Fun, adventurous, less-touristy, budget-friendly summer travel destinations

[Anonymous]

My boyfriend and I got our work affairs squared away and want to take a three-week, adventurous (more trekking and guesthouses, no resorts or high-end expensive city type destinations) trip. Preferably with some backpacking. We want to choose a place and make our reservations by the end of the month, and we want to explore somewhere “off the beaten path.”

We both speak Spanish and Russian, so we are looking at destinations in South America that are NOT heavily touristed like Machu Picchu, or Eastern Europe (obviously not Russia, but the language could help in places like Armenia, which were considering). We want to stretch our budget as far as possible, so low-cost hidden gems are what we are looking for.

[Anonymous]

If it’s safe (I haven’t news checked lately and not sure what your tolerances are) I’d look at Nicaragua or Guatemala.

[Anonymous]

Bolivia has some amazing hiking.

[Anonymous]

Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan but you’ll need more than three weeks to see everything

Georgia

Peru

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it’s safe (I haven’t news checked lately and not sure what your tolerances are) I’d look at Nicaragua or Guatemala.

I've not been but I've also heard that Guatemala is wonderful. I think there's certain areas to avoid but there's a lot more info available for planning online now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan but you’ll need more than three weeks to see everything

Georgia

Peru

You could do central Asia in three weeks with some tradeoffs. Uzbekistan has the most sights, Kyrgyzstan is for feeling remote. Probably would fly through Dubai.

Georgia/Armenia are interesting little countries. Three weeks could be a long time for the two but you could use the time to go out to the more remote parts of Georgia and the Black Sea. I found both rewarding but two weeks would be long enough as Armenia is perhaps 3-4 days and Georgia for up to 10 days. Depends on what you want to do or see.

Another suggestion is Romania and Bulgaria. Romania is a real hidden treasure. Especially Transylvania and the painted monasteries up in the north.

[Anonymous]

Romania and Bulgaria! They’re beautiful and assuming you are white, safe.

[Anonymous]

Camino de Santiago in Spain! it ticks all your boxes and is definitely an experience. there's a real sense of community on the Camino.

[Anonymous]

I'd do Croatia/Bosnia!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Camino de Santiago in Spain! it ticks all your boxes and is definitely an experience. there's a real sense of community on the Camino.

I was going to suggest the same thing.

[Anonymous]

Albania (across from Greece)
Montenegro
Good deals on turkey beaches right now too (comparatively)

Did you have a price point in mind?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Camino de Santiago in Spain! it ticks all your boxes and is definitely an experience. there's a real sense of community on the Camino.

I was going to suggest the same thing.

Begur in Spain. Search here for Airbnb I’ve posted in past.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Camino de Santiago in Spain! it ticks all your boxes and is definitely an experience. there's a real sense of community on the Camino.

I was going to suggest the same thing.

Begur in Spain. Search here for Airbnb I’ve posted in past.

This is a good suggestion. You could also hike the pyrenees, like picos de europa.

[Anonymous]

Georgia
Armenia
Colombia
Chile

Everyone else above also had great suggestions. Have fun and be careful.

[Anonymous]

I’ve always wanted to visit Estonia and Poland, so that’s my vote.

Please report back and let us know what you decide.