We’re three guys traveling to South America for the first time. In the past, we’ve always traveled with our families – but this time it’s just the three of us. That gives us more flexibility, and we can explore more than we usually would on family trips.

We only have 13 days, so our goal is to see as much of South America as possible – but without feeling rushed or stressed. We’ve put together a rough itinerary (see below), and we’d really appreciate your input: Do you think the plan makes sense, or would you change anything?

Since it might be years before we’re able to come back, we want to make this trip count.

Our travel style: We like to start the day with a long, relaxed breakfast and usually head out around 11am. Then we explore a highlight or two, enjoy a nice lunch, continue sightseeing in the afternoon, and end the day in a relaxed way. We’re outdoors all day, but we’re not into intense hiking — we prefer a good balance of sightseeing, food, culture, and atmosphere.

What we’re looking for: • Feedback on the overall timing and destinations • Things, we shouldn't miss • Tips for safe travel in each place • Tips well-rated mid-range restaurants • Tips 4-star well-rated hotels, ideally well located and stylish

⸻

May 27 ✈️ Flight: Frankfurt → Rio de Janeiro Time: 22:15 – 04:55

⸻

May 28–30: Rio de Janeiro • Visit Christ the Redeemer (Corcovado) • Cable car ride to Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar) • Relax at Copacabana and Ipanema beaches

⸻

May 30 ✈️ Flight: Rio → Foz do Iguaçu Time: 21:35 – 23:55

⸻

May 31: Foz do Iguaçu • Visit the Brazilian side of the Iguaçu Falls (approx. 2.5 hours) • Jungle hike in Iguaçu National Park

⸻

June 1: Foz do Iguaçu • Visit the Argentine side of the Iguaçu Falls • Boat safari at the base of the falls ✈️ Flight: Foz do Iguaçu → Buenos Aires Time: 20:20 – 02:20

⸻

June 2–4: Buenos Aires • Plaza de Mayo & Casa Rosada (historic city center) • La Boca neighborhood (colorful streets & tango vibe) • Recoleta Cemetery with Evita Perón’s grave • Walk through the parks of Palermo

⸻

June 5 ✈️ Flight: Buenos Aires → Medellín Time: 10:20 – 08:18 (via Santiago de Chile)

Stopover: One day sightseeing in Santiago de Chile

⸻

June 6: Medellín • Free day for sightseeing (e.g., Comuna 13, Botero Plaza, cable cars)

⸻

June 7 ✈️ Flight: Medellín → Cartagena Time: 09:42 – 10:52

⸻

June 7–8: Cartagena • Explore the walled city and colonial architecture • Relax on the beaches or take a boat trip

⸻

June 9 ✈️ Flight: Cartagena → Bogotá Time: 08:31 – 10:02 • One day sightseeing in Bogotá (e.g., Monserrate, La Candelaria)

✈️ Flight: Bogotá - Frankfurt - Time: 23:30 – 17:20

⸻

I just flew on TAP Air 204 from EWR to Lisbon. I left my passport and wallet in my seat back pocket. I messed up big time. I am sitting in the police holding station in the airport. They are telling me no one has found my passport. It was in the seat back pocket, 100%. Now I am just sitting here feeling hopeless. They are saying they are going to send me back today. Does anyone have any advice??? Is there any TAP air number I can call??? All the ones I have called have done nothing. Just forwarded me to someone else. Please help. I am devestated.

UPDATE Holy Hannah this post blew up. Supporters, thanks for the support and advice. Haters, I deserve it. Bonehead move on my part. I just landed back at Newark, waiting to get off plane. I was pretty much completely denied being allowed to talk to TAP while in Lisbon. Hopefully I can speak to a gate agent here and get some info. The plane I was on went back to Newark after my flight, and I am hopelessly hoping it was on that flight and made it back here... if so, I'm getting on the 1050 flight back😂. If not, I secured an 8am passport appointment in the city tomo morning. If all goes well, hopefully I can get on the 5pm out of Newark tomo and meet my lady to salvage some of our trip! Also, still need to hope I make it through customs at a reasonable hour tonight. Global Entry, its your time to SHINE.

UPDATE 2 Global Entry for the W. Walked right back into the U S of A, no questions asked. Not one form of ID on me. TAP in EWR was just as useless, call this email that, no one could give a shit and I no longer have the energy to push. Going home and getting some sleep, then passport place in the AM. Also, TAP seemed to cancel my flight home because I flew home today... seems kinda fair but also kinda BS. Any advice on that? Should I just eat my loss and rebook round trip? Sorry if my wording right now is confusing I am delerious.

UPDATE 3 For anyone still curious... I got my passport at 2pm in NY today. Made the 535pm flight to lisbon out of ewr. Currently in the customs line in Lisbon. Wish me luck!

FINAL UPDATE Cleared customs! 48 hour detour and way too much money later, we made it.

Traveling with my friend from the US. Two week backpacking vacation. We are thinking of flying in and out of Singapore. Then we plan to utilize ferries and public transportation (flights if absolutely necessary) to travel the islands of Indonesia down to Bali, and then back to Singapore. Planning to stay in hostels or other cheap stays. Is this doable?? Would you recommend flying into Jakarta or Bali instead? How is the public transportation there? Any recommendations or tips? Thank you!

Mid 50's married couple looking for a beach to chill at and do some day and night drinking. Don't need luxury. Just looking to get away and party for a few days. My budget is about 3k. Costco has some all inclusive for about that range for 5 Days. Never been there. Fun place? Thx

My husband, sister, and I, all would like to visit Peru in the next couple of years. I know there are a couple locations where Amazon tours can be accessed. We’d love an immersive experience which I know likely requires sleeping in lodges in the jungle. We all have sleep issues and I worry the noises of the wild would be a challenge. Any insights on alternatives?

Hello all, I’ve just got some questions for the tech geeks or people who have used this application before, I was planning on getting a Airalo data plan for my 10 day trip to England so I’m probably going to go with the 15 day 2gb plan, should I buy the eSIM right before I get on the plane? Like when does the countdown begin and how do you switch from your regular carrier to the eSIM when you get over there? Would like to 100% avoid the roaming charges aswell a smooth transition into the data so I can use it for maps/whatsapp/etc

TIA

Hi everyone! My husband is turning 30 this September.

We want to celebrate by going somewhere fun he doesn’t need a visa for (he’s Ecuadorian). I was thinking of doing Buenos Aires, Iguazú falls and then Rio. We’ve both been to Rio before so we’ll probably skip Christ the Redeemer and possibly Sugarloaf mountain (unless he really wants to do the helicopter ride) and just chill in Ipanema. He loves a beach vacation.

We’ve never done Buenos Aires so we want to do 3 full days there, 2 days at the falls, and then 3-4 full days in a Rio. We want to fly Buenos Aires to the Argentinian side of the falls and fly out to Rio from the Brazilian side.

Would you adjust the time? Do you have any recs? Has anyone done a similar itinerary with tips?! Appreciate it!

I am lucky enough to have a work trip that is taking me to Luxembourg. I now have the option to fly into either Paris, France, or Brussels, Belgium. I will have two days in May to explore and I don’t have a preference but a few options that might help me narrow it down.

1. I have a mother who is able to walk, but cannot do lots of stairs or incline.

2. We are definitely food/booze people and would be open to breweries, wineries, and related experiences. Both beer and wine. Additionally, we are also artsy and music supporting folks.

3. Free experiences have a preference, but also willing to sell out some coin for an amazing museum or experience that you believe would be valuable!

Any advice on where to fly into or ideas for what to visit are appreciated! Tia!

For me it's the Galapagos and Antarctica. Would be nice to see first-hand, but the TV shows will have to do. Venice is borderline there as well.

1-13 Tbilisi, Georgia 🇬🇪 14-20 Yerevan, Armenia 🇦🇲 19- Lake Sevan, Armenia 🇦🇲

I am traveling with a group of 10ish people. We are planning everything ourselves. What is the best way to travel between countries and within countries? Simplicity would be preferable to booking every single train/bus/subway, if possible. Thank you for your advice!

I know with owning a car, certain states (maybe all states) add the spouse to your vehicle insurance automatically.

When renting a car, and the car is insured by the driver using the rental car insurance option, can the driver allow the spouse to drive the car and will the spouse be covered under the rental car insurance?

Does the same apply for credit cards that offer insurance for rental cars (citi prestige, amex platinum, etc)

After doing research on the company and having a bad experience myself I wouldn't recommend this company. I was trying to find some last-minute cheap flight tickets using apps like KAYAK, SKYSCANNER, and PRICELINE. I stumbled across this website Laytrip where you can pay over time with no credit check! I booked after seeing positive reviews yikes was I wrong. The booking date was incorrect and tried to change the date, nope couldn't do that and had to complete payments to then contact the airline to follow through with the rest. I didn't want to risk it so I went ahead and canceled my booking with laytrip, only for them to deny my refund because I didn't cancel "within the 24 hours" after booking and lost 230 bucks over the company not having any control with tickets. plus their BBB rating is HORRIBLE! please just use big-name companies that you know are safe because this company isn't.

Hi all!

TSA regulations allow two "up to 160Wh" spare batteries in carry on luggage. I'm finding many that top out just under 100wh, OR over 200Wh.

Anyone got a recommendation for a 150ish Wh battery for plane travel?

TSA regulations here:

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all?combine=batteries&page=1

and United, Delta, American at least all say they allow 2 up to 160wh batteries.

I'm traveling to the US in May to go see my gf at her graduation. My country of origin is under the Visa Waiver Program so all I need is an approved ESTA application. I still have a valid one from a previous visit, valid until November of this year. However, when I checked it last night, I noticed I filled in my passport's issuance date wrong. By literally just one day.

My first reaction (after feeling stupid) was to be surprised they even let me in the first time I entered the US to visit, and started wondering if I should apply again for the ESTA to make sure all my information is correct this time. I'm getting scared that any little thing could get me in trouble at border control, and I really don't want to have any trouble and miss my gf's graduation.

Should I enter another application? Is this one fine since it was already approved? Or am I just overreacting thinking I should do so. Thank you so much for your help guys.

I am looking to rent a hybrid vehicle for the month of August. Picking up in Montana and returning in Colorado - so a one-way rental. Where can I search to find which car rental companies, if any, have hybrids available for rent? The info. I found so far is that some of major carriers have hyrbrids in their fleet but they are not a specifically designated class for rental? In other words, it's the luck of the draw if there's one on site when you pick up your rental? I will be on the road the entire month so really would like a hybrid to save on the gas!

Hi! I am driving up to NYC but dont want to drive or park in Manhattan. What is the closest and safest place to park my (rental) car outside of the main city for a few days and then travel to the city? Please do let me know, thank you!

Flying out in July for a vacation, TAP is easily 800 bucks cheaper than AC and I am just wondering if there is a reason.

My options are transat, AC, and TAP at the moment

Flying economy with my wife and 7 year old.

Hope someone has some insights

Thank you

I spent a week in Rome with my family in February and we did a Wednesday day trip to Pompeii and Naples. I have read that it can be a very long day, if we did not find it to be too bad.

We got on a train in Rome at 8:06am (I booked it a few weeks in advance and it was a LOT cheaper than if I booked the week of. I think I saved over 100 euro on 4 tickets by doing so). We arrived in Naples at 9:13 and had to transfer to the Circumvesiviana train line which is within the Napoli Centrale station, but it was about a 10-15 minute walk to find it. This train line is a much grittier local train line, we bought our tickets on the spot from a friendly English speaking guy in the ticket booth and found our platform. The train departed around 9:50ish. /‘d we arrived at Pompeii Scavi station around 10:25 and met our tour guide there (we found her through a recommendation in Rick Steves’ Rome book.

We did a 2 hour tour with her which was excellent, then grabbed lunch right in the middle of the ruins up on a hill overlooking the ancient city. The food was good and there were a lot of options.

The guide pointed out a way to get where which took us up some metal steps and over a metal catwalk that is under a tin roof that had all been erected over a section of the ancient city that is currently undergoing excavation. This was REALLY cool to see. There were tons of buildings that have just been unearthed after 2000 years that were been cleaned, examined, catalogued etc. you could see the archeologists doing their work. No photos were permitted and there was a guy up there walking around to enforce that. I was in Pompeii in 2000, so it was really neat to see this work being done now.

After lunch we made our way back to the train and got on one around 1:45 to head back to Naples. We got to Naples around 2:15 and made our way to one of two apparently very famous Neopolitan pizza places that are across the street from each other. We ate at a place called Pizzeria Trianon (be careful there are knockoffs that try to use the same name). By this time is was about 2:30, so the restaurant was empty except for about 5 other people (I have read that there can be lines out the door at peak times). We sat upstairs and ordered 2 pizzas which you can see in the photos and a bottle of their house red wine.

It’s times like this that I wish I had a better way with words because I can’t tell you how good this pizza was. The dough, crust, fresh ingredients .. momma Mia. They are cooked in old school wood fired ovens, and that fire and heat really gives the pizza an amazing finish and flavor.

We finished that and had a slow wander back to the train station and hopped on one around 5pm and were back in Rome by 6:15 or so.

My wife and kids loved Pompeii, it is a huge sight and you could literally spend the whole day wandering the streets and alleys if you wanted to. When I went there solo in 2000. 8 did just that. But this time with the kids, the time we spent was plenty, and using the tour guide was a good use of our time (cost 200 euro for 2 hours). When I was solo, I just just a guide book to show myself around at my own pace. But you definitely want a tour guide or a good book so you know what you are looking at.

Naples was definitely very gritty, but it was a really neat contrast to Rome. No offense to any Italian friends reading this, but Naples smelled like urine in many places around the train station. But honestly it added to the charm and it was good for the kids to see the rough edges of a really beautiful country. We never felt unsafe at any moment on the train or in the city.

It was the perfect day trip to break up the week stay in Rome, and as you are on the train from Naples to Pompeii, you are looking out the window and all of a sudden you catch sight of the bay of Naples open up to one side and it’s a truly beautiful view of the bay and surrounding mountains.

Has anyone done a Kensington Tours trip to Egypt? As a solo female traveler, this seems to be a solid plan but I want to hear from others. This would be the “10 day Best of Egypt” tour which includes: The Four Seasons, Sofitel, Kaminski hotel and a luxury 3 day riverboat. No plans to venture off on my own. I’m in my 50’s and have traveled solo in my youth. Anyone use this tour company for Egypt?

Hi, in August I have a connecting flight from Istanbul to Dubai with FlyDubai and from Dubai to another country from Terminal 2 to 3 with Emirates. I have 2 hours and 50 minutes between my connecting flights at DBX. Is this enough time for me to make a transfer? I am concerned as I have never been to Dubai Airport before. Also, I have never taken a connecting flight in my life. What are the rules I should follow at Dubai Airport?

Which do you prefer? I’ll have a weekend either in Tokyo or Seoul and I want to know which city has a livelier night life scene to experience! I like underground house music the best as well:)

My family (2 adults, 6 year old and 9 year old) is visiting Mexico in June 2025, and are looking for a resort (in the Cancun airport area) that has:

• All inclusive
• 4 or 5 star
• Good restaurants
• Nice beach area
• Waterpark w/ slides for kids
• Optional: a Kids Club to drop off children

Budget is flexible, around $500-$1000/night USD.

Thank you for your recommendations!

My wife (40yr old) & I (47yr old) will visit Ireland with a group of friends in Aug. My wife and I want to sneak out a few days early & fly into Scotland first and spend a few days there exploring. We HAVE to be in Dublin on Fri Aug 22nd midday. I am thinking about flying into Edinburgh from the US the morning of the 20th. So get into Edinburgh around 9am on Wed the 20th, then fly from Glasgow to Dublin Fri 22nd around 2pm

So we'd have Wed all day, thur all day & until lunch time Fri to get to the airport in Glasgow. I do not want to spend the entire 2.5 days driving, however I understand that we might need to do some driving or trains.

Can anyone give me some basic ideas or itineraries Wed - Fri starting in Edinburgh and leaving from Glasgow? Or if there are other better ways to get to Dublin I am listening. If we end up in another town & take a ferry to Ireland thats cool too. If staying close to Edinburgh is the best option then so be it.

We are active people. Love golfing, hiking, eating, drinking scotch, visiting the locals, seeing historic sites, amazing views, etc. We have been to Ireland once, never been to Scotland.

Also if you have specific food or drink recommendations in those areas toss them out. I am open to all suggestions! Sincerely THANK YOU

Hey r/travel,

I am planning to propose in Paris and then take a trip around Europe for 3 weeks afterwards and could use your expertise. Here’s the deal:

• Proposal: Popping the question in Paris on August 23rd (Seine river sunset cruise plans locked in!).
• Trip Duration: 24 days (Aug 21 – Sept 14).
• Current Itinerary Draft:
  • Fly to Paris - Aug 20-21
  • Paris - Aug 21-25
  • Nice - Aug 25-29 (Maybe take a day trip to Monaco)
  • Ibiza - Aug 29 - Sep 1
  • Venice - Sep 1-4
  • Florence - Sep 4-7
  • Rome - Sep 7-10
  • Barcelona - Sep 10-14
• Our interests:
  •  Romance: Any restaurant or activity recommendations?
  • Beaches: Nice and Ibiza covered - any other suggestions?
  • Vineyards: Any recommendations?
  • Partying: Ibiza is obvious, but where else?
  • Culture: Must see sights?

Where I Need Help:

1. Am I trying to do too much? Should I cut/add/exchange any destinations?
2. Do I need to change the order of the trip?
3. Any hotel/stay recommendations? We are not opposed to Airbnb's.
4. Any underrated towns or experiences along this route?
5. Any Michelin meals or luxury experiences you recommend?
6. What do you wish you knew before your first Europe trip?
7. If you had to pick ONE unforgettable activity what would it be?
8. Would you recommend looking into using a travel agent?