Holidays in Egypt, China, Jordan, Thailand, and, Hong Kong

1.  Egypt. Egypt, King Tut, the Pyramids, and the Valley of the Kings.

There is no end to the options. Moreover, it’s not just the history and culture, but the people as well. One of the most charitable and kind-hearted people on earth are the Egyptians. It doesn’t matter if they have nothing; they’ll open their houses to you and share it with you.

In Luxor, spending a day on the Nile with an Egyptian felucca captain is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity not to be missed. 

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2.  China. Travelers rarely consider China while making vacation plans,

but they should, and they will after the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. It doesn’t matter if you can only afford a few days in Beijing, Xian, a Yangtze River cruise, and Shanghai.

Just go to Guilin for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. The scenery in the Guilins is breathtaking and one-of-a-kind. Although it isn’t technically “mountainous,” the peaks that do rise seem to soar nearly vertically out of the haze as if they were.

Take a ski lift to the top of one of the mountains and take in the breathtaking scenery, or if you’re feeling more daring, race a kart down a toboggan-style slope that’s nearly 3,000 feet long!

3.  Jordan. Because of their close proximity,

it’s possible to visit Egypt and Jordan in one trip for a truly memorable experience. In addition to Petra and the Dead Sea, Amman is a wonderful city that is full of history and culture. In this one and only saltwater ocean in the world, you really do float!

All of these places are worth visiting, but don’t forget about Wadi Rum, Jerash, and the Kings Highway as well. If you only have a week to spend in Jordan, go for 10.

4. Hong Kong. Although Hong Kong has a lot more to offer than shopping,

if you’re a fan of the pastime, this is the city for you. An excursion to the Temple Street market and a stroll down Nathan Road are unavoidable. Haggling is as much a part of the experience as the transaction itself, so bring your bargaining cap!

Besides, Hong Kong has a lot more to offer. The best part is that, despite its modernity, there is still a strong sense of tradition throughout the city. Keep in mind that even if the weather is bad, there are two men at the top of Victoria Peak who will take your picture and overlay it onto an image of what you would have seen if the weather were better. Additionally, I recommend going to Lama and Lantau Islands for a few half-day outings. It’s a terrific way to get away from the madness of Hong Kong.

5. Thailand.  Bangkok and Phuket, while having their fair share of wild side (particularly in Bangkok and Phuket),

also have a rich cultural heritage that you may experience when visiting Thailand.

Adventure, culture, and even a region north of Thailand where you can get up close and personal with genuine tigers are all available. As long as you have a few tigers to play with, there are no cages or shackles. A once-in-a-lifetime experience is only one of the many reasons Thailand ranks so highly on my list of must-see destinations.