We have a booking at 10:30 AM for the Tower, a 2:00 PM booking for Westminster Abbey and then 4:00 PM Thames Cruise from WM Pier to Greenwich. Please give ideas about how we can tour both around 100 min each. Yes, I know it will "not do justice" to the historical places. But I guess that's better than just taking selfies from outside, right?... Read More

Greetings, Wife and I are traveling to Croatia. We will be departing from Dubrovnik (DBV). I am traveling with points business class back to states and have 2 choices: Departing from Milan (MXP) or Rome (FCO) back to states. Both flights leave around 11AM for states. There are no early morning positioning flights from DBV or... Read More

I will probably be staying at Evergreen Laurel Hotel, 8 Pl. Georges Pompidou, 92300 Levallois-Perret, (Paris) France on my last night of a Trafalgar tour. Part of the package is that they take you to the airport at the end. I think I want to head to Switzerland by train (near to Lucerne). Is there a train station at the airport I should link into,... Read More

We are thinking of booking a Danube River Cruise for 2025. Trying to decide which Cruise Line to book with. Our TA has suggested Viking, Tauck and Uniworld. Does anyone have personal experience of any/all of them? I have no idea which we should book with. We have taken one previous cruise with Uniworld ( about 10 years ago) and done a few land tour... Read More

I am planning to rent a vacation home with friends in the Dordogne in September or October. None of us wants to drive in France. I have several questions: 1. Without a car, what 's the easiest/fastest way to get to the region from Paris? Is it train to some connection point, then hire a car and driver? Are there buses from CDG? 2. Again, without... Read More

On April 20, just 4 days ago, I suggested to middle sis that she should apply for Global Entry. I thought the whole process would take months, as she's never had it before. Today, just 4 days after filling out the application, she got the email of her conditional approval. She scheduled an interview at her home airport for May 1, just a week fro... Read More

I spent twelve days in Japan (March 28-April 8) after disembarking from a cruise ship in Tokyo. Since Fodorites are always helpful with pre-trip questions, I like to provide a trip report in case it sparks someone else’s interest! I’ll cover logistics first and then summarize what I did and sights I saw.

Hi everyone! My son (age 11) and I visited the Mosel / Rhine region of Germany last week during my son's April vacation break. I have previously visited this area 21 years ago (!) in 2003 with my mom. We had a very hurried itinerary back then (I was young and didn't know better... and my poor mom who had to keep up with me). This time, our itinerar... Read More

We will be making our first international trip with 10YO, 8YO and 7YO boys. I think we will have 8 full days, plus the day we arrive at like 8am and the day we leave at maybe 1-5pm (still working on which flights.) We are coming the last week of June. Finding it very hard to pick what to do. With that amount of time we are thinking two to three... Read More

Traveling to Monterey in September for family wedding, looking for a nice quiet hotel, we don’t need pools or ocean views. Staying 4 nights, wedding venue is at the Cooper Molera Barns. Thanks! Read More

We are travelling from India to the UK and will be in Scotland next week. I am spending a night in a B&B Farmhouse in Fife (20 min from the Old Course). I plan to visit the Old Course after breakfast, stop for lunch and tee off at the Aberdour Golf Club (booked already) at 14:00 hours. It is a Wednesday. Any ideas on how best I can visit the Old... Read More

Central Asia. Where exactly is it? How is it defined? Well, it depends... The most widely accepted definition of the region incorporates the five former Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan. More expansive definitions incorporate some or all of Afghanistan, East Turkestan,... Read More

Hi, my sister and I (of “varsity” age) are leaving next Monday 4/8 for Lisbon and Porto. We have been monitoring the weather reports and cannot believe our good fortune - it’s been raining for weeks - and this is the forecast for our trip

Hi - We are a couple, aged 69 & 70, hoping to go to Puglia in late October/early November. When we travel, we enjoy exploring historic sites, learning about and enjoying the foods and wines particular to the region, the natural beauty of the area and some hiking (but nothing extreme). I'm trying to put together an itinerary for Puglia that will i... Read More

Hello Fodorites! My daughter and I will be leaving Lisbon and flying into Venice in July for 2 nights. Is there a nearby town that is a good point for a day trip into Venice. The lodging there in Venice is so pricey that maybe there is a reasonably close area and take public transportation into Venice? Read More

Hello there, I realize this is the millionth time this question has been posted, but I’ve got specific criteria for the best Cotswold base that I’d like to ask about. For a 5 night stay at a self-catering cottage in August with a plan to explore villages and countryside, what would you suggest with these priories in mind: 1. The top p... Read More

In particular, wondering about Otranto, Gallipoli & Monopoli, places I might go for a day trip. Yes, I have googled them to try and ascertain what I'd like to know, but it is very difficult to tell. My main question is how close the train station is to the town centers and if there are likely to be taxis available at the stations, because what mi... Read More

In early May I will be attending a week-end family event in Tacoma. Many years ago we visited other locales in the area but didn't make it to Seattle or Tacoma, so Seattle is brand new to me. I am contemplating adding a night or two in Seattle either before or after the Tacoma week-end. But, frankly, nothing about Seattle is truly jumping out a... Read More

Mom, 20 year old son, 12 year old daughter- summer vacay- Was going to Ireland, but other party bailed from the trip, so now looking to go somewhere for 9 days inside the US. This can be a road trip, multi city flight, or a one destination trip. I want it to be amazing for everyone, and I thought I would reach out for ideas. Have been considerin... Read More

Looking for feedback on using one of the VAT refund apps available for iPhone. I see there are a few options and was wondering if folks liked them. How easy and reliable are they? Also I've found different minimum purchase amounts posted online. Some sites say 100€ others say 175€ for France. Thanks all. Read More

Hi All, looking to possibly stay at this place in the summer (have a two year old and six year old). Has anyone stayed here? Reviews look great but rooms look super old and outdated. As long as they’re clean I’m basically okay. Also considering Villa Roma in upstate NY but the rooms also look super outdated. thanks! Read More

It's only been once or twice that I've been able to get an award ticket. I am quite uneducated in all of this with points and using award miles. I have only 16,000 miles on FLYING BLUE. I had tons of points but they were lost after COVID and a couple of medical-reason cancellations. And I have some Iberia points but after spending about an... Read More

This will be my second trip to Rome. I have seen the major sites. One of my favorite galleries was the Villa Borghese, so I plan to return. Other than that, I am looking for some unique places to visit or activities to do. I love art, music and history. I know - I will be in the right place. Read More

We'll be in Paris for 5 days in late May. What are the best resources on restaurants? I don't necessarily need to eat in Michelin starred restaurants, but with only 5 days, I'd like to make some reservations at good mid-priced restaurants. Some days, we might eat our big meal at lunch. Online guides? Books I should buy? Thanks so much for y... Read More

My young adult kids are flying on AA from the US to London where they will transfer to Finnair to Helsinki and then to a smaller plane to Tromso. They only travel with a 22" roller carryon and a daypack. This is no problem to bring on board with AA. But Finnair has more strict weight restrictions and there is no way their bags will be under the... Read More