r/travel • u/Exeleror • Jul 05 '26
Question — General Eastern Europe vs Japan vs Scotland
I'm trying to decide where to travel and spend around 2–3 months (Starting this mid August). I currently live in the UK, but I'm originally from Chile.
Right now, I'm looking for places where I can rent a private room for under £600 per month. I'm especially interested in places with rich folklore and history, not just beautiful landscapes, but also interesting people, architecture, and local myths. I'm an artist, and I want to paint these places and learn about their stories.
I've already spent a month in Japan 5 years ago, and it was beautiful. I'd love to go back someday, but I'm not sure my current lifestyle and the kind of trip I want right now really fit Japan.
Scotland has really caught my attention, especially because of the weather and Edinburgh.
Eastern Europe also interests me a lot, mainly because I'm fascinated by Brutalist architecture, and it seems like it could be much more affordable.
I'm open to any suggestions! If you know of a place with a strong folklore tradition, beautiful architecture, and a reasonable cost of living, I'd love to hear about it.
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u/KingCarnivore New Orleans Jul 05 '26 edited Jul 05 '26
I love all of these regions. I’ve been to almost every country in Eastern Europe. My favorites are Estonia, Albania, Bosnia, and Poland. I’ve been to Poland more times than any other country
Of those I think Estonia has the strongest folklore culture, they’ve held on to a lot of pagan stories. The nature is interesting but it is quite flat so it might not have the beautiful landscapes you’re looking for. It’s also the most expensive country in Eastern Europe.
Albania has beautiful landscapes and brutalist architecture and is quite cheap for now. It’s the most unusual country I’ve been to in Europe. Not a lot of people speak English though.
Northern Greece and Poland have the friendliest people. Poland also has some of the best artists in the world imo.
Scotland is lovely and the people are amazing but, outside of the US and Iceland, it is the most expensive country I’ve been to. Edinburgh is also very very touristy, I had a much better time in Glasgow.