I need some major help plz
 

Ok, me and my brother are planning on going on vacation for 2 weeks in August. I realize this is generally the worst month but we can't help it. So Between July 28th and August 20th we want to go. The thing is, I want to go somewhere where there is alot to do AND alot to see. All the posts I read and iteneraries I find are about going to see things, seeing monuments, seeing museums, seeing whatever. I would love to go and see ruins and artifacts but I dont want to spend 14 days seeing things. I would like to go somewhere where I can do things also. Like snorkeling, water skiing, hiking,climing, etc. My brother went to Beliz last summer and it kind of fit that description. But this summer we want somewhere new. It's either Europe or South America that we're going to go to. Can someone please help me, give me suggestions of countries and cities in those countries that I should go to that would fullfill my seeing and doing requirements. Thanks!

How about hiking in the Alps? This could mean Switzerland, Austria, Italy, or France--and a few smaller countries as well. Do any of those grab you? If you're really up for an adventure, you could do hut to hut hiking.

England also has beautiful long distance walks, some of it quite rugged.

Once you know what you're interested in, I would create a new thread with that in the title. You'll get lots of help at that point.

Your wish list - - posted here and on the Latin American forum - - seems too lengthy and too broad to me, to be able to advise you, because what appeals to you is:

a) so much in the eye of the beholder...

and

b) a function of where you currently (or previously) lived and what you do (especially for recreation) in your everyday life. I am guessing that you live in the United States, and I wonder if there are places in the United States that are a match for your needs: Utah, Florida, Cape Cod, San Diego, Kentucky, Louisiana, you name it... but it doesn't do much good to recommend some place which is already your home (or near your home).

I think that you need to spend two, three or four hours in your largest local public library... or a major bookstore... in the travel books section; focus on the big coffee-table sized books, and see what you gives YOU the most oooh's and aah's. Go back and try to make a top five list and report back here - - ideally with 5-20 words description about why you like the destinations you list.

Then, "we" the "regulars" here can help you much better (and we might suggest compatible places that aren't necessarily on your list).

And when you re-post, use a message header like "Help us choose between Mallorca, Sicily, Key West, wherever, etc..."

Best wishes,

Rex Bickers
Floyds Knobs, Indiana

ttt...

The thing about it is, I have a very limited time frame of when I can go and a fairly set budget. And I'm not focused one one specific country because I've only been out of the US to go to Mexico, frankly anywhere I go I know I'll love. So no, I didn't say between X city, Y city and Z city because I want to hear what other people think would fit. One might say the alps while another might say this tiny village no one really knows about in Italy. I've been looking through traveling books for about a month and ALL the places I've seen give me ooh's and ahhs. But thats what pictures do. I want to hear from people who have been to these various locations and done the things there are to do. To often books show you nice things but dont mention the price, the time frame involved, the personal experience. I just wanted some personal experienced advice. Already I am liking south america more, if merely for the posters who replied with advice. It's too hard to narrow b/c I like to do almost everything. The big thing I wanted was variety, variety, variety, things to do and things to see and I'll leave it that general b/c I'm up for almost anything and don't want to limit myself.

You perceive that "they" are better at giving you advice on the South America forum.

Well, this will likely sound arrogant, but let me suggest that it is easy to work your way <i><u>down</u></i> the ladder of experience. Travelers who have been abroad one, two or three times may have the most concrete, most self-assured opinions that x or y or z is &quot;absolutely the best place&quot;.

Having been to Europe 24 times, I think that virtually everyplace I have ever been (and on other continents also) can meet your criteria. Now clearly, some will have &quot;better&quot; weather than others. But variety? It's everywhere.

Unless a destination seems too similar to where you live.

I'll repeat a key point I made earlier. The least you could do is to say from what part of the world you're originating.

You also have not indicated &quot;why Europe?&quot; I can rattle off itinerary after itinerary that would be great; No doubt thy exist all over any of several continents, including North America.

Well since you say you want to see &quot;Monuments&quot; and &quot;Do&quot; something on the same trip I would advise a walking tour.How about all or part of the Thames Path.Its 180 miles from the the Thames Barrier to the source of the river.Lots of interesting sights along the way and you can spend plan on spending the night at different B&amp;Bs,or Pubs along the river.
Just a thought.
http://www.thames-path.org.uk/

I'm very inclined to suggest you jhave a look at Heronissos on Crete. You are within easy striking distance of the White Mountains and the Samaria Gorge; plus there's good divinga nd it's a young happeneing place, without any of the heavy drinking and lager lout behaviour innearby Malia.

There are lots of other places like that in Europe, so the list could be endless.

So is that to say that travelers on the Latin America posts haven't travelled to 24 countries? Because if u take the time to read some of their posts you'll see that that is not the case.
And yes I do think that they are better at giving advice. Why because I had people who answered me with actual answers, actual opinions on the matter. All I wanted was an opinion, thats all. I wasnt asking for a scientific description with pictures to match. I gave my few criteria and wanted to hear what places that sparked to the minds of people. Why Europe, b/c its a different people, different culture,different experience. Same with why South America. I just want to do and see things that I don't normally get to do or see. I live in the US. I live in California. Yes I can go refting here, but not in a clear blue ocean, not waking up to howling monkeys, not being able to zip through the forests from platform to platform. All I wanted was an opinion everyone besides you Rex gave that to me. You stated you could rattle off many iteniraries that fit my desciption, well go right ahead! Thats what I was asking for, thats all I wanted. U to give ur opinion and tell me. Obviously everyone has their own opinion and I'm not judging whos right, I just wanted to hear where u thought fit and why...it really wasnt this comlicated

Hi Liz,

For hiking, biking and interesting things to see you could visit the region of SW France in the region enclosed by Cahors to Brive (N/S) and Rodez to Perigueux (E/W).

You can also go boating and canoeing on some of the rivers.

((I))

If you want to check out a highlight, go to Salzburg - August is the festival time, when the city is not only beautiful as always, but also filled with celebrities and rich people. See http://www.visit-salzburg.net for inside information on Salzburg and Austria.

Two weeks...bicycle, canoe, hike. Why not start at the top of the Danube and follow it to the sea.

&lt;&lt;snorkeling, water skiing, hiking, climing,&gt;&gt;

Sounds much more like Central or South America, than Europe to me.

I would suggest either looking at the Alps, or perhaps a mix of the Dolomites and the Lakes so you could get a mix of swimming and hiking.

I will say that when I first read your post, Greece popped into my mind. I have never been, but its there is quite a bit to see and do, and you would be able to snorkle and hike on some of the more hilly islands. You could spend the two weeks on a mixture of island and the mainland.

Tracy

Liz, I think the issue is that your post is so vague... pick any country in Europe and things could be suggested...
England - hike Wales; Scotland; Lake District
France - a barge tour
Italy - a bike tour
Greece - water activities
Switzerland - hiking in the Alps
those are just a few off the top of my head.

For Rex (or anyone else for that matter) to do it justice, it will take EXTREMELY long to list everything and while we are happy to help people and give specific advice, taking the 30 minutes (or so) to give a full and complete answer is probably a waste of time since you are sooo generic.

Admittedly, I don't know much about S/C Amer., but I would guess your budget will stretch further there.

Have you checked airfare at all? If you are coming from CA, you may have sticker stock going to Europe as that is high season and flights are ooc (out of control) this year.

Maybe start with a budget and go from there... have you thought about Canada ? Great outdoor activities there...

good luck!
(I've always found great answers to specific posts here, but I just think you are so vague people don't know where to begin).

Liz,

I don't think you are going to get anywhere by criticizing Rex for trying to be helpful. No one wants to put a lot of time and effort into talking about their favorite places without a better idea of what the OP is looking for.

As for finding people on the Latin America board more helpful, that is probably because your list of &quot;wants&quot;---snorkling, water skiing, hiking and climbing, plus artifacts and monuments---is probably a better fit there. Not sure if it will work in August, though.

In Europe, Greece or Croatia are probably your best bets for doing all that you mention.

I know I'm repeating myself here...

but since I now know you are 1) coming from California, 2) have a limited time frame, 3) have a set budget &amp; with the list and types of activities you wish to do... I don't see the reason to even considering going all the way to Europe especially since you specifically aren't interested in museums or momuments.

Mexico, Central, or South American would all provide what you are seeking at a more reasonable price and be a better match (for the impression I have) for what you are looking for.

Rex, While I don't think it's polite for Liz to insult you, I also think it is incorrect to assume (I'll speak for myself) that posters on the Latin America forum have only been 1, 2, or 3 places.

What about Costa Rica? That is a very popular destination.

Once again and for the last time...

I dont want a list. I dont want a list. I dont want a list.

The point I tried to make with Rex was... I dont want a list!
I gave my objectives and I wanted an opinion. Does it take 30 minutes (as an above post said) to say, u know what i've been to 24 countries, alot of them fit ur description but i think u'd like X place better it has more of X that you want and its cheaper.

A suggestion and why, is all I wanted. I realize tons and tons of places fit my needs and thats why I wanted others opinion on where they thought was BEST.

Thats it. thats all i was asking for. I'm not insulting Rex I'm clarifying for the 3rd time since somehow that wasnt going through. Although I do think Rex was insulting Latin American Forum posters.

P.S. Thanks to all who did suggest somewhere I do appreciate. I have decided on Costa Rica although Honduras was a close second. Europe will be left for another year. Thanks again.