Where: Cape Town, South Africa
Why: In South Africa, the exchange rate is in our favor. One USD is worth 12.79 South African Rand; and for your reference, 4.03 Rand can get you half a pound of bananas. A five-star hotel in San Francisco cost about three hundred to four hundred dollars while a five-star hotel in Cape Town costs only a third of the price. While you can enjoy an industrial feel in Downtown Cape Town, you can move further away from the city for mountains, beaches, harbor, and gardens. And just to let you know, there’s Uber in Cape Town, which means you can travel through the city easily. The Table Mountain is one of the most gorgeous mountains in the world, and it’s must go place in South Africa. It is 3558 feet high, and if hiking is not your thing, you can take the cable car all the way up the mountain. Just outside the city is a place filled with penguins called Boulder Beach. Looking for a place to visit to clean your mind, Kirstenbosch Gardens will transport you to a tranquil world. You can go to shark cage diving in Gansbaai, enjoy the colorful neighborhood in Bo-Kapp, drink your way into a vineyard in Stellenbosch. And to end your day, go to the AfrikaBurn, it’s must go if you’re a fan of Burning Man.
Tip: Just remember that our summer is their winter, so if you’re planning to travel later in the year, prepare more t-shirt and tanks!
Where: Vietnam
Why: During World War II, Vietnam was torn apart by war. Today, it’s one of the best places to travel in the world. Affordable upscale accommodations, cheap but great food, and beautiful sceneries make Vietnam a standout destination in South Asia. You might think traveling to Asia would be expensive but according to flight booking app Hopper, an average ticket to Vietnam cost around $510 to $550 (with stops) and the cheapest time to go is in Mid August. A five star hotel in Vietnam would cost around one to two hundred dollars a day, and with Airbnb, you can get an entire home with two rooms near the beach for only about $50 a day. There are many ways you can travel through Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, you can hop on a train, bus - or the preferred way of transport - motorcycle. Vietnam is the one of the most preserved city with beautiful French colonial architecture, it really does become a national treasure. The best place to eat in Vietnam is not at fancy restaurant but on the ordinary streets and sidewalks. Street food is by far the most exciting and accessible way to truly experience the local life of Vietnam. Kayak in the emeralds of waters of Halong Bay or relax in ancient Hoi An and the nearby beaches. Although it’s expensive to travel through Halong Bay, it’s must go place to go in Vietnam and in your lifetime. No regrets.
The world is beautiful and huge, but these are the places that we recommend you to visit this summer. Let’s fill our life with adventures!
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