Random – Kevin Rose and Tim Ferriss’ Top 3 Travel Spots 157 Comments
Random – China Episode 2 Part B from Glenn McElhose on Vimeo.
This is a continuation of the Random series. Past episodes include language learning, start-up advice, must-read books, and more.
In this episode, filmed on the roof of the Yin bar in Beijing, Kevin Rose and I (and a little bit of Glenn McElhose) discuss our top-3 favorite travel spots. Details include favorite areas, seasons, things to look for and, occasionally, things to look out for…
Let us know your favorite travel spot in the comments!
If someone were only there for one day, what are the 1-3 non-mainstream must-see or must-do picks?
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Elsewhere on the web:
Tim Ferriss on Twitter – real-time mischief
Tim Ferriss on Huffington Post – Vibram shoes and other oddities
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Want to get Random episodes delivered to your iPhone or iPad? Now you can! Just subscribe to the podcast in iTunes (or get the audio-only version here).
Posted on December 10th, 2009
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157 Comments
Brendan Wenzel — December 10th, 2009, 11:29 am
Thanks guys for the advice on great places to visit. One of my best friends has lived in Tokyo for over a year and has shared some great stories and photos from there. He is trying very hard to get me there soon.
Also, Amsterdam is another place really ‘high’ up on my list of places to go. Thinking next September, I’m going to do Amsterdam and Germany in one trip.
Thanks again fellas. Happy travels!
Brew — December 10th, 2009, 11:33 am
Great topic. Here’s my two cents.. International: (1) Cape Town – Extremely beautiful, lots of outdoor activities, great beaches, people, insanely beautiful wine country within an hours drive. An amazing place (South Africa in general is great). (2) Antigua, Guatemala – one of the best colonial towns in Latin America. Great small hotels, great restaurants. Volcanoes everywhere you look. Incredible place.
Domestic: Charleston, South Carolina. Great history and architecture, incredible food, restaurants and nightlife. A hidden gem that’s off most people’s radar. A great weekend destination.
Joe Stump — December 10th, 2009, 11:48 am
I definitely agree with Amsterdam and Thailand. I’ve spent about 1.5 months in Thailand and would move there tomorrow if I could. Though I’d recommend getting off of Koh Samui now (it’s been built up quite a bit) and heading to Koh Phangan or the other smaller islands around there.
I’m heading to Bamboo Island in Cambodia soon and fully expect a good time there. Another place in SE Asia to check out for sure.
Also, don’t forget a day trip up to Ayutthaya to see the old capital while you’re in Bangkok.
Chris Mower — December 10th, 2009, 11:55 am
Tokyo and Kyoto would be two of my top picks, but I’d also love to visit Peru, Austria, and Switzerland. I personally haven’t done much traveling… but it’s on the menu, if you know what I mean.
Loved the video, thanks!
Gary McAuliffe — December 10th, 2009, 12:00 pm
Great episode! Thanks. Tim, thanks again for the Argentina recommendation last year. We loved our 4 months there. While we enjoyed BsAs, we found the rest of the country AMAZING! Particularly, Mendoza, Bariloche, Ushuaia & Puerto Madryn. We would have never gone there without your suggestion in 4HWW. Thanks again, Gary
Tim Ferriss — December 10th, 2009, 12:34 pm
Congrats, Gary! I”m getting the itch again, too
Tim
Brian Armstrong — December 10th, 2009, 12:01 pm
Totally inappropriate at the end guys, love it
Felipe Cerda — December 10th, 2009, 12:03 pm
1. Easter Island
2. San Francisco
3. Mataró, near Barcelona, Spain
John Kapusta — December 10th, 2009, 12:11 pm
For all-around sightseeing, history, eating, drinking, cultural immersion and so forth, Japan is my favorite. Tokyo is great, but be sure to get outside the city and see other locales like Kyoto, Takayama, Nikko, etc.
For utter beauty and pure relaxation, Taha’a is *the* place, but the resort there is ungodly expensive. Bora Bora is a touch more beautiful, but slightly more crowded and a little less expensive.
CLulu — December 10th, 2009, 12:25 pm
I concur with Kevin’s top spot as Amsterdam. I had zero expectations going there and was amazed with it. I’ve gone back a 2nd time and looking to move there soon.
Jim | AccentHelp — December 10th, 2009, 12:44 pm
Loved Oia on Santorini. We stayed at Aris Caves for a week, and it was spectacular. (Also loved the smaller town of Plakias on the south coast of Crete. The hostel there is often voted the best in all of Europe, and rightly so. And only 9 euros a night!) I think Savannah is a wonderful place to visit domestically, just to check out the history of the city. I love Estes Park, CO area, and also the views in and around Bozeman. We’re going to Ireland next summer–any recommendations? (I’m going to try to swing my family by Edinburgh, Scotland while we’re there because they HAVE to see it.)
Tony — December 10th, 2009, 12:44 pm
One of my favorite places to visit is Tallinn, Estonia. For Europe, it’s very inexpensive and English is spoken all over. The people are very friendly and the nightlife is vibrant.
Morgan — December 10th, 2009, 12:46 pm
Other than the ones mentioned:
1) Zanzibar (Stone Town, Markets, Spice/Slave Tour, Kendwa Rocks Bar, Snorkeling/Boating (w/lunch)-$10)
2) Safari in Ngorongoro Crater w/either Maasai Mara or Serengeti (Plan for Migration)
*Hang out with Maasai Warrior on either
3) Any city during a major cultural festival/holy week/world cup
Visiting a Friend in Thailand very soon
Glad to hear you like it. 
Matt Smith — December 10th, 2009, 12:58 pm
I’ve only really travelled in Europe but I really like Paris and Barcelona as cities. Barcelona has more of a tourist feel about it but is beautiful. Paris has a similar buzz to London and you can find some really cool places if you just get slightly off the beaten track.
Iceland is an amazing country, Reykjavik is a cool city with a small town feel but the countryside is just out of this world. The scenery is like nothing I’ve ever seen.
Thinking of going to the US next year, probably to SF and Vegas and the national parks in between. Really stoked about that trip as I’ve heard great things.
Rhys — December 10th, 2009, 1:02 pm
Amsterdam? A great walking city? It is until you come to a street.
Having to cross bike, cars, trams, trams, cars & bikes is hard work. Especially if you’re inhebriated.
Did have an awesome time in Amsterdam. Febo’s rock my world.
Tokyo I really enjoyed, and I did try to learn Japanese. Whilst I learnt a little, it was not enough, and people thought I was fluent. Bit of a mistake, as I didn’t know enough. Nevertheless, surprisingly cheap to eat in good quality restaurants, awesome culture, great vibe, and Okonomiyaki is my favourite food ever!
One of my favourite places which is a little hidden away is Caernarfon, North Wales. Steeped in history with a huge castle, it’s a town of around 3000 people, but about 30 pubs. It’s 98% fluent Welsh speakers, so there’s no English signs (though everybody does speak English). Awesome small town, it’s like nothing has come in or out in 20 years. Weather’s not that great there though.
John Soares — December 10th, 2009, 1:10 pm
I’m very partial to the island of Kaua’i in Hawaii. I lived there for three years in the 1990s and it’s a magical place.
You must see:
1. Waimea Canyon, the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” (Mark Twain quote)
2. Ke’e Beach on the north shore
3. Hanalei town and the views of the mountains and waterfalls from the north shore
Allen — December 10th, 2009, 1:11 pm
I haven’t spent enough time overseas, but after traveling full time for 5 years domestically, my best advice is to find the places locals like to go. The seafood restaurant that’s packed at 5:30 or the run down bbq shack in the ghetto usually beats anything else. Also ask where people go on particular days. The best restaurants can get away with only being open a few days a week. If you pay attention, you’ll see everyone eating the same thing for lunch on Thursdays.
I’ve also found that college towns are generally more fun because there’s more to do. Also when you ask for advice make sure to ask someone your age/demographic. Results are much better.
Johnny — December 10th, 2009, 1:19 pm
Great article, definitely reignited my urge to visit Amsterdam. I’ve spent a couple of months in Japan. Yes, it is expensive, but the Japan Rail Pass (need to purchase prior to your trip) is the best deal for getting around the country. If you want to spend some time in Tokyo (worthwhile), consider renting an apartment or gaijin house through a foreigner rental agency and saving some money. I used Sakura house, they were great and they speak English. Plus, if you take a right out of the headquarter building and turn right on the first side street, you will find what is quite possibly the best ramen house in all of Tokyo. As for my favorite places, besides Tokyo, Nicaragua is right up there on the list. I would venture to say that its better and much less expensive to visit then its neighbor, Costa Rica. Despite being the poorest country in Central America, it is generally regarded as the safest. Nicas are friendly, nice, and genuinely good natured people. Plus it has more active volcanoes to explore than any where else in the region. Don’t miss Isla de Ometepe in the middle of Lago de Nicaragua. Sorry, Brew, but I have to disagree with you about Antigua in Guatemala. In my experience it has a very inauthentic nature. It seems like a city built for tourists and is a poor representation of the country as a whole. However, if you find yourself there you have the money, stay at the Cloister, a converted monastery thats now a bed and breakfast. Its right under the famous archway. Consider Xela (Quetzaltenango) instead. Besides the air pollution, its a great city with great people.
Stephen Wise — December 10th, 2009, 1:19 pm
Tell us about that restaurant you were filming at. It looks like a rooftop deal.
Aden Wilde — December 10th, 2009, 1:28 pm
tim: “…the most gorgeous women you’ve just about ever seen in your life.”
kevin: “where?!?”
haha, you guys are awesome!
Cheryl — December 10th, 2009, 1:36 pm
Tim, I suppose I should feel ridiculous suggesting this low-profile gem (and gawd I will hate myself if developers discover this place and show up to cash in on the beauty) among all those international destinations, but ya gotta check out Little River Canyon near Fort Payne, Alabama. There are Costa-Rica-worthy waterfalls (I’m talking scores of them), a gorgeous canyon with rugged and semi-tame hiking, rock climbing (at least one blockbuster movie has been filmed there), kayaking, horseback riding and 4-wheelin’ swimming holes galore. If you ever go, ask the locals to direct you to (a) Yellow Creek Falls – take your canoe and hiking stick to get there, (b) High Rock swimming hole – gotta have 4-wheel drive and a bitta gumption, (c) Hippie Hole (be prepared to shimmy down into the canyon & retire any fear of heights), (d) Little River Falls – again, scoot your way down into the canyon to swim beneath the falls, (e) DeSota Falls – you can rappel off the cliff front and drop right into the swimming hole below, and much more! Practice saying “Here Jimmy, hold my beer and watch THIS!” (If you ever DO decide to go, lemme know and I’ll give you a proper guided tour!)
Tanner — December 10th, 2009, 1:39 pm
Someday I’ll be able to travel somewhere. Someday.
Stacey — December 10th, 2009, 2:03 pm
Loved this video! Listening to personal viewpoints about traveling is always a pleasure. I definitely agree with Tokyo and Thailand as a top choices. I lived in Japan for a year and agree that there are ways to do Tokyo in an inexpensive fashion (Ramen, Okonomiyaki, Konbini beers, etc)
I would second Brew’s comments on Cape Town, South Africa. It has a ridiculously gorgeous harbor, great live African drum bands, good night life, close to wonderful wineries, beaches covered with penguins, within a few hours of a safari (go with a local guide and camp rather than big tourist companies), skydiving and other extreme sports, awesome hikes (Cape of Good Hope or Table Mountain), soccer games, volunteering in the townships for a day… Sounds similar to Buenos Aires with the multitude of things to do.
jim — December 10th, 2009, 2:15 pm
My wife and I just took a trip to Europe and one of the best places we stayed was Cinque Terre, Italy. It’s a series of small towns, connected by train, trails, and a boat, that sit on the coast. The larger ones are touristy but the smaller ones are laid back, relaxing, and the people there are nice. We had a great time hiking between towns (which means hiking a few hours up the mountain and back down) and then enjoying some delicious food and wine at the end. Certainly a place we’ll want to return to in the future.
t!m — December 10th, 2009, 2:17 pm
tim,
first comment here although i follow your blog since a couple of month. best thing in the whole internet since lifehacker.
if you like munich and berlin you should visit hamburg! give me an email if you are here
tim
Michael — December 10th, 2009, 2:36 pm
Great vid. Makes me want to go travelling again.
Here is my 2cents:
Chiang Mai in Thailand is great. Filled with people who are into healthy food and holistic modalities such as massage, yoga and accupunture. If your looking to eat well and train in MuayThai, yoga or Tai Chi, this is a place to check out
Kamakura in Japan is amazing. The people, the food and the temples, just great.
Si Phan Dong in Lao is laid back with beautiful surroundings. If your looking to lay in a hammock, drink tasty cheap beer, read a book by candle light all whilst the moon is spectaculy bouncing of the Mekong then you may want to check it out.
Lloyd Budd — December 10th, 2009, 2:36 pm
Tim, have you had a chance to visit Istanbul, Turkey?
Incredible historic significance and treasures for both Christian and Muslim faiths. Very friendly to Americans. Incredible mixing of European and the Middle Eastern cultures.
Don’t miss the bath house and getting an intense massage by a big bellied man! LOL.
Shane Brewer — December 10th, 2009, 2:40 pm
I’m curious if you’ve been to South Korea. Given that you like Japan and Thailand, I think you would really like South Korea. They have amazing food, extremely friendly and intelligent people so you can get by without knowing Korean, and lots of stuff to do. I haven’t spent much time in Japan or Thailand, but I’ve been to Korea 7 times so far and I can’t wait to go back again!
Thanks for the tips! I’m definitely putting Argentina and Thailand on my list!
@AlexBerger — December 10th, 2009, 2:45 pm
Love these travel posts/videos.
Amsterdam is a great city, no question about it – but it never truly captivated me. Definitely overshadowed by a few days in Munich for Oktoberfest with a day trip down into Bavaria and -Neuschwanstein Castle.
My three:
1) Scotland – specifically the north country. Everyone talks about the Isle of Skye as rugged and rural – which compared to other parts of Europe it definitely is. What you really need to do though is keep going – the North West Coast and the Orkney Islands are absolutely incredible. I normally have a guided tour phobia, but did it with a backpack oriented group (5 day trip) called Wild in Scotland which was incredible. Do it during the summer. Some of the most amazing, enchanting country I’ve ever seen. Everyone talks about Ireland, but in my experience the Scottish north blows it out of the water.
2) Crete, Greece during off season. The people are wonderful, the food is great, the natural beauty is incredible and diverse.
3) Dalmatian coast, Croatia – again this is a must in saddle/off season. The people were incredible. The old city in Split is amazing, the islands are stunning and Plitvice Lakes National Park in autumn when they’re empty, the leaves are turning, etc. is profoundly beautiful.
Mark Kennedy — December 10th, 2009, 2:54 pm
Hi Tim,
Enjoyed your top picks! I am a Canadian living in London. I have been living in London for the last 2.5 years. When I tell North Americans where I live, their first reaction is always how expensive it is when most of them have never visited or lived here.
I must say, that while some items are expensive (e.g. 4 pounds or approximately $6.50 for a single fare tube journey, meat at the grocery store and of course…buying a sandwich in a tourist area such as Piccadilly Circus), there are other items that are cheaper, even when converting to $USD). Example – beer, lots of brand name clothing items. Anyway, while yes London is expensive, it’s much more affordable now with the GBP having weakened over the past few years.
My top city is also Amsterdam, but if you haven’t been to Copenhagen, it’s a very cool vibe as well.
Cheers.
fuesacekimi — May 23rd, 2012, 7:09 am
And so good page love it.
Gerald Duty — December 10th, 2009, 2:56 pm
Madrid has a laid back but sophisticated vibe, easy to get around, lots to do, and easy to feel at home. Just don’t wear a light colored suit after labor day.
David Turnbull — December 10th, 2009, 2:57 pm
Great video as always. Still interested in heading over to Thailand, and this is motivating me to do so much sooner.
Joe — December 10th, 2009, 4:30 pm
I simply wanted to suggest never to kiss the Blarney Stone. I’m Irish, and I have heard stories of teenagers taking a whizz on the stone.
Too late for Kevin obviously (sorry about that) but I guess this just shows the benefits of getting to know a country from the inside out.
Eastern Europe is becoming a favourable destination, I found the slavic languages were easier to manage. Beautiful women, of course.
Great video! Come back to Ireland soon!
peter Murphy — December 10th, 2009, 4:55 pm
For 6 month stays I`d choose:
1. Mexican Yucatan
2. Brighton, England
3. Amsterdam
Mark — December 10th, 2009, 5:21 pm
Bs.As. rocks!
Like the beautiful girl next door, however, you see her enough and you take her for granted. But c’mon Tim, most beautiful women in the world? I match my top 3 (well, 4) against BsAs any day.
Of course, best places is a relative thing and changes depending on one’s mood. For the moment:
1) Cartagena (Old City), Columbia — Carib beat + history
2) Salvador, Bahia, Brazil — vibe + las negritas
3) Dead heat: Florence, Italy and Prague, Czech Republic — scenery (of all kinds) + art
And I grant you Argentine beef is good but I’ve had better in Bolivia at half the price, if you can imagine that.
Casey — December 10th, 2009, 6:27 pm
Top 3 Countries:
- Nepal – trek, enjoy the people, eat as much Dal Bhat as you can
- Laos – chill (it is impossible not to when there), take public buses anywhere that seems cool, go to Champasak, and drink lots of BeerLao
- Peru – surf up in the warm waters of Zorritos, sandboard in Huacachina, and maybe check out Machu PIcchu
Enjoyed the video! Cheers!
Mitchell Lesbirel — December 10th, 2009, 6:35 pm
After realizing that their is more to the world than Canada and Caribbean resorts I started traveling.
When i was 19 I sold all my worldly possessions and I moved to Costa Rica for four months to complete an outdoor adventure program. After being exposed to an underwater ship wreck in Panana, swimming with crocodiles in Nicaragua, and almost having a heart attack guiding a raft full of gringos down a class 4 river in a remote area in Costa Rica I fully came to enjoy their country.
I would go back in a heartbeat and further explore their pacific coast.
Recommended restaurant: las Lenitas in Zapote
Recommended Activity: Surfing or learn how to guide white water rafts
I cam home but my travel bug returned so I enrolled in a Swedish university for 10 months. While there I visited some other countries such as Amsterdam’s red light district and Estonia’s Tallin, which would make for the ultimate Bachelor party weekend. I also had the chance to visit northern Norway and do some mountaineering there and then I enjoyed some warm weather in Barcelona and Ibiza.
While i was in Sweden my two of friends moved to Africa: Cape Town and Kagwe, Kenya, so I planned a 23 day trip there to visit them.
Kagwe was a culture shock for me after living in Sweden for so many months but I fell in love with Cape Town and its amazing people, red wine and scenery. I also had the chance to visit Tanzania and attempt Kilimanjaro, but got severe altitude sickness at 5500 meters up …. talk about falling short of the finish ahah
Recommended Places:
Cape Town for a few weeks: Shark diving, Sky Diving, wine tours, super friendly people, the most beautiful scenery i have ever saw and thriving night life … whats not to love
Costa Rica: Spanish recommended: Do every Scary Activity you can find. I recommend Bungee Jumping in Alajuela
Estonia: For the wildest bachelor party you will go to
Ibiza: No words can describe the feelings you get from Ibiza
Benny the Irish polyglot — December 10th, 2009, 6:37 pm
Hey Tim! Loving your Random episodes, nice suggestions for places to live. I’m on a long term travel stint myself (7 years so far) to learn languages so it’s great to have suggestions like that for future travels!
Have to disagree! (Don’t worry, I’m not going on a rant or anything, just thought you would like to know it’s not that bad!) English is way more unphonetic (since we are basically stuck on an un-updated orthographic system since the King James bible was printed).
Irish does do it more, but can you imagine how just getting used to the slightly larger set of double-letter-single-sounds isn’t actually that bad 
For a cheap holiday, Goa – India is excellent!
Just wanted to say something you mentioned; about Irish being “so impossibly unphonetic”
Because Irish has aspiration and eclipses (consonants changing to other consonants) we have to have a special writing system that actually helps the learner. So bord = table (pronounced as spelt), but mo bhord = my table (second word pronounced ward). Seems horrible, but in Welsh (another Celtic language with aspiration/eclipses) they make it much more “phonetic”, but when you see that word (let’s imagine it was written as “ward”) for the first time, it’s really hard to associate it with bord. The extra h hints you to the original word
With that in mind (to explain why we need the extra letter), Irish is a perfectly phonetic language based on letter clusters, almost always just two letters (the only 3 letter example I can think of is bhf). When you say any Irish word I can tell you how it’s spelt and vice versa. It’s like Spanish has ll and ch or German has ch – two letters that together represent a different sound than separately, but it’s still pretty phonetic as long as it’s consistent
Sorry for the long response, hope you had the time to read this! I discovered your book a year or two ago and see we have the same approach to self learning languages. I’m Irish, so I had to learn it in school, but I still think that it’s really not that bad!!
Thanks again for the travel tips. I don’t share your opinion about Brazil, but I agree about Rio. South of Brazil for example is way safer and also has amazingly gorgeous places; Florianópolis is well worth the visit! Other cities I have spent several months in and highly recommend: Montreal, Valencia (Spain), Toulouse (France), Perugia (Italy) – all because these cities have huge concentrations of students, which means young beautiful populations and lots of parties! And of course San Francisco
David — December 10th, 2009, 7:08 pm
Anywhere along the adriatic coast in Croatia like Dubrovnik or Pakastone. Cheap beer – until they join the EU – and fantastic beaches…
Dave
Ramiro — December 10th, 2009, 7:33 pm
Tim, great pick for # 3: Buenos Aires. I am from Buenos Aires so I am partial, but I think it’s a lot of fun. Great food, very European, and like you said, all four climate types in the same country.
Take care,
Ramiro
Bruno Miranda — December 10th, 2009, 8:12 pm
Have you been anywhere else in Brasil other than Rio? Or did you generalized “safety” level of the entire 5th largest country in the world to one city? Not cool.
Tim Ferriss — December 11th, 2009, 12:12 am
HI Bruno,
I’ve been to Salvador, Recife, Florianopolis, and Sao Paulo. I’m sorry to say it, but Argentina is generally safer than Brasil for someone who looks like me. It doesn’t mean there aren’t safe places in Brasil, but that’s the general experience among my friends.
All the best,
Tim
Marcie — December 10th, 2009, 9:35 pm
Hm, finally found something we are opposite on, I get allergic reactions from wine, but love beer. Wondering why the guiness was good to you, it’s very hopsy so I doubt it’s the hops. Or maybe it’s just local & unprocessed?
Anyway, reminder to try alternates to flying when available, such as taking a train overnight or a cruise to your destination…slow travel
Thanks!
Ken Kurosawa — December 10th, 2009, 10:42 pm
Tim, have you visited Fukuoka or Okinawa?
Ryan Bollenbach — December 10th, 2009, 10:57 pm
Really awesome video, makes me want to check out china!
Enjoy the chinese drinks
.
Niki — December 10th, 2009, 11:52 pm
Cinque Terre in Italy. I have done a lot of traveling and it is by far my favorite spot. Five fishing villages along the Italian coast that you can hike between. It doesn’t get any better than that.
kyleschen — December 10th, 2009, 11:57 pm
I was surprised to see Amsterdam as #1- I probably have Thailand, Peru, other exotics built up… or maybe my Amsterdam experiences are just so too warped…
Munich is great fun- especially for novice travelers.
Budapest is beautiful and I love that the people there are still on a capitalist kick
America is underrated, we have tons beauty (and more culture than most will tell you) in our backyards. The Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Yellowstone, Yosemite…
Michael — December 11th, 2009, 1:44 am
While watching the video, I started thinking, when you where talking about Gaelic and how it was a hard language to learn. What steps do you take to break down a subject? Not just a language but any subject you come up against. Are there certain procedures you follow to break them down. If you have already answered it somewhere else on the site could you send me the link so I could learn the process.
Thanks,
Johan von Boisman — December 11th, 2009, 2:44 am
I fell in love with Costa Rica when I was there to visit my cousin. I had seen Tim’s waterfall video so made sure to get to Arenal and do the La Catarata de la Fortuna.
I just love these vids, but it’s a little bit distracting the way you keep fidgeting with the drinking straws.
Brian Patterson — December 11th, 2009, 6:01 am
Love the bit at the end.
Tim – fantastic comeback to Glenn. “Being wet is what life is all about.”
Niels Bohrmann — December 11th, 2009, 6:19 am
Munich, a close second to Berlin? – Ha!
)) Next time you are here I’ll show you around some of the Electro clubs in “Minga” – but at least you tried some Augustiner… 
Very cool episode, but I like all random episodes. Looking forward to the next one!
Jen — December 11th, 2009, 8:26 am
Going to the Virunga Mountains in Uganda to see the mountain gorillas. Getting mock charged by a massive Silverback is certainly memorable!
Josh Sager — December 11th, 2009, 8:32 am
Glad you included Thailand in your three, Tim. I’m married to a Thai girl and love the culture as well. But, I have to disagree with you on Koh Samui. I actually resented it by the time I was leaving. Of course, everyone’s mileage may vary, but I thought it was way too *on* the beaten path for a typical Thai vacation. Way too many farang (Westerners) and way too many shmaltzy tourist trappings for my taste. But I totally agree with everything else you said. Thai people are absolutely the most warm and friendly group of people I’ve ever met.
Having done Tokyo nine times for my own budo training, I also have to agree with that pick. The thing I love the most about Tokyo is that you can be walking down the most crowded, industrialized street, make one quick turn down a side alley and run into one of the most beautiful shrines you’ve ever seen. I’ll be going back to Tokyo and Thailand next year; can’t wait!
Mike Panetta — December 11th, 2009, 8:34 am
I’m surprised nobody has mentioned the Greek Islands yet. I spend a summer working in a bar on Ios, and island hopping and also exploring the Turkish coast. Some places are a bit touristy, but the off-the-beaten-path islands are wonderful, and the views are breathtaking. A must-see for anyone who travels.
Mike — December 11th, 2009, 8:49 am
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Just moved here from Australia 2 weeks ago, love it to death. Half the price of phuket/bangkok can live here for $20 a day. Unbelievable.
brian — December 11th, 2009, 9:04 am
My personal 3
Tokyo – love the cleanliness, the tech, the orderliness
Paris – beyond the fact that Parisians don’t pick up dog droppings, wonderful food and sights. I didnt find them to be rude.
Brazil – I spent time in Savador in the state of Bahia. Loved my time there and want Brazil to get it together before the Olympics.
Any place in Southeast Asia is great. Cheap food, warm weather, fantastic beaches.
B7 — December 11th, 2009, 9:13 am
Tim, you like Tokyo, but I think Kyoto is way better. There’s much more cultural stuff, and there are places that are older than America. Way older. For example, if you go to the shops on Shijyo (the main shopping street), there are these shops that have been there for hundreds of years!
Plus, you can hop on the train and go to Osaka in about 1 1/2 hours. If you have a Rail Pass, it’s only 30 minutes by Shinkansen! Osaka is awesome for eating, bars and clubs.
Another great thing about Kyoto is it is small and flat (at least the city part). Like Amsterdam, you can get a bike (or rent one) and go pretty much anywhere.
It’s great you mentioned learning Japanese because it is such a simple language.
Love 4HWW! Can’t wait for more!
Cynthia — December 11th, 2009, 9:36 am
The more I travel, the harder it gets to pick a favorite place, as so many places are absolutely wonderful. I’m assuming that this is favorite places outside the United States, because I do think the US is pretty stunning from the standpoint of natural beauty, wide-open-spaces, and tremendous variety. So just thinking of overseas destinations, I’d start with the Australia. I love it all, but feel particularly attuned to the outback, especially around the Red Center. Second would probably be Japan — Kyoto to visit, but Shizuoka if I were going to stay long term. Third choice would be southern India, and while I loved Mysore, I’d probably have to say Kerala would be my top choice, if we need to narrow it down. Houseboat on the backwaters, great food, charming people, glorious scenery, astonishing history, simply wonderful. That said, Kerala would probably be tied with Morocco and China. All destinations where one can be saturated with culture, history, and great food — and all destinations of such sensory overload that you really forget about everything else.
I love England, but haven’t listed it in the top three simply because I’ve been so often and think of it so much as my second home, it’s almost hard to consider it a destination. However, for anyone interested in history or literature, it’s a great choice.
John — December 11th, 2009, 9:37 am
so much weed innuendo.
Michael — December 11th, 2009, 9:48 am
Tim, I mentioned this in another comment and continue to be amazed with your pronunciation. Ive used your methods to develop conversational fluency in french and german in less than 3 months each but still have a miserable accent. What can I do other than drill pronunciation 24/7 with a local.
How does 80/20 apply here???
Chris — December 11th, 2009, 10:06 am
When I was in Lijiang I had some of the local Yunnan liquor Baijiu mentioned in the video just after lunch and I spent the whole afternoon sleeping in the hostel.
Crazy stuff!
Favorite places:
1. Thailand: Great all round holiday country, nice beaches, weather and people
2. Capetown – South Africa: Lovely city, with the rock formations of the Tavelberg overlooking the city
3. Laos: Beautiful nature and the most friendly and relaxed people I ever met.
Jon — December 11th, 2009, 10:56 am
Hong Kong is where I would like to go. Suprised you didn’t mention London England LOl.. lots of rain there
mike f. — December 11th, 2009, 11:02 am
1. Florianopolis, Brazil. Nice beaches, beautiful people, great times.
2. Barcelona, Spain. Wonderful food, great nightlife, fantastic culture.
2. Punta del Este, Uruguay. Another great beach spot.
Kyle Savage — December 11th, 2009, 12:21 pm
Another very nice ‘fishing town’ in Mexico is Los Barriles, BCS. It’s been a few years since I’ve been back down there (I’ve heard they’ve added a nearby golf course), but it is a nice relaxing atmosphere on a beautiful beach. Great place to watch windsurfers and/or to learn how to windsurf.
Also, if the little blue-tarped taco stand is still up the street from Playa Del Sol and Las Palmas de Cortez, you’re in for a treat (don’t be scared!).
Alex Karasyov — December 11th, 2009, 12:31 pm
Hey, which camera was used to film this? And what video editing software?
ginger — December 11th, 2009, 12:43 pm
1 – Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay on the river
2 – St. Barts
3 – Island of Menorca off coast of Spain
Mugsy Rogues — December 11th, 2009, 12:52 pm
Berlin and Amsterdam are up there for me
Tokyo is also awesome
I lived in london for a while and I think you’re not giving london enough credit tim. While it is quite expensive, I found Geneva considerably more expensive, and tokyo equally expensive. London is just a difficult city to find the good spots because it is one massive tourist trap and the crime rates are so high so being adventurous is a little scary. If you find the right spots booze and food can both become quite affordable. That’s why english people get drunker than the rest of the world.
Alexa — December 11th, 2009, 1:33 pm
As someone who quit my job earlier this year to travel, I love love love this post. Thanks to everyone for all the recommendations. Absolutely agree that Amsterdam, Buenos Aires, Gallway and Munich are great, and I can only speak to the places I’ve been.
Spent four months living in Peru this year. It’s awesome! Transportation can be an annoying dilemma, but it’s worth it. Peru has beautiful beaches, Incan ruins (including the incredible Machu Picchu), wineries, sand dunes, Lake Titicaca, Colca Canyon and the jungle. Not to mention, salsa is way better than tango (sorry Tim).
As Brew said earlier, Antigua is great. I have not personally been, but I’ve heard fabulous things about the city and Guatemala.
Iguazu is indescribable. Didn’t make it to Bolivia, Colombia, Chile or Patagonia, however, from pictures and first-hand accounts from friends, they are musts.
The country of Uganda is also amazing. Guidebooks call it the pearl of Africa, and what’s ironic is that Ugandans don’t know what a pearl is. Uganda has breathtaking savannah plains, the Nile River of course, the jungle, Lake Victoria and the Virunga Mountains to see gorillas, as Jen mentioned before. I contracted malaria the last day of my trip. Totally worth it though.
Next on the list: Seoul, South Korea. Accepted an ESL teaching position there starting the end of Feb.
Enticing place I’d like to go: Borneo! The orangutans are endangered.
Alexa — December 11th, 2009, 1:40 pm
Forgot to mention the Galapagos Islands. All I can say is WOW. It doesn’t even seem real it’s so beautiful, both on land and underwater.
Robb — December 11th, 2009, 1:45 pm
I’ve been to Thailand, Argentina, Tokyo, Europe, but my all time fave is still southern Africa. So much to do (safari, bungee jump, sandboard, 4-wheeling). Easy to get around/communicate (English is the official language in most countries). Very active. And very affordable affordable (at the time, the rand/dollar ration is about 25% less now). Check it out.
Greg Findley — December 11th, 2009, 2:02 pm
I’m just going to name one, got to be New Zealand!
Hiring a car and drive some of the amazing routes, Blue Lake in Rotorua, and Te Anau and Milford Sound/Fiordland. Took a drive to a cruise at Milford Sound and we literally went from snowing one side of the Homer Tunnel to bright sunshine and blue skies on the other side, all within 10 minutes. Our tour guide told us it rains 2 out of 3 days at Milford Sound, so if you catch a clear day after the rain it’s incredible, natural waterfalls, rainbows, seals on the rocks, an unforgettable experience.
Greg
Moritz — December 11th, 2009, 2:23 pm
Yeah, Tim! Augustiner ist das beste Bier der Welt und sicher besser als Wasser. Love your fascination with languages, so if you’re ever in Munich again, next Oktoberfest maybe. Das Hofbräuhaus wartet..
Todd Hawkins — December 11th, 2009, 3:20 pm
1. Charlottesville, VA
2. Ruckersville, VA
3. Earlysville, VA
The tri-cities!
Don’t have to travel far to find what you need.
Doc Kane — December 11th, 2009, 3:30 pm
Tim,
Glad to hear you ventured out to Galway. I too am a big music guy (a drummer as well), and while grabbing a newspaper at a local stand in Dublin way back in 1994, I chatted up the married couple that was running it. I shared my love of music, and the fact that I was looking to score an internship in the music industry while in Ireland for four months.
They immediately mentioned I should head down to Galway for the good crack! After clearing my ears out to discover they were actually saying the Irish word “craic” – which essentially means “good times” (for those not familiar…) I looked into getting my butt to Galway for the weekend. Little did I know that I would enjoy it so much, I didn’t even bother coming back to Dublin! I love Galway…it’s my second home in a way. It’s changed so much recently.
Also, re: Irish music. . .Pandora has tons of great stuff on there. . .I’ve got a station that is a continually growing mix of classic Irish stuff along with some newer punk stuff. If you can imagine a station that goes from The Dubliners to the Pogues to the Dropkick Murphy’s and back to the Clancy Brothers you’ll have a great idea as to what the station sounds like! It rocks!
Anyway, Sláinte!
Doc
Q — December 11th, 2009, 5:02 pm
When I was in college working as a bellboy at a hotel I surveyed over 200 people and asked the same question. They came up with “Florence, Italy”…so I moved there. I think its important to make the distinction between “Travel” and “Living”. For example China is amazing for travelling, but would never live there again. Tokyo, where I live now is probably
the best and or tied with Florence, Italy. Next on my list is Argentina….
Q
Byron — December 11th, 2009, 5:58 pm
Great video guys,
I definitely agree with BA! I was convinced to take a 2 week vacation there in March after reading the 4 hr Work Week and checking out your BA post on the blog. You’re right, the steak sandwiches off Florida St were the bomb! The people at BA4U were great too and the apartments were pretty sweet, so thanks for the recommendation!
That trip actually inspired bigger and better things too, as right now I’m in Antigua, Guatemala learning Spanish to kick off a year long “mini retirement” through Central and South America! I mean, who wants to sit at a desk for 8 hours a day when the whole worlds out there…right??
Thanks again Tim!
Alberto — December 11th, 2009, 6:56 pm
Tim,
You should check out Peru. I am trying to go in Feb/March of 2010. My dad has a beach house and a house in the city. You can stay there for free!
Gavin — December 11th, 2009, 7:45 pm
Nice episode guys. Tim – one thing. Argentina is a great place and it isn’t nearly as cheap as it was a few years ago as you mentioned. However, it isn’t due to the country’s increased popularity as a tourist destination as you elude to. Rather, it is due to inflation that has eaten away at the favorable exchange rate.
matthk — December 11th, 2009, 8:36 pm
Thanks for the tips boys. Just two quick points re Ireland (I’m an Irish/Australian dual citizen).
(1) Jameson whiskey: It’s pronounced JAM-e-s’n, not JAMES-sun. *
(You’ll get your teeth loosened in Dublin for that one.)
(2) Dublin is (officially) Europe’s MOST expensive city. Mainly because of an out of control property market which has made a handful rich, and the rest worse off than before the Celtic Tiger chewed it’s leg off.
* No matter what the TV ads in other countries might say. (This might be a good subject for an episode, how and why brand names get screwed up around the world. e.g. The VW Touareg is pronounced something like “T’warh-egg” but in the US and Australia (which has become more ‘Yankophone’ in my absence) VW’s own ads mispronounce it as “Tour-egg”.
They’re assuming that the world’s most successful multicultural nation can’t pronounce foreign words properly!
Then there’s of course, Hyundai, which has had three or more different ‘official’ pronunciations since they first arrived in English speaking nations, but almost none of them are consistent with each other.
Mike — December 11th, 2009, 9:19 pm
I just came back from SE Asia…Tim you mention Thailand as one of the friendliest people, and true its an awesome place but…
…you need go to Laos, just north west of Thailand. The food is claimed to be one of the best in the world for the price, the people are friendlier than Thai’s, and the scenery is simply amazing. Plus the tubing down the canal is an experience unlike any.
I’m off to Mexico next week, thanks for the suggestion on Troncones, I’ll be sure to roll by!
Next on my list, Argentina and Spain.
Ten Cuidado,
Brandon — December 11th, 2009, 9:32 pm
Tim, I’m gonna keep this short so that…
A. I don’t waste your time
B. You’ll be compelled to help me
I’m planning my first “mini-retirement/honeymoon” rolled into one, and need some advice! I’m interested in the Yucatan pen. (Merida, Playa del Carmen, Isla Holbox) but am concerned about safety. Any specific tips to prevent theft and/or unauthorized organ transplants in Mexico and abroad?
P.S. how about the next “RANDOM” video should
Brandon — December 11th, 2009, 9:41 pm
talk about violent crime aversion tactics. Maybe elaborate on those Rio “near death” experiences?
Thanks in advance, Brandon
Fergus — December 11th, 2009, 9:45 pm
Tim,
can you list the list? This video cannot be viewed from inside China.
Ta,
Ferg
Boris — December 11th, 2009, 10:52 pm
Great episode guys!
I would have to go with Iceland for the best all round country. I went for a week and the scenery is just amazing, truly out of this world. I recommend spending a day or two in the capital (preferably during the weekends since the nightlife at Reykjavik is insane!), and the rest following the ring road around the country. Many people suggest going during the summer months from May to August, but going in November when it’s late Fall and less packed with tourists is a great time too!
For favorite city, I might have to go with Lausanne, Switzerland. It’s got a great feel to it, very French like, but better than anything I’ve ever been to in France. Of course, there’s Hong Kong, but to say it’s the best city ever would be a little unfair since I live there
Happy travels all!
KASHYAP — December 12th, 2009, 2:43 am
So, r u planing to visit INDIA??
If yes let me know please..
Ruangsung — December 12th, 2009, 5:33 am
Thailand – great choice! I moved here a few years ago after lived in the Bay Area for school and investment banking.
The food here has probably gotten better since you were last here. Some super-malls which have opened recently – Paragon, CentralWorld, Esplanade – have got a great selection of international food.
Ralph — December 12th, 2009, 6:12 am
Hey Tim,
I love these “Random” vids. Keep ‘em coming. I gotta check out Amsterdam.
I have a friend who just moved to Tokyo. We grew up together and when we graduated high school he enlisted in the military and they sent him to Japan. He loved it so much that he said he couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.
I’m planning on visiting him next year. I’m determined to lean some Japanese before I go. Any scams I should watch out for?
Peter Sharpe — December 12th, 2009, 7:13 am
Thanks Tim. Great video! here are my suggestions:
1. Liverpool, England. Many people associate Liverpool with the Beatles and they are still a big part of the culture there. You can have your photo taken on the famous Matthew Street and have a good pint in the Cavern Club. However, Liverpool has plenty more to offer. Some of the most beautiful buildings in the UK, compact, easily walkable and a melting pot of communities that is heavily influenced by the citiy’s past as a major port. It is very much unity in diversity and you can be Salsa dancing with senioritas from the Dominican Republic one night, squaring off with a Brazillian Capoera master the next and then drumming along at an African music festival the next. I understand a lot of cities have this type of culture but nowhere have I seen it more welcoming than in Liverpool. Also, It is one of the cheapest cities in the UK, Expect to pay alot less than in London for everything.
2. Lille, France. Much smaller than Paris but still a major city it has all the best of France in a compact place. Again, easily walkable (I like places i can just get lost in), full of great architecture (the main square is absolutley stunning when lit up at night) and with plenty to do. It is easy to get to on the Eurostar (90 mins from London). Very relaxed yet cosmopolitan place.
Honourable Mentions – Bruges – Belgium, Cologne – Germany
Jonny — December 12th, 2009, 8:53 am
I have just returned from 3 Months living in Bangkok and have to agree that the people there are truly spectacular. Beautiful people, always smiling, very cheap and very modern.
Bangkok is probably up there with some of the most modern cities in the world.
Ko Samui and Ko Tao islands – Incredible.
ian — December 12th, 2009, 10:47 am
S O C O T R A
A true vacation on a lost island.
What u say Tim?
Nate — December 12th, 2009, 10:59 am
I have found that it is always cool to go on trips with a local whenever possible. Such as a week long adventure through Calabria (Southern Italy) with my Italian friend. We went to the village where here grew up and stayed with relatives. Total immersion feeling! Regardless of where you are, good times are best enjoyed with good company
I am convinced that the next time I’m in Europe, I’d do an Italy only tour. It really is fantastic how much changes from north to south.
Anyway my list so far:
1. (city, 1 two days……… Prague, Lucern Switzerland & Brussels Belgium(with a local)
2. Mini retirement 3 mo +…… Taipei Taiwan, Panama City, Mexican Riviera somewhere
3. Place I have heard great things about for mini-retirements: BsAs (of course), Equador, Thailand
Thanks!,, Great post
Anthony Sanchez — December 12th, 2009, 11:50 am
Fun convo, Tim was getting more animated as the alcohol flowed. I like the top three choices you guys made and just to add variety, I think my top 3 places in order are: (1)Lapa in Rio de Janeiro, (2)Costa Rica, (3)Budapest. Have you ever been to Lapa on a weekend Tim? If so, what did you think?
Katherine Herriman — December 12th, 2009, 1:06 pm
My partner and I are travelling Europe in a motorhome indefinitely and working remotely while we do it. We’ve been going for almost 6 months now. The highlights so far have been Ireland and Sicily. One day in Ireland? Do a driving tour of the Dingle Peninsula then spend the night having a pint or two of Guinness with the locals in a Dingle pub whilst listening to the traditional live music. If you’ve only got one day in Sicily – if it’s swimming weather hike the Zingaro national park and take a swim in one of the secluded bays. Any other time of the year take a hike in the Mt Etna national park instead – especially if it’s autumn!
Michael Hennon — December 12th, 2009, 5:02 pm
Shanghai definitely deserves some lip service. Wonderful fusion of Asian and Western culture in a blender on high speed setting. The contrast between the Bund and the high rises of Pudong is exceptional. A cocktail on the top floor of the 87th floor of the Jin Mao tower is a surreal experience. Go at sunset and watch the lights of the city come alive.
hcat — December 12th, 2009, 5:20 pm
I googled Verana and it’s on the coast of Jalisco, on the mainland, not in Baja! Bad.
Chasman — December 12th, 2009, 6:31 pm
Great vid and viewpoints. Suggestions for next time –
1. Lose the empty drinks in the foreground.
2. Less swearing.
3. Kevin mentions “Baja” a few times. His recommendation is nowhere near Baja. It’s south of Puerto Vallarta.
Ben Philabaum — December 12th, 2009, 6:38 pm
Hey Tim
I’m studying abroad in Luxembourg next semester so this video was really helpful! Definitely planning on checking out Amsterdam and Berlin.
Adam Davis — December 12th, 2009, 7:26 pm
Great tips.
I’ve found a huge side benefit from travel is getting outside of the day-to-day, learning new cultures (which pushes your comfort zone) and clearing your head so you can be more productive when you return to home base.
One thing I always think of with 4HWW is ‘ambitious leisure’ – something I’ve been much more successful in implementing thanks to Tim’s tips. Keep ‘em comin’!
Clinton — December 12th, 2009, 8:53 pm
I can’t believe IRAQ didn’t make the list.. oh wait didn’t you want High Risk Venture traveling locations? lol
http://businesstobling.blogspot.com/2009/11/high-risk-ventures-tourism-in-iraq.html
Aaron Fleishman — December 13th, 2009, 3:15 am
My top 3 places I’ve been:
1. Jinja, Uganda – Located at the source of the Nile River, it’s home to some of the most intense white water rafting in Africa. The locals and ex-pats really know how to party at night as well.
2. Prague, Czech Republic – Smaller and less expensive than most major European cities, which is the appeal. Lots of history, great bars/nightlife, and beautiful women.
3. Maya Riviera, Mexico – Located south of Cancun & Playa Del Carmen, you are far enough away from the larger tourist traps. Be sure to check out some of the lesser known Mayan Ruins (Tulum, Coba), go swimming in a cenote (cave), & go trekking thru the jungle.
curtiba — December 13th, 2009, 4:53 am
I can’t believe you guys never mentioned Curtiba Brazil!
Tim Ferriss — December 13th, 2009, 4:47 pm
Home of Chuteboxe! Never been, but I’d like to visit sometime…
Tim
Themes — December 13th, 2009, 5:41 am
The best place for me was Thailand.
It was cheap, but at the same time it was modern. They have a skytrain, subway, and even a mall that sells Lamborginis! (Paragon).
Just have to watch out for locals who make a living scamming tourists out of their money.
Cody — December 13th, 2009, 5:45 am
My recommendations are from the view point of a single male in my late 20′s so keep that in mind.
Top 3 places to Live.
1. Bangkok, Thailand. – I have lived here for over a year and call this home.
2. Bali, Indonesia – Lived here for a year, amazing culture, scenery and lifestyle.
3. Buenos Aires, Argentina – I think Tim covered this one very well. I was here for 6 months.
Top 3 places to visit.
1. Bali, Indonesia – Obviously I think highly of this place, especially ubud.
2. Interlaken, Switzerland – and the surrounding area. It is like a picture book plus awesome adventure sports.
3. Cinque Terre, Italy – As others have already mentioned.
Mia — December 13th, 2009, 7:01 am
1. Barbados
2. Costa Rica
3. British Columbia
Stefan — December 13th, 2009, 12:54 pm
Hi,
I am living for more than seven years in South America, Chile. It is the safest country in S. A.. The advantage is you can travel fast and cheap to Argentina, Buenos Aires is the capitol of Tango and design. Another place of course is Rio, a city placed in a paradise.
Endless nature, desert and Antarctic you will find in Chile but the people are in general conservatives.
But I like it. At the moment I am at the Pacific with sunshine and a heavy wind, in the evening we drive back to the only metropol, all is centralized in Santiago de Chile.
Lynda — December 13th, 2009, 1:10 pm
For paradise in the South Pacific you can’t go past the Vava’u Island Group in the Kingdom of Tonga. 170 mainly uninhabited islands, all with beautiful snorkelling in ‘Bombay Sapphire’ blue water. Self-sail yacht charter is the best way to see these islands (and you’ll have hot water and if you can cook – decent food – can’t guarantee that here on land!), so you need some sailing experience but you can hire a skipper if you need to.
-Swim with hump back whales that migrate through here and marvel at the beautiful mystical whale song that you can hear underwater that travels hundreds of metres.
- Swim into Mariners Cave – a cave with the entrance underwater – an amazing experience.
-Go big game fishing for yellow fin tuna (you will need to for food unless you can survive on rice and pawpaw!) or to tag and release a marlin.
- If you are into Kite-boarding there are awesome trade winds here.
We visit here every 2 years and two weeks on the yacht is never long enough – we are planning to make it months at a time in the future. An untouched wilderness that is kept this way by it’s remoteness and the lack of infrastructure in this country still ruled by a king. Ssshhh – don’t tell everyone…!
@Iconic88 — December 13th, 2009, 8:03 pm
haha! Thanks Lynda. You said the place where I’m from
1. Vava’u, Kingdom of Tonga ~ South Pacific
Vava’u is one of the hidden secrets of this world & one of the few places where you can swim with HUMPBACK whales
2. Buzios (Brazil)
Just love this little town north of Rio. Cobbled streets, friendly people, amazing vibe.
3. Goa (India) from Nov to Feb
Love India and Goa is a great place to visit.
Anthony — December 14th, 2009, 12:16 am
Tim, what do you think of CouchSurfing as a means of travel? http://www.couchsurfing.org
Julianne — December 14th, 2009, 2:01 am
My heart sank when that one person mentioned New Zealand. I was hoping no one would. It has its disadvantages in that it is miles away from anywhere else, very expensive, and quite dull. I think the other countries are much more action-packed and worthwhile for tourists…
Tim Ferriss — December 14th, 2009, 2:10 am
Hi All!
Thanks so much for the great comments and discussion. Just an important FYI:
The live QA for y’all who get the new edition will not be on the 17th — it will be on the 12/22, as I’ve realized some people won’t receive books by 12/17.
Here is the new and expanded edition — much, much improved with more than 50 tips and case studies from readers: http://bit.ly/jEAUT
More call details to come soon.
If you want to join the call with the older edition, that’s also totally cool, but we’ll be focusing on content in the new book and things that have happened since 2007.
Looking forward to it!
Thanks so much and all the best,
Tim
JohnG — December 14th, 2009, 2:42 am
Tim,
Delighted to hear the Jameson Factory story from Ireland! I work next door and have been tempted in myself. Love the 4HWW, will be getting it for my Dad and brother for Christmas. If you come to Ireland again drop me an email and I’ll show you a few city highlights that you can’t find in the guides on or offline.
John, 27 , Dublin – Ireland
Alexia — December 14th, 2009, 5:18 am
Blimey, well that one’s prompted a lot of discussion…!
Tim, am digging the beard, I don’t think you should get rid of it. I’m going to try to find the answer to this somewhere on the site, but how many languages are you now able to get by decently in? I can tell you’ve got a good spanish and chinese accents, so I’m wondering how many more you’ve broken down and successfully learnt. It’s making me think about trying your methods for Japanese!
Thanks for inspiring me to quit my job last year, and run for the hills – I covered Japan (prefer Kyoto to Tokyo), Seoul, Hong Kong, Vietnam, California, Mexico, Guatemala (not a fan but was a necessary evil to get to) Belize, and New York/Connecticut/surrounding states. Was a great trip which reminded me of how much I loved travelling.
And since I’ve been back, although enduring a few months of pretty darn hard unemployment, I’ve still managed to pack in 3-4 trips to Italy (North and Tuscany), 2 trips to Amsterdam (agree with everything you two say, I could happily live there biking my days away and filling baskets with tulips), Bali, Istanbul (careful of the turkish delight in the markets, you might get more than you bargained for)…oh, and I write from Philadelphia. But I don’t think that counts, seeing as though I’m struck down with flu, and haven’t left this hotel room for over 60 hours. The plus side: I get to watch you guys, and I start to understand what life might be like living entirely on room service…..surreal…
Here’s my vote for you to keep the beard Tim!
Jason Ford — December 14th, 2009, 3:49 pm
When I move to Brazil next year I’ll be sure to update the community with any relative safety concerns. I look rather similar to Tim in terms of skin color, hair color, and build. Hopefully everything will be ok and I won’t have any near death experiences!
George — December 14th, 2009, 4:01 pm
Tim & Kevin
You guys need to get your asses over to Africa & more importantly South Africa!
It will blow you away. Guaranteed you will revise your list!!!
Will — December 14th, 2009, 8:32 pm
Brazil has some good times with beautiful lands and beautiful people. BUZIOS in Rio De Janiero state is a great spot. Lots of small beaches (23 if I remember correctly) and the people are very mellow. Make sure you hit up a local “fisherman” for a fishing trip – trust me… the US Coast Guard would never let some of these boats carry people. The boat ride is an adventure in and of itself, when you catch a fish or two take it back to a small waterside outdoor “restaurant” and have them cook it up for you.
You can get an ocean view two bedroom two bath posada with a hot tub for $80 a night US.
The small downtown area has good nite life and with a 15 minute walk to the next cove you get the local feel.
My wife tells me NATAL is great (six hour flight non-stop from Miami) – get ready for the olympics and world cup!
May all your adventures be memorable ones…..
Junia — December 15th, 2009, 3:04 am
I really want to go to Cape town South Africa. I have heard so many fantastic things. For now, Cinque terre will have to do (this weekend) and Amsterdam in a few weeks. Happy travel.
Daveytay — December 15th, 2009, 3:57 am
I live in NZ now, and moved here from un-affordable Vancouver BC. I went from a 1.5 hr commute to a 15 minute one. Great place to live.
To visit, I have been many places including some of the areas mentioned in Mexico. I love the Yucatan. That said, it was 15 or more years ago.
Fly to Cancun and rent a car or get on a bus, but the get the hell out of there. It should be treated like an airport in your mind. Go south or east for a few hours. East takes you to
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chichen_Itza
and Cenote X’keken http://images.google.co.nz/images?q=Cenote+X'keken
Near there is an awesome tour of an ancient worship site in a cave. It is so old the stalagmites have formed around bowls for offerings.
South takes you to the “Riviera” already mentioned. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dos_Ojos is a snorkel tour of caves, fantastic. The foreign tour guides in this area were working with the locals because that is sustainable. ( This was damn near 15 years ago now, so it may be very different now…) The guides did that cave diving exploration stuff in their spare time and were “bent” by some accounts. It was rough but fun. Adventure tourism on rickety lashed steps down into a cenote; and this after a ride in an old toyota ute held together by lashed poles and driven by the eight year old. Fun times.
Anyways, I had a great time in Playa Del Carmen as a base and did day trips to visit the sites.
Ian — December 15th, 2009, 7:02 am
Antigua Guatemala is a must, as earlier mentioned, great colonial city surrounded by Volcanoes.
Maastricht in the Netherlands, the Dutch’s favourite city, beautiful old but well looked after city right in the south near Belgium and Germany, great mixture of foods, dialect and party atmosphere. They have a huge Carnaval every year, and literally hundreds of bars full of great beers.
Edinburgh, my country’s capital, stunning layout, huge castle lots to do and great nightlife, go during the festival if you can find a room.
Oaxaca city in Mexico, great place to brush up on your spanish and enjoy Salsa dancing and Mescal, with beautiful old streets.
Best beaches I have been to: Gili Islands of Lombok Indonesia, Perhentian Islands in Malaysia, Koh Samui Thailand.
coen — December 15th, 2009, 9:08 am
Great show again! I really like it, keep ‘m coming!
Dave — December 15th, 2009, 11:26 am
I love Chile and Argentina for the skiing and snowboarding in July and August.
Brazil too is amazing for the culture, surf and food.
Would love to get to Russia one day but a tough trip with a young family.
Great blog!
Jess — December 15th, 2009, 12:47 pm
I felt like I was sitting across from 2 friends at a hostel…reminds me of a few personal experiences where I get to giggle along, yet listening to a few uncharted destinations – inspires me to keep going. From the pristine Scandinavian streets to the broken steps on the inka trail…the best way to explore any city is to get lost in the streets. Agree however one may want to be careful while doing this in Rio…always have a posse in Rio!
Toshi O. — December 15th, 2009, 9:15 pm
Wow 122 comments and no one commented on Zihuatanejo! – From the movie Shawshank Redemption.
Menno — December 16th, 2009, 4:31 am
Just came back from London, and I gotta say, when you are from a euro-country it is not that expensive! Currently the pound almost equals the euro, so half a litre beer for 3 pounds is only 3 euros, try to do that in Amsterdam! And the pub food is lovely and not expensive, you can get a meal for 5 till 10 pounds. Try O’Neills, an Irish pub, close to Regent Street and you will get the best Guiness Pie you ever had!
8020 Financial — December 16th, 2009, 5:33 am
Bit late to the party on this – but great entry Tim and Kevin.
My vote is for Estonia – close to the perfect location for 4 hour work weekers. Cheap, safe, free wireless everywhere, great bars and clubs, breathtakingly beautiful women and the best ice cream I’ve ever had (seriously). Only letdown is the cold climate, but I guess you can’t have everything.
For those that like backpacking and the hostel scene (I realise this is not for everyone) I also recommend the Cairns to Sydney trail on the east coast of Australia. Great beaches, and if you stay in hostels (some of which describe themselves as ‘flashpackers’ and are very upmarket) you can’t help but meet a lot of very interesting people from all over the world.
My tie for third place would be either London or Paris, in spite of the expense. You could spend months in either city and barely scratch the surface – there really is so much to do.
Hunter Ogletree — December 17th, 2009, 12:20 pm
My favorite. . .Honduras. . .Bay Islands in Honduras. . . .Especially on a 4 hour workweek lifestyle.
Alex Vegabond — December 18th, 2009, 1:24 am
I will agree with Tim on his opinion with Brazil. I myself go there quite frequently as my mom is from there. It is beautiful and a great place to train but the level of safety can make one uneasy.
Many of my family have been held gunpoint, knifepoint, and threatened in the most public of places. Brazil is beautiful, but not a great place for first time tourists.
Berlin is the bomb straight up.
-Alex W
Mazi — December 18th, 2009, 10:07 pm
Argentina and Thailand are easy ones (especially since my wife is from Buenos Aires), but I would’ve never imagined before coming here, but visiting Indonesia has definitely put the country in my top three.
From the hardcore Islamic areas and jungles on Borneo/Kalimantan, to the expansive Torajan Funerals of the Torajans in Sulawesi, to the rich and unique Hindu culture of Bali, the country has been amazing.
Andrei — December 18th, 2009, 10:39 pm
I just got back from two weeks traveling around in Indonesia (my second time there). Bali is a magical place but this time we hit Lombok (slated to be the next Bali but ssssshhhhh don’t tell anyone!) and the Gili Islands. Unbelievably beautiful and still relatively devoid of other tourists. Great food, great sights, nice people, and unbelievable beaches.
Italy is always a great destination, particularly the Umbria area which still feels midieval.
Thailand and Brazil are also both on my shortlist but primarily because I train MMA and will be attenting Muay Thai and BJJ camps while at each location.
I’ve heard amazing things about Japan but haven’t made it there yet… something I hope to remedy in the very near future.
PF — December 19th, 2009, 5:32 am
Having read most of the comments and having traveled to a reasonable number of diverse places, I’m convinced there’s no such a thing as *the best place* to live or visit.
Most of us haven’t explored the places/people we currently live at or are from — I’m talking 100-400 mile radius — yet we’ve waisted enormous amounts of time and money just getting to some of those remote places; and then wishfully hope we’ve got the gist of the place while we just merely scratched the surface by walking just a little off the tourist sidewalk.
Stay home — visit a gold-rush town while it’s still there; talk to your grandparent while they are still alive — then go.
(couldn’t watch your video — currently in china — though I’m sure it’s fun, as always)
Adam — December 20th, 2009, 12:52 pm
Lovin these short videos. Very entertaining. Currently I’m learning to speak Japanese and am also planning a trip to Japan. I’m very excited. Trying to get my business on track so that I can take a hands off approach. Should be an interesting adventure!
Kim Southern — December 25th, 2009, 8:12 pm
I love Random! Just keep it real and say what you want. I feel like I get to know your personalities that way.
For now I am just exploring the Washington DC area cause I am too broke to travel overseas but I am so addicted.
Munich and Berlin are both a lot of fun but Munich is better.
I love Augustiner.
Surfing at different spots while traveling up the east coast of Australia is great. Sydney – Byron Bay.
You have inspired me to take my next trip to China but I am really lucky that I made friends with a Chinese girl while living in Munich so she will show me around when she goes home to visit family next spring.
Looking forward to 4HWW living in 2010!
Austin — December 26th, 2009, 5:04 pm
Thanks for this video I loved it. Please keep these “random” episodes coming. They are very insightful and educational. Thanks Tim and Kevin.
Dave Gold — December 28th, 2009, 7:26 am
From the perspective of an active married male in his early 30s, here’s my two cents:
Favorites so far…
———————-
1) Praiano, Italy…nestled into the Amalfi Coast
2) Tzfat, Israel…home of Kabbalah
3) Big Sur, California…nearby surfing, camping among redwoods, coastline views
Looking forward to visiting soon…
——————————————
1) Bhutan…home of Gross National Happiness [GNH]
2) Ibiza, Spain…authentic Summer clubbing
3) Marrakesh, Morocco…just plain cool
Octavian G. Petrescu [octygen] — December 29th, 2009, 9:13 am
It’s hard to choose. There are so many places:
http://www.43places.com/person/octygen
From the ones I have visited:
1. Timisoara, Romania. Romanian women rule. Czech women come in a close second. Romanian food is really good as well. Especially desserts.
2. Sydney, Australia. Beaches. Laid-back culture. Clean. Safe.
3. You want off the beaten path? Try North Stadbroke Island near Brisbane, Australia.
Oh, and if you want to go for a drive: GREAT OCEAN ROAD near Melbourne or Transfagarasan in Romania (see one of the latest episodes in Top Gear to understand why).
Michael O'Neal — December 30th, 2009, 1:34 pm
Tim,
I had the *exact* same experience at the Jamison factory. I got that little tray with like..6 shots on it. I was sitting next to some Irish 58 year old woman that just started *knocking* them back, and that was close to the end of my day keeping up with her. I *stumbled* out of that place. Totally agree on Ireland, Munich, and Amsterdam.
BTW…4HWW was *instrumental* in my trip. So thanks for that.
Henry — January 12th, 2012, 10:45 am
What were the names of the beers Tim had?
Melee Antoinette — January 2nd, 2010, 12:03 am
weed innuendo here is hilarious.
RogerV — January 8th, 2010, 12:53 am
My votes… having been to 20 countries & 47 US states:
in no particular order…
Gimmelwald, Switzerland. Tiny village high in the swiss alps. Sleep in a barn, and help shear some sheep to get some great advice on the ice caves inside a glacier.
Amalfi coast in Italy…
Instanbul, Turkey – one of my favorite cities in the world and a nice blend of east and west.
great post… I think foreign travel invites one to more awareness in lifestyle design. The USA is wealthy only by the standards which it has defined as important; there’s a tribe in africa that most values free time and therefore by its own standards is the wealthiest society in the world (~3 hr work week for essential survival). France has more than double the action (bedroom action that is) of the USA, higher per-capita GDP, shorter workweek, double the time spent eating with friends on average.
Sounds nice to me. Thanks for awakening millions with your book.
Haensel — January 9th, 2010, 4:28 am
Hi Tim,
I would love to watch Random via ITunes-feeds. Vimeo is nice, but I am used to watch podcasts and stuff via Apple TV and I am lazy
Greetings from Vienna (Austria),
Hannes (Haensel)
Ed — January 13th, 2010, 11:33 am
How on earth can you mention Amsterdam without mentioning the Red Lights District?
Also, Kevin like seriously needs to like, stop using the word like, like so much.
Albert — January 23rd, 2010, 12:57 am
Great show you guys wish it where longer, I would also like to know glen, kevin and tim’s top 5 beaches in the world from each, could be popular resorsts included but more interested in hidden gems like verana in yalapa mexico.
If possible would like to include that info on my web page, which is up already but is a work in progress thanks guys.
Naomi — January 30th, 2010, 12:24 pm
Tim – you are incessantly twisting your straws in this video, which could only mean you are sexually frustrated. HAHA.
Big V — February 1st, 2010, 10:58 am
Tim or Other 4HWW fellows,
Anyone found a good health insurance options for self-employed?
Would anyone be willing to share how much they are paying per year?
Like many of you, I have recently left corporate world and finding insurance is a whole new ballgame for me. Continuing my health insurance from my previous employer through COBRA costs almost $10,000 per year which seems expensive!
Many thanks,
V
Gylfi — February 12th, 2010, 8:23 am
Hi
I think you guys are the coolest. Good stuff.
You guys need to come to Iceland. That´s for sure. Food, Landscape, weather and super nightlife.
Be in touch if you want a guided tour !!
bayrak — February 27th, 2010, 7:00 am
Gracias por compartir. un sitio ha sido diseñado felicitaciones muy bonito
Ben — March 13th, 2010, 12:04 pm
St. Lucia and Scotland were 2 of my favorites
Ine Dehandschutter — March 15th, 2010, 11:43 am
Well. We’ve seen the world quite a bit. At the moment we’re in Cape Town for our lifestyledesign adventure. And must say: that’s a total hit compared to many other places we’ve visited: relaxed, open(minded), sunny, and cheerful. Love the people.
Next stopovers are Thailand and Argentina.
But as a real travel destination I’d gladly recommend Petra in Jordan. Don’t Google it. Just go. Take a cheap plane to Egypt, cross the border to Jordan taking a boat. Hire a 4*4 tour guide and have him drive you through the desert, where once Lawrence of Arabia passed on a camel. Sleep in the desert. Enjoy the silence. Heaven is close.
bryce mahoney — March 23rd, 2010, 6:17 am
Great initiative Tim. I noticed you said you train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu? HOw long have you been training. What would you say is your biggest hurdle in training?
Chris Capre — July 20th, 2010, 3:07 pm
Hola Tim,
I read your book in 2007 and had just started my business. Getting to the end of your book, I took a trip to one of your recommendations for travel – Buenos Aires. 6mos later, I moved here and have implemented almost every applicable item from your book to my business. Nothing could have been better for it and my life which has more time and freedom than I know what to do with.
One question – do you have any solutions to having a book edited besides a) doing it yourself, and b) paying someone betweek 5-10k to edit the book? Its a slightly technical book on financial markets so would be interested to hear if you have any suggestions on alternative methods as you seem to have a knack for these things.
Thanks again for all your advice in this book which took me from an overworked small business startup to a successful 4hr a day (I know – not a week) business owner.
Saludos Cordiales,
Chris
Radek — August 20th, 2010, 5:03 pm
Hi Tim!
I don’t know if you’re going to see this comment since this post has been here for such a long time, but if you do, can you share with us what are the other 2 hardest languages you’ve learnt (or tried to) besides Gaelic?
Thanks in advance!
Radek
Domenick — September 1st, 2010, 9:27 pm
For me, my top 3 travel spots include…
Banos Ecuador…great place, rent a bike for $5 and ride all day downhill and see where the Andes hits the Amazon.
Bohol Philippines…amazing place, rent a moped and cruise the island all day, picturesque beaches
Samana Peninsula Dominican Republic… Dropdead gorgeous beaches, literally post card material…wow…
thats my 2 cents…Dom
[personal name] — September 2nd, 2010, 9:24 pm
I love thailand – I visited there for about three weeks. We visited phuket and the beach was amazing – beautiful white sand beaches. The food was amazing the lobster was baked instead of boiled(amazing spices) – so yummy. We also road on elephants through the jungle and rivers. I would say one of my favorite places to visit is Utah. There are so many beautiful/breathtaking national parks. Zion National Park – the scenery is soo beautiful/outstanding. Some other national parks in the state are Arches National park, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capital Reef, and just south of utah is the Grand Canyon. If you haven’t visited the National Parks in Utah – then you are missing out!
Marion — December 12th, 2010, 11:46 am
Interesting that Berlin is – almost – on your list. Can’t blame you though, BA is awesome! Did you do Tango in Berlin and if so where did you like it the best?
Misha — December 21st, 2011, 4:16 am
Great show guys!
Talking about expensive cities – you shold visit Moscow.
If you ever going to – hit me up, I’ll give you couple of advices and can show you around.
Misha
Tomas — December 25th, 2011, 10:50 pm
Great places you named, I’ve been to all and I’m currently staying in BA for six months. I’m from southern Sweden, but moved to Stockholm a couple of years ago. Travelled all the world but I have to say, trying not to be to much bias, that Stockholm is probably my number one spot to live. So many great things; safe, beautiful with the water and landscaping, great food and nightlife, most beautiful women in the world and so on. Downside is the dark and cold winter, and it’s a bit pricy.
Have you guys been?