I am someday planning to do the typical European tour--France, Italy, etc. But for now I am looking for something a little out of the ordinary. So I need suggestions, please! I like beautiful places that also offer things to do (museums, theater, local activities, whatever), and I love history. I'd like to be able to tell people where I went and hear "Wow! I don't know anyone who's ever been THERE!" (Also, somewhere SAFE, not looking for downtown Baghdad or anything...) Can you help?

That's pretty hard to answer since we don't know you. But I will tell you that last year when I went to Dubrovnik and the rest of Croatia my non traveling friends said "was it safe?!" Go now, it's going to get very popular in the next years. And it's fantastic.

Otherwise, you might try Slovenia? Budapest? Turkey?

If it has museums (bigger than a closet) or theater (beyond school plays), then people are going to have been there.

But that aside, the one place I have been that would fit your criteria best would perhaps be Poland.

There are lots of interesting castles all over Poland, and you can stay in some of them.

See http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34399207

and

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34404426

on which I mentioned www.hotelspoland.com/castle_palace/niedzica - - a place that looks very cool to me, but I was not able to work it into our trip.

Best wishes,

Rex

Have you considered Romania, Bulgaria or Ukraine?

How about Russia? I do not recommend going there alone, but I really enjoyed the Cosmos tour I did a few years ago, and Russia is loaded with history, museums and theatre (mostly ballet). I felt very safe travelling there with a group, but do beware of pickpockets. Of course, that's a problem just about everywhere. Please let us know what you decide.

Hi, beccatrym. Ira suggested Romania, but a place I've always wanted to visit (and will some day) is a bit more narrowed down. How about Transylvania? Now, before you start laughing, go to this site and read about Transylvania. theatlantic.com/issues/97jun/transyl.htm

It is steeped in history, inexpensive by todays standards, and from what I read, very safe.

Dallas,

Just wanted to say thanks for posting that link. We're going to Transylvania (plus Bucovina) in late Oct to early November and that was one of the best single page writeups that I've seen on it.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. Many of you hit upon what I was considering. My fiance's ancestors are from Croatia, and we are both interested in Russia, so it'll probably be one of those places. Still very much in the dreaming/planning stages right now, but thanks!!

How about Lithuania?It has many beautiful castles, right out of a fairy tale, gorgeous roccoco churches, charming old cities with cobblestone streets, museums and you can even go to the beach and find amber along the coast. The cuisine is very good, as is the beer and they are very welcoming to tourists. You can combine it with a visit to Russia.