My annual question

Where to go this summer? This year it is just me and my husband and our 15 year old son. Last year was Turkey which I actually PLANNED, prior to that in various years, China, Vietnam, France, Italy, Bali, Peru, Central America

Now... Could you give me your top picks? None of the above.

I'm leaving from Northern Alberta Canada, looking for culture (indigenous and otherwise), scenic beauty and reasonable prices. Somewhere not too killer hot in July-August. We certainly don't mind roughing it but I'd prefer to avoid places where I'm liable to get robbed. Not that I have been. But I was thinking Venezuela and I am rethinking that.

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...

I am looking into this Southern Africa idea. I might be able to get air miles to Europe and pick up a cheap flight from there south.

If I am able to swing it, what is independent travel like in this area of the world? Or should we be booking a safari? We tried to go it on our own in Kenya 25 years ago and I ended up in a car accident and a year in a back brace. Maybe that was bad luck or stupidity on our part but whatever, I don't want to do that again. I have heard amazing stories from friends who have gone to Botswana and Namibia and I would definitely love to see the wildlife and people there.

If the safari route is the best way to go, what tour companies are suggested? You're getting me all excited now. I was thinking of a month in Mexico- way cheaper but not exactly my idea of a dream holiday.

Russell, I see that you have never posted on the Africa branch. I suggest you start lurking there looking at the posts of the various southern Africa countries individually and just get a feel for what the region is all about.
Personally, I would not hesitate about doing it independantly, but other people prefer going on a tour/safari. Not in a million years would I ever want to go on one of those "overlander" trips - I guess I have always been too old for that.
Hire a car - you will not need a 4x4 - and drive yourselves around. The public transport (coaches, trains, flights) will get you from one major city to another, but then you will miss out on most of the worthwhile attractions. You could, of course, mix it up a bit - hire a car in Cape Town, take a train to Johannesburg, do short one- or two-day tours with a tour operator, hire another vehicle to go to the Drakensberg... etc.
But a word of caution - you are talking about this summer. I presume that means June/July/August - the height of the season here, and particularly so in respect of the game reserves (Kruger, Kgalagadi, Etosha, Okavango etc) and it would be necessary for you to book ahead at least at some places.
See you on the Africa branch.

Have you considered Greece? Maybe not the islands, but traveling around the Peloponnese? You can visit Olympia - the birthplace of the Olympic Games, ancient cities such as Mycenae and Pylos, the ancient theater of Epidaurus. In the south there are some lovely sandy beaches for relaxing. Just a thought.