Where would you travel to for 3 weeks in October as a 21yo? I am considering New Zealand, South Korea+Taiwan, Morocco, or China (with Mongolia maybe)
Posted by kilawnaa@reddit | Shoestring | View on Reddit | 10 comments
I am 21M, solo traveling, from Canada, looking to book a 3 week trip in October. I am wondering where y'all would suggest?! This upcoming college year I am doing part-time studies and I plan to take just two online classes, so I can travel in the fall! Unfortunately, with work, I can only really travel in October (not November). I will be returning to full-time studies next fall, so I guess I am just trying to make the best fall travel choice as I won't be able to do an extended trip in the fall for a few years after this! Maybe it's just FOMO.
I am currently considering: New Zealand, South Korea+Taiwan, Morocco (two weeks), Turkey, China, or Portugal. Maybe Australia if I can find a cheapish flight.
I have been to: Japan, Italy, Mexico (Puerto Vallarta, Cancun), Czechia, Austria, Slovenia, Hungary (Budapest), France (Paris) | Future: Romania, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia & Herb.
For me, I love nature/landscapes and outdoorsy things. I love different cultures, unique experiences, picturesque places (I love travel photography), art galleries/museums, architecture, and just cool things idk lol. I don't mind spending some time in the big cities to see what they have to offer, but since I backpack when I travel I don't really shop or anything. I'm not a huge partier either (I don't mind it, but it's not an important thing for me). I have a trip to the Balkans this May with a real outdoorsy emphasis. I'd like to keep this trip around $5000 CAD preferably.
I am planning to do a month backpacking trip in either Feb/Mar to SEA as well. Out of my trips, Japan and Scotland by far have been my favourite. The nature and culture was so amazing. I think about Japan all the time. Slovenia and Austria were really good too.
My top contenders are New Zealand, South Korea+Taiwan, or Morocco. China is an interesting option. I was considering New Zealand because everyone RAVES about it, and it does look gorgeous, and I have the time. I'd rent a camper van and go around. South Korea+Taiwan interests me mainly as I know it will be prime fall foliage. I've heard amazing things about Taiwan as well. I'm not insane about South Korea, I definitely want to go but it's not a number one stop for me. The temples do look so cool though, and the fall colours will be gorgeous. Morocco has been on my list and definitely is a more "unique" option (different at least), and it looks really neat, but I think I've read it's a bit pricey? For China, I was honestly considering making this a really adventurous trip and maybe going to Mongolia or Tibet and Bhutan. I honestly don't really want to do a trip to Europe this fall, I have been going to Europe a lot and want to branch out. I know October is a great time to travel to Europe, but I've just gone a lot lately. I did list Portugal as an option as I would like to go to The Azores and Madeira. Turkey would obviously be great, and it's different, but I wouldn't say I'm necessarily in a rush to go.
I want to travel the whole world so honestly, I have no "I NEED to go here first" I'm mainly just considering what would be coolest/best to do at a young age and during October, the one year I can travel in the fall for awhile. For example, I'd love to go to Greece but I'm also not in a rush to go cause I feel like I can always go there, and it might be better when im not so "budget." Anywho, any insight is appreciated!
andyjack1970@reddit
Korea and Taiwan above all.....you get to taste what China would have been like today without communism.
binhpac@reddit
Ive been to Morocco in November and December, just because i think SEA is better in spring. I visit SEA in Winter and Spring months.
For Korea and Taiwan though i prefer Spring or autumn.
Soukchai2012@reddit
Any of those places are good. NZ is expensive now, even hostels. Cheap car hire used to be $25-30 but now its $100, and campers in winter $200. Maybe korea & taiwan. We went to Korea recently & fully enjoyed it - heard many great things about Taiwan
Business-Fish-9137@reddit
As someone from NZ currently in Canada, I think it'd be hard to spend 3 weeks in NZ and keep your spending under 5000CAD. Flights alone will probably take a good portion of that. Camper rental will be cheaper that time of year so it's a good time to go but everything in NZ is more expensive than what you're used to in Canada. Especially with the war, gas prices are going through the roof right now, and who knows how long that'll take to resolve.
In saying that, if you're frugal it'll probably be doable. NZ is beautiful and there's so much to see and do for free. I'd recommend spending most/all of your time in the south island, such varied landscape and kind people. However the North Island has a lot to see and do too, its just smaller.
Appropriate_Mix_2064@reddit
This is an easy one. You’ve already been to Japan so can skip Korea/taiwan/china, they are amazing but similar in terms of busy factor. Plus you’ve visited Europe extensively.
Go to nz. At that time of year you’ll love it. It’s magic. Sth and/or north islands but probly south if you want to choose.
Chewie347@reddit
Think about where you definitely won’t travel when you’re 45 or 60 years old.
hainii@reddit
China is a fantastic country to visit and you can get to Mongolia by train (takes around 36-40 hours) which is an incredible incredible experience. I have done it twice. However I can speak conversational level Chinese which helped a lot. The ticket booking process is not easy but the journey, and Mongolia itself, make it worthwhile. If you can’t take the train and have to fly, it’s definitely worth visiting. The culture, food, life, lack of tourism, makes it a beautiful place to visit. It feels very fresh and raw.
If not, South Korea!
RTec3@reddit
SEA
ConnectSuspect3459@reddit
My partner and I went to New Zealand last November for three weeks and rented a campervan! I would recommend sticking to one island (probably South Island). We started in Auckland and saw Hobbiton which I would recommend if you’re in the area. It was a lot of driving. I did most of it and was tired after 3 weeks. It is also expensive. The campervans are pricey and ate the majority of our budget. I would recommend looking at pricing for vans before you book a flight. I would not recommend JUCY vans. We rented a van through them and the roof kept leaking…. It rained lots so that was not fun. It will be cooler and rainy in October as well. South Island will be cooler than the North Island.
We made the majority of our meals in the camper van and ate out a handful of times. NZ was gorgeous though. Good luck with the planning!
sitheandroid@reddit
Given that you're going to visit them all at some point anyway, I don't think it really matters? However, just based on the vibe you're giving, I'd go with NZ. Plenty to do for the 3 weeks you're there.