I've traveled pretty extensively in Asia, so this isn't a wishlist as much as a recommendation...
South Korea: Yeah, everyone is big on Japan, but if you want something truly wonderful and refreshing, make it South Korea. It's more off the beaten path, and the culture there is as different and fascinating as Japan's (although both are very different from one another.) Korean food's under-representation worldwide is a crime against good food: it's rich, super-varied, and super-healthy. (Well; maybe not if you eat samgyeopsal every night, but anyway.) Other benefits: beautiful countryside, kickass drinking culture (they have hangover food and spas where you can sleep the drunk off!), and people who are genuinely warm and friendly if you get past the cold façade.
India: I've traveled to 35 countries and no country comes close to the sheer life-changing madness of India. It's another world, nay, another dimension, that obeys a whole different set of rules. India will either drive you mad within 48 hours and make you run away, or you'll fall in love with the country and it'll be in your blood for the rest of your life. Did I mention how insanely good the food is? I'm talking 25 cents meals that are among the very best things I've ever had.
Lebanon: Lebanon is easily one of the most beautiful countries in the Middle East, with an incredibly varied environment for a small country. As in the rest of the Middle East, people here are incredibly welcoming and nice. The food is absolutely spectacular, edged out only by Syrian food (but I can't quite recommend travel there right now... Alas.) Beirut is a modern, vibrant capital with a kickass nightlife and some really stellar restaurants.
Other honorable mentions: Indonesia (especially off Bali), Thailand (a classic), Japan (of course), China, Turkey, Palestine.
I've traveled pretty extensively in Asia, so this isn't a wishlist as much as a recommendation...
South Korea: Yeah, everyone is big on Japan, but if you want something truly wonderful and refreshing, make it South Korea. It's more off the beaten path, and the culture there is as different and fascinating as Japan's (although both are very different from one another.) Korean food's under-representation worldwide is a crime against good food: it's rich, super-varied, and super-healthy. (Well; maybe not if you eat samgyeopsal every night, but anyway.) Other benefits: beautiful countryside, kickass drinking culture (they have hangover food and spas where you can sleep the drunk off!), and people who are genuinely warm and friendly if you get past the cold façade.
India: I've traveled to 35 countries and no country comes close to the sheer life-changing madness of India. It's another world, nay, another dimension, that obeys a whole different set of rules. India will either drive you mad within 48 hours and make you run away, or you'll fall in love with the country and it'll be in your blood for the rest of your life. Did I mention how insanely good the food is? I'm talking 25 cents meals that are among the very best things I've ever had.
Lebanon: Lebanon is easily one of the most beautiful countries in the Middle East, with an incredibly varied environment for a small country. As in the rest of the Middle East, people here are incredibly welcoming and nice. The food is absolutely spectacular, edged out only by Syrian food (but I can't quite recommend travel there right now... Alas.) Beirut is a modern, vibrant capital with a kickass nightlife and some really stellar restaurants.
Other honorable mentions: Indonesia (especially off Bali), Thailand (a classic), Japan (of course), China, Turkey, Palestine.