Getting away from it all.

Bacon_Lover

Hi guys,

I would like your advice please!

After going through a huge amount of life turmoil over the last few months and year, I have decided that I need to completely get away from Dublin, and from Ireland for a while, and I would like your opinion on how I can do that and where I could go.

I have 3 weeks to take, and while money isn't a huge problem, I'm certainly not loaded enough to go toooo far away to anywhere too exotic.

I would prefer the place to be English speaking, as one purpose of the vacation is to meet new people & interesting people, surround myself with new opinions and new ways of thinking, and it would mean more if I could communicate with people while away.

I would like to be in a city to start to meet people, blow off some steam, but have the option to get away to somewhere quiet for time to reflect and rebuild. I would also need a place that's friendly, where its easy to meet new people and get new connections. Also a place where it's safe to travel alone (I am female, mid 20s) and to be there alone for the majority of time. I was thinking the US (NY, Seattle, Chicago..) but open to anywhere.

Hopefully I have explained myself well enough, but can answer specific questions if needed!

The main objective is to come back to Ireland re-energised, with a new passion for life, relaxed... and having some wonderful new friends and experiences.

Am I asking too much?

Whitehawk

new zealand has alot to offer in terms of outdoor stuff and hostels there you will meet lots of backpackers

Hong kong is mostly english, lots of drinking, fine dinning and such not but its costly and not sure on hostels there and i stayed with people

have not been to the US for so long now so wont say anything there

Poland - krakow is a great party city and lots of english there to and lots of drinking, and even lots well a fair bit of stuff to do during the day time, ww2 camps, some stuff in the city etc

poland krakow would get my vote, hostel there called tuttifrutti staff are sound when i was there it was full so lots of people to talk to and get to know and they have girls only dorms etc (its best hostel in that area by far and is right in city)

dont go to warsaw... its crap


after that everywhere else ive been dose not have english all around you
so ill leave this here if you wnat more info on anything above let me know

after that just go somewhere and enjoy it! world is a fun and exciting place, ive been around large parts of it and still think dublin is one of the most dangerous citys ive seen

jackbhoy

If you are thinking of states anyway California might meet most of your requirements. If you want to start in a city, San Francisco is cool place, lots of chilled out spots to have a beer/coffee and meet people too. I know everyone loves to hate Americans but I have to say they are some of the friendliest and most welcoming people in the world, and if you want to travel alone and meet people I think it's a fairly good place to start.

To get away from it all and recharge you have areas like Big Sur, Carmel and any amount of beach towns along the coastal highway. The area around Big Sur in particular is one of the most beautiful places I have been and would certainly energise anyone needing a pick up! Yosemite NP is absolutely beautiful as well and has some really incredible scenery.

3 weeks of beautiful Californian weather and scenery will cure all your ills

Pocahontas

if you're looking for something to change the way you think and the way you look at life, i would recommend Asia. it's very humbling to meet people who have nothing and are still smiling. english is widely spoken in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

a few weeks on the islands in Thailand (avoid full moon party if you want to chill out and relax) or in Cambodia would be cool. i did it by myself when i was 27 (female) and met amazing local people and some cool travellers.

you can do it pretty cheap and there's so much to do from lying on the beach to trekking to staying in a city. if you're looking for something meaningful you could do a yoga retreat or something - i'm not a buddhist but that way of thinking might really help you work stuff out in your head.

there's some great posts on boards on SE Asia that would give you ideas.

travel broadens the mind and opens you up to new things. it changed my life jeez, hope i don't sound like a hippy but it's true!

good luck!

Civilian_Target

How about South Africa?