I stopped at the library yesterday and picked up a bunch of travel books, mostly focusing on Europe. I’m still not sure if I’ll be able to take a trip, but it’s good to make some contingency plans. Scandinavia could be fun, but it’s relatively pricey. I’ve also picked up books on Hungary, Eastern Europe, Europe as a whole, and a few other specific places. Argentina is the major non-European candidate (because I can go far enough south to get out of the equatorial region, but not so far as to get into an August winter).
I’d welcome any suggestions—I’m looking for someplace that I can have a great time, plenty of variety and “experience.” On the cheap is a bonus—I’ve been keeping an eye on what countries are having tough economic times (“collapses”) because I figure they could use the tourist dollars the most.
I’m pretty serious about going on the trip, assuming my work schedule allows it:
The Czech Republic is beautiful, friendly and I remember it being pretty cheap. Prague is hands down the most beautiful city I've ever been to (and I've seen Paris, London, NYC, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Venice...)
Also, never been there but I hear that Turkey is a fantastic place to vacation.