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Climat à Punta Cana au mois de janvier English translation pending
by Monique007 · 2003-10-07 · 8 replies
qUEL TEMPS FAIT-IL À PUNTA CANA VERS LE 23 JANVIER ?

MERCI
Quelle agence pour le Barcelo Bavaro Beach? English translation pending
by Caro23 · 2003-09-29 · 1 reply
Je part fin novembre en lune de miel et cet hotel me semble bien.

avez vous des infos sur l'hotel?

ET avec quel agence partir dans cet hotel.

merci a tous ce site est genial!
Hôtel Arenas Blancas English translation pending
by Roxyerika · 2003-09-20 · 2 replies
Bonjour à tous,

je quitte dimanche matin pour Varadero Cuba je serai à l`hotel Arenas Blancas pour une semaine avec toute ma famille(3 enfants)C`est la première fois que nous emmenons les enfants vu leurs age 2 filles de 5 ans et un garcon de 7 ans.Si vous avez besoin d`info concernant des hotel, des excursions, les plages ou autres il me fera plaisir d`aller vérifier pour vous.A bientot!

Roxyerika
Infos sur le Maroc en camping-car? English translation pending
by Katyalain · 2003-03-03 · 9 replies
Salut, nous envisageons de partir au Maroc pendant les 2 mois d'été avec notre C.Car et nos enfants (3 filles 16, 15, 13 ans et 1 garçon 9 ans). Nous aimerions avoir tous les renseignements possibles quant aux traversées, Sète ou traversée de l'Espagne (qui parait-il n'est pas très sûre)? La compagnie maritime la moins chère ? Les bons tuyaux ???

Et, une fois au Maroc avez vous des conseils à nous donner, sur les coins à visiter, les coins à éviter, la sureté du véhicule, des personnes, le gardiennage, l'approvisionnement en eau, l'évacuation des eaux, etc...

Peut-on dormir dans des endroits non aménagés ou doit-on absolument se rassembler en C.Car ? Quels conseils à ce sujet ?

Est-ce que nous trouverons des piscines pour les enfants ? La côte atlantique est-elle sûre pour se baigner ?

Y-a-t-il des fêtes pendant la période où nous sommes au Maroc ? Y-a-t-il quelque chose à faire de particulier, à ne pas manquer.

Pouvez vous aussi nous indiquer ce que nous pouvons amener là bas et que nous pourrions offrir à certaines personnes pour les remercier de leur gentillesse...ou pour troquer...

Pour l'argent, comment faire ? amener des euros ? carte de crédit ? chéquier ?

Nous sommes avides de tous renseignements pouvant nous aider et vous remercions par avance.
Au Maroc en Camping car English translation pending
by Cefoue · 2002-10-15 · 8 replies
Jusqu'a présent j'ai voyagé en couple sans trop me soucier du confort des hôtels, des moyens de transport, et encore moins du poid de mon sac à trimbaler. J'ai maintenant un petit garçon et lors d'un récent voyage au Canada où nous avions loué une voiture, nous avons commencé à nous dire que voyager avec une voiture c'est bien mais avec un camping car ça pourrai être mieux. Plus besoin de chercher un hôtel, plus besoin trimbaler les affaires du petit, etc... Notre petit garçon ne vas pas encore à l'école ce qui nous permettrai d'éviter les grosses chaleur d'été pour visiter le Maroc. N'ayant aucune expérience de voyage en camping car, je suis à la recherche d'infos et conseils en tout genre, pouvant m'aider à bien préparer ce voyage avec ma famille. Merci d'avance à toutes les réponses.
Camping recommendations in Cape Town and around
by Coraliepasca · 2026-08-13 · 6 replies
Hi there, We’ll be traveling in January 2027 in a 4x4 with a rooftop tent with our three kids, from Johannesburg to Cape Town. We’ve already booked several campsites in national parks (Golden Gate / Mountain Zebra / Addo Elephant / Garden Route). We still need to reserve the stretch between De Hoop Nature Reserve and Cape Town. Any suggestions? We’d love to stay around Cape Town for 5 days to explore the wine route, the peninsula, and do some hikes in Table Mountain. Any camping recommendations? Or, on the contrary, places to avoid?

Also, we have 2 nights left near Wilderness National Park / Knysna. Any recommendations? Thanks so much for your help!
Remembering Bowie
by Taamaden · 2026-03-08 · 3 replies
Tenth anniversary of the death of a multifaceted icon

The death of David Bowie marked the end of a remarkable career that saw popular music intertwine with fashion, cinema, and avant-garde art. It reminds us that the 1970s were defined by extraordinary experimentation and innovation. The iconic British musician made the world more colorful through his stage personas and their looks, and his music also underwent many changes over time. Rocker, punk, dandy, glam, man or woman—David Bowie was one of the most influential musicians of his generation for nearly half a century. Last January 10th marked the 10th anniversary of his death, just 48 hours after his 69th birthday and the release of the twilight album Blackstar.

He was Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane (a lad insane—'a crazy boy'), Halloween Jack, the Thin White Duke, Soul Man, and so much more. David Bowie (1947–2016) created numerous personas that came to life on stage. There was a character for every musical phase and period of his life. Yet, his best-known name remained BOWIE. Those who listen to him today don’t just think of his eccentric outfits but also of the intelligent and witty personality behind them (see many concert videos below).

David Bowie was born in Brixton on January 8, 1947, as David Robert Jones. He spent his childhood and adolescence with his parents in London. Bowie discovered jazz and rock 'n' roll, learned to play the saxophone and guitar, and was particularly fascinated by Little Richard (1932–2020), the rock 'n' roll pioneer, especially because of his androgynous style.

Before launching his solo career, he played and sang in various bands. In 1967, David Bowie released his first album, which had little success. Was his musical career not meant to take off? Bowie then began working as an actor. In 1975, he landed the lead role in The Man Who Fell to Earth. Later, he played Pontius Pilate in The Last Temptation of Christ (Scorsese). But his musical efforts also paid off. A few years earlier, Bowie had already achieved his first musical success with the song Space Oddity. The singer owed this not only to the song itself but also to his unusual and extravagant outfits and looks during concerts. This led to the creation of the Ziggy Stardust stage persona in 1972, which he embodied in his landmark work The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. Just a year later, the era of the alien rock star ended with the tour’s conclusion, followed by Aladdin Sane, and so on. The game of shifting identities became his trademark in the 1970s: David Bowie was as playful with his stage personas as he was bold in his musical experiments. From music hall, hippie folk, glam rock to electronic music, soul, funk, pop, disco, and jazz—he explored many genres, each time adding his personal touch. "His voice ranging from a caress to a scream, in many nuances, hinting at a form of drama in expression." (Le Monde, Jan. 11, 2016) Admittedly, he wasn’t particularly innovative; he adopted and refined musical languages created by others. His originality lay rather in how he placed questions of identity and visual masquerade at the heart of popular culture, achieving a fusion of music, art, and visual spectacle that, in retrospect, has been called "postmodernism."

At the time, Bowie was living in Los Angeles and had lost himself in the drug scene. Motivated to escape his addiction, he moved in with his friend Iggy Pop into an apartment in West Berlin and devoted himself entirely to music. That’s where the albums Heroes and Low (my personal favorites) were born. Later, he recorded Lodger (with Brian Eno), often considered part of the Berlin Trilogy (though mistakenly). I’d venture to say his time in Berlin was perhaps the most fruitful phase of his musical career.

In the early 1990s, David Bowie settled in New York. Musically, he continued to evolve. By the 1980s, he had abandoned his avant-garde experiments. With the album Let's Dance, he transformed into a pop star: this album represented another style shift, embracing 1980s pop. It included some of his most successful singles, like Modern Love, China Girl, and Let's Dance, but Bowie himself was uncomfortable with the compromises he’d made. This also marked the decline of his creative originality.

After several albums away from the mainstream and a decade after his last release, Bowie made a comeback in 2013 with The Next Day. His 2016 album Blackstar was an even bigger success. Recorded with jazz musicians, the album showed that Bowie still had a desire to reinvent himself, in that theatrical way that was one of his hallmarks—when he could have settled for comfortable pop songs. Bowie reached the top of the U.S. charts for the first time and also dominated the British, German, Austrian, and Swiss charts. What the public didn’t know at the time was that David Bowie was battling cancer. The illness was only revealed after his death, two days after the album’s release.

Side note: May 22, 1983, will forever be etched in my memory—the David Bowie concert at Munich’s Olympiahalle as part of his Serious Moonlight Tour...

hgb

2 videos:

In this 2002 Berlin concert, David Bowie delivers a mesmerizing performance of Heroes. This song holds a special place in the hearts of fans worldwide. This interpretation captures both the essence of Bowie’s artistic talent and his ability to captivate audiences with his powerful voice and magnetic stage presence:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsYp9q3QNaQ&list=RDMM&start_radio=1&rv=TmfQQC1bsf4

Sorry, I can’t resist sharing one of my favorite Bowie songs, Sound and Vision (from the album Low, 1977): a joyous, energetic, magnificent performance! It just doesn't get any better than this!! (@goldenlass9488)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVCk6KEtbVc&list=RDQVCk6KEtbVc&start_radio=1

Documentary (on ARTE: "Bowie, Last Act"):

In this documentary, British filmmaker Jonathan Stiasny traces the final creative chapter of one of music history’s most innovative artists, ten years after David Bowie’s death. "Bowie, Last Act" shows the artist of the century as we rarely saw him: vulnerable, funny, and absolutely uncompromising:

https://www.arte.tv/en/videos/128078-000-A/david-bowie-last-act/
Tips and travel experiences by bus in Colombia
by Hoaitran · 2026-02-24 · 5 replies
I visited Colombia in January 2016 and I’m heading back from August 6th to 17th with the same airline to see how things have changed. Starting August 18th, I’ll continue with independent exploration. I prefer slow travel and enjoying places at my own pace. Any tips—especially for getting around or must-see spots—are welcome!

Thu Aug 06. Fly Montreal to Bogotá 20:55-04:05+1 Air Canada Fri Aug 07. Bogotá Sat Aug 08. Bogotá Sun Aug 09. Bogotá Mon Aug 10. Fly Bogotá to Medellín Tue Aug 11. Medellín - Explore Guatapé Wed Aug 12. Comuna 8 & Hill of Values - PM Fly to Pereira Thu Aug 13. Montenegro Fri Aug 14. Salento - Cocora Valley Sat Aug 15. Fly to Cartagena Sun Aug 16. Explore Cartagena Mon Aug 17. Explore Cartagena Tue Aug 18. Fly Cartagena to Cali 12:20-14:55 Latam Wed Aug 19. Cali Thu Aug 20. Cali Fri Aug 21. Cali Sat Aug 22. Bus Cali to Popayán 09:00-13:00 Sun Aug 23. Popayán Mon Aug 24. Popayán Tue Aug 25. Popayán - Day trip to Silvia (Market Day) Wed Aug 26. Overland Popayán to Tierradentro by public transportation 4h, 100km Thu Aug 27. Tierradentro Fri Aug 28. Tierradentro Sat Aug 29. Overland Tierradentro to Garzón via La Plata Sun Aug 30. Bus Garzón to San Agustín 10:30-13:00 Mon Aug 31. San Agustín Tue Sep 01. San Agustín Wed Sep 02. San Agustín Thu Sep 03. San Agustín Fri Sep 04. Overland San Agustín to Tatacoa Desert via Neiva Sat Sep 05. Tatacoa Desert Sun Sep 06. Fly to Bogotá via Neiva 16:00-17:00 Latam Mon Sep 07. Bogotá Tue Sep 08. Fly Bogotá to Montreal 09:00-16:30 Air Canada
Cape region itinerary in July
by Sickneet · 2026-01-27 · 11 replies
Hi,

We’re looking at heading to South Africa this summer (early July) with our two kids (6 & 10 years old). Here’s a rough draft of our itinerary so far. What do you think? Is it better to skip Addo? (We can’t add any more days...). If so, should we spend more time on certain stops or add something else? (Cederberg?) Thanks in advance, Bruno

D1 Arrival at 10 AM, rest in Cape Town D2 Cape Town or Cape Peninsula D3 Cape Town or Cape Peninsula D4 Bonteboks National Park; overnight in Heidelberg D5 Botlierskop Game Drive; overnight near Mossel Bay D6 Garden Route; overnight in Plettenberg Bay D7 Bird of Eden and Robberg Nature Reserve; overnight in Plettenberg Bay D8 Tsitsikamma; overnight in Addo D9 Addo D10 Ostrich farm; overnight in Oudtshoorn D11 Buffelsdrift Game Lodge and caves; overnight in Oudtshoorn D12 Garden Route Game Lodge; overnight in Albertinia D13 De Hoop; overnight in De Hoop D14 Hermanus; overnight in Hermanus D15 Betty’s Bay and return to Cape Town D16 Cape Town; departure at 5 PM
South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini Itinerary
by Abélios · 2026-01-18 · 11 replies
Hi there, In two months, I’m heading off for 4 weeks with three backpacker friends to South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini. We’ve got our round-trip flight tickets from France to Johannesburg and plan to drive from Johannesburg to Cape Town and back to Johannesburg in an SUV or 4x4. For other city trips, we’ll use local transport or Uber. That’s the plan for our transportation.

For the car rental, I’d like to know which company to book with. Can anyone give me some tips on renting a vehicle and crossing into Lesotho and Eswatini?

Next, I’ve put together a rough itinerary that seems good to me, but could you share your experiences and maybe point out any mistakes I’ve made?

Day 1: Arrival in Johannesburg Day 2: Johannesburg (city tour) Day 3: Johannesburg to Cape Town (old town) Day 4: Cape Town (Table Mountain) Day 5: Cape Town (Robben Island + port) Day 6: Cape Town (peninsula: Boulders Beach, Cape of Good Hope) Day 7: Cape Town to Stellenbosch to Franschhoek Day 8: Franschhoek to Greyton to Genadendal to Montagu Day 9: Montagu to Swellendam Day 10: Swellendam to Overberg Day 11: Overberg Day 12: Overberg to George (Garden Route) to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) Day 13: Gqeberha to Queenstown to Aliwal North Day 14: Aliwal North to Lesotho (Maseru) Day 15: Lesotho Day 16: Lesotho to Drakensberg Day 17: Drakensberg Day 18: Drakensberg to Durban to St. Lucia Day 19: St. Lucia Day 20: St. Lucia to Eswatini Day 21: Eswatini Day 22: Eswatini to Kruger Day 23: Kruger Day 24: Kruger Day 25: Kruger to Blyde Canyon Day 26: Blyde Canyon to Johannesburg Day 27: Johannesburg Day 28: Johannesburg to France

That’s the plan. Of course, it’d be perfect, but some spots probably deserve more time, while others might be less interesting. I hope you can help me fine-tune this route.

Thanks in advance for your patience and great advice.

Cheers,

Didier
Road trip in Nova Scotia: what are the most interesting places to visit?
by Theresemiche · 2026-01-11 · 4 replies
Hi there,

I’d love to take a road trip and visit Nova Scotia. I’d appreciate some info on the best cities to see and the most interesting spots. The trip should last about 10 to 15 days, staying in hotels or motels. Thanks in advance!
Feedback on 1-month China itinerary
by Cedric13600 · 2026-01-07 · 12 replies
Hi there,

I’d love to get some feedback on our 30-day / 29-night itinerary in China. We’ll be there in September as a family with two kids (6 and 10 years old). Do you think I should cut a few nights between Wulingyuan (Avatar Mountain) and Yangshuo? I’ve planned 15 nights total there. We’ll be on a round-the-world trip starting May 2026 and will need to do schoolwork with the kids. Hoping to fit it in during train rides!! Ever since I started planning this China itinerary, I’ve been discovering completely mind-blowing places I’d never heard of before—30 days feels way too short for China!!!

Here’s our itinerary:

Beijing - 4 nights Forbidden City Great Wall of China Temple of Heaven

Xi’an - 3 nights Terracotta Army Muslim Quarter & Great Mosque

Chengdu - 3 nights Zoo - Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding Wenshu Yuan Temple

Wulingyuan (Avatar Mountain) - 3 nights "Avatar Mountains"

Zhangjiajie - 2 nights Tianmen Mountain

Furong Town - 2 nights

Fenghuang - 2 nights

Guilin - 2 nights Chuanshan Park Guilin Yaoshan Scenic Attraction Reed Flute Cave

Yangshuo - 4 nights Biking along the Yulong River Moon Hill Ruyi Peak Xianggong Hill

Shanghai - 4 nights Shanghai Disneyland Yu Garden / Yuyuan Garden Yuyuan Bazaar

Thanks! Cédric
Kyoto and Osaka Itinerary for a First Trip to Japan
by Hawkesbury · 2026-01-04 · 7 replies
hi everyone, and first of all, I wish you all a happy new year and good health!

This coming October or November, we’re planning our first trip to Japan. The only downside is we’ll only have two weeks off.

For this first visit, I’m thinking of sticking to the Kyoto and Osaka area… saving Tokyo for another trip. Do you think that’s a good choice for a first-time visit?

I’ve put together a little itinerary below to get some feedback from those in the know. I’m only counting the days we’re actually there, not travel days.

Day 1: Kyoto Ginkaku-ji – Philosopher’s Path with stops at a few shrines temples Eikan-dō and Nanzen-ji visit to the Samurai Ninja Museum in the late afternoon

Day 2: Kyoto Fushimi Inari (allow 4 hours for the hike through the park) visit to Sanjūsangen-dō temple Shōseien garden participate in a tea ceremony

Day 3: Kyoto Kiyomizu-dera temple stroll through the historic district up to Kennin-ji temple visit Kennin-ji temple Yasaka-jinja shrine and Gion district in the late afternoon return to the hotel via Pontochō Street

Day 4: Kyoto visit Kinkaku-ji and Nijō Castle visit the Imperial Palace gardens end the day in the shopping streets (Shibkyogoku and Teramachi, among others)

Day 5: Kyoto Arashiyama area Togetsukyo Bridge, walk along the river, visit the Bamboo Forest explore the area up to Otagi Nenbutsu-ji temple

Day 6: Kyoto hike from Kibune to Kurama

Day 7: Kyoto day trip to Nara (full day)

Day 8: stroll around Kyoto before heading to Osaka

Day 9: Osaka Katsuo-ji temple, then head to Minoh Falls and hike back via the Minoh Trail end the day in the Osaka Castle area

Day 10: Osaka Himeji Castle and an afternoon in Osaka

Day 11: Osaka Osaka and return to the airport in the late afternoon for the flight home

Do you think this itinerary is doable? Are some days too relaxed or too packed? I was thinking of adding a trip to Lake Biwa and Uji, but in that case, I’d have to cut some things. Are those places worth dropping some of the planned spots? And if so, which ones would you recommend cutting or shortening?

Thanks in advance—I’m all ears for both positive and negative feedback! stephane
Looking for great hotel recommendations in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and San Francisco
by Gertjan · 2025-11-26 · 10 replies
Hello,

I’m currently looking for well-located hotels near points of interest in the cities below. I’ve found a few, but the prices are really high. Could any of you share some great addresses in the following cities? - Los Angeles - Las Vegas - San Francisco

Also, do you have a preferred airline for domestic flights? If so, which one?

Thanks so much, and have a great day, everyone!

Gertjan
Your tips for choosing a good car rental company and traveling safely in April 2026
by Mvoyager14 · 2025-10-23 · 0 replies
I live in Laval, Canada

I’m looking for more info on renting a car to travel from Durban to Saint Lucia and Hluhluwe Park in April 2026. Which car rental company has no hidden fees, unlimited kilometers, and insurance coverage that includes everything, like toll booths? Automatic transmission, SUV. Should I book in advance for early April 2026?

After Durban, I’d fly from Durban to Port Elizabeth. From there, I’d rent a car to visit all the magical spots near the Garden Route and return the car in Cape Town.

I’d love your honest opinions on the safety of these routes and your recommendations for a reliable, trustworthy dealership.

Thanks in advance Sylvie (Laval, Québec, Canada) 68 years old
55 days with the family in the Yucatán, including a side trip to Belize...
by Scot2021 · 2025-10-19 · 34 replies


Hi everyone!

That was about all the Spanish I could speak before we left... Luckily, Tom, 15 and in high school, gets by just fine! And Caroline did a year of Duolingo before we took off... Anyway, after 55 days in the American West three years ago, it’s Mexico’s turn for this second long adventure.

A quick intro to the crew:





- Oscar, 10, a sporty and lively little boy who loves swimming and basketball, - Tom, 15, a high schooler, sporty and tall, who loves swimming and American football, - Caroline, 47, a PE teacher, sporty , loves hiking and snorkeling, - and me, Sylvain, 50, a science teacher, sporty, loves traveling and always has a possible next trip in mind

We mostly travel by swapping our house to discover beautiful France and the world: 135 swaps over the last 13 years.....

Our itinerary is pretty classic since it’s our first time in the Yucatán, and we’ll make a little 10-day detour to Belize...

See you soon...
Feedback on 30-day Denpasar to Singapore itinerary
by Rougegorge · 2025-10-09 · 11 replies
Hello everyone!

It’s such a pleasure to be back on VoyageForum after so many years. A long time ago, I used it to plan and share a wonderful trip between Namibia and Botswana.

This time, I’m preparing a family trip for next summer (two parents, a 15-year-old boy, and an 11-year-old girl) that’ll be our big Christmas gift. I already have the flight tickets: we arrive in Denpasar on July 13th and return from Singapore on August 12th.

Our main focus is Indonesia, but since we don’t often get the chance to travel this far, I wanted to take the opportunity to stop in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore on the way back. It’ll give my kids—especially my son, who’s passionate about geography—a taste of these two major cities.

We prefer quiet spots (no need for party vibes or trendy places), though the girls (yes, there are two of them!) still enjoy discovering local crafts, souvenir shops, and the like. We don’t mind organizing things ourselves—I actually love doing that—and I assumed it’d be easy to arrange transport between hotels by booking through them. We’re not chasing cultural discoveries (one beautiful temple is enough; no need to see all 35, even if they’re stunning).

After reading tons of websites, guides, and forum posts, I’ve put together an itinerary I’d love to get your thoughts on. It’s already changed many times… and I’m sure it’ll change again! The goal is to avoid obvious mistakes, see if we’re trying to do too much, or if some places aren’t worth the effort. Here’s what it looks like so far:

- **Day 1**: Arrival in Denpasar in the late afternoon. Transport to a hotel outside Denpasar.

- **Days 2–5 (4 days)**: Bali. We’d like to stay in one or two quiet spots, away from the southern area, to explore the famous rice terraces, temples, and maybe do some light hiking.

- **Day 6**: Transfer to Lombok by fast ferry from Padang Bai (to avoid going back to the busy southern port, since I’ve heard traffic there is chaotic).

- **Days 6–11 (5 days)**: Lombok. We’d especially like to climb Mount Rinjani (we’re in good enough shape for it) and spend 2–3 days in a nice, quiet seaside spot (I was thinking of the southern Gilis near Lembar or the beautiful beaches in the south of the island).

- **Day 11**: Flight from Lombok Airport to Labuan Bajo.

- **Days 12–14**: 3-day/2-night cruise to Rinca and the various "hot spots" of Komodo National Park.

- **Day 15**: Labuan Bajo. I was thinking of doing a beginner’s diving excursion.

- **Day 16**: Flight back to Denpasar, then transfer to Banyuwangi by bus/boat (apparently possible via Express Bahari).

- **Day 17**: Morning visit to Ijen Crater, then return to the same hotel to relax for the rest of the day.

- **Day 18**: Transfer to a base camp for a sunrise visit to Mount Bromo on Day 19. - **Day 19**: Visit Bromo. We’d like to spend the whole day there to enjoy the site once most people have left. - **Day 20**: Transfer to Surabaya or Yogyakarta. - **Day 21**: Flight to Medan, then transfer to Bukit Lawang. - **Days 22–25**: Bukit Lawang. Jungle trek for 2–3 days and some downtime for 1–2 days. - **Day 23**: Transfer to Dumai. - **Day 25**: Boat from Dumai to Malacca.

The rest isn’t as relevant here.

I have a few big doubts, especially: - Is it worth spending 4 days in Bali and 5 in Lombok, or would it be better to focus on just one island? If so, we’d probably lean toward Lombok—it seems quieter, and Rinjani is calling our name…

- I’m counting on the Komodo trip to explore the islands and marine life in the area. It sounds like a true paradise (manta rays, turtles, Komodo dragons…). From what I’ve read, snorkeling in Bali or Lombok doesn’t offer the same experiences. Do you think that’s really the case? I’ve seen some unflattering comments about Labuan Bajo… Originally, I wanted to do the Lombok–Flores crossing by boat, but the "mandatory" whale shark stop in Sumbawa seems controversial, so I ruled it out.

- For the stretch between Days 16 and 21, I’m not sure about the best way to organize things to enjoy Ijen and Bromo without being in constant rush mode or sleeping for just 3 days. I can’t decide whether to stay near the crater (the hotels seem basic—is it worth spending 2 nights there?) or farther away, even if it means more travel. I’ve also considered skipping Bromo to attempt the Semeru climb. There are also some nice spice plantations nearby (Margo Utomo in Kalibaru). Any thoughts?

Anyway, thanks for making it this far! :-)

Looking forward to reading your replies! !
Self-organized stopovers in the Canary Islands and Madeira
by Tine65200 · 2025-09-22 · 4 replies
Hi there! We’d love some tips on organizing stopovers on our own in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Arrecife, Puerto del Rosario, Santa Cruz de La Palma, Las Palmas, and Funchal. Thanks so much for your help
Two weeks in Corfu with the family – our feedback
by Nephen · 2025-08-31 · 2 replies
Hi everyone,

Here’s a little account of our two-week family trip (with two boys aged 7 and 10) to Corfu. I hope it helps other travelers! We chose Corfu because there are direct flights from Paris, and we were looking for a destination where it’d be easy to swim with the kids. We were there from August 14 to 28.

Since I wasn’t sure about the distances and had read quite a bit about Greek driving and the state of the roads, I decided to split the trip into three parts: Corfu Town, the North, and the South.

Corfu Town (3 nights) Day 1: We landed in the late afternoon. Booked three nights via Booking on the edge of the old town (Sueno Garden Apartment), which is walkable from the airport—no need to rent a car for the first few days or stay in Corfu Town. First evening in the old town, dinner at Pane e Souvlaki on Dimarchiou Square. Touristy, but good vibes.

Day 2: Visited the Old Fort. Nice for the Church of St. George, which looks like an ancient Greek temple, and especially for the 360° view from the top. By 11 a.m., the sun was already beating down. Left the fort and strolled through the People’s Gardens. Lunch at Mouragia a bit further away, then backtracked to let the kids swim at Faliraki Bathing Beach.

Day 3: We took bus line 2A from Spinada (in front of the Old Fort) to the end of the runway (stop ΚΑΛΟΚΑΙΡΙ Ε). Poorly signposted when you’re at the top—you have to go down via the bar. Not well set up, which is a shame. The Panagia Vlacherna Monastery is pretty on its little island, but don’t turn around—the landings are impressive. Returned via the 2A with a stop at Mon Repos Beach, where the kids loved jumping off the pier.

North (6 nights) Day 4: Headed to Sidari, rented a small Fiat Panda from Europcar—no issues with this rental company (I booked late, so it’s probably possible to find cheaper). We’d also booked via Booking at Blue Dreams Apartment, just south of Sidari. A family-run hotel with a nice pool, we had a great stay (it’s just been taken over by Belgians who speak French). We wandered around Sidari to the Canal d’Amour. Not easy to access—you have to walk through all the bars, and the tiny beach is pretty dirty. Still, it’s fun for a swim and exploring the cave.

Day 5: Quick breakfast to be at Cap Drastis by 9 a.m. Parked at the top, but there’s very little space (we couldn’t park on the way back), and it’s a dirt road. The signs saying “To the sea” actually lead to a boat dock for a cape tour. You only see the cape from above, not below. A bit of a letdown, but since it was early and no one was down there yet, we treated ourselves to a quick swim. Brunch back in Sidari at Eviva—I recommend it: not Greek at all, but high quality. Agios Stefanos in the late afternoon after the heat. The port is awful (dirty and uninteresting), but there’s a swimming spot just before the beach, near the old port (park above, by the church). No one was there—great moment with the kids.

Day 6: Left around 9 a.m. for Mount Pantokrator. A bit of a climb at the end in the Fiat Panda—it’s steep! The road is long, but I think it’s worth it for the lunar landscape at the top, the monastery-antenna, and the 360° view. Then down to Kassiopi (we paid 5 euros for the Kassiopi Car Park—I think it’s the best option, as there’s no big free parking like in Sidari) and a swim at Paralia Mpataria (small but nice). Really relaxing in the late afternoon. Walked around the peninsula and saw several dolphin pods with amazing jumps. Unforgettable. Kassiopi is more family-friendly than Sidari and has more charm (Sidari has none, so that’s easy!).

Day 7: Morning off at the hotel, then afternoon at Paralia Kalamaki for the inflatable playground the kids had spotted on the way back from Kassiopi. 10 euros per person for an hour, not many people around 4 p.m., and we had a blast. Shallow sandy beach. Not much marine life, but safe for young kids. Note: free freshwater shower. Dinner at Nikos Family Restaurant in Roda. Great welcome and atmosphere. The stifado and soutzoukakia were delicious, and the Greek desserts were amazing too. Next door, at Roda Park restaurant, there was a Greek party with traditional dancing and plaster plate-smashing. Even though we didn’t eat there, everyone was invited to join in the street—it was fun. Probably touristy, but pretty spontaneous, and it was a good time.

Day 8: I’d booked two dives in Paleokastritsa with Achilleon Diving Center, directly via WhatsApp. Great international vibe, two easy but interesting dives (a barracuda school and a “cow” nudibranch at Colovri Reefs, cool crevasses and holes at Donald’s Place). In the afternoon, we visited the Paleokastritsa Monastery (well-maintained, pretty nice) and spent some time at the beach (very crowded).

Day 9: Day off—we enjoyed the hotel pool and went to Olea next door to buy a small olive wood souvenir. Note that the old man who works the wood doesn’t have many fingers left…

South (5 nights) Day 10: Headed to Lefkimmi. Stopped at Achilleion on the way. I knew from reviews that only the gardens were accessible, but I think it’s worth it, even at 7 euros. We passed by the French military cemetery nearby (nothing special, poorly signposted but quiet and peaceful) and ate at Elia Tavern right next door: super good, best calamari of the trip. We’d booked our accommodation at Villa Rosa South Corfu, a bit outside Lefkimmi, near Alikes. Pretty isolated, but the beach is a 3-minute walk away, right next to the old salt pans. On the way, we saw a poster (use Google Lens to translate) for a local festival near Linia. We went that evening: barbecue, concert, and local dancing. Lots of people, but only locals—it was a great time.

Day 11: Short “hike” to Arkoudilas. We parked at the exit of Kavos, just before The Rose Tree restaurant. Some people drive all the way to the beach, but it’s very rocky. We followed the “Monastery” path to see Cape Asprokavos and the ruins of the monastery nearby. To avoid backtracking, we continued through the woods after the monastery to reach Arkoudilas Beach. Nice shaded walk, but dusty road. Dinner at Agali on the Potami Canal (friendly family vibe, but long wait).

Day 12: Boat trip to Sivota with Pegasus. A wooden boat, human-sized. Crowded, but not cramped. Two swimming stops (Blue Lagoon in the morning and a beach in the afternoon) and a 2-hour stop at noon in Sivota. We knew it’d be touristy, but the vibe was good, with some dancing on the way back. Not too many people at the swimming stops.

Day 13: Kouris Museum in Lefkimmi. Okay, don’t go for the history—the guide cracks more jokes than gives rational explanations. Still, we laughed a lot and had a great time. Lunch at The Village on the main road: very fresh, very good. Perfect homemade dip platter. Not the best location since it’s right on the road, but it’s worth it. Free ice cream for the kids, super-friendly owner. Fresh ratatouille (finally, some veggies!). Afternoon at Paralia Issos. View of Korission Lagoon and a walk through the sand dunes, a bit like the Sahara in places (hard to do before 5 p.m., even 6 p.m., because of the heat).

Day 14: I’d booked a visit/tasting at Pontiglio Winery. Short tour of the small site and tasting of the 4 wines produced there: 2 whites, 1 red, 1 rosé. Fresh homemade snacks, fruit for the kids, great welcome. Then to Paralia Kanoula Beach. Mikro Nisi Bar, sunbeds at 20 euros—expensive. But a nice beach with some rocks, so a bit of marine life. We saw octopuses while snorkeling with the kids—great moment.

Honest take on Corfu The island is dirty—not just at the garbage sites, which aren’t collected often enough and overflow constantly, but everywhere. Not a single square meter without cigarette butts, even if you get off the main paths. Stray cats everywhere, wasps everywhere, sewage smells often.

The natural heritage is stunning but ruined by private encroachment on the coastline. Bars and restaurants take over the land right up to the sea. I’d only been to Santorini and Paros about ten years ago, and I don’t remember it being like this at all. Maybe the Cyclades are different now. From talking to a few tourists here and there, it seems Crete is better managed. We still had a good vacation, even if it was sometimes hard to overlook the dirtiness.
Bivouac buddy from August 18 to 24
by Occitaniste · 2025-08-11 · 0 replies
Hi everyone,

After a last-minute cancellation, I’m now looking for someone to join me on a bivouac trip from the 18th to the 24th (the dates are slightly flexible).

I’m planning to head to the Pyrenees, which I know well, but if anyone’s interested in another destination (Jura, Alps, etc.), I’m open to suggestions. Either way, I’m keen to explore new landscapes.

I’m used to bivouacking, have all the necessary gear, and I’m a pretty contemplative guy. I need the peace of the mountains and a bit of simplicity to recharge before facing the rest of the year in society.

That said, I’m definitely up for sharing a good bottle of wine and some tasty food after a great day of hiking!

If you’re tempted, feel free to get in touch.

Have a great day, everyone
Your thoughts on my Zanzibar itinerary prep?
by Lioneljetlag · 2025-06-04 · 3 replies
Hi there, I’m planning our trip for February 2026. I’ve done my homework, but I’d still love your insights in case I’ve missed anything.

Arrival in Stone Town – 1 night

Jambiani – 6 nights. Activities with a guide: Mnemba, Safari Blue Mangrove, Nakupenda sandbank, etc. Without a guide, we’re thinking of renting bikes on the beach, visiting Maalum Cave, Jozani Forest ??? (no strong opinions), N’tende ??? What do you think? Quad biking?

Nungwi – 3 nights, mostly chilling and a sunset boat ride.

Last day: on the way to the airport, visit Stone Town and a spice farm.

For Jambiani, I was considering Garden Beach Bungalow. Any other accommodation recommendations?

Thanks a million for your feedback...
What to see and do in Chiang Rai and the surrounding area?
by Marien33 · 2025-01-02 · 21 replies
Hi there, I’m finally planning to spend 9 days/9 nights in Chiang Rai. What’s the best area to stay in? Do you know any interesting spots within a 50–60 km radius? Preferably ones that aren’t overrun by mass tourism (sorry about that). Thanks! Joël—I’m reading your latest travel journal on this region...😉
Summer trip to South Africa
by 6cha38 · 2025-01-01 · 23 replies
Hello,

Happy 2025, filled with wonderful travels! 🙂

We’re traveling as a family to South Africa for the first time in July (two parents and our four young adult children). We’ve planned a loop starting from Port Elizabeth for 13 days, followed by another loop from Johannesburg with 2 days at Blyde River Canyon and 5 days in Kruger NP.

We’re wondering about the Port Elizabeth loop. Here’s our initial idea: Day 1: Early arrival in Port Elizabeth, morning walk in Tsitsikamma NP, night at Storm River Rest Camp. Day 2: Continue visiting Tsitsikamma NP early in the morning, then Robberg Nature Reserve, night at Ebb and Flow Rest Camp. Day 3: Visit the Wilderness area, night at Ebb and Flow Rest Camp. Day 4: Drive to Hermanus. Several options: Bontebok NP or The Hoop and Cape Agulhas; night in Hermanus. Day 5: Coastal trail, boat trip (?), night in Cape Town. Day 6: Table Mountain, Bo-Kaap, Waterfront; night in Cape Town. Day 7: Cape Peninsula, night in Cape Town. Day 8: Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden, Matjiesfontein; night in the area. Day 9: AM: Karoo NP; night in Beaufort West. Day 10: Karoo NP; night in Beaufort West. Day 11: AM: Camdeboo NP; night in Graaff-Reinet. Day 12: Morning: Camdeboo NP; drive to Addo Elephant NP; visit depending on arrival time; night at Addo Elephant Rest Camp. Day 13: Addo Elephant NP; night in Port Elizabeth. Day 14: Early flight.

Does this seem balanced and suitable for July? It’s quite packed, but we’ve already had to skip quite a bit. Initially, would it be better to spend 2 nights in Tsitsikamma and just one in Wilderness? Or just one night at each to free up a day for something else?

For the car, is a minivan enough, or should we plan at least an SUV for the parks given the season?

Thanks in advance for your feedback. Have a great evening
Mannarino, Italian singer-songwriter
by UnaMilanese · 2024-10-27 · 2 replies
Hey everyone!

Nothing in this section since 2020? Well, I’ll jump in. With Italy—completely random, of course .

Have you heard of Alessandro Mannarino? He’s something else compared to Toto Cotugno or Eros Ramazzotti...

A young-ish guy (45 years old), handsome like a bad boy , who started his musical journey on the streets of Rome, sleeping in squats with people from all walks of life, before being discovered by a journalist and recording 5 albums.

His music is super *orrechiabile* (how do you say that in French?... easy to listen to...?) with diverse influences. And his lyrics—simple but powerful.

A few examples from his different albums:

Svegliatevi italiani

Translation, not bad.

Maddalena

Translation, very rough, but it gives you an idea. PS for Masterpo if you’re reading this: an answer to *Noli me tangere*! Mado had other things to do. Something human, wonderfully human.

Arca di Noè

No translation available for this song, which sings of a lost Noah’s Ark world adrift. So, uh, the chorus? Let’s go, let’s go. But where are we going? Who knows? Who knows? I’m not afraid. This life is all I have, and the shorter it is, the louder I’ll sing: Eu quero viver como um beija-flor

Agua

No translation for this one either. Just two lines: At night, you can search in an embrace for something that doesn’t taste like rage.

Hope this inspires some of you to listen more, in the winter light.
Annulation d'une croisière et report sur une autre English translation pending
by Prorel05 · 2020-07-29 · 8 replies
Bonjour à tous, Je me pose plusieurs questions vu les événements. J’avais réservé une croisière Costa sur le FORTUNA le 15/04/2020 (directement par COSTA). Elle a été annulée ok, mais suite à cette annulation COSTA m’a proposé une autre pour Mars 2021 encore sur le FORTUNA ? donc j’ai reportée l’argent déjà payé sur celle çi = 2 000€. Mais au vu des informations qui circulent !!! je me pose la question: Que devient le FORTUNA = part à la casse ou encore en circulation ! Si comme l’on entend les rumeurs ça serait bloqués pour les croisières ? que va devenir mon avance sur la croisière Mars 2021 de 2000 € ? L’avoir sera t’il maintenu ou un remboursement aura lieu ou je perds mon argent versé ? Ai je intérêt à annulé cette croisière de 2021 pour récupérer mon argent ? Aurais je des frais d’annulation ? Que faire à votre avis . Merci de vos réponses
Cherche très bons restaurants à Maurice pour nos 10 ans de mariage English translation pending
by Sebastoudu31 · 2020-07-24 · 7 replies
Bonjour je suis en train de préparer notre voyage à l île maurice je préfère m organiser à l avance et regarder de près tous les petits détails Donc je souhaite connaître les très bons restaurants pour manger en couple à flic en flac et sur le reste de l ile tout en restant sur des restaurants typique de l ile Je vous remercie
Itinéraire San Antonio - Galveston English translation pending
by Tutu76 · 2020-06-20 · 10 replies
bonjour en partant de San Antonio pour rejoindre Galveston que me conseillez- vous sachant que Houston ne nous intéresse pas la route plus longue en passant par victoria ou la route passant par Houston même si nous ne nous y arrêterons pas merci
Visite de ville et stationnement de son vélo de voyage English translation pending
by Vélosapiens · 2020-06-02 · 18 replies
Bonjour, Plutôt novice en voyage découverte à vélo, je me pose les questions suivantes, ayant plutôt peur du vol. En fait, je pratique de l'itinérant et en traversant une ville sur mon parcours, j'ai tendance à déambuler à vélo partout dans le centre pour la découvrir, en tant qu'usager de la rue. Je ne quitte pas mon vélo, sauf s'il s'agit d'une ville étape où la question ne se pose pas, puisque j'ai du temps en fin d'apm et le lendemain matin (le vélo étant parqué sur le lieu d'hébergement) : Que faites vous de votre vélo tout équipé, lorsque vous prenez un peu de temps pour visiter à pieds le centre historique d'une ville que vous traversez (ou un musée, un château, un jardin botanique ...) ? Savez vous s'il existe un service de gardiennage gratuit (ou payant ?) des vélos dans les Offices de tourisme en France ou sur les lieux visités ? Quel est votre expérience ou avis ? Merci pour vos réponses.
Itinéraire de deux à trois jours sur la Hole-In-The-Rock-Road (HITRR) (Escalante, Utah) English translation pending
by Arnaudbu · 2020-05-01 · 14 replies
Hello,

On a repéré 2 ou 3 trucs à faire sur la HITRR. Selon les possibilités de voyage ce sera sur un mois d'avril / mai ou octobre.

Selon le classement de madame: Coyote Gulch, Reflection Canyon, Zebra Slot

Pour Coyote Gulch, possible de faire en une journée avec Jacob Hamblin sans escalade ? Ou quel itinéraire conseillez vous sur une journée pour profiter au mieux ?

Pour Reflection Canyon, 2 jours en backpack, pas impossible à mon sens même si jamais backpacké, c'est une question d'organisation et d'ici là on a le temps de s’entraîner et s'organiser. Visuellement est ce que le niveau d'eau est bas en octobre d'habitude ? Je dirai oui après les fortes chaleurs d'été ....

Sinon Zebra et Tunnel, puis Devils Garden au sunset sur le retour. Petite journée cool.

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