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Thorn Tree Forum

Departure Lounge

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

Number of topics
Branches
12,896

Africa

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

1,484

Americas - Canada

Maple leaves and Mounties, Tim Hortons' and hockey, Hollywood North and more shoreline than the Caribbean

1,259

Americas - Caribbean

Fun, sun and sand in your shorts

6,140

Americas - Central America

From the cloud forests to the blue holes

1,900

Americas - Cuba

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

2,491

Americas - Mexico

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

13,399

Americas - South America

Supplement your Shoestring with the word from the road

5,355

Americas - United States of America

From sea to shining sea

2,108

Asia - Central Asia

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

12,160

Asia - Indian Subcontinent

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

8,223

Asia - North-East Asia

From teaching in Tokyo to travelling through Tibet

9,595

Asia - South-East Asia Islands & Peninsula

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

9,873

Asia - South-East Asia Mainland

Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam

7,181

Asia - Thailand

The lowdown on the land of smiles

4,223

Australasia & Pacific - Australia, New Zealand & Antarctica

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

903

Australasia & Pacific - Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea

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

9,691

Europe - Eastern Europe & the Caucasus

Czech out all the vital info

2,085

Europe - Scandinavia & the Nordics

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

2,601

Europe - UK & Ireland

Two islands, infinite opportunities, all on one branch

13,655

Europe - Western Europe

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

4,277

Middle East

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

Recent threads in this category:

Jun 17, 2013 7:04 AM
rafallano

last reply
Jun 19, 2013 10:29 AM
rafallano

3 replies
104 views
location: Peru

15 days in Peru

Hello,

We have a wedding in Sept 14th in LIma so we want to have the opportunity to visit the country. We are planning to spend like 12 days around then the wedding and then hit back to Spain. We will probably rent a car to move around, so taking in mind that we probably have 10 days to move around in a car, which tour would you recommend?. If you feeel driving is too much please let me know.

Cheers,

Jun 19, 2013 8:25 AM
Pirate_at_50

last reply
Jun 19, 2013 10:25 AM
torontomm

1 replies
24 views
location: India

Is this the right day for this article?

Someone from TOI got dropped on his head once too often to think this would be topical today---

Global warming may cause extreme droughts in India, World Bank warns

Jun 6, 2013 12:51 AM
BanjoKornel

last reply
Jun 19, 2013 10:25 AM
joytrek

3 replies
213 views
location: Ukraine

Beaches around Yalta; Crimea to Odessa

Hi folks,

I´m going to Yalta on Crimea in early August.
Can anyone tell me, if there are calmer, remote beaches around Yalta, which are not totally overrun by the crowds?

Second question: since I want to continue from Crimea to Odessa, I´m looking for a good way to go.
What is the best way to go from let´s say Simferopol to Odessa? Is there a ferry option, too?

Thanks for advice!

Kornel

Jun 19, 2013 7:24 AM
LosGuevara

last reply
Jun 19, 2013 10:25 AM
st486435

4 replies
54 views


Central American Trip July- August

Howdy All,

I want to thank all frequent posters for posting and providing some information on which I gauged the following trip. With that being said, I embark on a trip that starts July 9th- August 14th, the traveler shall only be I. I land in El Salvador and will stay there 10 or so days with family and should be taken care of while I am in the old country, ha. From there I have time to explore so long as I make my flight from Panama City, Panama to Cartagena, Colombia on July 30th. There I will be in Colombia till the 14th when my flight leaves from Bogota back to New York City.

My questions/concerns: I am a 20yr old male student, I have booked this trip on a feeling of getting out of New York and somehow gaining a global perspective. I really would like to see and experience as much nature as possible; I plan to stay in hostels; I have budgeted $2000 for the whole tri... more »

Jun 19, 2013 8:58 AM
Journeymutt

last reply
Jun 19, 2013 10:24 AM
Journeymutt

2 replies
54 views
location: France

Paris, Rome and the stuff in between

Hello Lonely Planet,

I am a frequent domestic business traveler who has saved up his points for a trip to Europe. I have my sights set on Paris and Rome as my two main destinations. The trip spans April 24- May 6 2014 (11 days not including travel days). Travel between the cities is to be by train, probably the Thello overnight.

The advice I seek is how to maximize the trip without ruining it. Possible itineraries include:

Paris-Rome with a slice of Swiss
Thur: Fly to CDG
Fri-Sun: Paris
Mon: Morning train to Switzerland (Geneva? Lucerne? Bern? Zermatt? Grindelwald?) Evening in CH
Tue: Morning in CH, evening train to Rome
Wed-Sat: Rome
Sun: Thello overnight to Paris
Mon: Last day in Paris
Tue: Fly home

Paris-Rome with jolly good day excursions
Thur: Fly to CDG
Fri-Sun: Paris
Mo... more »

Jun 17, 2013 12:13 PM
krisruth

last reply
Jun 19, 2013 10:22 AM
hermosajoe

6 replies
162 views
location: Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

Travel from Ecuador to Panama

My husband and I want to leave Ecuador in mid-August and go to Panama. What is a cheap and safe option for this? We had heard that it was not advisable to go over Columbia-Panama border.

Any thoughts, leads, or ideas?

Jun 19, 2013 10:21 AM
FraggleRockz

last reply
Jun 19, 2013 10:21 AM
FraggleRockz

0 replies
15 views
location: Peru

Changes to PeruRail timetable

Just got an email from PeruRail, saying that the Cusco to Sacred Valley section of the line is closed due to damage, and that alernative arrangements are in place.

Details here:

http://www.perurail.com/file/information.pdf

Jun 11, 2013 7:19 AM
lucybelle

last reply
Jun 19, 2013 10:19 AM
enrama

39 replies
1,321 views


Pages 1 2 3

Trip to Cuba- only Havana?

We have our tickets bought and are leaving for 10 days in Cuba in just a few weeks! Super psyched!

We have two nights booked at an all-inclusive in Varadero, and the rest of the time we were planning on spending between Havana and Trinidad. But after finally getting an LP for Cuba, it seems like there's not enough time in the world to see everything in Havana! Especially since my husband is museum crazy. I spoke to a friend and he said Havana is his favorite place, and that although Trinidad is beautiful and totally worth seeing, it is full of really annoying people trying to sell you stuff constantly (I read this in the LP as well).

So now I'm thinking of spending all our time in Havana. Trinidad seems pretty far away for our short trip (we plan on traveling in bus, we won't be getting a car). Never say never, but I doubt we'll be heading back to Cuba any time soon, if ev... more »

Dec 5, 2012 2:56 PM
Fwoggie

last reply
Jun 19, 2013 10:19 AM
artemis2

853 replies
24,216 views


Pages 1 2 3 4 ... 57

Snow report

Feel free to contribute what's lying on the ground where you are :)

Right now here in Bonn, Germany, we have nuffink...

Apr 8, 2013 12:12 AM
firahsarom

last reply
Jun 19, 2013 10:18 AM
alcotteer

4 replies
459 views
location: Qatar

Extended Transit Time in Doha

I will be flying to Rome with a stopover at Qatar. Recently Qatar Airways made changes to the flight itinerary which resulted to my initial transit of 2 hours to be extended to 9 hours.

Seems like I will be stuck in Doha airport from 4.50am to 1.50pm. What can I do during those hours? Will there be any cafes to sit back n relax? Can I make a quick visit to the city? Or ... Should Qatar Airways be providing us any accommodations? This is my first flight with stopover. I am not so sure how it is usually done.

Forum: Middle East

Jun 18, 2013 8:46 PM
rpgauche

last reply
Jun 19, 2013 10:16 AM
johnney

5 replies
93 views
location: China

Camping on the Great Wall

Heading to Beijing in July and would like to do a day hike/overnight camping on the 23rd. However, the tour groups seem a bit overpriced. I would also to prefer not to have a guide and camp on my own. Is there anyway to do so without joining a tour group?

If not possible, is anyone interested in forming a small group and going with a smaller tour provider.

Jun 19, 2013 3:05 AM
Franz_Zena

last reply
Jun 19, 2013 10:12 AM
bl0ss0m

1 replies
20 views
location: Philippines

From Manila to Banaue

Hello To Everybody,
I'm Franz and I'm here to ask a couple of questions to all the Philippines experts. Next Autumn I'll go to the Philippines and the "draft" of my trip would involve Manila-Banaue-Palawan. So, my questions are the following:

1. I would visit the mount Pinatubo, is it better to make Manila-San Fernando (stay overnight-visit to Pinatubo-departure in the evening)-Banaue, or making a "day tour" from Manila to visit the Pinatubo and then a straight ride from Manila to Banaue?
2. As far as you know, which is the closest airport to fly from Banaue (and heading to Palawan)?
3. Which is your favorite Flight Company?

I wish you all a great time to travel!

Franz

Jun 19, 2013 10:12 AM
chichonon

last reply
Jun 19, 2013 10:12 AM
chichonon

0 replies
12 views
location: South Africa

How many days do you recommend for Kgalagadi

Hi,
We are going to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park on october (as part of a month trip through SA). Sadly, by now all wilderness camps are fully booked, so we are going to stay in some of the traditional rest camps. We are not going to be on a 4WD vehicle, but on a regular car. How many days do you thing we should stay there? Besides the main routes (the 2 next to the rivers and the 2 connecting them), the are smaller paths where you can enter without having a 4x4? There are some spots you think that we should not miss?
Thanks!

Forum: Africa

Jun 19, 2013 10:09 AM
Ranitomeya

last reply
Jun 19, 2013 10:09 AM
Ranitomeya

0 replies
16 views


Questions about Corcovado - looking for group to share guide August 3-6

I know this is a longshot, but I'd like to find a group to travel with from August 3 to the 5th or 6th in Corcovado.

Corcovado is my only must-see destination in Costa Rica but I (22/M/Florida) will be traveling alone. As such, I need to find a group that is willing to split the cost of a guide for a 2-3 night hike into the park.

I read somewhere on this forum that La Sirena now accepts reservations up to a year in advance; can anyone verify this? If so, is it worth paying wire transfer fees to reserve now or should I contact a guide service down there to do it for me?

Also, would it be better to book 4 nights in the park and then try and find a group willing to share a guide with me at one of the hostels in Puerto Jimenez the night before setting out?

I've been in contact with surcostours but they don't have a group scheduled for August. Can anyone recommend a guid... more »

Jun 18, 2013 10:18 AM
porkaholic

last reply
Jun 19, 2013 10:09 AM
Karlo

11 replies
245 views
location: Sri Lanka

Stomach Issues

Ok, so I've heard horror stories about people spending their vacations on the throne and obviously want to avoid that at all costs. So what are some of the best strategies for staying healthy and with a happy tummy while traveling in Sri Lanka? I know not to eat any street food, food washed in tap water, etc. but I am also looking for advice on medicine. I've heard some people take low dose anti-biotics while in Sri Lanka or take pepto everyday just to calm things down. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 
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