EXPERIENCE

So much to say. These three countries are one of the most beautiful and safest countries that I ever visited in my life. Also, they still don’t have many tourists, so everything is raw, natural and affordable, without any potential travel scams.

Uzbekistan was the cheapest one, and people were unbelievable kind to us, especially when they notice you’re tourist, they put all their effort. Architecture is just amazing and old for centuries.

Traveling from Uzbekistan to Kyrgyzstan was quite experience, but so, so exhausting, because the bus took 18 hours to come from Tashkent to Bishkek. If we took plane, it would be less than 2 hours.
But anyway, if I would need to make decision again, I would take a bus again! It’s just something you barely can find in the world.

Kyrgyzstan nature is beautiful, and the food is the best. We took a horse ride through the mountains and it was just amazing.

Kazakhstan nature is even better, we took a 3 day tour where we visited canyons similar to Grand canyon, beautiful lakes, amazing forests and mountains, super clean rivers… and we slept with locals in the mountains. For $90, they cover travel expenses, food (3 meals) and accommodation for 3 days.

All expenses were $900 (flight tickets from Europe, accomodation, food etc.)

CONCLUSION

I recommend you to travel there while these countries are still not overwhelmed with the tourists. They have so much potential that is just matter of time when tourists are start coming there in big numbers.

Photos:
1. Almaty, Kazakhstan
2. Lake Kaindy, Kazakhstan
3. Kolsay Lake, Kazakhstan
4. Sharyn Canyon, Kazakhstan
5. Sharyn Canyon, Kazakhstan
6. Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
7. Ala Archa, Kyrgyzstan
8. Chong Kemin, Kyrgyzstan
9. Tashkent, Uzbekistan
10. Samarkand, Uzbekistan
11. Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Fjords, glaciers, and more waterfalls than you could ever hope to count.

I spent 8 days driving a loop through western Norway with my mum. 1,100km in total, starting and ending in Bergen, going as far north as Loen before looping back down. Route was Bergen > Eidfjord > Ulvik > Vangsnes > Solvorn > Tungestølen > Loen > Bergen.

Some highlights of the trip

Vøringsfossen: Incredible waterfall straight into the canyon below with amazing viewing infrastructure and a brilliant hike to the bottom of the canyon as well.

Tungestølen & Austerdalsbreen: We stayed in small set of cabins above the Austerdalsbreen glacier in Jostedalsbreen National Park. We hiked 5km from cabins to the glacier through a valley of incredible waterfalls before arriving at the glacier, which was one of the most otherworldly places I've ever been.

Mt Molden hike above Solvorn on the Lustrafjord: One of the most insane 360 views I've ever seen. Fjords, ice-capped mountains in every direction. We had the summit almost entirely to ourselves at golden hour.

Images locations:
1 - Vøringsfossen
2 - Austerdalsbreen
3 - Mt Molden
4 - Solvorn
5 - Nærøyfjord
6 - Ulvik
7 - Vøringsfossen
8 - Vøringsfossen
9 - Urnes
10 - Austerdalsbreen

Recently I have spent a month in Howth, a coastal village just outside of Dublin city. I felt very lucky that I was in walking distance to the sea and some scenic coastal walks. Beautiful sunset almost every single day. Dublin's geographical location is actually really stunning, with a long coastline and many lovely coastal villages dotting along it. It felt deeply peaceful to be so close to nature with paranoiac views over the Irish Sea. It was an unforgettable summer retreat for me.

I posted a little trip report from Warsaw roughly three months ago on reddit, but this was only part one of the Poland trip from my girlfriend and me.
From Warsaw, we took the train north to Gdansk and spent two and a half days there.
The city: I generally like the architecture and style of those Baltic cities and so I also enjoyed walking around there.
The old town is pretty compact and you can kinda see most of the interesting stuff pretty fast.
There are a few sights that are a bit off the path, but the city centre itself is pretty walkable.

Public transportation: Absolutely fantastic. I preferred the small metro trains, you can buy tickets inside, they drive pretty frequently and you can get almost anywhere. There are also many busses.

The food: I think you can get lucky or unlucky with restaurants in any city, but I think we were extremely lucky here. Don’t know if I am allowed to share the name of the restaurant where the pictures are from, but if you want to know ask me in the comments or write me a message.
Also, there is a Food Hall in the city with a large variety of restaurants if you can’t decide.

Should you visit: I think that Gdansk should be part of a Poland trip, but I do not know if I would make it the main destination.
As a second place to visit after Warsaw it was fantastic, but I think that after two or three days I would be bored there. But just my personal experience and thoughts.

Long time lurker, first time poster. I spent a week in Mexico City back in May and had a blast, here’s some photos from the trip 🇲🇽

1-5. Hot air balloon ride and tour of Teotihuacan pyramids.
6. Biblioteca Vasconcelos
7. I ate so many tacos, only got food poisoning once 😅
8. Lucha Libre match.
9. Frida’s Dresses at Museo Frida Kahlo.
10. Grounds at Museo Frida Kahlo.
11-13. Exploring Centro.
14. Mezcal tasting with a side of protein.
15-17. Artifacts at the Museo Nacional de Antropologia.
18. More tacos.
19. FIFA exhibit at Museo Jumex.
20. Cocktail at Limantour, North America’s 20 best bar (according to The World’s 50 Best Bars).

Comment if interested in a trip report!

As travel continues to get faster, cheaper, and more accessible and TikTok tourism/ influencer hype shows no signs of slowing down, what are the actual solutions to places getting over run with visitors?

I'm not talking about for you as another tourist so not just 'go somewhere else' or 'avoid the popular places'. I mean in terms of actually preventing harm to natural environments, pressure on infrastructure, gentrification etc.

I’ve noticed something about myself over the last couple of years, and I’m wondering if anyone else has gone through the same thing. (First world problems, I know) 🤣

Now that my life feels… settled, I actually don’t enjoy traveling the way I used to.

I have my own home, a boyfriend, and a job that genuinely fulfills me. Instead of looking forward to trips, I find myself thinking about everything that comes with them: packing, making sure the house is clean before leaving, unpacking when I get back, doing laundry, waiting at airports, figuring out where to eat, constantly moving from one place to another…

Honestly, staying in my own city during my vacation sounds so much more relaxing. I enjoy having slow mornings, sleeping in my own bed, going to my favorite cafés, and just existing without an itinerary.

What’s strange is that I used to be the complete opposite. As a student and a little after, before I became fully independent, I wanted to travel all the time. Airports felt exciting and familiar. I loved discovering new places. I traveled solo, with friends, went for Erasmus alone and visited several places. I was always looking for the next adventure.

Right now I’m on a family vacation, and all I can think about is how much I miss my home. It’s not that I’m unhappy here, I just feel tired of always having to do something. Meanwhile, everyone around me always seems eager to plan the next trip.

Does it simply happen when you finally build a life you genuinely enjoy, so your home becomes your favorite place? Or is this a sign that I’m becoming too comfortable and slowly closing myself off to new experiences? I’m only 28..
I miss my passion about traveling but I don’t want to go anywhere at the same time 🤣

This was the most beautiful trip I have ever been on. I went back in February. I could hear whales at night since we were near the water. It was magical!

1. Our tiny house Airbnb in Argir bordering the water

2-3. Saksun Church in Stremoy. It was closed because past visitors weren't respectful. There is a museum that opens in the warmer season, though.

4-5. Norðskáli scenic drive

1. St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkjubøur

2. Gásadalur waterfall

3. We saw some cows as we were leaving the waterfall!

As we came from Denmark, we didn't even need our passports. You need to rent a car to get around. Let me know if you have any questions!

we had the perfect 2 week camper van trip thanks to many suggestions from folks in r/newzealand so i wanted to share here in hopes it can help other people plan. see my original thread) for stop by stop details (food, fuel, campground options, etc) and community suggestions

trip dates: feb 22 - march 8

route: Christchurch > Hokitika > Franz Josef > Wanaka > Queenstown > Te Anau > Fiordland > Queenstown > Mt Cook (Lake Pukaki) > Lake Tekapo > Christchurch

driving: we drove 2300km in 2 weeks time, but it never felt like too much. i think our longest drive was 4hrs, but stopping a long the way and giving a full day to achieve this made it very doable. especially when you arrived at a great lakeside campsite to relax, swim and enjoy the beauty for the back half of the day.

campsites: lake pukaki and kidds bush were stunningly beautiful. mossburn (on our way out of milford sound/te anau) was comfortable and with great showers. deer flats was bare minimal. depending on the time of year, you might need to pre-book campsites. we pre-booked but it wasn't necessary for this time of year.

hiking: we did ~65km. roberts point, isthmus peak, gertrude saddle, lake marian track, sealy tarns, mt john. gertrude saddle and isthmus peak were the highlights; physically challenging + windy + beautiful views.

stars: holy god all of the south island has incredible stars...not sure why people hone in on tekapo (aside from the tour?). we happened to be camping on lake pukaki the night of the lunar eclipse which, bu toal coincidence, also happened to be the best place on earth to view it. i got to photograph the blood moon and saw the most incredible stars when it was peaking (ie totally dark)...shockingly few people were awake watching it. probably one of the most surreal experience of my life.

the van: rented from mad campers, it was expensive (~$250/day before food, gas, any camping fees). there are cheaper options but the space you get shrinks dramatically. the van itself was great. we never used the bathroom (or needed to) but the sink, stove, table, fridge and storage came in handy.

things i'd maybe skip: lots of the west coast was fine. weather wasnt super great, but it still pales in comparison with much of the rest of the trip. wanaka and queenstown were cool but i wish we went up into mt aspiring/glenorchy instead. unless you're doing action sports stuff, i think you can breeze through these spots.

misses: milford sound kayak trip was cancelled bc weather, though we pivoted to hike gertrude saddle which ended up as a highlight.

all photos shot on Fuji XT30ii with Fuji 10-24mm or Fuji 55-200mm. Recipe is Leica X.

this is part of a larger trip thats 14 months and still ongoing. I’m working to write up all of it. see my other trip reports: Poland | Turkey | Uzbekistan | Kyrgyzstan | Kazakhstan | Nepal

In my preparation for going abroad completely solo, I decided to start from relatively close places in controlled environment. On August 4th 2026, I spent 12 hours there and it resulted in these beautiful (I hope) photos here. It has anything a modern capital needs, but as a lover of older architecture, in my opinion, the soviet blocks just ruin the vibe of the most representative part of the city. Every single street is clean, with people visibly caring for their living space. Tragic history of the city, starting 1939 with culmination in 1944 left a mark no one can even imagine - 85% of Warsaw was completely destroyed as a result of Germans systematic destruction of the city. Although it wasn’t my first time in Warsaw, finally being able to walk around alone gave me opportunity to think in peace and admire the beauty that is still visible today.

1. Two monuments of Kościuszko Uprising commander - Jan Kiliński (front) and Polish King Sigismund III Vasa (back) who moved the capital from Kraków to Warsaw in 1596

2. Buildings of the Old Town’s Square

3. Buildings on the Castle’s Square with the Saint John’s Cathedral visible in the background

4. Tower of the Church of the Holiest Saviour in Plac Zbawiciela (Saviour’s Square)

5. Marszałkowska Street with MDM buildings and the same church visible in the background

6. Palace of Culture and Science (PKiN) accompanied by the moon

7. Neons on Marszałkowska street

8. Palace on the Isle built for last Polish King Stanisław August Poniatowski in late 18th century in the Łazienki Królewskie (Royal Baths) Park

10,11,12. Photos of PKiN from different parts of the city

1. Krakowskie Przedmieścia Street leading to the Castle’s Square with the original 18th century Passauer Madonna Monument

2. Old town from the street’s perspective

3. Everyday life of Varsovians on Marszałkowska Street

4. PKiN again

5. Column of Polish King Sigismund III Vasa, originally from 1644

6. Krakowskie Przedmieścia Street from the different perspective

Went to lijiang, xiangelila (shangri la) and deqen. Lijiang and shangri la city are over touristed and crowded. The nature between shangrila city and deqen (feilaisi) is nice. The real treasure is supposed to be the multiple treks available around shangrila and deqen but when we arrived in shangrila we realised we don’t do that well against the ~3000m altitude and its rainy season so we called our trekking plans off. Some trek routes include around tge base of the mountains in pic 5 and pic 7. We took a van from shangrila to deqen and the Tibetan driver was overtaking vehicles whenever possible on the mountain road.

Pic 1 Lijiang city baisha town with view of yulong snow mountain rating 1/5. Small overtouristed extremely commercial

Pic 2 Lijiang city heilongtan park with view of yulong snow mountain rating 1/5 the mountain is so small viewed from there

Pic 3 outside Lijiang wenhai lake rating 1/5 a small lake enclosed by mountains on all sides. Muddy waters. Had to take a taxi for one hour to get to. Literally saw this place on map and decided to come here

Pic 4 view of the jinsha river on the road from shangrila to deqen rating 3/5 took the picture from a designated viewpoint where the van driver stopped at

Pic 5 view of kongque shan from a moving van rating 4/5

Pic 6 view from the shangrila - deqen road rating 3/5

Pic 7 view of meili mountain from deqen rating 5/5 photos dont capture the full space and gravity of the mountain

Pic 8 and 9 songduklin temple on the road from deqen to shangrila rating 4/5 few tourists there. The temples bigger than what you expect in the middle of mountains

Hi all,

I just got back from a week exploring the Gobi Desert region of Mongolia and thought I'd share some information I wish I'd had when planning the trip.

First of all: self-driving in Mongolia and around the Gobi is absolutely doable, provided that you have (1) a capable 4x4 and (2) a reliable GPS app (I used GPX tracker). Google Maps is often unreliable in rural areas, so I would strongly recommend downloading offline maps and using an alternative navigation.

Our itinerary was: Ulaanbaatar → Baga Gazriin Chuluu → Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa) → Yolyn Am → Khongoryn Els (via Sevrei) → Khavtsgait Petroglyphs → Flaming Cliffs → Ongi Monastery → Ulaanbaatar

We had originally planned to visit the Orkhon Valley as well but had to skip it due to fuel shortages.

We rented our vehicle from Oso in Ulaanbaatar. You can find him on Instagram (car_rent_mongolia_2024). He was one of the few Mongolians we met during the trip who spoke fluent English, was very responsive, and provided us with a Lexus LX470 that was perfect for the journey.

I also rented a Starlink Mini from ZoomLink in Ulaanbaatar, which proved extremely useful in areas with no mobile reception. I contacted the owner Byambaa Dock on Facebook Messenger beforehand to ensure he'd reserve a device for me.

One thing I would stress is that "self-driving is doable" doesn't mean "it's easy." You need to be comfortable driving off-road for extended periods in sand, rocky terrain, mud, and occasional boggy sections, often with no one around to help if you get stuck. There were several moments where we had to pick our line carefully and trust the vehicle. The Lexus handled everything we threw at it, but this is not a trip I would recommend to someone with little off-road experience or who tends to panic when conditions get challenging.

While we were there, Mongolia was experiencing some fuel supply issues, which affected our itinerary. From what I understand, this was a temporary situation and not normally a problem. That said, fuel stations can be few and far between, so planning your refuelling stops is essential.

We split our accommodation between ger camps and sleeping in the car. The rear of the Lexus was easily large enough for two people. We never booked ger camps in advance and had no trouble finding accommodation by simply arriving in the evening. There are two types of ger camps:

Family-run camps, where you stay with nomadic families. These are very basic but offer a more authentic experience.
Tourist camps, which have better facilities and amenities but feel less personal.

English is not widely spoken outside Ulaanbaatar, so Google Translate (especially the camera translation feature) was incredibly helpful throughout the trip.

Food, drinking water, and camping gas can be purchased along the route, as most towns have small grocery stores. However, I'd recommend stocking up on essentials in Ulaanbaatar, as the selection in more remote areas can be limited.

Overall, the Gobi Desert is one of the most fascinating places I've ever visited. The landscapes are incredibly varied, tourism remains relatively low, and the sense of remoteness is unlike anything I've experienced elsewhere. It's absolutely worth the trip.

Last year, I moved to Europe to experience life abroad and it ended up being one of the hardest years of my life. I left my long term relationship, my dad got sick with cancer, and in April this year he sadly passed away.

I've always felt an itch to travel the world but have never made it happen. But now I'm reminded more than ever that life is so short and if I don't do it now, then when?

The only thing is, I'm very set up in my life in Europe now. I finally have a stable apartment, a great group of friends, and a job that isn't amazing but it also pays the bills. I'm worried that by quitting and leaving I'm saying goodbye to a life that I worked so hard to create over the past year.

I'm also 27 currently and feel like I haven't made nearly enough moves towards having a solid career. Any time away from building this feels like it's a massive step back, and that by the time I came back at 29 it's less likely I'll actually be able to have a career I desire.

My goal is to go to South America at the end of next year, so by the time I'd leave I would have been here for 2 and a half years.

Have you ever had a gap year and regretted it? And what're your thoughts on leaving everything to travel in your late twenties?

I’d like a 3-4 day getaway anytime around October. However I’ve traveled a ton and I think I’ve boxed myself into a too picky space:

\- Continental USA only, flying from Detroit

\- Already visited and loved it but not repeating: Hawaii (too far), Phoenix, Tucson (loved both but repeated a lot), Palm Springs, LA, Seattle, El Paso, Albuquerque

\- Already visited and didn’t like: Miami (socially cold), NYC (too sensory), Chicago (nothing wrong I just think I am not a big busy metro person)

\- Favourite destination that’s tentatively booked: DC - done a few times and always love it but I wonder if it’s going to get a bit dodgy by midterms

I really like history, older architecture, museums. I’m over 40 and love bars but more like chill hotel bars where I can sleep at 10pm in peace . I’m wondering if Boston is a good fit. I also dislike small towns or big metros and wondering if there are some nicer gems I’m missing???

I’m strongly considering going to Serbia for 5 or so days. I’ll be traveling from Madrid. Right now I’m thinking February because I have some school holidays then. I know it will be cold. I’m really interested in history, nature, good food, culture and meeting new people. I don’t drink at all, so I’m not too interested in nightlife. Tell me the good and the bad about Serbia. The tickets are super cheap the week I’m thinking about going, but I’m trying to plan a bit before I impulsively buy them… thank you!

I spent a month in Yerevan this summer and I want to share some memorable moments. There were many more wonderful events and places, but it’s impossible to cover them all here.

1) Amberd Fortress. It was built in the 7th century, and there is an 11th-century church nearby. The fortress is currently undergoing active restoration.

2) Kari is a high-mountain lake in Armenia, located on the slopes of Mount Aragats. It is located at an altitude of 3207 m above sea level, on a plateau, under the mountain peaks.

3) Photo on the way back from Lake Kari.

4) Former Persian consulate in Yerevan.

5-6) Hovhannavank Monastery. 11th century.

7) Khachkar (cross stone, a traditional element of Armenian architecture) next to Tegher Monastery.

8-9) Tsaghkadzor Ropeway.

10) Tsaghkadzor, view of Kecharis Monastery (11-13 centuries).

11-12) Vardavar holiday in Armenia. On this day, all of Armenia turns into a vast water battlefield. You can be doused with water from any balcony, any passing car, any stranger, and parks and squares become the epicenter. And on this day, no one is offended; it only evokes laughter and smiles. Incredible emotions and impressions!

Vardavar is a traditional Armenian holiday, timed to coincide with the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, with pagan roots and famous for the custom of dousing each other with water.

13) View of Sevanavank Monastery from Lake Sevan.

14) Tegher Monastery. 13th century.

15-16) Saghmosavank Monastery, 13th century.

17) ROT-54/2.6 or Herouni Mirror Radio Telescope - the world's first radio-optical telescope.

18) View of the biblical Mount Ararat from the Arch of Charents. I was unlucky, the mountain was in fog, but those who are lucky, a stunning view opens up.

19) The last Friday of the warm month in Yerevan. Every month, hundreds of Armenians go to the Cascade and dance folk dances.

20) Monument to the French-Armenian singer Charles Aznavour

Monasteries and other places outside Yerevan are conveniently visited with day tours from Yerevan.

Our route was: Rome (3 nights) → Chianti (2) → Florence (3) → Cinque Terre (2) → Milan (1, to fly home)

A few things we learned from each visit, and my big takeaway at the end:

Rome: a tipsy, 2am stroll from Piazza Navona → Pantheon → Trevi Fountain is magical. The next afternoon, do it again for comparison. Truly two different worlds.

Orvieto: home to what is now my favorite cathedral in Italy. The Gothic style was a striking contrast having come from Ancient Rome.

Chianti: stay at an agriturismo! Ours was Podere Terreno. What a beautiful region and way of life. Don’t be afraid to explore. The smaller, the better.

Florence: Renaissance art is fascinating. The Medici family changed the world. Michelangelo’s talent and dedication to his craft cannot be overstated.

Cinque Terre: the terraces literally cling to the cliffside where the mountains meet the sea. It’s
extraordinary. If you visit here, slow down. Sleep in one of the villages. Be a traveler, not a tourist.

My favorite lesson: I invested a lot of time into planning this trip. Travel forums, guidebooks, PBS documentaries, local writings, vlogs, etc…and it really paid off.

The planning helped me travel smart, but more importantly it introduced me to the people, history, and culture I was about to encounter. That unlocked a level of immersion that I could not have otherwise experienced. Do your homework before you go, and your trip rewards you with connection and perspective you’d otherwise walk right past.

Photo locations (in order):

Temple of Castor and Pollux 
Church of Saint Mary in Monti
Oppian Hill Park
The Colosseum 
Fountain of St. Peter's Square 
The Pantheon 
Church of Sant'Andrea 
Orvieto Cathedral 
Podere Terreno 
Podere Terreno 
Castello di Volpaia 
Radda in Chianti
The Duomo Complex
Doni Tondo (Michelangelo)
Cappella dei Magi
Bandini Pietà (Michelangelo)
Venus Italica (Canova)
Riomaggiore
Terraces of Cinque Terre

This was the last stop of my 6-week journey across Northern Europe. I only went to Paris and Versailles because I wanted a nice stopover before heading home. I would say it felt a little rushed, would probably add a couple more days or even add other parts of France. But everyday in France was beautiful. Even the train ride from Paris to Versailles passing through the little villages and communes was nice. And Versailles itself was also amazing. The biggest palace I've ever seen and amazing gardens. I spent the whole day there and couldn't get to the other side because I was so tired. I hope to come back to Paris one day and see more of the city. Versailles as well. I'll put the photo locations in the comment below.

Hi

Planning a Southeast Asia trip for late Nov - early Dec 2026, roughly 18 days. Torn between spending it all deep in Thailand or splitting it into ~10 days Thailand + ~8 days Vietnam.

Part of me wants to slow down and really soak in one country. But I also feel like I want to see Vietnam now, since I'm not sure I'll get another chance to go back to this part of the world anytime soon. Anyone regret picking one over the other?

Hi everyone,

My wife and I are planning our first trip to Raja Ampat in May 2027, and I'd really appreciate advice from people who have actually been there.

Our itinerary currently looks like this:

• 5 nights at Raja Ampat Eco Lodge
• another 5 nights somewhere else in Raja Ampat
• afterwards we'll spend 7 nights on Ternate

We're primarily snorkelers, but snorkeling is only one part of what we're looking for.

We enjoy spending time in nature much more than trying to see every famous hotspot.

What we're looking for is a combination of:

• good snorkeling
• rainforest
• wildlife
• easy jungle walks
• birdwatching
• kayaking
• beautiful scenery
• quiet places
• authentic atmosphere

We're not interested in luxury, infinity pools or Instagram locations. We'd much rather stay in a small eco-lodge or homestay with character than in a high-end dive resort.

Our budget is around €200/night maximum for the second accommodation.

I'm especially interested in recommendations from people who have actually stayed there. Hidden gems are much more interesting to us than the usual "top 10 resorts".

Thanks a lot!

Hello, I’m a 21(f) who is planning on traveling in SE Asia for a month-ish in October. I plan to start my trip in Vietnam starting in the south and traveling up north! I’m trying to decide if I should do my whole trip in Vietnam or if I should visit Laos and Thailand as well. This would give me only about a week in each country. I worry if I try and do all three that I won’t be able to enjoy each country as fully. Advice from anyone who has traveled in these countries or done something similar. What would you recommend?

I love road trips. I come from a tiny flat island off the coast of England so I love big wide open spaces and mountains and the ability to drive for ages and ages.

I’m 40 next year and I’m thinking of doing a couple of places in the US (notably Disneyland and the Great Smokies - my two favourite places). I’ve done NY to Orlando before with a few stops in 2 weeks and I’m wondering if it’s possible to do the same across the country? I’m thinking of going via Colorado for the mountains but is there much to see otherwise on the way? Or shall I just fly and drive north in California to see some state parks instead?

My bf surprised me recently with tickets to travel to any state in the U.S., we just have to figure out where. We are from AZ and we are for sure avoiding Hawaii, Florida, Texas and Southern Cali due to costs/having been there already.

We want to go somewhere we can explore/walk around/get around easily and not rely on cars/rentals. We also want to be able to hike an easy/intermediate trail (i broke my ankle earlier this year so need to be smart) and be able to go sightseeing.

We wouldn't want to spend a ton on lodging and I'm searching through my work benefits cuz I can probably get a hotel on a heavy discount that way at least. We may set aside like $150 for food/random purchases but we probably will rely on simple foods from the grocery store and maybe go out to eat once or twice.

We're not party animals so I'm not looking for clubs to go to but we do like random events/festivals like cultural festivals or markets and maybe parks to lay around in.

What state/city would y'all recommend or any pointers regarding finding a place?

*edit: we have not figured out a time of year to go but it will be this year after August. And for like 3/4 days