Since the fall of the wall, the former communist bloc countries have been upgrading their tourism facilities. This was evident at all the building and renovation that we saw on a trip to Prague a few years ago. It was interesting to see that while Prague was being given a facelift, some of the towns and villages on the train route to their capital city, still looked like they just came out of WWII. (This was noticeable in East Berlin, as well, as we were there the day after the wall came down.) Some of the most striking scenery in Europe was formerly banned to the rest of the world.  If you don't want to miss a truly astonishing travel experience Eastern Europe should be high on your bucket list. Here's a site that should provide some insight above travel behind the former Iron Curtain. 

For a look at the beautiful Italian lakes, give Crystal a try.  Of course they're also a full service travel agency with many sightly off the beaten path destinations.

India has always been high on the intrepid traveler's list, with a range of sights from some of the most beautiful and spectacular mountain ranges to tropical beach resorts and everything in between.  Especially worth while are some of its incredible architectural sites.  If you are ready for India click the site below.

There are awesome sights in most European countries and it would be impossible to rank them #1, #2, etc.  However, Spain would have to rank right up there at the top.  It has everything, from snow-capped mountains, to desert, and palm-lined sandy beaches.  And they all can be reached in one day.  Tunisia sounds interesting, but honestly, I can't judge as I've never been there.  Well, I did see the lights of Morocco far across the Mediterranean from the coast along Marbella, Spain.  Does that count? 

Spain or Tunisia?

I've met a lot of people from South America, and guess what? They're just like me. Their countries sound like fascinating places to visit. Here's a hotel group that provides first class services in several countries that may (or may not) be high on most people's travel list. However, the Canary Islands have long been a retreat for vacationing Europeans - from all countries.  Might be the place to go to meet up with a Count, Duke, or whatever. 

Canary Islands, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Chile, or Spain?

Splendia is noteworthy for purely luxurious hotels?

In French:

And in English:

It's possible, of course to get your travel reservations from any site on this site.  However if you're going far, far, away, it might be wise to utilize someone that specializes in international flights:

TripAdvisor has gained the reputation of being THE place to visit and get your travel information from.  So here's TripAdvisor, one of the more complete travel sites, for coming and going and for staying a while or renting your own vacation abode.

When looking for relaxing fun, far from the usual beaten path, not to miss is ewaterways, which provides a nifty assortment of riverboat and small ship cruises.  Look for their special offers with Amadeus for a Magical Christmas tour and other late 2010 and early 2011 cruises.  On some cruises going through certain countries, a visa may be required.  Please check the sites on the "Odds and ends" page for more info.  "Don't leave home without it."

Often overlooked is cruising through Scotland, with spectacular, wild, stunning scenery. Click here to go directly to the Lord of the Glens.

To see what people think of their river cruises, there's a ton of short videos available at  Interview and Exit Interviews.  Please remember to come back to ewaterways, to reserve your booking.

Save $799 on a Galapagos Island Cruise

Travel Toe is another outstanding company that specializes in river cruises.

To find about more about riverboat cruising try my other site.There's enough information there to keep you reading for quite some time.

If you want to see another aspect of Ireland, Cruise Ireland offers many self-hire possibilities through the CarrickCraft cruise company, which has rental locations in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Seven nights on the Allure of the Seas:

With all that traveling, it might be wise to check in at home now and then.  Mobal carries a complete line of various phone plans, including satellite phones.

Once you have made your decision to go somewhere, I strongly suggest you download Google Earth and check out the neighborhood and maybe have some fun looking at our planet - or your street.