50th birthday trip

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redditprofile99@reddit

Not technically outside of the US, but recently went to Puerto Rico and it was incredible. I recommend not staying in a resort and renting a property. Checks off the exotic and not too expensive boxes.

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missinglabchimp@reddit

You said serene, exotic, and SAFE in caps, which suggests Japan to me. Perhaps visit an onsen (hot spring bath) for water. The exchange rate is still pretty good rn. Might be a culture shock as it's your first trip abroad, and English is rarer outside the big cities, but they are such a friendly polite people. Many happy returns for next May

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MisterAmmosart@reddit

This was going to be my reply, pending looking through OP's post history to see if it would make sense or not; but that would only be in terms of personal interests and finances, rather than language knowledge. I went this previous May, and this thread's exact topic of a 50th Birthday Trip is a component to my current plans to take another trip in a few weeks. I don't think the circumstances will be better for some time after this year, both for personal and global economic reasons. As long as you stick around Tokyo you'll be fine. People will work with you having your phone out as you translate things if you absolutely must speak about something.

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missinglabchimp@reddit

Agreed on the language not really being a barrier there. Signs do have English nearly all of the time. And I can't overemphasize how safe it is there, so getting a little lost is nbd. Hope you have a cool time if you go again soon!

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Eastern-Branch-3111@reddit

Southeast Asia. I'm biased though but it's a great region and generally quite safe.

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WeathermanOnTheTown@reddit

Cheap, safe, and exotic -- try the coffee region of Colombia. Clean air, nice people, green mountains, great coffee, just all around great vibes. Salento is the best choice there. You can rent a hotel room for $30 a night. Check it out.

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nana5675@reddit (OP)

Wow. Its gorgeous and the prices seem decent. 12 hr flights isn't bad either.

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WeathermanOnTheTown@reddit

Yeah, Salento is the gateway to the stunning Cocora Valley, about three miles east. It's a tourist destination, including backpackers and families, and the little plaza is perfect for old people who want to sit and people watch. I spent 3 weeks there and still think about it. You do need a bit of Spanish, though, at least some of the basics. Fly to Pereira. [https://www.diningtraveler.com/2023/06/visiting-the-place-that-inspired-encanto-valle-de-cocora-in-colombia.html](https://www.diningtraveler.com/2023/06/visiting-the-place-that-inspired-encanto-valle-de-cocora-in-colombia.html)

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aftershave_cabinet@reddit

Costa Rica is nice if you like nature.

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nana5675@reddit (OP)

Is it scary to drive there? Like, roads on the edge of a cliffside?

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aftershave_cabinet@reddit

The main roads are well taken care of. There are a lot of dirt side roads with some being more manageable than others. Most of the vehicles you'll see are SUVs for that reason. It's all about using your best judgement though I never was on a road that made me particularly nervous I'm sure there are some.

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Muderous_Teapot548@reddit

Went to Taiwan in 2017 and NZ in 2016. I loved both. In Taipei, you need transportation to your hotel, and that's it. Everywhere else is accessible by train or bus. NZ, we rented a car. And then the whole north Island became accessible.

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Queer_Taina@reddit

I promise you, you will fall in love with yourself in such an amazing way. You get to learn what you like, what you don't. That you can survive and thrive by yourself. Its scary, fun and glorious! The only downside is that it will be difficult to want to travel with anybody else later on.

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nana5675@reddit (OP)

That sounds amazing. Ive been doing small weekend trips alone since my divorce a year ago, buy I've never left America and want to!

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Queer_Taina@reddit

Its the best time to do it, you will learn that you can survive and you don't have to tolerate anything from anybody. That you can simply walk away and enjoy yourself and know you will be just fine!

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Queer_Taina@reddit

Soooo.. I am from Puerto Rico, and I went on a Eurotrip by myself for my 40s. I went to Amsterdam, Strasbourg, FR, Zurich, and Barcelona. I felt safe, made friends, and spent the best birthday with myself ever. I woke up in France, crossed over and spent part of my day in Kehl, Germany, later, took a bus to Zurich and the Airbnb hostess invited me to go out with some of her friends that night.... ya know, cannot top that! So, go for it!

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nana5675@reddit (OP)

I love this! Sounds like the kind of adventure I'm looking for. Not sure about Europe though. I think other places might be more cost effective.

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Queer_Taina@reddit

Listeeeen, my bday is in may as well, you have time to do a good search. First create your own layovers, compare prices, options. Go to Kayak Explore or Google Flights without destination and you'd be surprised! I flew 2 years ago, solo trip again to Scandinavia and the boarding pass was less than $400 from Puerto Rico, usually from the mainland is cheaper.

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nana5675@reddit (OP)

Wow. Im totally going to check out both those things! With no real destination yet I'm open to anything and saving money is my favorite lol Any other good trips for solo traveling?

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Queer_Taina@reddit

Canada, is a good one, it was my first solo trip, Montreal and Québec. My last one was Denmark which I totally adored and would go back, Finland and crossed over to Sweden for a day. I felt totally safe and loveeed it.

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Voluntary_Perry@reddit

I have not yet been, but it is my bucket list travel spot. Mauritius. Could possibly be the most beautiful place on earth.

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nana5675@reddit (OP)

OMG, it's gorgeous!

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Voluntary_Perry@reddit

Ikr!!! The underwater waterfall is just simply amazing. My boss told me when I started this new job a few years ago, if I'm not in Mauritius in 5 years, he will personally get me there! I'm not sure I would leave if I do ever get there. Island life is for me!

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flipnitch@reddit

I took a ferry from Seattle to Vancouver Island mid-May one year…brought a tent and rented a car and drove around the island camping at provincial parks. If you go early enough in the year you can see whales passing at French Beach. Gordon bay is beautiful and secluded, nice town a lil ways a way to the east if you need supplies. Tofino is cool and has some interesting art galleries. Long Beach just south of there is a good place to relax, take a nice long walk, or watch whales mess with the whale viewing tours (they are really active until the boats show up, then again once the boats leave). Beautiful views throughout the trip. The 10 days I spent there are amongst the best I’ve ever had.

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nana5675@reddit (OP)

I hadn't even considered Canada yet. What a great suggestion

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flipnitch@reddit

Right on, it was 15years or so ago but I doubt it’s changed too much. Victoria is a nice lil city with some great eats and an awesome museum too if the camping idea isn’t attractive. No trip to Victoria should be made without stopping at red fish blue fish, the food is amazing just stay on guard as the seagulls were hilariously aggressive (understandable after you taste it!). https://www.redfish-bluefish.com

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nana5675@reddit (OP)

It's honestly a good suggestion. I don't camp much these days, but it offers the ability for days in town doing activities and days in the wilderness doing nature type things. No beaches, but tbh clothes are a good thing.

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Hefty-Ad613@reddit

Try looking on Groupon, I remember finding good deals for trips back in the day but I haven’t been on in awhile

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No_Zombie2021@reddit

Where do you live? Your everyday might be exotic to me.

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nana5675@reddit (OP)

Oklahoma. This is exotic to no one lol

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aloha78@reddit

Aruba. Great food, calm beaches. You can snorkle or take an afternoon trip on a boat. You can hike a little if you want. Don't stay at one of the big resorts, there's plenty of smaller boutique hotels that are right on the beach.

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HoneyBadger302@reddit

5-7 days you probably won't want to be heading overseas, so I'd probably be looking into something like the Virgin Islands/Bermuda/South America. I enjoyed a cruise to the VI area, that was great and super relaxing, and plenty of exploring as well. I loved Italy, and will be back, but our 10 day trip could have been a fair bit longer especially with travel time in there. Next overseas trip I am planning a minimum of 2 weeks so I have plenty of time there. If you only wanted to go to one place and didn't want to explore too much, a shorter trip might be okay, but honestly, I'd wait until I could go longer. Tons of places out there to go to though! I have friends that have moved to Costa Rica and love it, very relaxed vibe there, although I don't know what level of "safe" you're looking for...most resorts would be pretty safe regardless.

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nana5675@reddit (OP)

I've been looking closely at Costa Rica! As for safe, mostly don't want to vist war torn areas or cities known for robberies etc.

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isuxirl@reddit

I went to Iceland a few years ago. The food isn't great but the nature was incredible. I'd recommend it for a week long trip.

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34 Comments

redditprofile99@reddit

missinglabchimp@reddit

MisterAmmosart@reddit

missinglabchimp@reddit

Eastern-Branch-3111@reddit

WeathermanOnTheTown@reddit

nana5675@reddit (OP)

WeathermanOnTheTown@reddit

aftershave_cabinet@reddit

nana5675@reddit (OP)

aftershave_cabinet@reddit

Muderous_Teapot548@reddit

Queer_Taina@reddit

nana5675@reddit (OP)

Queer_Taina@reddit

Queer_Taina@reddit

nana5675@reddit (OP)

Queer_Taina@reddit

nana5675@reddit (OP)

Queer_Taina@reddit

Voluntary_Perry@reddit

nana5675@reddit (OP)

Voluntary_Perry@reddit

flipnitch@reddit

nana5675@reddit (OP)

flipnitch@reddit

nana5675@reddit (OP)

Hefty-Ad613@reddit

No_Zombie2021@reddit

nana5675@reddit (OP)

aloha78@reddit

HoneyBadger302@reddit

nana5675@reddit (OP)

isuxirl@reddit