Vacation

Huttopia Launches Its Vacation Observatory

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Huttopia annonce la création de son Observatoire des vacances

CroisiEurope


Huttopia has created the Huttopia Holidays Observatory, launching with a first major survey.  
This research and analysis body, developed with ObSoCo, aims to fill the lack of solid data on this topic.  
Here are a few figures: 
Although it is often said that 40% of French people do not take holidays, the survey shows that the actual rate of non-vacation is 28%. Situations vary: only 4% are truly and permanently excluded from holidays, 11% cannot afford to go this year, but hope to be able to do so soon, and 7% make a financial or time-related choice, preferring to use their money or their time for other things, such as renovations.  
Meanwhile, 6% choose not to travel by preference. However, the study reveals a strong democratization of holidays. Indeed, 74% of 18-24-year-olds used to go on holidays when they were children, compared with only 48% of those aged 65-75.  
 
Another important point of this survey: ecology. The environmental impact is the last criterion for choosing a destination, affecting only 8% of French people.  
Yet, 75% of them express strong interest in holidays centered on the outdoors and nature. Today, the term “ecological” is often seen as a constraint, whereas vacation time is linked to pleasure and freedom.


What is the aim of this survey?

The results of this first edition will be analyzed in the book “The Book of Holidays, and What They Tell Us” (co-authored by Guénaëlle Gault and Jean Viard), which will be published on June 5, 2026 by Éditions de l’Aube. 

 
This survey will be annual to track evolutions over time. All results will be freely available online to feed public debate. 

 
Through this Observatory, the Huttopia Foundation aims to provide a solid database to encourage public and economic actors to support universal access to holidays, through public policies for holiday camps, green classes, or affordable and locally available private offers. 

 
 

Italy Vacation: Must-Know Rules Before Dining Out

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Dining at a restaurant in Italy is a serious business. Cutting your spaghetti, ordering a cappuccino at 2 p.m., asking for a carafe of water—these are French reflexes that risk betraying you to the Italians. Some rules may seem strict to foreign visitors, but they remind us that sampling an Italian specialty means also immersing yourself in a culture, adopting its codes, and accepting to disrupt your habits.

Coffee, a Whole Story

Do you dream of a delicious espresso? In Italy, a coffee is inherently an espresso. So there is no need to specify it, unless you want a ristretto. As for the moment you order your coffee, it also matters. No Italian waiter will agree to bring it to you before your meal is completely finished, as well as your glass of wine. The ultimate mistake is ordering a cappuccino after a meal. Don’t even think about it. Italians drink their cappuccino (which contains milk and sugar) in the morning, as breakfast. After 11 o’clock, cappuccino time has passed!

Shaking Up the Order of Courses

For a beginner, reading a menu in Italy can be unsettling. A traditional meal is composed of 4 courses: antipasti (starters), primi piatti (first courses), secondi piatti (second courses), dolci/frutta (desserts or fruit).

And that plate of pasta or that risotto you crave so much is part of the “primi piatti.” Of course, restaurateurs will accept (perhaps with a sigh) serving you only spaghetti alle vongole, even if you forget to order a meat or fish dish that would normally come next.

Asking for a Carafe of Water

There is nothing stopping you from asking, but it is very unlikely you’ll get your way. Even when ordering still water (Acqua naturale) rather than sparkling (Acqua frizzante), a bottle of mineral water typically appears on your table. A tip? Don’t bother fighting it.

Adding Parmesan to Seafood Pasta

Imagine you’re in Venice and order Spaghettoni al nero di seppia at the Do Farai (Calle del Cappeller, Dorsoduro 3278). When the plate arrives, you’ll have to resist the urge to ask for parmesan at all costs. In Italy, mare and monti do not mix. This applies to parmesan on pasta, as well as to the secondo piatto, which would then be… only fish.

Cutting the Spaghetti

Here is a rule you must never break, or you might see the carabinieri appear behind you. We’re hardly exaggerating! The shape of the pasta is its very essence, and cutting it deprives it of its identity. And don’t even think about using a spoon to make life easier. Again, this is a gesture considered particularly ineloquent.

Good to know. For the same reason, spaghetti should never be broken before cooking.

This New Scam That Threatens to Ruin Your Vacation

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When you travel, scanning a QR code has become a routine gesture… one that delights cybercriminals. According to a recent report from the antivirus company McAfee, 62% of travelers take risks by scanning QR codes in train stations, airports, hotels, or restaurants. But the danger does not come from the code itself. Explanations.

For Nacho González, a QR code expert, tourists are particularly vulnerable. “They scan codes they do not know, in places they are discovering, often in a hurry and with an unstable Internet connection”, he told Travel Leisure on Wednesday, July 1. He adds that “the danger begins when the page asks for permissions, personal data, a payment, a connection or the installation of an application”.

Fake QR codes affixed to real ones

The most common fraud is known as “quishing”, or QR code phishing. The principle is simple. Scammers place a fake QR code over a genuine one, for example on a parking meter, a bike rental stand, a restaurant table or the counter of a hotel. That code redirects travelers to a counterfeit site to harvest their credentials, their banking details, or to install malware on their smartphone. And the trap closes around them.

“The situation becomes risky when three conditions come together: the code is displayed in a public place without surveillance, it has been sent to you by SMS, email, or a flyer without your having requested it, and/or it urges you to make a payment or verification in a hurry”, adds Harry Maugans, cybersecurity expert and CEO of Privacy Bee.

Techniques to avoid falling for it

Experts recommend taking a few seconds before scanning a code. It is advised to check that it is not a sticker placed over an original surface, with possible raised edges, to inspect the print quality and layout, and to seek confirmation from staff if in doubt. It is also best to use directly the camera on your phone to display the site address before opening it.

“Read the web address and verify the absence of spelling mistakes, shortened links masking the final URL, or sites using the HTTP protocol instead of HTTPS, and make sure the full URL matches the real name of the company”, suggests Nacho González. A menu, a hotel registration page or a payment service will never ask for your password or your full card number.

If a traveler suspects they have been trapped, the recommended course of action is to immediately stop browsing, disconnect from public Wi‑Fi, and avoid downloading anything. Experts then advise promptly changing passwords for sensitive accounts, informing their bank if a payment was made, and monitoring transactions for several days.

6 Breathtaking Scenic Hiking Trails for Your Summer Vacation

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Summer often means vacation. While some prefer soaking up the sun by the pool, others choose to use their free time to recharge by reconnecting with nature through hiking. These active holidays are appealing to more travelers, but you still need to find the ideal place to indulge in this small pleasure. Fortunately for you, The Guardian recently highlighted six hiking trails across Europe that are worth a detour. All that remains is to pick your favourite.

Jungfrau, a mythical summit of the Swiss Alps

If you decide to tackle this hike, plan between 3 and 9 days to cover up to 119 km. Along the way you will encounter sparkling lakes, waterfalls cascading from fairy-tale valleys, and picturesque villages perched at dizzying heights. Another advantage: the entire route is served by an efficient network of postal buses, cable cars, mountain trains, and of course clearly marked trails, making progress stress-free and free to roam.

Summer is the best season to embark on a hike there, especially since trails are snow-free, huts are open, and the weather is typically stable. The new Cicerone hiking guide, The Bernese Oberland, recommends a 119 km circuit (in nine stages in the Jungfrau region, a stunning intermediate-level loop starting from the village of Grindelwald). Lodging is plentiful, and it is even possible to reserve hut spaces in advance.

Alpe Adria, a perfect blend of the Austrian Alps and Italian charm

To complete this hike of over 725 kilometers, plan between 7 and 9 days, or more. It begins at the foot of Grossglockner, Austria’s highest peak, and stretches to the Adriatic shores. If you don’t have enough time to finish it in full, a week in the Slovenian Julian Alps is an excellent alternative.

Despite breathtaking landscapes and more affordable prices than those in Switzerland or France, the Slovenian mountains tend to be quieter than other summer hotspots. It’s time to lace up your hiking boots and discover these marvelous vistas.

The Portuguese Way, ideal for reaching Santiago de Compostela

It’s wise to budget around two weeks to complete this trek and fully savor it. This coastal route leads all the way to Santiago de Compostela. The Portuguese Way to the tomb of Saint James is the third most frequented, offering a friendly atmosphere among pilgrims while remaining less crowded than the French Way. Atlantic breezes keep the air fresh, and there are plenty of chances to swim.

It crosses fishing villages and expansive stretches of golden sand, all the way to Caminha, where a boat can cross the Minho River to reach Spain. However, pilgrim inns in town cannot be booked in advance, so it’s wise to reserve hostels and private hotels ahead of time, especially in summer.

Along the Lech, a wild Alpine river between Austria and Germany

Plan between 7 and 10 days to complete this hike. This trail, rated easy to moderate, is the first to have earned the Leading Quality Trail label from the European Ramblers Association, guaranteeing the quality of its infrastructure and waymarking.

It follows the Lech from its source in the mountains, at 1,793 meters above sea level, near the Formarinsee lake in Austria, to the Lechfall waterfall in Füssen, in the Bavarian Alps of Germany, and is fully accessible from mid-June to early October. Along the way, numerous facilities line the route, including mountain villages offering comfortable accommodations, as well as historic churches and local artisans who keep traditions alive, from beer to cheese.

The Beara Way, a particularly immersive Irish hiking route

If the heat is hard to take, this hike is for you. The Beara Peninsula, in the southwest of Ireland, offers a true refuge from summer temperatures, softened by Atlantic breezes that bring a welcome natural coolness. Moreover, located below the more famous Dingle and Iveragh peninsulas, Beara partly escapes the crowds. The full Beara Way, starting and ending in Glengarriff, can be completed in about ten days.

You can also dedicate a few days to exploring a selection of the 15 circular hikes that make up the route. Among them, Ireland’s only cable car that crosses the sea to Dursey Island, for a 14.5 km loop around this largely desolate island, or the ferry crossing from Castletownbere to Bere Island, an open-air museum island housing Martello towers, cannon batteries, a lighthouse and a Viking-fortified harbor.

The impressive Kuststigen coastal trail in Sweden

A hike that will reveal Sweden like never before. The Kuststigen isn’t a continuous route along Bohuslän’s coast in western Sweden, but a collection of 44 well-marked stages, some linked together, others not, and most are easily reachable by ferry or bus.

The route highlights sapphire waters, pink granite outcrops, fishing villages with colorful façades, and part of the roughly 8,000 islands and reefs that make up this exceptional coastline. To enjoy a touch more serenity, it’s best to visit at the end of August or the beginning of September, or even in June, when temperatures stay mild and the coast is less crowded.

Where Do the French Go on Vacation? Tourism Trends Decoded by Petit Futé

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“Petit Futé” is doing well, and has many bright years ahead. On the occasion of the fifty-year anniversary of the travel guide created in 1976, its co-founder Jean-Paul Labourdette remains optimistic. French travel has evolved, and so has Petit Futé. From a small guide for students in the city of Nancy, the publication has become a reference for travelers, with guides available for 192 destinations. The digital turning point occurred in the 2000s, and by 2025 the site counted 80 million visitors.

France Is Riding the Wave

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