We had a great vacation this summer in Croatia, which was suggested to my husband in a chat room.Although I laughed at him when he suggested it, it turned out to be one of our best vacations. Now it's time to start thinking about what travel books I need to be reading to plan our next summer trip. We find Europe our favored destination, just love the culture, history and food. (although I would love to go to Egypt some day) Here's where we've been: England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, Prague, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, Norway, Sweden, Greece (and the islands of Crete, Rhodes, Santorini, and a couple other little ones), Turkey and of course Croatia. Are there anymore jewels out there like Croatia? We found Turkey to be a jewel several years ago. We are thinking of Portugal. Any suggestions?

What, no Italy?!?

As a still relatively undiscovered jewel of Italy, I would recommend Sicily.

hmmm. Last year about this time we started to plan a trip to Egypt, and ended up planning a trip to South Africa and Botswana. (We went in May.) I can't get motivated to start planning another trip anywhere...it was that extraordinary and amazing.

I think we're just going to wait until we see some fantastic deal for someplace we've not yet visited, and decide on a much more spontaneous basis for our next trip.

How about Morocco? It's beautiful and inexpensive and gorgeous.

You've been to all those places and not Italy?

Iceland!!!

If you would love to go to Egypt then why don't you?I'd bet if you do you will discover what a real "jewel" is.

I suggest you go to Egypt, also. And please don't be put off by all the shocked "You've NEVER been to Italy??????" answers to your post. Simply respond, "You've NEVER been to Croatia????????"

Egypt is wonderful if you can deal with the dirt and sand in Cairo; trips up and down the Nile can be unforgettable; Abu Simbel..worth every minute. And yes, riding a camel IS "worth it."

Enjoy your planning and youtr trip wherever it turns out to be.

I have heard from acquaintances interesting things about the Baltic states .

You find Europe to be your favoured destination. Does this mean you have tried other continents and disliked? or not tried?

Egypt and Morocco, of course, are not Europe. Both great destinations. As are Kenya, India, Thailand, Australia, etc, etc, etc, etc,

Why still cling to "Europe" when there is so much else out there?

Italy is an absolute must - or how about Poland, Hungary.

Thanks everyone for all the input. I don't know how I didn't include Italy because we've been there twice and it was one of our favorites. Missed Germany too which we really liked. I don't think Americans are too popular in Muslim countries right now. My husband was talking to a Coptic Christian Egyptian (he was impressed my husband knew of Coptic Christians.) and he told us to wait a few years. Haven't been to Sicily but with the hurricanes messing with our school year I may not be done with work until middle June and I bet it's really hot then.
Uh oh busted... When did you do your South African trip. What was your itinerary like? Same question for StCirq. I have read that Iceland and Greenland should switch their names and have an article on it somewhere that I cut out of the paper.
Top Man... riding a camel is not worth it! My husband insisted I ride one in Turkey and it spat the most obnoxious substance on my Florida Gators shirt and I had to wear it on the bus for the rest of the day. Of course my husband had to sit next to me and smell it for the rest of the day!
I'll have to look into the Baltic states. I need three weeks worth of trip,wonder how long they would take.
Tried to fit Hungrey into our last trip but found we needed all our time for Croatia. Have Polish Great Grandparents so that might be interesting. Thanks for all the input!

Have you considered Molvanîa? It's becoming a popular off-beat destination. Its capital Lutenblag is a vibrant city, and Svetranj in the Molvanian Alps is a newly discovered gem. Now is a good time to go, a the Molvanian strubl is at an all-time low against the euro and US dollar.

Laverendrye, what are the must not sees in Molvanîa? Is it true that woman don't wear pants in Lutenblag? Will jeans be okay? Is it okay to ask for a doggie pack in Molvanîa? Please help, I'm so confused.

Teresa:If you don't want to go to Egypt that's fine but not going for the reason you stated is nonsense.

Customs are changing in Molvanîa as it opens to the West, so most women now in Lutenblag are wearing pants although this trend has not generally reached the countryside. As for doggie packs, dog has pretty well disappeared from the menu in most restaurants, although if you are fortunate enough to be invited to a Molvanîan home, you might well be served some, along with the traditional horsflab. First time visitors should go easy on the zeerstum liqueur.

For sights, Lutenblag has the Royal Palace, St. Simeons church, the Museum of Science and Technology and so forth. But to see the real Molvanîa, you must get out into the countryside. The Vzintga Gorge and Bzenjenko Lec in the Postenwalj ranges of the Movanîan alps are nature at its best. In the Eastern Steppes, the old town of Lublova, unchanged for centuries, should not be missed.

Great info, laverendrye, thank you! You have been very helpful to make a rainy day look brighter.

Can't wait to get there. Perhaps we can arrange a Fodorites' GTG in Lutenblag?

Great idea! Vlad O'Reilljys Irish pub in Lutenblag would be a perfect venue.

Shut. Moved to Dayton, where there's a surprisingly large (dozen or so) community of Molvanîan-Irish (or MoKells as they prefer.)

You've covered most of Europe... my suggestion would be Africa... South Africa is a great destination... very European but still the ability to go on Safari.

My other choices would be Kenya or Botswana.

Oh, I thought you were avoiding Italy for some reason. But since that's not the case at all, since you haven't been to Sicily, then that's my suggestion. Given your other apparent preferences, I think you're someone who might appreciate the Basilicata region. I've never been to Puglia or le Marche, but if you haven't yet been to those regions of Italy, maybe they would appeal to you. But I most strongly recommend SICILY. Or how about going to Karpathos, Greece, and then coming back and telling me about it.