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Share your travel information, advice, hints and tips. Please choose from one of the countries or regions below.

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Branches
38,472

Africa

Looking for a latte in Lesotho or a truckin' good transcontinental time

5,914

Americas - Canada

Dog sledding, Maple Leafs and more shoreline than the Caribbean

4,374

Americas - Caribbean

Fun, sun and sand in your shorts

20,150

Americas - Central America

From the cloud forests to the blue holes

6,587

Americas - Cuba

It's more than just cigars, rum and old cars

10,793

Americas - Mexico

Akumal to Zipolite, Aztecs to Zapatistas.. y tequila!

42,184

Americas - South America

Supplement your Shoestring with the word from the road

14,547

Americas - United States of America

From sea to shining sea

4,262

Asia - Central Asia

Here a 'stan, there a 'stan, everywhere a 'stan 'stan

32,068

Asia - Indian Subcontinent

Not only elephants, snake charmers, price rises, immodium and curry in a hurry

31,595

Asia - North-East Asia

From teaching in Tokyo to travelling through Tibet

22,972

Asia - South-East Asia Islands & Peninsula

Brunei, East Timor, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore

26,313

Asia - South-East Asia Mainland

Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam

26,934

Asia - Thailand

The lowdown on the land of smiles

17,903

Australasia & Pacific - Australia, New Zealand & Antarctica

Do they speak English? Is there a bridge to NZ? Are kangaroos poisonous?

3,927

Australasia & Pacific - Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea

Sun-drenched beaches, swaying palms, rising ocean levels...

23,303

Europe - Eastern Europe and the Caucasus

Czech out all the vital info

5,215

Europe - Scandinavia

Fjords and hiking, meet some Vikings - Nordic Europe will be to your likings!

9,856

Europe - UK & Ireland

Two islands, infinite opportunities, all on one branch

33,185

Europe - Western Europe

Bacalhau to bratwurst, frites to zabaglione - Also, there's art

14,218

Middle East

...and does anyone know about that Israeli passport stamp

Recent threads in this category:

Read

posted
21-Nov-2009 15:46
by: methos2000 »

last reply
26-Nov-2009 06:45
by: catw »

5 replies , 180 views location: Israel

jeruselem hotel question

I am traveling with my husband and 13 yr old son to Israel later this month. We are staying in a time share resort in Eilat most of the week, but have a couple days in Jeruselem when we arrive. My husband is Jewish and concerned about hotels that might be in an Arab section might not be safe. Does anyone have recommendations for reasonably inexpensive hotels near tourist areas? thanks!

Forum: Middle East
Read

posted
25-Nov-2009 11:50
by: staxski »

last reply
26-Nov-2009 06:45
by: staxski »

3 replies , 45 views location: United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi stopover .. budget hotel

Sorry folks if this has been asked here before, but thanks to you guys I've become aware that I don't need a visa for UAE. I'm flying from Europe to Thailand in January and the best deal by far I'm getting is to Bangkok via Abu Dhabi, with a 14 hour stopover on the way over. It's with Ethihad.

My flight from Geneva gets in at 7.30 p.m and I'm due to leave again at about 9.30 a.m., so all I'm really looking for is a recommendation for a budget hotel near the airport. And perhaps a suggstion for something to do in Abu Dhabi for just one or two hours before getting a lie-down.

Any recommendations would be appreciated from a Thailand bound Dive Master whose budget might not exactly reach UAE standards ... but I'm not looking for a fleapit either!

I've read here that Etihad provide accommodation for transit passengers whose stopovers are for longer than 12 hours, but can't really ... more »

Forum: Middle East
Read

posted
20-Nov-2009 11:21
by: ranme »

last reply
26-Nov-2009 06:44
by: oomwesam »

3 replies , 119 views location: Syria

Cost of Living in Syria

Hi.

My family of 5 ( wife and 3 boys below 5 years old) thinking of staying in Syrian Capital (Damascus) for 2 - 3 years to study Arabic.

Can u advise what is cost of apartment, food and education generally like?

Are the residents interested in learning English? I can teach that as a source of income while studying.

Thank you.

Forum: Middle East
Read

posted
25-Nov-2009 11:36
by: mongfolio »

last reply
26-Nov-2009 06:44
by: alan1972 »

5 replies , 68 views

TURKEY, GREECE, MACEDONIA, MONTENEGRO, BOSNIA&HERZ, SERBIA, HUNGARY, UKRAIN

OK guys, It's time to start planning summer 2010 and I just want your advice as my guidebook isnt helping me that much and cant really find anything on the web..

I'm used to travelling on my own (Did Kyiv - Istanbul last year but down the east)

Here is my proposed route, im thinking mostly bus travel as I found this to be much cheaper than trains this year and as ever I am on a super tight budget.

Im more bothered about if its actually possible to travel between these destinations directly, not about accom or anything....

So, here goes... (In this order)

TURKEY:
Istanbul

GREECE;
Thessaloniki

MACEDONIA:
Skopje

***Possibly transit through Albania without stopping, unless you reccomend it...)

MONTENEGRO:
Bar
Budva
Kotor

CROATIA:
Dubrovnik

BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA:
Mostar
Sarajevo

SERBIA:
Belgrade

HUNGARY:
Budapest

UKRAINE:
Lviv
Kyiv

T... more »

Read

posted
25-Nov-2009 14:34
by: crissy1813 »

last reply
26-Nov-2009 06:44
by: Kahua »

3 replies , 84 views

LA to LV

Hi. What is the best way to get from LA to Vegas. Can you drive it in a day? Will the roads be open between the XMas New Year period

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posted
24-Nov-2009 07:01
by: Riesj »

last reply
26-Nov-2009 06:43
by: Riesj »

13 replies , 195 views location: Pakistan

On foot in Pakistan

I am planning to make a journey on foot from Europe to India. I wish to walk through Iran- Afghanistan- Pakistan, but I think that Afghanistan is not a very good idea. So I like to walk through Pakistan, From Iran into Pakistan-Balouchistan to the east of Pakistan. I know its a dangerous plan, but is there anyone who can give me tips? And is there anyone who thinks it can be done?

Al comments are very welcome..

Riesj

Read

posted
26-Nov-2009 04:34
by: kaw118 »

last reply
26-Nov-2009 06:43
by: westwood »

1 replies , 14 views location: New Zealand

Train. Auckland to Wellington

Having booked the above - I realise that there are no allocated seats as yet. Is it a free for all or are seats allocated later?

Thanks

Read

posted
23-Nov-2009 16:50
by: lem224 »

last reply
26-Nov-2009 06:43
by: tombo »

17 replies , 351 views location: Costa Rica

Pages 1 2

Costa Rica for 2 Weeks low budget.

I am traveling to Costa Rica for 2 weeks (Dec 28th to Jan 12th).

I have been doing some investigating but would love some advice/opinions from those of you who have been to Costa Rica and can offer any good options for getting around on a low budget.

The bulk of money we want to spend on activities instead of lodging and transportation. Camping is key, so if there are any good recommendations for camp sites out there I'd love to hear them.

Also, any good advice for a play to be for New Years?

Thanks =)

Read

posted
25-Nov-2009 11:03
by: frisch1 »

last reply
26-Nov-2009 06:42
by: arjwilson »

4 replies , 72 views location: Japan

Are ryokan too cold in winter?

I will be visiting Japan this December and have always wanted to stay in a ryokan. But I have heard that ryokan do not have good heating, and am worried about being too cold.

Anyone have advice about this? Are ryokan really freezing in winter? How can I find a ryokan that has good heating?

Thanks...

Read

posted
26-Nov-2009 02:58
by: arwalker »

last reply
26-Nov-2009 06:42
by: Satchie »

3 replies , 34 views

Tulum/ playa vacation

My husband and I are going to Mexico this Jan 13th through the 19th. We fly out of Boston arrive in Cancun 12.35pm. Originally we had planned a day trip to Tulum (from playa), but are now considering splitting the trip in half. I was thinking of renting a car at the airport -drive to Tulum on the 13th stay till the 15th then drive to Playa. There we would drop the car and stay in Playa till the 19th when we would take a bus back to Cancun.

My question is how long does it take to drive from Cancun to Tulum and is it a pretty straight drive (meaning not alot of highway/back road changes)? Is it difficult getting out of Cancun?

Also does anyone have suggestions on a place to stay in Tulum? We have researched Playa extensively but have just started looking at Tulum. We would not be making reservation, just showing up. Are budget would be about $60 (high end) a night including a pr... more »

Read

posted
26-Nov-2009 05:20
by: alexbfree »

last reply
26-Nov-2009 06:41
by: Kahua »

1 replies , 24 views

December Road Trip California & Beyond - does this seem like a good plan?

Hi there, my wife and I are planning a 2.5 week trip to California over Christmas and New Year, and we want to hire a car and explore some of the surrounding areas.

Having researched on these forums and elsewhere it seems the more desert-like areas are recommended at that time of year for climate.

We have planned our trip something like this:

Dec 17th: Arrive San Francisco, rent car, stay overnight San Francisco
Dec 18th: Drive to Lake Tahoe (3.5hrs) via stop in Napa Valley/wine region. Stay overnight at Lake Tahoe
Dec 19th: Drive to Death Valley (9.5hrs). Stay overnight at Stovepipe Wells Village.
Dec 20th: Drive to Antelope Canyon (9.5hrs). Stay overnight at Page.
Dec 21st: Morning tour of Antelope Canyon. Drive to Grand Canyon (4hrs). Stay near Grand Canyon.
Dec 22nd: Visit Grand Canyon in the morning. Drive to Twentynine Palms (7hrs). Stay overnight 29 Palms.
Dec 23... more »

Read

posted
26-Nov-2009 05:19
by: curiouspeach »

last reply
26-Nov-2009 06:40
by: GaryGuillermo »

2 replies , 26 views

Please advise re: Swine flu situation & flight between Cancun-Havana

Hello,

I am hoping to travel Cuba around March - April next year, flying from Cancun, Mexico.
I believe flights from Mexico were cancelled last spring due to the Swine flu. What happened to it now?
I believe it is better to book the flight (Cancun-Havana) in advance, but if I know there is a big chance that flights from Mexico may be cancelled, I don't want to purchase it in advance.

Generally, can I buy a flight ticket in the same day of departure? (I am flying into Cancun, and I don't want to spend a night there.)

Could you advise regarding the Swine flu situation and flight from Cancun-Havana? Thanks!!

Read

posted
26-Nov-2009 01:12
by: loupinlegs »

last reply
26-Nov-2009 06:40
by: bamemory »

7 replies , 50 views location: Venezuela

Living in Caracas

Hi there!

My boyfriend and I are British teachers and are looking to apply for a couple of jobs in one of the international schools in Caracas.

Venezula sounds amazing and we have always wanted to go, but to live there....?

Economically and polictically speaking is this a good idea?

Thanks

Read

posted
10-Nov-2009 22:18
by: actionjackson1 »

last reply
26-Nov-2009 06:39
by: catw »

13 replies , 420 views location: South Africa

Baggage safety?

This query isn't strictly related to South Africa, but I couldn't find a thread which looked suitable (suggestions are welcome if there's somewhere better for this post).

I'm flying into Johannesburg airport next week, and have a few hours to wait before I get another flight to Polokwane (it's not a connection so I'll have to collect my bags from arrivals and check in again at departures). The British Foreign Office website warns that stealing by the baggage handlers is common at J'burg airport, and advises you get your bags vacuum wrapped before you leave. I've never done this before - can anyone offer me advice as to whether the vacuum wrapping is worth doing? How does it work?

Also is it allowed in all countries? I know you're not allowed to put locks on your bags, but I can't really see why vacuum wrapping is any different. I'm flying Birmingham (UK) to Paris CDG to Joh... more »

Forum: Africa
Read

posted
26-Nov-2009 06:39
by: SassySue8 »

last reply
26-Nov-2009 06:39
by: SassySue8 »

0 replies , 6 views location: Vietnam

Private guide - Vietnam

Would like information on hiring a private guide to take me around Vietnam. I am a solo traveller but do not want to do the group tour experience. Need to know about average daily cost and what services they provide e.g. accommodation, meals etc. Where would you suggest I look for reliable guides.Any comment on personal experience with this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for any assistance.

 

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