à 8 par mois. Dès 70 ans, j’en recevais 4, délivrées par le drone de Santé Sociale. C’est un médicament obligatoire et gratuit que chaque personne doit prendre. La vérification de l’absorption est simple. Il faut poser une infime goutte de sang dans un boîtier santé branché sur le dernier modèle de compteur Linky.

Ainsi, nous sommes tous bien pris en charge au nom de l’Egalité pour Tous inscrit dans la loi des derniers traités trans-mondiaux.

L’effet est apaisant sur ma hanche, il me ramollit le cerveau mais je vais me brancher sur les Cyclades que je ne connais pas et me laisser bercer…

A demain.

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