Destination advice needed
Replies: 14 - Last Post: Jan 23, 2012 4:39 AM Last Post By: lucapal
jump to
Destination advice needed
Hi everyone!I'm a 19 year student from the Netherlands and looking for a travel destination for in
august 2012. I would love to go to Iran, but my partens don't think it's a good idea
at the moment because of the current situation, and they advice me to go somewhere else (unfortunaly)
So now I have to skip Iran and I'm looking for a new destination.
I would love to go to a country that is little affected by mass tourism and isn't crowded with European tourist in the summer. Last year I went to Malaysia & Singapore with a travelbuddy, but this year I really want to travel solo! I love to explore every continent, so that won't be a problem, although South-America is a bit to expensive for me because of the ticket prices (€1000+). So I'm looking for ticketprices around €600-800 and I would love to travel on a shoestring.
So do you know a perfect destination for me (i love culture, nature, photography and trying new food)?
I'm planning to go for 4 weeks.
Groetjes, that is dutch for greetings ;)
Leroy
Edited by: LeroyN
1
Iran is a great destination...but your parents may have a point.War between the USA and Iran is certainly not impossible this year....August is peak season for Europeans of course,and so they (we)are everywhere!
Leaving out places with bad weather(very hot/monsoon/very cold) in August,you could have a look at some of the more remote parts of Indonesia (eg Papua,Maluku or Sulawesi)which have all the things you mention.Or South/ East Africa-Malawi,Zambia or Mozambique for example...its pretty easy to get off the 'tourist trail' in these places
2
Hi Leroy,I have to say that while Iran is a fascinating destination, it might not be the best place for a trip on your own because it can be difficult to meet people. There aren't a lot of other back packers around and while there are plently of people in Iran who speak English, it can be difficult to work out where to meet new people.
There are few (if any) youth hostels and because of the ban on alcohol there are no bars (which traditionally provide meeting places for young people). In fact, at night time there is very little to do in Iran at all. I spent three weeks in Iran last year with my boyfriend and we found that most nights we would struggle to find activites, even movie cinemas and restaurants closed very early (circa 8 or 9 pm).
If you want adventure travel on a budget I really recommend India. I spent a summer bumming around India a few years ago and its a fascinating destination with endless appeal. There are plenty of places off the beaten tourist track, people are friendly, loads of people speak English, and it must be one of the cheapest travel destinations on earth. The food is very varied and usually delicious and you will never get lonely in India - everyone will want to talk to you, meet you, stare at you, touch you, sell you things, play cricket with you, etc.
Have fun!
Sarah
3
August is a good time to go to Indonesia, weather-wise.Or what about Central Asia - Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan etc.? Fascinating countries - the only problem might be that they can be very hot in summer.
How about Mongolia? Or the Muslim areas of Western China. Or Korea, which has relatively few western tourists.
5
You could go to Burma, it's becoming ever increasingly popular and now that the mainstream adventure tour operators all offering tours it will only become more popular. In fact the time to go to Burma was probably a couple years ago but still, best go sooner rather than later as the numbers of tourists will keep growing and that will change things.8
Burma would be a good one - I would like to go there before mass tourism sets in but can't see myself having time for a year or two.I am still planning a trip to Iran this year if I can get the visa but haven't told my parents yet - I'm sure the reaction will not be favourable! My fear with Iran is that the situation between Iran and the rest of the world will only get worse so I want to go now while it still seems safe. I'm so glad I went to Syria a few years ago as I certainly wouldn't be going there today! I don't see the US getting involved in any conflict in Iran before their election which is some time away...
10
Hi.Have you ever thought of considering Philippines? If you love nature, check out the following:Those are just to name a few. Let me know if you will be interested. Happy travel! :)
11
Good suggestions above! (We'll see how things go in the next few months, but do try to convince your parents to let you go to Iran if things don't get too nasty before summer! ;))Have you considered Albania? It's a fascinating place, probably one of the least visited countries in Europe (and in Eastern Europe), it's safe (I hitch-hiked to Albania and around it and had a great time, people were very nice and helpful, and many drivers even invited me to a coffee or a beer!), it's got great fairly empty beaches and totally off-the-beaten-track national parks, its culture and history are fascinating (check out cities such as Berat and Gjirokastra)... and it's cheap (you can camp for 4-5€, 8-10€ for a dorm bed in guesthouses, eat for 1-2€, etc.)!
You can get there cheaply by catching a low-cost flight to Bari/Brindisi/Ancona (Italy) and then taking a ferry to Dürres or Vlorë. You can also get a cheap flight to Corfu (Greece) and take the ferry to Saranda. Another option is to get a flight to Dubrovnik and get there by travelling overland through Montenegro. Do also combining it with Kosovo and/or Macedonia!
Have fun!
12
Hi!I just booked my ticket to Iran, I conviced my parents thanks to the advice of a Iranian travel organisation in Holland and the travelfair where Iran was present. I can't wait! Thanks for all the advice and I can certain use your advice for next year.
