by Marvin Herman & Judy Licata, Delavan, WI

Deciding on a travel destination where the buying power of the dollar is in your favor, the people genuinely like visitors from the US and there is minimal time difference, reducing jet lag, is easier than one might imagine. Think South America. And one of the countries on that continent that has a large population of indigenous people plus a compelling history, reflected in its major physical attractions, is Peru.

Making plans...

Sandra Yon, Virginia Beach, VA

Two traveling friends and I had a fantastic 3-week adventure in Outer Mongolia, The Land of Blue Sky, in July ’08. We chose this destination because we wanted to attend the annual Naadam Festival, a sort of Mongolian Olympics. Held every July 11-13, the festival features horse racing, archery and wrestling, competitions that go back many centuries to the military training of ancient warriors.

Starting in UB

We flew into the capital,...

by Joyce Bruck, Ocean Ridge, FL

Ecuador is a fascinating country of varied topography and climates. In the space of two hours, one can go from high volcanic mountains to lush jungle vegetation with winding rivers. And then, of course, there is the famous bird habitat of the Galápagos Islands.

I had been to Ecuador twice before, but when Nova Southeastern University professor Barry Barker, representing the Wild Spots Foundation (Fort Lauderdale, FL; 954/816-1974, www....