I recently received a (very) small windfall, and would like to use it to take a trip during winter break. But I don’t know where to go! Sure, I have ideas, but there may be some really cool places out there that I’ve never even heard of! So I turn to the Dopers to make suggestions.
The details: I have a couple weeks off at Christmas and New Years (I’m a teacher so I don’t have much control over my vacation time). I’d kind of like to leave Europe and see something different. Like I said, it’s not that much money, so I’ll be backpacking and going on the cheap. I’m already in Bulgaria and probably won’t be able to afford travelling somewhere really distant. I’m thinking North Africa, Near East…I don’t know!
FTR, I’m a 29 year old woman and I’ll be travelling alone.
About 50 years ago I spent a year in Port Lyautey, Morroco (since renamed Kenitra. I did a bit of traveling around the country, Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakesh, Fez. Saw some very intersting people and cites, some very ancient. It’s relatively safe and I would love to return. You might give it some consideration. A few days in Southern Spain and a visit to Gibralter might round out your trip.
I went on holiday around Morocco last Christmas, and found the constant hassle from people there intolerable. The food was good and the weather pleasant, but even our supposedly trustworthy guide - personally recommended by a youth hostel - was a prick out for a fast buck. Maybe fifty years ago it was great - Tangiers was probably great when it was the International Zone or whatever that William Burroughs writes of. But I found it grimly intolerable for such a sunny place. You might be okay if you avoid the Moroccans and stick with the tourists I suppose.
I know you said you want to leave Europe, but I am going to suggest Vienna. Why? Two reasons.
First of all, it is a wonderful, amazing, beautiful city that is almost the perfect place for a tourist to visit. Most of the sights and attractions are conveniently positioned close together in the middle, all within walking distance of one another. And we are talking about some of the most amazing and stunning sights (and sites) that Europe has to offer… Hofburg Palace, Karlskirche, Kunsthistoriche museum/gallery, huge parks, wonderful markets, the opera house and district, great shopping, etc. It’s the kind of city where the people actually like and welcome tourists. You will eat and drink well, even on a budget. It’s easy to get to. Everyone speaks English if you want, and it’s a safe, clean modern city.
Secondly, it is quite possibly the greatest place in the world to be on New Year’s Eve. They turn the entire city centre into one huge, well-organised street party, and you have to be there to appreciate how well this is done. For the most part, it all looks great, everywhere decorated with lights so the whole city is lit up like one big christmas tree. There is loads of free entertainment (from classical to rock to experimental) provided via 14 main sound stages erected at different locations, and lots of smaller attractions too, plus lots of cheap food and drink. You can walk around the whole thing on foot, no problem, it’s safe, everyone is good-natured and there’s no trouble or unruly behaviour. It’s huge fun. I’m lucky enough to have been around the world, and Vienna certainly puts on the best and easiest-to-enjoy NY Eve celebration I’ve ever seen in my life. I can even tell you exactly where to stay… a small, inexpensive, no frills hotel bang in the heart of the city that is quiet, clean, VERY affordable and where they do the best breakfast buffet in the world (if you’re on a budget, you can ‘stash’ away some snacks for consumption later in the day… they don’t mind). And they serve free champagne on NY Day!
I would pick Costa Rica, Turkey, or Thailand. I don’t think the latter two would be great for true backpacking but I have never been to either of them. Costa Rica is cheap and safe and has some of the best ecotourism in the world. Decent hotel rooms can be had for $20 a night or so or maybe even less. The Ticos tend to love Americans and try very hard to please. A command of Spanish is not really necessary and, while it is exotic, there are always lots of Americans around in case you need some home-style talk. The whole country is set up for tourism so it isn’t like you would ever be truly lost. Cabs (even long distance ones) and shuttle busses are usually inexpensive even for long-distance rides across the country. There is plenty of diving and surfing plus unique tours over the cloud forrests. If you pick Costa Rica, don’t miss the semi-active Arenal Volcano with hot spring streams, monkeys, and open hut massages.
