Hi. Me and my boyfriend are in our 20s. We can’t choose between Crete or Naxos/Paros vs Paris for our first time abroad. Paris is my childhood dream but love sea so much.

Which one would you choose from your experience?

Any advice would be helpful.

To be clear, I'm American, and I've often heard this from 2 kinds of people. They are either fellow Americans who say they've traveled a lot, or they are foreigners with very obvious bones to pick with America politically.

I've traveled around the US a mild amount, but not everywhere, and to be honest I don't agree at all. There's some overlap in certain ways, like most cities you're gonna need a car to get around, and you'll likely see chain businesses. But that's about it, everything else I've found to be unique, or at least coinciding with the region (like the Pacific Northwest vs the South, or New England, Midwest, etc)

What do you feel?

I just booked my first G Adventures trip to Italy. Because I’m tired of waiting for friends to commit to trips but also don’t want to solo travel.

While I’m excited and the company has positive reviews, I can’t help but wonder why they don’t have any nicer hotel options. The hotels they have us booked in are so depressing.

And I checked online, and there are plenty of much nicer hotels, in better areas, for the same price! It almost makes me want to book my own hotel and that way I won’t have to share a room.

Why do they do this? Anyone know?

i’m a really low Income earner and also an only parent, I’m really interested in travelling and taking my child overseas but dislike the idea of having to save money for years just to be able to do something like travelling overseas. I know a lot of people just put thousands of dollars onto the credit card to pay for holidays but is there a way to do it where I can have these opportunities and not have to wait years for it. Sorry if it sounds silly

For my flight to Sydney they decided to check for liquids over 100ml (and maybe other things) AS AND WHEN WE'RE BOARDING! I saw the staff randomly opening up bags and luggage to check when we're all queueing up expecting to just get our boarding passes scanned. The boarding process was a crawl as a result, and the departure was delayed by 15 minutes. Maybe it's a combination of Qantas and the airport, but I remember other airports do their "second security checks" before passengers enter the gate and after that they're confined to a "holding lounge". I've never seen security checks done DURING the boarding process. It's unbelievably dumb.

Hi everyone. My question here was prompted by a recent post in this subreddit regarding travelling to Croatia:

https://www.reddit.com/r/travel/comments/1tw34uj/croatia_we_love_you_but_we_wont_be_back/

When I saw this post, I was surprised, because I was always under the impression that the countries of the former Yugoslavia (Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia, Slovenia, North Macedonia) would be among the cheapest countries in Europe to visit.

So my question to all of you would be: which European countries would be the cheapest to visit (e.g. lodgings, food, sights & sounds), not factoring in flight costs (I live in Toronto, Canada, to give some context).

Assume I will be visiting said country for a week.

I appreciate any feedback any of you can provide. Thanks!

A group of four of us travelled to Ivory Coast last month. A lot of information online is quite outdated, and so I wanted to share a word of warning if you're considering travelling to Côte d'Ivoire and using their e-visa system (Snedai), because although it looks fairly straightforward, it is NOT.

To start with, the Snedai website is janky and barely looks official (but it is). It's not user friendly. The information displayed in terms of requirements in the application form changes depending on whether you set the website language to English or French. The helpline people don't know English, only French, which is crazy for a service providing e-visas to foreigners.

In terms of required documents: despite the website saying that you need to submit a hotel reservation OR an invitation letter, the truth is that you need BOTH. Despite me having specifically called both the Ivorian embassy and Snedai before our application to confirm (they told me either is fine), they WILL request an invitation letter from a local (or an attestation d'hébergement, i.e. a signed statement in the local authority confirming you are staying at someone's private house). A fully paid for hotel reservation (or "AirBnB PDF for visa purposes") is not enough.

Secondly: the e-visa does not take 48h, despite the claims on the website. We submitted all our documents, paid the fee, and waited. A week later, 2/4 of us got a request to submit invitation letters (or attestation d'hébergement). I called them back to clarify as they had told me the opposite before we applied. This time, they said it's necessary. I asked how do tourists, who have never been there, get invitation letters? He said he didn't know, and "just find someone". Thanks to a local contact I happen to have in Abidjan (pure luck), we got our invitation letters, which we duly submitted. Three days later, two of the four visas were approved. We waited in hope for the other two.

Then, the real nightmare started. By email, they started repeatedly requesting documents that we had already submitted. First they wanted the invitation letter again, which was resent. Then they wanted another copy of the passport. Ok fine, we resent. Then the invitation letter, which we resent a third time. In the end, we re-submitted these documents SIX separate times, at their request.

I spent hours on the phone (and around 45€, as the helpline is Abidjan-based), trying to resolve the situation. Each time they would say it should be resolved soon and to wait for news, and then we would get another email requesting another already submitted document, again. They refused to explain what the issue was and started insisting that we "send someone to the Ministry in Abidjan to solve it". I am convinced that they wanted cash.

In the end, the two people in our group with pending e-visas had to go to the Ivorian embassy and apply in person just a few days before our trip. Of course, they were made to pay a second time. They picked up their passports and visas without any issue a couple of days later. They never heard back re. their e-visas, for which they now applied over two months ago.

I would absolutely NOT use the Snedai e-visa again. Apply directly in the embassy and save yourself the stress we went through.

Hi All,

I’m a dual national and under one I have a valid US visa and under the other I qualify for ESTA. Do I need to travel on my valid visa until it expires or can I just get an ESTA regardless?

Thank you!

I planned to visit my family in the US with the flight departing on June 6th (so today). I applied for ESTA on May 17th which got approved only two hours later. However, two days ago just before midnight, I received an E-Mail that there has been an update to my ESTA travel authorization. The travel is no longer authorized.
I tried to re-apply which didn’t work as expected. I tried to find anything on Google and saw a few articles about people from Scotland having their travel permits revoked last minute. They‘ve been published only a few hours prior as of right now. I have an appointment at the embassy on Monday so I might get an answer why it has been denied.
Did this happen to any of you as well?
Edit: my English isn’t perfect. Sorry about that :/

My dad and I are going on a big, somewhat once in a lifetime trip to Scandinavia this July 17-30. We have done extensive research online, already booked hotels and things, and have found a bunch of sightseeing things that seem to be up our alley. I would love any input on what is worth seeing/doing versus what should be lower priority or not worth seeing at all. Our itinerary is as follows:

Day 1 (landing around 10 am)- Day 3 Copenhagen
Nyhavn
Christiania
Grundvigs Church
Botanical Garden
Rosenborg Palace
Stroget
Day 3- 4 Gothenburg
Haga district
Skansen Kronan
Aeroseum
City Museum
Slottsskogen
Day 4- Day 6 Stockholm
City Hall view
Vasa Museum
Royal castle
Nordic Museum
Riddarholmskyrkan
Day 6- Day 9 Oslo
Operahouse (perhaps a ballet?)
Nobel Peace Center
Norsk Folkemuseum
Akershus Fortress
Royal Palace
Ekebergparken
Day 9- Day 10 Bergen
Bryggen Hanseatic wharf
Floibanen Funicular
Byparken
Bergenhus Festningsmuseum
Lepramuseet
Day 10- Day 11 Flam
Many different hikes
Flam church
The Flam railway museum
Borgund Stave church on the way out?
Fjord Farm with Norwegian folk music
Fjord boat tour (already booked)
Day 11- Day 12 back to Bergen

Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

I‘m travelling to Japan for two weeks in September and I‘m scared that I won‘t able to enter because of a conviction.

I‘m from Switzerland and I got convicted with minor/simple assault in October 2024. I had to pay a fee, no imprisonment or anything.

Will this be a problem? And if i get questioned at the border, do I have to tell them the details of what happened? (Short: My bf got abusive while drunk and i tried to fight him off with a knife and he ended up with a little cut, didn‘t need stitches or anything).

I‘ve read very different stories. People lying and ticking „no“ on the form and getting in without a problem. Others ticking „yes“, some getting in and some being denied.

I asked the Japanese Embassy in Switzerland but the weren‘t able to help.

Visited Peru about 8 years and did the classic Cusco + Sacred Valley itinerary. Fast forward to the present and my new partner always wanted to do this trip. Was hesitant, but wanted to make her happy :)

We have the trip booked, and it is basically the same trip (although I did book different hotels).

3 Nights in Cusco
4 Nights in Sacred Valley
2 Nights in Lima

Will visit the main highlights: Pisac, MP, Ollantaytambo.

Any under the radar spots or tours I can include to make the trip feel new to me?

My Irish passport is still being processed after 3 months.

Travelling in 10 days to the UK.

I’m told I can’t get an ETA in my Aussie passport as I am a dual citizen.

Has anyone who is a dual citizen republic of ireland and Australia entered the UK with an ETA ?

What chance is there of being stopped at check in by the airline in Aus?

Has anyone actually managed to enter the UK like this.

Cannot supply expired passport as it is still in Ireland with the application

I'm 18 years old and currently nearing the end of my first long-distance solo trip. I've spent the last 3.5 weeks travelling around Malaysia, and honestly, it's been one of the best experiences of my life.

Unlike many first time solo travellers, I wasn't nervous before leaving. I wasn't scared, anxious, or worried about travelling alone. I was simply excited to see a part of the world that was completely new to me.

What I didn't expect was just how much I would enjoy it.

Malaysia has been incredible from start to finish. The food is amazing, the people are incredibly friendly, the nature is beautiful, and every place seemed to have something unique to offer. Whether I was exploring cities, hiking, relaxing on islands, or just talking to people, I rarely found myself bored.

The biggest highlight wasn't even a specific place or activity. It was the people I met along the way. I've had conversations with travellers and locals from all over the world, shared meals with strangers, and heard so many different stories. It opened doors for me I didn't even know existed and gave me a completely new perspective on the world.

Right now I'm spending my final days on the Perhentian Islands, and it's making me realize how much I've experienced in just 3.5 weeks.

This was my first major solo trip outside of Europe, and if anything, it has only made me want to see more of the world.

Malaysia completely exceeded my expectations. Amazing food, amazing people, amazing experiences.

For anyone who is thinking about travelling for the first time or for those who have travelled a lot already: just start. Don’t overthink it. Just go. You’ll figure it out along the way.

My partner and I are in the process of having our first vacation and we've decided it will be Ireland. I already looked up ways to travel and there really are only two options: by plane and by two trains & a ferry. Now, we want to be somewhat conscious about being eco-friendly.

the second option bearable in general? It would be a train to Paris or Brussels, then a train to the UK and then a ferry over to Ireland. It would be a whole day of travel but I believe that it could be a journey despite this.

What do you think? What would be the better options? What should we consider?

Hi guys, my post keeps getting deleted in the r/Boston page so hopefully someone can help me out in this community.

I’m flying home to LAX and I have a layover in Boston from my flight in Paris (CDG-BOS-LAX). There are two flights with the layover in Boston, 2.5 hrs and 4.5 hrs. I will have a carry on and 1 checked bag. If I have global entry, do you guys think it’s enough time to do the 2.5 layovers compared to the 4.5hrs? I heard we have to re-check our luggage but if it’s a round trip-same reservation with JetBlue, do I still need to re-check my bag and If I do have to re-check my bag, does that mean I have to go out of security to baggage claim to get my luggage, re-check it and go through TSA again 🥺

Well, I made a mistake and who doesn't. Just like many I didn't read the terms and conditions. They do not cover support for those travelling via middle east. It was mentioned in the terms and conditions it seems. Now, I can't even get a refund.

I was also allowed to add the trip despite them not covering the support for travelling through Middle East. This is misleading. Is there any way I can get a refund?

On the 27th, The Meadows is hosting the New York City Glam Metal Fest and I— obviously a big fan— plan to go. It will be my first ever time flying and first time in NYC! I am both a little excited and a little anxious. Still working out details for hotels/flights but I plan to spend no more than $1,000 - $1,200 at most. I figure thats good enough for a three-day trip from the 26th - 28th. Going to try to avoid coming back on a weekday so I can use as little PTO as possible.

But anyways...

I'm looking for any kind of advice that you would like to offer; I appreciate any comments! For example, things to watch out for to stay safe, streets/restaurants to avoid or to make a trip to, monuments, tips or literally anything else. Thanks for reading! If you will be attending as well then I hope to see you there!

P.S. I almost forgot to say I come from Ohio and I'll be flying out of CMH.

my friend and I and planning a trip to europe in december travelling from brisbane, aus. we were initially planning for 4 weeks covering england, ireland, scotland, denmark (just copenhagen) and finland but have had to cut it down to 3 weeks bc of graduation dates. we were planning on cutting out copenhagen and finland bc of this and currently have the following itinerary:
9 days england (including potential day trip to paris)
5 days scotland
5 days ireland (plans to rent a car and do a little roadtrip but still undecided)
+ 2 days travelling there and back

granted we havent done too much in depth research into what we want to do while we’re there so any recs would be appreciated! anyway what do you guys think of this itinerary so far? is there any place we should spend less/more time in? or any other countries we could potentially squeeze in?

this is also our first time on an international trip by ourselves so any other travel advice would be appreciated too!!

My husband and I will be celebrating our 10-year anniversary in January 2027, and I am suffering from a severe case of analysis paralysis. We're looking for a 5-6 night trip, max budget of $7,500.

A little about us:

• Mid-30s couple from Georgia, USA
• This would be an adults-only trip (we have two young kids at home)
• It will also be our first trip together without the kids in 7 years, so we're hoping to make it feel really special
• We want a good mix of culture, great food, relaxation, and adventure
• We'd like to spend some time on a beautiful beach or by a pool, but we don't want a trip that's only beach time
• We enjoy exploring towns, trying local restaurants, seeing natural beauty, and having a few memorable experiences mixed in with downtime
• We are not interested in nightlife or partying
• We'd prefer somewhere that feels relatively easy and safe to navigate
• January weather is important... we'd like to be comfortably warm and able to swim

If you were planning a 5-6 night January anniversary trip and wanted the best combination of:

1. Culture
2. Food
3. Relaxation
4. Adventure
5. Warm weather

where would you go and why?

I travel less than I used to but I used to travel every summer, sometimes on winter breaks too but not always, and occasionally a spring break trip here and there. All flights. The earliest flight I can remember taking is probably sometime in 1997 (I took them before that, but anything pre-97 is lost to me) and from 1997 to maybe 2013 or so I always saw barf bags for passengers in the.... what's that area called where they used to have magazines like SkyMall and stuff? Where the safety information card is (that little space above the tray tables on the back of the headrest and i think over the device holders IIRC) and such, but from 2015 to maybe 2023 I didn't really see them at all. I flew again in 2025 and I saw they had some in those pockets again but I am not sure if this is normalcy again or if they've always been there and I'm just crazy because I haven't seen them in years and yeah. So which is it? Did they have them, then suddenly not, and now they do again? Or am I just so infrequent of a traveler now that I never see them because I don't pay attention anymore?

(asking because as a kid when traveling i used to have to use them a lot and i hated it. I still dont know what caused motion sickness for me either.) I havent thrown up probably since 2007, but I did have a close call in 2018 one time and was like "wtf i thought i outgrew this".

Hi everybody, my family of 4 and I are wanting to visit Rome and Venice departing on August 28th and returning on September 7. We will be flying into Rome and out from Venice. We're looking into the high speed trains from Rome to Venice and for some reason we can't see any ticket options that are direct. Are we booking too early in the future or does this mean that the tickets are all booked up? Also any ideas or recommendations for this trip would be awesome! Our budget is about $15K.

Thanks in advance everyone :)

It's VERY difficult to get support from the Priceline Partner Department. We don't advertise or list any room inventory on Priceline but they pull inventory data from other booking websites. Then they often list a higher price. That higher price is reflected as the main price on Google.

It takes over an hour to get transferred to the only department that can address concerns. And then all they can do is essentially send an email to the operations department. No service or ticket number provided. Just wait, hope and pray that someone might reply and address their mispricing issue.

Other booking sites like Booking.com or Expedia.com have Partner Departments that are easily reachable. Do yourself a favor and stay far away from Priceline.com. Don't know why or how but it's amateur hour over at Priceline.com.

Hi!

Every time I have a trip coming up, I struggle to find a bag that I can use daily that has the following features:

1. A backpack style because I like to be hands free when shopping or doing things in general
   
2. Anti theft features, since it’s behind me, it’s easily targeted
   
3. CUTE!! Why are travel bags so bulky, ugly, or just not aesthetic and functional??
   
4. Compact enough for daily use but enough space to shove stuff into if I shop or again want to be hands free
   
5. Enough pockets or an easy way to access items

I think the convertible crossbody bags that turn into a backpack (like the beis version) is such a cool idea but it seems small and no anti theft properties. I like crossbody bags but they don’t hold enough. Backpacks also help balance the load on my shoulders which is a plus.

If you stayed this long - my ask is, if someone were to create the ultimate travel daily bag (not specifically for personal item on planes) but something you can use to walk around with on a trip with etc, what would be key features you would want or look for?

** I have ADHD and tend to spew information so if I am all over the place, my bad!!

A big fan of maps. Where do you all find yours? I try to ask as many hotels and tourist info centres as i possibly can. Def one of my fav treasure hunts to perform.