32 and Never Been Abroad or done anything Interesting

Reactor · 08-02-2016 05:10PM #1

What would you do/where would you go to start if you were in your thirties and had never been anywhere or done anything exciting? I dont like partying/nightclubs so that kind of holiday can be ruled out, I suppose nice views and interesting museums/walks would be the kind Im looking for, moneys not really an issue, any suggestions welcome...

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 08-02-2016 05:17PM

Do city breaks. A few days in Paris, Berlin etc are a good start. Lots to see and do without the club scene.

JohnCleary · 08-02-2016 05:18PM

Thailand for a month.

When we finished college we spent 3 months Thailand / Laos / Vietnam / Cambodia and return to Thailand for 1 month every year (well, the past 3 years) - you won't regret it.

ancapailldorcha · 08-02-2016 05:19PM

It should be extremely cheap to do small breaks in Eastern Europe. Plenty of things to do, some amazing things to see and it'll be easy on the pocket as well!

howamidifferent · 08-02-2016 05:19PM

Get familiar with Google maps. Much cheaper.

08-02-2016 05:20PM

Try a 2 city break so you're not spending a week or 2 in one spot. Something along the lines of 3 or 4 days in Prague and then on to Vienna.

Menas · 08-02-2016 05:21PM

Go inter railing for a couple of weeks. Great way to see Europe and meet people.

jimgoose · 08-02-2016 05:21PM

Hire an old convertible Mercedes SEL and take it across the Cork-Roscoff ferry. Spend about a week meandering down through France as far as Antibes, then over to Monte Carlo, duck across the Mont Blanc tunnel to Milan for a day or two, then cruise back to Paris via the Swiss Alps. :cool:

tuisginideach · 08-02-2016 05:21PM

Have you someone to travel with? If so, city breaks. If not, join an organised walking holiday / specialist interest holiday - start with just a few days to see how you get on.

ScumLord · 08-02-2016 05:23PM

What I like to do is buy a ticket in one city and then buy the returning ticket for a city in a different country. Give yourself two weeks or more. I don't even bother booking places to stay before hand, bar maybe the first few nights. If you're traveling off season then there's more than likely rooms to spare everywhere. Then the adventure is getting from one place to the other and exploring along the way.

Badly Drunk Boy · 08-02-2016 05:23PM

I'd go with the city break idea too. I'd never flown until I was 22, and just after leaving college, I decided to get a bit of value out of my student card for the last time. I got a 4 flight special deal with Lufthansa; Dublin -> Frankfurt -> Amsterdam -> Munich -> Dublin. I'm a terrible tourist but I went by myself and just wandered about, seeing whatever there was to see. No pressure. Over 20 years later, I still want to go back to Munich. I should do it...

jimgoose · 08-02-2016 05:23PM

tuisginideach wrote: »

Have you someone to travel with? If so, city breaks. If not, join an organised walking holiday / specialist interest holiday - start with just a few days to see how you get on.

This reminds me of a line in Saturday's "Ross O'Carroll-Kelly" column in the Irish Times:

"Himalayan Pink Salt. This is a man who played rubgy."

maudgonner · 08-02-2016 05:25PM

Reactor wrote: »

I suppose nice views and interesting museums/walks would be the kind Im looking for, moneys not really an issue, any suggestions welcome...

I loved Rome. More history per square mile than anywhere I can think of, and they just take it for granted - weeds growing up through the middle of ancient buildings, bits of temple left lying on the ground, it's gas.
Lovely food, nice weather. Everywhere is within walking distance really. And there are some good value hotels. Mind out for the nuns though, they're everywhere.

RobertKK · 08-02-2016 05:25PM

Iceland - scenery, volcanoes, geysers, waterfalls - lots of waterfalls, icebergs, glaciers, northern lights in non summer months.

US - the national parks, something I am doing next year when I will be over to see the solar eclipse. Hope to visit several national parks.

New York is great for a city break - can take trips down to Washington or up to Boston if you want.

SEPT 23 1989 · 08-02-2016 05:28PM

do you actually want to do any of these things or do you feel you have to or should have done them by now?

Maximus Alexander · 08-02-2016 05:28PM

Start small and a take a trip over to Brittany in the summer time. Rent a car, see the sights, eat nice food, go to a cider orchard. It's beautiful there.

LordSutch · 08-02-2016 05:28PM

Reactor wrote: »

What would you do/where would you go to start if you were in your thirties and had never been anywhere or done anything exciting? I dont like partying/nightclubs so that kind of holiday can be ruled out, I suppose nice views and interesting museums/walks would be the kind Im looking for, moneys not really an issue, any suggestions welcome...

Start with the closest island to us, then move on from there?
The Isle of Man (for one weeks summer holiday) might be a good idea?

It's as close as you get to here, you can take the ferry across & you'll have a great time.

...and its not hectic or night clubby.

Hercule Poirot · 08-02-2016 05:30PM

I was a bit like you OP, only took my first proper (not England or Ireland) holiday last summer at the age of 30-something - Athens for five nights, it was hot as feck but I loved every minute of it - couldn't recommend it enough, people over there are really friendly

Speedwell · 08-02-2016 05:38PM

You probably won't hear this from anyone but a former resident, but if you really want a lovely time, try Texas in the spring. Stick to the Austin countryside and the central-west portion of the city of Houston. In Austin, particularly in the outlying town of Fredericksburg, you'll get local wineries, farms full of bluebonnets and lavender, gorgeous scenery, horse rides (if you like that), concerts and cultural events of all sorts, and restaurants to die for. In Houston, there is an entire district of museums and galleries, but the Menil Collection is always a jewel and the best place in the city to take a picnic lunch and a book (it's free), the opera and symphony are world-class, and did I mention restaurants? Let me mention restaurants. Let me mention restaurants again.

The beach is reasonably nearby and the weather will be warm enough to enjoy it.

ScumLord · 08-02-2016 05:43PM

LordSutch wrote: »

Start with the closest island to us, then move on from there?
The Isle of Man (for one weeks summer holiday) might be a good idea?

I would have thought it's almost harder to get to the isle of man than it would be a major city like Paris or London. If he's never travelled before I think its a bit much to expect him to spend a lot of money on something like Texas in springtime.

You can get to cities like London or Amsterdam for very little money. I'd say Amsterdam is a better one because you're on the continent and have access to some of the best rail services on the planet. Fly into Amsterdam, buy a load of weed, then head down to Paris, over to Berlin, then keep going east until you hear AK47s and turn back.

Speedwell · 08-02-2016 05:46PM

ScumLord wrote: »

I would have thought it's almost harder to get to the isle of man than it would be a major city like Paris or London. If he's never travelled before I think its a bit much to expect him to spend a lot of money on something like Texas in springtime. (snip)

And so I wouldn't have said so if the OP hadn't said money wasn't really an issue. But it's what I did myself when I was there, and I'm no clubber, either. Texas is cheaper than any other "touristy" place in the US, and flights to Houston are frequent and direct. It's not so expensive as you might think. My old oil-industry boss, from Aberdeen, used to take extra suitcases so he could shop because everything was cheaper there, lol.

EDIT: But now that I'm here in Ireland, I'm taking the rest of the thread as suggestions for myself

08-02-2016 05:46PM

Speedwell wrote: »

You probably won't hear this from anyone but a former resident, but if you really want a lovely time, try Texas in the spring. Stick to the Austin countryside and the central-west portion of the city of Houston. In Austin, particularly in the outlying town of Fredericksburg, you'll get local wineries, farms full of bluebonnets and lavender, gorgeous scenery, horse rides (if you like that), concerts and cultural events of all sorts, and restaurants to die for. In Houston, there is an entire district of museums and galleries, but the Menil Collection is always a jewel and the best place in the city to take a picnic lunch and a book (it's free), the opera and symphony are world-class, and did I mention restaurants? Let me mention restaurants. Let me mention restaurants again. The beach is reasonably nearby and the weather will be warm enough to enjoy it.

That sounds really lovely. I'd love to see all of that

DEFTLEFTHAND · 08-02-2016 05:47PM

I agree with Srameen, do short Euro trips. Loads of destinations on offer, cheap flights and accom, lots to see and do besides bars and clubs.

RobertKK · 08-02-2016 05:51PM

ScumLord wrote: »

I would have thought it's almost harder to get to the isle of man than it would be a major city like Paris or London. If he's never travelled before I think its a bit much to expect him to spend a lot of money on something like Texas in springtime.

You can get to cities like London or Amsterdam for very little money. I'd say Amsterdam is a better one because you're on the continent and have access to some of the best rail services on the planet. Fly into Amsterdam, buy a load of weed, then head down to Paris, over to Berlin, then keep going east until you hear AK47s and turn back.

My first time abroad was in September 2001 and it was to New York and a trip across to Indianapolis for the F1 race.
I wasn't to know the biggest terrorist attack in history was going to happen less than two weeks before the trip, but I went and had a great time.
I think the US is an easy place to visit as we know the culture, speak the same language and I found being Irish you get a good reception.
They do make a fuss about our national holiday...

So I think the Texas suggestion was good.

Notch000 · 08-02-2016 05:55PM

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...”

So...
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
You're off the Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So...get on your way!

Cienciano · 08-02-2016 05:56PM

A week in New York or London. Both great cities with loads of world famous landmarks, great restaurants and no language barrier.

Reactor · 08-02-2016 05:56PM

Maybe a week in Rome might be nice, although Simon Reeves Greece documentary last night was the reason I made this thread.

Do you be bored on City Breaks? Like a city the size of London or Paris will be mostly just housing and offices wont it? It cant all be shops and museums, do you join tours or just make a shopping list before you go and tick the places off as you visit?

Speedwell · 08-02-2016 06:00PM

Reactor wrote: »

Maybe a week in Rome might be nice, although Simon Reeves Greece documentary last night was the reason I made this thread.

Do you be bored on City Breaks? Like a city the size of London or Paris will be mostly just housing and offices wont it? It cant all be shops and museums, do you join tours or just make a shopping list before you go and tick the places off as you visit?

Talk to people who have been there before you. Lots of people, travelers as well as former residents, people who can tell you where the locals go as well as people who know the name of the hotel concierge most likely to cut you a deal on a cab. It's the Internet. Make friends with someone who is already there. I'll never forget touring Buenos Aires with my computer, chatting on Skype to a teenage acquaintance from a posh family who was able to tell me, "OK, say this to the ticket clerk. OK, go to this building, you'll love the architecture and I'll tell you about the history. OK, now for dinner, my favorite place is..." We never even met in person. (I know, it would have been weird for him to say, "Mami, Papi, this is my middle-aged businesswoman friend from America" lol....)

Ruu · 08-02-2016 06:03PM

Plenty of Rick Steves books on Europe, very handy. Ryanair and Airbnb will be your friend for short breaks.

maudgonner · 08-02-2016 06:07PM

Reactor wrote: »

Maybe a week in Rome might be nice, although Simon Reeves Greece documentary last night was the reason I made this thread.

Do you be bored on City Breaks? Like a city the size of London or Paris will be mostly just housing and offices wont it? It cant all be shops and museums, do you join tours or just make a shopping list before you go and tick the places off as you visit?

Most touristy cities will have areas that are full of attractions, with the business district and residential areas separate from these.

I often find that just walking the streets (I know I sound like a hooker, but you get my drift) is enough to occupy me for an afternoon. Stop in for something to eat, sit on a bench somewhere. Sightseeing is great, but it can be a bit overwhelming too - if you're trying to cram in one museum/monument/attraction after another, you soon get a bit jaded. But I would always have a rough idea of the most important things I want to see, and then play it by ear after that.

You're on holidays, do whatever you feel like doing!

ScumLord · 08-02-2016 06:09PM

RobertKK wrote: »

I think the US is an easy place to visit as we know the culture, speak the same language and I found being Irish you get a good reception.

The Irish get good reception everywhere. It's shocking how people change once they know you're Irish. They will even start talking English once they know and many will have a story about the last Irish person they met.

American is a good place to go no doubt. I suppose it's no farther away than the other side of Europe once you're flying. But Europe is so easy to get around. You can go to much of it with the money in your pocket, there's very little in the line of borders. Public transport can get you anywhere you want to go, and if you like Americans you'll run into loads of them traveling around Europe.

32 and Never Been Abroad or done anything Interesting

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