I could use some advice

**¤[BlitzKrieg]¤** · 11-05-14, 08:27 PM

Greetings TPG family. First off, I love you and I am sorry for the long read, TL; DR at the bottom. Second, I have a large moment in my life coming up that I could still use a little (or a lot of) advice for. I have been wanting to travel for... 9-ish years. I never thought it would become a reality because I had no plans on becoming rich or ever really being able to leave my home town. After skipping the college route for something that fit my fancy more, A.K.A. working my ass off, I have found myself with enough money and (although unfortunate) an entire year off of work that I could actually dedicate to travel. Ideally, I would like to be gone for about 6 months to 1 year, but it will not be a set trip with everything planned ahead of time. I have an estimated route that I will be most likely using but it is only country to country and is subject to change after I take a few months to make my decisions. This is where you come in, if you can. I posted this to facebook and in e-mails to some old friends but it can go for everyone on here as well. Cheers!

Hey everyone, thanks for reading in advance. I am starting to explore the world soon, and I know I've got a few people that know a thing or two and have some experience with traveling. I would like to inquire any/all information that could possibly help me in any way as I go on this adventure. Any tips, suggestions, advice and so on will be appreciated.

What places have you enjoyed the most? Where would you like to visit again? What specifically about that place was the most memorable? Where have you always wanted to go, and what have you always wanted to do? What have you already done that you would do again? Is there anything I really need to know before getting out there? Which way would you prefer to travel from country to country? How can I save money and make the most out of these trips?

I know I can look the majority of these things up, but I also know that personal experiences can mean a lot more. I have done and will continue research on various things; however, I would really enjoy the feedback of my friends (or enemies, whatever). Every little thing counts large to me. Thank you once more for reading this and for anything at all that you have to say.

TL; DR I am planning a huge trip and would like any advice/tips/suggestions for international extended travel.

**deputyfestus** · 11-05-14, 08:31 PM

**¤[BlitzKrieg]¤** · 11-05-14, 08:57 PM

Thanks for that video, just finished it. Helps put things in perspective, and if I can get 1/16th of what he has had, I would be satisfied.

**salty99** · 11-05-14, 09:07 PM

Go see a soccer match in Europe!

**Raush** · 11-05-14, 09:40 PM

I traveled pretty extensively in Europe earlier this year, and have also traveled a bit in South America. Hit me up and Steam and I'll answer any questions I can!

**¤[BlitzKrieg]¤** · 11-05-14, 09:45 PM

Will do, Raush! At another time that I can chat I will gladly take you up on that

As for soccer, not really my cup of tea but if the timing is right, perhaps!

**Guyver** · 11-05-14, 09:59 PM

Go to Indonesia or Singapore, the food is supposed to be amazing. I'd love to go to Vietnam too.

**RhysJD3** · 11-05-14, 10:16 PM

So, first off, be safe is my recommendation. If you look like a tourist, anywhere you go you can run into issues.

Places I've been that I'd like to go back to:
Scotland - Glasgow/Edinburgh, very scenic, nice people - able to visit castles
Spain - Barcelona - food was great, weather (depending on time) was excellent, architecture was amazing
Cruise thru Italy - took a cruise along the coast, got to see a number of different locations. The history was very interesting. Only regret is didn't have more than a day per city. 2-3 days per city would have been better. More than 3 for site seeing, probably not. palma de mallorca was a highlight. One of the people we met there visited and never left because he fell in love with it.
San Diego - one of my favorite locations in US. Great weather, scenic, friendly people with a nice downtown imo
Seattle - If you enjoy damp weather, coffee and salmon, great place. Actually the mountains are close by and amazing. We visited a series of tulip farms and it's just wild to see fields and fields of different colored tulips.
Lisbon, Portugal - nice, scenic, historic and if you can make the St. Anthony/Sardine festival it's crazy fun. Imagine an entire city out having fun, drinking and NOT BEING ANNOYING!! It's crazy and fun. I've never seen so many people, so much drinking and so few annoying people.

Places I probably won't go back to but enjoyed going once
Osaka Japan - Work trip was interesting since it was in Japan but too industrial. I'd go somewhere else in Japan if I go again
Singapore - Interesting to visit once but won't make any effort to go again
Australia - I enjoyed it. Worth going to once but probably would rather go to New Zealand if I head that way again.
Argentina - Great steak, cigars and wine.
Copenhagen - If you like blonds, drinking and walking/biking it's very nice. Enjoyed my trip there but probably won't go back
Mexico - mostly resorts I've enjoyed but I don't think that's what you're looking for

**deputyfestus** · 11-06-14, 06:55 AM

I often wonder why people want to go abroad when there's so many amazing places to see in this country. Okay I guess in Europe you can see about fourteen countries in an area about the size of Texas. If you like trains one of the most unforgettable rides you could take https://www.alaskarailroad.com/Trans...9/Default.aspx did it about 45 years ago. Oh and this.
http://www.chenahotsprings.com/

**Phyrelight** · 11-06-14, 09:05 AM

I have an itinerary planned out that involves flying to Italy and then using the rail system to work my way west through 14 or so cities ending up in and flying back from London England. The rail system is amazing and they have sleeper cars you can reserve so you hop on an overnight train and get some sleep and wake up in the next city on your list. I currently have it scheduled to take just over 3 weeks to hit 14 destinations but that is easily adjustable. Most of my time was planned in Wales, and Ireland which is near the top of my bucket list. I had this planned to do when I finished by masters in 2012 but it has yet to come to fruition. Someday.

Word of advise on traveling over seas in general

You are talking about a year abroad, that exceeds what Europe will currently allow for tourist visas. I went in 2008 for 6 weeks to Graz Austria and I had to file under an educational exception to be allowed to stay 6 weeks (my wife was doing a masters program with the collage in Graz and I went along as a tourist but the program had to basically sponsor me to qualify for that length of stay). The current max under any situation is 90 days on a tourist visa. Most individual countries have a maximum tourist allowance of a week, if you stay longer you will be questioned at immigration.
How to (Legally) Stay in Europe for More Than 90 Days | Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

That article actually explains it pretty well, my advise....talk to a travel agent. They will know the rules and ins and outs of each country you want to visit.