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In response to "I could probably rough my way around with Spanish, more or less... -- nm" by Hotkiss

not be all 'been there done that', but i've done a lot of this.

Posted by Andie (aka Andie) Jun 2 '09, 13:12

straight up - europe on your own is fine, but yes, not cheap. however it is doable, scour for deals on airfare - let the cheapest airfare help decide the destination. hostels and safe and easy. (i packbacked europe at 18 for three weeks with a few friends, and it was fine.)

central south america - i wouldn't do it alone NOW. i went to a resort in cuba alone for a week, that's about all i'd do. however, if you can find a package tour - (like, does Kontiki still exist?), you'd have a blast.

or, do something MORE unusual - hop a plane to alaska, or new mexico, or somewhere other. culture shock can happen anywhere (i was more at home in guatemala then in, say, natchez mississippi.)

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also, some places in Europe are cheaper than others. Spain and Portugal are not too expensive. I expect countries like Hungary, Czech etc - Roger More Jun 2, 13:16 19
- I was hoping to fit in a trip around $700 total including spending. That's why the Latin American countries came to mind -- nm - Hotkiss Jun 2, 13:18 15
  - for two weeks? including airfare? that's really really really optimistic anywhere. -- nm - Andie Jun 2, 13:18 14
    - JFK to Mexico and Peru are only $300-450 RT. I plan to stay in really cheap hostels or couchsurf, eat cheap. Still unrealistic? -- nm - Hotkiss Jun 2, 13:21 13
      - let's do the math, that leaves you $350 for two weeks, or $25 a day. There is eating cheap, and then there is eating cheap. - loosiflu with cabin fever Jun 2, 13:30
      - You're looking at $15 a day for a hostel dorm in Mexico ($25 for a room). It doesn't leave much margin for error -- nm - Roger More Jun 2, 13:28
      - Pretty bloody tough to go anywhere for that little. - Subversive Jun 2, 13:27 9
        
        Excluding rent, I spend less than $500 every two weeks in NYC (food, entertainment, going out, shopping). I imagine a LA country would be a cinch. -- nm - Hotkiss Jun 2, 13:32 7
        
        but, you won't be able to *do* anything. and, you won't have a kitchen (well, some hostels do), so you need to buy food somewhere - Andie Jun 2, 13:35
        
        except, you're trying to include your lodging. -- nm - loosiflu with cabin fever Jun 2, 13:34 5
        
        If couchsurfing works out (I haven't done the search yet), it would be $0. -- nm - Hotkiss Jun 2, 13:35 4
        
        The people who are most enthusiastic about you travelling and experiencing the world are the same ones cautioning you not to do it on this small - Roger More Jun 2, 13:38 2
        
        add me to both. especially if alone, you need a better measure of protection and cushion. -- nm - b! Jun 2, 13:42
        
        so true. -- nm - Andie Jun 2, 13:39
        
        you're going to couch surf in central america? on your own? with no travel experience? - Andie Jun 2, 13:36
        
        exactly, you still have to pay for taxis, tickets, the occasional beer, and incidentals. -- nm - loosiflu with cabin fever Jun 2, 13:31
      - yes, very much. -- nm - loosiflu with cabin fever Jun 2, 13:26
- portugal was really cheap i remember comparatively , but that was 1999... so... Czech still is i think... -- nm - Andie Jun 2, 13:17 2
  - Is Czech on the Euro yet? That pretty much ruins any budget travelling if they are. -- nm - Subversive Jun 2, 13:28 1
    - No. Slovakia is though, and it's still a budget destination -- nm - Roger More Jun 2, 13:31

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not be all 'been there done that', but i've done a lot of this.

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