Results for "Phrae+|+8+>+193"

Hi there,

This year, we booked a rental in Colonno, Italy, by Lake Como.

Everything was going well until my wife wanted to see Milan... Out of 11 days, why not spend a day there, even though I’m not really a "city" person? Then I discovered ZTLs (Zona a Traffico Limitato)...

A 90 € fine if you’re unlucky enough to drive into one, and another 90 € if you drive out... While I was looking for info on where to park without risking a fine in Milan (any tips?), I found out that Como also has a ZTL. (Any parking advice there too?)

My question is: is there a map showing all the cities with ZTLs? Because if it means getting hit with hundreds of euros in fines 9 months later... 😕

The more I look for info, the more I come across unsettling stories... Like people who pass a ZTL sign, turn around immediately, and still get hit with two 90 € fines in 3 minutes... I don’t want to ruin the vacation over a small mistake...

Thanks in advance,

Hello, I’m traveling with 2 adults and 2 kids for the Christmas 2025 holidays. Here’s my plan: - 2 nights in Bangkok - 1 night in Ayutthaya (then an overnight train) - 3 nights in Chiang Mai (flight to Krabi) - 4 nights on Koh Lanta - 2 nights in Railay (flight back to Bangkok) - 1 night in Bangkok I have a few questions: 1) For Bangkok: how do you organize a visit to the klongs? Can I easily find an agency on the spot? 2) Do I need to book the bus or train to Ayutthaya in advance? 3) Chiang Mai. I’m planning one day for temple sightseeing + Doi Suthep, and I’m debating between two options for the other two days: - Option 1: Day 1: Doi Inthanon day trip + Day 2: elephant experience for the kids. - Option 2: 2 days/1 night for a trek, staying in a village, and seeing elephants. Whichever I choose, should I book in advance? Any tips or suggestions for good, affordable activities? What do you think of Get Your Guide excursions? Thanks for your advice!

Hi there, We’re heading to Quebec from July 7 to 21 with our two kids (ages 5 and 7) and my wife, and we’re putting together an itinerary while keeping some flexibility (though much less than we’d hoped, since we’re realizing accommodations are already filling up fast!). Below is our draft plan—pretty far along since we’ve booked 9 out of 14 nights—but it’s definitely not perfect. We’d love some advice on what to do after Parc du Bic (3 nights to improvise) before heading back to Parc Omega, where we’ve booked a tipi :-) It seems clear that a 3-day Gaspésie loop isn’t doable (too bad about Percé and Parc Forillon, but I think we’re already covering a lot of ground with this route!). But what about the option of driving up to Sainte-Anne-des-Monts to spend a day in Parc de la Gaspésie before the (long) drive back, and still enjoying part of the coastal road, which looks stunning? Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

3 nights in Montreal (booked) Day 1 to 3 – July 7 to 9: Montreal

2 nights near Lac Saint-Charles, 20 min from Quebec City (booked) Day 4 – July 10: Montreal → Montmorency Falls → Quebec City (~3h drive) Day 5 – July 11: Quebec City

2 nights in the Saguenay region (booked) Day 6 – July 12: Quebec City → Baie-Saint-Paul → Canopée Lit (Saguenay), 20 min from Tadoussac Day 7 – July 13: Day in Tadoussac/Les Bergeronnes for a whale-watching excursion, then back toward the Saguenay Fjord for the evening and overnight stay

1 night in Parc du Bic (booked)

Day 8 – July 14: Ferry from Les Escoumins (2 PM) → Trois-Pistoles → Parc du Bic

3 nights to improvise—is it even feasible to go without reservations in July for a family of 4? Day 9 – July 15: Hikes/activities in Parc du Bic – overnight near Cap-Chat/Sainte-Anne-des-Monts??? Other ideas? Day 10 – July 16: Parc de la Gaspésie? Day 11 – July 17: More hikes? Then drive back toward the Mont-Joli area?

1 night at Parc Omega (booked)

Day 12 – July 18: Long drive back from Mont-Joli? Maybe via Kamouraska for a meal break, then overnight at Parc Omega

2 nights near Montreal or surrounding area

Day 13 – July 19: Visit Parc Omega, then a relaxed drive back via scenic routes to Montreal or nearby

Day 14 – July 20: Last day and night in Montreal or the suburbs, fun activities with the kids

Day 15 – July 21: Flight home in the evening

Here’s the theme for the lovely month of May—no worries, it won’t be lilies of the valley! 😄

This month’s theme is: “Reflection(s)” This leaves a pretty wide scope: reflections in water, of course, but also in windows, on buildings... I’ll leave it to your imagination, but the reflection should be clearly visible.

If this theme has been used before, it doesn’t matter. It’s getting tricky to find new themes that can attract as many participants as possible.

I’m currently in northern Finland and don’t have access to my hard drives, so I’ll add a few photos when I return to France. Here’s just one I took with my smartphone yesterday late afternoon:



Practical details:

Participation: Each VF member can submit up to 3 photos, until Monday, May 26 at 11:59 PM Paris time. Each photo must be posted in a separate message, with its number (1, 2, or 3). Don’t forget to add a little explanation (comment, location, etc.).

Voting: Each VF member can vote for the 3 photos they consider the best, based on their own criteria and the theme.

Voting will take place from Tuesday, May 27 to Saturday, May 31 at 11:59 PM Paris time.

The selected photos will be ranked in order of preference: - 1st photo: 3 points - 2nd: 2 points - 3rd: 1 point

The winner is the author of the photo with the most points.

Results will be published on June 1. In case of a tie, the number of first-place votes will decide. The winner will have the honor of organizing the June 2025 contest.

Photos that have already been nominated (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) in another contest are not eligible for this one.

This thread is exclusively for photos submitted to the contest. Any discussions or comments should be posted in the following thread: https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=10707526;a=10707526

My buddy Christian and I (Patrick) are off for 28 days in Argentina in March. We’ve already shared several trips as a duo (Bolivia Peru, Namibia, Laos, Costa Rica). Since we’re starting from the idea that at our age (65) we won’t be coming back here—there are just too many other corners of the world to discover—we did the "grand tour" of Argentina, with 6 domestic flights to make the most of our 28 days. Here are our stops: 1) Departure from Brussels to Buenos Aires via Madrid 2) Arrival and first contact with Buenos Aires 3) Early morning flight to Ushuaia. Boat trip on the Beagle Channel 4) Ushuaia: hikes in Tierra del Fuego National Park 5) Ushuaia: last hike and flight to El Calafate 6) El Calafate to El Chaltén by bus. First hike 7) El Chaltén: hike 8) El Chaltén: hike 9) El Chaltén: hike and bus back to El Calafate 10) El Calafate: Perito Moreno Glacier 11) Flight to Bariloche. Car rental and surrounding areas 12) Seven Lakes Region 13) Nahuel Huapi National Park region 14) Flight to Salta. Car rental 15) To Tilcara 16) To Humahuaca 17) To Purmamarca 18) To Jujuy via the salt flats 19) To Cafayate 20) Around Cafayate 21) To Cachi 22) Back to Salta 23) Flight to Iguazu 24) Waterfalls on the Argentine side 25) Waterfalls on the Brazilian side and flight to Buenos Aires 26) Buenos Aires 27) Return flight 28) Morning arrival Happy reading!..

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to warn you all after my disastrous trip back on February 28th because of Emirates airline. Please note that if you need to file a complaint with this airline, wait until you're back home in France or your country of origin. Here’s what happened to me. I had booked and paid for seats on the plane for my outbound flight on February 10th from Lyon to Dubai, then Dubai to Bangkok. Despite our reservation, these seats weren’t assigned to us. I spoke to a flight attendant who told me she’d inform Emirates management and advised me to file a complaint once I was at my hotel. So, I did that on the Emirates website to request a refund for the paid seats that weren’t assigned, totaling 34 €. On February 26th, I tried to check in online for the next day, which was supposed to be my return flight. To my surprise, my husband still had his return ticket, but mine was no longer scheduled. I contacted the airline via chat, and an advisor told me, "Ma’am, you canceled your return flight." I responded, of course, that I hadn’t, and as proof, my husband still had his return ticket. The advisor ended the conversation by insisting I had canceled my flight. I was devastated and in tears, and like most tourists, I only had data and no way to call except via WhatsApp and Messenger. I had to contact my daughters so they could call Emirates to understand and resolve the situation. But nothing worked—they insisted that when I filed my complaint, it was indicated that all my future tickets were canceled. The flight on February 27th was fully booked, so either my husband returns to France alone, or we return together on February 28th, but we’d have to pay 2300 € for both of us. Despite multiple explanations to Emirates—including that I’m disabled and can’t be alone—they refused to listen or understand. We had to pay 2300 € to get home on February 28th. We also had to extend our hotel stay in Bangkok by one night and change our train for the return on the 28th, totaling 2565 € to get back home. I’ve since filed requests with Emirates for a refund of the return flight tickets and with my Visa card, but I have little hope of recovering anything. If anyone here has experienced this situation or has any ideas for a solution, I’d really appreciate your help. Thanks so much for your valuable support. Most importantly, remember: DO NOT FILE A COMPLAINT WITH EMIRATES BEFORE RETURNING FROM YOUR TRIP.

Hi there! We’re heading to Andalusia for a week in early April. We’ll spend 3 days in Seville and 1 day in Córdoba. After that, we’d like to rent a car for the remaining 3 days to explore the Costa de la Luz.

We’d love to do some great hikes along the beaches between Tarifa and Cadiz and visit Cadiz itself. Is 3 full days enough to do this? Is it better to stay in Cadiz and explore the area from there, or should we move around to different villages? Do you have any hiking suggestions? We’ve spotted some hikes in Barbate, Trafalgar Beach, and Bolonia.

Thanks for your tips and hiking ideas! :-)

Hi everyone,

We’re leaving Zurich on Sunday, February 23rd, heading to Bangkok, and we’ll land on February 24th at 12 PM local time.

We’ll be there for 3 full days and then leave on the 28th for the islands of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.

I had a question about our domestic flight with Bangkok Airways at Suvarnabhumi Airport—our flight is at 6:00 AM. Our tickets say check-in closes 40 minutes before for domestic flights.

I’m looking for the best way to get to the airport from our hotel. Should we be there 2 hours early, and if so, what’s the safest and most convenient transport option? Some lines, like the ARL, only start at 6 AM if I’m not mistaken, so that might be cutting it too close. Our hotel is near Makkasan Station. Should we book a taxi with Bolt, or go through the hotel to arrange one for more reliability (even if it’s pricier)? Thanks for your advice.

Also, I’d love to hear your 3-day itinerary suggestions. I’m traveling with my wife and our two daughters, aged 9. We’re used to walking, but we’d rather focus on specific areas to avoid wasting time on transport or trying to do too much. We want to enjoy the moments instead of rushing around.

Here are a few ideas I found:

Day 1: Grand Palace / Wat Pho Temple / Small boat cruise on the Thonburi canals / Wat Arun Temple at sunset

Day 2: Damnoen Saduak Floating Market (or Amphawa) / Maeklong Railway Market / Chinatown / Evening at Khao San Road For Day 3: Option 1: Visit Wat Sam Phran (Dragon Temple) Option 2: Explore the ancient city of Samut Prakan and the open-air museum Muang Boran Option 3: Day trip to Ayutthaya’s temples Just a heads-up: we’ll be returning from the islands the day before our departure at 4:50 PM and will stay in Bangkok until our flight at 7:15 PM the next day (Monday, February 10th), so we’ll have one more full day. Sorry for the long post! Thanks in advance for your tips. Raphaël, Marina, Charlize & Giliana Happy travels to those who are heading out!

Hello, We’ve just returned (2 senior couples) from 18 days in Cape Verde (21/01 to 7/02) that we really enjoyed. The temperature was great—20° to 27°—admittedly a bit windy at times, but the friendliness of the Cape Verdeans made up for it. Paris Orly, direct flight with Transavia (cheap if you book in advance). We landed in São Vicente, with a 12 € city transfer. We had a fantastic 2-bedroom apartment in downtown Mindelo—Av. Fernando Ferreira Fortes, "Casa So Morabeza"—for 58 € per night. The owner lives in France and communicates instantly via WhatsApp. We spent 2 days exploring the (beautiful) city of Mindelo and its port activity, plus a private taxi tour of the island (6000 CVE for the day). Then we took the Armas ferry (recommended company—1500 CVE) to Santo Antão. From there, a collectivo (450 CVE per person) took us to Ribeira Grande, a central base for hikes. We stayed in a brand-new, modern, and well-equipped 2-bedroom apartment—*Apartamentos Modernos*—for 6770 CVE per night, staying 6 nights. I highly recommend it for its location in town and proximity to *aluguers* and *collectivos* for hiking. The hikes were stunning: - The coastal trail from Fontainhas to Cruzinha (taxi for 1500 CVE) - The route from Corda to Coculi (taxi for 2000 CVE + 100 CVE per person for the return) - The trail from Cova to Cidade de Pombas (taxi for 2000 CVE + 100 CVE per person for the return) - The hike from Miradouro to Ribeira Grande (taxi for 2000 CVE) - The coastal road from Ribeira Grande to Ponta do Sol (visit and lunch at *Mini Familiar* in the city center—excellent and affordable) for the round trip. Ribeira Grande has plenty of restaurants, but avoid *5 de Julho*—it’s loud and slow. We loved: *Bellcanto*, *Cantinho da Amizade*, and *Boca-Fina Churrasqueria*. Meals with drinks cost around 800–1000 CVE. Back to São Vicente by ferry (1500 CVE), then an airport transfer (12 €) and a flight (99 €) to Santiago’s Praia. The airport-to-city transfer was 15 €. We stayed at *Kelly’s* in Plato, Praia, which was disappointing—not ideal for two couples—but well-located. One day was spent visiting the massive *Suspicia* market, then a collectivo to Cidade Velha (2 x 200 CVE round trip per person). We hiked up to the fort, explored *Rua Banana*, and had lunch at *Praça do Mar* by the beach. We rented a car for 6 days (29000 CVE) from *Slimpycar* in Praia. On Saturday, we visited the huge *Assomada* market—don’t miss it!—then hiked to *Boa Entrada* and *Poilon*, the largest and most impressive tree we’ve ever seen. We stayed for 2 nights (138 €) in a beautiful valley in *Picos*—a spacious, lovely house with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a large living area, surrounded by nature and animals. Lina, the charming neighbor, prepared dinner (8.50 €) and breakfast (4.50 €) for us. Next, we headed to *Tarrafal*, stopping to visit the concentration camp (500 CVE)—a must-see—before arriving. We spent 3 nights (184 €) in a fantastic house called *"Maison Familiale"*—huge, with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 kitchens, 5 toilets, and a large terrace with sea views. It was absolutely stunning and very close to the beach and numerous restaurants. We did a beautiful 3.8 km hike to the *Farol da Ponta Preta* lighthouse. Tarrafal’s beach is lively and pleasant, with bars, restaurants, and even acrobats! We also explored *Ribeira da Prata* to see the *Piscina Natural de Cuba* (not easy to find). We loved discovering isolated villages like *Ponta Furna*, *Ponta Labrão*, and *Fazenda*. For food, I recommend *Mira Mar* at *Mama’s*. On the way back to Praia, we took the east coast route via *Calheta de São Miguel*, *Pedra Badejo*, and *Praia Baixo*—nothing extraordinary, just a rugged, wild coastline with beaches that seemed a bit tricky to access. Our last evening in Praia was nice. The seaside esplanade was lively, and many Cape Verdeans were swimming at *Prainha* beach, which seemed very accessible and safe. If you’d like more info—addresses, etc.—feel free to message me privately. I’ll respond. Jacquesler.

Hi there,

We’ve booked the CFC Viking Legends cruise (departing on 03/31/25), and the excursions have just been posted on the CFC website. What a disappointment... Stop in Copenhagen: 2 excursions offered, one of which includes +1.5 hours of walking Stop in Oslo: 2 excursions, one of which is a hike Stop in Sandnes (Stavanger): 2 excursions, one of which is a hike Lysekil (Sweden): 1 excursion, same as in Kristiansand and Zeebrugge.

We hesitated to book without knowing the excursions in advance, but the itinerary interested us. We were expecting more options for excursions... Since the ship leaves the day before from Zeebrugge, let’s hope there’s still space for the excursions. I’ll share our experience after we return from this first CFC discovery. MUM49

Hello, Some of you may not be aware, but a few days ago, Titi passed away suddenly. He was a very active member of this forum, keeping track of cruise departure schedules for members. Today, I wanted to open this post to inform you and let you share messages that will bring comfort to his partner, Agnés.

Hi there, I’ll be in Oman in early March 2025. I’ve rented a 4x4 to reach the Oman Sea coast from Ibra. I’ve seen two options on Oman Off Road:

The OOR 30 route via Wadi Kabbah, Wadi Bani Jabir to Qalhat.

Combine the OOR 30 and OOR 28 routes via the Salma Plateau to Tiwi or Fins.

Can anyone advise me on the current condition of the tracks? For option 2, is it better to head down to Tiwi or Fins? Can this trip be done in one day? Thanks in advance to those who can share some great tips!

Best regards.

Hi everyone, my partner is Malian and I’d love to be able to say sweet things to him in Bambara, as well as learn some polite phrases. Thanks for your help! 😊

Here are a few examples: I love you My love My heart My life You’re the man of my life I care about you I want to live with you Kiss me I miss you Thank you Please Hello See you soon

Hello,

As you may have read or heard—or I’m letting you know now—CFC is merging with Ambassador Cruise Line 😉

I’ve sailed with Ambassador twice already, and honestly, this merger makes total sense! Both companies offer the same type of service (with Ambassador’s English touch), and they generally have similar ships and target the same clientele.

To be honest, I think this is great news! I really hope Ambassador’s influence rubs off on CFC, especially in fixing all the issues I’ve had on Renaissance that I’ve never encountered on Ambassador (food quality, service, cabin problems, etc.).

Leading Ambassador are real cruise enthusiasts—passionate people with a clear marketing direction and a much more professional way of working with travel agents than CFC.

In short, I think this is fantastic news 🙂

Plus, Renaissance will be in the Caribbean next winter, so I assume European cruises will run on Ambience and Ambition. If English doesn’t scare you (too much), and you like the cozy ship vibe with great value for money, check out Ambassador—they’ve got some amazing itineraries! 😉

If you’d like more info on Ambassador, just ask 😉

What do you all think?

Here are a few photos of Ambience

As planned every year for quite some time now, here we are in Italy on the Ligurian Coast to spend a few days and celebrate New Year's 2024/2025.

Our base is in the charming town of Rapallo, between Genoa and La Spezia. We're right on the coast, with our hotel offering a sea view and access to the beach.

Not far from Rapallo, you can find, besides the Cinque Terre, Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure, Chiavari, and others like Carrara and even Pisa. In short, there's plenty to do.

Five days there with so-so weather, and crowds but nothing overwhelming.

For the trip between home and our base, we're using an electric vehicle. It's manageable without any issues. The hotel has outlets, and otherwise, there are charging points all over Italy. And just to note, Tesla chargers are the best in terms of cost and charging speed.

There you have it.

Once we arrived on Sunday, December 29th, it was time to go for a walk, book a restaurant for Monday evening, and finalize the itinerary.

On Monday the 30th, we were lucky enough to see a beautiful sunrise from our window.











And the town of Rapallo in the early morning!

Hi there,

This will be my first trip to Thailand, which will be the first stop on my Asian journey. This time, I’d like to leave with a one-way ticket so I can return to France from the last country I visit.

First and foremost, I’d like to confirm whether it’s possible to get a VOA (Visa on Arrival) when I land in Thailand without any prior steps? Is proof of onward travel (like a return ticket) required to get this visa?

If so, does it have to be a round-trip ticket from the country I’m arriving from, or can I use a flight or train ticket from Thailand to a neighboring country as proof of exit?

For Cambodia and Vietnam, is it also possible to get a VOA on the spot?

I’d also love any tips or important info you think might be useful about Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam—my planned destinations—especially regarding accommodation, transportation, points of interest, and, of course, any personal advice or experiences you’d like to share!

Thanks so much to everyone, and I wish you all an amazing 2025 filled with health, travel, and discoveries! !

Hi there!

I’m planning a self-drive trip to Tanzania (either September or October).

This route won’t include any of the usual parks you hear about everywhere (too expensive, too crowded, too touristy).

The idea is to explore Tanzania more for its landscapes, beaches, and hiking. A little wildlife spotting, sure, but that’s not the main goal.

Here’s the itinerary I’m considering:

(Arrival and departure from Kilimanjaro Airport)

Night 1: Southern gate of Arusha NP

Night 2: Northern gate of Arusha NP

Night 3: Enduimet

Night 4: Same (near the gates of Mkomazi NP)

Night 5: Mkomazi NP

Night 6: Mkomazi NP

Nights 7-8-9: Pangani or Tanga

Nights 10-11-12: Usambara Mountains

Nights 13-14: Foothills of Kilimanjaro

I can’t find much info about Enduimet at all.

So if anyone has any details about this place...

All your ideas, tips, and suggestions for the rest of the route are welcome too!

Thanks! :)

Thursday, November 9, 2023 Cairns

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

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

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

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

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

They’ve recycled oil tanks into art galleries!

Hello everyone,

My husband and I are planning a trip to Thailand from January 2 to 10. Departure from Brussels on January 1 – arriving in Bangkok at 6:00 AM on January 2. Departure from Bangkok on January 11 at 2:00 AM, arriving in Brussels at 1:25 PM the same day. For professional and personal reasons, we can’t extend the trip.

I don’t plan on just lounging on a beach in Phuket, so with 9 days on the ground, I know it’s short... But having done this before in Hong Kong and Shanghai, I know it’s doable, refreshing, and enjoyable. We did it with the kids and included a 2- or 3-day stay at Disneyland in each city. Basically, we spent 5-6 days in each city.

Anyway, I’m reaching out because I’ve heard and read so many conflicting opinions that my head is spinning.

Following the saying, "don’t bite off more than you can chew," I’m assuming I should keep it simple. So I’m torn between just Bangkok or Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

If I go with the second option, I’m debating whether to head straight to Chiang Mai on the day we arrive (but given the flight times, we’d lose pretty much the whole day) or spend two days in Bangkok first, then go to Chiang Mai for 3-4 days, and return to Bangkok.

Thanks for your advice!

(A belated tribute on this forum)

Abdulrazak Gurnah, an author with a unique journey and identity (Tanzania)

Big surprise in Stockholm: the 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to novelist Abdulrazak Gurnah. The Tanzanian author, who writes in English, is best known for his novels Paradise (1994) and By the Sea (2001). He was recognized for his "uncompromising and compassionate portrayal of the effects of colonialism and the fate of refugees caught between cultures and continents", according to the Nobel Committee.His work moves away from "stereotypical descriptions and opens our eyes to a culturally diverse East Africa that is little known in many parts of the world".

Gurnah is the first African author since 2003 to win the prestigious prize, and the fifth from the African continent overall—following Wole Soyinka (1986), Naguib Mahfouz (1988), Nadine Gordimer (1991), and J.M. Coetzee (2003). Once again, the prize passed over Kenyan Ngugi wa Thiong’o, who has long been among the favorites for the award.

Born in Zanzibar (now part of Tanzania) in 1948, Abdulrazak Gurnah grew up in an Arab family originally from Yemen. He sought refuge in the UK in the late 1960s, a few years after independence, at a time when the Muslim minority there was being persecuted. He wasn’t able to return to Zanzibar until 1984.

Since 1987, he has published around ten novels and several short stories in English (his native language is Swahili). None have become bestsellers, but his body of work as a whole offers a different perspective on issues like immigration and cultural diversity. His work sheds light on the effects of colonialism, exile, and the plight of refugees, "speaking" of his love for Africa and his fight against neocolonialism. Though Gurnah’s stories aren’t explicitly autobiographical, they’re inspired by his life as an immigrant in the UK.

Gurnah was also a professor of English and postcolonial literature at the University of Kent in Canterbury until his recent retirement.

Does this award bring more attention to African literature? Who knows? At the very least, it might give it a boost. If African literature is less visible in the West, it’s partly because it isn’t widely accessible: Gurnah is rarely translated into French or German, and not at all into Arabic.

In Tanzania and its Zanzibar archipelago, he’s being celebrated with joy. "This means a lot for Zanzibar’s struggle for self-determination," says Ismail Jussa, a literary critic from Zanzibar. "It helps put Zanzibar back on the map." The Swedish Committee acknowledged that his work has helped understand "the divisions caused by colonialists, but also the heartbreak of being torn between the homeland one comes from and the life of exile one is forced into."

By the Sea. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2001 (Fr.: Près de la Mer. Galaade Éd., 2006)

Paradise. Bloomsbury Publishing, 1994/2004 (Fr.: Paradis. Motifs, 1999)

Desertion. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2005 (Fr.: Adieu Zanzibar. Galaade Éd., 2009)

Afterlives. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2020 (Fr.: Les vies d’après. Denoël, 2023)

Hery

Hi, I’m going on a solo cruise from Marseille to Hamburg—13 nights, 4 days at sea on the Costa Favalosa. The stops are Genoa, Barcelona, Málaga, Cádiz, Porto, A Coruña, Le Havre, and Hamburg. I’ve booked a Costa excursion for Porto and Hamburg that ends at the airport. I plan to explore the other stops on my own (I’ve already visited Barcelona and Málaga). The stops should be pretty easy to do solo, but I’d love any tips on A Coruña. I’d also like to know if there’s a shuttle to get out of the port in Le Havre or go into the city center. Looking forward to exchanging ideas with others who might be doing this route! Best, Varoise

Hello everyone,

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

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

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

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

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

Hi everyone, I’m taking advantage of the forum’s long-awaited reopening to dive back into my memories and start my first travel journal, destination Uganda!

Why Uganda?

Choosing this destination was almost by chance. I’d already traveled to East Africa two years earlier, to Kenya, and loved the experience. Of course, I wanted to return to the region and see that abundant wildlife I’d enjoyed so much. But Uganda wasn’t really on my radar... While looking for a destination for a two-week trip in May 2023, I came across cheap flights (~400 €) with Kenya Airways to Entebbe. Why not, I thought? I started looking into the country.

How did the trip go?

Most travelers whose posts I read had organized their trip with an agency and/or rented a vehicle, with or without a driver. That’s not at all how I like to explore a country... and besides, I don’t have a license ! Digging a little deeper, I saw that it seemed possible to reach the main sights using local transport, as long as I was ready to put up with the discomfort of the journeys. Challenge accepted! On the other hand, the budget accommodations near the parks that I’d managed to find in Kenya seemed much less common here. The trip was shaping up to be expensive, especially since the highlight—gorilla trekking—requires a permit costing several hundred dollars. Yikes, sticking to a reasonable budget was going to be tricky... In the end, I found a solution. Almost all lodges offer the option to pitch a tent on their grounds for a modest price (between $10 and $20 per night). That would let me enjoy the safaris while keeping this trip "relatively" affordable.

My itinerary

After studying the Lonely Planet East Africa guide, various travel journals and blogs, and the excellent site Safari Bookings, I finally settled on an itinerary (not counting the travel days):

Entebbe – 1 day Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – 1 day Murchison Falls National Park – 2 days Crater Lakes – 1 day Queen Elizabeth National Park – 2 days Bwindi – 3 days Lake Bunyonyi – 1 day Kampala – 1 day

See you soon for the first stop in Entebbe!

INTRODUCTION

Travel journal updated in MAY 2025

Since our travel plans outside Canada were canceled due to Covid-19, we decided to take our vacation in Quebec this summer and cover over 5,270 kilometers to explore the various tourist attractions of the North Shore and Gaspésie.

This summary will cover our experiences on the North Shore, while Gaspésie will be the subject of a future summary.

The North Shore, known for its stunning nature, is the perfect spot for outdoor enthusiasts since you can enjoy activities like hiking, wildlife observation, sea kayaking, fishing, and hunting (to name just a few).

It’s also one of the best places in the world to see whales.

Our journey along the North Shore took place between the villages of Tadoussac and Kegaska, as Route 138 ends at the beautiful, long beach in Kegaska.

Bonjour, Je prépare un voyage à Kyushu du 24/03 au 08/04 inclus.

Voici une ébauche de mon itinéraire, j' aimerais avoir vos avis sur celui çi. Arrivée le 25/03 à Fukuoka 3nuits Départ le 28 pour Yanagawa, kurume, yame 3nuits Départ le 31 pour Kumamoto 2nuits Départ le 02 pour Kagoshima 2nuits Retour le 04 à Fukuoka 4nuits (Visite de Beppu, Usiki, Itoshi, Hoshino et Kitakyushu)

Pensez-vous qu'il soit possible de tout visiter? Je ne sais pas trop comment organiser mon itinéraire par rapport aux distances des villes. Mes centres d'intêrets sont la visites de temples, les toris sur la mer, les rizières , les plantations de thé, être proche des habitants, la nature...

Je cherche aussi un ryokan assez sympa mais pas hors de prix mais je ne sais pas dans quel endroit il vaut mieux le prendre.

Merci pour votre aide qui me sera bien précieuse😉 Françou

Le Tour de France vient de débuter. Evénement sportif très populaire (en France, mais pas seulement), il est une des épreuves cyclistes les plus renommées dans le monde.

Ce n'est pourtant pas le côté sportif qui m'intéresse en créant ce post, mais l'histoire et la géographie de ce beau pays dans lequel je vis. La couverture médiatique et notamment la diffusion à la télévision de cet événement, permettent chaque année, à un grand nombre d'entre nous, de (re)découvrir des régions de France (et/ou de pays voisins) et leur patrimoine.

Dans cette optique, à leur équipe de commentateurs sportifs, certaines chaînes de télévision, intègrent (c'est le cas, par exemple, de France Télévision, depuis de nombreuses années), un chroniqueur dont le rôle est de décrire/commenter/expliquer l'histoire et la géographie des lieux traversés par les coureurs (ou survolés par les hélicoptères).

C'est de ces coins montrés et parfois sublimés par la diffusion du Tour de France que je vous propose de discuter.

Un certain nombre de mes voyages/visites en France ont trouvé, sinon leur origine, du moins une partie de leur contenu, dans des lieux observés/admirés en regardant le tour de France à la télévision. Etes-vous comme moi, intéressés par toutes les images, extérieures à la course, diffusées à la télévision à cette occasion ? (images qu'on pourrait nommer "off course", bien sûr 😛) Vous arrive-t-il de suivre des étapes du tour de France, pour les lieux qu'il traverse, sans forcément être passionné par l'épreuve sportive elle-même ? Avez-vous découvert (ou redécouvert) des coins grâce à la diffusion du TdF ? Avez-vous appris des pans d'histoire ?

PS : Jamais très doué pour identifier la bonne rubrique, je présente, à l'avance mes excuses pour le cas où je n'aurais pas créé ce post au bon endroit.