Star_2800

suze

Hi again, I saw your post over on Trip Advisor too Here on Fodor's you will get more replies if you post on a Destination Forum. So find the country tags on the Europe or South American branches for each country and ask your question there. Repost in a couple places for wider readership.

I will say what I said on the other forum. I think you will have more success since it is your very first time traveling, and since you are going alone at a young age, to make a more simple, less exotic plan for your first time out than wolves, bears, Peru, Chile, etc.

Finding a place that is: budget friendly, vegetarian, with interesting culture and history... is almost anywhere! I suggest a couple cities in Europe for a first trip, to get you "sea legs" for travel, and solo travel.

Also do check the weather in December. Unless you are OK traveling in winter-time (eastern Europe). Also I don't think 2-weeks is enough for SA countries, but would be OK for Europe.

Star_2800

crellston

IME most South American countries would meet those requirements but you do need to check the weather situation. Peru is arguably the easiest country in which to travel on the continent and is pretty inexpensive. May to October is the optimum time as it is the rainy season in the Andes for the remainder of the year. Colombia may well be worth considering. Ecuador, I don’t think would be suitable for a first time solo trip. Chile is pretty expensive for South America but still cheaper than the US or U.K..

The weather is not the be all end all but is an important factor worth some of your time to research.

Europe, especially Western Europe will vary widely in terms of costs but in the main will be more expensive than SA. It will also be winter, so wether is not going to be great in many places.

I am in the midst of planning our trip to South Africa and whilst It seems good value, it is not as bugpdgte friendly as some places we have been - looks amazing though and Nov/Dec is an excellent time.

Depending on where you are coming from and the cost of flights etc.SE Asia - Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos would be a great option to consider. Cheap accommodation, great food, relatively easy and cheap to get around by bus, boat, plane and train and lots of travellers of a similar age to yourself.

suze

We don't know Star's home country (do we?). While Europe might be more expensive on the ground, the ticket to get there may be significantly less than a ticket to SA or SEAsia just because of distance.

I guess I'm being overly cautious but I don't see "Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos" as a good trip for an 18 year old first timer who's never traveled, female, alone. Seems like doing a 'learning curve' first trip to somewhere like Amsterdam or Berlin, to me would be a lot less 'culture shock' for a newbie to get the hang of how it's done.

If something goes wrong, I think Europe would be a lot less intimidating to find yourself sick, alone, lost, etc. than somewhere more removed in South America or SE Asia.

crellston

"I guess I'm being overly cautious but I don't see "Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos" as a good trip for an 18 year old first timer who's never traveled, female, alone." I agree, you are being overly cautious. SE Asia is probably the single most popular destination for a first backpacking trip and sees many, many 18 year olds taking there first trip overseas. As regards getting sick, do not travel without a comprehensive travel insurance policy that covers, health, injury, cancellation, delays, baggage etc.

SE Asia also ticks all of the OPs original boxes which I think is not the case with Europe.

suze

hey she can go wherever she wants. she doesn't need to pay any attention to me.

baldone

She's from Australia. So SE Asia would work well logistically. I'd tend to agree with Crellston's advice. Although Perú would work too. It's a relatively small country, the variety of cultures and landscapes are amazing, and you wouldn't have to cross any borders. Plus a well established tourist infrastructure.

jacketwatch