My annual question

I would actually be very interested in your Central America trip!
Did you by any chance write a trip report that I could look at?

South Pacific perhaps? Tonga is the coolest, temperature-wise, of the islands, Fiji the most diverse and possibly the least expensive, Samoa and Cooks probably the most scenic. For more adventure, Vanuatu or Solomon Islands ... but Solomons can get blisteringly hot and both those countries have a malaria problem.

My stereotyped answer to your annual question: - try Southern Africa (South AFrica, Botswana, Namibia, etc). Animals, mountains, beaches, a variety of cultures, beautiful sscenery. In the marketing blurbs it is called "A World in One Country" - with good reason.

I'm seconding Rudi's recommendation (mainly because its exactly what I'm doing in Sept/Oct). Thanks for your help Rudi, I've finally got it booked. You can get robbed anywhere.

I'd say Peru. Very interesting destination and it's got what you're looking for, culture (indigenous and otherwise), scenic beauty and reasonable prices. But, it might be a bit chilly on higher altitudes, but there is jungle too where you'd sweat. It's a very diverse gegraphically country.

My second pick would be China, and third Vietnam. But, opposite to Peru, that would be hot and humid in most parts of these countries. Still, you get culture, scenic beauty and reasonable prices.

I don't think I was much help to you, Ann, but I do wish you a wonderful trip.

Newfoundland. I'm not kidding. Indigenous culture, scenic beauty and reasonable prices. Has it all.

I agree with Rudi and the others . Try South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana and Swaziland. Lovely countrys , your money goes futher there than in most places and you meet wonderful people..I went there in November08 and had a wonderful vist. It was my first trip back to Lesotho in 18 years.(my Peace Corps country)Spent 25 days in SA and Lesotho and Swaziland and hated to come home so soon.

Thanks guys. Airfare to Africa is a killer from over here. I'll definitely keep it in mind though. Maybe if I can get to Europe with my airmiles I can pick up a cheaper flight from there...