Now Plan My Vacation

[Kybosh]

So, I'm looking at taking a quick trip in the fall. I've been kicking around some ideas (like seeing sites in China, heading to Bolivia or maybe Brazil) but I'd like some input from the board.

The rules:
1) I have about 16 days.
2) October/November time frame.
3) I like to spend time really getting to know small(ish) areas. I generally have a rule where transit days should take no more than 5-6 hours (none of those nonsense 24 hour train rides). If it isn't a small area, it should at least be easy to get around.
4) No resorts or planned tour groups.
5) I want to leave North America.
6) I'm an experienced traveler and will be going solo (ie. nothing is off limits except for #4).

What do you recommend CP?

[taco.vidal]

South America. Guatemala. Nicaragua. Belize. Costa Rica.

[Regulator75]

Chile, Argentina then the South Pole.

[Kybosh]

Originally Posted by Regulator75

Chile, Argentina then the South Pole.

I would love to go to Antarctica, but it is really expensive. The absolute cheapest ship I've seen was ~$4000 and I think that was a lucky deal.

I might fly to Buenos Aires for a few days then spend the rest of the time bumming around some sites in Patagonia.

[rj*]

New Zealand- great terrain, and great people!

[troutman]

16 days is not enough time to do more than one or two countries in Latin America. Chile, Argentina, Brazil, even Peru are too big.

I would say two weeks in Ecuador or Guatemala.

[VladtheImpaler]

Nizhnevartovsk-Nefteugansk-Urengoi-Raduzhnyi

You'll thank me later.

[Kybosh]

Originally Posted by troutman

16 days is not enough time to do more than one or two countries in Latin America. Chile, Argentina, Brazil, even Peru are too big.

I would say two weeks in Ecuador or Guatemala.

Oh I agree, I would prefer to pick one or two spots in a country then absorb it.

[Kybosh]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Nizhnevartovsk-Nefteugansk-Urengoi-Raduzhnyi

You'll thank me later.

I'll thank you right now. Ugly Soviet architecture combined with beautiful women.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

I'll thank you right now. Ugly Soviet architecture combined with beautiful women.

Make sure you go to a real Russian bath, bring booze, snacks and women. There is an amazing one buried underground in some junkyard in Nizhnevartovsk.

[Kybosh]

Honestly, I'm leaning toward flying to Beijing and doing a smallish circuit. Relatively cheap, yet direct flights are a plus.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

Honestly, I'm leaning toward flying to Beijing and doing a smallish circuit. Relatively cheap, yet direct flights are a plus.

We went to Beijing without any sort of tour or organized itinerary and it was superb, and relatively cheap, aside from the flight. We stayed at a fancy hotel near Forbidden City and I think the whole thing was $3200 for flights and 9 nights. We just wandered around the city and took a whole day to go to the Wall (make sure you go to Simatai, not one of the more touristy spots closer by). We just called up a hostel and hooked up with one of their tours, instead of one of the more "official" ones being offered by the major hotels.

[jjbouma]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

Honestly, I'm leaning toward flying to Beijing and doing a smallish circuit. Relatively cheap, yet direct flights are a plus.

I'd recommend doing 3 cities/regions in China in 16 days. Obviously Beijing, then I would recommend Chengdu/Le Shan/Emei Shan, then perhaps Hong Kong or Shanghai if you want more cities/urban stuff, or else the Guilin/Yangshuo region has great scenery, while Xian has great culture and history.

The good thing about going to Hong Kong or Shanghai is that you can fly back home out of them without having to go back to Beijing.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by jjbouma

I'd recommend doing 3 cities/regions in China in 16 days. Obviously Beijing, then I would recommend Chengdu/Le Shan/Emei Shan, then perhaps Hong Kong or Shanghai if you want more cities/urban stuff, or else the Guilin/Yangshuo region has great scenery, while Xian has great culture and history.

The good thing about going to Hong Kong or Shanghai is that you can fly back home out of them without having to go back to Beijing.

I did a similar trip to this in the Spring. Shanghai for a few days, then Xi'an and Beijing. The flights internally within China are inexpensive and not very long, and you can probably book an open jaw ticket arriving Beijing and departing Shanghai (or vice versa) for the same price as a return. A great adventure and fits your timeline nicely.

Another country that would really facilitate a trip like this would be Turkey. Istanbul and Cappodocia, maybe with a side trip to Ephesus.

[Kybosh]

Originally Posted by jjbouma

I'd recommend doing 3 cities/regions in China in 16 days. Obviously Beijing, then I would recommend Chengdu/Le Shan/Emei Shan, then perhaps Hong Kong or Shanghai if you want more cities/urban stuff, or else the Guilin/Yangshuo region has great scenery, while Xian has great culture and history.

The good thing about going to Hong Kong or Shanghai is that you can fly back home out of them without having to go back to Beijing.

I'm starting to like the looks of YYC - Beijing area (4-5 days) - Xian area (4-5 days) - Chengdu area (4-5 days) - Shanghai (2-3 days) - YYC. Thanks for the advice. It sucks that I don't have more time, but c'est la vie.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

I'm starting to like the looks of YYC - Beijing area (4-5 days) - Xian area (4-5 days) - Chengdu area (4-5 days) - Shanghai (2-3 days) - YYC. Thanks for the advice. It sucks that I don't have more time, but c'est la vie.

I would take some of the time off Xi'an. Probably 2-3 days is plenty.