The best place I've never been.

[side_show]

I'm interested in traveling somewhere for a week on my own this summer (or possibly with a lady friend who may or may not join me) and looking for suggestions.

I'm feeling pretty adventurous about thisand considering going for a week to Cairo.  I know some people would say such an idea is ill advised due to recent political upheaval, but I'm fairly fearless about travel and have heard now is a good time to go due to reduced tourist numbers.  What makes it attractive is that there are so many things to do that traveling alone wouldn't be boring or too lonely.

Due to my husband's injury he is about to go back to work and will likely be unable to book time off for a while, while I have vacation time piling up and plenty of money saved up.  I have a writer friend who may be interested in joining me, but her finances are very limited so I'm thinking a solo trip is the most likely to work out.

I have a budget of around $2000 for flight + hotel and am open to other suggestions. 

There are some places I wont go, specifically because the husband and I have them on a bucket list to see together: London, anywhere in India, anywhere in Italy, Hong Kong, Paris and Ireland.  There are places I won't go because I've already been there: Belgium, Havana/Varadero, Jakarta, Bali, Cancun/the Mayan Riviera of Mexico, Toronto, Banff, anywhere in Saskatchewan, North or South Dakota or Alabama.

The only other consideration is that my arthritis has been really bad lately, so although I've always wanted to see Machu Pichu (and the husband is not particularly interested), such intense hiking/camping (without the help of a travel companion) is out of the question these days.

[Asherdan]

Rio de Janeiro
Athens
Warsaw
Moscow
Pick a Black Sea resort
Manhattan Beach, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach and Villa Park.

Obviously, I vote for the last one. But if it was me I'd be doing a Kiwi/Aussie trip.

[wombat]

Japan!

[Asherdan]

Yeah, Smells could stand being irradiated.

[greenkoolayd]

Boise

[wombat]

There are hardly any places in Japan where you will get irradiated, and I believe that because people are afraid anyway, you could get good deals at hotels.

[Asherdan]

Shut up and let your figment have his little joke, wombles. Japan is a good idea, but jeezums.

[wombat]

But really, I saw all these shows that talked about half-empty hotels, and since I am obviously not going to get off my ass and take advantage of it, someone should. And hey, support the economy over there and such.

[Doc]

I have no useful suggestion but wanted to say Cairo might seem cool because of reduced numbers but last I heard (which was a few weeks ago, admittedly) there's also reduced access to the big tourism stuff either because it's under crazy lock down to protect it or because the people who usually work there are busy fighting each other. So I'd double check that first.

The idea of being able to fly to europe plus get a hotel for 2 grand is crazy to me. Is it nice living in the equator where everything is near everything else.

Actually I do have a suggestion: How about China? Lots of cool stuff to see and relatively cheap. Even if you just spent a week in Beijing I think you'd have plenty to fill your time.

[pmcd9]

I'd say check into what Doc says and go to Cairo if it's not closed down.  That's a beautiful historical place to visit AND they are making history now that you can witness.

[KeithHernandez]

I have always wanted to go to Buenos Aries, but yeah, your mileage may vary I think they say

[Carlos del Vaca]

I have long wanted to go to Scotland, not just to see the land of my ancestors, and to have a beer in the Glencoe Pub while claiming a false last name, but to go to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.  It's in August.  http://www.edfringe.com/

[Doc]

I have long wanted to go to Scotland, not just to see the land of my ancestors, and to have a beer in the Glencoe Pub while claiming a false last name, but to go to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.  It's in August.  http://www.edfringe.com/

Oh hells yes, this is also an awesome thing to do.

[jay-ell]

I have always wanted to go to Buenos Aries, but yeah, your mileage may vary I think they say

Pedro has been there -- it's where his mother was born. (She grew up in Mendoza, though.) His trip was mainly visiting family, so he didn't do any of the touristy stuff. I wanted to go while his grandparents were alive, but at the time, there was a lot of political unrest and they advised us not to go. By the time the situation improved, they had passed on.

He still has lots of cousins and aunts and uncles there, so maybe we'll still go someday. Not 'til the kids are much, much older, though.

Smells, this is a great idea, you should definitely do it before you start trying to make a baby. Not traveling before I had kids is one of my few regrets.

[JorgeFabregas]

Villa Park.

Yes, I think that she should go to Villa Park, IL and see some strip malls. Roosevelt Road will make you grin!