Two weeks a year is not long enough
By maximax8
@maximax8 (31053)
United Kingdom
February 27, 2013 2:10pm CST
Last year I made sure my trip to South America was one month long. I took all of the Easter holidays and two weeks of term time. This year we will do a three week trip by train to Eastern Europe.
Many people in my home country book a summer vacation lasting 7 or 14 nights. They might go to Spain including the Majorca, Ibiza and the Canary Islands, Portugal, Italy, Greece or Turkey. Florida is a popular choice due it having Disney World. The Caribbean Islands and Thailand are the far away destinations.
Backpackers can travel low budget for months on end to more adventurous places. They stay in dorms in backpacker hostels. When I was aged 20 to 21 years old I traveled around the world. I worked in Australia due to having a working holiday visa. I suggest young people spend some time backpacking.
What do you think?
2 people like this
11 responses
@GreenMoo (11834)
•
28 Feb 13
I think it depends what holidaymakers want to do. If you're just going to lie on a beach for your holiday, then a week or two is probably enough. But it's not enough to truly explore an area and I agree then that longer is much better.
I also agree that backpacking is great way to travel for youngsters. It builds independence and resilience, and it's a great way to see the world on a low budget before taking on responsibilities.
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
28 Feb 13
I love to truly explore a region and not just lay about on a beach. I love to see more than the one country on a trip. Neighboring countries that are small can be easy to combine like Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
Thanks for your wonderful response. 
@ElicBxn (63252)
• United States
28 Feb 13
A former roommate had a friend who traveled through out Europe back packing and working. She did everything that didn't require too much knowledge of the languages including being a shepherd and washing dishes. She might help someone in their garden in exchange for a meal. She did a lot of camping out. This was back in the early 1970's, maybe even the very late 1960's.
The roommate asked me if I thought it sounded like fun.
No.
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
28 Feb 13
It sounds fun the working holiday your former room mate had. She seemed to do many odd jobs and lots of camping out. I can see it is not the sort of trip you would enjoy. Yes, camping is the cheapest accommodation it is possible to get. I recommend staying in a private room when the prices are low too.
1 person likes this
@Angelpink (4035)
• Philippines
28 Feb 13
Hi Max ! How beautiful is your life ! I envy it very much. Even at very young age you were allowed to travel . Me is just so sad for i wasn't able to travel at young age because parents were very protective and they forgot to teach one good value that was to be independent at young age but it is not yet too late right ? I can still travel . I wish to save and save because if i am through with my responsibilities , i will used the remaining time for my life traveling those dream places that i got.
@blackrusty (3519)
• Mexico
27 Feb 13
I hope that you have a great holiday i so wish i could save the money to do this type of thing but money will always be the issues that i face at least for the time best wishes
@blackrusty (3519)
• Mexico
28 Feb 13
well you and your family have fun on the trip and you never know I may get away and explore mexico as I have only lived here a few months and so many places to check out but yes will take some planing
@technojakeb (223)
• India
28 Feb 13
hmmm girl your so lucky you know. One month long trip to South america? wow that is really sweet.
NOW SPAIN??????? ho my lord you are so so lucky you know i have never went any international tours hm. how unlucky.
hmmm have fun enjoy friend.
@248219547 (7)
• China
28 Feb 13
I also want to go on a trip,But my English is not good.Now I use the English translator,I write Chinese, the translator translation.I see a lot of is all wrong.Can you understand?ha ha
Welcome you to China HeNan. Shaolin Temple here is very beautiful.The monks will be performing at the two mountains.You can watch on another mountain.is Very shocking.They will be flying
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
27 Feb 13
I could not afford to travel by backpacking when I was young. Also did not get my citizenship papers until later - mom was a British citizen and I was born in the Old Country, so they assumed. I would have had difficulty getting a passport. I do think that when you are able to travel, two weeks is too short. You do need at least a month.
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
28 Feb 13
It was a shame you couldn't afford backpacking when you were younger. It is interesting you had to wait ages to get your citizenship papers and passport after that. My Australian friend suggested one month in Sydney and she was right. It is my favorite city and taking her suggestion let me see lots of it.
@dainy1313 (2370)
• Leon, Mexico
27 Feb 13
Hello Maximax, I hope that you are fine. When I was young I had the idea to make long trips, as almost anyone of my country does when they go to europe. Two or three weeks. But since I have many duties last year I decided to make a very fast trip of 7 nights to Fatima, Portugal, it wasn´t budget affair, it was spare time and duties. I work for my own, I don´t have vacations. I wish I could have more freedom and money to travel all together to europe, but I think that my hubby and I´ll have it as children grow up.
Will be a week at Acapulco next month all together.
Blessings! Good luck... dainy
Maximax, I hope that you are fine. When I was young I had the idea to make long trips, as almost anyone of my country does when they go to europe. Two or three weeks. But since I have many duties last year I decided to make a very fast trip of 7 nights to Fatima, Portugal, it wasn´t budget affair, it was spare time and duties. I work for my own, I don´t have vacations. I wish I could have more freedom and money to travel all together to europe, but I think that my hubby and I´ll have it as children grow up.
Will be a week at Acapulco next month all together.
Blessings! Good luck... dainy
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
27 Feb 13
Last time I travelled my trip lasted 6 weeks and before that my interrail trip in Europe lasted one month. I was happy that I had the chance to travel for 6 weeks and one month. My next trip will probably be much shorter maybe one of two weeks. I think that it is an amazing experience to travel around as a backpacker. If you stay in hostel dorms and use local transportation you are able to travel without spending a lot of money. I travelled a lot when I was in my 20's and I also worked in other countries (in Europe) Today I am married and I have many pets so I am not able to travel for many months like I did when I was younger.
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
28 Feb 13
Thanks for your excellent response to my discussion my friend. I loved hearing about your latest trip which was to Asia. Your European trip that lasted one month let you visit many lovely places. I notice you are now married with pets so can't travel for many months like your did in previous years.
@alberello (4752)
• Italy
28 Feb 13
Well, traveling is nice, no doubt. However, it should have the possibility economic Before you can plan to make the journey as you described in your question. I currently I have to say that unfortunately I can not possibly afford. I do not work and therefore do not have enough money. However, I hope in a not too distant future, even I can travel around the world! Maybe I'm exaggerating?
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
28 Feb 13
I hope that you find your ideal job. I asked my mom if we could have a vacation overseas for one week or so when I was 13 years old. By 14 years old I had saved up enough money for a week in Spetse Island in Greece. It was ever so hot in June that year there. On our way home we explored Athens after a ferry ride.
@fun000 (5)
• China
28 Feb 13
People in my country often spend one month a year to travel around, because travel is not a task and they want to enjoy the trip. If it's a long distance trip, enough time is necessary or the trip will be rushed.
I think self-driving travel is common but backpacking is more exciting for young people.
