I am a long time lurker, and finally decided to make an account. I am a big hiker, but have been stuck in my region (mid atlantic). I want to travel to a unique country far away, as the only time I have left the U.S. was to go to Niagra Falls haha.
I have been thinking about making a trip in the next year or two, so I am trying to narrow down some places. I saw on a thread a while back about going to western China, and that has really stuck in my head since it would be more in my budget.
I also saw Salewa is giving away 200 spots for various trips. Those places have really peaked my interest as well, especially, Grindelwald. I have entered, and hopefully have a shot at it. Does anyone have experience at any of the places that they’re offering?
I look forward to hearing your responses, and would love any first hand feedback about your favorite places that you have visted.
It has great food, people, architecture, landscapes… of the 90 or so countries I have been to, Iran made the biggest impact for me. I have been twice (1998 & 2011)
It takes about 45 days to get a visa as an American, but it is well worth it.
Interesting idea. I can remember watching a lot of shows with Steve Irwin and even Jeff Corwin (remember him!?) that were there, and I used to always say that I would go there some day. The home of evolution… Thanks for the reminder.
Right this minute, the answer would be back to Japan but to Hokkaido this time, the northernmost island. Everyone I know who’s been there – and a lot of Thais go to Japan – love Hokkaido.
I have been lucky to go many places.
But I would like to SCUBA dive in whatever is the most beautiful reef in the world.
I have snorkeled cold waters. Pacific, Atlantic, lakes. Never SCUBA.
I love ships and boats.
Ideally, sail boat out. Spend a week or two, on board. Diving, sailing between spots, and for fun.
Komi Republic or possible Tanna Tuva. If I’m going somewhere, I would prefer it be some place that isn’t about tourists; some place I can easily experience the local life and lifestyle.
Southwest China is a good choice for first-time world travelers, assuming they aren’t scared of by the language barrier. There is lots to do, everything is cheap, the budget-tourist infrastructure is charming and well developed (it can get pretty sleazy in other places), and China is relatively free of the hassles that are so common in other countries (scams, pickpockets, touts, etc.)
Beyond that, it’s about what you like. Do you want typical tourist attractions? Things like museums, temples, historic sites, etc? Or are you more about nature? Or are you less concerned with the sites and more interested in just immersing yourself in another cutlure? Do you want five-star hotels? Cheapish local hotels? Backpacker hostels and guest houses? Or are you willing to go even rougher than that?What is your tolerance for frusteration? Will being around touts and scammers and pickpockets drive you nuts, or can you laugh it off? Can you handle local transportation? Would it deeply bother you to be around bribery? Can you deal with heat in places with limited AC? Are you a picky eater? Are you more comfortable in places with more tourists? Or with fewer?
In my experience, the best places to travel are also the worst places. If you want the exotic temples and stunnign beaches and throbbing cities, you have to deal with the constant barrage of people trying to seperate you from your money, piles of obnoxious backpackers, and crappy tourist restaurants and sleazy hostels.
On the flip side, if you want to go to utterly deserted beaches, hang out with people that seem out of the pages of National Geographic, and get truly off the beaten path, you are going to have to deal with the realit that hotels may not exist, there really aren’t any sites to speak of, and most of your time is going to be spent crammed between six other people on a dangerously overcrowded minibus screaming down potholed dirt roads.
Both are fun in their own ways, but it’s good to understand what you are hoping to get.
Hokkaido is amazing, especially in winter if you ski. Had a great trip there in 2009.
Grindelwald is very nice, but there are dozens of places in the Alps that are similarly wonderful.
My current choice is Patagonia, and I’m planning a trip for next year. I’ll add Bhutan, the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, and hut-to-hut skiing in Norway.
OP question was: Where would you go if you could go any place in the world?
I would go to Cuba, and take my father.
If OP wants an opinion on a place to go: The Azores. I would go back there in a heartbeat!
I’d love to go outside the US - particularly to Scotland, Iceland, and Norway.
I’ve been to all of the US except Hawaii (which I’d also love to visit, I’ve heard the hiking there is life-changing) - my favorite place would probably be Zion National Park in Utah. DEFINITELY take a trip there if you can. There’s pretty much something in every state worth visiting.
Patagonia is on the tip of my tongue, along with Alaska. My fear is going there and not wanting to come back. If answering quickly I would also say Cuba.
If I had the time, I would plan a trip around the world, with no specific timetable to be home - open ended. I have met people on bike trips that have been out for 6 months to a couple years. I marvel at, cringe at, and crave the idea.
I’m all about beaches, especially Caribbean beaches. I’ve turned down opportunities to visit Germany, The UK, Ireland, and Iceland over the last decade, preferring to use my vacation time doing beaches.