ScarlotteDorian

yeah, so i have a ticket that can bring me almost anywhere this summer and i'm having a hard time deciding. i would love to go to a country that is spanish speaking sense i've been talking some classes and going to a spanish speaking country would really solidify a second language for me. this will also be my first trip abroad traveling by myself. i've been to ireland, scotland, england and wales...but with another person. i'll be flying solo. i'm kind of fearful of it and don't want to travel to a country that might be too much for me on the first solo flight.

so how bout it T-PUNKS? put your travel expertise and preferences to the job!

as always, much appreciated!
-Beth

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people travel to wonder at the height of the mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long course of rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars; and they pass by themselves without wondering. -St. Augustine

space virgin

I would say it's a no brainer-- Peru!!! (Macchu Picchu!!) Wish I could go with you. I already have two guidebooks you can borrow, haha.

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ScarlotteDorian

the airline that i have the ticket through, doesn't fly to south america. ...lame...

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people travel to wonder at the height of the mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long course of rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars; and they pass by themselves without wondering. -St. Augustine

Diorama

Well how about central america...like costa rica!!! so amazing!! come on beth do it!

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Where to Next? Iceland!

BigE

I would go Costa Rica.

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Somewhere in England (maybe) - Spring (TBA)
Israel - Summer (TBA)

beergal

How about Spain? I believe they speak spanish there lol

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joe7f

^Agreed, it is my favorite country in Europe. If you want to continue tweaking your skills, have you considered taking a week long immersion class (including immersion accomodation)?

--Joey

LiveFreeorDie

^Spain is supposed to be amazing, is certainly tourist friendly, nice weather and reasonably priced (compared to other european destinations). Why not? You can also check out all the crazy Gaudi architecture - might give you some inspriation for some more cool paintings.

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Jennybeann

And you can be there during the running of the bulls.

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blinkchick2134

I say Spain or Costa Rica! Both are good places to start. If you come to CR you can go drinking with me!!

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Amber

"If I had a kid I'd f**k it. Then kill it. Then f**k it again." Seattle 2006

blog of travels and such
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Currently located in HAWAII

Been to: Alaska, Bahamas, Canada, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Hawaii, Spain, Switzerland - - also meetups in Chicago, LA, and Seattle

ScarlotteDorian

so a bit more info about what i'm looking for in a trip... i'm more of a beautiful places, serine beaches, awesome mountain ranges and hiking, type person than a "hit the city and drink alot" type person.

how's do immersion classes work?

i was thinking about spain. that's where my ticket is booked right now, but i have the option to change whenever, to where ever and i just don't want to cut myself short if there is somewhere richer in experience than there. and yes, painting is definetly a priorty this summer, when i finally have a break from school.


when is the running of the bulls this summer?


when are you going to Costa Rica Amber? sorry if this info is posted somewhere else. i haven't been on the boards in so long, it's hard to sort through everything.

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people travel to wonder at the height of the mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long course of rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars; and they pass by themselves without wondering. -St. Augustine

blinkchick2134

It's no biggie! I'm leaving around June 19, give or take a few days. I'll be there for 90 days (when the tourist visa runs out) and then onto El Salvador or Panama.

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Amber

"If I had a kid I'd f**k it. Then kill it. Then f**k it again." Seattle 2006

blog of travels and such
flickr

Currently located in HAWAII

Been to: Alaska, Bahamas, Canada, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Hawaii, Spain, Switzerland - - also meetups in Chicago, LA, and Seattle

foofiter

mexico? A bit close to home so maybe not.

I would say Costa Rica as well.

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I am traveling around the world until I find something that makes me want to stop. I am an aspiring photographer and hope to find whatever it is I am looking for...

florencia9699

I would say Spain if you're travelling on your own for teh first time (heck! it's my first destination!!)

In my opinion I'd rather go with someone (boyfriend/friends/family) to the beach than on my own... but that's just me. On the other hand, I kow Spain not only has a lot of culture, city life and gorgeous gorgeous historical places, but it also has nice Mediterranean beaches. Spain has lovely towns to get lost in too. They say the north is great, but I'm more attracked by the Arabic south

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Next trip: Still pondering the possibilities for January 2009... * OH THE MYSTERY!! *

The travel bug is insatiable

Majestic58

I vote for Belize, because its beautiful and serene and fantastic... :D

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space virgin

Oh Beth, you'll love Spain. There's so much to do there, a LOT of hiking to be had in the mountains near Andorra... I think you'd really like it.

BUT.

Knowing you, I'd say that Costa Rica probably has more of what you're looking for. Loads of hiking, mountains, jungle, beaches... It's also considerably cheaper.

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ScarlotteDorian

hmmm...decisions, decisions. so why are you going to costa rica for 3 months amber?

__________________

people travel to wonder at the height of the mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long course of rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars; and they pass by themselves without wondering. -St. Augustine

blinkchick2134

Well, Costa Rica is the start. We'll be WWOOFing (working on farms in exchange for room/board) so we'll spend our visa limit in CR, then move to other countries. Eventually we hope to make it down towards Santiago and catch a flight to Auckland or Syndey, hopefully by next June. Apparently Santiago is a good hub for flights to Aus.

It'll be a long trip. Where we'll be staying first is about a 2-hr ride from San Jose.

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Amber

"If I had a kid I'd f**k it. Then kill it. Then f**k it again." Seattle 2006

blog of travels and such
flickr

Currently located in HAWAII

Been to: Alaska, Bahamas, Canada, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Hawaii, Spain, Switzerland - - also meetups in Chicago, LA, and Seattle

Hughes9115

What about Nicaragua? I just went there for 2 weeks over X-mas and New Years. It's much cheaper than Costa Rica if you're worried about costs.
I flew into Liberia, Costa Rica and then took a bus north from there.

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joe7f

Beth, the immersion classes are pretty easy. There are a couple of them in Spain, I used Enforex. What I liked about their setup is that you can bounce from city to city. So, for example, you can fly into Malaga and hang out at the beaches around the Costa del Sol. Attend class in the morning (9-1) then go grab lunch and walk around. I started in Marbella and worked my way up to Salamanca.

The immersion accomodation is a family stay and usually works out to be the price of a hostel with laundry, and food thrown in. I definitely recommend it, and I also suggest you pay week by week. I had a great family in Marbella (stayed for four weeks), and an awful one in Salamanca (out in a week).

You can also just get a student residence (which I did after I left my family in Salamanca).

You probably can get your money back but (and this is a good lesson for life in general) when you hold the money, you hold the power.

--Joey