Thailand

Thailand is a magical place, with marvels of the natural world and those created by man--especially those created by man in honor of a higher power. Historic palaces and museums in Bangkok are numerous, but the highlight may be its many wats, or Thai Buddhist temple complexes, each one more incredible than the last. Travel outside Bangkok to the ancient temple ruins at Ayutthaya, composed of several unique complexes. Fly to Phuket for a bit of R & R at one of the world's most gorgeous beaches. Don't forget Chiang Mai in the north, a lovely city in its own right with famous nighttime markets and luxurious Thai silks. A day or overnight trip to a highly regarded elephant refuge (featured in a National Geographic documentary) can be arranged with transportation to and from Chiang Mai. Bonus: Thai food is fantastic, especially in its native setting!

South India Sojourn

The world's largest democracy, India represents a massive chunk of Asia and unless you have quite a bit of time, you may wish to spend several weeks traveling in only one part of the country. (They don't call it the Subcontinent for nothing!) Instead of the usual Delhi-Taj Mahal-Jaipur trip, why not explore the vibrant south? Fly into Bangalore--familiar as a high-tech center but it's also known as India's Garden City. Spend time in one of the many national parks like Nagarhole or Bandipur, where you may see tigers and hundreds of other species of animals. Travel down to the southernmost tip of India, Kerala, and experience the backwaters on a houseboat or pamper yourself in an Ayurvedic spa. Tour a movie studio in Chennai (Madras), India's "second" moviemaking capital, or discover the remnants of French culture to be found in Pondicherry.