Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cdninkorea]

My parents live near Toronto, and my wife and I live in Seoul. We would like to meet somewhere for a 2 week vacation this summer (late July or early August), but we're at a loss as to where to meet.

At first we were thinking Italy, but while flights aren't too bad, it's my understanding that staying in Europe is very pricey. I'd thought of Central or South America, but while it'd be cheap for my parents to get there, flights from Korea are quite pricey. Right now I'm considering Vancouver, Seattle, Las Vegas, or somewhere on or near the west coast of Canada or the US.

Any thoughts?

[bucheon bum]

Maybe Turkey? Airfare would cost you and your parents the same probably. It's cheaper than western Europe and North America cost wise. Has everything too: a fascinating city (Istanbul), plenty of ruins and historical landmarks, beaches, and nature.

Greece, Croatia, or Eastern Europe are other options but airfare might be a little too high for you.

[alwaysbeclosing100]

The cheap places to travel are S America or SE Asia. So 4 people can buy expensive flights to S America or 2 people(your parents) can buy expensive flights to SE Asia. Once in SE Asia your money will go MUCH farther when compared to Europe. If you and your wife fly to SE Asia on a budget carrier it should be cheap if you buy early and shop the sales on cebu pacific, air asia, jeju air or jin air.

[lemak]

[JustinC]

It depends on what weather you're after. That time of year the Middle East is gonna be hot, oppressively so. Think 40c in the shade in Egypt and Jordan and their waste disposal isn't the best.. I'd much rather be there in April than August.

Better, I think, to look towards eastern Europe. Hungary and Poland would be a nice two country tour. The trains, buses and flights in that region are frequent and the people are (once you get past the initial shyness) friendly and not out to scam tourists. Not much of a beach scene there, though.

Germany and Austria - specifically Berlin and Vienna - have much more (jaw droppingly good) culture but are a bit pricier, Slovakia doesn't have a lot of anything but Bratislava is worth a few hours, the Baltics (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) are still developing but are cheap and August is the best time to be there, although Riga is getting expensive. Croatia and Serbia would be too hot for my English blood and Croatia is full of rich Russian tourists. Spain might be quite hot although the facilities around the coastline are excellent and not at all expensive. Fantastic beaches and the Balearic Islands are 100% developed for tourism.

I'd not go to Turkey in August, unless you're traveling around in an air-conditioned bus with little contact with the locals. Greece can be very hot in the summer, but island hopping in Greece should be on everyone's bucket list.

[lemak]

Yah, I missed the August part. As far as cheap and centrally located ur pretty well screwed.

[bucheon bum]

The heat in Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey isn't THAT bad. There is a reason people from the Gulf go to those places in the summer: to get away from the heat.

Seriously though, I didn't find the weather to be unbearable in those places in July and August. Granted, I don't think I'd want to hike around Cappadocia in mid-August, but beyond that? Wouldn't be too bad.

Egypt is indeed really cheap, but it is rather unstable right now. Not sure I'd want to go hang out in Cairo with my parents. Jordan is also more expensive than it used to be. The entry fee to Petra is 50JD, kinda crazy (I paid 11 JD a few years ago).

[young_clinton]

Thailand is still your best bet in terms of cost.

[cdninkorea]

Thank you everyone for your ideas. We've decided to throw economy to the wind and go to Italy anyway! Thanks again

[young_clinton]

The lengthy flight and costly ticket to Thailand may still be worth it given how nice Thailand is for tourists.

[Brooks]

I was in Italy last year.
Venice, Rome, Milan and Florence.
Rome is like an outdoor museum.
Venice is a unique place.

Good food too.