Hi all,

I'm turning 25 this fall, and really want to be elsewhere for my birthday. My trip will fall during the month of October, probably earlier in the month than later. I'll probably be going by myself, since my family and boyfriend's schedules are pretty difficult to work with. I just haven't figured out EXACTLY where I want to go, so would love some suggestions from the great LP community!

First, the travel history: I'm fairly well traveled and comfortable with solo travel. I've been to Japan and Indonesia solo, Tanzania/Zanzibar, Oman, Morocco, Mexico, islands in the Caribbean with a companion, and Greece, the UK, Syria, and Ecuador with larger groups/set itinerary. I've lived in Jordan and the UAE.

Next, the key pieces of info:
-I will be flying from New York City (JFK or Newark)

-My budget is probably under $1,300 for the flight to wherever I go. Accommodation costs are not a factor: I'll do all of that in advance and am pretty good at finding cheap, safe lodging, plus I'll probably splurge on a nice property at one location. Budget for other spending (attractions, metro/bus, food) I'd ballpark at $100 per day, going as low as $50 and as high as $150.

-I will not rent a car on my trip since I hate automobiles and driving in general. I'll be relying on public transportation, walking, and flights between places if I'm moving around.

-I am a single female (will be 25). I tend to blend in well in Middle Eastern and Asian countries (I am multiracial). I speak English, working French, decent Arabic (Khaliji and Palestinian dialects), very basic Japanese and Spanish

I don't have concrete travel interests; usually just like to go with the flow of the country I'm in. I do LOVE food and food culture, and always take the time to research and explore the cuisine of the place I'm in. My favorite food experiences have been all of Japan, small restaurants in Marrakesh, family-run taverns on small Greek islands, mezze in Syria, and incredible street food in Zanzibar not to mention outstanding sugar cane/lime juice.

I'm not a big sightseer, which is why I haven't taken the opportunity to go to Europe: I wouldn't want to go to Paris and NOT see the Louvre or Monet's waterlillies at the Musee de l'Orangerie, but then I'd be afraid of getting swept up in a huge sightseeing drive. Europe and South America are the continents I know the least about but I am very curious and interested in traveling to. I am also a HUGE FC Barcelona fan and have been for years, so going to Barcelona and seeing a game would be an AMAZING birthday trip experience.

New Zealand / Australia are a bit too far and plane ticket too expensive I think for only 2-3 weeks of travel.

So, my initial thoughts are:

1) Some combination of European cities/areas, but not sure which (Barcelona would be a MUST places I know I have interest in are Andalucia, Basque country, Provence and Marseille, Paris, Genoa, Bologna, Florence, Rome, Budapest, Romanian and Bulgarian countryside, Istanbul, Krakow, Munich) - this seems like it would be the easiest to do with a combination of public transportation and flights

2) Southern Africa (Cape Town + Namibia; Johannesburg, safari, and Mozambique) - this would be an incredible experience, but I'm mildly skeptical about going alone AND doing South Africa without a vehicle sounds like it's not widely done

3) Some part of South America, but again not sure where to go (I would have initial interest in Brazil, especially Rio, Salvador/Bahia and the Panatal, and Chile/Argentina's Patagonia or Chile's Tierra del Fuego, some interest in Peru, I know next to nothing about the other countries in South America but would be open to more ideas!)

4) Back to the Middle East, places I've been and places I haven't? (Would be interested in Beirut and Lebanon, loved Morocco and would go back in a heartbeat, especially to Fes, Meknes and the desert. I have definite interest in Iran, but between the visa difficulties since I'm American, my complete lack of knowledge of Farsi, and the guided tour thing, I think I will wait)

Would welcome all suggestions! I just really want to have a better feel on where it is I'd like to go, and right now I like a lot of ideas, but am not honed in on a particular place.

Thank you!