BootsnAll Travel Community

Hello all. I've got about a month free this summer (before classes start back up), and can probably afford up to about $1000 to go somewhere. The more new/interesting/exciting the better. I don't have a lot of travel experience (assorted US trips and once to Japan), and will most likely be going solo, but I'm willing to go about anywhere. I thought western europe would be nice, from what I can tell airfare costs skyrocket in the summer to such mainstream places.

Anyone have any suggestions?

How about Mexico (not border towns) or Central America? Closer to home, but cheaper to get to..plus, way, way cheaper than Europe per day. And with the dollar being so weak right now, I'd avoid Western Europe if you don't have much money to work with.

Does the $1000 include airfare and the month of travelling? Or airfare excluded?

$1000 is everything, unfortunately. and I don't necessarily have to use the whole month (2-3 weeks may be a bit easier).

any specific locations in mexico or central america you might recommend?

Where in the states are you at?

I took a bus from Austin to Zacatecas, Mexico (only place I've been to in Mex) in December. It was a nice, cheap trip. I went there because I had heard from two British guys I met in San Diego that the people in Zacatecas were amazingly nice, and that it was a cute colonial town. I went there for a week, and was amazed at how nice,friendly, and welcoming the people were. Such a cute town, too! I'd highly recommend Zacatecas

I've only been to Belize in Central America..it's expensive compared to the rest of CA. I'd probably suggest Guatemala for the budget.

Marisa's idea is an excellent one-all Mexican Interior cites/towns are great places to visit.

Far from the tourist rat race/easy on the wallet/great food/friendly people~lots to see/do.

San Miguel de Allende is the one that's the closest to the tourist trail that I can think of.

I concur with the advice above.

I think that it is a pity that many Americans forget about the amazing, diverse and huge country directly south of us.

And, to paint with a shamefully lazy broad paintbrush, Yanks tend to think of Mexico as either Baja & cactus, or Cancun & swimming pools, and thereby overlook all the cool stuff.

You can also get cheap fares to Costa Rica quite often and can bus it from there to a variety of inexpensive places.

Court

quote:

I think that it is a pity that many Americans forget about the amazing, diverse and huge country directly south of us.

I consider it a blessing.

Mexico and Central America have moved up high on my short list of places to see very soon. I have been to Cozumel but i'm sure that is about as Mexican as taco bell. Not to take away from it's beauty though because I had a great 12 hours in port

I would second the above and say to go to interior Mexico or to Guatemala. You should be able to get decent-priced flights to either and then your costs on the ground will be low (esp. in Guatemala).

If you can find a flight deal to Ecuador, Bolivia, or Peru, that could work too. You can go overland between those if you want to go to more than one place.

Kind of depends where you're flying from really as different gateways have different deals.

Why not visit Quebec City? Your budget should cover it and you can experience a 17th century European city in Canada?

http://www.bonjourquebec.com/

bah... thank you all for the advice, but it will unfortunately be unapplied for the time being.

the parents decided that if i have any money, it should go to them for college costs before anything else. I independently chose to earn money this year with hopes of giving part to them and using part for my own enjoyment, instead of not earning any money (which I could have easily done, and what they expected me to do while in school), but they fail to see this as reasonable. they claim it to be selfish. i would agree entirely if the money were the real issue, but it's not... it's the whole "principle of the thing" and "work ethic" and such. if they won the lottery, they would still insist that everything i earned in school should go to them on "principle".

i guess i'll have to return to daydreaming until i study abroad next year.

So your upbringing expenses was merely a loan?

Fine. Let's just hope then that they can afford their nursing home expenses. And that they don't mind being alone most of the time in their old age.