Where should I go?
July 7, 2011 8:36 AM Subscribe
I have about six weeks off to travel before starting a new job, beginning August 1st. I'm having a tough time choosing where to go, and I need to get plane tickets soon before they jump up in price. Any suggestions? Details below.
Late 20's male, American, just finished grad school. Will be be traveling mostly solo, backpacker style, staying in hostels and guest houses. Budget of about $120-$150 day max, not including initial airfare, though I'd obviously prefer to spend significantly less if I can.
I travel mostly as a social experience, and love meeting local people as well as other travelers more than anything else. Not huge on seeing the "sights," going on tours, or doing organized activities; my favorite thing to do is just wander around a new city or town all day, getting lost and exploring. Very interested in contemporary art, music, and culture -- favorite city I've been to thus far is probably Berlin, if that's any indicator of my tastes I like good nightlife and will do a fair amount of partying when I can, though I'm not looking to build a trip around that.
I realize that all the great cities of Western Europe will be packed with tourists during August, while all the locals ship out for vacation, so I'm reluctant to head there. Southeast Asia seems like a good option, and one that could be done cheaply, though apparently it's pretty rainy that time of year? I've also thought about heading to Istanbul, exploring Turkey and maybe getting over to the Greek Isles, although my impression is that could get pretty expensive during the summer months.
Any other suggestions?
Late 20's male, American, just finished grad school. Will be be traveling mostly solo, backpacker style, staying in hostels and guest houses. Budget of about $120-$150 day max, not including initial airfare, though I'd obviously prefer to spend significantly less if I can.
I travel mostly as a social experience, and love meeting local people as well as other travelers more than anything else. Not huge on seeing the "sights," going on tours, or doing organized activities; my favorite thing to do is just wander around a new city or town all day, getting lost and exploring. Very interested in contemporary art, music, and culture -- favorite city I've been to thus far is probably Berlin, if that's any indicator of my tastes I like good nightlife and will do a fair amount of partying when I can, though I'm not looking to build a trip around that.
I realize that all the great cities of Western Europe will be packed with tourists during August, while all the locals ship out for vacation, so I'm reluctant to head there. Southeast Asia seems like a good option, and one that could be done cheaply, though apparently it's pretty rainy that time of year? I've also thought about heading to Istanbul, exploring Turkey and maybe getting over to the Greek Isles, although my impression is that could get pretty expensive during the summer months.
Any other suggestions?
Asia. Vietnam, Thialand, China.
You will have to buy a few connecting flights while there - but your budget will go a long way over there.
posted by Flood at 9:30 AM on July 7, 2011
You will have to buy a few connecting flights while there - but your budget will go a long way over there.
posted by Flood at 9:30 AM on July 7, 2011
Seconding Asia -- Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and then finish at some smaller islands in Thailand.
posted by zeikka at 9:55 AM on July 7, 2011
posted by zeikka at 9:55 AM on July 7, 2011
I've been to Europe (Eastern and Western), Turkey, the Greek Isles, China, India, and several other places during that time frame. I'd vote for Thailand and Vietnam, too.
Thing is, I've only been there in Jan-Feb (to avoid the rainy season). From what I hear, though, the rain is usually short and predictable. Here's a discussion of the topic.
posted by mamessner at 10:10 AM on July 7, 2011
Thing is, I've only been there in Jan-Feb (to avoid the rainy season). From what I hear, though, the rain is usually short and predictable. Here's a discussion of the topic.
posted by mamessner at 10:10 AM on July 7, 2011
You sound a lot like me when you talk about your travel style. If the point of traveling for you is to soak up the environment and meet locals, have you considered just picking one town and staying there the whole time? You could still branch out and do side trips for sure, but it's nice to have a home base.
Given your budget and your preferences (contemporary art, music, culture, good nightlife) - have you considered Buenos Aires? I haven't been myself, but everything I've ever heard about the place seems like it's right up your alley. Right now the official exchange rate is about 4 pesos to the US dollar, so it seems like things would be reasonably priced.
Southeast Asia is a beautiful part of the world, and I'm going back there in a few months, but it doesn't remind me of Berlin in any way, really. I think Buenos Aires gets you closer to the Western European experience without the same hit to the wallet that Western Europe can pack.
posted by texano at 5:57 PM on July 7, 2011
Given your budget and your preferences (contemporary art, music, culture, good nightlife) - have you considered Buenos Aires? I haven't been myself, but everything I've ever heard about the place seems like it's right up your alley. Right now the official exchange rate is about 4 pesos to the US dollar, so it seems like things would be reasonably priced.
Southeast Asia is a beautiful part of the world, and I'm going back there in a few months, but it doesn't remind me of Berlin in any way, really. I think Buenos Aires gets you closer to the Western European experience without the same hit to the wallet that Western Europe can pack.
posted by texano at 5:57 PM on July 7, 2011
Response by poster: I thought about spending a month somewhere, but the cities I would really love to do that in (Paris, Barcelona...) have a reputation for being a bit boarded up and full of tourists in August. I'm not sure if I want to spend a month in, say, Paris, if I'm going to be missing out on the real experience.
Buenos Aires is a good call -- another city that's pretty high on my list. I hadn't thought about it much because it's winter down there and I suppose I'd prefer a warm trip, all things equal, but that could be a trade-off. Fewer tourists, more of a real experience. Will look into it.
posted by decoherence at 12:09 AM on July 8, 2011
Buenos Aires is a good call -- another city that's pretty high on my list. I hadn't thought about it much because it's winter down there and I suppose I'd prefer a warm trip, all things equal, but that could be a trade-off. Fewer tourists, more of a real experience. Will look into it.
posted by decoherence at 12:09 AM on July 8, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by maxim0512 at 9:13 AM on July 7, 2011