Hi! I've never traveled before and I decided next year that I will be doing so. I Currently live in the U.S. California to be exact. Anyways, my question is, where do I begin, how do I begin, what should I look for, what should I stay away from. What is the best, safe and most efficient way to travel. Where would you guys recommend first time travelers to go? I love the outdoors, being adventurous, food, cars, and I'm pretty much open-minded to anything. I know my questions are vague and not specific but I honestly don't know or even how to start. I am only 22 years old and I'm limited on budget. I plan on leaving in march/april, with just a backpack and open-mind. I have no intent on coming back or settling down anywhere. I just want to experience and see the world and see what happens. I apologize in advance if this is in the wrong section, this is my first time on this site. Anyways, I will gladly appreciate any recommendations, advice, tips, guidelines etc...
Never ever? Not even in the USA or at least in California?
I apologize in advance if this is in the wrong section, this is my first time on this site.
No need to apoligise, but this is indeed the wrong branch. Repost it in Gap year and around the world, and in Travel on a shoeastring branches to get more answers.
What is the best, safe and most efficient way to travel.
That depends on the destination: You see, in Switzerland it is the train, in the Carribean it is a yacht, in the Sahara it is 4WD. :-)
I have no intent on coming back or settling down anywhere.
Dude, that's not exactly travelling. That's called emigrating, living abroad, etc. That requires quite a bit more planning and thinking about than simply travelling. Anyway, I can give you some advice on travelling. If you're on a limited budget you won't get far and long anyway. Of course you could try to find a job abroad, but again it's not travelling anymore.
Where would you guys recommend first time travelers to go? I love the outdoors, being adventurous, food, cars, and I'm pretty much open-minded to anything.
Start in your own "backyard"! If you love the outdoors and cars it could be hard to find a better destination than the USA. After that head down to Baja California, just across the border close to home, but still foreign.
Wh do I recommend this: 2 reasons
1) Knowing your own homeland helps you understand and appreciat foreign lands better.
2) Travelling is basically the same all over the world: Figure out where do you want to go, plan, travel from A to B, find accomodation, find food, etc. It's easier to practice it in aplace familiar for you, than after the basics you can go abroad.
After that it's really where your're most interested to go and where your budget allows. Europe is great for first timers, but expensive. South-East Asia or Central America are also good and more budegt friendly choices.
Have a look at this great website: www.travelindepndent.info
I just had a look at your profile and see that you're Vietnamese. Were you born in the USA?
In that case it's pretty much a no-brainer to start in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
And the correct link to the website is: www.travelindependent.info
yeah thats what i was thinking as well! but so many options. Starting from my roots would be a good idea. thanks!
Doing some time through SE Asia could be good (and not too expensive).
Another option is Australia and New Zealand - depending on your citizenship (and a couple of other things, like college education), you may be able to live and work in both countries for two years each. You won't be able to work in SE Asia to assist your budget.
Australia and NZ are sort of USA-Lite - both very easy and comfortable, and not hugely different to California. And quite close to SE Asia too.
start by grabbing a bottle of CA wine and go sit under a tree and think more about what you want to do. SE asia is a great idea, maybe you still have family there you can visit. Use gmaps and youtube to look things over. start macro and work into micro.
You have a lot of things to consider. Do you have "enough" budget to start traveling? we can't deny that every penny is badly needed for you to accomplish this goal. I would totally agree with everything balkanexpress have said, start traveling locally. One step at a time, savor & appreciate every travel you'll have. Good luck to your adventure!
You're going to need money! Better find a job.
Do you want to find a job in your home town, some other town in CA, some other part of the USA, or overseas?
You could go work in the oilfields, harvest marijuana, get a seasonal job in a tourist area, pretty much anywhere will be a new and interesting experience for you, no need to go overseas. Your priority is to learn how to support yourself financially.
Then you can travel and find work in other places. There are lots of discussions about visas and so forth, so it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with those rules before you leave the USA. The legal restrictions are going to shape your life in future.
And I'm sure someone will come along soon and tell you to go teach English in Asia. Plenty of discussion about that here too.
It's still travelling if you spend months or years in each place. You're not rooted to one spot, you're on a journey, even if you're not on a bus every other day.
Go for it, but don't expect it to be easy.
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