https://www.fodors.com/community/ en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 05:23:56 GMT vBulletin 60 https://www.fodors.com/community/images/misc/rss.jpg https://www.fodors.com/community/ https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/thinking-about-northern-italy-in-november-1735236/ Sat, 11 Apr 2026 19:15:46 GMT I can get a good deal on flight to Milan with miles. I want to avoid having a car, just stick to trains or buses. Thinking about going to Verona upon... I can get a good deal on flight to Milan with miles. I want to avoid having a car, just stick to trains or buses. Thinking about going to Verona upon arrival (by bus or train??) than work my way town hopping back to Milan. Thinking about possibly also staying in Bergamo and/or Brescia, as they are all connected by train and places we haven't been. I'm guessing either one could be a base for day trips as well. Only plan on spending last night in Milan. Been there before so no need to spend much time there. I'm thinking 8-9 nights.

I know it could be chilly in November and may rain, but I like the idea of "off season" in these places. I've recently taken 2 major trips where we had a good amount of rain despite not being rainy season (rained 12 out of 12 days while in Vietnam!), so thinking rainy season can't be any worse.

Any advice or recs would be appreciated. ]]> Europe MFNYC https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/thinking-about-northern-italy-in-november-1735236/ https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/april-in-bavaria-and-alsace-1735234/ Sat, 11 Apr 2026 16:59:11 GMT Planning After 17 months, surgery, a dying cat, and just life � I get to travel again!! I usually go somewhere twice a year, so the 17 months felt... Planning
After 17 months, surgery, a dying cat, and just life � I get to travel again!! I usually go somewhere twice a year, so the 17 months felt soooo hard. I would gaze at hotels and pretty foreign streets on my computer screen with stark longing. I'd had spinal surgery in August of 2024, then with foolish abandon went to Paris that November. It was a disaster because I could barely walk. Then, I had surgery for an arthritic toe in April 2025. And then my 14-year-old cat began to decline. Though I planned a few trips, she would worsen as I was packing, so I always had to cancel.

Those who have gone through the passing of a beloved pet know this next part. I can travel now � finally � but kind of feel that I don't really deserve it and kind of really don't want to. Nevertheless, I'm going.

One of my cancelled trips was to a posh resort in Hohenschwangau above F�ssen, about 1h from my home in Garmisch. In December, I'd really stupidly made pre-paid non-cancellable reservations, but when I threw myself on their mercy, they very graciously allowed me to use the reservations in April. After that, I wanted to spend time in Colmar and see the nearby villages, so that was my next stop. But I got the dates wrong and had an extra free night, so decided to spend a silly single night in Appenzell, between Hohenschwangau and Colmar. Then I wanted a stop on my way home, and decided on �berlingen on the Bodensee, where I've stayed before and enjoyed the town and the vibe. So that is the plan:

Drive 1h to Hotel Ameron Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau x4 nights
Drive 2h to Hotel Traube, Appenzell x1 night
Drive 2h30 to Hotel le Colombier, Colmar x5 nights
Drive 2h30 to Bad Hotel, �berlingen x4 nights.
Drive 3h home

I don't usually drive on my trips, but as the 71-year-old bod grows less and less capable and more and more whiny, I decided to drive my own car. But I plan to use transport as much as possible once at the hotel, as I dislike driving in new places without a navigator to help me interpret the GPS. That should be fine in Germany (F�ssen and �berlingen), but France, as usual, presents a problem. I'll go into more detail from Colmar.

F�ssen
I adore the town of F�ssen, so naturally to spend a wonderful few days wandering its winding streets, I decided to stay in Hohenschwangau. Ja, makes perfect sense. Well, I have a strong desire to always see Alpine lakes, and I don't begrudge spending money for lakeview rooms. There are two big lakes in the area, but I could only find one hotel that offered lakeview rooms, and that was at this posh resort. So, to get the views I wanted, I resolved to suffer the three restaurants, room service, bar, pool, spa, and two saunas (one textile, one textile-free). I made reservations for two massages and made sure to pack a bathing suit.

The drive was easy. Hohenschwangau is a zoo, even in April. I walked around, found my way through the 4 buildings of the resort, and had lunch. A big group of about 60 elderly Germans came in and occupied four of the big bench-seating tables in the restaurant. I wondered what on earth was going on � some had sat down at my table. After a few minutes, a woman dressed in gorgeous Tracht (traditional Bavarian clothing) starting addressing the group � it was a tour! OK. I finished and paid in a hurry, then wandered down to the lake and along it for a while. Then time for my hot stone massage � amazing � then a sauna in the textile-free one (I was alone, so my bravado was wasted), then I was pretty much just melted.

[img alt="View from my room

"]https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fodors.com-vbulletin/2000x1333/p1140637_785f32c04a62de3c8764af909eae43298cb23aa0. jpg[/img]
View from my room
[img alt="The bathroom ...
"]https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fodors.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/20260409_111504_f3403be8ba3c9cc38105c91cd3e52c8faa 5c795c.jpg[/img]
The bathroom ...
[img alt="I dont have to tell you how often Ive almkst walked into the glass door

"]https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fodors.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/20260410_074445_958c940d9b5c224f6e0bb7a7e24ea2cc40 ba60f0.jpg[/img]
I don't have to tell you how often I've almkst walked into the glass door
[img alt="This wing of the hotel abuts the Museum of the Bavarian Kings

"]https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fodors.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/20260409_111809_b5b97f66f6b6a692e7c7ec853a78b9d460 240f3d.jpg[/img]
This wing of the hotel abuts the Museum of the Bavarian Kings
[img alt="Walking around the lake

"]https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fodors.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/20260409_122303_cd0cf15bad75d338a410385df20b619012 65234d.jpg[/img]
Walking around the lake

[img alt="View from the breakfast room

"]https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fodors.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/20260410_080507_1__7f16d130e35c3bdb78f4c0e221e1afa fb68928af.jpg[/img]
View from the breakfast room
[img alt="

"]https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fodors.com-vbulletin/2000x1333/p1140643_320d870fb8080247f235af930855354d63aca10d. jpg[/img]



]]> Europe swandav2000 https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/april-in-bavaria-and-alsace-1735234/ https://www.fodors.com/community/travel-tips-and-trip-ideas/changing-times-in-hostel-land-1735233/ Sat, 11 Apr 2026 15:51:34 GMT Wasn't sure where exactly to post this long observation by a Hostel manager. A fellow traveler and kind friend who happens to be one of the key mods over on the reddit Thorn Tree (Lonely Planet) just posted the manager's observation. Thought I'd re-post it here to see what folks on Fodors might think. 'I work in a hostel and I�ve noticed something over the last couple of years that I don�t think people are really talking about properly.

Everyone says �hostel vibe is bad� "nobody talks at that hostel" or leaves reviews saying the "atmosphere was dead"� but honestly, a lot of the time it�s not the hostel, it�s the guests.

We see it every day.
People cooking in a shared kitchen with headphones on.
People sitting in dorm beds behind privacy curtains watching Netflix.
People staying in the same room for a week and not even learning each other�s names.

At the same time, those same guests will say the atmosphere was bad.

The weird part is, if you suggest removing things like privacy curtains to make rooms more social, people don�t want that either. Everyone wants total privacy and a great social vibe, but without giving anything up or putting themselves out there.

We run events all the time. Bar crawls, wine and cheese nights, paint and sip, yoga, group dinners, movie nights, town walks and more. Good stuff. But turnout is way lower than it used to be if anybody actually turns up. People say they want to meet others, but when it comes to actually showing up or starting a conversation, they just don�t.

There�s also been a noticeable shift toward this kind of mindset. �I paid, entertain me.�

But that�s not really what hostels are. This isn�t a hotel where everything is done for you. The atmosphere in a hostel has always come from the people staying there. It only works if guests actually participate in the hostel.

It feels like we�ve gone from travellers creating the vibe together to expecting it to already exist when we arrive. Which room is the fun in? We actually had one guest blame the poor atmosphere on the bar stools in the kitchen, and another because there were no windows in the movie room.

I�ve also had a look around recently, and it�s not just us. Pretty much every hostel on Hostelworld seems to have taken a noticeable hit in atmosphere ratings over the past few years, often dropping by 10 to 20 percent. That suggests it�s a wider shift in guest behaviour rather than individual hostels suddenly getting worse.

It�s like
�I want to meet people�
but also
�I don�t want to talk first�
and also
�I want my own private space�
and also
"nobody will say hello"

I�m not blaming anyone. I think phones, streaming, and maybe even post COVID social habits have changed how people interact. But it does feel like expectations haven�t caught up with reality.

For anyone travelling right now or thinking about staying in a hostel, a few simple tips that genuinely make a huge difference.

- Take your headphones out in shared spaces. It gives off a vibe that you don't want to speak to anybody
- Say a simple �hey, where are you from?� to your roommates.
- If you�re cooking, ask someone what they�re making. It starts conversations instantly.
- Go to at least one hostel event, even if you�re not 100 percent feeling it.
- Don�t wait for other people to start the conversation. Most people are just as unsure as you.
- Only close your curtain on your bed or pod when you're going to sleep.
- Spend a bit of time in common areas instead of staying in bed on your phone.
- Learn the names of the people in your room. It changes everything.
- If someone invites you for a drink, they�re not necessarily asking you to drink alcohol specifically. They�re inviting connections. Say yes, even if it�s a soft drink or zero alcohol beer. �I don�t drink� often shuts the moment down, when it�s really just about sharing time together.
- Talk to reception/ housekeeping staff - they're working there because they want to socialise

None of this is groundbreaking, and it might even sound obvious or a bit awkward, but this is literally how hostel atmospheres are created.

If everyone waits for �the vibe� to appear, it won�t.

Curious if other travellers or hostel workers have noticed the same thing?'

I am done. the dorm ]]> zebec https://www.fodors.com/community/travel-tips-and-trip-ideas/changing-times-in-hostel-land-1735233/ https://www.fodors.com/community/asia/why-do-so-many-people-choose-japan-over-china-for-travel-in-asia-1735230/ Sat, 11 Apr 2026 03:15:30 GMT I�ve been wondering about this for a while. When people talk about traveling in Asia, Japan seems to come up way more often than China. But from... I�ve been wondering about this for a while.

When people talk about traveling in Asia, Japan seems to come up way more often than China. But from my perspective, China is also very safe for travelers, and it offers a huge range of experiences. It�s much bigger, has incredibly diverse landscapes, and has a lot of history, food, and regional culture.

So in theory, it seems like China should be just as appealing � or even more so for some kinds of travelers. But in reality, far fewer people seem to choose China compared with Japan.

I�m genuinely curious what holds people back. Is it the visa process, language barrier, internet restrictions, transportation concerns, food concerns, or just a general lack of familiarity?

I�m Chinese, so I�d really like to hear honest answers. And if anyone has questions or concerns about traveling in China, feel free to ask � I�m happy to answer as openly as I can. ]]> Asia futingzhang0374 https://www.fodors.com/community/asia/why-do-so-many-people-choose-japan-over-china-for-travel-in-asia-1735230/ https://www.fodors.com/community/africa-and-the-middle-east/safari-september-2027-a-1735224/ Sat, 11 Apr 2026 01:53:43 GMT Have never been on a Safari but plan to do one next year as part of a round the world ticket I am trying to purchase soon as cost of airfares are... Have never been on a Safari but plan to do one next year as part of a round the world ticket I am trying to purchase soon as cost of airfares are really going up. Have been reading a lot of trip reports and have the Fodors Safari guide. We have traveled extensively independently through Europe/South America and Asia. Seems like East Africa would be a good first step in Africa with either Kenya or Tanzania for 14-17 days. Think we will do South Africa with Capetown/ Kruger/VF on another trip due to our limitation of time.
Leaning towards Tanzania as it appears most of the destinations require driving while Kenya appears best with some small planes for transport. I tend to get airsick in small planes despite Scopolamine patches. We are going to the Galapagos next month and will be trying some combination stronger for the small plane flight between islands. We will be flying through Europe as we will be celebrating my wife's birthday with the family in the Dordogne in June so Africa will be an extension of that RTW trip. Prefer to fly either Lufthansa or Brussels form Europe but we might have to fly Ethiopian Airlines as we will be on a Star Alliance Business Ticket. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. ]]> mjs https://www.fodors.com/community/africa-and-the-middle-east/safari-september-2027-a-1735224/ https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/2-weeks-in-portugal-1735223/ Fri, 10 Apr 2026 21:23:27 GMT Traveling to Portugal in May for the first time and want to see the main highlights. I am not really a beach person, hence the absence of the... Traveling to Portugal in May for the first time and want to see the main highlights. I am not really a beach person, hence the absence of the Algarve. I am always up at around 7am and also enjoy staying out till around 11pm-12am. I enjoy walking a lot and just cafe and bakery hopping a lot. On previous trips, I have walked on average 12+ miles a day. I also like to see the main tourist attractions of the cities, but I don't mind missing some of the big stuff if there are long lines, etc. I do have experience traveling in Europe and have visited Spain, Poland, and Romania in the past. Here is my itinerary. I have 13 full days excluding travel.

Day 1: Arrive in Lisbon at 8p. Check into hotel and get a good night sleep.
Day 2: Full free day in Lisbon
Explore the Alfama, Baixa, Chiado, and Barrio Alto Neighborhoods.
Day 3: Full free day in Lisbon.
Explore the Belem district in morning and Principe Real in afternoon (this is where my hotel is).
Day 4: Sintra day trip. Sleep in Lisbon.
Day 5: Tomar day trip. Sleep in Lisbon.
Day 6: Lisbon to Evora by train. Spend afternoon and sleep in Evora.
Day 7: Free day in Evora.
Day 8: Evora to Coimbra by train. Spend afternoon and sleep in Coimbra.
Day 9: Coimbra free day.
Day 10: Coimbra to Porto by train. Spend afternoon and sleep in Porto.
Day 11: Free day in Porto.
Day 12: Free day in Porto .
Day 13: Guimaraes day trip
Day 14: Morning in Porto. Take afternoon train to Lisbon and stay in hotel by airport
Day 15: Leave Lisbon at 6am in the morning.

My main questions are:

Is this route all manageable by train?

What day trip from Porto would you recommend? Douro valley seems to be very popular, but I don't really drink and most tours seem to be wine tasting. I do enjoy nature though and the views look stunning. Right now I have chosen Guimaraes but willing to change.

Would you recommend to take one day from Porto and add an Obidos day trip from Lisbon. I have heard mixed opinions about Obidos, but I personally love small towns--especially medieval ones.

Would you speak Spanish or English? As a native Spanish speaker, I understand Portuguese quite well and wonder if this is more useful than speaking English.

Does this trip look reasonable? How touristy will it be in May? IS this too rushed? What to skip or what to add?

Thank yall in advance! ]]> Europe elijahcdl https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/2-weeks-in-portugal-1735223/ https://www.fodors.com/community/asia/how-did-you-get-around-ninh-binh-1735222/ Fri, 10 Apr 2026 21:19:01 GMT I am trying to figure out what strategy to employ in visiting the area. December trip, so sunset is about 5:15 to 5:30pm. Hire a guide and car... I am trying to figure out what strategy to employ in visiting the area. December trip, so sunset is about 5:15 to 5:30pm.

Hire a guide and car for the duration (4 nights).
Will stop in at least one place listed below on our way back and forth from Hanoi)

Self Drive (I think this is possible).

one way 'taxi' trips (there's probably an app for that).

On my list to visit so far:
Hang Mua
Bich Dong
Thung Nam Gardens
Di San Trang An (Boats)
Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda
Bai Dinh
Thung Ui
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
Chua Tam Chuc

Any other ideas?

Thanks!



]]> Asia shelemm https://www.fodors.com/community/asia/how-did-you-get-around-ninh-binh-1735222/ https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/two-weeks-in-portugal-itinerary-1735221/ Fri, 10 Apr 2026 21:12:54 GMT Traveling to Portugal in May for the first time and want to see the main highlights. I am not really a beach person, hence the absence of the... Traveling to Portugal in May for the first time and want to see the main highlights. I am not really a beach person, hence the absence of the Algarve. I am always up at around 7am and also enjoy staying out till around 11pm-12am. I enjoy walking a lot and just stopping in random cafes or bakeries along the way. On previous trips, I have walked on average 12+ miles a day. I also like to see the main tourist attractions of the cities, but I don't mind missing some of the big stuff if there are long lines, etc. I do have experience traveling in Europe and have visited Spain, Poland, and Romania in the past. Here is my itinerary. I have 13 full days excluding travel.

Day 1: Arrive in Lisbon at 8p. Check into hotel and get a good night sleep.
Day 2: Full free day in Lisbon.
Alfama, Chiado, Baixa, and Barrio Alto
Day 3: Full free day in Lisbon.
Explore the Belem district in morning and Principe Real at night.
Day 4: Sintra day trip. Sleep in Lisbon.
Day 5: Tomar day trip. Sleep in Lisbon.
Day 6: Lisbon to Evora by train. Spend afternoon and sleep in Evora.
Day 7: Free day in Evora.
Day 8: Evora to Coimbra by train. Spend afternoon and sleep in Coimbra.
Day 9: Coimbra free day.
Day 10: Coimbra to Porto by train. Spend afternoon and sleep in Porto.
Day 11: Free day in Porto.
Day 12: Free day in Porto .
Day 13: Guimaraes day trip.
Day 14: Morning in Porto. Take afternoon train to Lisbon and stay in hotel by airport
Day 15: Leave Lisbon at 6am in the morning.

My main questions are:

Is this route all manageable by train?

What day trip from Porto would you recommend? Douro valley seems to be very popular, but I don't really drink and most tours seem to be wine tasting. I do enjoy nature though and the views look stunning. I have opted with Guimaraes so far.

Would you recommend to take one day from Porto and add an Obidos day trip from Lisbon. I have heard mixed opinions about Obidos, but I personally love small towns--especially medieval ones.

Would you speak Spanish or English? As a native Spanish speaker, I understand Portuguese quite well and wonder if this is more useful than speaking English.

Does this trip look reasonable? What would you add or take away.

Thank yall in advance! ]]> Europe Romania4ever https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/two-weeks-in-portugal-itinerary-1735221/ https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/us-customs-pre-clearance-in-dublin-1735217/ Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:50:45 GMT I will be flying from Italy to the USA, with a connection in Dublin. I will go through US immigration and customs in Dublin. I suppose I will have to... I will be flying from Italy to the USA, with a connection in Dublin. I will go through US immigration and customs in Dublin. I suppose I will have to collect my checked bag in order to go through customs. Has anyone done this as a transfer passenger? Does it go smoothly?

I tried to flag this post for Ireland, but the link to post a new question disappeared when I did that. ]]> Europe bvlenci https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/us-customs-pre-clearance-in-dublin-1735217/ https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/brendan-tour-ireland-and-scotland-1735213/ Fri, 10 Apr 2026 08:44:36 GMT Seems we'll be spending a lot of time on the bus. I understand they will stow away the large luggage. but then they say will allow only 12"x11" x 6' (which is the size of a purse) carryon inside the bus. this seems completely inadequate for 20 day excursion! I think one should be able to have backpack that can accommodate sweater and umbrella at least.

If I ask Brendan, they will just refer to policy - my question here is how strict are the driver/handler if i bring backpack several inches larger? ]]> Europe fronf https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/brendan-tour-ireland-and-scotland-1735213/ https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/provence-1735210/ Fri, 10 Apr 2026 03:34:35 GMT Hi, my wife and teenage son are planning to visit Provence in the first week of May for 4-5 days. We will be driving from Nice, wondering if anyone... Hi, my wife and teenage son are planning to visit Provence in the first week of May for 4-5 days. We will be driving from Nice, wondering if anyone has a suggestion on whether it's better to stay in one place and do short exploratory trips. We like to explore the countryside, do some moderate hikes, enjoy classical music concerts, and visit historical sites. ]]> Europe Sarya https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/provence-1735210/ https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/advice-for-4-young-adults-female-traveling-in-n-italy-1735208/ Thu, 09 Apr 2026 21:25:20 GMT My 23-year-old daughter and her 3 friends will be traveling from Nice to Milan in August. (I know, not ideal, but they�re teachers so they have no... My 23-year-old daughter and her 3 friends will be traveling from Nice to Milan in August. (I know, not ideal, but they�re teachers so they have no choice but to travel in summer and this was the timeframe worked for all 4 of them.) They have 6 nights. I�m trying to determine where to advise them to go before flying out of Milan. I like the Italian Lakes, but I just like hanging in piazzas.:) Does anyone know if there is a lot to there do that may be of interest to the younger crowd? Are the Cinque Terre too far off the beaten path (and too overcrowded in August)? They�ll be in Nice first. Is Liguria (Portofino, Santa Margarita, etc.) too similar in terms of scenery? Thanks for any opinions you can offer.
]]> Europe BarbaraMH https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/advice-for-4-young-adults-female-traveling-in-n-italy-1735208/ https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/flights-usa-to-europe-1735207/ Thu, 09 Apr 2026 20:37:27 GMT Just curious but have others noticed how much higher airfare is this year compared to last year and particularly two years ago? Prices seemed to have... Just curious but have others noticed how much higher airfare is this year compared to last year and particularly two years ago? Prices seemed to have doubled in the last two years. ]]> Europe jamesguiliani8369 https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/flights-usa-to-europe-1735207/ https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/haro-1735205/ Thu, 09 Apr 2026 17:29:12 GMT Any restaurant suggestions or must see in Haro? Favorite wine tasting spots? Thank you Any restaurant suggestions or must see in Haro? Favorite wine tasting spots?

Thank you ]]> Europe cl4books https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/haro-1735205/ https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/how-dressed-up-for-fancy-restaurants-1735204/ Thu, 09 Apr 2026 17:24:43 GMT We have several dinners booked in upscale fancy type restaurants for our trip to Dublin in May. I checked websites and they don't say anything about dress code. I always wear a dress and my husband always wears slacks, dress shirt - does he need a tie or dinner jacket as well or does "business casual" do? thanks ]]> Europe lauramsgarden https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/how-dressed-up-for-fancy-restaurants-1735204/