Jenson

Clearly this Fodor's forum is full of travel fanatics like me. I would be interested in hearing personal opinions about wonderful places to visit outside of Europe and North America. My interests are to explore the world and learn about different cultures and I want to start exploring places outside of Europe, Canada, and the US. My only considerations would be safety, nice accomodations, and places where English wouldn't be too much of a barrier. I know there are many places to consider, but would be interested to hear what the travel buffs on this board would recommend as some of the best places to expand my travel horizons!

Flyboy

For something that is safe, interesting, features first class accommodations, wonderful food and won't break the bank, we've been very impressed with Thailand.

jmw

If I had five lifetimes, I'd never be able to experience all the places I'd like to visit in Europe. Sorry I can't be more help. J.

Statia

Aside from Europe, my dreams include Asia and Africa, to mention a couple.

HowardR

A safari in Africa.

SirGallahad

I hear Las Vegas can be quite charming...


Yeccccch!!!


I'm with JMW, if I were offered free unlimited airline passes, I'd go to Europe every time. Been to New Zealand, Fiji, Mexico, Australia and Caribbean - no comparison in my book.

Wildflower

Australia

sandi

Gotta be Africa -

One can pick almost any country (except those at war and with religious upheaval - still leaves plenty to choose from) and it will be a life changing experience.

Egypt
Kenya
Tanzania
South Africa
Namibia
Botswana
Zimbabwe
Zambia
Mozambique
Morocco
Mali
Burkino Faso

Central Africa is "iffy" but the rest - just take your pick - almost all speak English, some French.

jnn1964

Japan. I went last year, and thought it was fantastic. Many Japanese speak a little english, and many signs have english translations. It can be a tad expensive, though. Hong Kong and Shanghai are next on my list!

StCirq

North Africa. I've been three times and look forward to my next visit. Fascinating culture, incredible scenery, inexpensive, and lots of French influences.

Melnq8

New Zealand, Singapore, Maldives, Oman.

New Zealand is a personal favorite, and I can't seem to get enough of the place. The South Island in particular.

Oman is unlike any place I've ever visited, and is very much the jewel of the Middle East - trust me on this, I've seen alot of the Middle East.

The Maldives is an island nation of some 1,200 islands and is definitely off the beaten path.

Singapore is, well, Singapore, but an interesting place to stop on the way to the Maldives.

I've also heard wonderful things about Sri Lanka, but haven't made it there yet.

sundowner

I'm with the Africa fan club. My first trip to Europe will be in March to Italy. I have to say it was a very hard decision to spend the time/money going somewhere other than Africa. I've been twice and definitely will go back.

Kwoo

I would recommend China. My family and I spent 3 weeks travelling through China with a tour group, so the language barrier was not a problem. The highlights were the Great Wall of China, Forbidden City, Terra-cotta soldiers in Xian, Li River Cruise in Guilin, and Hong Kong. Shanghai was great, too, with interesting, varied architecture, and the smaller cities of Suzhou and Hangzhou are gems. My daughter is teaching English in Shanghai right now and absolutely loves it! But I also love Europe. We just returned from a fabulous trip to Prague and Poland. As much as I loved China, I think I am partial to Europe. But China and other Asian countries are a must, too.

WillTravel

Even if you would never consider taking a tour in Europe, would you consider taking one in Asia or Africa? For some reason, I get intimidated by the idea of travelling alone on those two continents.

amp322

Been to China, so I would have to say Australia. After that, I would do another far east tour, and hit Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo...

Maira

My niece just returned from Chile and Argentina and came back describing wonderful places and people. I am thinking Ecuador in May.

John

Have to agree with FLYBOY. Thailand is a very friendly country with much different culture than Europe great food with smiling faces everywhere.
Europe first,then Asia!!

SusieQQ

Try South America. I've been to Brazil and Uruguay and can't wait to try another country.

Marilyn

Mexico would be my first thought, since it is close, convenient, inexpensive, and the language barrier is not much of a problem.

Forget the resorts and beaches -- I fell in love with the country in places like San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Taxco, Patzcuaro, and my favorite, Oaxaca. Mexico has a rich culture, with ancient ruins, contemporary crafts and folk art, spectacular scenery, great art, and warm friendly people.

Other places I would recommend, based on your initial post: Thailand, Australia/New Zealand, Hong Kong.

resipsaloquitur

Many of the previous posters have made great suggestions but I'm surprised that no one has seriously mentioned a country that offers a rich culture with fascinating regional variations, modern and colonial cities, ancient ruins, spectacular scenery (beaches, mountains, deserts, jungles),
fabulous shopping for an overwhelming variety of handicrafts and art, - and which is so near the US and Canad. That's Mexico!

It isn't clear from your post if you,ve ruled out Mexico as a travel destination (Mexico is "outside of Europe, Canada, and the US" but geograhically it most cetainly is part of North America.) But it is a relatively "easy" introduction to the world outside the US/Canada/Europe - having a well-developed tourist infrastructure with accomodations that can range up to the super-luxury- deluxe (if you can afford such places), a language which may be foreign but written in the same Latin alphabet as this post, and is a lot safer than many places in the rest of the Third World.

(By the way, if you want to learn about the land and culture of Mexico, you will not achieve that goal by spending time at the Hotel Zone in Cancun or in an all-inclusive resort in Puerto Vallarta or the Mayan Riviera. Nothing wrong with a relaxing beach vacation at such places, but they are not the "real" Mexico.)