I agree wholeheartedly with those who have mentioned Mexico. Such variety in a small landmass is amazing. (Similar to Europe) If there were an extensive fast rail system throughout the country, tourism would be ten times what it is now.
With a rail pass and fast trains, you would be delirous with the sights and experiences available.

I know that Jenson said "outside of Europe and North America", but sadly I think there are a lot of US citizens who travel extensively in Europe and yet have missed one of the greatest travel destinations of all -- the US!

I've been with people in the Alps or the Dolomites raving about the mountains and find they've never even seen the Rockies. And have been on the beautiful Irish coast and talk to Americans who have never seen Big Sur. And been on boats in a lake and find they've never even been on any of the Great Lakes. We were in some smallish but interesting caverns in southern Italy and overheard a group of Americans saying, "wow, there's nothing like this in the US". Huh?? There's an awful lot to see right here that some people never both with.

But back to what you were really looking for, and especially when you say "where English wouldn't be too much of a barrier" the obvious is Australia and New Zealand. I loved them both, and they are undoubtedly the friendliest destinations in the world.

Costa Rica
Patagonia

I'd recommend Fiji and Australia.

Many years ago, we arrived in Fiji on the morning of Diwali, the five-day Hindu festival of lights. As we stumbled out of the tiny airport on a very foggy morning, we were lucky enough to see columns of Indian women in brilliantly-colored saris walking slowly down the road from the hills near the airport. They were carrying small lamps and singing. Believe me, there could not have been a more magical welcome to Fiji.

In Australia, we were lucky enough to visit Lizard Island, on the Great Barrier Reef. Each pair of guests was assigned their own boat for exploring the twenty or so beaches that ring the island. Before we went out, we were told in very strict terms not to pick up any shells we found, as some of them were so poisonous, that we would not make it alive back to our boat! Anyway, my husband convinced me that it was a piece of cake to run the thing, but sure enough, we got stranded when the boat overturned, and could not get it going for some time.When we finally made it back, and went to dinner, all the other guests stood up and cheered the "NEW Sailors!" The next day, we left for Dunk Island, where there were butterflies the size of your head, and monitor lizards who scared the hell out of us, but that's another story...

I think you get the point. As much as I love Europe ( and I do), Australia and Fiji are really tops for an exotic and breathtaking trip.

Have fun!

Japan is a deligthful place to visit and certainly meets your requirements. Thoroughly modern but with long held traditions. Wonderful people, beautiful county, arts, architecture, sports, and bullet trains.

Of course there are the usual places like the Great Wall and the pyramids. Some might be concerned about safety, but visiting Jerusalem (the center of the world) is a must.

Rio de Janeiro has stunning scenery and the exchange rate with the Brazilian real is almost as good as with the Argentine peso. Buenos Aires and other regions of Argentina. Uruguay. Iguazu Falls in Brazil and Argentina.

Thailand definately is a great place..have been there twice and it seems that I still have not seen everything that I would like..Great culture, food, etc...Actually anywhere in S.E. Asia...It is relatively inexpensive everywhere in that area..Bali and Lombok would be another suggestion...Or how about visiting the Great Wall...There are so many choices..so many countries out there that everytime I cross 1 off my list, I put on 2 more!!
Our next trip will be India, Nepal and Hong Kong...Can't wait!!
Europe is great, but I would venture out and see more of the world...

I'd say Thailand and Australia. I've made five trips to each of these wonderful destinations, and plan to go back to both at least once in 04. Can't get enough!

So many interestings places to visit..I used to dream about going to Asia,however I was fortunate and was able to fulfill that dream years ago when my DH had an assignment in Taiwan, we lived there for few years..and loved it every minute...I never been to New Zeland or Australia, and would like very much to visit them someday.

New Zealand and Australia are on our very short list for sure! I have to say quite honestly, that most of Africa and Asia hold little appeal to me. I agree with Patrick that the US is still an "undiscoverd country" to us. I want to do the US now, while I still love to hike, kayak and do Adventure travel. It has now become my goal to see as much of the US as possible. Judy :-)

Jenson, this is a great thread! About a year ago, I realized that every time I plan my "next big trip" I always have Europe in mind, although I want to see everthing!

So, although I am going to Spain in February 2004, I am also planning Costa Rica next July, and my next trips will likely be South America or Australia.

There are so many possibilities - I want to go to Africa and Asia also - it's a good thing I have MANY years of travel left in me!

Karen

Although technically part of Europe, Iceland is currently @ the top of my list followed closely by Belize & Vieques, PR.

Even though we've been living in Europe for four years and have traveled a lot, there's still much left here that we want to see!
However, we do plan to visit Singapore and Japan in the next couple of years. Singapore, because it seems like an interesting city and my husband lived there for several years when he was a kid, and Japan for dozens of reasons. I'm still waiting for Lost in Translation to be shown in Brussels. We're half tempted to do a trip to Dubai at some point; so many great package deals are offered from the U.K. and my in-laws enjoyed frequent trips to Dubai when they lived in Kuwait.

I have two opinions to offer:
(1) This is a travel board for Europe, so you need to go elsewhere for your information.
(2) Asking many of us "what's next after Europe?" is like asking what is next after death. I have traveled to Europe many, many times, and have still barely scratched the surface. I will not be able, in my lifetime, to go there enough to make me want to go somewhere else.

If your idea of traveling is to touch as many bases as quickly as possible, I suppose Europe can grow old pretty quickly. If you are sincerely interested in the region, its history, its geography, and its people, as well as its artistic and cultural treasures, you couldn't possibly be ready to go somewhere else.

Wayne, I've carefully read your statement three times and really don't quite understand what you are saying. Are you saying that Europe is so diverse and has so much to explore that there is no reason to go anywhere else in the world? Isn't that a bit shallow? I don't think Jenson was suggesting that once you've seen everything there is to see in Europe where next? And I don't think the question had anything in the world to do with "becoming bored in Europe."

Your answer is sort of like saying, there is a great restaurant I go to. Since it is good and they have 50 different selections on their menu, there is no reason to go explore another restaurant until I have sampled every single item on their menu.

I sort of admire your position that you love Europe so much you want to see it all and there couldn't possibly be anywhere else worth exploring, but isn't that sort of closing your mind without knowing? Like I mentioned above, I feel it's kind of sad when people become great experts on a particular foreign country or area, yet don't even have a clue what exists in their own backyard. But to each his own, I always say. If you have no desire to see or know anything about any other diverse cultures except European ones, well, that's your privilege.

OK, Patrick, you have a good point. But I answered the original question in perhaps a different context than Jenson had intended. Surely there are lots of interesting places in the world to visit; it's just that my own preferences lean strongly to Europe.

My only other comment is that there is no one who can authoritatively describe all the regions of the world, with their good points and bad, because none of us can live that long and travel that much. We all depend on the experiences of others who have specific knowledge about certain places. I have personally been to many places other than traditional Europe---sometimes on business, sometimes for some other specific purpose. That includes much of South America, the Middle East, and the Far East. I have to say I enjoyed some of my travels to some of those areas. But given a choice of where I would go with no other strings attached, I would always return to somewhere in Europe. If my earlier response was a bit too harsh, emotional or extreme, I apologize to Jenson for any incorrect messages he/she might have interpreted in it.

Another vote for Mexico.

Depends if you want to travel alone or with a tour group or friends?

India is a fantastic destination for culture, colour, history and people.

English is pretty widely spoken since it's an official language of the country - partly because of the legacy of it's colonial past and partly because there are so many different Indian languages that it's a unifying force. That said in smaller villages people won't speak it.

You can get along fine in the tourist destinations though and if you're going independently, hire a driver guide for the entire trip (NEVER consider driving yourself in India - it's about 50 times worse than the worst Italy can offer) and ensure the driver guide can be a translator for you.

Accommodation varies but there are some incredibly 5 star properties to be found - costs are same as similar properties around the world, or a little less. Not much though.

Food is wonderful and if you take sensible precautions (dont eat at roadside stands etc) you will likely be fine.

As for what to see - where would the list start.

I'm biased as my parents are from India and I have visited many times to meet family there - but as an enthusiastic traveller I can say that it's near the top of the list in terms of how much it can offer an adventurous traveller.

One aside though - if you can't cope with poverty and extremes of wealth side by side, with children working to survive and with disabled beggars on the streets - don't go.

India is a magnificent country but it has many problems - one of which is a very high population and uneven distribution of wealth.

We're planning a trip to Africa this Spring (so I'll probably be on THIS forum a bit less). Also want to see China and India and Costa Rica and Peru and Egypt and New Zealand and Australia and Bora Bora and shoot, there's just so many places to see. I'm glad to have the options :)

Our all time favorite for ease and enjoyment is Portugal!!! absolutely spectacular, and most speak English, lots of variation in culture and landscape. however, have also done Africa, Scandanavia, Russia, Greece, Tahiti, China, Italy, Germany, Canada, Mexico (also very nice and interesting) and a host of other places...A good thought would be to go to Cornwall, for something different.

Interesting thread, Jenson!

Travel expands the mind and enrichs one's emotional, artistic, and cultural experiences. I'd say: Go West (East, North, South), Young Man! Wherever your fancy takes you! :)

Some people have more tolerance towards differences in culture, speech, and so on, and so the more "exotic", the more fun for them. Others want something that is "closer to home" and are uncomfortable/unhappy when put too far away from that which is familiar.

So, ask yourself: would I think that riding on the top of a luggage ladden bus going around hair-raising cliffs in the Himalayas - would I think of that as fun or as horror? What about food? Do you think that something different (even something as innocuous as lemongrass) exciting to sample, or do you want to stick with basic European/American food?

Then, after the very personal questions to ask yourself, you might ask yourself what your interests are. Do you want to see the pyramids no matter what the difficulties or the differences? If yes, then go see the pyramids, India, Machu Picchu, or whatever has seized your imagination.

Otherwise, all of the suggestions on this thread are wonderful ones. Maybe you should try continent by continent and experience as much of the rest of the world as possible! That's my plan!

Have fun!
easytraveler