Short Long Haul trip recommendations

[MariborKev]

Right,

Looks as if I won't make it to Angola for the ACN in January

Therefore I am opening it up to you, the good people of foot.ie, to recommend possible trips for Jan/Feb of a week or ten days.

The madder the better, but within a budget of about £2-2.5k all in for a week/ten days.

No interest in North America, Europe or Aus.

Possibilities at the minute
Beirut/Lebanon
Iran
Brazil
Ethiopia

All others welcome

[HarpoJoyce]

Good luck with it.

I'm thinking because of your budget you wish to jam-pack your holiday with adventure activities.
From your list Ethiopia stands out, you may be able to afford internal flights. I think it's in Axum up North they bring out the original holy of holies once a year, covered by a heavy cloth of course. And I think it is Jan. or Feb.

Morrocco is a good value destination. There's high mountaions, middling mountains, stony desert,sandy desert, green fields, falling down forts/castles (Ksars), some renovated castles and of course skiing in the Middle Atlas and High Atlas. There should be plenty of offers of half-,1,2,3 day activities in area you chose. Trailblazer publications do a detailed walking guide mostly in different southern regions, some of the camping stores may stock it. I'm sure Lonely Planet do something aswell.
Blue Atlas? are a budget airline specialising in Morrocco. They should offer the same routes as Royal Air Maroc and BA.
(I don't think there are charters to Morrocco from Ireland that late/early).

There's a thread on Agadir and another one on Lebanon (and Syria) a few pages back. But this forum doesn't get much traffic on Travel.

[pineapple stu]

Is Rivaldo still playing in Uzbekistan? The Stans are supposed to be good.

[kingdom hoop]

The madder the better

Mad you want eh? What about Mad-agascar?

Seriously though, I'd say it'd be amazing, spectacular nature anyway. That's probably more medium long-haul though I guess.

Brazil

Rio for ten days could be a great choice. I didn't see much else of Brazil, but Rio is probably the best place I've ever been. It's definitely mad and with your budget and time-limit it could be an option. Carnaval is usually on around then, though that may jack-up the prices somewhat.

[MariborKev]

Lads,

Thanks for the advice so far.

Been to Morocco already.

In terms of Brazil, been to Rio already. However am tempted to fly to there and then get an internal flight as far North as I can.

[Closed Account 2]

Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan and Georgia are well worth a visit if you go via Turkey it could be pretty cheap, I know they are Europe but they are far removed from Western Europe. You might want to check the weather but it could be freezing. You could do the transiberian in the height of winter, it's supposed to be amazing at that time of year but not for the feint hearted. It would also be a bit of a rush.

If you want a relaxing holiday you could consider Costa Rica and Panama. I've heard the Soloman Islands are great too but interms of budget and time it might be a push (you have to fly to Oz and then take a 4hr flight). I know you said you wouldnt consider Oz, but have you thought about Lord Howe Island and Ball's Pyramid ?

[OneRedArmy]

Heard good things about Syria and Jordan. They are on my to see list.

[centre mid]

Hong Kong

[MariborKev]

Centre Mid- been to Hong Kong would recommend that.

Will go and check out Panama and Syria, good call lads.

[OneRedArmy]

Panama isn't great by all accounts.

If you are considering going that far, how about getting the island hopper from Honalulu to Guam and then on to Saipan.

http://gmbhome.com/micro05/Islandhop.htm

It could be like a tribute to Keano, you should go ill-prepared for the trip and spend a night bending spoons in a local bar...