I know Cuba very well. Yes Trinidad is very nice but it's full of day trippers. Better at night when they've all gone. Some good restaurants. Do stay in casas and use the Viazul buses.

As for Ecuador, we loved Cuenca and Galápagos

Argentina highlights for us:
Whale watching from Puerto Madryn
Iguazú
Poreto Moreño
Buenos Aires
Horse riding in Patagonia
The crossing to Chile.
As for Costa Rica, give San José a miss as mentioned above

I agree that Namibia is less accessible without private transport than Botswana. Having said that, Botswana is hardly populous (it's number 10 out of 194 countries, with 4 people/Km2, while Namibia is number 2 with 2.9 people/Km2). Getting to CKGR on public transport, for example, is not at all viable, and OP asked about the Kalahari. I recognise that most of Botswana is "the Kalahari" however I'm assuming that the idea was to get into the "deep" Kalahari. .

Chobe is indeed relatively accessible, although you still need some sort of tour if you don't have your own transport, and as noted by fieldgate you can easily get to Kasane on public transport. Remember that OP has already been to Chobe and is looking for other options. Maun is also accessible by public transport, and there are many options for trips into the Delta (Maun itself being on the Delta).

...or inexpensive taxis from Zimbabwe (Vic Falls) via Zambia (Livingstone)

I wouldn't choose to go from Victoria Falls to Kasane via Zambia (unless something's changed recently which prevents direct travel?).

Thanks for your reply. I plan to spend a couple of weeks in the south of the country before heading north, visiting Dougga towards the end of the holiday.

I will be mostly using public transport, perhaps just hiring a car for the odd day - it’s good to know I don’t need to get an IDP before I go.

I agree with kathrin about the weather forecast joke of kenko.
Grindelwald is in a cul-de-sac, all but centrally located. But where will you enter Switzerland and where will you leave it? by car or by public transport?
Without knowing that, it's impossible to suggest anything.

For accomodation, check out well known booking sites. There are cheap restaurants, in particular cheap lunches aimed at office workers, from 5 to 7 $. Supermarkets are also slightly cheaper than the US. Public transport goes everywhere. But why are you staying 2 weeks in Santiago ?

I understand you don't want to hitchhike but you can always find a taxi when you don't have public or shared transports. With anticipation, it's not a challenge and your accommodation can always contact a driver/taxi for you.

Michel

Keep in mind the US is severely lacking a Hostel Network and good modern public transport, compared to EU or Asia...its is a automobile culture, and lodging is cheap hotels/motels, then on up to National Chains and so forth. AirBNB is a very good option in expensive areas like Chicago, San Fra nnd most of California coastal areas, as well popular vacation destinations in mountains and beaches areas...hotels can be $$$ or few choices.

Southwest Airlines is a popular and well run modern airline, with no fees for changes, other than the new fare difference, and you can cancel use the funds for other flights no problem for up to 1 year. You cand take a carry on, and check two bags, for free. They fly to most major cities.

Cities with very good public transport options
NYC
Boston
San Fran
Chicago
Philly
Wash DC

Cities with good public transport options-
Minneapolis
LA
Atlanta
Denver