<p>Some of you (hopefully) will recognize me as a student regular in the Parents Forum over the past few years. I’m here to seek advice on a completely unrelated topic…</p>
<p>My wonderful aunt has invited me to go somewhere fun with her over my spring break this year. She likes architecture, I like natural beauty, we both like hiking… but she can’t handle elevation any higher than 2000m (6500 ft) above sea level.</p>
<p>Anywhere in the world, within significant visa limitations, is up for consideration. She holds a Chinese passport, I have a Canadian passport (but U.S. green card). She already has a visa to the U.S. that will expire at the end of March, so Hawaii has come up as a possibility, but are the volcanoes too high? (I’ve, sadly, ruled out Yellowstone.)</p>
<p>Thoughts, suggestions, advice? Istanbul has also been brought up, what kind of interesting non-architectural touristy things to do are in Turkey?</p>
<p>Hawaii does not have much interesting architecture, although it does have native history. I would not need much of an excuse to go back to Kauai. The hikes are not high elevation there, unlike some of the other islands.</p>
<p>Yellowstone is far too cold and snowy in March.</p>
<p>There are amazing opportunities for Anasazi indian archeo-tourism in New Mexico, Arizona, and southeru UT that is a good place to be in March, but much of that country is either pushing or exceeding her elevation limit. I’d be happy to provide more detail, if you want to switch to PM.</p>
<p>Architecture, mountains, natural beauty? Spain. Near Barcelona, or Granada. Italy–just about anywhere, but Sicily would be spectacular. Or at the heel of the boot. Southern France, near Nice or Cannes or further west in Provence. Great hiking in all these places.</p>
<p>Is your aunt willing to adopt a few more? ;)</p>
<p>Have you considered Cambodia/Vietnam? Wonderful architecture for your aunt (Angkor Wat for instance), plenty to do and see for you. Not too touristy (yet) so you can have a great time without running into the huge groups. </p>
<p>I loved Spain, esp. the Moorish palaces, and the delightful cities. Madrid is 2100 feet above sea level, in case you were wondering!</p>
<p>Sydney, Australia with sidetrip to Uluru/Ayer’s Rock - no elevation. Blue Mountains nearby are not at a very high elevation, may still be okay for the aunt. Architecture incl. Opera House in the city, tons of nature outside of the city.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for the ideas! I’m planning to study abroad in France in two years, so that can wait.</p>
<p>I would love to see SE Asia, but she’s already been all over that part of the world, multiple times. Unlike my happily sedentary mother who hates walking. ;)</p>
<p>Hmm, how far of a flight is Sydney from Beijing/Shanghai? She thought the 13 hours to Philadelphia was 3 hours too long. I know it would be hell for me, but hey, I’m young.</p>
<p>Much closer to her flightwise would be a trip to India. I don’t know if her travel in SE Asia includes India, but Taj Mahal and Moghul palaces in Rajasthan would be great architecture and there is plenty of nature, including wild life parks with tons of bird watching and the occasional tiger, as well.</p>