International Travel Destinations

[Brekkie]

I'm doing my research to take a vacation for 2 weeks later this year, and I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for great destinations?
I am looking more for something off the beaten path, not tourist trappy. I have a lot more resources available to me than the average tourist since I work with the Department of State and can get accommodations at any U.S. embassy or consulate either while traveling or at my destination.
Money is of no object.

[Nikachelle]

Edinburgh, Scotland (and surrounding area) is probably the most beautiful city and area I've ever visited. I was astonished since England and Scotland are on the same landmass I had expected them to look near identical. This was not the case!

I have to also name Ireland as a great place to go too though. I have a soft spot for the country since it's in my heritage. That being said, I didn't like Belfast in Northern Ireland at all. I'd recommend checking out the Giant's Causeway in N.I. and then going down to Galway and then over in to Dublin.

[culhag]

I loved Scotland too, and Edinburgh particularly.

I haven't really traveled a lot, though, so maybe there's other better places to visit.

[Arnock]

Costa Rica is quite beautiful.

[Shyrtandros]

Edinburgh, Scotland (and surrounding area) is probably the most beautiful city and area I've ever visited. I was astonished since England and Scotland are on the same landmass I had expected them to look near identical. This was not the case!

I have to also name Ireland as a great place to go too though. I have a soft spot for the country since it's in my heritage. That being said, I didn't like Belfast in Northern Ireland at all. I'd recommend checking out the Giant's Causeway in N.I. and then going down to Galway and then over in to Dublin.

This.

England or Scotland are very nice.

[Brekkie]

I've already been to most of Western Europe outside of Scandinavia.
I was thinking something Mediterranean or possibly somewhere in Africa, especially since I'm already in the Middle East and it would only be a hop, skip and a jump away.

[Lightbeard]

Venice.

The island of St. Martin/Marteen is a great vacation place that not many people know about. Although I haven't been in years.

[Lightbeard]

I've already been to most of Western Europe outside of Scandinavia.
I was thinking something Mediterranean or possibly somewhere in Africa, especially since I'm already in the Middle East and it would only be a hop, skip and a jump away.

Nearly everyone I've heard talk about a trip to Africa have called it a life changing experience so that may be a good choice

[Fivelives]

Queensland Australia is nice, I've heard. Haven't been there myself, though. If you want to do the mediterranean thing though, Crete island is GORGEOUS. It's pretty touristy, though. Reykjavik Iceland is also beautiful, especially in the summertime, but in the depths of winter it's ... not so beautiful? Bring warm clothes.

[duruk]

If you like whisky, The Whisky Trail might be worth checking out.

But where to go? It really depends on your interests...

Sporty type? New Zealand.
Party type? Phuket, Ibiza.
Chillin' mon? Amsterdam.
Cultural? Paris, London, New York.
Historical? Most of the Mediterranian. Or China and Japan. Or most of the middle east.
Educational? Hmmm... I'm drawing a blank here.

Cheers

[Mcduffie]

I've already been to most of Western Europe outside of Scandinavia.
I was thinking something Mediterranean or possibly somewhere in Africa, especially since I'm already in the Middle East and it would only be a hop, skip and a jump away.

Been to Africa twice. If there were any place I could go again/go to live/"hey you wanna go to africa right now?" it would be there. Make sure you have a plan; travel agent is a must have. Be careful, and go on safari. It's the shit.

[Levantine]

Queensland Australia is nice, I've heard.

Would not recommend this at the moment. Generally there are some awesome sights if you know where to look, but the state's a mess at the moment, as in 75% of it declared a natural disaster zone.

[Brekkie]

Anywhere in particular in Africa?

[Lightbeard]

Anywhere in particular in Africa?

http://goafrica.about.com/od/kenya/tp/topicks.htm

If this helps.

[mew]

I'd say do a developing nation rather than something like Europe.
China has always looked like fun. Africa sounds like it could be cool too.
India is pretty dramatically different so that's an experience.
I have always wanted to go to Russia but I asked a Russian and she was like "Why would you want to go there? There's not really anything to do."