Where's a first-time wanderer to go?

Travel question of the week

Dear Rolf,

I am a college student currently in the process of planning and saving up my money for my first long-term international journey. I am curious: Besides North America, where is a good region for a first-timer to go?

—Matt, Springfield, MO

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Dear Matt,

For travelers your age, Europe is an instinctive first destination, since the countries there are easy to travel and packed with culture and attractions. With the weakening of the dollar against the Euro, however, you'll get more experience for your money in more exotic and far-flung destinations, such as Southeast Asia, Australia/New Zealand, or Latin America. In addition to being cheaper, these areas will also give you more adventure and variety than Europe will.

Of these regions, Southeast Asia probably offers the best combination of good values, ease of access, and friendly host-cultures. It also has a well-established traveler circuit, which will be easy for you to follow as a newbie, and just as easy to deviate from once you get some vagabonding experience. Thailand, with its southern beaches, northern jungles, and exuberantly chaotic capital city, makes a good place to start. From there, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam are easy to access overland; I spent six months on this overland loop several years ago, and was never once lacking for new adventures. Thailand also borders fascinating countries like Burma and Malaysia. Moreover, Indonesia, with its wealth of exotic islands and cheap prices, is a short hop away by air. English is not always spoken in this part of the world, but a good phrasebook and an open attitude will get you a long way.

An additional advantage of Southeast Asia for first-timers is its proximity to slightly more difficult (but inexpensive and consistently rewarding) travel regions, such as South Asia and China. After a few months in Thailand and Cambodia, for instance, a foray into Rajasthan or Sichuan will seem much less of a shock than if you had gone there straight from the United States.

Southeast Asia is also relatively close to Australia and New Zealand — though these two countries make great first-time vagabonding destinations in their own right. Indeed, travel in Australia and New Zealand is similar in many ways to travel in the American West: wide-open spaces and natural wonders abound; roads and interpretive facilities are first-rate; indigenous and immigrant cultures are rich and fascinating; and English is spoken most everywhere. Moreover, both Australia and New Zealand have cheap, clean and ubiquitous backpackers' hostels, reliable bus services, and hundreds of national parks — all of which make things a breeze for the independent adventurer Down Under.

Finally, Latin America makes another good starting point for a long-term trip. Many young Americans get their first extended travel experience in Central America, for instance — often starting in a traveler-friendly hub country such as Costa Rica, and journeying overland from there. Further south, Peru and Ecuador also offer great value and variety for first-timers looking to get a taste of extended travel.

Ultimately, Matt, your decision of where to go shouldn't be too difficult, since all of these regions have so much to offer, and — wherever you go — your instincts for long-term travel will improve with each day on the road.