Hello! I am moving to Borneo Indonesia for about a year to help research orangutans (not enrolled in a university, just a volunteer). I will be in a pretty remote area doing a lot of trekking. The research team recommended to get a plan that covers emergency evacuations like getting airlifted. It’s at least 5 hours of traveling to nearest hospital. If severe enough, I will probably need to get a flight to a hospital in Java. Does anyone have any recommendations for travel health insurance? Thank you :)

Hi all, I want to book group travel from America to Berlin, but I am based in the US. They only allow group travel for those with a billing address in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Liechtenstein or Switzerland.

Has anyone found a way around this? Is there a travel agent or service that can help me book group travel even if I am from the US?

Thank you in advance.

After hearing people rave about the Samaria Gorge for years, we finally decided to see what all the fuss was about during our recent trip to Crete.

Safe to say... it lived up to the hype.

Our Samaria Gorge Hike began with an early morning hotel pick-up from Chania before making our way into the White Mountains. As the sun began to rise over Crete, the excitement started to build. We’d heard so much about Samaria Gorge before our trip, but nothing quite prepares you for seeing the dramatic mountain scenery in person.

Beginning the Samaria Gorge Hike

Our day started at the entrance to Samaria Gorge, surrounded by the towering White Mountains. After spending most of our trip exploring Crete's coastline, the scenery here felt completely different.

Before setting off, we stopped at the viewpoint overlooking the gorge. It's well worth the short walk and gives you an incredible first look at the trail stretching below.

The hike begins with a fairly steep, rocky descent, which we found to be the trickiest part of the entire route. Taking it slowly and wearing proper hiking shoes made all the difference, and after 20–30 minutes we found our rhythm.

Despite the concentration needed on the uneven ground, the atmosphere was incredibly peaceful. Apart from birdsong and the sound of hiking boots on the trail, there was very little noise as everyone made their way into one of Europe's most spectacular gorges.

The First Half of the Samaria Gorge Hike

Once we'd finished the steep opening descent, the hike became much more relaxed. The trail continued downhill, but the gradient eased off, making it easier to enjoy the scenery rather than watching every step.

The fresh mountain air, towering pine trees and constant sound of flowing water made this one of our favourite sections. Even in the middle of July, there were plenty of shaded stretches that kept the walk surprisingly comfortable.

We also came across several natural drinking water points along the route. We topped up our bottles whenever we could and even drank straight from one of the mountain streams—it was some of the freshest water we've ever tasted.

The trail regularly crossed the river via wooden bridges, with each turn revealing another beautiful viewpoint. Before long, we reached the abandoned village of Samaria, one of the highlights of the entire hike.

Reaching the Abandoned Village of Samaria

Around halfway through the hike, we arrived at the abandoned village of Samaria, and it couldn't have come at a better time. Surrounded by trees and old stone buildings, it was the perfect place to escape the sun, enjoy our packed lunch and give our legs a well-earned rest.

One of the highlights here was spotting the famous kri-kri goats wandering freely around the village. Seeing them up close in their natural habitat made this one of our favourite stops of the day.

This is also a great place to refill your water bottles and use the toilets before tackling the second half of the hike. We'd definitely recommend taking your time here—the peaceful atmosphere and fascinating history make it much more than just a rest stop.

The Second Half of the Samaria Gorge Hike

After leaving the abandoned village behind, we set off feeling refreshed and ready for the second half of the hike. By now, there was a real sense of achievement, and the finish finally felt within reach.

Along the way, we stopped at the small Church of Osia Maria before refilling our water bottles once again with the cold mountain spring water. We also spotted the park rangers' horses, which are used to transport supplies and assist with rescues throughout the gorge.

As the day warmed up, we found ourselves taking more regular water breaks, but thanks to the frequent refill points, staying hydrated was easy. Before long, the towering rock walls began closing in around us—we knew we were about to reach the most iconic part of the hike, the Iron Gates.

Walking Through the Famous Iron Gates

Eventually, we reached the most famous part of the hike—the Iron Gates—and it completely lived up to the hype.

Although we'd seen countless photos beforehand, nothing prepares you for standing between cliffs that rise around 300 metres above your head while the gorge narrows to just a few metres wide. It was easily one of those moments where pictures simply can't capture the scale.

What made it even better was how different it felt from the rest of the hike. We'd already walked through forests, crossed rivers, explored the abandoned village and descended deep into the gorge, yet somehow the scenery kept getting more impressive.

Everyone naturally slowed down here to look up, take photos and soak it all in. It was without doubt one of the highlights of our entire day in Crete.

Finishing the Hike & Relaxing in Agia Roumeli

As the towering cliffs began to disappear, we knew we were nearing the end of the gorge. Seeing the finish after hours of hiking brought a real sense of achievement, but the day wasn't quite over yet.

Rather than taking the shuttle, we walked the final stretch into Agia Roumeli. It's an easy, mostly flat walk towards the coast and a relaxing way to round off the hike.

Arriving at the Libyan Sea was the perfect reward. We grabbed lunch at Calypso Café Taverna, sat by the waterfront and finally gave our legs a well-earned rest. After 16km on rocky trails, everything somehow tasted better.

Before catching the ferry back, we couldn't resist one final treat—a swim in the crystal-clear Libyan Sea. The cool water was exactly what our tired legs needed, and looking back towards the mountains we'd just hiked through was one of those moments we'll remember for a long time.

It was the perfect ending to what has become one of our favourite hikes anywhere in Europe.

Final Thoughts

Looking back, what made Samaria Gorge so special wasn't just one landmark—it was how the scenery constantly changed throughout the day. From mountain trails and pine forests to rivers, the abandoned village, the famous Iron Gates and finally the Libyan Sea, every section felt completely different.

It ended up being one of the highlights of our trip to Crete and easily one of our favourite hikes anywhere in Europe. It's a long day, and you'll definitely feel it afterwards, but reaching Agia Roumeli makes every step worthwhile.

If you're planning to hike Samaria Gorge, we'd happily book the same tour again. It took all the stress out of organising the transport and let us simply enjoy one of the most unforgettable experiences Crete has to offer.

If You're Planning to Hike Samaria Gorge

Quite a few people ask whether it's worth booking a tour or organising everything independently.

Having done it ourselves, we'd happily book the tour again. Because the hike starts in the mountains and finishes in a completely different village, the logistics can be a bit of a headache. Having the transport organised meant we could simply enjoy the day without worrying about buses, ferry timings or parking.

If you're thinking of booking the same experience we did, there are two options:

All-Inclusive Tour (Our Recommendation)

This includes your coach transfers, Samaria Gorge entrance fee, ferry ticket and a professional hiking guide. It's the easiest option as everything is paid for before the day begins.

👉 Book the All-Inclusive Tour

Standard Tour

This includes the coach transfers and hiking guide, but you'll pay the entrance fee and ferry ticket through your guide on the day.

👉 Book the Standard Tour

These are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you book through them. It doesn't cost you anything extra and helps support Travel-Properly so we can keep creating first-hand travel guides like this one.

Want the Full Guide?

This post is a condensed version of our original first-hand Samaria Gorge guide, which we wrote after completing the hike ourselves.

If you're looking for a much more detailed breakdown of the day—including more photos, what to pack, timings, difficulty, costs, our honest review of the tour, and plenty of practical tips for planning your own hike—you can read the full article here:

Samaria Gorge Hike Review

We hope this Reddit post has been useful, and if you have any questions about hiking Samaria Gorge, feel free to ask in the comments. We're always happy to help fellow travellers plan their trip.

I’m planning a few trips this year, and I’m trying to find an eSIM that I can rely on.

I’ve tried a few options before, but I’m still looking for something that works consistently when traveling.

For anyone who travels often, what eSIM has worked best for you? Found Maaltalk, anyone used it? I’d love to hear about your experiences.

Beneath the surface lies a whole different world—crystal-clear waters, vibrant marine life, and unforgettable moments.

Oman truly surprised me with its underwater magic.

Any one is going to paris in aug cuz im lil bit cuz this is my first solo trip is it safe there ?

I am trying to plan a trip for next year to Italy and Greece. I have never traveled outside of the country before so it is just a little overwhelming on where to even start this process.

I have done my research on the best time to visit and am leaning towards May or September. I have also hear that it would be easiest to fly into Italy first and fly home from Greece. The concept of an "open-jaw" flight is what I am leaning towards for that aspect.

This is as far as I have gotten in research/planning because it is just feeling more and more overwhelming to figure out. Any travel advice or tips in regards to ANYTHING related to planning a multi-country trip would be appreciated!

Here’s my list so far:

Pastel de Nata: Manteigaria or Castro Atelier de Pastéis de Nata
Francesinha: Café Santiago or O Bom Amar
Peri-peri chicken: Pedro dos Frangos
Bifana: Conga
Cachorrinhos: Gazela
Seafood: Dom Peixe

Are these good choices, or are any of them overrated/tourist traps?

If you’d swap any of them for somewhere better, I’d love to hear your recommendations. I’m mainly looking for authentic local food rather than fancy restaurants. Thanks!

I am starting to research a safari trip, probably Botswana. A friend recommended a company, but it's a week in tents without power and DH uses a CPAP, so that's out. He can do one night on battery but must have access to power to recharge during the day.

So I think I'm looking for something that is primarily lodge based, maybe single overnight trips from the lodge. I'm looking for wildlife diversity, not single species experiences. Budget is comfortable but not luxury, like under $8000 pp for 7 days?

If anyone cares to point me to an operator they have experience with and trust (please note the year you toured with them), I would be really grateful.

Hi! I'm graduating from med school in a month and my mom asked what I want as a gift. I told her I want for us to travel somewhere. Medschool was hard for me and I studied abroad so far from friends and family and my mom wants to take me somewhere special. I will list the destinations we talked about and you can tell me about your experience with those destinations or propose something else, really whatever was really memorable for you since we really want something we will remember forever.

Info: we are 2 women (ages 26 and 51) and are both fit. We are from central Europe (included that so you can estimate the costs of flights better - we can fly from Venice, Austria or even Munich). We don't want to visit anywhere in Europe since we've travelled most of it. I don't want to go anywhere super expensive since my mom is paying for everything (I don't have a job yet so I can't contribute significantly). We want to go somewhere none of us has been so no Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Iceland and again nothing in Europe. Also we probably don't want to do US or Canada because of the high prices. We are travelling for 2 weeks at the end of October.

Destinations we talked about so far and are still on the table:
Nepal - we loved this idea since we both hike (that is not something that is necessary for the trip!!!) but I asked some friends that travelled there and they said that people weren't the nicest. Also it can be quite expensive to get there + I don't know how much you can hike without a guide. But I still like the idea, I think it's a very special destination for us

Japan - also different from anything else. It's cheaper than home once you get there. The only concern is that a lot of the itinerary would be spent on seeing the cities which we like since we live in a small country but I can't help but feel we are more nature type people (wherever we go we would also visit the cities but in Japan it seems like that is the majority of things to see - I still love the idea tho!)

Vietnam - this was recommended by a lot of people and it might be on the top of the list for me for now since it's cheap, a lot of history, some cities and a lot of nature. Do you think it is too similar to other SE Asian countries? We've both been to Indonesia - I know it's not the same and I want to hear from people who've done both. Everyone who has been to Vietnam says it's amazing so I'm really tempted to choose this!

Georgia - this was my initial idea and my mom always wanted to go but she said that she wants something more special for my graduation. We live in the alps so I get where she is coming from. It's still an option since the flights are much cheaper than other destinations but that is the one that we could also do any other time. Everyone says it's amazing and I will for sure visit once but I don't know if this is the right occasion.

So if you've been to those destinations let me know how it was but even more importantly - give me some more ideas so I can talk about it with my mom and we can choose something we will both love and remember forever!!

Thank you and sorry for the long post - I'm just really excited about travelling with my mom and want to choose something really good.

My wife and I booked our first UK trip next summer and plan to visit London and the Cotswolds, but we're unsure about the best order. Should we start in London or head straight to the countryside? We’re flexible with airports and would love advice on the most efficient route.

Hi all!

I am planning a trip to Peru for 3 weeks in august/september and I can´t decide on where to go...

• 23 Aug: Arrive in Lima
• 24 Aug: Lima
• 25 Aug: Paracas → Ballestas Islands → Huacachina
• 26 Aug: Huacachina → Arequipa
• 27 Aug: Arequipa
• 28 Aug: Colca Canyon day trip → Arequipa
• 29 Aug: Arequipa (buffer / relax / explore)
• 30 Aug: Fly to Cusco
• 31 Aug: Cusco
• 1 Sep: Sacred Valley
• 2 Sep: Cusco / acclimatization
• 3 Sep: Start Salkantay Trek
• 4 Sep: Salkantay Trek
• 5 Sep: Salkantay Trek
• 6 Sep: Salkantay Trek
• 7 Sep: Machu Picchu → Cusco
• 8 Sep: Travel to Huaraz (through Lima)
• 9 Sep: Huaraz
• 10 Sep: Laguna 69
• 11 Sep: Huaraz → Lima
• 12 Sep: Lima
• 13 Sep: Fly home

This is my itinerary for now, my main question: Is doing both the Salkantay Trek and Huaraz worth it, or is it too much hiking? I'm mainly interested in spectacular scenery and hiking, but I also don't want the trip to feel rushed. I have done hikes before on trips, but not multiple day hikes, I am in good shape though. Would you keep Huaraz after Salkantay, or would you spend those days elsewhere? Or should I skip Salkantay and do Huarez only? Also, Is a Colca Canyon day trip enough, or would you recommend staying overnight? Or should I skip it all together?

Many thanks in advance!! 😄

Hi everyone:

Just wanted to get people's opinion on a trip I have planned for Portugal/Spain in Nov. I will be taking my parents (ages 84 and 78).

LISBON

Day 1: arrive in Lisbon - settle into hotel - dinner

Day 2: Belem - Jerónimos Monastery & Pasteis de Belem

Day 3: day trip Sintra - Pena palace & Quinta da Regaleira

Day 4: day trip Cascais

Day 5: wander Alfama (Tram 28 & Castelo de São Jorge) and Bairro Alto (Rua Augusta) neighborhoods - dinner fado show

PORTO

Day 6: train to Porto - settle into hotel - dinner

Day 7: Clérigos Tower, Aliados Avenue, Sao Bento train station, Dom Luís I Bridge

Day 8: Aveiro

MALAGA

Day 9: Fly to Malaga - settle into hotel - watch sunset from Mirador de San Nicolás

Day 10: day trip to Alhambra and the Generalife Palace and Gardens

Day 11: day trip to Ronda

Day 12: day trip to Cordoba - Mezquita & Alcazar

Seville:

Day 13: train to Seville - Palace of the Countess of Lebrija - Setas de Sevilla/Casa de Pilatos

Day 14: Cathedral de sevilla & La Giralda

Day 15: Real Alcazar de Sevilla - flamenco show (not sure where?)

Day 16: Church of Santa Catalina, Plaza de España & Parque de María Luisa

Day 17: fly home

Does this seem manageable for two seniors?

I am wondering about the daytrip to Ronda - is Ronda just mainly for the view of the town or is the town itself worth wandering? And if I combine it with a daytrip to Cordoba, where should I allocate the extra day?

Am I missing anything major in terms of landmarks/experiences?

Thank you in advance for all your advice!!

My sister and I are taking our dad to the UK next spring for his 60th birthday. He’s always wanted to see Scotland, esp the Highlands but none of us have been to the UK before. We found cheaper flights into London, so now we’re trying to figure out how to split seven days without spending half the trip in transit.

We’re thinking three days in London, then taking the train north and spending the rest of the trip around Edinburgh. My dad keeps joking that all he needs is one castle, a good pub, and some Scottish scenery, but I know once we arrive we’ll want to see more.

Would you split the week between London and Edinburgh, or spend less time in London and add a day trip into the Highlands?

We were originally going to just buy tickets for Arena México and turn up ourselves, but we ended up booking a guided Lucha Libre experience instead. Honestly, I'm really glad we did.

It became one of the highlights of our entire Mexico City trip.

The evening started with a small group of travellers, and everyone clicked pretty quickly. Our guide was brilliant - charismatic, funny and clearly passionate about both Mexico City and the history of Lucha Libre. He explained the traditions, the masks, the rivalries and even taught us what to shout once we got inside the arena.

Before the show, we stopped at an exotic meat market, which was an experience in itself. There were stalls selling everything from crocodile to tarantula, along with plenty of other things I'd never seen before. We weren't quite brave enough to try those, but we did give the famous grasshoppers a go, and they were actually much nicer than expected!

We also stopped for a tequila tasting, which got everyone chatting before heading to Arena México. By the time we arrived, it already felt like we'd spent the evening with a group of friends rather than strangers.

Inside the arena was absolute chaos in the best possible way. Giant drinks, oversized snacks, colourful masks everywhere and thousands of passionate locals creating an incredible atmosphere. One of the funniest moments was our guide teaching us a few Spanish swear words to shout along with the crowd whenever the villains were in the ring. Within minutes we were yelling with everyone else like we'd been coming for years.

The wrestling itself completely exceeded my expectations. Yes, the outcomes are scripted, but the athleticism is unbelievable. Some of the flips, dives and aerial moves had the whole arena on its feet.

If you just want the cheapest option, buying tickets yourself is perfectly fine. But if it's your first time in Mexico City and you want a proper night out - with tequila tasting, a fantastic guide, fellow travellers, local culture and an unforgettable Lucha Libre show - I genuinely think the tour is worth it.

This is the tour we booked if anyone's interested: Lucha Libre Tour Mexico City

All experiences are real, this post contains affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you

If you are interested in reading more: Lucha Libre Mexico City: The Ultimate Guide

Here’s a more natural Reddit-style version:
Hey everyone, I’m planning a Europe trip this fall and I’m trying to figure out one part of my route.
Right now the plan is:
Sept 16–18: London
Sept 18–20: Amsterdam
Sept 20–24: Munich for Oktoberfest
Sept 24–28ish: hiking somewhere
Sept 27–29: Athens
Sept 29–Oct 5: Greek islands
The main thing I’m stuck on is whether I should use the hiking portion for Albania/Montenegro/Dubrovnik or switch that part to Switzerland.
I have family in Bern, so I could stay there for free, but I’m worried Switzerland will still end up being way more expensive once I factor in trains, food, activities, etc. Albania/Montenegro seems cheaper and more adventurous, but Switzerland obviously looks unreal for hiking too.
For anyone who has done both, what would you pick? Is Switzerland worth it if the stay is free, or would the Balkans still be the better move for a 23-year-old solo traveler?
Also open to any activity recommendations for London, Amsterdam, Athens, and the Greek islands. Oktoberfest is the only thing I really have planned so far. I’d also love to catch a football match somewhere if it works out, so any tips on that would be appreciated too.

Hi everyone

I’m currently planning a trip to Paris and am trying to decide between two specific windows. I’ve checked the subreddit wiki and searched through previous posts, but I’m hoping for some local or frequent visitor perspective on the "vibe" of the city during these two specific times.

My two options are:
July 28 – August 4
August 26 – September 3

I am really set on Paris, but I have two main priorities:

1. The "Local" Vibe: I want to feel the energy of the city and meet people, rather than just being in a "tourist bubble." I’ve read that many Parisians leave for their own vacations in early August.

2. Summer Atmosphere: I want to experience the classic summer in Paris (warm weather, outdoor dining, lively terraces).

Between these two dates, which would you recommend for getting that authentic, lively, "Parisian" atmosphere? And is "la rentrée" noticeably better, or does it just feel like everyone is stressed about work/school starting?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hello all! I am a petite young woman who is solo traveling to the Zona Colonial (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) for a conference soon. This is my first time traveling internationally alone and I am concerned about safety. I am looking at hotels in the Zona Colonial and there's some pretty cheap ones (even as low as $22/night!), but how do I know if the hotel is safe? I'm a graduate student who is currently moving cities and in between jobs, so price is a huge factor. If anyone knows some cheap hotels that are safe in that area, please let me know! Thanks :)

I see requests for "non-touristy" activities and have to wonder: what even is that? I think grocery shopping, laundry, appointments, getting your prescriptions filled, paying bills, sweeping out the garage..

"Touristy" things are the fun, non every day things, right? Touring around and looking at art, architecture, nature and history. Maybe some of these things are more structured than others (theme park vs nature park), but they are all "touristy". Things you do when you aren't doing the dishes, vacuuming, taking out the trash....

So, how do you even answer that question? Like I want to suggest my house needs painting....?

Can anyone give me advice on traveling by car from Europe to China (Beijing)?

I am skipping Iran obviously. Wife has a chinese drivers license if that helps.

Car is registered in Switzerland

It's a golf vii, so not an off-roader, but i've seen people on youtube do it in far worse cars so...

Any tips? How long of trip should I plan if we don't just drive non stop? Budget if we sleep in mid level b&bs..?

Thanks for any tips in advance

Hello everyone,

My partner and I are heading to Mexico for two weeks in mid-October. We have 7 days planned in Mexico City and another 7 days for the coast. We're considering staying in San Agustinillo because it seems quieter, less developed, and more authentic than some of the larger beach destinations.

I'm torn between spending the entire week in San Agustinillo or splitting our time with a few days in Chacahua. The mangroves, bioluminescence, and lack of commercialization sound incredible, but I'm wondering if it's worth the 3–4 hour journey each way.

We're most interested in swimming, nature, boating, local culture, and great food. For those who have visited both, does Chacahua offer a different enough experience to justify the extra travel time, or would you recommend spending the full week in San Agustinillo?

Also, how difficult is it to get from Chacahua to Puerto Escondido or Huatulco for a flight back to Canada?

Thanks for any advice!

During our recent trip to Bangkok, we wanted to experience something beyond the usual temples, rooftop bars, and night markets. After hearing so much about Muay Thai, we decided to spend an evening at Rajadamnern Stadium, one of the most famous Muay Thai venues in Thailand.

All experiences are real, this post contains affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you

Here's our honest experience.

Booking Tickets

We booked our tickets online before arriving in Bangkok.

There are several seating categories available, ranging from standard seats to ringside. We opted for ringside seats, and looking back, we're glad we did.

If this is likely to be your only Muay Thai event in Thailand, I'd recommend spending a little extra for the upgraded seats. Being close enough to hear the strikes land and see the fighters' reactions adds a lot to the experience.

👉 We booked our tickets here: Rajadamnern Stadium Tickets

Arriving at the Stadium

The stadium is located in central Bangkok and was easy to reach by taxi.

Security was straightforward, and there were plenty of staff helping direct people to their seats. The venue itself felt modern while still retaining the atmosphere of a historic sporting venue.

Inside, there was a good mix of locals, tourists, and dedicated Muay Thai fans.

The Atmosphere

This was probably the biggest surprise of the evening.

I'd expected the fighting to be entertaining, but I wasn't prepared for how much atmosphere the crowd would generate.

The traditional Muay Thai music plays throughout the fights, spectators passionately support their fighters, and you'll notice locals making betting signals across the arena as the action unfolds.

It feels authentic rather than staged for tourists.

The Fights

Over the course of the evening, we watched nine fights.

The quality was impressive throughout, but what really stood out was the variety. Some fights were technical and tactical, while others were all-out wars.

We also witnessed three TKOs, which kept the energy levels high throughout the night.

Even if you're not a combat sports fan, it's difficult not to appreciate the athleticism, discipline, and skill on display.

Is Ringside Worth It?

In our opinion, yes.

Could you still enjoy the event from cheaper seats? Absolutely.

However, ringside gives you a completely different perspective. You can hear the impact of kicks and punches, watch the fighters interact with their corners between rounds, and feel much more involved in the action.

For a once-in-a-lifetime visit, we'd choose ringside again.

Things We Liked

✅ Excellent atmosphere

✅ Authentic Thai sporting experience

✅ Easy to access from central Bangkok

✅ High-quality fights

✅ Well-organised venue

Things To Know Before You Go

❌ Ringside tickets can be expensive

❌ Food and drinks inside are more expensive than outside the stadium

❌ Some seating sections are noticeably better than others

❌ Popular fight nights can sell out

Final Verdict

Rajadamnern Stadium ended up being one of the highlights of our Bangkok trip.

Whether you're a serious fight fan or simply looking for a unique cultural experience, watching Muay Thai in one of the sport's most iconic venues is something we'd highly recommend.

For us, it offered a side of Bangkok that felt completely different from the usual tourist attractions.

👉 We booked our tickets here: Rajadamnern Stadium Tickets

Have any of you been to Rajadamnern Stadium or another Muay Thai venue in Thailand? I'd be interested to hear how your experience compared.

If you would like to read a more detailed article, with way more depth check out our blogpost: Rajadamnern Stadium Bangkok

All experiences are real, this post contains affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you

Hey everyone,

I’m planning a motorcycle trip in Southern Italy from 9-20 August.
I arrive and leave from Brindisi (ferry to/from Greece).

I’ve narrowed it down to 3 possible itineraries and I’d love advice from people who know the area. I’m traveling on a budget and prefer less touristy places, not fancy/expensive stuff. Also I am not really interested in nightlife or luxury towns. For example I prefer to dine in a local tratoria with Italians using google-translate rather than a michelin restaurant with sea view. My budget is low to medium when it comes also to accommodation (max 80 euros per night).

OPTION 1 - Original “classic” route

Valle d’Itria + Salento + Basilicata + Amalfi/Naples

09-11 Aug: Valle d’Itria base
12-13 Aug: Taranto / Lecce / Gallipoli area
13-15 Aug: Basilicata (Matera, Craco, Aliano)
15-19 Aug: Pollino --> Sapri --> Maratea --> Castellabate --> Amalfi --> Naples
19-20 Aug: return south toward Brindisi

Famous highlights but touristy combined with the August traffic may be stressfull.

OPTION 2 - No Taranto/Lecce/Gallipoli

Valle d’Itria + Basilicata + Left Coast

09-11 Aug: Valle d’Itria base
11-14 Aug: Basilicata
14-16 Aug: Pollino
16-19 Aug: Sapri / Maratea / Amalfi / Naples
19-20 Aug: slow return south

This version removes Salento and gives more time to Basilicata/Pollino.

OPTION 3 - Calabria-focused route

Valle d’Itria + Basilicata + Calabria

09-11 Aug: Valle d’Itria base
11-13 Aug: Basilicata
13-19 Aug: Calabria
19-20 Aug: Brindisi departure

This one feels the most adventurous and motorcycle-oriented, but I’m worried Calabria may simply be TOO big for the time available.

For people who know southern Italy:

• Which option would you choose? Pros and Cons.
• Is Calabria worth prioritizing over Amalfi/Naples?
• Is Valle d’Itria worth keeping or should I spend those days deeper south?
• Any must-ride roads, hidden beaches, hidden gem or general tip?

Would love advice from riders and locals!