So, I don't think there's an official travel thread going on this forum, so I figured i'd start one (my apologies if there is and I missed it). What are everyones favourite countries to travel to, and what do you think makes them so awesome? I guess conversely, what countries were big let down's, and you think aren't worth it?

I love Cuba. Unlimited alcohol and food, hot girls (tourists mostly), and very friendly culture.

Going back to Thailand next month. Mainly to get ripped, but also to enjoy the beach and save money. Also, the locals have such a warm and friendly vibe there, I really like it. Just have to avoid the dirty tourist areas.

Other favorites: Russia, Spain, Brazil, Australia
Overrated (IMO): France, Costa Rica, Indonesia (Bali)

Are you doing Muay Thai to get ripped Mark? I did it for a year and a half, I really want to bounce to Thailand for a month or two after my Korea contract is done next spring. I figure it'll be a way to see the country and get my Thai boxing skills nice and sharp at the same time. Do you know of any camps you'd recommend?

I haven't decided yet. I think I want to bulk up and add some muscle on first for a couple months. I plan on staying for most of the fall and getting a shitload of web work done, so I'll have plenty of time. The food there is very healthy and cheap as well, and the gyms/trainers are excellent, so it's all very ideal.

Last time I was there I trained at a gym in Rawai, Phuket and was very happy with them. I'm by no means a serious MMA guy, and they did a great job of teaching me the basics and whipping my ass into shape.

http://www.rawaimuaythai.com

If you're more serious about MMA, I know the more serious guys trained at a place called Tiger on Phuket: http://www.tigermuaythai.com/

Sam Sheridan wrote a book called "A fighters heart" about his trip to Thailand training muay thai, and then getting into MMA. He went to Thailand two times, into the same camp, which transformed during the time between his two stays. Really great read.

Wow. I was shocked at the cost: 9000 a month! Then I realised it was Baht. So about 300 USD. Now that's more like it. How long did you train for last time Mark?

A month. A month is great if you just want to lose some weight and tone up. But if you really want to get serious, you need a month to just be able to get to the point where you can handle the work outs every day. It's really intense, and it kind of sucked because it wasn't until the last half of the second week that I felt like I could handle the entire work out regimen and really reap all of the benefits from it.

But a month will get you in ridiculously good shape.

(07-19-2011 11:12 AM)Mark Wrote:  Going back to Thailand next month. Mainly to get ripped, but also to enjoy the beach and save money. Also, the locals have such a warm and friendly vibe there, I really like it. Just have to avoid the dirty tourist areas. Other favorites: Russia, Spain, Brazil, Australia
Overrated (IMO): France, Costa Rica, Indonesia (Bali)

I have been to Thailand twice now. And really enjoyed it both times. However, the second time I just found the whole gap year/backpacker vibe overbearing and hard to avoid. I mean Im sure you can avoid the worst places to an extent, but surely your playing a losing battle.

I guess in places like Thailand you have to accept that your always going to have a level of tourism around, if you want to completely avoid tourist traps I would say avoid Thailand.

The locals are very friendly, yes, thats one thing that would always keep me coming back. However I wonder how long their friendliness will stay like that after year after year of increasing tourism and development. A lot of them seem less friendly in the more touristy areas obviously so it makes you wonder whether that friendly mentality overall will change in years to come.

I don't know man, in the five weeks I was there, I barely ran into any backpackers. You have to get your own place. Not hard to get away from the fray. My apartment was like 20-30 minutes away from the touristy area and I never saw backpackers. There were some ex-pats there, but that was it.