Need help deciding what country to visit next

[stevedmc]

Would anyone care to give me some ideas on other countries to visit? I want to take a vote for the next country I visit. The only catch is that you don't vote on a place I have already been too.

If I get enough suggestions what I want to do is break the list down to 3 countries and let people vote on the three.

So far I've been to:
Mexico
England
France
Japan
Canada
Argentina
Antarctica
Uruguay
Egypt
Israel
Belgium
Netherlands
Germany
China
North Korea
South Korea (Border)

[robvanderveer]

I'd rule out the Netherlands.. It's wet, it's flat, it's crowded, it has stunningly beautiful cloud patterns, way too many windmills and way too many girls thinking they own the world, and only 1 significant airport. Oh and i live there.

[08087]

I'd rule out the Netherlands.. It's wet, it's flat, it's crowded, it has stunningly beautiful cloud patterns, way too many windmills and way too many girls thinking they own the world, and only 1 significant airport. Oh and i live there.

He's been there beofre and so have I, I loved the girls, must have been my American charm! Sucks to be you! Just joking! LOL

I've been to So. Africa back in the 80's it wasn't good except for Kruger national park, today crime is high!!! Don't go!

Peru is a great place to see history, the food is special and yummy, Brazil is fantastic for food, if you go you've got to try "Rodizio" it's all you can eat of the best cuts of meat and a table full of veggies, you can't be disappointed, the beaches and woman are beautiful but you've got to be careful of robbery and AIDS. Venezuela is a pretty place but with Chavez around you may want to steer clear, Panama maybe even Costa Rica.

What do you enjoy seeing/doing it might help others narrow down a list for you. I've been to many places you've been but not Argentina yet, do tell a bit about it, I'd love to hear some first hand info.

[timothymoore]

how about Ireland? the motherland of the DMC-12 . go see what the factory looks like

[stevedmc]

how about Ireland? the motherland of the DMC-12 . go see what the factory looks like

Good idea but Ireland is part of the UK and so is England. I might be completely wrong but for my travel purposes I consider the UK to be a country.

[stevedmc]

What do you enjoy seeing/doing it might help others narrow down a list for you. I've been to many places you've been but not Argentina yet, do tell a bit about it, I'd love to hear some first hand info.

Nothing in particular. I just enjoy going places I haven't been to before and learning about their history first hand.

Argentina is a beautiful place to visit but I did notice a lot of poverty when I was there. In bigger cities like Buenos Aires you will see things like children sleeping on the side of the street and in smaller cities like Ushuia you will see people living in metal sheds. Of course, there are fancy homes as well.

I loved Argentina because the people were nice and the cost was very reasonable. In Buenos Aires I went on many walking tours and a bicycle tour as well. Florida Blvd in Buenos Aires has all sorts of exciting things to see such as street performances and tons of reasonably priced restraunts. It was hard to spend more than a few dollars for a meal. I splurged one night and went to a fancy steak restraunt and I don't think I spent more than th equivalent of $15 USD. The things I remember the most are cost. I spent $10 a night for my hostel and usually no more than $6 for a meal at a resturaunt.

[robvanderveer]

Good idea but Ireland is part of the UK and so is England. I might be completely wrong but for my travel purposes I consider the UK to be a country.

Do not mix up Ireland with Northern Ireland. You might step on some toes there.

[Jonathan]

Italy, but specifically Sicily. I worked there for 4 months in 2001 and boy was that a great experience. Easier looking back on it than sometimes while there (like trying to tell an operator at the plant to open a valve, but his english is just as bad as my italian). Man did we eat like kings. We worked and lived in and around Catania. If you can only visit one place on the island, go see Taormina. Wow, beautiful.

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[08087]

Nothing in particular. I just enjoy going places I haven't been to before and learning about their history first hand.

Argentina is a beautiful place to visit but I did notice a lot of poverty when I was there. In bigger cities like Buenos Aires you will see things like children sleeping on the side of the street and in smaller cities like Ushuia you will see people living in metal sheds. Of course, there are fancy homes as well.

I loved Argentina because the people were nice and the cost was very reasonable. In Buenos Aires I went on many walking tours and a bicycle tour as well. Florida Blvd in Buenos Aires has all sorts of exciting things to see such as street performances and tons of reasonably priced restraunts. It was hard to spend more than a few dollars for a meal. I splurged one night and went to a fancy steak restraunt and I don't think I spent more than th equivalent of $15 USD. The things I remember the most are cost. I spent $10 a night for my hostel and usually no more than $6 for a meal at a resturaunt.

Very much the same throughout south America with the poor living in shakes, a shame when you think about it. This is going to sound odd given the question but have you been to see as much of this country as others? It's something I've wanted to do a bit more of. there is much of the northern and southern parts of Ca that I've not really seen, theres Alaska, Hi., the Grand Canyon even though I've been to Az. I passed on it being aug at the time. I've not seen Maine, Vt. or even what us yanks call the deep south yet. It's just a thought.

The middle east I'm sure has many historical things to see but I don't like the current relationship we have over there. have you thought about the Kremlin?

So much to do/see so little time/money/effort!!!!!!

[aryx]

If you can afford buying a beer for $8 a piece or a stake dinner for $40 I can recommend Norway :-)

http://www.visitnorway.com/en/

[Canon20DFan]

Texas is a country. Go there.

[Canon20DFan]

Sorry, all those girls live in the USA. We're breeding 'em...

...and way too many girls thinking they own the world, and only 1 significant airport. Oh and i live there.

[Spittybug]

I highly recommend Oman, Muscat area specifically. Combine it with a visit to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and you have yourself a nice trip.

Of course, in Europe, Switzerland is wonderful as are Italy and Norway. Just expensive on our little US pesos.

Try Brazil. Worth seeing Rio and Sao Paulo and although I've never been to the north, my Brazilian friends tell me the seaside resorts are wonderful.

Asia is wide open! Thailand beaches, great wall of China, Macau, Hong Kong, you name it! I love Singapore; nice and clean but expensive.

All depends how adventurous you are. PM me if you want any specifics on the above.

[Farrar]

If I could afford it, I'd go see the Drakensberg in South Africa. Incredible scenery and wildlife.

Farrar

[dvonk]

So far I've been to:
...
Antarctica
...

am i the only one that finds this incredible? :wow:

[Ryan King]

Go back to Japan. That country is honestly the best. I too have been all over, but enjoyed my time in Japan the most.

[Dangermouse]

Good idea but Ireland is part of the UK and so is England. I might be completely wrong but for my travel purposes I consider the UK to be a country.

Good grief Steve, I would expect a comment like that from someone who has never left his own state, not from a world traveller such as your self. People have started wars over lesser comments ;)

Seriously though, for a visitor, Ireland is very different from England (and I'll assume your visit was to London). And a trip up North would of course be required to Dunmurry, though it's not what you would call a tourist destination.

I would second the above suggestion for Switzerland unless you consider it void as it is part of Europe just like France and you have been there (see what I did there ;) )

Also would second a trip to Peru. Lovely place.

What about Hawaii? Yes it's a US state, but so different to any of the others. Go see a volcano, Pearl Harbor memorial, etc

My next big trip however would have to be to Australia or New Zealand.

[stevedmc]

I would second the above suggestion for Switzerland unless you consider it void as it is part of Europe just like France and you have been there (see what I did there ;) )


Europe is a continent, not a country. Been to Hawaii and I must say I felt like I was in Japan.

[Jonathan]

Where all have you been to in Canada, Steve?

[Dangermouse]

Europe is a continent, not a country. Been to Hawaii and I must say I felt like I was in Japan.

I might be completely wrong but for my witty posting purposes I consider Europe to be a country.

j/k Steve ;)

I am well aware that Europe is a Continent.

[tgraham]

My next big trip however would have to be to Australia or New Zealand.

+1 for Australia. The big cities have tons to do, but given the miserably long flight, be sure to stay long enough to travel around - the rainforests in north Queensland and the Outback in NT are vastly different and both have a ton to offer.

Travis

[stevedmc]

Where all have you been to in Canada, Steve?

I never expected such a big response on this thread. I didn't think anyone would even read it.

Anyway, I haven't seen much of Canada but when it comes to travel I believe in quantity and not quality. I would much rather see a little bit of every part of the world vs getting to know just a few places very well.

To answer the Canada question I have only been to a tiny part of Ontario. I basically just went to Niagara Falls, Niagara on the Lake, and went driving around some place outside of Niagara Falls looking for a diner in the shape of a UFO. Niagara Falls is a beautiful place for a weekend getaway.

[stevedmc]

Btw, thanks for the suggestions everyone. I am going to keep collecting input from this thread and a post I made on Facebook for a few more days. Once I tally everything up I am going to take the most popular destinations and ask for votes. I'm hoping to do this trip sometime in Febuary so I can get out of the country for valentines day.

[stevedmc]

+1 for Australia. The big cities have tons to do, but given the miserably long flight, be sure to stay long enough to travel around

It can't be that bad. When I went to Japan it took about 14 hours to get from Atlanta to Tokyo. I don't think it is any more than 16 hours to get from Los Angeles to Sydney.

[yellowmxwheels23]

You should check out Portugal. Jump on a train over to Spain.
Thats my plan next summer. Flying into Lisbon then jumping on a smaller plane to Madeira Island (Visit Wife's Family) Then getting on a train to Madrid, Barcelona, French Riviera on to Italy. We will be out there for 3 weeks. Should be fun.

[Ron]

Asia is wide open! China, Macau, Hong Kong, you name it! I love Singapore; nice and clean but expensive.
Listen when people tell you to drink only from something with a pop top, wash your hands every chance you get, but don't worry much about tales of not knowing what your served to eat...the head and feet are usually still attached. :deviltail:

[stevedmc]

Listen when people tell you to drink only from something with a pop top, wash your hands every chance you get

When I travel I try to only drink bottled water and coca cola lite. When I was in North Korea there were many rest rooms that didn't have running water. The ones that did have running water didn't have soap. Hand washing is an American thing anyway. I learned that the first time I went to Europe.

[chris williams]

Have to give another thumbs up for Australia, New Zealand is also well worth a visit as well.

[Jonathan]

To answer the Canada question I have only been to a tiny part of Ontario. I basically just went to Niagara Falls, Niagara on the Lake, and went driving around some place outside of Niagara Falls looking for a diner in the shape of a UFO. Niagara Falls is a beautiful place for a weekend getaway.

Cool. You also mentioned you're aiming for February? If that is the case, and it is the wonderful winter season in C-eh-N-eh-D-eh, then I was thinking out West might be a good choice for you. Do you ski or snowboard? Seeing Canada's west and mountains and ski resorts is tops on the list for many people. You could also spend some of the time in Vancouver where the weather is milder. Do you like watching sports? We could line you up a few games or events to go check out.

If you're adventurous, you could try the glass top across Canada train ride through the Prairies and moutains. Fly in, train ride across, fly home. I heard there are some pretty breathtaking views in Alberta and BC from the train.

If you do a Canada trip in the summer months, I would say head East. You could start in Ontario. I don't recommend spending tons of time in Toronto. It is just a big city and there are plenty better things to see in this country. Stops along the way could be the Thousand Islands area in and around Lake Ontario and the St Lawrence River. Definitely make a stop in Ottawa and see some of the museums, like the Modern Civilizations one, heck, check out Parliament too (and you could right up to Steve-O's house on Sussex Drive and ring the bell if you wanted, lol). Montreal is neat as is Quebec City. It's not very high on my list though for how bad the locals treat people that don't speak french. Out East you can see Nova Scotia with Halifax and Cape Breton, maybe finish taking a trip out to PEI (you guys know who Anne of Green Gables is?) The nice thing about a trip out East is that you can circle back and leave through the NE states on your way home.

[stevedmc]

Cool. You also mentioned you're aiming for February? If that is the case, and it is the wonderful winter season in C-eh-N-eh-D-eh, then I was thinking out West might be a good choice for you.

Thanks for the advise but as mentioned in the first post, I'm not interested in going to the same country more than once. I'm interested in quantity and not quality.

[robvanderveer]

I'm interested in quantity and not quality.
Sorry to hear that.

[Farrar]

Judging from what I have seen of the Miss Ireland competition, you might be tempted to stay there if you went.

(That's Miss Ireland, by the way -- not Miss Northern Ireland.)

;)

Farrar

[stevedmc]

Sorry to hear that.

It's nothing to be sorry about. I want to see the whole world. I don't take vacations. I am a traveler. I choose to stay in places where most Americans wouldn't dare sleep. I've slept in dorms for as little as $6 USD per night, I eat where the locals eat, shop at grocery stores, and use public transit. I usually travel solo, knowing very little of the local languages, and almost never travel with tour groups. The only two times I used tour groups was in North Korea (it was required by the local government) and when I went to Antarctica (I couldn't afford to charter a plane or boat myself so I traveled to Antarctica from Ushuaia by boat with about 35 other passengers). I don't travel to relax. Things like tour groups, cruises, and resorts just bore me. I travel to travel.

[Dangermouse]

General question to all - if you are flying to, say, Germany, and you change planes in Paris, do you consider that you have been to France and can check it off the list of countries that you have visited?

[stevedmc]

General question to all - if you are flying to, say, Germany, and you change planes in Paris, do you consider that you have been to France and can check it off the list of countries that you have visited?

The general rule is you have to exit the airport before it actually counts. Airports are sort of a home away from home.

But of course, if you use the toilet and flush at the airport, it does count for something.

[Jonathan]

sorry to hear that.

+1 d-u-m-b

[08087]

It's nothing to be sorry about. I want to see the whole world. I don't take vacations. I am a traveler. I choose to stay in places where most Americans wouldn't dare sleep. I've slept in dorms for as little as $6 USD per night, I eat where the locals eat, shop at grocery stores, and use public transit. I usually travel solo, knowing very little of the local languages, and almost never travel with tour groups. The only two times I used tour groups was in North Korea (it was required by the local government) and when I went to Antarctica (I couldn't afford to charter a plane or boat myself so I traveled to Antarctica from Ushuaia by boat with about 35 other passengers). I don't travel to relax. Things like tour groups, cruises, and resorts just bore me. I travel to travel.

AMEN to that! It's the only way to go! Tour groups are good if you don't understand the language and you need someone to tell you what this and that is when looking at an old church, then I learned to just tip the guide to give me a personal tour during their lunch the next day. If you stay at a resort you may as well just stay home! A beach is a beach is a beach, being with the locals is the only way to get the true feel for things. People thought I was crazy leaving the hotel in VZ. and taking the .10 van into downtown for a meal.

Anyone that's been out of country to something less then a first world country knows not to drink the water, not to eat salads, etc...

How about CUBA? It won't be nearly the same as before Castro took over but you can still have a good time, the Cubans are sharp.

[stevedmc]

Cuba sounds awesome. I can't wait to tally these suggestions.

[08087]

Cuba sounds awesome. I can't wait to tally these suggestions.

I have an uncle (he's the one that taught me to travel) that use to hit Cuba every year for 10 years from New Years day til Easter. He and a buddy would stay at a beach house for $5 a week back then, eat oranges all day, Roast pork for lunch, and steak every night. Of course they had chicken to but you get the idea.

The women and wine flowed freely, but so did crabs!Lol that's another day and story!!!!

It's a shame what happened in Cuba as all the best educated ones left when they could, Cuba will never be the same as it once was but I'm sure it will still be a great trip none the less.

Just keep in mind we have no legal status in Cuba so you don't want to run amuck of the law.

[stevedmc]

Just keep in mind we have no legal status in Cuba so you don't want to run amuck of the law.

That's what makes it exciting. When I was in north Korea there was less than 5 Americans in the whole country. One day I turned on the tv in my hotel room to learn that one of us had been arrested. I didn't have the opportunity to meet the person but it was a weird feeling.

[robvanderveer]

I am seeing your point into traveling the world. I too have a dislike towards group holidays or all-in-vacations.

But saying quantity over quality surprised me a little, that is why i replied. It is like drinking as much beer as you can. I'd rather have less, but with more taste. I would feel better too. :D

Carry on, it is an interesting topic.

[Jonathan]

IBut saying quantity over quality surprised me a little, that is why i replied. It is like drinking as much beer as you can. I'd rather have less, but with more taste. I would feel better too. :D

Carry on, it is an interesting topic.

Ya, me too. To each his own, so Steve, you go for it with whichever way you want to tackle your travelling bug. All I was getting at with seeing what a country has to offer instead of just being able to say you've been there but not really experiencing the place... would be like if my only ever trip to the US would have been to go to Buffalo for dinner and then drive home. Could I say that I've been to the US? Yes. But I would feel I am missing out if I didn't check out a whole pile of other things. Not saying you need to see all 50 states, but more than just one little area. Same goes for Niagara Falls. We've got the biggest country in the world here, so there is quite a bit more than just that.

[stevedmc]

Not saying you need to see all 50 states,

I'm planning to visit all 50 states anyway and canoe the entirety of the Mississippi River. So far I have been to 38 states and have canoed about 70 miles of the river. The river will be the biggest challenge since I have to figure or how to get the three months off work that I will need.

[08087]

I'm planning to visit all 50 states anyway and canoe the entirety of the Mississippi River. So far I have been to 38 states and have canoed about 70 miles of the river. The river will be the biggest challenge since I have to figure or how to get the three months off work that I will need.

Being the boater that I am I admire you attempt at the canoeing but jet skiing or boating it would be easier and the jet ski would be a blast if not expensive on gas, Make sure you head north to south so you go with the flow!!!!

[stevedmc]

Judging from what I have seen of the Miss Ireland competition, you might be tempted to stay there if you went.

Nope. My travels have taught me that despite how messed up our country is, it is still the greatest country on the face of the planet. The only way I would move out of the USA would be to retire somewhere where the US dollar is stronger.

Anyway, I'm working on tallying up the list to vote on right. Boy there have been a lot of suggestions between here and my facebook post.


But I would feel I am missing out if I didn't check out a whole pile of other things.

Some countries I have visited various cities. Some countries I have not. Pay my expenses and I will do as you desire.

I'm already planning to pay for a plane ticket to a destination that I am letting others choose for me. It think that is pretty cool in itself.

I have finished tallying up the suggestions from here and facebook. Now I just need to figure out how to make a poll for people to vote on.

The nominations are Australia, Brazil, and Italy. Two places I am interested in going to. One I am not but I'll go wherever the vote is.

Poll has been created.

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?1667-Should-I-visit-Australia-Brazil-or-Italy&p=20843#post20843

[Farrar]

Nope. My travels have taught me that despite how messed up our country is, it is still the greatest country on the face of the planet.

It was a joke about pretty women, not a rejoinder about love of country.

Just FYI. :)

Farrar

[stevedmc]

It was a joke about pretty women, not a rejoinder about love of country.

Just FYI. :)

Farrar

Its cool man. I still love the USA though.