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Well I have been setting up a trip to Europe for this summer, with an open mind to other places as well.
My list for Europe is:
France, Italy, Czech Republic, Lithuania
I am also considering a trip for Japan/Korea. I don't have a huge interest in the other parts of Asia like Cambodia or Laos, if I go to Asia, I would really want to see Korea and Japan.
I realize a "where would you choose" question is pretty hard to ask because everyone has a difference of opinions... but it would maybe be nice to hear from people things I could expect. Maybe in terms of pricing, ease of transportation, things to do, reception of tourists and how they're treated , etc etc.
Any shared opinions would be great.
Here's what I think: I think you know ( or should have known ) Europe wins hands down. Especially considering the bold part. Makes me kind of think you favor Japan/South Korea over Europe. So I would say go to Japan and South Korea.
Anyway for the OP Korea especially could be an interesting option for you, outside of the english teachers, business people and US military on a break, your pretty hard pressed to find any western tourists who's just show up in Korea for a holiday. If your really prepared to get out of your comfort zone and try something new its a great country to visit, and despite its small size has pretty well everything you could hope for. Its cheper than western europe, and the public transport is excellent, Koreans do have a bad habit however of knocking over their old buildings and replacing them with skyscrapers, theirs still plenty of old budhist temples, forts and palaces around however.
Korea has boling hot and humid summers and Freezing cold winters, the climate is much more mild in the areas of europe you are looking at, and the food basically consists of either Korean, Japanesse, Chinesse and Steak houses. If you dont like Korean food your going to starve outside the main cities.
You will also have far less problems dealing with pickpockets, con artists, and people generally trying to rip you off in Korea.
The OP is looking at two very different options.
Having said that however id choose europe, mainly becuase ive being to Korea many times in the last few years and I have not being to europe in nearly a decade.
Last edited by danielsa1775; 01-18-2012 at 05:54 PM..
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
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Quote:
Originally Posted by burgler09
Yeah, it's tough to say. That's the reason I didn't ask in my OP "where should I go?" because I realize they are both COMPLETELY different, what I was trying to get is an idea on what I could expect just like the reply you gave me.
You're right, the travel time to Asia would probably be close to double from where I'm from, in regards to weather, I'd probably prefer the hot weather, that's my favorite type of weather to be in. The prices of Japan are a huge detriment though, I would want to spend a little more time in Japan than Korea, which would make things even harder I'd say.
Another thing, I am planning to couch surf, whether or not i'm in Europe or Asia, if cost of hotel is out of the equation (for the most part). Would that change much, or would Japan still be about the same price as Europe? I like to eat food, and I am not the type of person who would live on just rice every day, I don't necessarily eat high class, not into that, but I'm more of a mid-budget guy.
What about the type of transportation in these places? Tokyo/Osaka/Kyoto/Seoul ? I am pretty familiar with the European transportation, but how is it in these cities? Would it be more expensive than Europe?
What about the bar scenes, how do they compare? Granted, I always manage to find people to hang out with while I'm traveling, so I'm sure I'll have fun either way.. but how do they compare?
Couch surfing is almost an international thing. I'm sure you'll find Japanese couch-surfers who speak decent English.
To be honest I've been to neither Japan or Europe (I'm planning to go to Europe this year) so I can't really say. I think it is possible to survive on a budget in either place.
I know Japan is renowned for it's transport. Not sure if it's more expensive than Europe.
Korea and Japan can have some crazy nightlife - both familiar and exotic, it's a whole other world. Europe of course is great too. Spain seems to have the best nightlife in Western Europe.
You seem to favour Italy over France. By the way, how much time do you have? That might be a factor. France is definitely not overrated. Don't let what people say about the French put you off.
Also I don't like it when people say 'Europe by a million miles.' Both are fascinating places, just different. A real traveller will just be enthusiastic about experiencing the diversity of human culture, different but also the same .
Couch surfing is almost an international thing. I'm sure you'll find Japanese couch-surfers who speak decent English.
To be honest I've been to neither Japan or Europe (I'm planning to go to Europe this year) so I can't really say. I think it is possible to survive on a budget in either place.
I know Japan is renowned for it's transport. Not sure if it's more expensive than Europe.
Korea and Japan can have some crazy nightlife - both familiar and exotic, it's a whole other world. Europe of course is great too. Spain seems to have the best nightlife in Western Europe.
You seem to favour Italy over France. By the way, how much time do you have? That might be a factor. France is definitely not overrated. Don't let what people say about the French put you off.
Also I don't like it when people say 'Europe by a million miles.' Both are fascinating places, just different. A real traveller will just be enthusiastic about experiencing the diversity of human culture, different but also the same .
Well, there are certain things about Japan and Korea that bring their attention to me, such as all of the technology and cool skyscrapers. Also the fact that it is quite a bit different from the USA.
Europe really interests me for the old architecture and medieval history, along with the Roman history. Yes, I favor Italy much more over France, I have met quite a few French people who really were arrogant pricks who spent their time proclaiming how great socialism is. There are a lot of cool things in France, but I much prefer the Roman history in Italy.
I'll probably be making a ~4 week trip.
Its tough to say, I have a lot of interests and a lot of my interests are polar opposites :P
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
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Quote:
Originally Posted by burgler09
Well, there are certain things about Japan and Korea that bring their attention to me, such as all of the technology and cool skyscrapers. Also the fact that it is quite a bit different from the USA.
Europe really interests me for the old architecture and medieval history, along with the Roman history. Yes, I favor Italy much more over France, I have met quite a few French people who really were arrogant pricks who spent their time proclaiming how great socialism is. There are a lot of cool things in France, but I much prefer the Roman history in Italy.
I'll probably be making a ~4 week trip.
Its tough to say, I have a lot of interests and a lot of my interests are polar opposites :P
Well personally I'm going to see Europe before Japan and Korea, although Japan interests me heaps too. It's just that I've travelled in Asia a fair bit already, so want to see a different continent. You said you were familiar with Europe's transportation system, have you been before? Or have you not left the US?
Well personally I'm going to see Europe before Japan and Korea, although Japan interests me heaps too. It's just that I've travelled in Asia a fair bit already, so want to see a different continent. You said you were familiar with Europe's transportation system, have you been before? Or have you not left the US?
I have never been to Europe, I just know that Europe typically has pretty good transportation and most of the major cities are quite walkable.
I have no interest in learning French, the only reason I'd go to France is to visit an old (Colombian) girlfriend who moved away, I'd get to stay with her for free. Don't worry, I love my country
What does "loving your country" have to do with French? I think it's kind of sad that you wouldn't visit one of the greatest historical nations in Europe just because you've met a few people from there you didn't like. If I had to select my holiday destinations like that I might as well stay home, lol. You can find obnoxious people in any country. Don't expect Italians to speak fluent English and have no national pride, in my experience they are much more nationalist than the French. Italy is a beautiful country though.
It's interesting that you would choose the Czech Republic and Lithuania, may I ask why you selected these countries? Not that I disagree with your choices, they're just not on most people's lists when they visit Europe for the first time I would assume. I've been to the Czech Republic and I would certainly recommend it, Prague is a stunning city full of history. I don't know about Lithuania but I've heard positive things about it.
I've never really been drawn to South Korea (seems a bit too modern and superficial to me) but I think Japan is interesting, I'd definitely like to go there if I had the time and money
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
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Quote:
Originally Posted by burgler09
I have never been to Europe, I just know that Europe typically has pretty good transportation and most of the major cities are quite walkable.
I have however left the US :P
Both have much better PT and walkability than most US cities.
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