Travel Ideas

[Coach]

Hey CP Braintrust,

I am coming up on the end of my degree (will be done at the end of August) and I have a job lined up for when I'm done.

I have never really taken an extended break from school/work since I started doing both when I was 14. I have a good rapport with the company I work for and I think they would have no problem with me taking time off before I "offically" start.

What I am asking is this. Where should I go? I'd like to be gone for around 3 weeks. I was thinking about doing New Zealand but wanted to get some other opinions. Where's the best? The cheapest? The best value? Awesome things to do, etc...

Thanks!

[MarchHare]

It's hard to answer without knowing more about you.

What's your budget? What kinds of things are you into? Historical sight-seeing? Adventure tours? Nightlife?

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Just go to Thailand like everyone else.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Nipawin, Saskatchewan.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

It's hard to answer without knowing more about you.

What's your budget? What kinds of things are you into? Historical sight-seeing? Adventure tours? Nightlife?

Well honestly, I'm kind of up for anything. I just want to go and see what I find interesting while I'm there. I havent really travelled outside of NA ever so I dont really have much of a reference point. All of the things you listed interest me haha.

My budget will be pretty modest, but I should be able to be pretty comfortable going just about anywhere.

[Hockeyguy15]

I have a couple buddies who did a few weeks down in Costa Rica, Pananma, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru and they had a blast.

[Coach]

With regards to Hockeyguy15 and to answer Marchhare a bit clearer, I'm not a big heat person. I don't like it over 30 C unless im near a body of water where I can regularly dunk myself. I'm not looking for a beach vacation (I've had many of those) as much as I'm looking for an adventure/experience.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Well honestly, I'm kind of up for anything. I just want to go and see what I find interesting while I'm there. I havent really travelled outside of NA ever so I dont really have much of a reference point. All of the things you listed interest me haha.

My budget will be pretty modest, but I should be able to be pretty comfortable going just about anywhere.

It's a cliche, but take a train across Europe and stay in hostels along the way. You'll meet tons of other young people from all over the world doing the exact same thing, and it's pretty affordable too. In three weeks, you could spend time in the Spain, France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Switzerland...

[Nyah]

While expensive to get to - SE Asia (Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malasia, etc.) is SUPER cheap once you're there, and they're all very cool to see. I recommend Bali!

[saskflames69]

Minot, North Dakota

Going back in 2 weeks! My folks bought a flood damaged house to rent out. Maybe I'll see you there?

[trumpethead]

You may not know where you are going, but I know where this thread is going.... CP travel advice can typically be distilled down to 2 things - hostels and condoms (stay in both, and you will have a good time).

[Brewmaster]

If you've got the money, I'd suggest stretching it out longer than 3 weeks, especially if you're looking at flying across the globe to New Zealand, Australia, or SE Asia. It shouldn't make a big difference when you're setting a start date with your new company whether it's 3 weeks, or 6 weeks or even longer if they're looking at you for a full time position.

After I graduated I went to New Zealand, Australia, then Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia for 3-4 months. They're all great places to travel, depending on what you're into. Keep in mind that it'll be winter in NZ and Aus, so the beaches won't be busy and the weather might not be very warm in places.
I'd recommend Thailand as a great place to go for a 3+ week adventure for your first time travelling. Great for meeting people, easy to arrange transportation, and plenty to see and do for young people.

[Traditional_Ale]

St. Johns, Newfoundland. George Street Festival.

[Table 5]

Good on you for wanting adventure. Go somewhere that's out of your comfort zone, and to a place where the sights/food/culture is different than what you're used to. At the very least, get out of North America.

Traveling the world is a fantastic investment for yourself as a person. It will give you perspective for the rest of your life, even if you never leave your home again.

[Phanuthier]

Boise, Idaho

Awesome place.

If you have time, Boulder, Colorado as well.

[Table 5]

Newfoundland? Idaho? Colorado? No offense, but eff that....he can do that when he's older and has things like a mortgage/wife/kids getting in the way.

He needs to think big here....your 20's go by fast, you gotta make em count. He has to make the trips now that you can only make when you're young or when you're retired. Backpacking through Asia, safari through Africa, a crazy Euro trip with friends in a rusty Renault, etc etc. Think big young man!

[Nammer403]

I spent a month in Vietnam and i spent about 2000 while I was there on accomodations/food/travel in and around vietnam

[gargamel]

I did Tokyo, Hong Kong, Thailand, Laos and Singapore last month and had a blast. You can get to Europe or South America and visit a country or two in the future when you have a week off, but it really isn't worth going to Asia, Australia/New Zealand or Russia for less than 2 weeks because you'll be so jetlagged for the first few days. I would absolutely head somewhere in that part of the world if I were you.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by MattyC

With regards to Hockeyguy15 and to answer Marchhare a bit clearer, I'm not a big heat person. I don't like it over 30 C unless im near a body of water where I can regularly dunk myself. I'm not looking for a beach vacation (I've had many of those) as much as I'm looking for an adventure/experience.

Reason why I recommended Idaho and Colorado, somewhat in jest.

(Boulder is pretty hot right now... maybe go with Wyoming instead)

End of Aug kind of sucks to travel and is touriest high season which is brutal. April/Oct are prime, July/Dec are manageable can bring some perks.

Peru? Better in April. Central America? Hot to hotter then back to hot. SE Asia? Hot and humid, though I struggled in the hot/humid in Thailand last Christmas. Tibet? Not prime, and too short to get used to altitude. Europe, blazing hot with tourists everywhere sucks. Scandinavia (ya I know thats Europe) is expensive but cooler (Maybe Iceland?)

So.... Boise, Idaho. Tons of adventure!

[Ozy_Flame]

I recommend going island hopping between Fiji / Tonga / Raratonga / Solomon Islands. Quite the awesome trip.

And it's rapport, my son, rapport.