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As a few of you may know, my Aunty passed away on Tuesday morning, and many times she had told me to do some travelling, as she did and lived in the USA for most her of her time and actually was amazed to hear of all the places she had been.

Her passing has given me time to think and remember her, but in the meantime look to the future and I have decided to go on her advice to go travelling.

But I really do not know where to even begin! I have been abroad before, France, Belguim, Spain, Turkey & other holiday destinations, but what are the most amazing places in the world? Actually worth visiting? I do not know! But one place I do want to visit is vegas, but that is penciled in for when some poker players I know are going, not best place to go on ya own.

London (never really explored the city), Paris, Amsterdam, Ireland, Barcelona, Madrid, all of these in Europe. Along with far away places in Aussie, USA & China.

But a question, can you enjoy these places if you go on your own travels on your own?

Probably hoping to do Europe sometime in January and hopefully some Vegas in February.

In before woodsey, and Asia :)

Sorry to hear of your loss Aaron.

Sorry to hear about your aunty Aaron.

I think Longy has done a lot of travelling and as celtic said Woodsey too.

Lol just by a few mins Celtic u bastard.

What I've learnt over the years is travelling by yourself is purely a personal thing. Some people it doesn't bother at all, but others simply wouldn't dream of it and couldn't think of anything worse. The only way to know is just go for it and see if you can handle it, if your sociable enough you will probably meet other single travellers anyway.

For me I'd probably do the euro city break with mates, just because if you want to do a bit of nightlife there it's way better with mates. I've been to a lot of places, part of the reason I keep going back to Asia is it a very easy place to go on your own. I really miss my trips to Africa, but it's not as good on your own, I've tried it a few times and its not as much fun.

 I think the more well worn backpacker routes are popular for a reason, they are easy to do on your own.......

Disagree about Vegas btw, it's probably the easiest place to go on your own in the US, especially if your a poker player.

Sorry about your aunt too btw.

:)

I'd avoid Vegas if you are actually planning on 'traveling' and broadening the mind. As a poker player you'll end up there at some point anyway.

New York is amazing and if you like films and telly set in New York you'll love it.

Australia is fantastic. Sydney is an example of how a big city should be and I went to a place called Byron Bay which is just like Summer Bay. Melbourne I could take or leave tbh but the poker room is amazing.

Best hidden gem I've been to is a place called Portorov in Slovenia, just a relaxing little town, but only go for a few days.

I went to Prague before it became a haven for stag dos, at the time I thought it was the nicest city I've been to, however I hear its been ruined, by us.

You can skip Lithuania. 

Firstly I would say do it, travelling is awesome!

As to what to do, it really depends on your personalilty and what interests you. Fortunately there is pretty much something for everyone out there.

The majority of my recent travels have been to the US and Canada. I have found those trips suit me as I everything is pretty easy being first world English speaking countries. I have done the majority of it my own and that really doesn't bother me as i am fine with my own company and quite like the fact that I could do exactly what I want to do rather than comprising with someone else.

So yeah give us an idea of your personality and interests, then suggestions might be a bit more tailoired for you.

Depending on budget.. don't see how it can really go wrong??  Pick a place, if you love it, stay there a good while, if you don't, move on...?

Strongly recommend sailing on a fairly small yacht but a journey rather than a charter at a particular location. Arriving somewhere you´ve never been before after days or weeks at sea is the most amazing experience, not to mention all the incredible experiences at sea, a totally different perspective on the world and life.

Highly recommend something something like a Transatlantic trip, you need loads of time though and it´s not cheap. We already owned the boat and anchored alot so accomodation was largely free but I still spent circa 25k in 18 months.

+ 1 to travelling is awesome. There is nothing better imo, so good luck with whatever you decide to do.

It's been nearly 15 years since I set off on my travels and there's not a day goes past where I don't miss travelling, it was an amazing experience.  I'd definitely recommend you do it.

Thanks for all your suggestions!

Barry, you mention New York and that is number one destination for me, way before Vegas and sa you say, I'll get there at some point anyway. But New York has had such different reviews when I have asked people, people say it's not the greatest city on earth and unreal busy, but great to see another positive opinion on it, yes to shows.

As for what I like? I like a nice bit of scenery, may watch some local sports, local parks, tourist attractions, love the clubbing & a bit of poker would be nice, but I can assure you, I can go without the poker tbh.

The sore point here is that for me to have a decent travel and this for months, I could probably name nobody to go with as they could probably a) not afford it or b) get time off - so looks like a nice 2-3 week trip around Europe, then back to London.

Germany, France, Holland?

Hopefully heading back out for a long distance to USA weeks after - never been fussed about China, but really should go.

Checkout the Yorkshire Moors or the Derbyshire Dales.

Don't forget the everyday stuff that's all around you. Be a life tourist.

New Zealand.

Fantastic place, very friendly people, loads of stuff to do, decent weather.

We did something different every day for two weeks.

At the airport on the way home we got talking to a family who had also been there to weeks, they had done totally different stuff, equally busy and had an equally fabulous time.

Re New York, the vast majority I know absoutely loved New York. There is so much to do and see, of course it is busy there are nearly 10million people that live there.

I went to split in Croatia once and loved it, best place abroad I've ever been.

Lagos, Medellin, Soweto or Rotherham

Ha, Soweto is actually worth going to  Mr Troll.  :D

oh ffs. Lagos ain't actually in the worlds worst cities either. Bet they've got a lovely beech :)

New York is my fav city on earth. LOVE IT!!

Here is me at MSG.

Med cruise is a good way to kill a few birds with one stone.

I have a mate that goes to either Lagos or Accra almost everytime he goes on holiday.  He loves them both although he has a bit of a thing about African women which probably helps.  I have been to a lot of places but my favourites are:

New York - it is the best city in the world and perfectly fine to go on your own.  I could go for a month and never get bored.
London - not usual for a travel recommendation you say you havent really explored it.  It is the second best city in the world.  It is a £40 or something train ticket away.  Get yourself there and explore.  I lived in London on and off for 18 years and despite being born and raised in Middlesbrough (don't worry it is third best city in world.....treats include Club Bongo International, the Riverside and the Gaza....erm town on a Saturday night)  London is where I feel most at home now.  I have a two week trip back on Sunday and am ridiculously excited.
Asia - basically everything Woodsey says is right on Asia.  It is an assault on the senses and imo every man in his twenties should be forced to spend a month there kinda like national service.
Cities of Europe - Barcelona, Amsterdam, Madrid, Seville, Brussels, Paris etc.  Do them in weekends and knock as many off as you can.  they are amazing and we have a magnificently diverse culture and history in Europe.

They say travel broadens the mind and it is true but it also provides opportunities.  Our parents and grandparents didn't have the opportunity to get out in the world and see places and meet people but we do and we have choices to like no other generation before us so take your chance whilst you are young and can explore them......and don't forget the Bongo Club in Middlesbrough!!

A trip to Asia is better......oh you said kill...ignore that!!!

Omg. Anyone heard owt decent about Rotherham.

yeah apparently the A629 is the best road out of it  ;)

The Holiday Inn on West Bawtry Road does a decent Brownie Fudge Sundae......

Noise insulation isn't too good on the 2nd floor when the guests all start fighting outside though :D

New York definitely has to be in for an all week trip then for sure, wouldn't mind going on my own, but ideally with a  couple of friends, but they never can seem to afford it.

Dublin? Chicago? San Fran?

Dublin is awesome, but not cheap.

yeah my wife has just comeback again and was only there 3 months ago. I have been telling her how great the craic is and a totally different atmosphere all round. She goes with a load of mates n loves it.

I really like San Fran, from a pure tourism point of view I think it only comes 2nd to NYC in the US.

Have been to Chicago as well and had a good time but would put other places in the US ahead of it. Off the top of my head New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, New Orleans, San Francisco, San Diego would all be ahead of it in terms of cities to visit.

Good mushy peas?

I've had a few adventures in Rotherham.

It's a real shame there's not some kind of thread where you could tell us some stories.

:)

Sorry to hear about your aunty, however sounds like she was very cool and if you turn her passing into some sort of positive action I'm sure and be proud.

Best year of my life ainec...

Pack a bag, buy a six stop ticket, opt out of all on line betting and poker sites - sit on the Tarmac at Heathrow thinking wtf have I done then go and har the most amazing year of your life...I could write for hours however there is no better feeling than rocking up in a city for the first time, with nowhere to stay and everything new - so liberating.

Ada starter for 10... A Heathrow, Bangkok, Sydney, Auckalnd, LA, New York, London ticket sort of works. Get your under 30 working visa for Oz, exchange rate so bad can back some cash there for the Fiji, LA bit...

Land in Bangkok, head to the Koh San Rd, make friends and go with the flow

Simple....

And yes...you won't be on your own long

Done alot of travelling myself in the last 5 yrs. NZ 6 wks and is the best country thus far. Done/achieved sooo many incred things there. Recently went to Cambodia for 2 wks, fkin amazing! If i had to recommend i say travel around Thailand, do a short spell in Cambo then go do east coast of Oz and NZ. Like Woodsey said thou, its an individual thing. Sorry to hear about your aunt and gl on your travels!

This x1000000000000000

Sorry to hear about your loss.

New York is amazing (Obviously being my original home) if you're on ASW or other professional networking sites it's easy to enjoy the city by way of events etc.

India is amazing, I recommend you travel the whole of India via train, one of the most amazing experiences I've partaken in.

Norway - The train journey from Oslo to Bergen is out of this world! I highly recommend it.

Africa is a great continent to visit too, just so many places to mention that I'm going into overload.

GL with your travels

Rotherham story here


http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=30038.msg616145#msg616145

+1 to whoever said India too. It can be pretty hard work at times but its really rewarding. For anyone that hasn't travelled much to poorer countries its really throwing yourself in at the deep end, but it's a great place.

i once lost 3 stone in a few weeks having been that thirsty that I drank a little sip of water from the river Don at Sprotborough. I had walked about 3 miles with 200lbs of fishing gear and fished a five hour match on one of the hottest days of the year. Stupid me had left my bottles of water in the van.

Sorry about your loss.

Apply for one of these... http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-holiday/417/ book a flight to Sydney and get yourself off.

Please do, would be amazing to hear those stories!

I won't be going for a year though, probably a good few weeks on my travels. New York will be something seperate for sure. I have never really thought of India, which particular places?

PS - Thanks for all suggestions & best wishes, appreciate them all.

Very diverse country India, be warned though it will be a big culture shock if you have never been to a 3rd world country though, really good place though.

Have a look at this site for some general ideas for an itinerary of different areas. You can do all this stuff on your own obviously, this is just for ideas.

http://www.exodus.co.uk/psearch?flights=1&keys=&pcountry=IN&flights=1&search_type=advanced

Tour of Rajastan is a good starting place for a noob for a couple of weeks.

http://www.exodus.co.uk/holidays/aip/overview?return=cT1wc2VhcmNoJmZsaWdodHM9MSZrZXlzPSZwY291bnRyeT1JTiZmbGlnaHRzPTEmc2VhcmNoX3R5cGU9YWR2YW5jZWQ=

But you got beaches, mountains, whatever you want really depending on your interests.

I really liked Varanasi, its still proper old India and the most sacred/holy place for Hindu's.

Just for contrast, for me the pyramids was one of the most amazing man-made sights I've ever seem.

I'm don't mean to be facetious jj, but what do you want? A visitor centre and a gift shop?

And an English pub that sells warm beer and does a full English for a fiver. Throw in some karaoke at lunchtime and its perfect.

I am lucky enough to have traveled more than most.. my job involves worldwide travel and I've hit up some great places and some shocking ones.

There is some great advice in this thread, I'm not sure I can add any specific place related things as a lot of the 'big ones' have been done.


HOWEVER -
on actual traveling itself, I would always do the following:

- never go on a single day tour to anywhere (unless you absolutely have to - and then take a mate), always get a 2 or 3 or more day tour that involves the same place.  The 'people' I've met that want to be picked up at 8am and bussed around then taken back by 6pm have been some of the most unfriendly, uncultured and unpleasant people I've ever met.

- try anything and everything you can at least once, unless you physically can't stomach it, have allergies or it involves a high priority of losing a limb.... stuff that will kill you when it goes wrong is fine! I did a bungee jump in the Thai jungle at 9am having never seen the thing work before, I don't know what I was more afraid of, the 50ft impact or the safety mechanisms to save me.

- get used to rather interesting tasting alcohol, embrace it and its insane side effects... the most fun times are almost always the unplanned alcohol (and in some cases otherwise) fueled nights that have you 'magically' appear in your bed at 8am still dressed.

- backpack everywhere and use the backpacking community but obv be careful and cautious as it does have theft problems sometimes... but there will be so many people and they're all there for the same thing - A GOOD TIME! which leads to new friendships, adventures, changes of plans and sometimes a new life.

- take any aggression or conflict issues you have and shelve them.. in many places a disagreement or arguement can be settled in many more extreme ways than here in the UK.  Some of the biggest mistakes I've seen abroad is when someone can't back down and then realizes all too late that its not their home pub anymore... life costs a lot less outside of the UK more often than not.

- try your best to sleep as little as possible, for so many people you'll only be in that place the one time.. sleep is for the dead. (I'm super guilty of sleeping entire Sunday's away on a regular basis..)



I'll think of more I'm sure but that has to get you started...