Where to go...

Tusky

Howdy, just looking for a reccomendation for a holiday destination. Im planning on going away for between 2 -4 weeks in July or August with two friends. Collectively, we have already been to America, Canada, S.America, most of Europe, eastern Europe, Thailand & arent interested in beach or package holidays. We are in our early 20s.

I know its a hard question but Im stuck for ideas. I'd love to go on a sking holiday but its hardly the right time of year... we were also thinking about India.

Thoughts ?

jester77

Tusky wrote:

Howdy, just looking for a reccomendation for a holiday destination. Im planning on going away for between 2 -4 weeks in July or August with two friends. Collectively, we have already been to America, Canada, S.America, most of Europe, eastern Europe, Thailand & arent interested in beach or package holidays. We are in our early 20s.

I know its a hard question but Im stuck for ideas. I'd love to go on a sking holiday but its hardly the right time of year... we were also thinking about India.

Thoughts ?

China & Hong Kong. Lots to see and do!

Glowing

China is a great place to visit - cheap, great food, friendly locals, and some fantastic scenery! In 4 weeks, you would get to see quite quite a bit of the szechuan and yunnan provinces.....

Tusky

Never thought of China before actually. How would you do with 2.5 - 3 k ? Any idea what you would be looking at for return flights etc ?

mullmick

take a look at a few of these packages:
http://www.imaginative-traveller.com/
http://www.intrepidtravel.com/

I used imaginative traveller for a three week trip to India last October. We went for the "traveller" style which was very comfortable, but probably for older people.. we are 30, but there were people into the 50s and 60s on the tours. The more basic packages are much better for younger people.

I would highly recommend the quality of the staff and guides, and the accommodation

Glowing

I was in China for 7 nearly 8 weeks - took soft sleeper trains, stayed in nice guesthouses/hotels, flew a lot, ate out 3 times a day, and only spend 1100 euro! You could do 4 weeks on 3k EASILY!

To be honest, I think those tours are a rip-off (the price doesn't usually include your flight there and back) -and to be honest, its not a difficult country to travel around. Accommodation in China is cheap, and food is almost free, there is no need to spend that extra 2 grand - and in my opinion, tours can take all the adventure from a trip anyway. For a couple of young lads, you should have no problem getting around.

Tusky

Glowing wrote:

I was in China for 7 nearly 8 weeks - took soft sleeper trains, stayed in nice guesthouses/hotels, flew a lot, ate out 3 times a day, and only spend 1100 euro! You could do 4 weeks on 3k EASILY!

To be honest, I think those tours are a rip-off. They are very expensive, and to be honest, its not a difficult country to travel around. Accommodation in China is cheap, and food is almost free, there is no need to spend an extra 2 grand - and in my opinion, tours can take all the adventure from a trip anyway. For a couple of young lads, you should have no problem getting around.

1100k! wow. How were the flights dya know ? I would usually be of the same thinking as you in regards to tours but in a country like China surelys its difficult to get around as noone has any english ?

Is there a nightlife in China ?

Glowing

Well I was coming from Bangkok and had a flight to HK on my round the world ticket. No idea how much it would cost from Dublin, but HK is an excellent entry point to the S.W of China, beautiful part of the world, and loads to do!

HK definately has a nightlife, and yeah, maybe not in the towns or villages but there is definately a tourist vibe, and loads of cool local bars.

China is a lot more developed than you may think (I didn't expect it at all), more and more people speak english, especially the younger students. The guesthouse/hostel staff will definately speak english, and they can organise onward travel for you for a small fee. I mean you're not going to starve! We did take a short Mandarin course before we left and it was invaluable just for connecting with the locals. You would however get around with no Chinese, and we met plenty of other travellers who did exactly that.

China was such a surprise for us, and was definately the highlight of our trip!

Tusky

Great, thanks for your help, anyone got anywhere else to suggest ? Its between India & China at the moment!