Argentina is massive. Patagonia itself is huge. If you are into hiking it is a paradise. I’d spend two weeks there, a few days in Buenos Aires and if you can stick in a few days in Mendoza/Bariloche you’ll be doing well. Fantastic country to visit. Bring a packed lunch if you are a vegetarian!
Dunno would i rather rent a car and do my own thing. Or even buy a banger going by the rental prices and flog it for next to nothing if possible. If theres a bit of craic on those tour buses might be worth a look though. Just researching today i think ill nearly just do the south island, might go as far nortg as wellington to call into two lads i know living there. Any advice welcome
What time of year are you going? North Island has far more ‘untouched New Zeland’ to see. The very north of the North Island is one of the nicest places I’ve been in the world. Depends on what you want out of the 3 weeks I guess.
You’d get around the place in 3 weeks alright but you’d be on the go the whole time. If you are into hiking staying on the south island good call and book a place for yourself on the milford or routeburn treks. Wellington only a quick ferry away. Auckland hasn’t much to offer. The far north is nice but a bit of a stretch if you’re stuck for time. Rotorua and Taupo (deadly easy enough one day hike nearby called tongoriro crossing) worth a visit on the north island. Distances are fairly big so you’d want to like your driving if you are on your own. I went on the magic bus years ago and it ticked most boxes. A bit like what I’d imagine the paddywagon is like here.
I didn’t think much of the north island, bar Rotorua.
I didn’t go as far north as Mac though. I thought Auckland was a bit of shithole, Wellington was a bit better, and that Christchurch was way better than both of them.
Heading the first 3 weeks of april i think. Would the temperature in southland be similar to irish summers around then or does anyone know? By all accounts Auckland isnt the greatest. Napier etc looks ok but i think id like to take it easy in queenstown, invercargill and Christchurch fpr a few days. I dont mind driving usually and i want to see as much of the fjordland as possible so i might just stay south island with a trip to wellington, but no way would i fancy getting up and driving every day id need the odd day here and there taking it easy. Thanks for the advice lads.
[quote=“TreatyStones, post: 888242, member: 1786”]I didn’t think much of the north island, bar Rotorua.
I didn’t go as far north as Mac though. I thought Auckland was a bit of shithole, Wellington was a bit better, and that Christchurch was way better than both of them.[/quote]
Was there before the earthquake made shit of Christchurch? It was very eerie when I was there (August '12) and isn’t to everyones fancy. The biggest hostel in the place is a former prison!
[quote=“TreatyStones, post: 888242, member: 1786”]I didn’t think much of the north island, bar Rotorua.
I didn’t go as far north as Mac though. I thought Auckland was a bit of shithole, Wellington was a bit better, and that Christchurch was way better than both of them.[/quote]
I like how Christchurch’s streets (along with Melbournes streets my favourite Australian city) are laid out in the grid formation style because that style of street plan provides a sense of structure to the urban core of a city.Sydney and Auckland are places that would be best avoided imo.
Where you up around catherine street lately?
Do we have a thread for city breaks? Please direct me to it, if so.
Try search for “Caiomhaoin New Ross”
I can’t say much for the rest of the place but I wouldn’t bother with Auckland.
Kilmore Quay is a lovely spot for a couple of days.
Brilliant. Colombia was by far my favourite country in South America. 3 weeks there would be a bit different.
If going to Patagonia though then I suggest staying in the south of Argentina and getting across to chile. Much less distance to cross over and see some of chile than try get up and down the length of Argentina. In chile I recommend going to see the Chiloe islands and valparaiso which is a really cool city. You can cross back into Argentina by getting a boat that sails across the border via a lake district back across around towards bariloche I think which I really wanted to do didnt get to. Eat and drink nothing but steak and Malbec in Argentina, and you may as well try the sausage and pork sandwiches they grill and sell on the side of the street doused in chimi churri. Fuck it I’d love to go back.
[quote=“glasagusban, post: 888414, member: 1533”]Brilliant. Colombia was by far my favourite country in South America. 3 weeks there would be a bit different.
If going to Patagonia though then I suggest staying in the south of Argentina and getting across to chile. Much less distance to cross over and see some of chile than try get up and down the length of Argentina. In chile I recommend going to see the Chiloe islands and valparaiso which is a really cool city. You can cross back into Argentina by getting a boat that sails across the border via a lake district back across around towards bariloche I think which I really wanted to do didnt get to. Eat and drink nothing but steak and Malbec in Argentina, and you may as well try the sausage and pork sandwiches they grill and sell on the side of the street doused in chimi churri. Fuck it I’d love to go back.[/quote]
Sounds good, pal. I’ve a mate who lived in Buenos Aires for 2 years so he has given me a few spots and do’s and don’ts for there. How safe is Colombia? The tentative plan at the moment is for the missus to join for 7-10 days and she’s a bit nervous about it.
Safe as houses apart from around the border with Ecuador, but there’s no need to go down there unless you’re crossing it anyway. If you go there bear in mind you’ll be going to Colombia only for the 3 weeks, no point in busing to Ecuador and Venezuela is a no go. You could though get a sail boat up to panama via the San blas islands which is absolutely idyllic. In Colombia bogota is cool, Medellin is cool, the coffee zone is beautiful, Cartagena is beautiful, and you have the lost city trek and the most amazing beaches in the world -tayrona park.
Get back to me if you think of going there. My favourite country I’ve ever visited. Chile and Argentina might be better with the missus though, more developed.
[quote=“glasagusban, post: 888424, member: 1533”]Safe as houses apart from around the border with Ecuador, but there’s no need to go down there unless you’re crossing it anyway. If you go there bear in mind you’ll be going to Colombia only for the 3 weeks, no point in busing to Ecuador and Venezuela is a no go. You could though get a sail boat up to panama via the San blas islands which is absolutely idyllic. In Colombia bogota is cool, Medellin is cool, the coffee zone is beautiful, Cartagena is beautiful, and you have the lost city trek and the most amazing beaches in the world -tayrona park.
Get back to me if you think of going there. My favourite country I’ve ever visited. Chile and Argentina might be better with the missus though, more developed.[/quote]
Cheers, pal. It’s in the early stages of planning at the moment-have wanted to go for years but depends on work and other shitty things like that that get in the way of life.
[quote=“glasagusban, post: 888424, member: 1533”]Safe as houses apart from around the border with Ecuador, but there’s no need to go down there unless you’re crossing it anyway. If you go there bear in mind you’ll be going to Colombia only for the 3 weeks, no point in busing to Ecuador and Venezuela is a no go. You could though get a sail boat up to panama via the San blas islands which is absolutely idyllic. In Colombia bogota is cool, Medellin is cool, the coffee zone is beautiful, Cartagena is beautiful, and you have the lost city trek and the most amazing beaches in the world -tayrona park.
Get back to me if you think of going there. My favourite country I’ve ever visited. Chile and Argentina might be better with the missus though, more developed.[/quote]
Has horsebox ever been in the philipines?
you should probably go to these cities before giving your recommendations mate. best to see these places for yourself than read about them on chat forums.