If you just want to do nothing or are looking for some 'fun', these are popular 'hangouts'.

Goa

• In southern India, 17 hours “bus ride” from Bombay.
• Once known as the hangout of the Hippie Trail, today it attracts mostly travelers who come for the trance parties. Many rent shabby shacks for an extended period, making accommodation for a few days scarce. The beaches are scattered and all attract different crowds, except for the cows and traders!

Byron Bay

• On the east coast of Australia, by bus 12 hours north of Sydney.
• Originally a sleepy town where mainly surfers went who came for the 30 km long sandy beach. Due to the hippies, it later became Australia's new age center and today is a place for weary travelers to catch their breath and relax.

Gili Islands

• Indonesia, east of Bali and northwest of Lombok.
• The main reasons to go here are sun, sea, beach and partying. Gili Trawangan in particular is a great place to go if you like partying, diving and snorkeling. If you are looking for peace and quiet and just trying to avoid the tourists, it is better to go to Gili Meno or Gili Air. From the port town of Bangsal, you can get there in 20 to 60 minutes. Besides the “outrigger boats” to the Gili's, you will also find many scammers and annoying cab drivers and captains in Bangsal. To avoid trouble, many people choose the long crossing from Sengiggi, Lombok.

Zanzibar

• Tanzania, by boat from Dar es Salaam.
• Does this need any further explanation? Powdery white beach, fresh fish & cold beers. In the sea you share your hot bath with dolphins (do so responsibly!).
• Stone Town has atmosphere, stunning Arab architecture, you eat delicious food in the park and market. Get lost in the winding, narrow alleys and you never have to leave. Do realize that with Ramadan it is difficult to get a beer and the clubs are closed.

Rurrenabaqu

• Bolivia, a long hard trek by bus from La Paz.
• Chilling in the Bolivian jungle, if you drink as many beers as you see crocodiles, you'll end up drunk in your hammock every night. The perfect starting point for Amazon exploration. Many have trouble getting out of here. Literally, when the rainy season starts and the roads get (even) worse. But why on earth would you even leave your hammock?

Ko Pha Ngan

• Thailand, 15 hours by bus/boat from Bangkok.
• The party island of Thailand where about 5000 people come to party every month during the 'full moon' parties. Nowadays there are also 'half moon', 'quarter moon' and even 'no moon' parties. Come a few days early if you want to be assured of a room.

Dahab

• Egypt, Red Sea, 8 hour buses from Cairo or an hour cab from Sharm.
• No matter where you come from, the waterfront tents with the logs, cushions, rugs and bongs are relaxing for everyone! Unfortunately, the coral has been trampled or destroyed by fishermen over the years and you can't really snorkel there now. Fortunately, there are more and more villages where you can still dive and snorkel.

Alter do Chão

• Brazil, two days of boats from Manaus.
• With the crowds and filth of passenger ships on the Amazon, this is a welcome stopover. Get off the boat in Santarém and take the bus to this delightful town. The biggest attraction are the sandy Amazon beaches that give you a pleasant island feel. People put patio furniture in the water so you can enjoy your beer sitting in the Amazon.

Pokhara

• Nepal, 6 hours of buses west of Kathmandu.
• This lakeside town still attracts many mountaineers just returning or getting ready for the Annapurna. You can canoe, buy climbing gear or just eat brownies in the cafe and watch the mob.

Lhasa

• Tibet, “the roof of the world” at 3595 meters above sea level.
• Lhasa is one of the most remarkable cities in Asia. The Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple, the Tibetan people, breathtaking. Take your time to walk around or just spend a day like the Tibetans around Barkhor Square. Keep in mind the altitude though, take it easy especially the first few days.

Cape Maclear

• Lake Malawi, Malawi, 5 hours by bus from Blantyre AND 20 km hitchhiking.
• This is a real classic hangout spot for backpackers with cold beer, hammocks and water sports from kayaking to scuba diving.

Bocas del Toro

• Panama, 100$ and an hour flight from Panama City or bus.
• An island group where you can enjoy fun nightlife, stunning underwater world & good food. Rent a canoe and go to Bastimentos, spot birds on Bird Island or borrow a fisherman's dugout canoe and try to stay dry. The diving is brilliant and inexpensive. And, do me a favor and check if the guy with the homemade airplanes is still running down the main street of Bocas.

Dali

• Southwest China, 5 hours of buses northwest of Kunming.
• People say this is the best place in China to take a break from traveling. It is a nice little place where you can treat yourself to cappuccino, pizza and cheap Chinese beer again. Among other things, you can rent bikes or take the bus to one of the local markets in the area. By the way, Dali is also very popular with the Chinese tourist themselves, who you will see passing by in groups, complete with caps and tracking flags!

Vang Vieng

• Northern Laos, 6 hours by bus from Vientiane.
• Drugs is the main reason many travelers come to Vang Vieng. Apart from taking drugs, you can mostly drink a lot there, eat pancakes, watch the TV series Friends and float down the river in a rubber band. If this is not what you are looking for, it is better to skip Vang Vieng.

Lamu

• An island off the coast of Kenya, 7 hours travel north from Mombasa.
• This island is home to Kenya's oldest town, Lamu, which still attracts many travelers. Lamu has a relaxed atmosphere and many travelers fly back and forth over the beautiful beach on their way to or from distant islands. Or rent a dhow (traditional Kenyan sailboat) and set sail.

Jericoacoara

• Brazil, 6-hour buses from Fortaleza.
• Sandy white beaches, as yet no paved roads and for those who do more than create a hangover and sleep it off: super good kitesurfing opportunities. Huge sand dunes and a welcoming vibe complete it.

Where is the best place to go when going to the tropics for the first time?

Top:

• East Coast Malaysia
• Java and Bali
• Northern or southern Thailand
• East Mexico
• Egypt
• Australia

Tip:

• Costa Rica
• Vietnam
• Ecuador
• Sri Lanka

Where's the best place to go if you want to go malaria-free to the tropics with kids?

Top:

• Virtually all of the Caribbean (parts of the Dominican Republic and Haiti have malaria, among others)
• Almost all of Malaysia (mainland and Sabah)
• most of Thailand
• Almost all of South Africa
• Cebu ( Philippines)
• large part of Namibia
• The North East of Australia

Tip:

• Large part of Ecuador
• Large part of Peru
• Large part of Bolivia
• Reunion
• Large part of Mexico
• Large part of Brazil
• Singapore
• Egypt

Where's the best place to go when traveling alone as a woman?

Top:

• Thailand
• Malaysia
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Indonesia
• Singapore

Tip:

• Sri Lanka
• China
• Canada

What are good destinations for those who want to volunteer at a mature age?

• Central and South America: There are various volunteer opportunities in arts & crafts including Guatemala, Mexico, Peru.
• Bolivia: institute for the blind, shelter for street children, children's museum in Sucre, orphanages, schools, health care around Cochabamba, Indian people at Lake Titicaca.
• Bolivia: English at the university in Cochabamba and getting Spanish or Quechua lessons yourself.
• Chile: teaching.
• Ghana: Helping with projects in schools, childcare and health care, journalism-radio; work can range from giving information to helping with education + translation. Projects near Accra, Kumasi, Cap Coast, Takoradi and Koforidua.
• Kenya: volunteering in a Banda (Kenyan village) or public health center.
• Namibia: teaching volunteer in schools or university.
• Senegal: projects around Dakar in the field of human rights, in child care or health care and many in schools, please note that the language is French, so if you do not speak it you can take a course beforehand.
• Sri Lanka: teaching English in small villages across the country to children and adults.
• South Africa: in the Waterberg region you can teach English (but also sports or something else) to children of local farm workers.

What are good destinations for wildlife watching and volunteering with animals?

What are good destinations for a language course during your holiday?

• Language courses abroad: what is it, why should you do it and where is the best place to go?

What are dream destinations that won't break your budget?

India

• ndia has long been known as a cheap country. But what you may not realize is that there is more to India than just Bollywood films, elephant rides and crazy traffic. How about a trip to the North? Go climbing in Ladakh where the mountain peaks are gigantic and the air is cool. Or how about surfing in Port Blair – this is in the middle of Bengal Bay and very cheap. This classic backpacker destination offers plenty of adventure.

Nepal

• The land of Mount Everest and the Sherpa people has long been known to budget travelers. After decades in the spotlight, Nepal still remains one of the best destinations in the world. Trekking is great and the small budget you need for living means your trekking can continue 'until St. Juttemis'. For many experienced travelers, Nepal is one of the top destinations. And what's most amazing is that it doesn't cost a fortune to add Nepal to your top destinations.

Indonesia

• The pristine beaches are still the poster child and you can still experience the same good life as has always been there. If you like surfing or lying on the beach, this is a fun, adventurous destination that is also dirt cheap. As long as you don't go to the resorts where many tourists go, it is not difficult to spend less than 15 euros per day.

Iran

• Forget the propaganda and experience the country that meets all requirements. First of all, it is cheap: for +/- 20 euros per day you can stay in a mid-range hotel and eat your way around. What you won't find is mass tourism. You can see the wonders of the ancient world without encountering all those groups of tourists. In fact, it is a country that loves and deserves visitors. The local people are incredibly friendly towards travelers. In January, go for the ancient Persian midwinter festival of Sadeh where you celebrate the creation of fire. For experienced travelers, but check the safety situation.

Poland

• Eastern Europe was always dirt cheap during the Cold War. Now that there is peace, costs have risen sharply. However, Poland is still cheap: for a daily budget of 15/20 euros you can easily travel through the country. Poland is a country that has often been invaded by other countries, making it now bulletproof. This EU member is doing better and better, so get there quickly before prices are as high as in other countries. Small villages are picturesque and cheap to visit, take the small village of Krasnystaw in the Lubelskie region. This is a veritable wonderland for the cheapskate.

Laos

• Southeast Asia is the promised region for cheap travel. Laos may not have the beaches of Thailand or the fame of Vietnam but it has what it's all about. For only 10 euros per day you get what you need. It leaves you free to go to the pristine river valleys or to the chill micro-villages along the Mekong River. The cheapest way to get there is by boat from Chiang Khong, Thailand. The boat trip costs around 35 cents. The best experiences in life are still free – like the beautiful waterfalls at Tat Sae in Laos.

Sudan

• It's hard to travel to, hard to get into, and hard to understand. Sudan is mainly in the news with negative reports. What people should also know is that the locals are proud to receive guests and that there are beautiful things to see in the country. In the north you can view pyramids and other valuables of the ancient world and you will probably be the only one to see them at that time. Falafel will cost you less than 75 cents and a bed for a night not even 7 euros. However, it will not be a dream destination for everyone. Make sure you are well informed before and during your trip.

Honduras

• If you are looking for a scuba diving destination where you can spend your entire budget on going under, Honduras is the place to be. A place to sleep will cost you about 7 euros per night and meals are available for even less money, so a little money can go a long way. Honduras is located next to the Caribbean Sea, so you have more than enough time to enjoy the golden beaches. The developers haven't invaded Honduras yet, but you better be quick before they do. After snorkeling and kayaking around Roatan's West Beach, you can visit the UNESCO heritage Archaeological Park of Copán.

>

Morocco

• "Do you want to buy a carpet? Come over here, my brother has a shop." Yes, Morocco is the country of sales techniques. But you won't need much convincing to go and see it anyway. The country has a rich, distinctive culture and is a great country to see how far your money can go – living costs are around 30 euros per day, but the beaches and markets are free to visit. The more local you become, the cheaper it will be. Traveling between major cities is cheapest by train.

Jordan

• Most people only know one destination in Jordan – Petra. But what a destination to get to know. Made famous by the final installment of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, it is a Middle Eastern must-go. You don't have to be an archaeologist to find bargains: a bed for a night is a paltry 3 euros and a meal costs half that. Jordan is rarely visited in the Middle East and can easily be combined with another cheap country, Egypt. Just remember to bring your fedora and bull whip. The necessary visas are issued at the Wadi Araba and Sheikh Hussein Bridge crossings; be aware that visas cannot be obtained if you apply for them upon arrival at the King Hussein Bridge.

Where can you check the climate or costs

• Best travel time for weather, climate and activities abroad, and the worst time to go!

Destinations and countries

• Destination: The World : all countries and destinations

When to plan a travel trip?

• When you are planning a trip it is important to know what is the best time to visit a specific country. It can be pretty disappointing to find out that it is actually rainy season, while you planned to spend a few weeks on a sunny tropical beach. When it is winter north of the equator, it is summer on the other side. The summer is not automatically the best time to visit certain areas. In short, when to go can be quite a complicated matter. When you are going to your dream destination make sure to check the weather and other conditions during the time of your visit!

What are tips concerning the travel time?

• Often the rainy season in a tropical country is not as harmful as it seems (Indonesia, Thailand). Most of the time the weather is fine, unless you are very unlucky. Look for a destination where the weather differs per region, so that you can always escape from the rain.
• Watch out for places that are known for extreme weather circumstances. Natural phenomenons such as hurricanes and cyclones are usually not a lot of fun.
• If you are going scuba diving, make sure that during the time your visit the sea is not to rough, so that the visibility is clear.
• In some areas it is important to be aware of common diseases, such as malaria and dengue, which are being spread during specific weather or seasons.
• Going to Africa to see some wildlife? Make sure you plan your trip when the wildlife parks are open. You do not want to find out that the park is closed when you already in Tanzania.
• Some places can be a lot of fun to visit during special events, such as carnival in Brasil, a mid-summer night party in Scandinavia etc. Sometimes it is better to avoid certain events. Try, for instance, to find a restaurant that is open during the Ramadan in a Muslim country.
• Unfortunately our climate is changing, so you cannot completely rely on the information that is available. It happens more and more that locals tell you that it is the first time in thirty years that it is raining this early in the season or that they don’t understand where all the clouds are coming from.
• People have different opinions about the best time to visit a specific region. Some people like to go to a place when it is 40 degrees Celsius, while other people already think 20 degrees Celsius is too hot.
• Be aware of the difference between minimum and maximum temperatures. The minimum temperature in San Francisco in the summer is 12 degrees and the average temperature is 18 degrees. This means that in the evening you will need a sweater.
• Be aware of height. Ecuador is a tropical country, but the capital Quito lies 3.000 meters above sea level. This means that it can be very warm during the day, but very chilly in the evening.
• The temperature of the sea water can be much colder than the temperature of the air. The weather in Tunisia might be OK in February or March, but swimming can be very unpleasant at that time of the year.

How much time you need to visit a certain regions or countries?

• For most travelers the answer to this question depends on their school, university, job, family, friends etc. The only question that really matters for them is how much time you need to visit a certain regions or countries. For people who are traveling for a few months or longer, there are some extra factors to take into consideration:
  • When does the travel tiredness strike? (the moment you are fed up with all those amazing temples)
  • What can you do to avoid travel tiredness?
  • When becomes traveling a "race"?
  • How long does it take to travel over land though a certain continent?

A week to two weeks

• In recent years it has become much easier to take a shorter/in between break/holiday to a far away destination: you can go by car to Italy to go skiing (depending on where you are coming from). Cheap tickets are also available to countries in the Mediterranean sea and even to some Caribbean Islands. The downside of these cheap last minutes is that people run the risk of arriving at a destination where the water is freezing cold, temperatures are low or heavy rainfall spoils your stay.
• Depending on the flight time the following destinations are suitable for a short holiday:
• Between November and April/May: Sri Lanka, Maldives, Gambia/Senegal, Zanzibar, Goa, Caribbean Islands, Florida, Bali, Thailand and Mexico.
• The temperature is not as stable but the Canary Islands, Jordan or the Red Sea (scuba diving) also great places for a one or two week holiday.

Three to four weeks

• The best time to explore and get familiar with a country or a large part of a country is somewhere between three to four weeks. Even most “world” travelers do not stay much longer in a particular area. In three or four weeks you can easily travel around, visit a few cities and still have some time to relax and take it easy. Try to avoid areas where it will take up to 3 days to travel from one highlight to another.
• The best destinations for three to four weeks on holiday are: Ecuador, Peru/Bolivia, Guatemala/Honduras, Southern Africa, China, Tibet, North India, Nepal, South India, Thailand, Malaysia, parts of Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, the US West Coast.

From a few months to a year

• How long should your world trip take? Do you need a year or is a month or four months sufficient? Of course this depends on your travel plan and your budget. In practice not many people manage to do a proper around-the-world trip in a year. Due to limited resources or time most world travelers will have to skip large parts of the world. If you would like to make a trip from Australia to India through South East Asia to India and China it is possible to do this in three to five months. When you do this you spend just as long in one country as it takes other world travelers to travel several continents.
• Skipping expensive countries, such as Australia, New Zealand and North America, is a good way to save money, so that you can stay away for a longer time. The more time you have for your trip the easier it will be to change your plans completely or stay at one place for a longer period without ruining your plans.
• When you are traveling for less than three months you probably don’t need an expensive travel insurance, tickets will be cheaper, it is easier and quicker to save the money for your trip and it will be much easier to fit into your study schedule or work.

Best travel times: what is de the best time to go to ...?

Asia

• North Thailand: the best time is from November to February, least favorable seasons are from April to September. During the latter period South East Thailand is the best place to visit as well as the South.
• South Thailand: best time to visit is March to May.
• Laos: best time to visit is from November to February.
• Myanmar(Burma): best time to visit is from November to February.
• Indonesia: relatively calm weather, no extreme seasons.
• Malaysia: only from November to January the weather is not as good as the rest of the year.
• Himalaya: Eastern India: best from April to November.
• Nepal and Western India: best time to visit October to December and February to April.
• Tibet: best time to visit May to October. From November to March it can be (too) cold and there can be a lot of snow.
• Mongolia: best time to visit from May to October.
• China: best time to visit March/April and September/October.

Latin America

• The Andes (Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru): from June to September is the best time to visit, but this area is accessible during the whole year.
• Bolivia: December to April in the Andes is the best. In the Amazon you will then be bothered by the mud, insects and other inconveniences.
• Peru: it is better to avoid the months December to April when you want to visit Machu Picchu/Cuzco. The Amazon: May-July are the “best” times for a visit. From December to April it will rain even more than is usually does. During the rainy season in the Peruvian Amazon it rains two times a day on average, but in between the showers the weather will be fine.
• Iguazu Falls: December-April is the best time for a visit.
• Central America: best time to travel is from December to April/May, after these months the rainy season begins. Countries with nicer weather during these months are: Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala.

Africa

• Southern Africa: April-September are the best for visiting. For Cape Town and the surrounding areas November-March are the best times to visit.
• Eastern Africa: June to October is the best time for visiting, followed by December to February.
• West Africa: November - December are the best time to visit.
• The best times to visit the wild parks in Southern Africa are in the European (late) summer (during the dry season the animals will come out to the drinking spots where you can see them) but there are other good periods for a visit.

Middle-East

• During the summer it can get very hot, but the other seasons the weather is usually fine.
• Be aware that in winter the northern part can become ice cold and in the south it can get surprisingly cool.

Europe

• Northern Europe: countries such as the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Germany are quite cold and humid to visit during the period November-March. These months are, however, ideal for skiing activities (In Switzerland, Austria etc.). April-September is a very pleasant time for traveling throughout Europe, as temperatures do not tend to be very high.
• Southern Europe, including countries like Spain, Italy, Greece, France and Portugal, has a pleasant climate with sunny days throughout the year, although the summer months July and August can be unpleasantly warm on some days.

North America

• Canada and Alaska can be very cold and dark during the period November-March. The period outside these months would be more suitable to visit these countries, but since it concerns such a wide area, there are a lot of regional differences.
• The United States also varies per region, but in general has cold winters, hot summers and mild fall and spring seasons. The south can be very humid with sporadic rainfall and has two subtropical seasons, contrary to most states.
• Mexico has a wet and a dry season, with warm and humid weather throughout the year. Mexico also has a hurricane season lasting from June through November.