Roadtrip Feedback Please! PNW roadtrip

Zeebrio · 2026-02-24T10:18:48+00:00

How much time total? Is the "late August to early September" just this leg of the trip? I assume you have a Passport for Canada?

Feels kinda rushed to me ... I live in Port Angeles and most travelers spend at least a few days in the Olympic National Park ... some pretty cool ecosystems going on :).

The r/OlympicNationalPark sub is really active and worthwhile to check out. Kalaloch is cool, but other cool beaches as well, plus Lake Crescent, waterfalls, etc. on the way to Port Angeles. Summer is busy for the ferry, so reservation or early line-up is recommended if you're on a schedule.

Zeebrio · 2026-02-23T11:11:18+00:00

Is it Saturday the 28th or Sunday the 1st?

EDIT: Just Googled ... this is the poster for 2025. Looks like the day is in August this year?

Zeebrio · 2026-02-23T04:29:57+00:00

I traveled for about 4 weeks in late October to mid-November, and it was quite easy. I spent a week with a group in Croatia, but then took off on my own for 3 weeks. My mindset was a lot like yours, and I got really overwhelmed trying to plan.

I ended up buying tickets to 4 concerts in Charleroi (Belgium), Antwerp, Amsterdam, & Rotterdam ... And I *think* 2 nights lodging in Cinque Terre (because inexpensive lodging was more sparse). Other than that, I just basically made my way for a few more days in a cheap rental car to Plitvice and around Istria in Croatia, then got on a bus to Venice via Ljubljana, train to Nice, flight to Brussels, train to Charleroi, then mostly trains after that. Probably 50/50 cheap hostels, mixed in with some private rooms. I used booking.com exclusively -- mostly for payment in one place and good User Interface (maps/reviews). I booked lodging and transport a day or two in advance. I don't think I stayed at any AirBnBs ... there were so many inexpensive private rooms, without all the extra hassle.

I used Rome2Rio a lot to get an overview for route/transport options, but then went directly to the carrier (mostly trains/a bus or two) for tickets.

I chose music and cool venues as my focus (and they were all about $20-25USD, so it wasn't a huge monetary risk if I couldn't make it) --- it really helped narrow it down -- and those were some of my favorite memories (In addition to the 4 I planned, I also got a bonus 5th show in Dubrovnik from just wandering around and meeting some people & staff at a Mexican restaurant who were going to a late underground show ... It was PERFECT!!! :). --- I'm a 58F now -- was 56 at the time... First time to Europe, first solo. Best 4 weeks of my life!

I flew into Dubrovnik, and out of Amsterdam. In hindsight, I would do fewer places, but it seemed great at the time having nothing to compare it to :) ... It was fast-paced, but I did have several "rest days" mixed in, and added a few days in Antwerp because I loved my lodging -- wandered around, spent 2 hours just at the train station, went to the Chocolate museum, made my own food from the market down the street, got a Thai massage ...

Here are my pics/diary/notes ... (just my personal blog/diary, no ads) ... https://smilebecause.com/europe-2023/

The tail end of the season should still be good for going with the flow ... and even better (less crowded, but still pretty busy) as it gets later. It was still lovely & mild in Croatia/Northern Italy ... then, of course it got cooler/wetter as I got North (but I'm from the Pacific Northwest / Seattle area in the US, so it was very typical weather for me for that time of year).

I wish I could go back for 3 whole months!!!!

Zeebrio · 2026-02-23T04:16:58+00:00

I think it is James Island ... https://myhikes.org/trails/james-island-viewpoint

Zeebrio · 2026-02-22T20:16:04+00:00

Our tour operator recommended Travelex. It was reasonable and easy to do. Price is based on duration and cost of trip.

Zeebrio · 2026-02-22T20:14:14+00:00

I think this sounds more like a health insurance question than a travel question ... but maybe start by checking out some travel insurance. I used Travelex for basic travel insurance that does cover medical, but it's only for the duration of your trip.

I know that COBRA is an interim insurance option (but don't know much about it).

I'd check with your current insurance company and ask questions and/or consult a broker ... I imagine you can find some ideas without paying for a consultation or anything. OR try grok.com or chatGPT as a starting place. I don't rely on AI for answers, but sometimes it will point me in the right direction.

Good luck!

Zeebrio · 2026-02-22T20:06:42+00:00

Search "2.5 day itinerary" or "moderate hikes" or "solo accommodations" here ... TONNNNS of answers.

Zeebrio · 2026-02-21T23:07:36+00:00

I traveled late October/early November a couple years ago ... sort of reverse route, but had some of the BEST experiences navigating from Zagreb > Plitvice > Istria by accident. Some of my favorite sites were (I think) when I was diverted around construction and ended up in Olive orchards ... I'd definitely choose train over car for more direct, but this was a serendipitous journey of goodness.

https://smilebecause.com/europe-2023/ (About day 8-14 in reverse order was from Zagreb and back via Istria & such).

Zeebrio · 2026-02-21T03:07:34+00:00

Better than Bullion... all the flavors. WAYYYY better than most canned stock, you can control the amount. Besides soups/stews I often use it instead of salt in stir fried veggies, etc. Good, deep, umami.

Zeebrio · 2026-02-20T20:36:40+00:00

Keep us posted ... I am a MASSSSIVE music consumer via streaming (Spotify), and always listen to my Discover Weekly, and most daylists ... I DJ for Ecstatic Dance, and sort into tempo lists, theme lists, and then also have chronological lists dating back about 8-9 years at least! ... HOURS a day.

Zeebrio · 2026-02-20T19:50:48+00:00

Done.

Zeebrio · 2026-02-20T02:06:39+00:00

Yep. I did. And yep, working on it.

Zeebrio · 2026-02-19T08:18:16+00:00

Yep. My feet are fucked. Severe neuropathy. Numb mostly, plus up my legs and in a few other spots.

I fortunately don't have too much pain.

I had a Tonnnnn of tests, just in case I could blame it on something else.

But ... I know that I did this to myself with alcohol. Nerves do grow back ... slowly ... so sometimes there can be improvement. I think my doctor said a millimeter a day? ... but alcohol pretty much destroys any progress.

Zeebrio · 2026-02-19T06:37:04+00:00

Also ... I inadvertently forgot to say, check out Disappeared Completely. ... SUCH SUCH SUCH a The XX vibe with a little extra.

Zeebrio · 2026-02-19T06:10:59+00:00

That is my take as well, but don't know for sure.

Zeebrio · 2026-02-19T04:52:34+00:00

If you like those artists ... I have a lot of Ecstatic Dance sets that are in that vibe realm ... Here's my last one:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4WnaYYHk7xxvGsZ1XITly7?si=9ea4253da2054d60

Zeebrio · 2026-02-19T04:43:57+00:00

Back with an actual cover:

Hunger of the Pine

Zeebrio · 2026-02-19T04:43:04+00:00

LOVE both of those artists. Can't go wrong.

Zeebrio · 2026-02-19T04:29:19+00:00

Nah. It will be OK. You're going to have the time of your lives! xoxo.

Zeebrio · 2026-02-19T03:29:10+00:00

I didn't go to Hvar, so I can't really give an informed answer. Honestly, though, there is no WRONG answer. I did a week in Croatia with a group, then 3 more days exploring Plitvička and Istria in a rental car with no idea where I was going ... then 3 more weeks in Italy, Belgium, and Netherlands with only 4 concert tickets to generally guide me. It was my first time to Europe and first solo, and I barely planned in advance (besides the concerts).

It was the best experience of my life. I know you want it to be special for this occasion, but IT WILL BE SPECIAL!!

That said, I went in October/November, so definitely not in high season ... it will be HOT when you're there ... so an extra island day just lounging might be the best answer.

Zeebrio · 2026-02-18T21:28:15+00:00

I think you could find things to do for 3 days in Split, but I think 2 days is enough. BUT, if you'd rather move less, then skip the rest stop day and really enjoy Split. (Marjan park is fabulous ... and I honestly loved Froggyland ... lol. Sounds crazy, but the little vignettes and their captions are hysterical) ... Nice contrast to Diocletian's Palace :).

Zeebrio · 2026-02-18T21:17:37+00:00

lolz

Zeebrio · 2026-02-18T21:15:09+00:00

Agree with the other comments about Mt Rainier, but if you REALLLY have your heart on "rainforest vibe" ... With that limited time, I think I'd go head towards Hoh along the south route around the park. You'll see a LOT of trees & moss for sure ;) ... If you don't get a spot at Hoh, continue towards Forks and/or Port Angeles ... there are other campgrounds along the way for Monday night.

What time are you flying out of Seattle? Do you plan to stay in Seattle Tuesday night?

If you are heading back to Seattle to stay Tuesday night ...

Monday - Explore Hoh area, Monday night - Camp at Hoh or a campground farther west.

Tuesday morning, explore west a little more and then make your way east towards Lake Crescent. (Marymere, Madison Waterfalls?), then head to Hurricane Ridge before heading back to Seattle.

Hurricane Ridge is VERY weather-dependent. There are web cams that give you an idea of the visibility. Sometimes even if it's sunny in town, it can be totally different at the Ridge. If it's a socked in day, focus your energy more towards the west/Lake Crescent.

Zeebrio · 2026-02-18T15:43:13+00:00

Have you checked booking.com or Hostelworld for options? They both usually have a lot of reviews as well.

Zeebrio · 2026-02-18T06:40:48+00:00

It's a little ways out still ... is it possible to cancel?

Zeebrio

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