Results for "Dingle+|+9+>+213"

😉salut,

en septembre je pars pour la corse en tandem pendant 3 semaines, et j'aimerai savoir les coins sympas a ne pas rater

j'emmene avec moi un kayak gonflable histoire de varier les plaisirs et de decouvrir par la meme occasion les fonds marins si vous avez de bons plans....

à+

tony

😕 SOS; Je ne sais plus où donner de la tête, quel hôtel me conseillez-vous? Y a-t-il de nombreuse excursions a faire terrestres et aquatiques.

bonjour

difference entre las terrenas et las galeras?

qui connait ou rentre du guatapanal?

je n'arrive pas à trouver de commentaire sur cet hotel

qui pourrait m'aider

merci

Je suis en train de réfléchi à un projet de tour du monde sur 6-7mois en passant surtout du temps en Asie du Sud Est et en Indonésie.

L'une d'entre vous a-t-elle effectué une expérience du même ordre dont elle pourrait me parler car j'hésite encore à me lançer en solo.

Merci d'avance😏

Qui : Raph (Informaticien par métier, Musicien par loisir) & Flo (Etudiante en Musicotérapie & Musicologie, Musicienne). Nous adorons tous les deux le voyage (qq voyages, Afrique notemment), la Musique (...) et les enfants.(Nbses animations & BAFA tous les 2)

Quoi : Nous partons faire un tour du monde des associations d'aide a l'enfance depart nov 2004. Notre but est de faire un échange par la musique avec les enfants que nous allons voir : Apporter des petites animations musicales, des chants d'enfants...etc... et apprendre les leurs...

Où : Afrique de l'ouest, Amerique du Sud, Asie Mineure en restant 6 mois en Inde.

Comment : Le projet va etre financé par dfes sponsors & bourses essentiellement.

2 petites questions qui nous trotent en ce moment dans la tete... : Connaissez vous une compagnie aerienne pour faire le voyage Afrique-> Brésil sans passer par la France ? Pensez vous que ce serait possible de faire Sénégal -> Brésil en bateau ?

D'autres part si vous avez vous des conseils, idées, adresses...

Merci

Raph et FLo

Salut a tous les amoureux du voyage.

Juste poser la question du pourquoi avec un compagon ? Seul, on est bien plus ouvert a la rencontre des autres, et la notion du voyage prend vraiment un autre sens.

NetTotter

Hey everyone,

Next year, we’re celebrating 20 years of marriage (and travel 🙂), and we’re looking for something new, pretty legendary, and something the teens will enjoy too.

The family council has settled on Japan for now. And it’d have to be a summer trip—no choice there.

The catch: I keep reading that August isn’t the right season for southern Japan. It’s hot, humid, and there’s a risk of typhoons… Okay, but what does that *actually* mean in practice? Are there any travelers who’ve been there during this time? Is it *that* unbearable? We’re pretty familiar with Southeast Asia—last year, we dealt with scorching heat in Vietnam and insane humidity, plus a typhoon we experienced from a distance, and visiting Angkor in the blazing sun. Is it worse than that?

Thanks for your feedback 😉

Hi there, We're planning our trip to Indonesia and want to take the boat to get from Bali (Padangbai) to Lombok (Senggigi). We found a ticket via the 12go.asia website with EKAJAYA Fast Company. From what I understand, the baggage weight limit is 20 kg per person for the boat. However, we’ll have 2 checked suitcases (from our flight) that should weigh around 30 kg since that’s the max allowed due to our diving gear, etc. Do they actually weigh the luggage? What happens if our bags exceed the weight limit? Extra charge? Have any of you dealt with this situation before?

We’re planning a 4-month trip in spring 2027. We’re looking for a third destination that optimizes transport costs. Ideally, somewhere very different from the other two (Polynesia and Indonesia). Thanks

Hello, We’re a family of four with two teens aged 16 and 18. We’re heading to Thailand this summer. We’ll arrive in Bangkok and plan to take a flight to Luang Prabang. I’ve seen there are some great visits and excursions to do (temples, markets, waterfalls) and maybe even venture a bit north to places like Nong Khiaw, Muang Xay, Muang Ngoy, or Oudom Xay. But I’ve also heard about the Bokeo region with the Gibbon Experience. Since we won’t be able to do everything, I’d love to hear about your experiences, impressions, and advice on the two options I’m considering, especially since we’ll be meeting family in Chiang Mai, Thailand, afterward.

Option 1: A loop from Luang Prabang heading slightly north, then a flight from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai.

Option 2: A few days in Luang Prabang, exploring within a few dozen kilometers around, then heading to Bokeo province for the 2-day/1-night Gibbon Experience. For this option, I saw on Rome2Rio that it’s possible to book a ferry trip on the Mekong from Luang Prabang to Huay Xay—they mention about 8 hours. But is that realistic? What type of boat is it? Then, to get to Chiang Mai, there aren’t many options—bus or minivan—but how does crossing the border work?

Finally, for those of you who’ve been to Laos in August, what was the weather like? We’ve already visited Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia during the same period over the past four years and weren’t really bothered by bad weather.

Thanks for your feedback! Best regards, Aurélien

Hey everyone,

Every year, we love escaping the autumn season—I really can’t stand it—by heading somewhere sunny during the All Saints' holiday.

This year, we were thinking of Mauritius... We’d found a place to stay, but after digging deeper, I realized it’s 40% cheaper in July. And the flights with Emirates aren’t more expensive in the summer, even though it’s peak season for them, compared to October.

Yet, after checking a bunch of sites, I don’t get the impression the weather is bad there in July—maybe just a *tiny* bit less hot than in October, but nothing major... So we’re tempted to go this summer after all.

This big price jump for All Saints' compared to summer is a mystery to me... Did I miss something?

If you’ve got any firsthand experience traveling to Mauritius in July or early August, I’d love to hear about it.

Thanks

Hi everyone,

We have the opportunity to spend about ten days somewhere for Christmas, and I’m really tempted by Zanzibar. I’ve been dreaming for a long time about the Spice Island, Stone Town, diving...

Which hotels could you recommend? Not a big "resort"—we’re more into "boutique hotels" or even an Airbnb house. Somewhere quiet (we’re not party animals).

I’m thinking of staying the first few nights in Stone Town and then moving to a beach, preferably one where we can swim regardless of the tides, without ending up in seaweed and mud at low tide.

I’m a bit lost with all the beaches because apparently, the north is very crowded, the south is very windy, and the east has some good and some not-so-good spots, with big tides or not... HELP! 🤪

I’d like to limit myself to a maximum of 2 different places to stay over the 10 days.

Thanks in advance! 😉

Hello, here’s a totally subjective recap of our 15-day road trip between Colorado and New Mexico, from late September to mid-October.

Our main interests are culture, museums, and landscapes—no hiking or trails for us. Personally, I’m pretty contemplative, and luckily, there’s always something to see out there! We’re pretty used to the US; we’ve been going there often for a long time (let’s just say we’re not exactly young anymore).

Budget: Even though we don’t set a strict budget beforehand, we try to keep costs as low as possible. This time, we managed to spend around 4000 € for two, all included. To do this: avoid expensive accommodations, staying between 60 and 120 € per night with an average of 90 €/night, mixing Airbnb and motels. And skip the “real” restaurants, which are pretty pricey in the US: sandwiches for lunch, takeout or cooking in the Airbnb in the evening. We shop at Sprouts or Whole Foods—organic-style chains that are pricier than Walmart but better. In the evenings, Sprouts has discounts on items that didn’t sell during the day. Also, avoid toll roads, paid parking, and overly expensive attractions or sites. The dispensary budget is separate…

Route: Denver/Colorado Springs/Alamosa/Raton/Santa Fe/Cuba/Cortez/Grand Junction/Glenwood Springs/Denver This wasn’t too planned in advance—we booked a few nights upon arrival and went with the flow. Flight from CDG to Denver with AF/Delta, car rental at Dollar for a standard SUV. The guy at the Dollar counter upsold me on extra insurance for flat tires (and since I knew we’d be off-roading, I took it). Without telling me, he upgraded me to a Jeep Sahara 4X4 Hybrid. Nice.

Listening to the news upon arrival, the anchor announced, “It’s officially fall now.” We hadn’t really thought about that before leaving, but yeah—it’s the time when the trees turn fluorescent yellow and red. Amazing.

Colorado Springs: Garden of the Gods is a free park with paved trails winding through red/orange rock formations. Magical at sunrise—groups of deer roam around, along with birds and rabbits. It’s small but wow! Didn’t try the Manitou Incline in Manitou Springs, a staircase with thousands of steps going straight up the mountain. Impressive from the bottom, but the parking is paid, which is a downside for those willing to tackle it. The Cog Railway goes up to the summit of Pikes Peak—around $100 when we were there. No thanks. And of course, the parking is paid too. For fans, Maggie’s Farm dispensary is great.

On Route 24, Eleven Mile Canyon Recreation Area is fly-fishing paradise—just like in the movie *A River Runs Through It*. Entry is $11, and a trail follows the river at the bottom of the canyon to the dam. Dozens of people in waders are in the water, casting their lines over and over. You can see the salmon in the clear water, and we had a picnic in the sun, imagining Brad Pitt catching a fish.

Buena Vista: A cute little tourist town with an Outdoor Fair that day—some pretty impressive vehicles for sale, set up for mountain living (like Juniper outfitting a RAM).

Alamosa: The closest town to Great Sand Dunes National Park, crossed by the Rio Grande (and let’s be real—it’s more of a stream than a river!). Park access was free because it was National Park Day. A park with massive dunes—climbing them is pretty exhausting, with lots of wind and sinking sand. Glad we didn’t do it in summer; I can’t imagine how tough it’d be in the heat. It’s a bit deceptive: it looks easy to get to the top of a dune, but it’s really not. The campsites were nice, and it was busy that weekend. We passed the “Point of No Return,” a sandy trail winding through the hills and connecting to Route 559 from above. Didn’t go all the way, but it’s possible the entrance is free from that side. However, you need a 4X4 with good ground clearance. After 1 or 2 km on the trail, you’re alone between the dunes and hills—hardly anyone around. But tricky to turn around or pass other vehicles; the trail isn’t wide. We crossed paths with a Hanomag (registered in the Netherlands—impressive!) coming down without stopping, or risking getting stuck.

On the way out, we took the small Route 403, which quickly turns into a trail crossing the mountain. Entire sections of forest were turning fluorescent yellow with patches of green and red—an incredible sight.

Raton: A small town that probably peaked in the late 19th century and has been in slow decline ever since. The Raton Pass Motor Inn is the kind of place that makes the US legendary—entirely 50s and 60s decor, really well done. I had the Betty Page room—too cool. Felt like we were on Route 66. Even better.

Santa Fe: A small city with no high-rises—almost all low-rise buildings, many in adobe, blending perfectly into the landscape. The old downtown is touristy but nice, with its plaza and church. There’s a really cool vibe—we loved it. For drinks, the bar at the top of La Fonda Hotel was packed for sunset, with a diverse crowd. Not overpriced for the location. SITE Santa Fe is a contemporary art space near the train station. It’s free, and the temporary exhibit was really good—high quality. Museum Hill is, as the name suggests, where several museums are located. We visited the Museum of Indian Art and Culture—great if you’re into “First Nations” history. Saw The Dandy Warhols at The Bridge—an outdoor venue, one of the last concerts of the season before winter makes it too cold. Oddly, there was no bag check, just an ID required (even though it was obvious we were over 21!). Tickets were reasonable, around $30 (concerts in the US can be crazy expensive). The band was good, with fewer than 300 people in front. A sign at the bar warned: Don’t forget you’re at 1,500 meters—alcohol hits harder up here!

Albuquerque: A sprawling city with an old historic center that feels a bit like Disneyland—too perfect for my taste. The real highlight is the Sandia Peak Tramway, which goes up to the old ski resort above the city. Tickets are around $35, and it’s worth it—the ride over the canyons is pretty wild. The ski resort is a bit abandoned; apparently, like elsewhere, there’s no snow anymore. I asked several people about the lack of snow, and the answer was always the same: “It’s cyclical.” Okay then. We arrived for the start of the International Balloon Fiesta (one of the world’s largest hot-air balloon gatherings), hoping to see hundreds of balloons in the sky. Nope—windy today, so no one took off. Bummer.

Las Vegas: New Mexico has its own Las Vegas, but it’s nothing like the other one—a sleepy little town with a perfectly preserved 19th-century Historic Plaza Hotel, brick buildings, and vintage streetlights. Everything is so well-preserved it’s often used as a filming location. NM attracts a lot of productions thanks to tax incentives and its Western landscapes—and it’s cheaper than California! That day, a huge Texas flag was flying in the wind: they were filming the second season of *Ransom Canyon* for Netflix in the town center. If we’d been dressed more “Western,” we could’ve been extras.

Jemez Springs: Its Jemez Hot Springs is super cute—several thermal pools at different temperatures, a New Age vibe. The pools are surrounded by big rocks, and you’re asked to speak softly. A place where you could spend hours. $50 for two hours for two.

Los Alamos: A town made legendary by the bomb, the movie, etc. Heads up: It’s still a research center, and to cross part of the town, you need to show ID. No stopping or taking photos allowed. Other than the Oppenheimer House (currently closed—only the neighboring house is open to visitors), there’s not much to see. There’s a replica of the camp entrance, but it’s been turned into restrooms.

Georgia O’Keeffe Trail (American painter, 1887–1986): Her museum in Santa Fe is pretty good, even if they don’t have tons of works. Entry is $20. Her house in Abiquiu is open for visits, but it’s way overpriced at $65. So we skipped it. You can get an idea of it by stopping at the Welcome Center on Route 84. Further down the same road, Ghost Ranch is worth a visit—beautiful setting, free to enter, with trails to explore and a great atmosphere.

Chaco Culture National Historical Park: A pretty isolated park—25 km of trails to get there, with only a small section paved. The road is decent except for the last few kilometers, which have potholes. I can’t imagine it being accessible after rain, though that doesn’t happen often! This park, in the middle of a desert plain with a few canyons, is one of the rare places where you can find multi-story structures from pre-Columbian civilizations—so, before the “current” tribes. But cruel disappointment: it’s been shut down for a few days. We met a Native ranger—tall, with long hair—who explained that even though he wasn’t being paid, he was still guarding the park and had closed all access to the sites. Darn. Turned around and headed back down the trail.

Same story in the next town, Aztec (a funny name, right?): Aztec Ruins National Monument was closed too.

We passed Ship Rock, the Navajo’s sacred mountain—really impressive. Couldn’t find a trail to get closer, but it’s better from a distance anyway! The town of Shiprock itself is pretty depressing—poor living conditions for some Natives, with rundown mobile homes and piles of junk cars.

Stopped in Cortez to visit Mesa Verde National Park. Ate at Denny’s—hadn’t been there in ages (though it’s the kind of place I should feel at home in!). The customers all looked like they’d stepped out of *The Addams Family*—a little creepy. Or funny, depending on your perspective. For Mesa Verde, after discussing it on this forum with the honorable member Caussat (who didn’t find it that amazing), we were on the fence. Problem solved: it was closed too. Back on the road.

Durango: Really nice with its Main Ave and its shops, cafés—touristy but with local life. Famous for its tourist train to Silverton, but we didn’t do it—way too expensive. Choice between a steam locomotive or diesel (which belches black, stinky smoke—yuck). The diesel should be replaced with electric as soon as they get the funds.

Million Dollar Highway: The road winds through the mountains, and every turn (and there are a lot) is breathtaking—unbelievable landscapes with fluorescent yellow, green, and snow-capped mountains. Just wow.

Silverton: A Western town nestled between two mountains, preserved in its original state despite the tourists arriving by train. Around it, abandoned mines and old wooden ties—must’ve been tough for the 19th-century miners.

Grand Junction: The city is surrounded by giant mesas—pretty impressive. The old downtown is *too* clean—almost sterile.

Colorado National Monument: Just outside the city, a winding road climbs between stunning canyons, with sweeping views of the valley. Entry was free that day due to the shutdown.

Route 330, which we took to get back to the highway, passes through a place called “Cowboy Country”—and it’s true. We saw guys in Stetsons with huge pickups, the road turned into a trail with cows wandering on it, and we had to honk to get them to move. The trail to I-70 was full of potholes—the 4X4 came in handy. Had a picnic by Vega Reservoir: the booth at the entrance was empty, but people left cash in envelopes for camping fees. Anyone passing by could’ve taken it, but it’s an example of US trust and honesty!

Glenwood Springs: A small town famous for its hot springs pool—they claim it’s the largest in the world. I don’t know about that, but it has a great look. Unfortunately, it was closed for maintenance those days! Blew our budget by staying at the Hotel Colorado, a huge 1893 building with a real atmosphere in its grand lobby and fake fireplaces. Fire pits in front of wooden chairs in the garden with mountain views—just really great.

Aspen: The billionaires’ ski resort, but surprisingly, parking was free for 2 hours. Rare to see a place for the super-rich that doesn’t scream “not for you” (like Palm Beach, for example). A former mining town completely redone, every shop occupied by a luxury brand. There’s even a thrift shop run by sweet retirees—funny as hell. Two ski lifts to start directly with your skis, but we didn’t see the price—they were still closed. Lots of houses that aren’t huge but are cute, though looking at real estate prices made us think, “Is there an extra zero on that listing?” A 6-bedroom villa for $52 million? Wow. The mountains around are gorgeous—no wonder it became what it is.

Another fancy resort nearby: Vail, more modern in its construction. The restaurants opted for a “Schwarzwald” decor—kind of odd.

Denver: Nothing really stood out for us in this city, except the Design Museum—the Kirkland, where a local painter collected furniture and supplies from Arts and Crafts to Postmodern. Just really great. Entry is included with a visit to the Denver Art Museum, which has diverse collections—from Impressionism (they have a Manet, a Van Gogh, a Cézanne, several Sisleys) to photography. The best part for me was the “Ancient Americas” totems—huge, impressive wooden sculptures, painted, the kind you’re more used to seeing in Polynesia or Easter Island. Personally, I didn’t know Natives made them too. That’s what museums are for!

Back at the airport, where I had to tag my own luggage (you have to do everything yourself with these US airlines). The tag said SLC/CDG! But we were supposed to connect through JFK. Turns out, they’d put us on a DEN/SLC/CDG flight without telling us. In the end, we gained 30 minutes on our original arrival time in Paris!

There you go—hope this inspires other travelers! !

We just spent three weeks in Yunnan. I’ve started writing up a travel journal about the trip.

Hi there, We decided this week to use our miles for a trip to Phoenix. We're putting our itinerary together in a hurry, and it's not coming together at all. I'd really appreciate some help if possible, please.

Back in 2007, we did a classic trip: LA, Joshua Tree, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Bryce, Zion, Las Vegas, Yosemite, and San Francisco. This time, we only have two weeks and don’t want to rush from one place to another...

(*-sites not yet visited) Arriving in Phoenix tomorrow morning - Monday the 14th - and leaving for Paris on Monday the 29th. - 14/09: Phoenix* - 2 nights to recover from the trip > Heard Museum, Botanical Garden, Downtown... - 16th: Flagstaff* (Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot Nat. Monument along the way) - 17th-20th: 3 nights at Grand Canyon - Maswik And here’s where it starts getting really messy: - 21st, 22nd... Monument Valley - 23rd... Canyon de Chelly* - 24th, 25th: Petrified Forest, Painted Desert* - 26th-27th: Sedona* - lots of hiking options - 28th: Evening in Phoenix, flight at 3 PM

If Monument Valley isn’t very doable this week because of rain, maybe it’d be better to go somewhere else, like straight to Canyon de Chelly, or even completely different—Zion (great hikes), Valley of Fire, Las Vegas, a night somewhere to break up the drive, Sedona, and then depart from Phoenix. Since this trip is last-minute, we’re a bit disorganized and would really appreciate any advice. Aside from Phoenix and the Grand Canyon, we haven’t booked any hotels yet, so it’s still flexible.

Thanks so much in advance!! Ruby

Hi,

My friend is supposed to leave on June 26th for Philadelphia. American Airlines called him last night to ask him to cancel or postpone his flight because they’re canceling around a hundred flights from Europe, mainly due to fears of retaliatory attacks after the bombings in Iran. Their offer is either to postpone with compensation (the amount would be known once he accepts) or to cancel completely with a refund and the standard compensation for flights departing from Europe. The airline gave him until 24 hours before departure to decide. Otherwise, he can still go to the airport for now with no obligation to board since he’s traveling alone—they’re prioritizing families in case of overbooking due to some flight cancellations. The same goes for the return flight. In short, it’s total chaos. We’re waiting until tonight or tomorrow to decide whether to cancel outright.

Hi everyone,

We’re back from our vacation in Uzbekistan with our kids—a wonderful trip with amazing memories! I’m sharing our itinerary and a few tips.

**Khiva + Aral Sea (3 days)**

- Arrived in Urgench at 5 AM on Saturday - Transferred to Khiva and spent the day exploring the city (that’s enough time). Among other sights, we struggled to find the Tash Khauli harem—it’s totally worth it! - Sunday: headed to Moynaq (the ship graveyard of the Aral Sea). On the way, we stopped to visit two fortresses in the desert—there are about fifty in varying states of repair. Really beautiful, especially Ayaz-Kala. We continued to Moynaq on a rough road (4-hour drive). - Monday: visited the ship graveyard and the small museum. There isn’t much to see, but we thought it was worth it to understand the consequences of human activity—a real eye-opener. It’s true that it’s a long drive, so you’ll have to decide for yourselves. On the way back to Nukus, we stopped to visit the Mizdakhan necropolis (worth it, even if it doesn’t compare to Bukhara or Samarkand’s buildings—it’s no match for them ;-)) - Evening: flight to Tashkent (saved us a day of travel to get to Bukhara from Khiva)

**Ferghana Valley (3 days)**

- Tuesday morning: left Tashkent by train to reach Margilan by noon. - Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday: visited Margilan’s market, silk/ceramic workshops, and dutar-making (a traditional two-stringed, bulging violin). Arrived in Kokand in the evening. - Thursday: explored Kokand (the palace is worth it) - Summary: Margilan and Fergana aren’t very pretty—only the workshops are interesting. Don’t miss Kokand. This leg could’ve been done in 2 days. - Left Kokand by overnight train to Bukhara (note on overnight trains: *very* small cabins—but for us, overnight train rides are a must ;-)!)

**Bukhara (3 days)**

- Arrived Friday morning: 3 days there—perfect for seeing (and revisiting) everything at our own pace. - Hired a French-speaking guide for one day—really helpful for understanding the history and politics, and getting a better grasp of Uzbekistan.

**Toward Lake Aydar Kul (2 days)**

- Left Monday morning by car for the lake. On the way, stopped at a renowned ceramicist’s workshop and to see Neolithic petroglyphs. Note on the petroglyphs: there’s apparently a 3 km walk to see quite a few, but we skipped it due to time—we regret it! For the kids, it was like a treasure hunt, searching for the petroglyphs among the rocks—they loved it. - Arrived in the evening at a yurt camp with traditional music. The yurts were fun, but we ate in a very Westernized restaurant with way too many tourist groups for our taste. - The next day: a 2-hour camel ride in the desert to see plants and animals. We saw a few things, but it wasn’t very interesting unless you’re going from point A to point B. Then left the camp for Lake Aydar Kul—we ate at a lakeside restaurant, but it was pointless. There must be nice spots, but this one was a bust. - Drove to Samarkand (4 hours)

**Samarkand (2 days)**

- Wednesday–Thursday: explored this stunning city. Two days are enough to see everything, but three would’ve been better to take more time to wander and revisit certain spots. - Another day with a French-speaking guide—we confirm it’s worth it!

**Urgut (1 day)**

- Friday: 1.5 hours from Samarkand, in the mountains. AMAZING! A 3-hour hike in the mountains with a guide (you can do longer). We stayed in a guesthouse—so peaceful, with the sound of the stream and mountain views. It deserves 2 days. - Left by train that evening for Tashkent

**Tashkent (2 days)**

- Saturday: visited Chorsu Market (incredible—even though we’d been to several markets, Tashkent’s is wild), the TV Tower (for the view, but not much else), and lunch at The Plov Center (at the base of the tower)—a plov factory, so cool! You can see the kitchens, it’s insane! Spent a relaxed afternoon on Broadway: a park with ping-pong tables, archery, ice cream stands—great with the kids. - Sunday: Chimgan—took the cable car at a ski resort (no snow this time of year), had a picnic at the top of the mountain—nice. - Evening: off to Tashkent Airport and goodbye, Uzbekistan!

**A few tips:**

- In cities, *must* download Yandex Go—super practical, fast, and cheap for getting around. - We bought a Ucell SIM card: 80 GB of data for 50,000 sums (around 3 €). We put it in an old phone and connected our two phones to it—so handy! - Uzbeks are *so* nice, welcoming, and helpful. - Thank you, Google Translate—few people speak English. - The beds are hard… I think it’s an Uzbek thing!! - Guesthouses: between 50 and 70 € per night for the four of us. Comfortable enough, private bathroom, but not luxury. - Meals: we mostly looked for Uzbek restaurants without tourists. Around 200,000 sums per meal (about 15 €). If you add wine, it adds up fast—one glass of wine = the price of a dish. - Don’t hesitate to buy from markets for picnics (samsa, dried cheese balls, fruits and veggies, bread). You can even taste before buying. Some good (and not-so-good) discoveries ;) - Everything is very clean: the streets, the cities, the accommodations.

**Special thanks to our organizer, Sardor (fluent in French):**

I contacted him by email before we left; he optimized the program we’d planned. He set us up with French-speaking guides and handled all the transport and activities outside the four main cities. Super available via WhatsApp and phone while we were there. All the drivers/guides were *very* punctual. DM me if you need his info.

There you go. Sorry for the long post, but I looked for some of this info before we left—I figured it might help someone.

Happy travels in Uzbekistan! We’ll remember this trip for a long time!

Hello fellow travelers! We’re planning to visit Vietnam at the end of 2025, arriving in HANOI, which we’d like to explore, along with HALONG BAY. I’ve seen that the ideal option is to take a 2-day boat trip. We’re retirees aged 79 and 75, used to traveling, so I’d love to hear your thoughts and recommendations for spending 4-5 days in this region.

Could you share some hotel addresses with private rooms and bathrooms, as well as tour agencies for Halong Bay that offer reasonable prices?

Thanks in advance!

Dear members of this forum,

*With the pandemic, travel guides were replaced by cookbooks. With lockdown, there’s no need for the *Guía del Trotamundos*—the cookbook is gospel, and your daily life turns into a *Spaghetti Western*. It’s no longer about good and bad actors but good and bad fats. And for a few extra pinches of salt. To the tune of Ennio Morricone, it’s hard to diagnose pastalogy—sorry, the pathology—you’re suffering from. Italy, now confined, and pasta—no more aimless gondola rides on Venice’s canals or *Dolce Vita* weekends in Rome. The beauty of the soul blends with minestrone preparation.

*With the pandemic, Professor Didier Raoult became the new Christ-like figure; like the Indira Gandhi of medicine, like Moses showing the way to the people across the Dead Sea, for tormented souls, the value of a medical prescription doesn’t wait for the years to pass. And plexiglass reigned over the world.

*With the pandemic and gender theory, in particular, pushing us to become androgynous, hermaphroditic beings—*patatras*—the Colossi of Rhodes we are waver because of a tiny nuisance.

*Phew, the pandemic has receded... but watch out for a new swine flu pandemic, because on this forum, it’ll be followed by long-winded rants. Political/historical revisionism with such a pandemic—Fidel Castro wouldn’t have been able to invade the *Bahía de los Cochinos*. And that’s where his comrade Ernesto *Che* Guevara becomes a perfect scam. A fierce opponent of capitalist ideology, yet many clothing sellers got rich selling T-shirts with his face on them.

*Neutrality and the Helvetic underground. Last summer, I found myself passing the *Chalet Gaillard* deep in the *Forêt du Risoux* in the Jura, then crossing the border into the Canton of Vaud on foot. My disappointment was great: no sign indicating we were in neutral territory. And what kind of neutrality are we talking about? Since neutrality is an abstract concept. It’s like those visitors eager to see Calais who, spotting the sign for the *Pas-de-Calais* department, turn around on the road.

*There’s always a traveler quick to recommend a local guide. I know an excellent guide named Michel who lives in Cairo—Michel of Cairo. He has a truck and takes you to see the pharaoh’s ruins by truck. Still, be careful—good guides aren’t that common, because there are only eight Cairenes.

*The mix between large mammals and humans. Or how infantilism rules the world. The ultimate quest for happiness is petting rhinos in Nepal—we’ll confirm if this kind of animal is visible on the streets of Sauraha, a town near Chitwan National Park. The downside of this animal? It takes up too much space as a pet—better to raise a Yorkshire terrier in your modest apartment.

*I’m tired of recurring topics like, *‘Do I have time for my connection at New York airport?’* Aren’t you? There’s the discussion about *Gare de Lyon Part-Dieu*—*Gare de Lyon Part-Dieu*, God bless you. In the name of the Father, the taxman, and the Holy Spirit, don’t miss your connection. *Gare de Lyon-Part-Dieu*—apparently, a great French actor, Gérard de Part-Dieu, was born there. If you think you’ll miss your connection, just get rich and fly private. The working masses of the *lumpenproletariat*—they dare everything, that’s how you recognize them.

*Experts in non-events: learning that some members don’t like Spanish-speaking countries because, supposedly, the people are too loud. That’s it, I’m not going to China anymore—too many stairs on the Great Wall. So, too bad, I’m not going. It’s like two people crossing paths—one asks, *‘Going fishing?’* and the other says no. These experts are probably natives of Arles, because with people like that, it’s *l’Arlésienne*...

*The art of taking selfies at every turn. You’d think it’s an ancient practice, almost an anthropological ritual—everything suggests it dates back to prehistoric times. Back in the days of the Lascaux caves, instead of photographing the meal they were about to eat (it’s crazy how many food photos we see on this forum, especially in travel journals), prehistoric men and women could only make cave paintings. From there, it’s only a small step to conclude that cave art was nothing more than the menu served in caves that doubled as *Buffalo Grills* long before the chain existed. By the way, if you want to visit the caves, ask for a guide named Josiane. When it comes to parietal art skills, Josiane beats Lascaux... (Only the French on this forum will get that one.)

*Mythology of an object: the suitcase (a nod to Mr. Éric Libiot, whose columns I enjoy) An object that gets lost during a flight, especially during a transfer at an airport. And it’s stuffed to the brim with clothes and other useless items, like Mickey Mouse slippers. You’re in despair: when going through customs, the officers find those slightly risqué photos hidden in your laundry, taken at Cap d’Agde on a naturist beach. The suitcase is an object that makes noise when rolling because of its wheels—you’re quickly spotted.

*Hurry up and visit New York while you still can. Because of *Woke* ideology, more and more statues are being torn down, and the Statue of Liberty will likely meet the same fate. *Queer* culture isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

*The Dead Poets Society I admired the beautiful photos of Venice, and *click*—I check the new discussions when I come across one where Mr. J.M.B. offers money loans. This person probably works at the Ministry of Finance and risks loosening the purse strings of your wallets.

*Toward the independence of New Caledonia: will we call it *Nouvelle Nouvelle-Calédonie*? From what I know, Chinese authorities want to settle there and invest; apparently, they want to send (fake) tourists—facsimiles of real travelers. So, it’ll be hard to separate the wheat from the chaff (the *ivraie* tourists).

*There’s a topic about hitchhiking in Scotland: apparently, Scots are very welcoming people. I imagine arriving at Aberdeen Airport to a typical welcoming committee—men in kilts and a bagpiper playing. Just like arriving in Papeete, where you’re greeted with flower leis—*Aloha! (Jacta Est)*. To attract tourists, Scottish cities will end up installing whisky vending machines.

*Eskimo pies banned for sale because of *cancel culture*—you can’t go to Iqaluit anymore. Panicked, ice cream manufacturers had to revise their *packaging*—sorry for the anglicism. Because of *cancel culture*, we can no longer say *Eskimo* without it being pejorative. The identity of the Arctic people of the same name takes a hit—it’s crazy how *bien-pensance* wreaks havoc in our minds... We can’t even bite into a chocolate *Eskimo* pie anymore.

*Diplomatic tensions between France and Australia: and there goes the submarine sale project, canceled. Given that the cost of these machines is a fifth of Australia’s public finances budget, it’s tough to pay in didgeridoos and kangaroo skins.

Thanks for reading, and see you soon for more chronicles.

Hi there,

I’ve been reading conflicting info about whether an Indian visa might be required for a few-hour layover in Mumbai.

Do we need anything besides the Sri Lankan ETA if we’re just transiting through India without leaving Terminal 2 at the airport? We’re flying from Brussels via Frankfurt and then Mumbai with Lufthansa.

Thanks so much—I’m totally lost here! 😅

So, to start the year off right (Happy New Year!), This is where we can discuss January’s theme. With 20,000 km of French coastline (there’s a catch ;)), our beautiful country should be well represented!

Dig out those hard drives! Bruno

Hi everyone, I’ve spent two solid months reading the Lonely Planet and pretty much every post about Thailand here, plus French and English blogs. Now I’d love to get your expert opinions on our itinerary. We’re heading off in August 2025 with our 7-year-old daughter. We only have a maximum of three weeks off, and I’m keeping an eye on flight prices before booking (1400 € per person really stings 😕). So here’s what I’ve planned—let me know if you spot any major issues or if I’ve been way too "optimistic."

D1 - Arrival in Bangkok / rest, quick visit, overnight stay D2 - More temple visits, etc. D3 - Morning flight to Chiang Mai D4 - More Chiang Mai sightseeing D5 - Day trip to Chiang Rai (guided tour to book: blue and white temple), return to Chiang Mai late in the evening D6 - More Chiang Mai visits / Elephant Nature Park in the afternoon D7 - Morning flight to Koh Samui, sightseeing D8 to D10 - More Koh Samui visits D11 to D13 - Ferry to Koh Phangan D14 to D15 - Ferry to Koh Tao D16 - Return to Koh Samui, then flight to Bangkok D17 - Day trip to Ayutthaya, return to Bangkok in the evening D18 - Flight back to France :(

I know a lot of you recommend heading straight to Chiang Mai to recover from the international flight, but my partner and I NEVER sleep on planes (personally, I’ve been flying to Taiwan since I was little and have never slept more than an hour on a 14-hour flight...), so it’s essential for us to rest upon arrival . That’s also why I opted for domestic flights instead of the sleeper train—I know we’d lose over 10 hours and wouldn’t be able to rest properly in those conditions. And I’m sure you’ll also say BKK > North > South is too much for three weeks, but I really want to see as much as possible. Given how much the flights will cost, I’m not sure when we’ll be able to come back 🏴‍☠️.

So, questions: 1. Since we’ll only be in Bangkok for a maximum of two nights and need to easily reach the airport with luggage (and a child), which neighborhood should we prioritize? We’d love to experience the evening vibe of Asian night markets, ideally within walking distance of the hotel or just a few metro stops away. I’ve looked at Chinatown, but the BTS seems far... Should we go for somewhere near BTS Saphan Taksin or BTS Krungthonburi? But is the area lively in the evening with food courts, etc.? We’d also like to treat ourselves to a hotel with a pool.

2. Have we planned too many days in the south? Should I skip Koh Tao and just do Koh Samui + Koh Phangan? My partner and daughter aren’t strong swimmers, so we’re looking for beautiful beaches without too much current. Crowded beaches don’t bother us—we just want stunning turquoise waters without killer waves . Going all the way to Koh Tao and then back to Koh Samui to catch the flight to Bangkok seems too stressful. Is it still possible these days (I haven’t seen any recent posts on this) to head to Koh Samui in August and decide on the spot how many nights to spend in Koh Phangan or Koh Tao based on how we feel, booking hotels as we go? Or is that too risky?

If you have any better suggestions for fitting all this in while reducing internal flights, I’m all ears for your great tips

Hi everyone! First time for me in the States from March 24 to April 7, 2025—only 15 days, so choices have to be made. I want to explore part of the West, but obviously planning the route is the trickiest part, so here’s what I’ve come up with and where I have doubts: -Leaving Paris for LA 1 or 2 nights to visit -Heading to Vegas, where one couple would go by motorcycle (they’re fans and want the thrill of Route 66) and another by plane (I won’t linger here either—1 or 2 days max!) Then, Lake Powell, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, all by rental car for everyone, so the motorcycle gets returned in Vegas.

Now here’s where it gets tricky: either I continue the road trip through the big parks to finish in San Francisco (but it doesn’t seem like the best time—might be too cold), or I head down to San Diego for the return flight. But which itinerary? Kingman, Joshua Tree, Palm Springs, and San Diego—does that make sense? Is it better to go back to Vegas to take a plane or drive the whole way?

So many questions—your help and advice would be super welcome! Thanks in advance, Anne from Périgord Noir

Hello everyone,

I’m happy to be back at my keyboard to share a few adventures. 😉

Right now, two more trips are in the works for 2025, but for the moment, I’d rather share than ask questions.

Like many of you, Iceland has been a longtime love of mine. My first trip there was in February 2016, when we went as a family of five—including our three daughters, who were 1, 6, and 5 at the time. It was a very short stay with just one place to stay, north of the capital. We explored the south, from Vik to Grindavik, and of course, I was left wanting more. We returned in April 2018 during a stopover on our way back from New York. We spent three days near Borgarnes, but fatigue and the weather kept me from doing everything I’d planned. After my mom passed away in January 2023, I decided to go back to Iceland for a full week. Just to clear my head... I thought I’d go alone, but in the end, my 8-year-old daughter (at the time) is a huge horseback riding fan, so I decided to take her along. This road trip came together quickly thanks to another well-known French-speaking forum for Iceland lovers. As usual, I quickly checked availability on Booking and flights with Icelandair. Booked the flight, then the accommodations—with quite a few changes right up until departure. Goals for this trip:

Go where I haven’t been yet. Do a road trip because I love them. Go horseback riding with my daughter.

Icelandair was booked for May 6–13, 2023. Accommodations were reserved on Booking, and once again, I rented a 4x4 from Blue Car Rental, which I really like. Not wanting to deal with boredom while there, I got all the insurance and the option to skip the counter. My English isn’t great…

Dans la tiédeur d’un soir d’été, deux amies devisaient paisiblement. Elles parlaient d’amour. L’une de l’amour de sa compagne qui la rendait plus forte, l’autre de l’amour de son mari qui la rendait plus douce.

Elles parlaient voyages Les voyages d’autrefois où les anecdotes s’enrubannent année après année de détails sortis de leur imagination fertile et qui rendaient leurs récits plus épiques et ceux récents encore à l’état de fraîche émotion.

La bouteille de vin blanc s’embuait sur la table blanche en fer, l’herbe roussie chatouillait leurs pieds nus, elles se sentaient comblées, heureuses et libres et, sans doute pour cette raison, il leur était facile de parler du monde d’aujourd’hui, facile d’évoquer les conflits, les émeutes, les violences, les épidémies.

Epargnées, tranquilles, trempant avec gourmandise leurs lèvres dans le gewurztraminer frais, elles s’interrogeaient :

« T’as vu avec le covid on ne parle plus des guerres, c’est covid partout, encore que ça commence à ralentir, y’a le foot » « Ah oui, t’as raison, tu crois que ça pète encore en Syrie, en Lybie, au Yémen, en Somalie, au Sahel ? » « Chais pas, mais au Liban, quelle horreur cette explosion et tous ces gens morts ou sans maison » « T’as entendu les humanitaires au Niger ? » « Oui, pas les premiers pas les derniers à mourir bêtement » « Et au Brésil et en Colombie, ça c’est calmé ? » « Aucune idée » « Et à Hong-Kong et au Brésil et au Vénézuela, je me demande si ça manifeste toujours » « Chais pas, mais aux Etats-Unis entre blancs et noirs c’est pas cool, t’as vu les émeutes et ça va continuer, tu peux croire » « moi, c’qui me rend dingue c’est tous les gens dans le monde qui ont faim, qui n’ont pas de boulot ou qui l’ont perdu » « oui, c’est triste » « En tout cas, on entend plus parler des migrants, ni ceux de Lampedusa, ni ceux des jungles là-haut » « T’imagines un peu le monde entier à l’arrêt. Comment veux-tu que la terre reste en paix » « Et ceux qui se battent, qui sont en guerre, se tapent le covid en plus » « Et t’as vu en Bielorussie, pareil, ça chauffe aussi » « T’as déjà vu des révolutions pacifiques toi ? » « Ouais, c’est plus embêtant c’est pas loin d’chez nous » « Et le mec empoisonné par les russes, paraît qu’il est en Allemagne » « Chez nous ça va être chaud à la rentrée, j’te l’dis, tu verras, avec les chômeurs, le covid, les gosses à l’école, le télétravail oui et non, on va pas rire »

« Moi, j’te dis qu’il n’y a pas que les incendies de forêts qui bousillent la terre, y’a les incendies de fureur dans le coeur des hommes »

« Oh , t’as pas parlé des masques, des mesures barrières, etoussaettoussa » « Et toi de ton dada favori, l’eau, l’or du monde » « Eh ne me branche pas sur ce sujet, je suis intarissable »

« Allez, t’es pas marrante, tiens, on finit la bouteille, l’est super bon ce vin »

Ainsi, dans la tiédeur d’un soir d’été, deux amies devisaient. A l’abri sous le tilleul, comme à l’abri derrière un écran, comme sur vf, la vie défile, bouleverse, secoue, agace, exaspère ou indiffère et « passent les jours, passent les semaines.../... »

« Comment va le monde? Il est rouge sang Et à mon avis, il l'est pour longtemps Comment va la vie? Il y a des endroits Elle vaut dix dollars combien je te dois

Comment va la guerre? Elle va comme elle va Elle est planétaire, on se reverra Comment va la banque? La banque surnage Pour les grands requins y a pas de naufrage Comment va la mort? Record absolu Toujours très discrète, je n'en sais pas plus » .../… B. Lavilliers

(Vos voyages vous ont fait réfléchir sur l'art de bien voyager, de bien vivre, l'état du monde ou le sens de la vie? Partagez vos pensées et réflexions dans cette rubrique.

Euhhhh, chuis dans la bonne rubrique.)

Cette fois ci le départ approche , après bien des vicissitudes la covid19 qui bouleverse et prolonge ma vie d’ élu, j’anticipe et je prends le départ dimanche 21 juin de Crouy GrandSoissons et j’attaque par le GR 12 l’objectif pour la première cession le Nord Est rallier Sarreguemines en 17 jours... ce sera un test révélateur pour la suite du projet. Le problème de l’ hébergement ( a prix raisonnable) reste le plus aléatoire , malgré mes demandes dans les mairies. Si quelqu’un a des possibilités ou des idées sur les étapes de Joigny sur Meuse, Nouvion sur Meuse, Mouzon, le long de la voie verte. Stenay, Pierrepont, Fontoy GR 5 et Courcelles Chaussy sur le GR 5g . Je suis preneur. À bientôt JM2

Je sais que l'on peut acheter une passe pour le train RER, l'autobus etc. pour 1,3, où 5 jours consécutifs mais y a t'il une passe pour une semaine pour les zones 1 à 5 pour touristes que l'on peut acheter et à quel prix? C'est pour une semaine au mois d'octobre

Bonjour, après presque 3 mois en lockdown, nous avons décider de nous rendre dans le Colorado, pour se prendre une bonne dose de nature et de montagne. Nous souhaiterions, faire pas plus de 3 arrêts en 2 semaines 1/2 afin de profiter du paysage, les petites balades avec enfants de 4 ans, profiter d'un bel espace une maison ou un appartement à louer. si quelqu'un aurait des pistes ou des bonnes adresses ou des recommandations nous serions preneurs. On pensait louer à Denver ou environ pour faire une découverte de la ville ( au tant que faire ce peu avec les conditions actuelles bien sure). On pense aussi à Colorado Spring.

Merci