Where to go traveling

[Wildsea]

I was thinking of going for about 3 months to four months plus towards the end of the year. I definatly want to go to Australia and New Zealand really appeals as well. But I just wondered what other places people recomend. I will be travelling alone, hopefully it won't take long to meet up with other people. So, what suggestions can you throw at me???

I would love to go to intresting places, really not interested in lazing around on beaches all the time. A safari really appeals, so I was thinking South Africa maybe. Was also thinking of just getting a tic to Aus, and then travel from there where and when I like??? On a budget as well so hostels rather than hotels as much as possible.

Thanks

[Puggit]

South Africa has a big back packing scene, especially the Garden Route.

Obviously safaris are easy here!

I'm off down to Joburg (on business) tomorrow - it's a lovely country

[dan1981]

3-4 months for Australia, New Zealand and South Africa? You could probably spend that long in any one of those places... Australia is massive. Then the other two.

[driverrob]

The world is your oyster. The list of places is endless, though may be limited if you really don't like above 40C, below -10C, heights, mossies, not being able to speak a word of the local language, earthquake zones, extreme poverty, monsoon rains or hardline Muslim countries for example.
I've just counted 41 pins in my wall map of the world so I still have a lot of choice for next year.
Insurance (for your home in the UK and for your travel) is a must and, with most companies, will have to be specially negotiated if you are away for more than 30 days.

[Nolar Dog]

I would certainly include India, pakistan, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and the Phillipines.

[Wildsea]

I know, I know 4 months to try and see Australia let alone the world is tough. Another option is instead to take it as unpaid leave, maybe just leave my job and do a year plus.

In relation to Jo'burg what is the situation there, I have been talking to a couple of people whoI have been to S.Africa, but say they avoided Jo'burg due to tension there towards white backpackers.

I really want to avoid high temps, I just don't do sun. I want to go "off the beaten track" and see some places which have yet to be "spoilt" by tourists.

[dan1981]

Wildsea said:

I want to go "off the beaten track" and see some places which have yet to be "spoilt" by tourists.

Good luck with that one - the world is a very very small place these days.

[Puggit]

Wildsea said:

In relation to Jo'burg what is the situation there, I have been talking to a couple of people whoI have been to S.Africa, but say they avoided Jo'burg due to tension there towards white backpackers.

I've not heard anything bad - but I stay around the business district/suburb called Sandton. It's very white middle/upper class!

There's not that much to see in Joburg - so most don't stay there long, just fly in and move out. There's so much to see in the rest of SA, and it's SO cheap (for a first world lifestyle)

[driverrob]

Wildsea said:

I really want to avoid high temps, I just don't do sun. I want to go "off the beaten track" and see some places which have yet to be "spoilt" by tourists.

You still have choice; it's just more limited. This year we're off to Guyana to do some bird and animal spotting well inland - well away from anything remotely "touristy".

Geographical (UK) magazine has a good range of companies doing trips to places you might not have thought of. Some can be expensive but there are always savings to be made if you're willing to rough it. A friend of ours regularly takes 4 or 5 week trekking holidays - organised but cheap. At the moment I think he's in Nepal.

Edited by driverrob on Sunday 24th May 19:28

[satans worm]

India, no competition, dont try to 'do' lots of countries, it may seem impressive to real of aload of countries youve 'done' in your 4 months but in reality you would not of scratched the surface of any of them.
4 months is not ofcourse long enough for any country, but India will reward you life long memories of stunning moments every day ou spend their.

Forget Thailand/ aussi etc, too busy with partying students, not what travelings about, imo.

[Rollin]

Just go. Get on a plane, land and discover it all for yourself. You'll spoil it otherwise.

HTH

[v15ben]

South East Asia would be another option I'd recommend. Try some of the more 'off track' places in Laos, Cambodia and certain bits of Vietnam. Very cheap to get around, get hostel beds and hire bikes to see places. You'll meet tonnes of people and it's a stunning area.

I did this area plus China, Oz and NZ in 6 months last year and loved every minute.

For safari I'd say SA is a good choice but possibly try Botswana and Namibia if your in that part of Africa. Other major option is to fly into Nairobi and visit Kenya and Tanzania - a stunning area too.

I'd recommend a Round the World ticket that can be easily date changed and amended so you can see a lot and be flexible. I sell loads of these as RTW is our speciality. A ticket with a couple of stops on either side of Oz/NZ is certainly possible for a decent price. Just drop me an email for some quotes on prices, I'll always do the best possible rate for PHers

[51mon]

V15ben - pity I didnt know what you did, Ive just booked a RTW ticket with a different company! Would have done it through you if id known....! Doh!!

[v15ben]

Always time for the next trip Simon
If you need any extras added on I can have a look for you

[51mon]

Cool, not going till sept, so if im booking anything before I go then I'll give you a shout!

More likely, while Im away and end up in some kind of daft situation then i'll be begging you for some friendly advice..... LoL!

[v15ben]

Haha that seems to be a common thing for most of our customers

[staceyb]

My brother used

http://www.travelindependent.info/

To get info before he went to Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, China, Austrailia, and New Zealand. He also found somewhere where he could stay in an Cambodian village with a family for a few days in return of writing some official letters in English and teaching the children English. I'll try and find out what the name was.

[Wildsea]

Thanks everyone. v15ben i have had a glance at the link on your profile, will look at it properly asap. staceyb, thanks for the link. It would be great if you could get the link, or name of the company from your brother.

Has anyone been to Tanzania or Zanzibar? I don't know anyone who have gone there, but they look amazing. Any info would be great.

Thanks.

[v15ben]

Tanzania and Zanzibar I can definitely help on - I was there for 2 months in 2007.

Zanzibar is stunning, great beaches many of which are fairly quiet with good snorkelling and diving and superb seafood. Easy to get around and pretty cheap to visit.

Tanzanian mainland is one of the best places to safari IMO and of course you've got Kilimanjaro to climb too. I stayed in a village near Arusha for 5 weeks and up near Lake Victoria (western Serengeti) in a church mission for another week. Great country and plenty to recommend.

Any questions just drop me an email or post 'em up

[driverrob]

Stonetown is worth a visit; there's more to see than just Freddy Mercury's old house (now a rather nice shop). We stayed on Pemba, a little island to the north; very untouristy.