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Quelle destination choisir? English translation pending
by Jlou · 2004-09-27 · 3 replies
Bonjour, bonsoir

Nous disposons d'un budget de 2200 euro et nous souhaitons nous offrir un beau voyage .(en novembre 2004)

Nous sommes agés de 49 ans et nous sommes divisés par le choix d'une destination vers l'asie sud. Que nous conseillerez-vous .

D'avance merci pour les conseils et renseignements
Cuba ou république dominicaine? English translation pending
by Mini · 2004-09-24 · 1 reply
Bonjour à tous !

Nous sommes deux filles de 24 ans et nous voulons partir en voyage soit en février ou en mars.

Nous voulons de la chaleur

Une belle plage

Nager avec les dauphins

Faire de la plongée en apnée

Des activités et de l'animation le soir

Est ce que quelqu'un pourrait me conseiller une destination?

Je voudrais aussi savoir ce que vous pensez d'un hôtel 3 * à cuba ou en république.

Je suis aller à San Andres en colombie l'année passée dans un hôtel 3 * et j'ai trouvé ca fantastique. Est ce pareil à Cuba et en république ?

Merci
San Andres English translation pending
by Ruby · 2004-09-13 · 1 reply
Bonjour,

Nous sommes un couple début trentaine et désirons passer une semaine à San Andres en janvier. Nos critères pour ce voyage–ci : Dépaysement, bonne nourriture, hotel convenable, plongée sous-marine, plage et contact avec les habitants.

Si vous avez déjà visité ce coin de pays, nous aimerions savoir où aller (ou où ne pas aller) pour avoir un hotel propre et confortable où la nourriture est excellente. Mon premier choix d’hotel était l’Aquarium mais j’ai lu sur ce forum qu’il n’y avait pas de plage, est-il en ville ? Mon deuxième choix était le Marazul ??? C’est comment ??? Le San Luis semble être une boîte à party ??? Nous n’avons rien contre le fait de faire la fête mais comme ce voyage sera principalement un de repos, nous aimerions choisir un lieu tranquille. C’est difficile de se fier aux brochures…. À quelle distance sont les hotels les uns des autres ? Il existe une navette mais est-il possible de louer une voiture, un scooter, une voiturette de golf ou n’importe quoi pour se déplacer avec autonomie ? Roulent-ils en fou comme au Vénézuela ? Peut-on marcher sécuritairement hors site afin de voir comment les gens vivent ? Pour voir la faune et la flore ? Peut-on faire du vélo ? Est-ce que les habitants manquent du principal comme à Cuba ? Quoi apporter ??? Comment est le peuple, souriant et chaleureux ou indifférent ?? Les activités qu’on peut faire semblent Ok..… Il semble y avoir une petite île face à un hotel où l’on peut aller passer les journées ??? combien ça coûte et la traversée, combien de temps ? en chaloupe avec des rames ou bateau moteur ??? Quels genre de souvenirs peut-on rapporter ???

Le plus de détails possibles sur tout serait très apprécié afin de pouvoir faire un choix éclairé…

Merci! 😉

Ruby
Séjour sur la Riviera Maya English translation pending
by Fifine · 2004-09-13 · 10 replies
Je pars avec 5 personnes ( 3 couples) du 12/11/04 au 22/04/04 sur la riviera maya à l'hotel PALLADIUN KANTENAH RESORT. Durant mon séjour j'envisage d'aller visiter Chichen itsa et Xcaret. Puis-je y aller par mes propres moyens (location de voiture, bus collectif) ou est-il préférable de prendre une excursion proposée dans les hotels ?

Quel est le meilleur rapport qualité prix ?

Que pensez-vous de mon choix ?

Connaissez-vous cet hotel (ai-je fais le bon choix). D'autre pars, j'ai un appareil photo numérique avec accumulateur aurais-je des difficultés pour recharger mes accus ?

Meci😛
Excursion dauphins à Holguin English translation pending
by Valderie · 2004-06-06 · 3 replies
Bonjour a tous!

Je pars le 19 juin a Guardalavaca au Sol luna y mares. J'aimerais bien faire aller nager avec les dauphins. J'aimerais savoir s'il est possible de faire cette activité sans acheter l'excursion "couteuse" du tour opérateur.

Merci beaucoup
Captain Hook dinner et Jungle Tour à Cancun (Mexique) English translation pending
by Maggie1 · 2004-06-02 · 1 reply
Connaissez-vous ces attractions à Cancun ( Captain Hook dinner et Jungle Tour ) Merci pour vos commentaires.
Hôtel à Riviera Maya English translation pending
by Pyxelle · 2004-05-26 · 7 replies
bonjour,

J'aimerais savoir quel hotel vous me conseillez à riviera maya, bon rapport qualité/prix. Nous voulons un site propre, de la bonne bouffe, belle plage avec belle eau...

Est-ce que vous connaissez ses endroits, xcaret et xel-ha? J'aimerais savoir lequel est le mieux? et ce qu'il y a à voir et à faire. Si vous vous souvenez des prix, ça me donnerais une idée...

Merci beaucoup de vos renseignements que me sont très très précieux.
L'e-mail du Decameron San Luis English translation pending
by Richel · 2004-03-17 · 6 replies
Bonjour tout le monde,

Est-ce que quelqu'un connaît l'adresse e-mail de l'hôtel Decameron San Luis à San Andrès en Colombie?

Merci à l'avance, Richel
Hôtel Akumal Beach Resort English translation pending
by Katty · 2004-03-10 · 23 replies
Bonjour,

Nous partons au mois d'aout dans cet hotel mais on se pose quelques questions:😕 y a t'il un mini bus de l'hotel qui emmene à playa del carmen? la mer est t'elle remplie de rochers car nous avons des enfants? Est -on loin de tout Pour les escursions, qu'y a t'il de bien à voir en sachant qu'on ne part qu'une semaine?

Merci à ceux qui me répondent.

ps:comme parc, c'est mieux xcaret ou xel ha?😎
Playa turquesa vs Playa pesquero English translation pending
by Gseven · 2004-01-16 · 6 replies
Hello la gang,

J'arrive de playa pesquero et comme mon agent de voyage me l'avait recommandé, j'ai bien fait de changer d'hôtel car le turquesa est loin d'être pret, il éprouve énormément de difficulté. Si vous êtes dans le complexe 500, bravo sinon bonne chance. D'ailleurs en début de semaine il y a des transfert vers notre hotel...

Ce qui est du playa pesquero vraiment un excellent complexe, le service incroyable, la nourriture tres bonne. Ce qui est de la plage, j'avais entendu parler qu'il y avait de la roche... et bien sur une partie de la plage il y a un peu de roche concassé mais rien de plus.

Je recommande cet hotel n'importe quand et je remercie fortement mon agence de voyage de m'avoir changé d'hotel car ma semaine dans le sud n'aurait surement pas été la même.

P.S. je vais monter un site web ses jours-ci avec mes photos, j'en au-dessus de 800 alors on a pour bien des jours.

Autres recomandations: La nage avec les dauphins : Faîtes cette activités par vous même, vous allez économiser. Dans la plupart des hôtels ils en coutent $90.00, alors que l'entrée pour l'aquarium coute $26.00 et la nage avec les dauphins $52.00. Si vous y allez a deux et qu'un seul nage alors vous avez une économie de $76.00 pas mal....

Si vous voulez d'autres infos n'hésitez pas....
Bons plans à Canton (Chine) English translation pending
by Clairetje · 2003-12-13 · 3 replies
Bonjour!

Je souhaite profiter d'une escapade à Hong Kong pour visiter Canton. Combien de temps rester sur place?Quels sont les endroits à ne pas manquer? Ou se loger bien et pas trop cher? Quelles sont les autres villes dans le coin entre Canton et Hong Kong qui méritent le détour?

Merci d'avance pour vos réponses.

Clairetje
Budget et conseils pour l'Ouest américain avec 4 enfants English translation pending
by Raphaelle · 2003-09-30 · 7 replies
Coucou à tous ! Qui peut me donner des bons conseils, filons, lieux à voir absolument et ... idées de budget pour un voyage l'été prochain pendant les 2 mois avec 4 zozos de 2, 7, 9 et 11 ans ? Merci d'avance !

Raphaëlle
Apnée à Saint-Andrès (Colombie) English translation pending
by Wilcox · 2003-09-03 · 2 replies
Bonjour !

Quelqu'un peut me donner des informations sur Saint-Andrès ? Je fais beaucoup d'apnée et on me conseille (entre autre) cette destination.

Quel complexe hotellier est à conseiller là-bas ? Comment sont les coraux ? etc.

Merci 😉
Plongée sous-marine près de l'hôtel Capella beach en RD English translation pending
by Laurent28 · 2003-08-19 · 2 replies
Bonjours,

je pars avec des amis le 22 septembre en République Dominicaine à l'hotel Capelle beach resort 5* et je souhaiterai connaitre les tarifs de la plongée sous-marine pratiqués près de cet hotel.

Merci d'avance

Laurent
Où dormir sur la côte en Malaisie? English translation pending
by Yann · 2003-07-17 · 16 replies
Bonjour à tous,

J'ai entendu dire qu'il n'était pas toujours simple de trouver de quoi dormir sur la cote Est de la péninsule Malaise...meme pour des bungalows.Je compte me rendre en avril 2004, surtout sur les iles (Perhentian, Redang, Kapas..).

Cela serait sympa de me fournir quelques tuyaux !!!!!

Merci beaucoup
Brisas guardalavaca English translation pending
by Sue63 · 2003-07-10 · 2 replies
je pars pour holguin au brisas gaurdalavaca le 5 decembre avec mon mari et mes deux enfants 12 et 14 ans c est la premiere fois que nous allons dans le sud et je voulais que les enfants puissent nager avec les dauphins je voudrais avoir des commentaires au sujet de cet hotel ah oui je veut rserver dans les villas merci a l avance.
Nice at the end of April: neighborhoods, villages to visit, and transport passes
by Yosmite · 2026-04-01 · 16 replies
Hi there, Could you recommend some nice and affordable neighborhoods to book a hotel in for visiting Nice and exploring its surroundings and nearby villages?

I’d like to know if it’s better to book the entire stay in Nice and take day trips to the villages, or if there are villages worth spending at least one night in to really explore them properly?

Since all the villages are stunning and we have to make a choice, which ones are absolutely must-visit?

My 16-year-old daughter and I will be spending a week there at the end of April. We’ll arrive by TGV from Paris and plan to use public transport during our stay. Do you know if there’s a weekly transport pass available and how much it costs?

Thanks in advance for your help!
Which Cape Verde islands should we prioritize (for hiking and swimming) for a first trip?
by Tchoucoule · 2026-02-27 · 20 replies
Hello, my wife and I are planning a trip to Cape Verde at the end of May for 20 days. We’re still unsure which islands to prioritize (they all look amazing!). Santo Antão and São Vicente seem like must-sees. Which other islands should we visit, given that we love hiking (nothing too challenging) and swimming? Thanks
Feedback on 15-day Quebec itinerary
by Alex1628 · 2026-01-01 · 7 replies
Hi there, I’m heading to Quebec from 08/07/26 to 08/21/26 with my wife and our two sons, aged 8 and 10. I’m sharing my itinerary below—if you have any suggestions or feedback, I’d love to hear it!

Day 1: Arrival in Montreal on Friday, August 7th around 2 PM (it’s also one of my sons’ 8th birthday!). We’ll head to Westmount via public transit or taxi to pick up our Airbnb.

Day 2 & 3: Exploring Montreal.

Day 4: Picking up our rental car (not yet booked, but likely with Hertz via BSP Auto). We’ll explore the area around Montreal and then head to Montebello for the night.

Day 5: Visit to Parc Omega, staying overnight in Montebello (Airbnb).

Day 6: Heading to Shawinigan, possibly catching an evening show at Cité de l’Énergie. I’ve spotted Motel Auberge Pique-Nique for the night.

Day 7: Mauricie National Park. Overnight in Shawinigan.

Day 8: Heading to Lac Saint-Jean. I’ve looked into the Village Historique Val-Jalbert, but many say there are better options for visiting an old village, like the Village Québécois d’Antan near Quebec City. We’ll stay somewhere around the lake.

Day 9: Day around the lake, then overnight in Saguenay. FYI, August 15th is a holiday in Quebec (like in France), so some places might be busier or closed.

Day 10: Heading to Tadoussac. Staying overnight at the youth hostel to meet other travelers.

Day 11: Day in Tadoussac—whale watching and a guided forest excursion to see bears. Another night in Tadoussac.

Day 12: Heading to Quebec City, possibly stopping at Montmorency Falls along the way. We’ll pick up our Airbnb along the St. Lawrence River, not far from the aquarium.

Day 13 & 14: Exploring Quebec City and its surroundings.

Day 15: Returning to Montreal to catch our flight in the late afternoon.

I’ve tried to stay in the same place for two nights in a row for logistical reasons—it’s easier with kids. So far, only the Airbnbs are booked. For the rest, motels seem like the most budget-friendly option. I’d also love to find B&Bs with meals included, like Gîtes de France, but I’m not sure if that’s a thing here—I’m struggling to find options.

Don’t hesitate to let me know if this itinerary seems too packed. I’ve been mindful of the distances, but unfortunately, we can’t do everything, so we’ve had to make some tough choices.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can chime in!
South Korea Family Itinerary - Fall 2026
by AmSab · 2025-11-10 · 29 replies
Hello,

We’re planning a 17-day trip to South Korea in October 2026 with my husband and our daughters, who’ll be 9 years old.

I’d love to get your thoughts on our draft itinerary.

First, some key details:

1/ Jeju Island is a must for us. I’ve personally dreamed of going there for years after reading a novel about it. 2/ Our girls are used to road-trip style travel since they were born, so this kind of trip won’t be an issue for them. 3/ We plan to travel by train, except on Jeju where we’ll rent a car (we already have an international driver’s permit).

Itinerary:

Seoul: 1 arrival day at 10 AM + 4 full days Gyeongju: 2 days Busan: 3 days Jeju: 4 days Seoul: 2 days

Thanks for your feedback! Have a great day,

Sabrina
Kattegat Tour and Norway’s Majestic Fjords – 32 Days (Denmark, Sweden, Norway)
by Cendryon · 2025-07-09 · 57 replies
Kattegat isn’t just the name of the village in the TV series *Vikings*—it’s also the stretch of water separating Denmark from Sweden... the sea, basically! And further north, you’ve got Norway and its fjords! Originally, I’d planned to just do a loop around Kattegat, with the *Under* restaurant in Lindesnes as our anniversary treat... but along the way, we thought, why not "push" a little further north, keeping an eye on the budget since we’d chosen to travel by car in June 2025 through Scandinavia.

Why by car when most travelers opt for a camper van, while others prefer the comfort of cruises? Well, because we don’t own a camper van, renting one is pricey, and then you’ve got to add fuel costs (those things guzzle gas!), ferry fees, and other "tolls." All things considered, we went for mostly rentals—especially since there were four of us at the start of the trip. We spent the first week in Denmark with our daughter and son-in-law. Then they flew back to Belgium, and we continued our adventure as a couple. For accommodation, we mainly booked Airbnb apartments, which helped keep costs down and, most importantly, let us prepare our own meals (diet, diet!). In this travel journal, you’ll discover (or rediscover, for those who followed my older ones) our unbridled love for theme parks, museums, unique experiences, and—especially in Denmark—Legos! Unfortunately, we didn’t do any hikes this year because the unpredictable weather had made the trails slippery, and since I’d already taken three tumbles during the trip, I didn’t want to risk another! In the end, we traveled for 32 days, covered 6,200 km, and most importantly, discovered the charming country of Denmark, marveled at Norway’s breathtaking fjords—all without suffering the heatwave that hit France and Belgium that June! If you’ve got any questions, don’t hesitate to ask!
Malaysia or Mexico for a family trip: nature, beach, and culture?
by Heleneandcie · 2025-05-03 · 50 replies
Hi everyone! We’re a family of 4: 2 adults and 2 kids aged 3 and 6. I’m looking for a nature-beach-culture destination for May 2026. Right now, I’m torn between Mexico and Malaysia. I’ve read about the Yucatán, for example—it’s easy for a first trip to Mexico, but I’m worried I won’t get that authentic Mexican vibe, especially if we have to rent a car. I don’t want our trip to just be a checklist of beautiful sites. I love Asia for the atmosphere and the ease of traveling independently. Anyway, can you share your thoughts on these two destinations and help me with my research? Thanks! Hélène
Getting to Pegli from Genoa and other nearby places to visit
by Moemma · 2025-04-01 · 3 replies
Hi, I saw that you can take the navebus to Pegli. Could you tell me where to catch it, and are there other ways to get there? Also, which is better to visit: Pegli, Bocadasse, Nervi, or Camogli... if you're spending 6 full days in Genoa and have a bit of time to dedicate to one or more nearby spots? Thanks in advance for your answers.
Looking for feedback on Japan itinerary
by Raboul · 2025-03-05 · 10 replies
Hi there, I’m planning a trip to Japan with my three grown-up kids, who aren’t exactly keen on rushing from one place to another with heavy luggage. I’ve tried to balance things so we can see as much as possible while still giving them time to enjoy the evenings. Here’s what I’ve come up with: - Arrival in Tokyo on May 17 - Staying in Tokyo from May 17 to 22, exploring the city, with a day trip to Nikko (round trip in one day): is it worth it, considering it’s a 2-hour train ride each way? - Sending our big suitcases directly to Osaka - Traveling to Kamakura on May 23: 1 night (with small luggage) - Traveling to Hakone on May 24: 1 night (with small luggage) - Heading to Osaka on May 25: staying from May 25 to June 2 in Osaka, where we’ll pick up our big suitcases Day trips from Osaka: - Kyoto: 2 days (round trip in one day) - Nara: 1 day (round trip in one day) My son would prefer to stay in Osaka for all 8 days, but I’m wondering if it’s a good idea to spend at least one night in Kyoto. What do you think? - Leaving for Himeji on June 3: is it possible to leave both big and small luggage in a coin locker to visit the castle, or is it better to do a round trip from Osaka? - Traveling to Hiroshima: 3 nights from June 3 to 5: - Hiroshima: 1 day - Miyajima: 1 day - Okayama and Kurashiki: 1 day: is it better to do a round trip from Hiroshima and return to Tokyo from there, or spend the night of June 5 in Okayama and head to Tokyo from there? - Back to Tokyo from June 6 to 9, with departure on the morning of June 9. Since I’ve never been to Japan, I’ve tried to focus on the most interesting spots. Are there any places I’ve missed that you think we should add, or others that might not be as worthwhile? About the luggage: is it a hassle to forward it to Kamakura, Hakone, and Kyoto? How much do coin lockers usually cost? My son says the JR Pass isn’t worth it—what’s your take? For accommodations, we’re leaning toward mid-range hotels with good value rather than apartments. Any great tips? I know I’m asking a lot of questions—I really appreciate anyone who can point me in the right direction. Thanks in advance!
What's the best guide to prepare for the Blues Trail? (United States)
by Patoon · 2025-02-23 · 5 replies
Hello everyone, and a big THANK YOU to all the travelers who took the time to reply to my last post and tell me that doing South India in 28 days was a sweet utopia. My dear friends, you were absolutely right. After 4 days in Goa, I settled for exploring all of Karnataka and its beautiful UNESCO-listed temples, and I loved it. Kerala and Tamil Nadu will have to wait until next year when I can take 6 weeks off.

But the purpose of this post is to ask you which guide or website would be best to prepare for the BLUES TRAIL I’d like to do in September or October 2025 over a month: 3 weeks to travel the route, enjoy Nashville a bit too, and the last week to explore Louisiana. I saw that *Le Routard* has a guide on Louisiana. Where else can I find more info?

Thanks so much for your help. Take care of yourselves and happy travels. Régine
Feedback on 3-week itinerary: Atlantic Coast - Spanish Basque Country - Northern Spain
by RDZ08 · 2025-02-13 · 8 replies
Hello everyone,

So, summer 2025 is when I turn 40, and to mark the occasion, I had the idea of doing a road trip through Northern Spain. Since I’ll be traveling with my two kids (9 and 6½ years old), I’m tied to school holidays, but I’m hoping the northern regions of Spain are a little less crowded than the Costa Brava.

We’d leave from Lyon to reach the Atlantic coast, head down to the Basque Country, cross the Spanish border, and then visit: Cantabria - Asturias - Galicia. It’s not exactly around the corner—I’ve seen that it’s about 1,500 km (one way) from Lyon to Galicia. But for this adventure, I’ve got 3 to 3½ weeks. The twist would be doing it in an electric car, stopping for 2-3 days here and there before moving on (alternating between wild camping and hotels). Why electric? Because it’s my company car, and my employer covers the charging and toll costs. Over 3 weeks of vacation, that adds up to big savings.

Question: Do you think this plan is doable? Aside from the charging stops, does the route seem too ambitious for 3 weeks with two kids? And in July/August, are these regions not too packed?

Thanks for your feedback and experiences!
From San Francisco to Los Angeles via Highway 1
by Cebvl · 2025-01-04 · 8 replies
Hi everyone,

We traveled between Christmas and New Year’s to visit our son in San Francisco. We’d already seen the parks during a 2008 vacation but hadn’t had time to drive Highway 1 between San Francisco and Los Angeles, so we decided to do it this time. At this time of year, the days are short—it gets dark by 5 PM, which limits sightseeing time. Weather-wise, we had temperatures between 11°C and 20°C (52°F and 68°F) during the week, so it was pretty pleasant. There was a bit of rain one day and some gray skies or fog in the mornings. Financially, California is *very* expensive! Prices listed don’t include tax or tips. Taxes are automatically added to restaurant bills or supermarket receipts, but *you* add the tip. Americans always leave a tip, no matter if they’re happy with the service or not (except at self-service places). The absolute minimum is 15%, but 20% is more common. Here’s how it works: First, the server brings the bill with the tax already added, then takes your card and the bill. They come back after charging your card, leaving you a new bill and a pen. You write down the tip (tips) you want to leave, add it up, and sign. You leave the paper and pen on the table and go. In some restaurants, the server brings the card reader to your table, and there are preset tip percentages to choose from. On your bank statement, the total amount (including tax) shows up as “pending.” A few days later, the transaction is finalized with the tip included. The 9-hour time difference isn’t trivial, especially as we get older 😉. Keep it in mind when planning—don’t overdo it in the first few days.

Here’s our itinerary: 12/25/2024: Flight from Lyon (7 AM) to San Francisco (11:50 AM): 1-hour layover in Amsterdam—way too tight. The airport is huge, and flights to the U.S. are at the far end. You also have to go through customs. We had to run! Luckily, there’s a special line for tight connections, and our flight was delayed! Reunited with our son and walked to the Painted Ladies (Victorian houses) and then through Alamo Square. Return trip via Waymo—a driverless Uber. Surprising, but the ride was super smooth, and we felt safe.

12/26/2024: San Francisco Walking tour of the city: Lombard Street, Pier 39 (sea lions), Coit Tower via the Filbert Steps (great view of the city), Chinatown, and Union Square (ice rink and Christmas tree).

12/27/2024: Monterey It took us about 2.5 hours to drive straight from SF to Monterey (to save time, we skipped the start of Highway 1). The goal for this stop was visiting the aquarium. It’s in an old sardine cannery, and there’s an interesting room showing the machinery and explaining the process. The aquarium features all the local fish and plant species, plus a stunning jellyfish exhibit. We spent about 2.5 hours there. Entry is pricey at $65, and it was packed when we went. For parking, you can use meters or day lots. The cheapest we found was $25 for the day, with in-and-out privileges. We saw some closer lots charging $80, so it’s worth shopping around before parking and walking a bit more. Afterward, we stopped by the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary—a small, free park where these butterflies land, along with some wild deer. We ended the day at Lover’s Point, a park with an ocean view and surfers. That evening, we tried clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl. Stayed overnight in Monterey.

12/28/2024: Big Sur Parks The Big Sur area has many state parks. Entry is $10 per car for the day (valid for any number of parks visited that same day). Pro tip: If you park outside and walk in, you don’t pay. We chose to visit Point Lobos Reserve. We hiked the trails along the ocean. Two must-do (short and easy) trails: “Sea Lion Point,” where massive waves crash onto the rocks, and “Bird Island Lookout,” where you can see thousands of pelicans and cormorants on the rocks, plus a few elephant seals. It’s truly stunning. We spent about 3 hours there. After driving along Garrapata State Park and crossing the famous Bixby Bridge, we went to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park to do the short Valley View Trail + Pfeiffer Falls hike. It was nice being among the redwoods, but the waterfall was underwhelming. Maybe it’s more impressive in the summer when the river is flowing better. We ended the day at McWay Falls, a waterfall that flows directly into the ocean—super photogenic, especially at sunset. Returned to Monterey for the night.







12/29/2024: Drive to Morro Bay Highway 1 is currently closed near Gorda, so we had to take the inland route from Monterey, adding extra miles. It was raining, so we skipped the planned stop at Carmel-by-the-Sea. Instead, we detoured to Mission San Antonio de Padua, the 3rd mission (out of 21) built by the Spanish in 1773 to evangelize the region. It’s less famous than others, so there were fewer people, and it felt more “authentic” (free to visit). With fog adding to the rain, we headed straight to Morro Bay, our stop for the day, instead of continuing up Highway 1 to San Simeon. Took a short evening walk to Morro Rock—saw a few otters in the harbor. Stayed overnight in Morro Bay.



12/30/2024: Elephant Seals at Piedras Blancas The sun came back! We took a quick walk on the pier to see the otters in daylight, then drove back up Highway 1 to Piedras Blancas (near San Simeon), a famous spot for elephant seals. It’s birthing season, so there were lots of pups, plus males fighting for the females’ attention—what a show! We couldn’t get enough. We walked to the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse, with a few viewpoints of beaches where elephant seals were lounging (though far fewer than at the beach near the parking lot). We continued to Santa Barbara, our stop for the day. Stopped in San Luis Obispo for lunch and a quick city tour (Bubblegum Alley, the theater facade, and the mission). Since it was getting late, we skipped Los Alamos and went straight to Solvang, a charming Danish-style town (windmills, typical Danish houses) with lots of holiday lights (it’s their Julefest). Stayed overnight in Santa Barbara.



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!



Mediterranean Cruise with Costa Toscana: Your Tips for the Ports of Call
by Fanchon97250 · 2024-10-17 · 13 replies
I’d love to get some tips for DIY excursions during our cruise. The scheduled stops are Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Palermo, Rome, and Savona. Thanks in advance!
Road trip en famille au Danemark et en Suède English translation pending
by Gine317 · 2020-09-19 · 1 reply
Bonjour à tous,

Nous désirons partir en Aout 2021 pour un road-trip au Danemark et en Suède. Nous partons du sud-ouest de la France en voiture et sommes une famille de trois (papa, maman et un petit garçon de 5ans). Je souhaiterai avoir vos avis concernant notre planning… il est encore en construction, bien sur :-)

J+1 : départ de notre maison pour la lorraine (famille) J+2 : Trajet vers Hambourg - nuit sur place J+3 : trajet vers Naestved - Arrêt à Odense pour visite - Nuit à Naestved J+4 : Campadventure avec la tour forest à Ronnede + balade au alentour - Nuit à Naestved J+5 : Trajet vers copenhague en passant par Roskilde - Nuit Copenhague J+6 : Copenhague J+7 : Copenhague J+8 : Riviera Danoise - Nuit Copenhague J+9 : Trajet vers goteberg visite - nuit à Kungsbacka J+10 : Fjallbacka + tanum + balade cote J+11 : excursion sur une des iles de Goteberg J+12 : Jour off - en réflexion - une journée tranquille ... J+13 : Trajet vers Mols Bjerge via ferry - Nuit Mols Bjerge J+14 : Aarhus visite - nuit Mols Bjerge J+15 : Trajet vers Ribe - sur le chemin, journée à Legoland J+16 et J+17 : Farniente + plage + balade cote J+18 : retour vers Hanovre J+19 : retour en lorraine

Qu'en pensez-vous ? est-ce trop intense ? Notre fils supporte très bien les longs trajets et aime la nature, la plage et les jeux :-)

Dans l'attente de vos remarques et suggestions, n'hésitez surtout pas si nos choix ne vous semble pas judicieux ou si nous ratons des lieux essentiels!! Concernant nos étapes si vous avez des bonnes adresses de choses à faire avec un enfant, je pense notamment à Copenhague ou Aarhus... nous sommes preneurs ;).

D'avance Merci, Cordialement,

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