I am taking a new job, and will have almost 3 weeks off, thinking about traveling. Suggestions of where to go end of May/early June in the world/thoughts on going by self? I'm mid-20s.
not a 2.5 week trip, but London was always on my "no interest" list until I went for work and had a lot of free time.
Such a great city, I plan to go back with the family. Tower of London, Sherlock Holmes Museum, Buckingham Palace, Soccer (football to them) games, pubs, the eye, Big Ben (parliament - I can't get left), and much more.
From there, let's say you spend 3 - 4 days in London, you can get a eurorail ticket to just about anywhere in Europe. I'd say Paris or Barcelona but so many options and it would depend on where you've been and how much time you like to spend exploring a city vs chilling.
I'd really I guess have closer to 2.5 weeks actually there instead of 3 as need time to settle here.
I enjoy seeing cities, not too outdoorsy but a little adventurous.
If my wife and I had 3 weeks, we'd go back to the Balkans and Central Europe.
Here's a great trip: Start off in Austria, rent a car, head down to Zagreb and then backtrack a bit to Slovenia, then down the coast of Croatia. You can do day trips to Bosnia and Herzegovina (especially Mostar) and Montenegero (Kotor).
You will see a lot of beauty of both the natural and the man-made variety, enjoy stellar food and drink, and not pay out the ass for it all (though the region isn't dirt cheap).
all advise you to head out of the country. No one has advocated seeing our own country outside of your living locale. If I had 2 1/2 weeks, I would travel and see our National Parks. History/Civil War buff? A road trip connecting battle campaigns would be awesome. Get off the highways and take to the back roads. We have a beautiful country once you get off the beaten path.
1. Do you want to brag/post pictures about what you did?
2. Do you want to speak English?
3. Do you want to get laid?
If 1. only, go to Europe, get the trains around. Stay in hotels/hostels and eat in restaurants as budget allows. See the sights and museums.
If 2. is yes and the priority, do England/Ireland/Scotland for the duration, follow itinerary for #1. Alternately go to Australia or New Zealand for the duration. Either will keep you occupied for the duration. Don't try to do too much.
If 3. is is true, and #1 is no and #2 is mostly English -- go to Amsterdam. Have a good time, and take the train down to Paris to take pictures to satisfy #1, if necessary.
If #1 is true and you are comfortable without English check out anywhere in Eastern/Southern Europe.
If #1 and #2 is cool without English, but #3 is also a must check out Southeast Asia. Thailand is tops.
If #1 and #3, but you want English, go to Philippines.
If #1 and #2 are not true, and #3 is true, go to South or Central America. Costa Rica, Panama, and Brazil are tops, but Ecuador and Chile can be good too.
Based on how you phrased the question, my guess is you haven't traveled much. Not a big deal, but don't underestimate traveling alone internationally. It is a full-on experience. In my view, it is best experienced by ramping up from easier to more challenging destinations.
The best predictor of a good trip, in my experience, is having a guide who you know and like to hang out with. So, go somewhere to meet up with a buddy; and do what you normally do, just in a place he is familiar with. Bonus points if he speaks the language/is native.
Second most important is don't try to do too much. Americans generally book way too much on a vacation. If you have two activities a day, you will only remember the pictures, not the experience. Slow down, take your time, and really soak in what you are experiencing. Hang with the locals and expats, not with the tourists.
Last, go somewhere you have an in. It could be a buddy, that you speak the language, that you always wanted to be a Samurai and read Shogun 5 times. Whatever it is, capitalize on the investment you've already made.
If you are, indeed, inexperienced with international travel -- avoid the more challenging destinations. Africa and the Middle East, India, China and the less stable parts of Latin America and Asia will be more fun for an experienced traveler. Sure, you can do them now and almost certainly be fine; but knock out the easier destinations first.
Good luck, have fun and my hopes that you find something/somewhere/someone truly amazing. That is the promise and reward of getting outside your comfort zone.
If you're in your 20s (and single?), Europe is the answer
There are some nice travel suggestions above, but many can easily be done when you're older and/or married. Backpacking Europe as a single dude...best trips of my life.
The English speaking thing mentioned above shouldn't even be a consideration. I've been to many countries in Europe without knowing anything but English and it has never been a problem. People in your age group learn in school. Also, while I like English speaking countries they wouldn't be first on my list for a Euro trip.
My main piece of advice would be to not spread yourself too thin in 2.5 weeks. The temptation to do so will be great. Pick a general geographic area within Europe with some great cities and spend at least 3 days in each. Berlin, Munich, Prague, Budapest would be a nice grouping. Also just visited Croatia with the wife and while a great vacation, I gotta admit that's a country I should have seen as a single dude :)
And going solo, I highly recommend the hostel route. Being around like minded travelers your age leads to some great times and you'll meet some awesome people.
Spend 5 days or so in Bangkok then hop on a short flight to Phuket for the rest of the trip. It's a beautiful country and as a young American guy you'll have no trouble at all making lots of "friends" while you are over there. And it's cheap and very easy to get around speaking only English. Plus the food in incredible.
Also, find a good tailor while you are there and get a bunch of suits custom tailored for an amazing price. Do that right away as it takes 4-5 days for them to make the suits for you.
You can do Europe when you're older but you're only young and single once.....and for a young single guy traveling by yourself you can't beat Thailand.
One option - India: week in a half in the north, week and a half in the south. Can get a great flavor for the country in three weeks
Option 2 - New Zealand / Australia
I enjoy seeing cities, not too outdoorsy but a little adventurous.
Such a great city, I plan to go back with the family. Tower of London, Sherlock Holmes Museum, Buckingham Palace, Soccer (football to them) games, pubs, the eye, Big Ben (parliament - I can't get left), and much more.
From there, let's say you spend 3 - 4 days in London, you can get a eurorail ticket to just about anywhere in Europe. I'd say Paris or Barcelona but so many options and it would depend on where you've been and how much time you like to spend exploring a city vs chilling.
India?
Turkey/Ottoman?
Middle East?
Central Europe?
Eastern Europe?
British Isles?
Japan?
Spain?
North Africa?
The list is endless. Some (like NZ/Australia, Canadian Rockies) are more about nature, vistas etc which doesn't sound like yuor things so much.
I enjoy seeing cities, not too outdoorsy but a little adventurous.
If my wife and I had 3 weeks, we'd go back to the Balkans and Central Europe.
Here's a great trip: Start off in Austria, rent a car, head down to Zagreb and then backtrack a bit to Slovenia, then down the coast of Croatia. You can do day trips to Bosnia and Herzegovina (especially Mostar) and Montenegero (Kotor).
You will see a lot of beauty of both the natural and the man-made variety, enjoy stellar food and drink, and not pay out the ass for it all (though the region isn't dirt cheap).
I went there by myself, pretty easy to see things, go out have fun etc. and meet people.
Yeah, that sounds pretty awesome too.
If you want culture.. Europe. Spain, Italy, France.
There is something to be said about being young without any serious responsibilities taking a road trip and being able to just wing it as you go.
2. Do you want to speak English?
3. Do you want to get laid?
If 1. only, go to Europe, get the trains around. Stay in hotels/hostels and eat in restaurants as budget allows. See the sights and museums.
If 2. is yes and the priority, do England/Ireland/Scotland for the duration, follow itinerary for #1. Alternately go to Australia or New Zealand for the duration. Either will keep you occupied for the duration. Don't try to do too much.
If 3. is is true, and #1 is no and #2 is mostly English -- go to Amsterdam. Have a good time, and take the train down to Paris to take pictures to satisfy #1, if necessary.
If #1 is true and you are comfortable without English check out anywhere in Eastern/Southern Europe.
If #1 and #2 is cool without English, but #3 is also a must check out Southeast Asia. Thailand is tops.
If #1 and #3, but you want English, go to Philippines.
If #1 and #2 are not true, and #3 is true, go to South or Central America. Costa Rica, Panama, and Brazil are tops, but Ecuador and Chile can be good too.
Based on how you phrased the question, my guess is you haven't traveled much. Not a big deal, but don't underestimate traveling alone internationally. It is a full-on experience. In my view, it is best experienced by ramping up from easier to more challenging destinations.
The best predictor of a good trip, in my experience, is having a guide who you know and like to hang out with. So, go somewhere to meet up with a buddy; and do what you normally do, just in a place he is familiar with. Bonus points if he speaks the language/is native.
Second most important is don't try to do too much. Americans generally book way too much on a vacation. If you have two activities a day, you will only remember the pictures, not the experience. Slow down, take your time, and really soak in what you are experiencing. Hang with the locals and expats, not with the tourists.
Last, go somewhere you have an in. It could be a buddy, that you speak the language, that you always wanted to be a Samurai and read Shogun 5 times. Whatever it is, capitalize on the investment you've already made.
If you are, indeed, inexperienced with international travel -- avoid the more challenging destinations. Africa and the Middle East, India, China and the less stable parts of Latin America and Asia will be more fun for an experienced traveler. Sure, you can do them now and almost certainly be fine; but knock out the easier destinations first.
Good luck, have fun and my hopes that you find something/somewhere/someone truly amazing. That is the promise and reward of getting outside your comfort zone.
The English speaking thing mentioned above shouldn't even be a consideration. I've been to many countries in Europe without knowing anything but English and it has never been a problem. People in your age group learn in school. Also, while I like English speaking countries they wouldn't be first on my list for a Euro trip.
My main piece of advice would be to not spread yourself too thin in 2.5 weeks. The temptation to do so will be great. Pick a general geographic area within Europe with some great cities and spend at least 3 days in each. Berlin, Munich, Prague, Budapest would be a nice grouping. Also just visited Croatia with the wife and while a great vacation, I gotta admit that's a country I should have seen as a single dude :)
And going solo, I highly recommend the hostel route. Being around like minded travelers your age leads to some great times and you'll meet some awesome people.
Have fun.
Also, find a good tailor while you are there and get a bunch of suits custom tailored for an amazing price. Do that right away as it takes 4-5 days for them to make the suits for you.
You can do Europe when you're older but you're only young and single once.....and for a young single guy traveling by yourself you can't beat Thailand.