Well dopers, I think it is time for a vacation. I have the itch to pack my bags, get out of my comfort zone, and head off into the great unknown. There’s two weeks worth of vacation and $3,000 burning a hole in my pocket, and the sky is the limit on where to go. I want to leave my safe central-Michigan USA hobbit hole and go on an adventure. Should I get an unlimited Euro-rail pass and backpack across Europe, or visit the ruins of the Ottoman Empire? Should I go on safari in Africa, or see the metropolis that is Tokyo? What about a Caribbean Island cruise, or the pyramids of the Aztecs? How about packing the car full of sandwiches and driving across the US? Or Australia? Museums or markets? Ruins or wonders? Stay at a bed-and-breakfast for a full week, or move on every morning?
Where would you go? What would you see? Would you meticulously plan your itinerary, or go where the road takes you?
(For this trip’s sake, let’s say you are traveling alone)
I speak a bit of German from my high school days, so I would probably take trip through Germany and Austria (I had relatives come from Austria). Berlin, Munich, Vienna would be the main stops, I think.
Fly to Las Vegas; rent a car. Then, go to Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Goblin Valley, Arches, Canyonlands, Monument Valley, Antelope Slot, Grand Canyon and back to Vegas. All for less than $200/day.
I always forget that if you’ve never been to an Asian country before, Thailand can be a head-fuck. With that in mind, for first-timers I always recommend a journey northwards from Singapore to Malaysia to Thailand. Singapore’s pretty much the most civilised place on the planet, Malaysia has its shit together, relatively speaking, and Thailand’s getting there but can be very chaotic. Thus you get acclimated and through the worst of your jetlag in Singapore, in Malaysia you’ll get used to the sights and sounds of south-east Asia in a place that has a pretty tight infrastructure, and by the time you get to Thailand you’ll be ready for it - as well as seeing some cool shit into the bargain. Two nights in Singapore, fly to KL, train to Penang for a couple of days, fly to Phuket, a week exploring the islands, fly to Bankok, couple of days there, fly home.
With the exception of Singapore, your $3,000 will got a long way and you’ll be able to get better accommodation there than any western destination. Unless you go totally crazy and stay in the Four Seasons or something, you’ll probably come home with change.
St. Petersburg, Russia - but you have to go around end of June. Rent a studio for the week in the center of the city somewhere on Fontanka (avoid hotels like a plague). “White Nights” with the Sun shining at midnight, amazing architecture, the canal system (take a tour), Petergof fountains, Mariinski ballet and the Hermitage museum. The Hermitage alone would take a couple of weeks to explore.
Don’t think you need a passport to fly from Michigan to Vegas.
I forgot to mention: I always have a vague plan, but go where the road takes me. Has led to some fascinating experiences over what I now realise is twenty years of travel, on and off. But with only two weeks, I think you’re going to be quite limited in your ability to be spontaneous. Alternatively you could just base yourself in one place and explore around it. Choose that place wisely.
I’ve done that, but it took a lot longer than 2 weeks.
Personally, I’d go to northern France. Only because I’ve already been to 24 towns in southern France, but haven’t been to the north other than Paris and a couple of day trips.
While it would be my first choice, you can’t afford an African safari on $3,000. A trip to Alaska would be a good choice, but wait until summer. I hate large crowds and small children, so you couldn’t drag me to any of the Disney places or Las Vegas. Italy would be a good choice: you could easily do Rome, Venice and Florence in two weeks.
Costa Rica has more varied geography in a small area than any other place I’ve been. Iirc they have almost a third of their area under conservation in some way, good for ‘green’ tourism. Very friendly people, lots to see/do. And easy to get to from the US. (I think you wouldn’t even have a time zone change.) When we went, the Aranal volcanoe put on a show for us, we had a great time at a ‘dude ranch’ in the mountains, we explored jungle, and cloud forests, and stayed at a beach resort, without having to ‘waste’ a lot of time in transit. (all within 2 weeks)
I’m usually pretty structured when I travel, but I think Costa Rica would lend itself to either style, planned/unplanned.
There are temples and ruins, great food, warm and inviting culture, awesome beaches and surfing. Want arts and shopping?, Go to Ubud. Want to dance all night, and eat Sushi? Go to Kuta Beach. Black beaches, volcanoes, water palaces, bird markets, monkey forests. Most everything, is a bargain to buy; wood carvings (spectacular), silver, clothing, stone carvings, etc, etc.
It’s exotic enough to be thrilling, but traveled enough to be very accessible, for the average person. And two weeks is about perfect to do the whole island.
I’ve been there a couple of times, while traveling through SE Asia, and found it enchanting in the extreme.
I would fly to Bonaire and check into the Buddy Dive resort, which includes unlimited air canisters. I’d rent a truck and a BCU and fins from them. I’d bring my own octopus and dive computer and wetsuit.
I’d guess I’d have to bring a dive buddy, too. Probably my husband. I’m fond of him.
Every morning we’d hit two dive sites after breakfast. Karpata. Thousand Steps. White Slave. Alice In Wonderland.
Every afternoon we’d lounge around at Lac Bay, soaking in sunshine, drinking Dutch beer, and slowly walking half a mile out in the crystal-clear, bath-warm, chest-deep water.
Every evening we’d go to that little tapas restaurant. Maybe we’d do a couple of sunset cruises.