Hi--

We are looking for some new, interesting non-European destinations, so I figured where better to ask than from a bunch of people who are similar to us in that they really like Europe. I'm asking for locations that wouldn't be covered on this European forum please. Would you also mind telling me why you liked the place? Good beaches, fascinating and different culture, great scenery, interesting and inexpensive, great ruins. You get the idea.

Please don't name places you didn't like. I'm going to start a separate thread for those places you'd prefer not to see again.

Thanks much.

Hello julies

<i>fascinating and different culture, great scenery, interesting and inexpensive, great ruins.</i>

I believe you have just described Egypt!

I loved China. While there (October 2004) I was in Beijing, Xian, a three-day cruise down the Yangtze river (probably not doable anymore), and Shanghai.

I recently got back from Thailand (Bangkok and Chiang Mai), Vietnam (Hanoi), and Cambodia (Siem Reap). That was also an amazing trip.

And with the dollar as weak as it is, you get more bang for your buck in Asia. I got some beautiful silk clothing in Thailand as well as some great jewelry. In Vietnam they have no problem at all doing transactions in US$, and the same in Cambodia. In fact, my experience was that they preferred US$ in Cambodia.

I am absolutely bananas about the temples - any temples in Asia. I could just sit and look at them all day. I also found the people to be quite nice and polite. I even liked the airport security people there. Much, much nicer than in the US.

And the food! Wonderful. Fantastic. No McDonalds or Starbucks yet in Vietnam (although Hanoi does have one KFC).

(A note to our non-USA friends - when our security people are rude and evil to you, it's nothing personal or because you are from another country. They are horrible to everyone.)

I really like Japan, especially Kyoto and the countryside, but I don't think it fits your criteria.

Our family loves to visit Toronto. It's a great international city with very low crime compared to a lot of large cities. The ethnic neighborhoods and restaurants are wonderful, and there are great museums and theater.

For scenery:
The ten days we spent in late September/early October many years ago in Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper in the Canadian Rockies. The hiking everywhere was terrific, and the drives (especially from from Lake Louise to Jasper) were awe inspiring. It didn't hurt that it was our honeymoon, too.

Morocco: gorgeous and varied scenery, great beaches, fabulous cuisine, vibrant souks, beautiful rugs and fabrics, proud but warm people, and I love the way the architecture is so inward-looking and secretive, and all the tiled courtyards with fountains and bird cages.

Kenya - it just blew me away. Everything about it, but especially the people, the softness of their demeanor, their lilting voices, their slightly deferential warmth. I wanted to adopt the whole country.

To clarify. I wasn't asking for the things I used as decsriptors. I was just asking for comments that included descriptors.

Thanks again.

I'm a big fan of Mexico, it's a huge and diverse country, and easy to get to from the U.S. I most often go to Puerto Vallarta which is a beach resort town frequented by a good mix of gringo tourists, Mexican nationals, ex-pats. It can be quite inexpensive and the local people are incredibly friendly and welcoming. La Paz on the Baja was nice too.

Tanzania. I lost my heart to this amazing country. I just have to save up enough to go back and get my heart back again.

The USA. I love the vastness, the quirkyness, the scenery, the people. All more than outweigh the immigration hassles and the freeways of LA

I also love Mexico. For me, it's the colonial towns I love: Puebla, Oaxaca, San Cristobal de las Casas, Queretaro, Merida. There are others I haven't hit yet.

There's also beautiful jungle, waterfalls, beaches and Mayan ruins if that grabs you.

And don't forget the food!

India fits - amazing beaches- Kerela - different culture - everywhere - I found the north very different from the south, the cities different from the smaller centres - Ruins - the Elera caves on my top 10 list of things I have seen.

A wonderful, frustrating, depressing and uplifting place.

Laos.

Non-English speaking parts of the Caribean--I suppose they still take dollars! Some resorts can break your bank but some are still darn affordable.

Japan is nice too but it's not inexpensive. The beaches in Okinawa are also great.

Australia and New Zealand are extremely nice. Despite the falling dollar, these places still offer plenty to see and to do without burning a hole in your wallet.

I love Hawaii, Cabo, Thailand, and playa del carmen

Buenos Aires. We spent last Thanksgiving there and enjoyed it very much. We like cities and it has a great energy, interesting history, terrific museums, delicious food, and lovely people. Very inexpensive, exclusive of flights, and some of the best Italian food we've had, including our visits to Italy.

Another plus is the weather at that time of year (late spring/early summer with flowers starting to bloom) compared to Paris (our usual destination) and the East coast where we live. Lots of people compare it to Paris but it's very much its own place. There's quite a bit of interesting architecture too and I will never forget the beautiful Jacaranda trees - wow!

Well I was going to say Greece, as when I last went it was not part of the Europeon Union , so was cheap, had great beaches, and of course history. That was 20 yrs ago now,, LOL , so it doesn't count now I guess.

I still love going to Hawaii, it is different then the Caribbean. The air has a certain smell, so much greenery , so many flowers, the people are so mellow, they don't seem American, I don't mean that in a mean way, I mean, they are just so laid back , and well, tropical.. LOL Like time doesn't really matter, and just pass the Mai Tai.. LOL

The Canadain Rockies( Banff and Lake Louise) are special, so fresh, the scenery, the hiking,etc.

This was a hard question since I really like Europe and it is my first choice destination.

We started visiting South Africa three years ago and are now going back every year.

It's a huge country full of amazing scenery, wildlife, fascinating cultures and beautiful friendly people, beaches, mountains, penguins; great food and wine, wonderful resorts and hotels... plus it's one of the few places where the US dollar is actually stronger now than it was a year ago. Highly, highly recommended.

not cheap, no ruins but a fantastic place to visit : Australia !

Bermuda. love it.