Okay...I'm debating what to do for my big trip this year...it's either a multi-sport trip in Costa Rica, multi-sport in Wyoming, or hiking in Switzerland. There are pros and cons to both...
Costa Rica
Pros
I can go over New Year's and celebrate New Year's in another country
It's multisport so it's not all one trip
A lot of meals are paid for already.
I can combine it with a trip to see my family for Christmas.
Will have plenty of time to save $$$ to buy souvenirs.
It will be warm!
Cons
It's the most expensive trip.
Airfare will be about $400 more than the other two options.
Ends on a Friday which means I would have to pay for at least one or two more nights of a hotel to really get my money's worth.
Have to wait the entire year for a big trip and not take a lot of time off for 12 months!
Wyoming
Pros
Good time of year to travel there.
An area of the country I have never been to and may never get a chance to go to again.
A huge variety of things to do from hiking to horseback riding and more.
Airfare is the least expensive of the three.
Cons
Extra expense of a taxi to the hotel (about $50) if I can't get a ride from one of my fellow travellers.
It's in the US and I haven't done much traveling outside of the country.
Switzerland
Pros
I love hiking.
Least expensive of the three options.
Includes July 4th holiday so one less day of vacation to take off.
Cons
Not that many meals included.
It's pretty much all hiking and no variety.
Extra cost of at least one hotel night.
Extra cost of train tickets to Zermatt.
Least amount of time to save $$$ for the trip for spending money.
I'm sure there are other things I'm missing and right now I've ranked them but take a look at the trips, the schedules, etc., and tell me what you would do....
2 comments:
What a great dilemma you are in!
My most recent big adventure was a solo trip to New Zealand for 3 weeks. It was a birthday trip I had planed almost a year in advance. And just like you I had three choices. I was debating over Palm Springs/San Diego, Seattle/Vancouver, BC, or New Zealand.
I ended up picking New Zealand because I thought it would really toss me out there on my own to the other side of the planet. I buried myself in everything about NZ – latest news, weather, social issues and travel tips. And the exchange rate on my money… It was the BEST!
Your three choices are fantastic! The only thing that would make me just a little nervous is the lack of information about the accommodations in Costa Rica. I would at least want to know where they indent to put me up at night. I’ve never been to Costa Rica, but I know friends who have and they really enjoyed it because the environment and people were so wonderful.
The Jackson, Wyoming trip sound fantastic! I’ve been to Jackson several times, but the website for the vacation has it wrong about ground transportation from the airport. You can hop on a shuttle for $15 one way to anyplace downtown. (http://www.jacksonholealltrans.com)
The national park is amazing! A downside for me is it that Jackson has evolved into a tourist destination for the super rich. The condo idea could be fun if you don’t mind sharing a place with people you don’t know. The Wyo. Site mentioned Teton Village (http://www.jacksoncondo.com)
The Switzerland trip really sounds fun! A hell of a lot of hiking for a lot of endurance levels. The only thing that would kill a trip like that for me is it reminds me of “The Sound of Music” – I hated that movie so much, too damn cheerful!
If you haven’t decided yet, and you’re open to a couple other choices, you might look into Vancouver, BC. The rate of exchange is still good, and the gay community is very much alive! Look up Davie Street for a B&B or hotel.
Good Luck!
Lukas
I would do Switzerland. The Alps in summertime are fabulous! Costa Rica sounds great too.
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