Around the world in 8 weeks

[seamus]

If in Ireland you have to go to Galway, I My self haven't been there for about 7 years, so a lot can change in that time. But for me it was what Ireland should be like. great food , great pubs & of course the Craic.

Another great City, Madrid, has to be the cleanest City I have ever been to. The Tapas bars are great the whole place has an ambiance to it. The Spanish GG's are just stunning as well

Boston Massachusetts, October rather then September, as you want to catch the fall, breath taking colours, warm people & some great sea food. The best place in the USA for history, with lots to see & take in, like Salem !

[Zoliboy79]

I did one round the world trip already (for 9 months). In 8 weeks one cannot see a lot, especially if would like to relax a bit, too. But I have never been in China, North America and Africa. First I would go to USA look NY, Miamy, LA, San Francisco and then to Hawai. This would already take 3-4 weeks into account. Then I would go to China, where I would have a look for the Great Wall. From there I would go to Phillipines (2-3 weeks) and Thailand (the rest). Then back home.
Africa is huge to do everything there. And I am not that interested in going there either.

[Stogie]

(Lefty @ Jul. 21 2009,19:14) I would choose Morocco over Egypt and Amsterdam over London...

Hmmm...

[Lefty]

Oops

[Ozzie]

(Zoliboy79 @ Jul. 22 2009,05:02) I did one round the world trip already (for 9 months). In 8 weeks one cannot see a lot, especially if would like to relax a bit, too. But I have never been in China, North America and Africa. First I would go to USA look NY, Miamy, LA, San Francisco and then to Hawai. This would already take 3-4 weeks into account. Then I would go to China, where I would have a look for the Great Wall. From there I would go to Phillipines (2-3 weeks) and Thailand (the rest). Then back home.
Africa is huge to do everything there. And I am not that interested in going there either.

Thanks Zoliboy. I see this trip as just a taster of places I might want to go back to later as I will have the opportunity to do it again.

I am skipping the US because I have been there many times for both work and pleasure and at last count been to 40 or so states. Back in 2002 I drove from Orlando to NY over 3 weeks and then 2003 I drove from Orlando to LA in just over 4 weeks.

[Ozzie]

(Lefty @ Jul. 21 2009,22:14) I like your list, except for me personally, I would choose Morocco over Egypt and Amsterdam over London. Not been to any of them, but just from what I've read, heard and been told, I think I'd find them more interesting. I'm sure you will have a great time no matter where you end up going.

I did think about Morocco and Marrakesh and Casablanca and it still on my maybe list.

Amsterdam really holds no interest to me apart from maybe the Anne Frank House.

[Stewart]

(halla @ Jul. 21 2009,17:26)

(Ozzie @ Jul. 21 2009,16:29) even though 8 weeks sound like a lot it is not really when you factor in the travel time both land and air.

Why not cut down on your destinations? That way you can experience more on the places you do visit, and spend less time in the air.

I would agree with this comment. I has 3 weeks in Brazil and wished I had 3 months.

If you are also flying across multiple time zones every few days, you might feel like shit half the time

[Ozzie]

(Stewart @ Jul. 22 2009,11:31)

(halla @ Jul. 21 2009,17:26)

(Ozzie @ Jul. 21 2009,16:29) even though 8 weeks sound like a lot it is not really when you factor in the travel time both land and air.

Why not cut down on your destinations? That way you can experience more on the places you do visit, and spend less time in the air.

I would agree with this comment. I has 3 weeks in Brazil and wished I had 3 months.

If you are also flying across multiple time zones every few days, you might feel like shit half the time

You are probably right.

I am usually pretty good with jet lag but have not tested myself to this level yet.

I want to try and find a balance between spending enough time to appreciate a place and seeing as many places as possible.

I intend on going back to any places I enjoy or feel I did not get to see as much as I would like at a later date.

Thanks for all your input and keep it coming.

[bigmick22]

I think your original itinerary is pretty good

Buenos Aires is awesome - I would definitely pick it over Machu Pichu in South America

Depending on when you're in Ireland, I might be around to show you about. If it's only a short visit, then Dublin is best bet. If you have time, then I agree with Seamus re Galway. Belfast worth a consideration too - as are Kerry/Clare (all the beautiful, remote places are on the west coast)

Another suggestion I have for you is Barcelona

Actually - I'm gonna be in Japan for much of September so our paths may cross there. I would have no problem with only doing Tokyo (I love the place) if I were you but as I used to live there I'm going to explore other areas like Kyoto, Hiroshima etc.

[seamus]

(bigmick22 @ Jul. 22 2009,10:13) Actually - I'm gonna be in Japan for much of September so our paths may cross there. I would have no problem with only doing Tokyo (I love the place) if I were you but as I used to live there I'm going to explore other areas like Kyoto, Hiroshima etc.

Ahh bigmick, going newhalf hunting then are We

[fleeing]

Amsterdam is a pretty nice city even without the red-light and the coffee shops.

The canals are pretty unique and provide a contrast to the busier parts of town. A few art museums worth visiting (Rijks-, Stedelijk- and Van Gogh-). The (in my opinion over-rated) Anne Frank Huis, the Maritime museum, some interesting markets, the Heineken brewery or if you're serious about beer, a shop with one of the largest selections I've ever come across.

Amsterdam's not that bad, but better in September than October.

I actually miss it.

[halla]

(Ozzie @ Jul. 22 2009,16:47) I intend on going back to any places I enjoy or feel I did not get to see as much as I would like at a later date.

So you think you're gonna get a nice GFE based on a ST?

[DexterH]

A lot must depend on what you enjoy outside the lb experience. If you are deeply into music London cannot be beaten for its daily diet of classical, jazz, folk, pop, indie, world music etc etc AND top quality to up and coming. London doesn't have the ambience of Amsterdam or the architecture of Rome, Venice, or Paris, and you have to spend time in Paris to be taken seriously as a traveller AND spend at least an hour or so in the Bois de Boulogne on a dark night. Vienna is also a musical city but classical although there is a club whose name I forget where they have slings, handcuffs and other contraptions and yes, its true, its not that far from the Freud Museum. Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, Rome, Naples all have transgendered people who want to meet you, mostly on the streets at night, the same is true but on a smaller scale in Hamburg, Frankfurt and Berlin which is one of the most interesting cities I have been in and whose antiquities and art collections are world class. Morocco over Egypt any day, Fez is worth a couple of days and Esssaouira on the Atlantic coast is cheap and relaxing if you want some sun and swimming. If you feel adventurous, Beirut and Damascus are worth exploring if you can find a (very) liberal guide to the combination of antiquities and 'modernities'...not sure about Moscow and Leningrad though as I havent tried them out yet.

Question re South America: does nobody ever visit Uruguay? Do they Tango there?

[El_hefe]

I think you have a good list & some good suggestions too.

I would say consider just flying into Manila for your arrival & then head out for the beach at Boracay island & the primitive paradise of Palawan island. Your itinerary is all cities at this point & these are 2 non urban oases that would break up the parade 'o cities. Plus Manila can't compare to any of the cities on your list, the prize here are the people & the beaches & being off the common tourist grid, not stuck in hot traffic in Manila.

The only suggestion I would offer is to consider Colombia, the crime issues are largely over & they are rumored to have spectacular sights, no crowds of tourists yet, it's cheap & plenty of beautiful women. The few people I know who went there loved it. Some western expats are buying houses in the hopes it will become the new destination in the coming years.

Uruguay, if I remember correctly is a popular destination for South Americans for one of their coastal beach cities.

[bigmick22]

(seamus @ Jul. 22 2009,19:29)

(bigmick22 @ Jul. 22 2009,10:13) Actually - I'm gonna be in Japan for much of September so our paths may cross there. I would have no problem with only doing Tokyo (I love the place) if I were you but as I used to live there I'm going to explore other areas like Kyoto, Hiroshima etc.

Ahh bigmick, going newhalf hunting then are We

I like to spread the green love around