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Hacienda garden 3* à puerto plata English translation pending
by Fred75012 · 2004-06-26 · 6 replies
Bonjour,

Bravo pour le site il est super 😉

Que pensez-vous de cet hotel ? Les prix sont très interessants et je comptais reserver pour fin juillet. Avant de me lancer je voudrais avoir vos avis.

D'avance merci 😏
Hôtel Breezes, Princess ou Flamenco? (Punta Cana) English translation pending
by Karineou · 2004-06-06 · 2 replies
Bonjour, nous regardons pour aller en voyage dernière minute. Nous n'avons jamais été en RD.

Nous sommes un couple de 25-27 ans. Nous voulons nous amuser, se baigner et marcher sur la beach.

Quelqu'un peu-til me faire part des pour et des contre de ces hotels.

Merci!"
Cherche peinture camping car Autostar English translation pending
by Laurent186 · 2004-05-31 · 5 replies
Je suis à la recherche de la référence de la peinture grise utilisée pour peindre le bas de caisse des camping car Autostar J'envisage de l'acherter sous la forme d'une bombe aérosol. Si quelqu'un peut me tuyauter...
Hôtel Grand Flamenco Punta Cana English translation pending
by Misscélia · 2004-05-17 · 3 replies
Bonjour moi c célia nous sommes 2 jeunes filles à partir en RD pour la 1ère fois et nous voudrions quelques conseils pour passer de bonnes vancances et même des renseignements sur le grand flamanenco, les boissons sont elles vraiment gratuites toute la journée même en discothèque?

nous partons du 3 au 11 juin si certaines personnes partent au même hôtel à la même période ce serait sympa de faire connaissance avant le départ

Quelles sont les excursions a faire et pour combien? Quelle monnaie faut il amener?

Quel temps fait il en juin? Anti moustique conseillé?

On m a dit qu il était d usage d amener un cadeau a notre future femme de ménage mais quel genre de cadeau?

Pas la peine d emmener des serviettes de bain et de plage il parait qu elles sont fournies?

Les animateurs parlent ils français?

merci d avance pour les réponses et passez un bon été!
Madagascar et la région Morondave English translation pending
by Marsuetivo · 2004-05-15 · 16 replies
Tcho tcho,

Y'a un moment qu'on a plus trainé dans le coin, l'un perdu au fin fond de la Maurienne l'autre entre deux bouquins de physiopath ....Terrain hasardeux mais ô cobiem remplis de richesses, la montagne est venue a la rencontre de la plate terre ou la bière coule a flot direction immédiate la culotte de cheval... Mais ces retrouvailles furent fructueuses et le rêve devient enfin réalité: a la porte un programme de développment autonome direction Madagascar pour deux ans!!!!!😎

Alors a vos bout de doigt pour nous conseiller, la region Morondave!!!!

Quelqu'un s'y connait? On y trouve quoi? La culture? Ils sont animiste mais encore? La plage accessible? On prend quoi avec nous? On part deux ans, il n'y aura ni eau courante ni électricité, le soleil ce couche a 18 heures parait-il? Quelqu'un a des idées? Elles sont les bienvenues parce qu'on part un peu dans le néant malgré les recherches internet....

Bonne route

Nous deux...
Retour du Bahia Principe English translation pending
by Quinquin · 2004-05-03 · 3 replies
🙂 Salut la gang !

Je reviens de 7 jours de vacances au Bahia Principe de Varadero et je souhaite vous faire part de mon avis sur cet hotel *****. Vacances du 18 Avril au 25 Avril 2004

Hotel Magnifique endroit pour les amoureux.Tres calme et très reposant. Les chambres sont grande et tres propre. Mon numeros de chambre etait le 3314 superbe avec vue sur la mer. 3e etage au centre du batiment principal.

Un mini-bar (frigidaire) dans les chambres. 2 bieres et 2 liqueurs et 2 bouteilles d eau.

Il y 5 etages. En sécurité. Air conitionnée o.k dans notre chambre. (coffre en sus)

Température : Durant notre semaine toujours ensoleillé et très chaud .Le soir chaud et pas d'insecte en vue . Nous avons aimé le climat au mois d avril.

LE PARADIS TERRESTRE !

Bronzage superbe. Crème #15 au début et #8 pour les 3 derniers jours . Fantastique!!!

Infrastructure La végétation est merveilleuse . Belle plage sans palmier et chaises longues en suffisance . Notre chambre vue sur la mer (excellent) . La piscine est rectangulaire et standard, nous nous sommes pas baignes une seul fois nous sommes toujours a la plage….

Les serviettes de plage sont fournies par l'hotel . Les chaises longues de la piscine sont "bloquees" tot le matin. Moi et mon épouse aimions plus la mer (l'eau était a 28 degrée celsius...)Pour les chaises de la plage faut reserver tot le matin pour etre sous un parasol de paille. Soleil chaud et le vent toujours présent. Bar a la plage : loin a cote des voiliers(petit catamaran) Biere Cerveza Cristal et cuba-libre pour moi et mon épouse rhum punch.(N'oubliez pas d apporter des mugs(tasse isolante) car les verres sont petits et les bars sont loin de la plage )

Nourriture Nourritures : Buffet: bonnes et très variées.

Resto A la carte : passable.

Le déssert est excellent. Le café super-bon .Cappucino et expresso…

Nous avons bien mangé et nous sommes passablement sastifais .

Animation Je n'ai pas participe beaucoup aux activités du jour, car nous voulions plus nous caresser et profiter de la mer mon épouse et moi... Il y a beaucoup d'activités de 10:00 - 17:00 a la piscine, si tu veux participer l'horaire est au mur du buffet et tu fais ce que tu veux. L'équipe d'animateurs est super-sympa.

A 21:45 Show time avec l equipe d animation du Bahia principe, super et professionnel. Un theme a tous les soirs..Excellent sauf le soir du show d humour.Le show nautique a la piscine est superbe. A 23:00 au Pueblo Cabano site pour show exterieur en pleine air, Superbe orchestre avec chanteur et chanteuse (Salsa Band) Danse et animation excellente…Nous avons ete tout les 7 soirs et danse avec les G.O de l hotel.

Vers minuit aussi duo au El Mojito Piano Bar avec air climatise super joueur de sax . WOW !!! Et les Daiquiri au fraise sont ole-ole !!!!

Aussi de minuit a 3:00 Discotheque (dance music Americaine).

Nous avons bien adore dans l'ensemble...

Personnel Ambiance chaleureuse.

Ma conclusion Cet hotel est magnifique . J'ai bien aimé la place et la plage est superbe et immense. Le soleil est chaud et le vent souffle toujours... Le matin et l'après-midi mon épouse et moi avons passé notre temps sur la mer et il a fait beau 7 jours de suites. Soleil-Soleil…

Nous avons adoré notre voyage a Varadero! La beauté naturelle ne pourra que vous séduire... L'eau est cristalline

Durant nos vacances : 100% d'occupation =

50% Canadien = 30% anglais de Toronto et 20% francais du Quebec

20% allemand

20% italien

10 % français de begique et de la france etc…

Notre plus beau moment : Croisiere en catamaran CRUCERO DEL SOL C'est merveilleux, Baignade avec des dauphins et plongee en apnee(pas formidable, deja vu mieux.), repas fruits de mer servi et boissons incluses sur l ile Cayo Blanco, le sable est blanc et l eau est cristalline couleur de vert .

Prix 75.$US chacun. En sus Photo avec dauphins 10.$.

Avis au amoureux...Fantastique et inoubliable…

Hasta luego !!!

Dans l ensemble un vrai 4 etoiles.

Mais cote animation de soiree un 5 etoiles.

A conseiller !!! Et nous y retournerions encore ... Super !!!!
Ecouteurs sur Star Airlines English translation pending
by Christine1 · 2004-05-01 · 24 replies
Bonjour,

Je pars cet été avec cette compagnie et je voulais savoir si elle fournit les écouteurs et si non, les écouteurs des balladeurs vont ils.

Merci d'avance.
Obtention du permis de conduire international pour la Thaïlande? English translation pending
by Manu74 · 2004-02-28 · 11 replies
un amis m'a recommandé de me procurer un permis de conduire internationnal pour pouvoir conduire un véhicule en thailande.

comme j'ai l'intention de louer une moto pour découvrir les paysages sur l'île de phuket, j'aimerais être sûr que je n'aurais pas de problèmes avec les autorités thaï.

si cette formalité est vraiment nécessaire, où peut-on se procurer ce soi-disant permis de conduire internationnal

merci d'avance pour vos réponses
Hôtel Viva Maria Playa del Carmen English translation pending
by Ptypout · 2004-02-13 · 4 replies
Bonjour,

Je pars 15 jours à l'hôtel viva maya de playa del carmen - Comment est cet hôtel ? Faut-il amener un adapteur 110 volts ou y'en a-t-il à l'hôtel ?

Faut-il une protection moustique. Le médecin veut aussi me vacciner contre l'hépatite A + typhoïde.... + traitement anti-paludéen😕 !!!!!!!!!!!!

Qu'en est-il exactement ???????

Merci de vos réponses car c'est mon premier voyage.😏
Travailler comme instructeur de plongée en République Dominicaine English translation pending
by Kilimelo · 2004-01-10 · 1 reply
Bonjour Piero,

Nous sommes de retour depuis 2 semaines de Punta Cana nous étions au Bavaro Princess et nous sommes allés visiter le

H-10 et si nous retournons à Punta Cana nous allons surement allés au H-10 il a l'air vraimant bien....

Pour ce qui est de la question, J'aimerais savoir quelles ont étés les démarches pour être instructeur de plongée là-bas et si c'est possible d'y aller 3-4 mois par année pour y travailler car c'est exactement ce que je me disais au retour de voyage d'essayer de voir si il y a un endroit dans les antilles ou l'on peut le faire quelques mois par année.....

Quel niveau de carte de compétence de plongée est-ce qu'on a besoin et est-ce que c'est possible de vivre avec ce qu'ils paient? Si tu as des conseils ils seront bienvenus!

Merci!

Sylvain
Hôtel Sirenis Tropical à Punta Cana English translation pending
by Biboune · 2003-11-10 · 43 replies
Bonjour, j'ai réservé pour mon cher et tendre et moi une semaine à Noël dans cet hotel. Je ne suis jamais partie dans ce genre d'hotel, je me pose beuacoup de questions, à savoir: Quelqu'un y a t-il déjà séjourné, qu'en pensez-vous? Y a t-il des cybercafés et à quel prix? Que faut-il absolument aller voir, et quel est la meilleure façon de s'y rendre? es-t'on vraiment coincé à l'hotel lorsque l'on a choisi la formule tout inclus? Merci mille fois pour vos réponses!
Croisière abordable aux Seychelles English translation pending
by AurelieL · 2003-11-09 · 3 replies
Bonjour,

Je me suis mariée en septembre et on a récolté assez d'argent pour deux billets secs pour les Seychelles en décembre. On a vu sur les catalogues des tours opérateurs des croisières en catamaran . Ca a l'air absolument génial mais pas super abordable. On ne cherche pas un bateau luxueux. c'est plutot le coté amarrage dans des lieux inacessibles qui nous plait. est il posssible de négocier sur place avec des propriétaires de bateaux ou des pecheurs pour effectuer une croisière de 3 ou 4 jours ?? Si vous avez des plans...

On cherche également un hébergement sympa et abordable à Praslin et La Digue soit chez l'habitant soit en Bungalow. Les adresses sont les bienvenus.

Merci
Cherche agence pour safari au Kenya English translation pending
by Papop · 2003-10-31 · 8 replies
Bonjour,

Nous avons decidé de partir en janvier au kenya, et je cherche desespérement une agence qui me monte un safari camping de 15 jours à prix doux! Si vous avez des adresses en France ou directement sur Nairobi merci de me les communiquer avec vos appreciations.

Merci d'avance
Trek en Thailande, faut-il prevoir un duvet? English translation pending
by Douya · 2003-10-21 · 1 reply
Salut a tous,

Si j'arrive a partir en Thailande (dans 10 jours !), je prevois de faire un trek de 2-3 jours ou +, peut etre du cote de Chiang Mai, peut etre le long du Mekong ou cote Chiang Rai.

Ma question est toute bete : faut-il prevoir absolument un duvet, ou seul un sac a viande suffit (i.e. couvertures/duvets toujours fournis en trek)? Mon duvet squatte la moitie de mon sac a dos, et puis ca pese ce truc 🤪(bon d'ac c'est pas si lourd que ca)!

Douya
Carte de touriste à Cuba? English translation pending
by Pyxelle · 2003-09-19 · 20 replies
😊Bonjour,

Je pars pour cuba pour la première fois, je suis allé sur le site d'air transat et ils disent que pour aller là-bas, il faut avoir en main passeport et carte de touriste, j'ai mon passeport mais comment je me procure la carte de touriste??😕

Si quelqu'un est au courant veuillez me renseigner et me rassurer s.v.p

merci😉
Travailler en Irlande English translation pending
by Chrysalide · 2003-08-25 · 2 replies
bonjour,

l'irlande est un pays qui m'attire beaucoup et j'aimerais bien y vivre...

je recherche donc du travail là-bas, j'ai fait quelque annonces pour y travailler en tant que jeune fille au pair ou même dans la restauration ou hotellerie...

mais les réponses ne fusent pas vraiment...

si il y à des personnes qui peuvent me renseigner...

véro
Carte de touriste et ouragans à Cuba? English translation pending
by Souslesoleil · 2003-08-15 · 3 replies
Allô !

Je suis toute nouvelle sur ce site et je suis très contente de l'avoir découvert ! 🙂 Alors voici : Je veux aller en voyage très bientôt à Cuba, à l'hôtel El Senador (Cayo Coco). J'ai lu des commentaires très positifs sur ce complexe et ça m'a rassuré, mais il y a quand même quelques détails qui me tracassent...

Étant mon premier voyage À Cuba, j'ai lu que les documents requis pour entrer au pays étaient : Un passeport canadien valide pour au moins une semaine après la date de retour prévue et une carte de touriste de Cuba. C'est quoi une carte de touriste de Cuba ? son prix ainsi que les délais pour la recevoir?

Finalement, voulant y aller vers le 13 septembre, la saison des ouragans et des pluies me fait un peu peur. Ai-je raison de m'inquiéter ? ou les probabilités sont quand même minces ?

J'apprécierais une réponse assez rapide, je veux acheter mes billets en fin de semaine.

Merci !
Quelle est la somme nécessaire pour partir s'installer en Nouvelle Calédonie? English translation pending
by Arthus1 · 2003-06-30 · 2 replies
Bonjour à tous,

Mon amie et moi souhaitons partir nous "installer" en NC mi-novembre. De combien devons nous disposer le temps de trouver un job là bas ? Merci pour votre aide et à très bientôt!!

PS: si vous avez des plans logement ou boulot n'hésitez pas 🙂
Cayo Coco: qu'a t -on le droit de mettre dans la valise? English translation pending
by Tourle · 2003-03-17 · 2 replies
Nous partons dans quelque jours pour Cayo coco, et on m'a dit que l'on ne pouvait plus mettre de cadenas à nos valises, er que les séchoirs à cheveux fer à repasser étaient enlever de nos valises. J'aimerais bien savoir la vérité sur ces choses est-ce vrai? merci .
Bora-Bora: Hôtel Maitai ou Sofitel Marara? English translation pending
by Shrisss · 2003-02-26 · 2 replies
Quelqu'un connait-il les hotels Maitai ou Sofitel Marara a Bora-Bora? Que pouvez-vous m'en dire?

Merci de votre aide...
Tanzanie en août English translation pending
by Helenna · 2003-02-17 · 11 replies
🙂 Coucou à tous !!!

Quelqu'un aurait-il déja visité la Tanzanie ! J'aimerai bcp savoir comment c'est ! j'aimerai essayer d'y aller pour aout..

Merci d'avance ! 😎
Where to find the non-digital paper toll sticker for Austria-Slovenia highways?
by Listo · 2026-06-17 · 4 replies
hi

I’d like to know the opening hours of physical stores between Germany and Austria, and between Austria and Slovenia, that sell the PAPER STICKER toll vignettes that still exist for 2026—non-digital ones. I don’t think they’re open 24/7, and I can’t find the info anywhere. Thanks
What's the road condition like in Moremi?
by Magcouret · 2026-06-28 · 2 replies
Hi, I'm looking for information on the road conditions in Moremi. We're leaving in 15 days, and from what I've heard, the roads are pretty tough to drive on. Any advice? Thanks
16 days with family in La Gomera (Canary Islands)
by Pagaljavab · 2026-08-14 · 45 replies
Preamble: Why La Gomera?

When we started looking for a summer destination a few months ago, our first criterion was to avoid extreme heat and heatwaves. We had already been to Norway two years ago and are considering going back in the future for other occasions. So, we had some fun asking ChatGPT which destinations enjoyed a mild climate during the summer without going too far. Among the list provided by the AI were the Canary Islands... The idea of a place we wouldn’t have thought of first, both not too far away and exotic enough, appealed to us: “Hmm, why not?”

This destination had never really attracted me, though Magali was a bit more interested. Five years earlier, COVID had caused a short break in my professional activity, and I had planned a trip because the flight price was attractive, and I was looking for a destination different from what usually appeals to me, more than out of deep interest. From a distance and with a social judgment I acknowledge (it’s not great, but it’s not completely wrong), I had the image of a destination for party-goers enjoying the sun without the slightest interest in local culture, with concrete coastlines and denatured landscapes—everything I detest the most. Still, I had done some quick research on the different islands and spotted Lanzarote for its beautiful volcanic landscapes, hiking trails, beaches, and the impression of a good balance between activity and fewer crowds than Tenerife or Gran Canaria. Then I dropped the idea of going, without ever reconsidering traveling to the Canaries...

Until now! Because we started researching the different islands of the archipelago to see which ones might appeal to us the most. It was La Gomera, the third smallest island of the archipelago, more praised for its hiking trails and preserved nature than for its beaches, away from mass tourism (fifty times fewer tourists than Tenerife) but still a bit more developed than its wild neighbor El Hierro, that caught our attention. Contrary to what might be suggested later, I’m not at all addicted to AI, but I use it from time to time to synthesize quick research or simply for experimentation. Since ChatGPT had started anticipating my tastes lately as if it had become my buddy (often successfully, sometimes off the mark), I asked which Canary Island would suit me best for a trip with my family. The tool answered first with... La Gomera. So, I tested it and teased it a bit to see if this suggestion was well-founded, as the method sometimes makes it contradict itself. But no luck: “You’d appreciate the wild nature of El Hierro, but with family, you’ll find little activity for the kids. You won’t like the touristy vibe of the big islands like Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura. You could consider La Palma, but it’s really La Gomera that will suit you best, based on your interests and the criteria given.” So, we dug deeper into our research and were convinced without a shadow of a doubt that this island was the one waiting for us.

Without knowing it, we had Canarians in our circle who revealed their origins when they heard about our travel plans. One from Tenerife insisted we’d be better off choosing Tenerife (obviously...) because it also has preserved spots and that La Gomera, “you can explore it in two or three days, you’ll get bored quickly...” The other, a colleague from Gran Canaria who had never visited La Gomera, still recommended it without hesitation because it turned out her parents had just gone there on vacation: they loved it and had encountered few tourists. She also tended to think this destination was usually the subject of short stays, but according to what her parents told her, taking your time there was also a great idea. However, in our research, the idea that La Gomera is an island you can explore in three or four days max kept coming up. So, we considered combining its visit with La Palma or El Hierro, the other two that caught our eye. But hopping between islands by ferry represents a significant budget for non-Canarians, even more so for a family of four. Then, scrutinizing Google Maps, it seemed obvious that two weeks were too short to discover two islands as they deserve, and that there seemed to be plenty to see in La Gomera, given its very unique culture. After all, we read that some people spend several months a year there, others never even leave... Finally, these landscapes and this atmosphere, which seemed to us a mix of Europe, North Africa, and Latin America, tempted us. So, it would be two weeks in La Gomera, deal!

La Gomera is therefore the second... well, the third smallest island of the Canaries since La Graciosa was recently recognized as a fully inhabited island. It has the shape of a rough circle about 20 to 25 kilometers in diameter and has just over 20,000 inhabitants, half of them in its capital, San Sebastián de la Gomera, the only real town. Like its Canarian sisters, La Gomera is a volcanic formation that rose about 10 million years ago. The island is very mountainous and rugged, covered with red and black rocky landscapes. Geological activity has shaped, between the sprawling massifs that end in steep cliffs in the ocean, six coastal valleys with tropical vegetation that have favored human settlement. They divide the island like slices of a cake; from the north clockwise: the agricultural Vallehermoso, the rustic Agulo, the green, humid, and fertile Hermigua, the sunny capital San Sebastián de la Gomera, the southern and isolated Alajeró-Santiago, and the seaside Valle Gran Rey. They constitute the six municipalities (more like cantons to our French understanding) of the territory. The large solidified magma massifs that shape the heart of the island have created a large depression more protected from the sun at its center, allowing the growth of a vast laurel forest, today grouped within the Garajonay National Park, La Gomera’s green lung, which has earned it the status of a World Biosphere Reserve. Its completely European appearance contrasts sharply with the rocky and tropical landscapes of the rest of the island. Thus, the climate varies greatly from one point to another on the island: in summer, you can quickly go from a dry and sunny valley at 35°C to a humid forest area at altitude at 18°C.

La Gomera was populated late. As with the rest of the Canaries, human presence is thought to have begun about 2,000 years ago. Groups of animist Berbers, probably fleeing persecution, gradually populated the archipelago, especially the western islands and La Gomera, becoming its small aboriginal population: the Guanches (or later Gomeros). The animist and pastoral civilization of the Guanches thrived until the Spanish takeover in the 15th century, which, after a short period of harmony and mixing with the indigenous people, suddenly ended in bloodshed... La Gomera later became the “Columbus Island” after Christopher Columbus’s stopover, increasing the blending of populations. In the 20th century, many Gomeros emigrated to Cuba and other Latin American countries in search of a better life, bringing back a mix of cultures and traits quite palpable in today’s Gomeran culture. It is, however, in La Gomera that the vestiges of Guanche culture seem to have left the most traces, in the language, gastronomy, social practices... Moreover, most Gomeros, especially in remote villages, have a particular identifiable type and proudly claim their ancestral roots, even making La Gomera a bit exotic in the eyes of other Canarians.

Perhaps that’s why it has never really wanted to develop its tourist infrastructure too much. If we set aside the tourists who visit for the day by bus or boat from Tenerife on a marked itinerary (and whom we ultimately rarely encounter), La Gomera has remained a hidden gem, a destination focused on nature discovery that attracts hikers, nature-loving divers, and scientists for its fauna and flora, and to a lesser extent, beachgoers who don’t seek overly developed coastlines. Tourist activity is therefore limited. Roughly speaking, you’ll find a majority of Spaniards, including a substantial number of residents from other Canary Islands, many Germans who have a particular fondness for La Gomera and spend long stays there or own second homes, to the point that the German cultural footprint is clearly noticeable in some places (it’s said to be Angela Merkel’s favorite holiday spot), and still quite a few French. The presence of other nationalities seemed negligible to us. Most travelers come mainly for hiking, but it’s also a prime spot for whale watching. Additionally, the seaside resorts of La Gomera—San Sebastián, Santiago, and especially Valle Gran Rey—are well-known destinations for hippies, especially German ones, ranging from chic boho hippies to old-school hippies who’ve been there for decades, quite similar to those you’d meet in India in Goa, Rishikesh, or Paharganj. Thus, practices like naturism, vegetarianism, and local organic production are quite well established in some areas.

Some practical info: - The round-trip flight from Paris to Tenerife cost us 365 € per person (outbound with Transavia, return with EasyJet), including checked luggage and three seats reserved side by side. - We chose two bases to explore the island: one week in Valle Gran Rey, reputed to be the most pleasant of the three seaside resorts, and one week in Hermigua, more mountainous and close to the natural park. We booked two houses with balconies and views: the first at 120 € per night, the second at 99 €. - The round-trip ferry between Tenerife and La Gomera cost us 270 € with the company Baleària Canarias, including discounts for children aged 4 and 12, but I don’t have the exact details. It was a bit cheaper than with the other company, Fred Olsen. - Finally, we rented a car through the agency Cicar for 360 € for 16 days, which comes to 22.50 € per day. - Apart from that, we didn’t plan anything and decided the day before or even the morning of what we wanted to do. We didn’t invest in any paper guide on the Canaries, as information on La Gomera was scarce, but we used the very comprehensive site La Gomera Travel, a travel guide published by the Canary Islands Tourism Council, a real goldmine of almost exhaustive information on the island.

Alright, off we go for 16 days of adventure discovering La Gomera!



And we start the trip with music!

We start the trip with music!
Which bike for a long trek to Nepal?
by 021Babak · 2026-09-07 · 3 replies
Hi everyone! Thanks for welcoming me to the forum :)

I’m preparing for a long trip heading to Nepal, with stops along the way depending on my mood, work needs, and the season. I cycle a lot, but this will be my first big touring adventure. I’d like to camp regularly to keep costs down, so I’ll be riding on all kinds of surfaces: smooth and rough roads, main highways and rocky paths to find my camping spots, flat terrain and the occasional steep slopes.

For my bike model, I’m prioritizing durability, versatility, and repairability. From that perspective, I prefer a steel frame and fork with rim brakes since I’m used to them. I’ve narrowed my choices down to four models:

- The VSF Fahrradmanufaktur T-700 LTD (1400 €): steel frame, aluminum fork, hydraulic rim brakes, 28" wheels, 40mm tires, 36 spokes (2 mm), lightweight rear rack (max 20 kg), no front rack included, smallest gear ratio of 0.72, weight of 13.9 kg.

- The VSF Fahrradmanufaktur TX-400 (2200 €): steel frame and fork, hydraulic rim brakes, 26" wheels, 50mm tires, 36 spokes (2.34 mm), front and rear racks included (40+18 kg), smallest gear ratio of 0.71, weight of 15.9 kg.

- The Genesis Tour de Fer 30 (2150 €): steel frame and fork, mechanical disc brakes, 28" wheels, 36 spokes, 40mm tires, front and rear racks included (27+10 kg), smallest gear ratio of 0.77, weight of 15.9 kg.

- The Rockrider ADTV 900 from Decathlon (1700 €): aluminum frame and fork, mechanical disc brakes, USB port, 28" wheels, 47mm tires, 28 spokes, front and rear racks included (40+20 kg), smallest gear ratio of 0.71, weight of 17.1 kg. This is the successor to the Riverside Touring 900, which was a hit.

I’ve got a few questions:

1/ Should I go for 26" or 28" wheels for my trip? 26" wheels seem better for rough terrain, but 28" wheels feel more comfortable on roads. I’ve also read that 26" tires/tubes are easier to find.

2/ Do you recommend a steel frame and fork over aluminum? I’m guessing a high-quality aluminum frame and fork would be better than a low-quality steel one, right?

3/ Regarding the smallest gear ratio, is 0.71 a good number for a loaded bike in the mountains?

4/ Finally, what do you think of these four models for my project? My heart leans toward the TX-400—it seems to combine the versatility and robustness I’m looking for. But the price difference with the T-700 LTD is making me think twice!

Thanks so much for reading and sharing your thoughts!
Vehicle registered under one person and insurance under another for a trip to Asia
by Bateau1237 · 2026-04-09 · 1 reply
Hi there,

We’re planning a 4x4 trip from Belgium to Central Asia, passing through Georgia, Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.

For these countries, our national insurance obviously doesn’t cover the vehicle, so we’ll need to get local insurance.

Will it be a problem if the vehicle is registered under person A and the national insurance is under person B? Both A and B will be in the vehicle, and both will be listed as drivers on the insurance.

When we get the local insurance, if we again list A and B as drivers, does the order matter? Could we get stuck at the border for this reason?

Thanks for your help! :)
Questions about budget and payments in Japan
by Caussat · 2025-11-05 · 31 replies
Hi there,

The info I found on the forum is a bit outdated, so I’m asking again!

1) What budget should I plan for 15 days, given that hotels with breakfast, transfers, and transport are already paid for? I know it depends on the person, but I’d love a rough idea. For meals, we’re thinking simple street food or small local restaurants.

2) I’ve heard that credit cards (we each have a Revolut + 1 Visa Premier) aren’t widely used and that it’s better to have cash. Can you confirm?

3) Are foreign credit cards still not accepted at bank ATMs? Still 7-Eleven or the Post Office? And what about American Express?

Thanks in advance, Best regards
Where to stay in Switzerland in a place accessible by public transport?
by Maysa59 · 2025-09-22 · 15 replies
Hi there, We’d like to stay in Switzerland for five days. There are two of us (women). We don’t know this country at all. What cities or affordable spots would you recommend for visiting? Cheap accommodation. Looking for community-based options. And being close to public transport. Thanks for your tips and experiences! Best regards.
Swiss. Flight canceled due to weather. 5-day delay. Court orders compensation + damages
by ElviajeroPar · 2025-08-07 · 1 reply
Hi, I often see people here claiming that if a flight is canceled due to weather, the passenger isn’t entitled to any compensation. However, the airline is only exempt from compensating the passenger if—and **only if**—they offer re-routing “as soon as possible.” Here’s what happened: A single booking with Swiss International Air Lines (a Lufthansa subsidiary) for Paris - Zurich operated by Swiss, then Zurich - Puerto Plata operated by Edelweiss Air (another subsidiary). After arriving in Zurich, the airport was closed for a few hours due to weather, and all flights were canceled. So far, nothing unusual. But Swiss International Airlines really outdid themselves:

Meals and hotel (plus transport to and from): “Figure it out yourselves, but we’ll reimburse you.” No re-routing offered at the time of cancellation (which is **mandatory** at the **same time**), nor in the following days, even though possible re-routing options existed. Worse: After 2 days with no information from the airline, the passenger showed up at the airport to demand immediate re-routing (3 hours later) on a flight operated by the same airline that had canceled the original flight, even though the final destination was 6 hours by road from the originally planned airport (Punta Cana instead of Puerto Plata). The airline refused because there was only space left in business class—and thus, the passenger had to pay!!! It’s completely absurd!!! The passenger declined, so the airline refused the re-routing! No other re-routing options were offered. The next day, the passenger returned, and this time, they were offered—**for the following day**—the exact same re-routing that had been refused the day before (Zurich - Punta Cana)! The passenger accepted. Arrival at a destination 6 hours by road from the final airport. Complete silence from the airline about the transfer. The passenger had to figure it out alone! In the end, arrival at the final destination with a 5-day delay. When the passenger claimed reimbursement for their expenses (nearly 600 €) the day after arrival, it took a month and a half to get the money back.

Swiss didn’t even bother responding to the registered letter requesting compensation. The passenger only received two replies from the parent company (Lufthansa), responding on behalf of its subsidiary, stating that the request should be addressed to its other subsidiary.

The passenger turned to the justice conciliator (a mandatory step before taking the case to court). The airline went silent and didn’t respond to the conciliator, who then issued a report of failure to cooperate. The passenger took the case to the local court in Aulnay-sous-Bois and sent Swiss their “submissions.” The airline remained silent until less than 48 hours before the hearing. Then, over the phone, the airline’s lawyer verbally agreed to pay the 600 € owed but proposed a reduced settlement for the rest. The passenger refused. Then, 24 hours before the hearing, the passenger received Swiss’s “submissions,” confirming the previous day’s verbal proposals.

Finally, the hearing took place, and the judgment was received: 600 € in compensation, as provided by Articles 5 and 7 of EU Regulation 261/2004 + 500 € under Article 12 of the same regulation (additional compensation, given how badly Swiss handled things) + 200 € for legal costs (registered letters, preparing the particularly large case file). All the details of this case (correspondence, justice conciliator, passenger’s submissions, the airline’s submissions, the arguments presented in court, and the judgment) are available here:
https://retardimportantavion.wordpress.com/2024/01/12/reacheminement-catastrophique-droit-indemnisation-meme-circonstances-extraordinaires-2/ In summary: -Just because a flight is canceled due to weather doesn’t mean the airline is automatically exempt from compensating the passenger. -In such cases, immediately look for possible re-routing options yourself (same airline or not), stop just before payment, and take screenshots. -Don’t always blindly believe what the airline tells you. -Don’t give up: the process is simple and free. But you must follow the templates provided on my website https://retardimportantavion.wordpress.com without deviating from them. Best regards,
Hiking passes for Red Rock State Park in Sedona
by Marcalamar · 2025-06-08 · 3 replies
Hi everyone! 🙂

A little request for help from those who’ve stayed in Sedona—we’ll have almost 3 full days there. I’ve done some research on different sites, but I’m still confused.

It seems that some spots require, in addition to the America the Beautiful Pass (which we’ll already have from the start of our road trip), the Red Rock Day Pass since they’re within Red Rock State Park. This would be for park and parking lot maintenance.

Here are the hikes we’re eyeing: Boynton Canyon, Devil’s Bridge, Birthday Cave, Airport Mesa, Chapel of the Holy Cross, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Crescent Moon Ranch.

We won’t be able to do all of them—we’ll have to choose 🤔 and cut some 😢.

On top of that, there are the two scenic drives: Red Rock Scenic Byway and Oak Creek Scenic Drive.

Does the America the Beautiful Pass cover everything, or do we also need the Red Rock Day Pass? And if we do, which hikes require it?

Thanks for your answers, and have a great afternoon! marcalamar 🙂

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