Yeah, I'll definitely have a data plan.
My trip is starting in 1.5 weeks :)
I wanted to keep my return flight flexible but I'm starting to realize it might be easier to have it locked in with a date & place so I can start planning around that.
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7480 results for planning a gap year
4
petrus
Planes can not take off the wrong way from Lukla, typical desk writer's mistake (common in Nepal). The helicopter pads are now about 150m down from the top of the runway on the right side, couple of meters lower level. I also suspect the right side landing gear brake did not release properly, sounds most likely. Something similar happened on December 6:th last year when I was there, a plane taking off had to abort the take-off about 200 m down the runway, but it stayed on the runway and was stuck there for 6 hours. Landing gear problem, oil leaking out from the right side. Not the same plane or company, checked my pictures.
9
mrmoto
Costa Rica is a very exotic country nature wise, and it receives almost 2 million tourist a year the last 2 decades, and most are North American and Europeans, and I would say 30-50% are families with children under 18. The country has no malaria to speak of, unless you are in a remote and off the grid jungle trek near the Panama border you would have to have a guide and hikes for 2-3 days before entering a malaria zone. This holds true for most of Central America, and also it pertains more to the caribe areas of Central America, which are not even accessible to tourist, not even the locals, not even the government, these are areas that are mainly indigenous and on remote river systems that are not even recognized by the mainland governments and receive no services other than maybe, electricity. Due to narco trafficking, few people venture there, and even the locals know its a No Go Zone safety wise. This would apply to the Darien Gap as well, between Panama and Colombia, the military of both countries will not allow a foreigner or a local to proceed further without permission and a armed escort, should you wish to hire a dozen para military which would be a death wish for them to.
As for Dengue, this is a tropical disease than rears its head rarely in most of Central America, mainly on the caribe coast (small populations, limited areas for tourist) and when it does occur, the warnings are everywhere, the locals know about it, and there is lots of spraying by local authorities. in 45 trips to the region, and mainly rainy season, and mostly Costa Rica, which has more rainforest on the caribe side than any other country besides Panama, its rare to have a dengue outbreak, but tends to occur well into a El Nina season where the rains are much higher than average and flooding is a issue, these usually occur in April-July as well, and its been a good 4-5 years since its been a major issue.
That all said, mozzies are everywhere in the tropics in lowlands and beach areas, so you need to be vigilant anyway about keeping covered up, using repellant, and stying inside at sunset. Some of the more extreme jungle hikes that are deep in the rainforest, are pretty bug infested most months regardless, and protection is key for a hiker, as the rainforest receives rain almost daily in rainy season (April to Nov) and some parks are even closed in Oct at the height, as trails are too messy to even navigate. I have hiked 75% of the National Parks in Costa Rica, there over 25, some from different directions multiple times, and let me tell you, the biggest issue is hydration and stamina. (I was in my 40's).
So 90% of Central America is really not a issue for Dengue, and if you visit in dry season, (Dec to April) its not a factor at all, and is also prime time for great weather overall, regardless of activity, other than the caribe side of the region, which has more rain per month, then the Pacific coast.
Colombia is also a mixed bag, but overall, its mainly mountains, its two biggest cities are over 9000ft elevation, and surrounding Andes are as pretty as a post card for hours hours of driving in great landscapes, great hiking/outdoors there.
For SE Asia, I have trekked, hiked, motorcycled Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia no issues, though all these visits were in dry season, Dec/Jan. The Golden Triangle area, which is Burma/Thailand/Laos in the north, is still has a lot of jungle and forest, and more remote, and the bugs up there can be never ending, but the elevated areas not a issue at all.
For China, the south has some issues, but overall the best hiking and landscapes are all mountains.
For Africa, Morocco was not a issue. South Africa the only issues were in Kruger National Park, which was minimal, and one of the most of the intense wildlife areas I have encountered in my travels, wow, this place is just stunning raw nature and wildlife. Going in March was prime weather too, felt like California weather...
Asia does not have a lot of exotic nature left, its sad. Culturally and landscape wise, it is very nice though.
The most exotic places for nature, wildlife and eco systems, has been Costa Rica and South Africa.
Take those kiddies with you, plan trips in dry season if possible, and have a great time.
7
bzookaj
Overall, you have a very fast paced trip that spends more time in the car driving than enjoying the sights.
Day2: Miami > Key West > Miami
This is roughly four hours on the road each way. More if traffic.
Does eight hours of driving sound fun to you? How about eight hours of driving to and from somewhere, only to have barely any time to enjoy the place? That is this plan. And remember, while it is still Florida, the days are still relatively short. Either spend a night, or don't go. Better yet, don't go.
Day3: Miami > Everglades > Fort Myers? I'd like to see manatees, not really interested in swamps and crocodiles! Finishing the day around Orlando if possible.
The Everglades is not a swamp, and is a very unique place (with lots of alligators, but few crocodiles).
However, it still sounds like you have no interest in going, so why not just head straight to Orlando? You can then head to Crystal River after to see manatees.
Oh, and if you still want to go to the Everglades, it's a) on the way to/from Key West, and b) an easy day trip from Miami.
Day4: Orlando Disneyworld - which of the 4 parks is the best in your opinion/experience?
Best for what? Rides? Shows? Something else?
Day5: Orlando FL > Pensacola FL or Mobile AL or Panama City (depends on distance, but which one is nicer
Is "none" an answer? If I had to choose, I'd pick Destin.
Day6: Mobile > New Orleans
Day7: New Orleans
Only one night in New Orleans? You're cheating yourself. And by this point, you'll probably want a break from driving.
Day8: Mamou > Austin
Day9: Austin > Amarillo
Let's put it this way:
Roughly 6 hours to drive to Austin, excluding delays for food, gas, etc. Then the next day you drive roughly eight hours to Amarillo. Did you actually want to spend some time and see Austin?
Day11: Santa Fe > Chimayo > Penasco > Taos > Dixon > Espanola >Albuquerque
Yeah, this seems like way too much for the day.
Day12: Albuquerque > El Paso (is this deviation south a mistake?)
It's a very large detour, and El Paso is not worth that very large detour.
However, I'm going to say that it's your deviation north that is the mistake. Amarillo is not a place worth going. And while Santa Fe and Taos are nice, you can very easily see worthwhile places along the southern route to make up for them, particularly Big Bend, Marfa, White Sands, and Chiricahua.
February is not a great time for travel in the US
I'm going to disagree with this a bit:
February is a perfect time for the southern deserts. Places like Big Bend are just too hot the rest of the year (even in February, the plains can be in the 90s F/30s C).
19
Sandra_K
From what I've read in this forum the 'policy' seems really different per country. Even without the manifestations going on.
I applied for the visa 3 weeks ago at the embassy in The Netherlands. No questions asked and they just wished me a nice holiday. And I only made a hotel booking for the first 2 nights in Algiers without an itinerary for the rest of my trip.
I'm in Constantine now. Yesterday also manifestations again here. Not as crowded as in Algiers of course. From what I've seen the police started to use tear gas yesterday in Algiers. It all changed a bit since last Tuesday.
philipliph575524
I am planning a trip to China later this year and was looking for a VPN that I could use while being there. I found this article that is supposedly updated every week with VPNs that still work, but has anyone tried any of these?
Would be great to hear some real-life experiences before I sign up for anything.
Laura_002
Hey there dear travellers :)
I am planning to do a gap year after my graduations, so I'd realy like to hear your opinion and what I could change or what's not possible for my idea.
Costs ca. 12000€ ??? (I am really not shure about that)
August 2018 flight to a country in latin/south america (I don't know which yet, depending on the social project)
->"Roadtrip" 2 weeks- 1 month through the country with a travel buddie (from lonelyplanet.com)
->social project (something with animals) ca. 2 months 1000€-2000€
flight to canada
-> Roadtrip 1-2 month with a travel buddie
-> Ranchwork 3 months
-> social project (sth. with animals or the environment) 2-3 months
visiting a friend in the us ca. 2 weeks
August 2019 flight back to germany
Thank you for the time to read this and (hopefully) write a reply:))
vijay0828
Hello! My family (2 adults,2 teenagers) are planning a multi-day hike in the Stubai Alps in mid Aug. We are reasonably experienced hikers (we did a multi-day trek in the Dolomites last year), but not experts by any means. Looking at the Ciccerone Guide by Alan Hartley and a few blogs, we have developed a draft itinerary which is as follows:
Day 1:
- Park at Mutterbergalm and hike up to Dresdner Hut
- Hike from Dresdner Hut to Sulzenau Hut (spend night)
Day 2:
- Hike from Sulzenau Hut to Nürnberger Hut
- Hike from Nürnberger Hut to Bremer Hut (spend night).
Day 3:
- Hike from Bremer Hut to Innsbrucker Hut (spend night).
Day 4:
- Hike down from Innsbrucker Hut to Neder
- Catch bus from Neder back to Mutterbergalm
Would appreciate your thoughts on this, in particular:
1. On day 2, we are combining two stages from the Ciccerone Guide, which total 11km with ~1230m of ascent. Does this sound manageable? We would make an early start (say 6am) and plan to Bremer Hut by mid afternoon at the latest.
2. What do you think of this section of the Stubai Alps compared to the others?
3. We had also considered the Alderweg - was wondering how you would compare the two in terms of scenery and walking enjoyment?
many thanks in advance for your help, Vijay
CubanWaters
After nearly a 3 year hiatus, I made a return to Santiago de Cuba.
Let's start with the weather. Although some Cubans complained of "noches frías", I was sitting comfortably with the hot sunny days and refreshing slightly cool evenings. Well, there was one unusually cold night at the beginning of the trip but the weather was overall perfecto for me. Santiago rarely dissapoints in wintertime.
I spent some relaxin' days on the beach for some quiet and snorkel in the sea but the essence of the trip was in the city. Friends and Frens reappeared in abundance. I was walking past a restaurant one day and a waitress peeped her head out the door to say; "Hey you remember me?". Yes I did, after a decade of not seeing her. Some folks definitely looked a bit older. We were not all so young any more.
The shortages reported in the media seemed all too real. Never before I have seen long line-ups at gas stations. Moto-taxis and taxis in general were asking for a bit more. Cerveza and even some soft drinks were missing at times. Cola and sprite were hard to find although orange and malta seemed to be everywhere. At one bar, I managed to get one of the last 2 beers. Even in the shops, certain items were not to be found. Only the hotels Melia and Casa Granda seemed well-stocked in beverages.
Calle Enramadas looked more done-up than ever. It certainly has changed since it became a pedestrian-only street. Three boutique-ish hotels and many shops and restaurants line the boulevard. A good walk from Plaza de Marte to the harbour. I managed some other long walks through the back streets of the city as usual. Just me and camera in hand. The ups and downs of this hilly city, along with water and mountain views in the distance, always intrigue. I tried some new restaurants, all good, especially La Bodeguita del Medio - a new favourite of mine. It was good to hear the blind guitar player (Luis) and his band playing there one night.
Santiago may suffer some from lack of tourists compared to some other Cuba locales but that has never stopped Cuba's 2nd largest city from a havin' a boomer of a nightlife. The rooftops of the Casa Granda and Melia proved quite crowded to go along with the entertainment provided. Discotheque/Restaurante St. Pauli was handily close by my casa. Beside the Cathedral at Parque Céspedes, a loud open-air joint called La Claqueta blared live music. How new is this place? I have never noticed it before.
Despite the usual and some newer problems that plague it, Santiago was quite alive and buzzing. I just might go visit her again......real soon!