Results for "Recife+|+55+>+126"
3731 results found.
VELIDHU AU MOIS D'AOUT English translation pending
Salut tout le monde,
Nous avons choisi velidhu comme destination pour cet été deux semaine au mois d'aout . je voulais avoir des opinions de gens qui y sont déjà allés, ce qui ont aimé ou pas . nous en tout cas nous attendons aout avec la plus grande impatience.
Ciao
Nous avons choisi velidhu comme destination pour cet été deux semaine au mois d'aout . je voulais avoir des opinions de gens qui y sont déjà allés, ce qui ont aimé ou pas . nous en tout cas nous attendons aout avec la plus grande impatience.
Ciao
Sites de plongée apnée ou bouteille en Nouvelle-Calédonie English translation pending
Bonjour,
Je compte aller en Calédonie (grande terre, îles loyauté et île des pins) début octobre pour cinq semaines (ou meme y rester!). Je cherche des infos sur les sites de plongée bouteille (N2) ou d'apnée à ne pas rater. Je cherche aussi a rencontrer des caledoniens qui pourraient me donner des tuyaux sur la chasse sous marine dans ce coin (étant moi même pécheur de homard en apnée en Bretagne) et qui aimeraient se faire quelques sorties amicales sur place.Y a t'il des gens qui cherchent des apnéistes pour, par exemple, participer à des frais de carburant pour le déplacement sur des sites d'apnée éloignés? Bref, tous vos conseils et contacts sur la plongée en NC sont les bienvenus.
Merci!
Jean-Christophe, 33 ans, artiste peintre.
Suggestion d'hôtels à Playacar? English translation pending
On veut aller à la Riviera Maya l'été prochain avec nos 2 ados de 13 et 15 ans. Avez-vous des suggestions d'hôtels dans le coin de Playacar et Playa del carmen.
On pense y rester 1 semaine et on voudrait être central pour profiter des meilleures activités de la Riviera Maya tout en profitant d'un beau site confortable et familial.
Le coin de Playa del Carmen semble pittoresque et assez central.
Vos suggestions et commentaires seraient appréciés.
Merci!
On pense y rester 1 semaine et on voudrait être central pour profiter des meilleures activités de la Riviera Maya tout en profitant d'un beau site confortable et familial.
Le coin de Playa del Carmen semble pittoresque et assez central.
Vos suggestions et commentaires seraient appréciés.
Merci!
Climat et excursions à Bayahibe en août English translation pending
bonjour a tous j aimerai savoir ce qu il y a à faire a bayahibe et savoir quel temps il fait a cette periode
El Caracol Riviera Maya et Club Med Cancun English translation pending
Bonjours qui peux me donner des renseignements sur l'hotel el caracol sur la riviera maya et sur le club med de cancun.
merçi.
Memo
merçi.
Memo
Le grand bleu australien... English translation pending
Le « Rum Runner » est un splendide voilier aux voiles blanches déployées, comme les ailes d’un superbe oiseau prêt à prendre son envol.
L'équipage se présente, Peter, l'instructeur de plongée, Kévin, le capitaine, Sam, le cuisinier, et Guy, le matelot. 16 heures, nous quittons Cairns, le petit port et les nombreux bateaux presque aussi beaux les uns que les autres, et nous dirigeons vers l'horizon de la mer…
Les collines verdoyantes de chaque côté, nous apercevons un vol de cacatoès hurlant leurs cris perçants, quelques pélicans, et l'on observe le soleil couchant...
Cairns est déjà loin. Les couleurs du ciel sont magnifiques, hallucinantes...../...
Nous sommes arrivés au récif d’Holmes. Le site de plongée se nomme « Amazing » (stupéfiant) . C’est ici que l’on viendra assister au fameux « Sharks Feeding » après demain.
En attendant, nous hallucinons à chaque plongée sur une tortue que l’on voit de temps à autre, un requin endormi, des poissons « sweet lips », jaunes à pois noirs, ou d’autres papillons plus colorés les uns que les autres…
Enfin aujourd’hui est le grand jour…
Peter, notre instructeur de plongée, vient de finir le briefing sur la prochaine plongée que nous attendons tous avec impatience… Kévin, notre skipper, a une longue perche en main, une carcasse de poisson est attachée au bout de la perche, terminée par un crochet. «Alors, vous venez ? Le sharks feeding, c'est ici que ça se passe ! » On va tous à l'avant gauche du bateau, et nous regardons l'eau tumultueuse... Il y a de grosses bêtes là-dessous.. WAAAAAAAAOUH... Une dizaine de requins se battent à la surface pour attraper leur dîner.... Je prends une photo, au moment où un gros requin à pointe blanche, a la tête hors de l'eau, et se bat pour arracher la grosse carcasse au crochet. Nous restons là ébahis, avec la peur de tomber à la flotte. Avec tout le monde du même côté, le bateau penche vers les requins... « Bon, on s'équipe... et on y va, pour la plongée de votre vie!!! » 🤪(mais non, il rigole, là, on va pas aller plonger dans le banc de requins quand même ??? C't'une blague... ? Mais ça n'en a pas l'air...) 🤪 Tout le monde s'équipe en silence, on se regarde, 😮 et nous nous apprêtons pour peut-être la dernière plongée de notre vie!!! 🏴☠️😉😎Peter saute à l'eau le premier... « Ohé, j'vous attends » ! Bon, ben euh, allons-y... 🤪 Je suis une des dernières à sauter, dans le banc de requins! On est fou, complètement fou !!! Il n'y en a pas 10, ni 20 de requins, ni même trente, mais une cinquantaine ! ! ! Où sont mes coéquipiers ? Ah, je les vois assis sur le fond sableux, à 10 mètres de profondeur. Je les rejoins, le plus vite possible, et m'installe à genoux sur le sable. Cette fois-ci, un grand triangle, accroché par une corde au bateau, est rempli de carcasses de poissons, et les requins se battent presque pour pouvoir se remplir la panse. Le triangle vide, il remonte au bateau, Kévin, le remplit, et le renvoie sous l'eau. Le courant est relativement fort. Le triangle et les carcasses viennent plus près de nous, les requins suivent.. Il y en a partout ! A pointes blanches pour la plupart, mais aussi à pointes grises, quelques requins tigres, un nurse, etc... Je chuchote dans mon détendeur « Mamaaaan ! Je vis mais pour combien de temps encore ??? .. » Quelques pointes blanches sont couchés sur le sable à trois mètres de moi maximum. Quand ils vous regardent, c'est droit dans les yeux... Il y en a un justement, passant à ma gauche, son aileron à 20 cm de moi, les yeux dans les yeux, je ne le quitte pas du regard, oooh, je sens un autre qui frôle mes cheveux, juste au-dessus... Peter, sa caméra sous-marine en main, filme nos têtes apeurées.. Ma voisine, une française de 23 ans, plongeuse, oui, mais débutante, s'accroche à ma main... Comme pour se rassurer, mais je suis autant rassurée qu’elle... Nous restons là bien 35 minutes, 35 très longues minutes !!! Et déjà, Peter nous fait signe de remonter. En état de choc, nous nous déséquipons, et allons à notre tour nous régaler du festin que Sam, le cuisinier hollandais nous a préparé. Il nous a fallu plusieurs jours pour encaisser la montée d'adrénaline que nous avons eue…
Vivement que j'y retourne!!! 😎
Peter, notre instructeur de plongée, vient de finir le briefing sur la prochaine plongée que nous attendons tous avec impatience… Kévin, notre skipper, a une longue perche en main, une carcasse de poisson est attachée au bout de la perche, terminée par un crochet. «Alors, vous venez ? Le sharks feeding, c'est ici que ça se passe ! » On va tous à l'avant gauche du bateau, et nous regardons l'eau tumultueuse... Il y a de grosses bêtes là-dessous.. WAAAAAAAAOUH... Une dizaine de requins se battent à la surface pour attraper leur dîner.... Je prends une photo, au moment où un gros requin à pointe blanche, a la tête hors de l'eau, et se bat pour arracher la grosse carcasse au crochet. Nous restons là ébahis, avec la peur de tomber à la flotte. Avec tout le monde du même côté, le bateau penche vers les requins... « Bon, on s'équipe... et on y va, pour la plongée de votre vie!!! » 🤪(mais non, il rigole, là, on va pas aller plonger dans le banc de requins quand même ??? C't'une blague... ? Mais ça n'en a pas l'air...) 🤪 Tout le monde s'équipe en silence, on se regarde, 😮 et nous nous apprêtons pour peut-être la dernière plongée de notre vie!!! 🏴☠️😉😎Peter saute à l'eau le premier... « Ohé, j'vous attends » ! Bon, ben euh, allons-y... 🤪 Je suis une des dernières à sauter, dans le banc de requins! On est fou, complètement fou !!! Il n'y en a pas 10, ni 20 de requins, ni même trente, mais une cinquantaine ! ! ! Où sont mes coéquipiers ? Ah, je les vois assis sur le fond sableux, à 10 mètres de profondeur. Je les rejoins, le plus vite possible, et m'installe à genoux sur le sable. Cette fois-ci, un grand triangle, accroché par une corde au bateau, est rempli de carcasses de poissons, et les requins se battent presque pour pouvoir se remplir la panse. Le triangle vide, il remonte au bateau, Kévin, le remplit, et le renvoie sous l'eau. Le courant est relativement fort. Le triangle et les carcasses viennent plus près de nous, les requins suivent.. Il y en a partout ! A pointes blanches pour la plupart, mais aussi à pointes grises, quelques requins tigres, un nurse, etc... Je chuchote dans mon détendeur « Mamaaaan ! Je vis mais pour combien de temps encore ??? .. » Quelques pointes blanches sont couchés sur le sable à trois mètres de moi maximum. Quand ils vous regardent, c'est droit dans les yeux... Il y en a un justement, passant à ma gauche, son aileron à 20 cm de moi, les yeux dans les yeux, je ne le quitte pas du regard, oooh, je sens un autre qui frôle mes cheveux, juste au-dessus... Peter, sa caméra sous-marine en main, filme nos têtes apeurées.. Ma voisine, une française de 23 ans, plongeuse, oui, mais débutante, s'accroche à ma main... Comme pour se rassurer, mais je suis autant rassurée qu’elle... Nous restons là bien 35 minutes, 35 très longues minutes !!! Et déjà, Peter nous fait signe de remonter. En état de choc, nous nous déséquipons, et allons à notre tour nous régaler du festin que Sam, le cuisinier hollandais nous a préparé. Il nous a fallu plusieurs jours pour encaisser la montée d'adrénaline que nous avons eue…
Vivement que j'y retourne!!! 😎
Ile Maurice avec enfants English translation pending
J'hésite entre l'île Maurice et le Mexique pour le mois de juillet. Même si ce n'est pas le même genre de destination, pouvez-vous me conseiller? Je suis fan de plongée, j'ai un enfant qui adore les animaux marins, trouvera-t-on notre bonheur à Maurice? Merci.
Playa pesquero English translation pending
Je pars pour Holguin à playa pesquero le 31 janvier et je voudrais savoir si on peux marcher longuement sur la plage et si l'animation est bonne (Géo, Discothèque, spectacle en soirée)?😏
Playa Pesquero English translation pending
Bonjour,
nous sommes un couple dans la vingtaine et nous cherchons des amis pour notre voyage! On part le 1 er février pour Holguin au Playa Pesquero, on ne connait pas cette endroit alors si en plus vous avez des commentaires ne vous gêner pas.
Merci😉
nous sommes un couple dans la vingtaine et nous cherchons des amis pour notre voyage! On part le 1 er février pour Holguin au Playa Pesquero, on ne connait pas cette endroit alors si en plus vous avez des commentaires ne vous gêner pas.
Merci😉
Maldives: vol sec sans réservation English translation pending
Bonjour,
J'ai un vol (open) pour les Maldives.
Comment faire sur place ? Est-il possible de ne rien réservé à l'avance ? et de trouver à moindre prix hôtel et activité ?
Merci pour votre experience.
Gilles
(PartirOu.com)
Hôtel Casa Marina Bay English translation pending
C'est du coté de Samana!
Il parait que c'est bien.Quelqu'un peut-il me donner sont avis?
Merci
Il parait que c'est bien.Quelqu'un peut-il me donner sont avis?
Merci
Que voir à Koh Chang en Thaïlande? English translation pending
Hello,
je cherche des infos sur les coins sympas de Koh Chang en thailande.
Merci et a +
Eléa
je cherche des infos sur les coins sympas de Koh Chang en thailande.
Merci et a +
Eléa
Hôtel Playa Pesquero (Guardalavaca) English translation pending
bonjour,
je vais a cuba au mois de janvier et je voudrais savoir comment est l'hotel PLAYA PESQUERO, (les chambres, les restos, l'animation, les escurtions.....).
J'aimerai egalement savoir ce que l'on peut faire autour de cette hotel et de autour de la ville de guadalavaca.
y'a t'il possibilite de louer des mobilettes ou autre moyen de locomotion pour entrer en campagne et decouvrir la vie rurale?.
merci
je vais a cuba au mois de janvier et je voudrais savoir comment est l'hotel PLAYA PESQUERO, (les chambres, les restos, l'animation, les escurtions.....).
J'aimerai egalement savoir ce que l'on peut faire autour de cette hotel et de autour de la ville de guadalavaca.
y'a t'il possibilite de louer des mobilettes ou autre moyen de locomotion pour entrer en campagne et decouvrir la vie rurale?.
merci
Stage de plongée dans une région chaude English translation pending
😎 Nous aimerions faire un stage de plongée comme débutant. Dans une région ou les eaux sont chaudes.
Je suis à l'écoute de vos conseilles.
Merci d'avance,
Horus
Je suis à l'écoute de vos conseilles.
Merci d'avance,
Horus
La plage du Playa pesquero English translation pending
Bonjour j'aimerais savoir si vous pourriez me donner des informations sur la plage de playa pesquero du genre si elle est vraiment loin de l'hotel ou si il faut marcher avec des souliers sur le bord de la mer ou dans la mer. Merci beaucoup
Budget et meilleure période pour les Maldives English translation pending
😊 Bonjour à tous, je viens de découvrir le site. J'en profite pour en féléciter les protagonistes!!
J'aimerai partir aux Maldives en juillet ou août prochain est-ce une bonne période. Pleut-il pendant cette péride? Sur quelle île aller ? il y en a tellement! Savez-vous laquelle est la plus agréable (moins de touristes) etc...
Merci d'avance pour vos précieux renseigenements!
J'aimerai partir aux Maldives en juillet ou août prochain est-ce une bonne période. Pleut-il pendant cette péride? Sur quelle île aller ? il y en a tellement! Savez-vous laquelle est la plus agréable (moins de touristes) etc...
Merci d'avance pour vos précieux renseigenements!
Maldives en famille avec enfants English translation pending
bonjour,
nous voulons aller plonger aux maldives en famille aves des enfants de 7 et 9 ans.
pendant les plongées, les enfants restent sur l'ile.
Avez-vous une ile à nous conseiller?
Nous pensons à bandos.
Les enfants ne parlant que français, nous avons peur qu'ils s'ennuient.
Merci de vos infos.
Pat
nous voulons aller plonger aux maldives en famille aves des enfants de 7 et 9 ans.
pendant les plongées, les enfants restent sur l'ile.
Avez-vous une ile à nous conseiller?
Nous pensons à bandos.
Les enfants ne parlant que français, nous avons peur qu'ils s'ennuient.
Merci de vos infos.
Pat
Malaysia in August: question about number of nights in Penang
Hi everyone,
My 16-year-old son, my partner, and I are planning a trip to Malaysia in August.
Here’s what I’m thinking so far:
- KL (4 nights): The first day is a write-off, so that leaves 3 full days. - Cameron Highlands (2 nights): 1 full day for Mossy Forest, etc.
Now, the big question. I’m planning to go to Penang—either 3 or 4 nights. If I do 4 nights, I’ll have 3 full days to explore. If I do 3 nights, I’m thinking of spending 1 night in Ipoh.
Is Ipoh worth it for a day? Is 3 full days in Penang too much? - Perhentians (4 nights).
To finish, back to KL and a visit to Malacca, or maybe Singapore—but if it’s just for a day, it might not be worth it.
Thanks in advance for your feedback!
Here’s what I’m thinking so far:
- KL (4 nights): The first day is a write-off, so that leaves 3 full days. - Cameron Highlands (2 nights): 1 full day for Mossy Forest, etc.
Now, the big question. I’m planning to go to Penang—either 3 or 4 nights. If I do 4 nights, I’ll have 3 full days to explore. If I do 3 nights, I’m thinking of spending 1 night in Ipoh.
Is Ipoh worth it for a day? Is 3 full days in Penang too much? - Perhentians (4 nights).
To finish, back to KL and a visit to Malacca, or maybe Singapore—but if it’s just for a day, it might not be worth it.
Thanks in advance for your feedback!
Hurghada: Where to do a scuba diving baptism/snorkeling for a few days?
Hello,
For flight schedules and prices from Bordeaux, and ease of reaching Alexandria by bus/train afterward, I’m considering spending 4 days around Hurghada (direct flight from Bdx).
I don’t think I’ll go for courses to get my Level 1, since I don’t plan to dive often in the future—unless you think it’s better than doing 2 discovery dives in this area (I only have one baptism under my belt, in Koh Tao 15 years ago—amazing! But I’m not targeting trips for diving; I need to go to Alexandria, so this is a chance to get back into diving and snorkeling).
I’m looking for a spot to do some snorkeling, 1 or 2 baptisms, and explore the surroundings. I’ll arrive in early March on the evening of Day 0. I’ll have 3.5 days after that (I’m planning to leave on Day 4 around 4 PM by bus/train).
Is Hurghada completely to be avoided in favor of another area in the Red Sea, or can I still have a nice 3.5 days there? I know places like Dahab are more pleasant, but the convenience and timing of Hurghada appeal to me... I usually prefer more authentic travel spots and places, but I’m willing to compromise on that if it’s still worth it for the diving. Or should I only stay 2.5 days and head to Alexandria a day earlier? (I’ve already seen Cairo and Luxor a bit.)
Open to your advice ;) Thanks in advance!
I don’t think I’ll go for courses to get my Level 1, since I don’t plan to dive often in the future—unless you think it’s better than doing 2 discovery dives in this area (I only have one baptism under my belt, in Koh Tao 15 years ago—amazing! But I’m not targeting trips for diving; I need to go to Alexandria, so this is a chance to get back into diving and snorkeling).
I’m looking for a spot to do some snorkeling, 1 or 2 baptisms, and explore the surroundings. I’ll arrive in early March on the evening of Day 0. I’ll have 3.5 days after that (I’m planning to leave on Day 4 around 4 PM by bus/train).
Is Hurghada completely to be avoided in favor of another area in the Red Sea, or can I still have a nice 3.5 days there? I know places like Dahab are more pleasant, but the convenience and timing of Hurghada appeal to me... I usually prefer more authentic travel spots and places, but I’m willing to compromise on that if it’s still worth it for the diving. Or should I only stay 2.5 days and head to Alexandria a day earlier? (I’ve already seen Cairo and Luxor a bit.)
Open to your advice ;) Thanks in advance!
Cruise around the islands of Komodo
5-day cruise around Komodo
Not usually a fan of organized trips, during my stay in Labuan Bajo on Flores in May 2024, I started looking for a fisherman who could show me the islands around Komodo. At the port, I met Ari, a former freediver who knows the islands well, especially the best spots for fish and coral.
At the Bohême guest house, I proposed this outing, and one of the activity leaders was happy to join. We headed to Angel Island, where Ari took us snorkeling around the island. During this beautiful day, we appreciated his professionalism, and I suggested coming back the following year for a 5-day cruise. We had to agree on a budget and the period to consider.
Over the next year, we kept in touch via WhatsApp.
However, a month before departure, Ari told me he had lent his boat to a friend, who ran it aground on a rock, causing it to sink. No boat, no cruise! Since we had an agreement, I asked him to find another solution. His searches in the port, where everyone knows each other, turned out to be fruitful.
A certain "Captain" Kambar agreed to take us. He sometimes charters his boat for local travel agencies and could free up the requested period.
There will be six of us on board, as in the meantime, my daughter’s friend, Amandine, could join us for the cruise. Ari will act as a guide, and a mechanic will also be present. To reserve the boat for September 4th, Ari asked me to transfer a deposit of 5 million IDR to his account. After some hesitation, I decided to trust him and made the transfer. A few days later, he confirmed receipt of the amount.
In early September, we arrived in Labuan Bajo. Our first mission was to check the boat’s condition, the presence of life jackets, what we would eat, and if there were any restrictions on drinks. Everything was in order and met our expectations.
The day before departure, we met a 26-year-old Czech woman traveling alone after a stay in New Zealand. The description of our cruise excited her, and she got Ari’s number. That evening, at the restaurant, while we discussed the final preparations, Thérèsa joined us and asked if she could come along for the five-day cruise. Since she seemed like good company, I gladly accepted. However, following Indonesian custom, I negotiated firmly with Ari for a discount, and he agreed to lower the price by 2 million.
On September 4th, we set sail to explore the islands of Komodo and, above all, the seabeds, equipped with fins, masks, and snorkels. We had brought a board game for the trips between islands or for the evenings. In the end, it wasn’t used: the crossings rarely lasted more than an hour, except for two two-hour trips, and the conditions on board weren’t suitable for playing.

The first island we visited is north of Labuan Bajo: Seraya Small.
We didn’t disembark but anchored a short distance away. The coral reef, between 5 and 10 meters deep, offered visibility of 8 to 10 meters. We started with a few dives from the boat, as the water was so inviting. As with most of the upcoming sites, we were the only ones enjoying this little paradise.
Over about a kilometer along the drop-off, colorful corals and fish abound. As long as you don’t go past the rocky point on the right, the currents remain very weak, and the spot is accessible to beginners. After enjoying the sea enough, we returned to the boat, where Ari had prepared a good meal of rice, chicken, and vegetables. It was simple but excellent after all that effort.
In the afternoon, we discovered Bero Island, where it was very hot. There were fewer fish and corals than at Seraya, but the corals were on white sand, allowing for beautiful, bright photos.
In the evening, we visited Hatamin, a fishing village. The population is very young and curious about our visit. At our request, we could have watched a local dance, but it would have taken some time to organize, and we didn’t plan to return. Ari asked if we wanted to take a shower, as on the boat, we could only rinse off with a little water from a basin.
On the second day, snorkeling near Hatamin, a small paradise island with white sand like in a travel brochure. A small temple is located in the middle of the island. In the water, we saw our first small reef sharks, some clownfish, and a sergeant major fish that followed us throughout our swim. The most beautiful part to explore is opposite the beach. Many corals and fish of all colors. A sailboat was anchored a short distance away, but we didn’t see anyone except an old man who apparently lived in the temple above.


In the afternoon, we headed to the nearby island of Sabolong Besar. It’s a pretty little island with a harmonious resort made up of luxury huts that don’t spoil the landscape. In some places, the water is very clear with good visibility, and some schools of very young blacktip reef sharks swirl near the boat. There are beautiful corals on the left side of the resort and a bit of current when you approach the drop-off. Since the area to explore wasn’t very large, we had time to head to Sabolong Kecil. Then we went to the fishing village of Messah, where a Muslim celebration was taking place. There were people everywhere with many food offerings—what activity! It was like an anthill.

And at the end of the day, we anchored near Kanawa with a beautiful sunset.
On the third day, we discovered Kanawa and some hawksbill turtles. There were many colorful corals, but we didn’t stay long. During this day, the stops were close together, making it intense with four visits.
Then we arrived at Sebayur Besar with a different snorkeling approach: Ari dropped us in the current, and we drifted for over a kilometer before he came to pick us up. At first, it seemed a bit worrying to see the boat move away while we were offshore, but we were quickly carried by the current and passed almost too quickly by so many corals and fish to see. What a pleasure to drift and freedive with little effort.
The drift lasted a good hour, and we reached Siaba Island, where the water was colder. There were many boats, and we had quickly lost the habit of seeing other tourists. Visibility was average—it was a nice spot, but after the drift at Sebayur, we liked it less. Around 1 p.m., we anchored with other boats because Ari met up with some friends, and we ate heartily since the cool water had whetted our appetites.

In the afternoon, we were at Manta Point. The water was cool, and there was a lot of excitement trying to follow the giant manta rays. We managed to dive down and get close to them, but it took a lot of effort and breath because, despite their leisurely appearance, they move quite fast for us little swimmers. Here, they come to feed and then return to the depths, and it’s not always certain you’ll encounter them. We ended the day at Makassar with a two-hour sail. There was a lot of wind and swell, the boat rocked, and we hoped there wouldn’t be an engine breakdown. We had to take down the tent on the boat’s roof, which had also been used for sleeping. Makassar’s beach is pink, caused by microorganisms called foraminifera. There are many beach huts along the shore, and we were alone, though it must get busy here during the day. On the fourth day, we visited Padar Island for its viewpoint amid hordes of tourists, then headed to Rinca and its Komodo dragons. Rinca is much less crowded than Komodo, which is why we chose this visit. We saw a few and took the usual photos. In the late afternoon, we snorkeled at Pempend Island, where the sea was choppy and the water a bit murky. And on the last day, we visited Strawberry Rock, named after the reddish rock overlooking the sea. There were many corals, but the water was rough with reduced visibility, and then we went to Kelor with its tourist "bars" and the pretty viewpoint.
In conclusion, we shared amazing moments and managed to complete our program. Luckily, the weather was very kind, and not a drop of rain fell in early September, except just upon returning to the port. It’s worth noting that after five intense days in the water from morning to night, we were glad to return to dry land because we were exhausted.
My daughter and her friend were so thrilled that, in return, they developed a website for Ari to help him get known, and I can share the link if you’d like. I visit Voyage Forum from time to time, so if you have any questions, don’t hesitate—I’ll answer them.
Not usually a fan of organized trips, during my stay in Labuan Bajo on Flores in May 2024, I started looking for a fisherman who could show me the islands around Komodo. At the port, I met Ari, a former freediver who knows the islands well, especially the best spots for fish and coral.
At the Bohême guest house, I proposed this outing, and one of the activity leaders was happy to join. We headed to Angel Island, where Ari took us snorkeling around the island. During this beautiful day, we appreciated his professionalism, and I suggested coming back the following year for a 5-day cruise. We had to agree on a budget and the period to consider.
Over the next year, we kept in touch via WhatsApp.
However, a month before departure, Ari told me he had lent his boat to a friend, who ran it aground on a rock, causing it to sink. No boat, no cruise! Since we had an agreement, I asked him to find another solution. His searches in the port, where everyone knows each other, turned out to be fruitful.
A certain "Captain" Kambar agreed to take us. He sometimes charters his boat for local travel agencies and could free up the requested period.There will be six of us on board, as in the meantime, my daughter’s friend, Amandine, could join us for the cruise. Ari will act as a guide, and a mechanic will also be present. To reserve the boat for September 4th, Ari asked me to transfer a deposit of 5 million IDR to his account. After some hesitation, I decided to trust him and made the transfer. A few days later, he confirmed receipt of the amount.
In early September, we arrived in Labuan Bajo. Our first mission was to check the boat’s condition, the presence of life jackets, what we would eat, and if there were any restrictions on drinks. Everything was in order and met our expectations.
The day before departure, we met a 26-year-old Czech woman traveling alone after a stay in New Zealand. The description of our cruise excited her, and she got Ari’s number. That evening, at the restaurant, while we discussed the final preparations, Thérèsa joined us and asked if she could come along for the five-day cruise. Since she seemed like good company, I gladly accepted. However, following Indonesian custom, I negotiated firmly with Ari for a discount, and he agreed to lower the price by 2 million.
On September 4th, we set sail to explore the islands of Komodo and, above all, the seabeds, equipped with fins, masks, and snorkels. We had brought a board game for the trips between islands or for the evenings. In the end, it wasn’t used: the crossings rarely lasted more than an hour, except for two two-hour trips, and the conditions on board weren’t suitable for playing.

The first island we visited is north of Labuan Bajo: Seraya Small.
We didn’t disembark but anchored a short distance away. The coral reef, between 5 and 10 meters deep, offered visibility of 8 to 10 meters. We started with a few dives from the boat, as the water was so inviting. As with most of the upcoming sites, we were the only ones enjoying this little paradise.
Over about a kilometer along the drop-off, colorful corals and fish abound. As long as you don’t go past the rocky point on the right, the currents remain very weak, and the spot is accessible to beginners. After enjoying the sea enough, we returned to the boat, where Ari had prepared a good meal of rice, chicken, and vegetables. It was simple but excellent after all that effort.
In the afternoon, we discovered Bero Island, where it was very hot. There were fewer fish and corals than at Seraya, but the corals were on white sand, allowing for beautiful, bright photos.
In the evening, we visited Hatamin, a fishing village. The population is very young and curious about our visit. At our request, we could have watched a local dance, but it would have taken some time to organize, and we didn’t plan to return. Ari asked if we wanted to take a shower, as on the boat, we could only rinse off with a little water from a basin.On the second day, snorkeling near Hatamin, a small paradise island with white sand like in a travel brochure. A small temple is located in the middle of the island. In the water, we saw our first small reef sharks, some clownfish, and a sergeant major fish that followed us throughout our swim. The most beautiful part to explore is opposite the beach. Many corals and fish of all colors. A sailboat was anchored a short distance away, but we didn’t see anyone except an old man who apparently lived in the temple above.


In the afternoon, we headed to the nearby island of Sabolong Besar. It’s a pretty little island with a harmonious resort made up of luxury huts that don’t spoil the landscape. In some places, the water is very clear with good visibility, and some schools of very young blacktip reef sharks swirl near the boat. There are beautiful corals on the left side of the resort and a bit of current when you approach the drop-off. Since the area to explore wasn’t very large, we had time to head to Sabolong Kecil. Then we went to the fishing village of Messah, where a Muslim celebration was taking place. There were people everywhere with many food offerings—what activity! It was like an anthill.

And at the end of the day, we anchored near Kanawa with a beautiful sunset.
On the third day, we discovered Kanawa and some hawksbill turtles. There were many colorful corals, but we didn’t stay long. During this day, the stops were close together, making it intense with four visits.
Then we arrived at Sebayur Besar with a different snorkeling approach: Ari dropped us in the current, and we drifted for over a kilometer before he came to pick us up. At first, it seemed a bit worrying to see the boat move away while we were offshore, but we were quickly carried by the current and passed almost too quickly by so many corals and fish to see. What a pleasure to drift and freedive with little effort.The drift lasted a good hour, and we reached Siaba Island, where the water was colder. There were many boats, and we had quickly lost the habit of seeing other tourists. Visibility was average—it was a nice spot, but after the drift at Sebayur, we liked it less. Around 1 p.m., we anchored with other boats because Ari met up with some friends, and we ate heartily since the cool water had whetted our appetites.

In the afternoon, we were at Manta Point. The water was cool, and there was a lot of excitement trying to follow the giant manta rays. We managed to dive down and get close to them, but it took a lot of effort and breath because, despite their leisurely appearance, they move quite fast for us little swimmers. Here, they come to feed and then return to the depths, and it’s not always certain you’ll encounter them. We ended the day at Makassar with a two-hour sail. There was a lot of wind and swell, the boat rocked, and we hoped there wouldn’t be an engine breakdown. We had to take down the tent on the boat’s roof, which had also been used for sleeping. Makassar’s beach is pink, caused by microorganisms called foraminifera. There are many beach huts along the shore, and we were alone, though it must get busy here during the day. On the fourth day, we visited Padar Island for its viewpoint amid hordes of tourists, then headed to Rinca and its Komodo dragons. Rinca is much less crowded than Komodo, which is why we chose this visit. We saw a few and took the usual photos. In the late afternoon, we snorkeled at Pempend Island, where the sea was choppy and the water a bit murky. And on the last day, we visited Strawberry Rock, named after the reddish rock overlooking the sea. There were many corals, but the water was rough with reduced visibility, and then we went to Kelor with its tourist "bars" and the pretty viewpoint.
In conclusion, we shared amazing moments and managed to complete our program. Luckily, the weather was very kind, and not a drop of rain fell in early September, except just upon returning to the port. It’s worth noting that after five intense days in the water from morning to night, we were glad to return to dry land because we were exhausted.
My daughter and her friend were so thrilled that, in return, they developed a website for Ari to help him get known, and I can share the link if you’d like. I visit Voyage Forum from time to time, so if you have any questions, don’t hesitate—I’ll answer them.
All-Inclusive Stay on Roatan Island
HENRY MORGAN HOTEL AND BEACH RESORT
Transfer (half an hour) from the airport to the hotel by minibus. We drop off our suitcases at the airport exit. They are loaded onto another vehicle and transported directly to the hotel, where we pick them up upon arrival.
We’re given our wristbands, two key cards for our room, a remote for the TV, a remote for the air conditioning (ours was already in the room), and a document with a detailed site map and information on restaurant, bar, and other service hours. Reception is open 24 hours.
We got room F3, located on the ground floor of a two-story building. It’s very well situated since it’s in the central part of the resort.
The room has two large beds with super comfortable mattresses, two nightstands, a coffee table with two chairs, two wardrobes, and plenty of storage space.
There’s also a large flat-screen TV. Netflix is included free of charge by the hotel—no subscription required. The safe is also provided at no extra cost.
There’s a mini-fridge, and the housekeeper provides bottles of water. However, it’s suggested to refill the bottles at the water stations by the bar, which we did several times.
The bathroom has a shower, toilet, sink with storage space, a large mirror, a towel rack, a hairdryer, soap, shampoo, and several rolls of toilet paper.
The hot water temperature in the shower varied during our stay. The air conditioning works perfectly.
We have a terrace with a chair and two hammocks.
The room uses 110 volts, and there are a few power outlets in the room.
The buffet restaurant is air-conditioned and open from 7 AM to 10 AM for breakfast, 12 PM to 3 PM for lunch, and 6 PM to 8:30 PM for dinner.
The buffet selection is very varied, and the food is delicious. The wine, both white and red, tastes great. The service is exceptional.
There’s also an à la carte restaurant ($), the Gastro Bar & Winery, open from 11 AM to 10 PM. We didn’t go there.
There’s a snack bar open from 11 AM to 1 PM and 3 PM to 5 PM, but I can’t comment on it since we didn’t visit.
We only went to the lobby bar near the showroom, which is open from 9:30 AM to 11 PM. The staff is very friendly, and the service is excellent.
Beer is served in cans but poured into a glass, and a wide variety of cocktails is available.
Beach towels are placed in our room upon arrival. There’s a kiosk near the main pool where you can exchange them.
There are two pools on-site. Many lounge chairs are arranged around both pools. If you prefer tranquility, I suggest heading to the pool between blocks A and B.
This hotel is located on the stunning public West Bay Beach, which is long and very pretty. It’s great for walking, and the sea color is remarkable.
There are plenty of lounge chairs on the beach, but there’s very little space between them.
There’s a long coral reef near the beach where you can observe beautiful corals and several species of tropical fish, lobsters, squid, leopard rays, turtles, etc. You’ll get a glimpse of these in an upcoming video.
Activities are offered throughout the day, but we didn’t really participate. I can’t comment on them, but the entertainment team seems very dynamic.
During our stay, there was only one evening dance show. Other days featured activities like bingo, karaoke, and games.
We didn’t go to the nightclub.
Wi-Fi is available for free throughout the resort. There are two networks you can connect to, and the passwords are listed in the brochure given to you upon arrival.
There’s also a gym, a spa ($), a boutique ($), and a winery ($).
Check-out is at 11 AM. If you lose or damage equipment or misplace key cards, you’ll be charged fees.
https://youtu.be/_KOCUQbZvsc
Transfer (half an hour) from the airport to the hotel by minibus. We drop off our suitcases at the airport exit. They are loaded onto another vehicle and transported directly to the hotel, where we pick them up upon arrival.
We’re given our wristbands, two key cards for our room, a remote for the TV, a remote for the air conditioning (ours was already in the room), and a document with a detailed site map and information on restaurant, bar, and other service hours. Reception is open 24 hours.
We got room F3, located on the ground floor of a two-story building. It’s very well situated since it’s in the central part of the resort.
The room has two large beds with super comfortable mattresses, two nightstands, a coffee table with two chairs, two wardrobes, and plenty of storage space.
There’s also a large flat-screen TV. Netflix is included free of charge by the hotel—no subscription required. The safe is also provided at no extra cost.
There’s a mini-fridge, and the housekeeper provides bottles of water. However, it’s suggested to refill the bottles at the water stations by the bar, which we did several times.
The bathroom has a shower, toilet, sink with storage space, a large mirror, a towel rack, a hairdryer, soap, shampoo, and several rolls of toilet paper.
The hot water temperature in the shower varied during our stay. The air conditioning works perfectly.
We have a terrace with a chair and two hammocks.
The room uses 110 volts, and there are a few power outlets in the room.
The buffet restaurant is air-conditioned and open from 7 AM to 10 AM for breakfast, 12 PM to 3 PM for lunch, and 6 PM to 8:30 PM for dinner.
The buffet selection is very varied, and the food is delicious. The wine, both white and red, tastes great. The service is exceptional.
There’s also an à la carte restaurant ($), the Gastro Bar & Winery, open from 11 AM to 10 PM. We didn’t go there.
There’s a snack bar open from 11 AM to 1 PM and 3 PM to 5 PM, but I can’t comment on it since we didn’t visit.
We only went to the lobby bar near the showroom, which is open from 9:30 AM to 11 PM. The staff is very friendly, and the service is excellent.
Beer is served in cans but poured into a glass, and a wide variety of cocktails is available.
Beach towels are placed in our room upon arrival. There’s a kiosk near the main pool where you can exchange them.
There are two pools on-site. Many lounge chairs are arranged around both pools. If you prefer tranquility, I suggest heading to the pool between blocks A and B.
This hotel is located on the stunning public West Bay Beach, which is long and very pretty. It’s great for walking, and the sea color is remarkable.
There are plenty of lounge chairs on the beach, but there’s very little space between them.
There’s a long coral reef near the beach where you can observe beautiful corals and several species of tropical fish, lobsters, squid, leopard rays, turtles, etc. You’ll get a glimpse of these in an upcoming video.
Activities are offered throughout the day, but we didn’t really participate. I can’t comment on them, but the entertainment team seems very dynamic.
During our stay, there was only one evening dance show. Other days featured activities like bingo, karaoke, and games.
We didn’t go to the nightclub.
Wi-Fi is available for free throughout the resort. There are two networks you can connect to, and the passwords are listed in the brochure given to you upon arrival.
There’s also a gym, a spa ($), a boutique ($), and a winery ($).
Check-out is at 11 AM. If you lose or damage equipment or misplace key cards, you’ll be charged fees.
https://youtu.be/_KOCUQbZvsc
Best destinations to get back into diving?
Hi everyone.
I’d describe myself as a "former diver." I’ve done around 450 dives in natural environments across different settings. I put diving on hold about 5 years ago due to work/schedule constraints and, let’s say, family reasons. Since then, I’ve still tried to stay in shape with hiking trips, running, swimming, and freediving in protected environments, etc... I’m planning to get back into the bubbles somewhere this year. Any destinations you’d recommend—or avoid—for getting back into it? I’m looking for a spot for April/May this year.
Any tips or ideas?
Thanks
I’d describe myself as a "former diver." I’ve done around 450 dives in natural environments across different settings. I put diving on hold about 5 years ago due to work/schedule constraints and, let’s say, family reasons. Since then, I’ve still tried to stay in shape with hiking trips, running, swimming, and freediving in protected environments, etc... I’m planning to get back into the bubbles somewhere this year. Any destinations you’d recommend—or avoid—for getting back into it? I’m looking for a spot for April/May this year.
Any tips or ideas?
Thanks
Your thoughts on my Sri Lanka itinerary plan
hi everyone, I’m putting together an itinerary for Sri Lanka in September 2026, so I’m focusing on the east side of the island because of the monsoon on the west coast:
Day 1 Kandy: botanical garden, fruit and vegetable market, traditional dance show
Day 2 Kandy-Ella train
Day 3-4 Kumana NP or Lunugamvehera Block 6+5
Day 5-6 Komari / Pottuvi lagoon safari
Day 7 head up the east coast along the beaches to reach Wasgamuwa NP
Day 8 Wasgamuwa NP early morning safari, then Polonnaruwa (temple and palace)
Day 9-10 Sigiriya Lion’s Rock and Dambulla, cave temple
Day 11-12 Wilpattu NP early morning safari, then late afternoon
Day 13-14 Kalpitiya, snorkeling and chilling
Day 15 return to Colombo
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on whether this route is doable—we’ll be traveling with a driver-guide.
Feel free to mention any great tips or good homestay experiences you’ve had, since we prefer those.
11-Day Trip to Jordan in Late October 2025 – Recap
Let’s be clear—it was a fantastic time to visit, and Jordan is an amazing country!
100% sunshine and temperatures between 25 and 35°C, depending on the altitude.
No stress at all: Jordanians live up to their reputation as a charming, helpful, and fun-loving people. No hassles, no pushy sales—just pure joy sharing time and laughter with them.
Over 11 days, we intentionally skipped the north to spend more time in Petra, Wadi Rum, Dana, and diving in Aqaba. No regrets whatsoever 😄
Practical tips at the end of the travel journal.
Road trip: Arrived at 10 PM (Nantes-Frankfurt/Amman in under 9 hours). Spent the night near the airport.
Day 1: Left at 8 AM for Mount Nebo and the Dead Sea Center—picnic in the middle of the lovely Wadi Himara (great spot, 2-hour round trip—thanks to the GPS coordinates from the agency. It takes guts to leave your car parked alone with all the luggage inside, but honestly, no stress at all). Afternoon at the Movenpick (pricey but nice) to enjoy the Dead Sea. Dinner on-site. Perfect relaxation for a first day.

Day 2: Drove south along the Dead Sea. First stop at Wadi Mujib (great, fun, and full of water—max 2-hour round trip). Then a second swim in the Dead Sea, 10 km past the Wadi Mujib Center, which we preferred over the Movenpick spot because it felt wilder. Just pull over when you see tents along the road where you can take a shower after swimming (a must! Cost: 3 JOD per shower). The scenery is stunning, and the swim feels more natural than at the hotels. A really cool experience.
Around 3 PM, took the scenic route after the Dead Sea toward Little Petra (1.5 hours). Don’t take the King’s Highway directly—instead, continue on the Wadi Arabia road, then turn left (Route 60) after the town of Feifa and the ‘Jo Petrol’ gas station. Worth it! Visited Little Petra in the late afternoon and had dinner + stayed overnight at the Seven Wonder Luxury Camp. TOP: warm welcome and great advice on the best order for hikes in Petra based on sunlight and avoiding backtracking. We regretted not staying two nights…
Day 3: PETRA Petra info: Not many people around, so we really enjoyed it (thanks to the geopolitical situation). We’ll share the times of our circuits since we were able to catch the sun on the key sites (9:30 AM for the Treasury). As amateur photographers, we took our time on all the visits and circuits—you can shave off about 25% of the suggested times. But rushing can ruin Petra’s magic! For us, two full days is the minimum.

First day in Petra with arrival at 7:30 AM. Free parking in front of the visitor center… Program: Siq, Khazneh (40 min), then the amazing “High Place of Sacrifice” circuit between 9:30 AM and 12:30 PM, starting directly to the left before the theater. This avoids climbing in the sun (great tip from our camp host the night before!).
Arrived at the Great Temple, lunch at the ‘The Bassin’ self-service (17 JOD per person!). Expensive, but it’s a good place to rest 😉 Then visited the churches with viewpoints over the temples, accompanied by two friends 🙂, the Colonnaded Street, and the tombs (in the sun at 4 PM), the Theater… then back via the Khazneh and the Siq (another 40 min!).
Arrived at the Seven Wonder Hotel in Petra at 5 PM, exhausted!! Good hotel, simple room, but an amazing rooftop with a pool—perfect for relaxing after Petra. A car is necessary to reach the visitor center and possibly downtown for dinner (the hotel dining room isn’t cozy at all). Two great places to eat: Mr. Falafel for lunch or dinner (also makes takeaway meals for 4 JOD)—simple but delicious! My Mom's Recipe Restaurant—great decor on the terrace and really tasty food. Day 4: Little Petra to the Monastery circuit. You need a special ticket issued on the road to Little Petra (you can get there by taxi from the visitor center for 10 JOD or by shuttle), where they take you in a 4x4 to the start of the trail. This saves an hour of walking in the sun but costs 5 JOD per person. Started the trail around 8:30 AM. Count 3 hours to get all the way down. Great circuit that avoids climbing the 800 steps (just descending them!).
Before reaching the Monastery, tea break at the “End of the World Coffee” following the “best view” sign—the name isn’t exaggerated!!!! Breathtaking desert views in a charming setting. We could’ve stayed forever!
Great tip: Picnic at Petra (free tables available next to the BASIN restaurant, and sandwiches for sale—though not great—if you didn’t bring your own). Then we wandered around the site: a small circuit behind the Nabatean Restaurant with a view of the entire site, returning via the path that runs above Qasr al-Bint, the Great Temple, and the Colonnaded Street to reach the Street of Facades. This path offers another stunning view overlooking the temples and tombs. We took our time, and it was amazing… Back to Seven Wonder by 3:30 PM… The call of the pool, and we were exhausted!
Day 5: Last day in Petra with the Al Khubtha Trail circuit to see the Khazneh from above. Really fun to do (2.5-hour round trip, including 30 minutes of contemplation 😊. Best in the morning to see the Khazneh in the sun 👉 9:15 AM). Return via the tombs, and we recommend going straight up while staying left of the main path (amazing circuit with the best view of the theater—gorgeous).

Back to the car at 1 PM, lunch at Mr. Falafel, and headed to Aqaba via Little Petra and the Dead Sea (the Wadi Arabia road we loved!) to take the “Rift Valley—West Route” to Aqaba. The scenery loses its charm once you hit Route 65—we ended up regretting not taking the shorter route… but if you haven’t taken the Wadi Arabia road before, don’t miss it! Arrived at the Bedouin Garden Village at 5 PM (Aqaba, South Beach), and diving briefing 😊! Simple hotel with a great vibe and a nice little pool. However, not the cleanest (rooms and common areas)—you can tell there’s been a lack of guests lately, which is a shame because the location, decor, and atmosphere are all great. On the other hand, disappointed by the southern beaches—dirty and almost deserted, with nothing open for dinner in the evening.
Day 6-7: Morning dives (great marine life, easy shore dives with unique wrecks—cargo ship, tank, plane sunk near the shore). Lots of colorful fish, though small. Afternoons and evenings in Aqaba, which turned out to be a lively and pleasant city. Sunset drinks by the embankment near the giant flag—a great mix of local life, loud racing boats, music… we loved it. Dinner at Al Shami Restaurant—delicious, affordable, and a really nice terrace with a view of the beautiful Sharif Hussein bin Ali Mosque. Perfect lemon-mint juice!
Day 8: Two final dives in the morning, then drove to Wadi Rum (1 hour). Welcomed by Khaled and Claire from Mars on Earth (a top agency we highly recommend—they put together a “semi-custom” stay based on our schedule and desire to avoid crowds. Claire is French, which makes booking and planning ahead via email much easier). Afternoon in a private 4x4 in northern Wadi Rum to see the most famous and visited sites (lots of improbable selfies 😠!). Gorgeous sunset with Bedouin tea over the fire. Khaled is amazing, with a beautiful smile… Arrived at the tent camp for the night. Great location, unique dinner, and a fun evening around the fire with Khaled leading cool games that got everyone chatting. Beautiful tent with a view of the stars…
Day 9: Trek to Burdah Rock Bridge (3 hours)—for sporty types only, as it’s a tough climb and descent with no protection or pitons… basically climbing with just a 3-meter rope held by our guide to help us! But what an amazing memory, incredible views, and a real adventure for my 57 years! Would do it again in a heartbeat 😊!
Then headed south in Wadi Rum. Let’s just say it was our favorite area… we strongly recommend spending a full day there… Wild, red, and empty—another planet! Salem, our climbing guide, took us to wonderful spots with breathtaking views. We wished the day could’ve lasted 48 hours!

End of the day: sunset, Bedouin tea, beautiful views… Just the classics 😉, but we loved it! Then spent the night under the stars. Salem set up comfortable mattresses and thick blankets, prepared tea and dinner over the wood fire. An amazing experience—like being a kid again, with a sky so stunning we fought sleep just to keep our eyes open.
Day 10: Woke up around 7 AM after a great night under the stars! Breakfast… and then it was time to head back to Claire and Khaled’s to pick up our car. Drove to Wadi Ghuweir (2.5 hours from the King’s Highway). A truly magnificent wadi reached after a steep descent (don’t take a Fiat 500 for the climb back up!). Make sure to hike 2 hours in to reach a lush oasis with water where you can swim in the middle of the wadi… We didn’t know and stopped 15 minutes too early… I still regret it!! If there’s no water at the start of the hike, it’s because it’s flowing underground—don’t give up thinking the wadi is dry! That’s why it’s Claire’s and Family in Jordan’s favorite wadi. A must-do! Picnic in the wadi. Around 4 PM, headed to Dana—visited this tiny, unique village, half in ruins and half restored while keeping its old-world charm. Stayed overnight and had dinner at Dana Luxury Huts (amazing view with a private balcony, great triangular rooms—though the bathroom is tiny). Run by a family. Delicious food cooked by the mom. Bedouin tea after dinner around the fire—such a nice moment.
Day 11: “Sheq Al Reesh” trek in Dana Valley booked through the Luxury Huts hotel. Four hours in a totally different landscape from the desert—unique and guided by a fantastic guide who prepared a memorable lunch over a fire on the cliffside. We really loved this hike and the peacefulness of Dana. A great stop to break up the long drive back to the airport. Left Dana at 2 PM for Kerak Castle (2.5-hour drive). Nice visit, especially the underground passages. Then drove to Madaba (1.5 hours) to explore the city by night, do some last-minute shopping, and wait for our 3:30 AM flight… not fun!
Good to know:
Late October was a perfect time—temperatures between 25 and 35°C depending on location (mountains or sea), with lows of 13°C at night in Wadi Rum 👉 A fleece is enough; it’s not that cold in the desert, and the blankets are amazing. Eleven days is the perfect amount of time to take it slow, stop for "Bedouin tea" invitations in unexpected places, and soak in the colors! We don’t regret doing the trip "backwards"—starting with the Dead Sea and ending with Wadi Rum and Dana (usually, people start with the King’s Highway). We recommend the ‘Family In Jordan’ guide for those who want an easy way to find trailheads and routes. Don’t hesitate to explore multiple wadis—not just Wadi Mujib! We highly recommend Mars on Earth for organizing your Wadi Rum stay. Very professional, with great bivouac and camp locations. No pushy salespeople. Jordanians are very respectful (especially toward women), super smiley, and helpful. We felt completely at ease—almost too much so 😉 Renting a car is a great option, but if possible, choose a mid-size category with a "real" engine and check the tires. The hills are tough, and some roads turn into semi-off-road for 500 meters… No issues driving—roads are in good condition. The only problem is the aggressive speed bumps everywhere. The Dana-Madaba King’s Highway is long (4 hours). Budget varies a lot depending on your choices: from a simple lunch for 4 JOD to a dinner for 30 JOD, depending on how touristy the restaurant is… On average, 8–10 JOD for a good local or seafood dish + drink, and 30–40 JOD for a night in a hotel (except the Movenpick, unfortunately ☹). Watch out for Fridays—it’s really hard to find picnic supplies! If you’re still hesitant, the Jordan Pass is a must and very cost-effective since it includes your visa. Get it online. Consider hubs like Madrid or Frankfurt—often faster and cheaper than flying via Paris and Air France if you live in the provinces!
Road trip: Arrived at 10 PM (Nantes-Frankfurt/Amman in under 9 hours). Spent the night near the airport.
Day 1: Left at 8 AM for Mount Nebo and the Dead Sea Center—picnic in the middle of the lovely Wadi Himara (great spot, 2-hour round trip—thanks to the GPS coordinates from the agency. It takes guts to leave your car parked alone with all the luggage inside, but honestly, no stress at all). Afternoon at the Movenpick (pricey but nice) to enjoy the Dead Sea. Dinner on-site. Perfect relaxation for a first day.

Day 2: Drove south along the Dead Sea. First stop at Wadi Mujib (great, fun, and full of water—max 2-hour round trip). Then a second swim in the Dead Sea, 10 km past the Wadi Mujib Center, which we preferred over the Movenpick spot because it felt wilder. Just pull over when you see tents along the road where you can take a shower after swimming (a must! Cost: 3 JOD per shower). The scenery is stunning, and the swim feels more natural than at the hotels. A really cool experience.

Around 3 PM, took the scenic route after the Dead Sea toward Little Petra (1.5 hours). Don’t take the King’s Highway directly—instead, continue on the Wadi Arabia road, then turn left (Route 60) after the town of Feifa and the ‘Jo Petrol’ gas station. Worth it! Visited Little Petra in the late afternoon and had dinner + stayed overnight at the Seven Wonder Luxury Camp. TOP: warm welcome and great advice on the best order for hikes in Petra based on sunlight and avoiding backtracking. We regretted not staying two nights…

Day 3: PETRA Petra info: Not many people around, so we really enjoyed it (thanks to the geopolitical situation). We’ll share the times of our circuits since we were able to catch the sun on the key sites (9:30 AM for the Treasury). As amateur photographers, we took our time on all the visits and circuits—you can shave off about 25% of the suggested times. But rushing can ruin Petra’s magic! For us, two full days is the minimum.

First day in Petra with arrival at 7:30 AM. Free parking in front of the visitor center… Program: Siq, Khazneh (40 min), then the amazing “High Place of Sacrifice” circuit between 9:30 AM and 12:30 PM, starting directly to the left before the theater. This avoids climbing in the sun (great tip from our camp host the night before!).

Arrived at the Great Temple, lunch at the ‘The Bassin’ self-service (17 JOD per person!). Expensive, but it’s a good place to rest 😉 Then visited the churches with viewpoints over the temples, accompanied by two friends 🙂, the Colonnaded Street, and the tombs (in the sun at 4 PM), the Theater… then back via the Khazneh and the Siq (another 40 min!).

Arrived at the Seven Wonder Hotel in Petra at 5 PM, exhausted!! Good hotel, simple room, but an amazing rooftop with a pool—perfect for relaxing after Petra. A car is necessary to reach the visitor center and possibly downtown for dinner (the hotel dining room isn’t cozy at all). Two great places to eat: Mr. Falafel for lunch or dinner (also makes takeaway meals for 4 JOD)—simple but delicious! My Mom's Recipe Restaurant—great decor on the terrace and really tasty food. Day 4: Little Petra to the Monastery circuit. You need a special ticket issued on the road to Little Petra (you can get there by taxi from the visitor center for 10 JOD or by shuttle), where they take you in a 4x4 to the start of the trail. This saves an hour of walking in the sun but costs 5 JOD per person. Started the trail around 8:30 AM. Count 3 hours to get all the way down. Great circuit that avoids climbing the 800 steps (just descending them!).

Before reaching the Monastery, tea break at the “End of the World Coffee” following the “best view” sign—the name isn’t exaggerated!!!! Breathtaking desert views in a charming setting. We could’ve stayed forever!

Great tip: Picnic at Petra (free tables available next to the BASIN restaurant, and sandwiches for sale—though not great—if you didn’t bring your own). Then we wandered around the site: a small circuit behind the Nabatean Restaurant with a view of the entire site, returning via the path that runs above Qasr al-Bint, the Great Temple, and the Colonnaded Street to reach the Street of Facades. This path offers another stunning view overlooking the temples and tombs. We took our time, and it was amazing… Back to Seven Wonder by 3:30 PM… The call of the pool, and we were exhausted!
Day 5: Last day in Petra with the Al Khubtha Trail circuit to see the Khazneh from above. Really fun to do (2.5-hour round trip, including 30 minutes of contemplation 😊. Best in the morning to see the Khazneh in the sun 👉 9:15 AM). Return via the tombs, and we recommend going straight up while staying left of the main path (amazing circuit with the best view of the theater—gorgeous).

Back to the car at 1 PM, lunch at Mr. Falafel, and headed to Aqaba via Little Petra and the Dead Sea (the Wadi Arabia road we loved!) to take the “Rift Valley—West Route” to Aqaba. The scenery loses its charm once you hit Route 65—we ended up regretting not taking the shorter route… but if you haven’t taken the Wadi Arabia road before, don’t miss it! Arrived at the Bedouin Garden Village at 5 PM (Aqaba, South Beach), and diving briefing 😊! Simple hotel with a great vibe and a nice little pool. However, not the cleanest (rooms and common areas)—you can tell there’s been a lack of guests lately, which is a shame because the location, decor, and atmosphere are all great. On the other hand, disappointed by the southern beaches—dirty and almost deserted, with nothing open for dinner in the evening.
Day 6-7: Morning dives (great marine life, easy shore dives with unique wrecks—cargo ship, tank, plane sunk near the shore). Lots of colorful fish, though small. Afternoons and evenings in Aqaba, which turned out to be a lively and pleasant city. Sunset drinks by the embankment near the giant flag—a great mix of local life, loud racing boats, music… we loved it. Dinner at Al Shami Restaurant—delicious, affordable, and a really nice terrace with a view of the beautiful Sharif Hussein bin Ali Mosque. Perfect lemon-mint juice!
Day 8: Two final dives in the morning, then drove to Wadi Rum (1 hour). Welcomed by Khaled and Claire from Mars on Earth (a top agency we highly recommend—they put together a “semi-custom” stay based on our schedule and desire to avoid crowds. Claire is French, which makes booking and planning ahead via email much easier). Afternoon in a private 4x4 in northern Wadi Rum to see the most famous and visited sites (lots of improbable selfies 😠!). Gorgeous sunset with Bedouin tea over the fire. Khaled is amazing, with a beautiful smile… Arrived at the tent camp for the night. Great location, unique dinner, and a fun evening around the fire with Khaled leading cool games that got everyone chatting. Beautiful tent with a view of the stars…

Day 9: Trek to Burdah Rock Bridge (3 hours)—for sporty types only, as it’s a tough climb and descent with no protection or pitons… basically climbing with just a 3-meter rope held by our guide to help us! But what an amazing memory, incredible views, and a real adventure for my 57 years! Would do it again in a heartbeat 😊!

Then headed south in Wadi Rum. Let’s just say it was our favorite area… we strongly recommend spending a full day there… Wild, red, and empty—another planet! Salem, our climbing guide, took us to wonderful spots with breathtaking views. We wished the day could’ve lasted 48 hours!

End of the day: sunset, Bedouin tea, beautiful views… Just the classics 😉, but we loved it! Then spent the night under the stars. Salem set up comfortable mattresses and thick blankets, prepared tea and dinner over the wood fire. An amazing experience—like being a kid again, with a sky so stunning we fought sleep just to keep our eyes open.
Day 10: Woke up around 7 AM after a great night under the stars! Breakfast… and then it was time to head back to Claire and Khaled’s to pick up our car. Drove to Wadi Ghuweir (2.5 hours from the King’s Highway). A truly magnificent wadi reached after a steep descent (don’t take a Fiat 500 for the climb back up!). Make sure to hike 2 hours in to reach a lush oasis with water where you can swim in the middle of the wadi… We didn’t know and stopped 15 minutes too early… I still regret it!! If there’s no water at the start of the hike, it’s because it’s flowing underground—don’t give up thinking the wadi is dry! That’s why it’s Claire’s and Family in Jordan’s favorite wadi. A must-do! Picnic in the wadi. Around 4 PM, headed to Dana—visited this tiny, unique village, half in ruins and half restored while keeping its old-world charm. Stayed overnight and had dinner at Dana Luxury Huts (amazing view with a private balcony, great triangular rooms—though the bathroom is tiny). Run by a family. Delicious food cooked by the mom. Bedouin tea after dinner around the fire—such a nice moment.
Day 11: “Sheq Al Reesh” trek in Dana Valley booked through the Luxury Huts hotel. Four hours in a totally different landscape from the desert—unique and guided by a fantastic guide who prepared a memorable lunch over a fire on the cliffside. We really loved this hike and the peacefulness of Dana. A great stop to break up the long drive back to the airport. Left Dana at 2 PM for Kerak Castle (2.5-hour drive). Nice visit, especially the underground passages. Then drove to Madaba (1.5 hours) to explore the city by night, do some last-minute shopping, and wait for our 3:30 AM flight… not fun!
Good to know:
Late October was a perfect time—temperatures between 25 and 35°C depending on location (mountains or sea), with lows of 13°C at night in Wadi Rum 👉 A fleece is enough; it’s not that cold in the desert, and the blankets are amazing. Eleven days is the perfect amount of time to take it slow, stop for "Bedouin tea" invitations in unexpected places, and soak in the colors! We don’t regret doing the trip "backwards"—starting with the Dead Sea and ending with Wadi Rum and Dana (usually, people start with the King’s Highway). We recommend the ‘Family In Jordan’ guide for those who want an easy way to find trailheads and routes. Don’t hesitate to explore multiple wadis—not just Wadi Mujib! We highly recommend Mars on Earth for organizing your Wadi Rum stay. Very professional, with great bivouac and camp locations. No pushy salespeople. Jordanians are very respectful (especially toward women), super smiley, and helpful. We felt completely at ease—almost too much so 😉 Renting a car is a great option, but if possible, choose a mid-size category with a "real" engine and check the tires. The hills are tough, and some roads turn into semi-off-road for 500 meters… No issues driving—roads are in good condition. The only problem is the aggressive speed bumps everywhere. The Dana-Madaba King’s Highway is long (4 hours). Budget varies a lot depending on your choices: from a simple lunch for 4 JOD to a dinner for 30 JOD, depending on how touristy the restaurant is… On average, 8–10 JOD for a good local or seafood dish + drink, and 30–40 JOD for a night in a hotel (except the Movenpick, unfortunately ☹). Watch out for Fridays—it’s really hard to find picnic supplies! If you’re still hesitant, the Jordan Pass is a must and very cost-effective since it includes your visa. Get it online. Consider hubs like Madrid or Frankfurt—often faster and cheaper than flying via Paris and Air France if you live in the provinces!
Mexico itinerary in February
Hi everyone, absolute travel lovers after our 20 trips to the USA, we’ve decided to head to Mexico in February (flight already booked: Nice to Cancun on February 20th, returning on the evening of March 1st).
I’m mainly hesitating about trying to do too much, as usual when discovering a new country. Here’s my itinerary—I’m unsure about a few things: - **Day 1**: Should we stay relaxed at the resort we booked, or should we do Isla Mujeres instead? If we stay, when’s the best time to visit the island? - **Day 3**: If we visit Chichén Itzá right at opening, will the Ik-Kil cenote be quieter in terms of tourists? If not, which cenote nearby would you recommend? - **Big decision**: Should we go all the way down to Bacalar or not? After that, it feels a bit rushed. **Day 6** is mandatory, or are there other options? Honestly, I’m counting on your advice!
For context, we’re a family of four (with very grown-up kids who are used to traveling), and we’ve already rented an SUV for this period. Thanks in advance for your help—it’ll be invaluable!
**Departure – February 20th**: Arrival in Cancún
Arrival at 8:20 PM, pick up rental car. Overnight in Cancún.
**Day 1 – February 21st**: Isla Mujeres
Ferry from Cancún to Isla Mujeres. Playa Norte, snorkeling, golf cart tour. Return to Cancún. Overnight in Cancún.
**Day 2 – February 22nd**: Ek’ Balam + Cenote X’Canché → Valladolid
Drive from Cancún to Ek’ Balam (~2h). Visit the archaeological site. Swim at Cenote X’Canché. Drive to Valladolid (~30 min). Overnight in Valladolid.
**Day 3 – February 23rd**: Chichén Itzá → Bacalar
Early departure to Chichén Itzá (~45 min). Guided tour + optional visit to Ik-Kil cenote. Drive to Bacalar (~4h). Overnight in Bacalar.
**Day 4 – February 24th**: Bacalar
Boat excursion to the "Laguna of Seven Colors." Cenote Azul + Fuerte San Felipe. Overnight in Bacalar.
**Day 5 – February 25th**: Bacalar → Tulum + Ruins, Cenote & Beach
Drive (~3.5h). Settle in Tulum. Visit the Mayan ruins of Tulum (stunning ocean view). Swim in Gran Cenote or Cenote Calavera. End the day at Playa Paraíso. Overnight in Tulum.
**Day 6 – February 26th**: Sian Ka’an Reserve
Guided excursion:
Option Muyil (half-day): boat tour + swim in the Mayan canal. Option Punta Allen (full-day): dolphins, turtles, snorkeling on the reef.
Overnight in Tulum.
**Day 7 – February 27th**: Tulum → Akumal → Playa del Carmen
Morning: snorkeling with turtles in Akumal. Lunch, then drive to Playa del Carmen. Evening on 5th Avenue. Overnight in Playa del Carmen.
**Day 8 – February 28th**: Playa del Carmen → Puerto Morelos
Free morning in Playa del Carmen (beach or Cenotes Azul & Cristalino). Afternoon: drive to Puerto Morelos (~30 min). Overnight in Puerto Morelos.
**Day 9 – March 1st**: Puerto Morelos → Cancún → Return flight
Relaxing morning in Puerto Morelos. Drive (~30 min) to Cancún Airport. Return rental car. Return flight.
I’m mainly hesitating about trying to do too much, as usual when discovering a new country. Here’s my itinerary—I’m unsure about a few things: - **Day 1**: Should we stay relaxed at the resort we booked, or should we do Isla Mujeres instead? If we stay, when’s the best time to visit the island? - **Day 3**: If we visit Chichén Itzá right at opening, will the Ik-Kil cenote be quieter in terms of tourists? If not, which cenote nearby would you recommend? - **Big decision**: Should we go all the way down to Bacalar or not? After that, it feels a bit rushed. **Day 6** is mandatory, or are there other options? Honestly, I’m counting on your advice!
For context, we’re a family of four (with very grown-up kids who are used to traveling), and we’ve already rented an SUV for this period. Thanks in advance for your help—it’ll be invaluable!
**Departure – February 20th**: Arrival in Cancún
Arrival at 8:20 PM, pick up rental car. Overnight in Cancún.
**Day 1 – February 21st**: Isla Mujeres
Ferry from Cancún to Isla Mujeres. Playa Norte, snorkeling, golf cart tour. Return to Cancún. Overnight in Cancún.
**Day 2 – February 22nd**: Ek’ Balam + Cenote X’Canché → Valladolid
Drive from Cancún to Ek’ Balam (~2h). Visit the archaeological site. Swim at Cenote X’Canché. Drive to Valladolid (~30 min). Overnight in Valladolid.
**Day 3 – February 23rd**: Chichén Itzá → Bacalar
Early departure to Chichén Itzá (~45 min). Guided tour + optional visit to Ik-Kil cenote. Drive to Bacalar (~4h). Overnight in Bacalar.
**Day 4 – February 24th**: Bacalar
Boat excursion to the "Laguna of Seven Colors." Cenote Azul + Fuerte San Felipe. Overnight in Bacalar.
**Day 5 – February 25th**: Bacalar → Tulum + Ruins, Cenote & Beach
Drive (~3.5h). Settle in Tulum. Visit the Mayan ruins of Tulum (stunning ocean view). Swim in Gran Cenote or Cenote Calavera. End the day at Playa Paraíso. Overnight in Tulum.
**Day 6 – February 26th**: Sian Ka’an Reserve
Guided excursion:
Option Muyil (half-day): boat tour + swim in the Mayan canal. Option Punta Allen (full-day): dolphins, turtles, snorkeling on the reef.
Overnight in Tulum.
**Day 7 – February 27th**: Tulum → Akumal → Playa del Carmen
Morning: snorkeling with turtles in Akumal. Lunch, then drive to Playa del Carmen. Evening on 5th Avenue. Overnight in Playa del Carmen.
**Day 8 – February 28th**: Playa del Carmen → Puerto Morelos
Free morning in Playa del Carmen (beach or Cenotes Azul & Cristalino). Afternoon: drive to Puerto Morelos (~30 min). Overnight in Puerto Morelos.
**Day 9 – March 1st**: Puerto Morelos → Cancún → Return flight
Relaxing morning in Puerto Morelos. Drive (~30 min) to Cancún Airport. Return rental car. Return flight.
Exploring southern and western Iceland by 4x4
Hi there,
I’m looking to put together a group of 4 people to explore western and southern Iceland. The snow conditions in November (second half of the month) make access to the north and east tricky. Why November? The nighttime conditions (between 9 PM and 2 AM are ideal for spotting the northern lights), there’s still daylight (days run from about 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM—so we’ll need to start the day while it’s still dark), it’s not too cold (between 0 and 5 °C), and prices are more attractive than in late summer or during the December holidays.
I plan to use a provider to handle the logistics of the itinerary, which we’ll need to stick to (see details below). The provider charges 1345 € per person (price based on 2 people, but it’s better to have 4 to lower the cost per person since the vehicle rate is the same for 2, 3, or 4 people). We can tweak the itinerary a bit, but we all know that if we stray too far from the proposed offer, the price can quickly go up. Included:
7 nights in a guesthouse or hotel, twin or double room, shared facilities, and breakfast included. 7 days of rental for a 4-wheel-drive vehicle suited to the group size, unlimited mileage (fuel is on us), CDW insurance, and a second driver option. A road map and detailed itinerary A 24/7 French-speaking assistance service
Base itinerary proposed by the agency... It seems solid, given we’ll be there for 8 days (arrival and departure included). It’s possible to extend (by paying for extra accommodation) depending on your flight departure date. Day 1: Arrival in Iceland From the airport, the Blue Lagoon (optional) for a swim in its warm, turquoise, and milky waters. Then, the drive to Reykjavík, crossing the wild and lunar landscapes of the Reykjanes Peninsula. Explore the Icelandic capital, Reykjavík. Distance: 55 km. Meals: on your own. Accommodation: guesthouse in Reykjavík or the surrounding area.
Day 2: Exploring the west coast around Snæfellsjökull The west coast in the Snæfellsnes region. Cliffs, wild coastlines, and isolated farms in vast open spaces. Around the Snæfellsjökull volcano, the gateway to Jules Verne’s *Journey to the Center of the Earth*, you’ll discover the Djúpalónssandur reefs, the charming little port of Arnarstapi, nestled beneath the glacier, and the ports of the north coast, Grundarfjörður and Stykkishólmur. Distance: 260 km.
Day 3: Borgarfjörður, Reykholt & the Hraunfossar & Barnafoss waterfalls The lovely and unique Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls, before visiting Reykholt, the historic home of Snorri Sturluson, a famous 13th-century writer, poet, and historian. Distance: 160 km. Day 4: The famous Golden Circle The three most famous sites in the country, forming the Golden Circle. First, the Þingvellir tectonic rift, where you can hike or even dive between the two tectonic plates in a stunning, vast lake. Geysir, to see its hot springs and the Strokkur geyser. Finally, the impressive Gullfoss waterfall. You can also relax in one of the hot springs in the area. Distance: 160 km. Day 5: The south coast: Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Dyrhólaey & Vík From the Golden Circle region, the route continues along the south coast. You can stop near two magnificent waterfalls: Seljalandsfoss, which you can walk behind, and Skógafoss. Head toward Vík, at the foot of Eyjafjallajökull, and the stunning cliffs of Dyrhólaey with its black sand beaches. Distance: 180 km. Day 6: Walk among the icebergs of Jökulsárlón & Vatnajökull Glacier Continuing on Route 1, Jökulsárlón will be your next stop, where you’ll see the glacial lagoon with icebergs breaking off from the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier. Skaftafell National Park, where you can take a walk, especially around the Svartifoss waterfall. As an option, you can visit a hidden ice cave beneath the glacier. Distance: 250 km. Day 7: Exploring the south coast & return to Reykjavík Return to Reykjavík. Stop in Vík or at the Skógar Folklore Museum, then pass through Hveragerði town center to see the fumaroles and solfataras before heading back to the capital in the late afternoon. Distance: 280 km.
Day 8: Departure from Reykjavík & return flight Take your flight from Keflavík International Airport. If you’d like to explore the capital further, an extra night in Reykjavík is totally doable. Distance: 55 km.
We’d need to lock in dates between November 20 and 30 (I can’t do earlier, and after that, the days get too short, temperatures drop, and prices go up). Ideally, 4 people from my area—I’m in Vendée, so people from neighboring departments in Pays de la Loire, southern Brittany, or northern Nouvelle-Aquitaine would work so we can meet up.
Contact me via PM if you’re *seriously* interested in joining. We’ll need to book soon to keep the option of tweaking the trip (within limits) and to reserve flights early to manage costs (Iceland isn’t cheap for flights or the trip itself) and stick to the travel dates.
Meeting beforehand is key—we’ll need to agree that we’ll be spending 7 days in the same vehicle and sharing a room with one other person, which requires some flexibility and respect for each other. It’s best if everyone’s a little active. You can do your own thing in terms of mobility, but it’s good to get out of the vehicle and walk a bit (more or less, depending on the person). I’m planning optional activities that might be possible, like: - Walking on a glacier - Visiting an ice cave - Winter diving in the Silfra fissure (if possible) - And of course, soaking in hot springs Everyone can decide based on their interests and budget, but we’ll need to be okay with others doing these activities while sharing the same vehicle—obviously, within the limits of the itinerary and timing tied to accommodations.
Pascal
I’m looking to put together a group of 4 people to explore western and southern Iceland. The snow conditions in November (second half of the month) make access to the north and east tricky. Why November? The nighttime conditions (between 9 PM and 2 AM are ideal for spotting the northern lights), there’s still daylight (days run from about 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM—so we’ll need to start the day while it’s still dark), it’s not too cold (between 0 and 5 °C), and prices are more attractive than in late summer or during the December holidays.
I plan to use a provider to handle the logistics of the itinerary, which we’ll need to stick to (see details below). The provider charges 1345 € per person (price based on 2 people, but it’s better to have 4 to lower the cost per person since the vehicle rate is the same for 2, 3, or 4 people). We can tweak the itinerary a bit, but we all know that if we stray too far from the proposed offer, the price can quickly go up. Included:
7 nights in a guesthouse or hotel, twin or double room, shared facilities, and breakfast included. 7 days of rental for a 4-wheel-drive vehicle suited to the group size, unlimited mileage (fuel is on us), CDW insurance, and a second driver option. A road map and detailed itinerary A 24/7 French-speaking assistance service
Base itinerary proposed by the agency... It seems solid, given we’ll be there for 8 days (arrival and departure included). It’s possible to extend (by paying for extra accommodation) depending on your flight departure date. Day 1: Arrival in Iceland From the airport, the Blue Lagoon (optional) for a swim in its warm, turquoise, and milky waters. Then, the drive to Reykjavík, crossing the wild and lunar landscapes of the Reykjanes Peninsula. Explore the Icelandic capital, Reykjavík. Distance: 55 km. Meals: on your own. Accommodation: guesthouse in Reykjavík or the surrounding area.
Day 2: Exploring the west coast around Snæfellsjökull The west coast in the Snæfellsnes region. Cliffs, wild coastlines, and isolated farms in vast open spaces. Around the Snæfellsjökull volcano, the gateway to Jules Verne’s *Journey to the Center of the Earth*, you’ll discover the Djúpalónssandur reefs, the charming little port of Arnarstapi, nestled beneath the glacier, and the ports of the north coast, Grundarfjörður and Stykkishólmur. Distance: 260 km.
Day 3: Borgarfjörður, Reykholt & the Hraunfossar & Barnafoss waterfalls The lovely and unique Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls, before visiting Reykholt, the historic home of Snorri Sturluson, a famous 13th-century writer, poet, and historian. Distance: 160 km. Day 4: The famous Golden Circle The three most famous sites in the country, forming the Golden Circle. First, the Þingvellir tectonic rift, where you can hike or even dive between the two tectonic plates in a stunning, vast lake. Geysir, to see its hot springs and the Strokkur geyser. Finally, the impressive Gullfoss waterfall. You can also relax in one of the hot springs in the area. Distance: 160 km. Day 5: The south coast: Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Dyrhólaey & Vík From the Golden Circle region, the route continues along the south coast. You can stop near two magnificent waterfalls: Seljalandsfoss, which you can walk behind, and Skógafoss. Head toward Vík, at the foot of Eyjafjallajökull, and the stunning cliffs of Dyrhólaey with its black sand beaches. Distance: 180 km. Day 6: Walk among the icebergs of Jökulsárlón & Vatnajökull Glacier Continuing on Route 1, Jökulsárlón will be your next stop, where you’ll see the glacial lagoon with icebergs breaking off from the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier. Skaftafell National Park, where you can take a walk, especially around the Svartifoss waterfall. As an option, you can visit a hidden ice cave beneath the glacier. Distance: 250 km. Day 7: Exploring the south coast & return to Reykjavík Return to Reykjavík. Stop in Vík or at the Skógar Folklore Museum, then pass through Hveragerði town center to see the fumaroles and solfataras before heading back to the capital in the late afternoon. Distance: 280 km.
Day 8: Departure from Reykjavík & return flight Take your flight from Keflavík International Airport. If you’d like to explore the capital further, an extra night in Reykjavík is totally doable. Distance: 55 km.
We’d need to lock in dates between November 20 and 30 (I can’t do earlier, and after that, the days get too short, temperatures drop, and prices go up). Ideally, 4 people from my area—I’m in Vendée, so people from neighboring departments in Pays de la Loire, southern Brittany, or northern Nouvelle-Aquitaine would work so we can meet up.
Contact me via PM if you’re *seriously* interested in joining. We’ll need to book soon to keep the option of tweaking the trip (within limits) and to reserve flights early to manage costs (Iceland isn’t cheap for flights or the trip itself) and stick to the travel dates.
Meeting beforehand is key—we’ll need to agree that we’ll be spending 7 days in the same vehicle and sharing a room with one other person, which requires some flexibility and respect for each other. It’s best if everyone’s a little active. You can do your own thing in terms of mobility, but it’s good to get out of the vehicle and walk a bit (more or less, depending on the person). I’m planning optional activities that might be possible, like: - Walking on a glacier - Visiting an ice cave - Winter diving in the Silfra fissure (if possible) - And of course, soaking in hot springs Everyone can decide based on their interests and budget, but we’ll need to be okay with others doing these activities while sharing the same vehicle—obviously, within the limits of the itinerary and timing tied to accommodations.
Pascal
What to see in Kotor?
Hi everyone,
I’m lucky enough to be going to Kotor in June as part of a company-organized trip.
I’ve looked into what’s interesting to see, but I could use some information.
1/ Where’s the best spot to get a view of the Bay of Kotor, given that I can’t make it to the amazing viewpoint at the top of Kotor (accessible by 1,400 steps) due to mobility issues?
2/ I’ve heard there are dolphins in the Bay of Kotor… but I can’t find anything about it. Is this true?
3/ I love nature, and I saw that there’s the Canyon and the "Niagara Falls" on the Cijevna River… but where are the best viewpoints to photograph them?
One last thing—are the roads to get there in good condition, or is it better to rent a 4x4?
Thanks in advance for your feedback!
Have a great weekend, everyone
I’m lucky enough to be going to Kotor in June as part of a company-organized trip.
I’ve looked into what’s interesting to see, but I could use some information.
1/ Where’s the best spot to get a view of the Bay of Kotor, given that I can’t make it to the amazing viewpoint at the top of Kotor (accessible by 1,400 steps) due to mobility issues?
2/ I’ve heard there are dolphins in the Bay of Kotor… but I can’t find anything about it. Is this true?
3/ I love nature, and I saw that there’s the Canyon and the "Niagara Falls" on the Cijevna River… but where are the best viewpoints to photograph them?
One last thing—are the roads to get there in good condition, or is it better to rent a 4x4?
Thanks in advance for your feedback!
Have a great weekend, everyone
Which island in Thailand for snorkeling and walks over 3 days?
Hi everyone, we’ll be in Thailand from August 2nd to 21st, arriving in Bangkok on the 2nd for a visit.
From the 5th to the 8th: Angkor temples.
Then, starting on the 9th, we’re planning to head to Chiang Mai, and by the 14th or 15th, we’d like to be on an island until the 19th, when we return to Bangkok. Five days in Chiang Mai seems a bit long to us. What do you recommend between the 9th and 15th, and which island? We’re not big fans of sunbathing—we’d love to snorkel and explore the island. Ideally, I’d have liked to find a house to rent, but every time, I end up with places far from the beach, whereas we’d really like to be able to walk to the beach for strolls. By the way, are there a lot of shells? Can we collect them? It seems that in August, swimming can sometimes be tricky due to tides—is that true?
Thanks to all the contributors! 😊
4-week trip to Sulawesi: which agency should I choose?
Hello,
In August 2025, I’d like to take a 4-week trip with my husband to Sulawesi Island, from south to north, off the beaten path. I’ve spotted two agencies that offer a tour matching my expectations: Altaï Indonesia and Azimuth Adventure Travel Ltd. Which one would you recommend? Thanks in advance.
Laurence
Accommodation near the beach in Koh Samui
Hi there, We're thinking of spending 3 weeks in Koh Samui at the start of 2026. Where can we find accommodation close to a pretty beach that's not too touristy but not isolated either, near a small town or village? We've already been to Surin Beach on Phuket Island. We really liked that spot, but we've heard Koh Samui is great too. Thanks for your tips!