Striking Beauty & Culture.
Great regions that have a unique culture to enjoy, but still have tons to offer in the beauty department (without being inundated with tourists).
MIDDLE EAST & INDIA.
BREATHTAKING MOUNTAINS WITH FEW CROWDS.
Karakoram area (Pakistan), Karakol (Kyrgyzstan) & Ladakh (India)
DESERTS, MOSQUES & CHURCHES + LOTS OF WINE/VODKA.
The Caucasus (Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, plus North-East Turkey), plus Jordan, Lebanon & Israel.
EUROPE.
Montenegro. Move over, Croatia. This little guy packs a punch.
SOUTH AMERICA.
FUN CULTURE MEETS PERFECT BEACHES.
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta of Colombia's Coast or Merida across the border in Venezuela.
CENTRAL AMERICA.
Guatemala - try Todos Santos Cuchumatán on Nov 1st or Antigua during Semana Santa.
ASIA.
Northern Laos and Vietnam.
Eastern Indonesia, especially Central Sulawesi (a whole world to explore).
AFRICA.
South Africa: Deserts to Vic falls to Great White shark dives (best with your own transport).
Honorary mentions.
Chilean lake district and Patagonia (very south), Cape Verde (little expensive, but part hikers/bikers paradise) and Yunnan province(Xishuangbanna is over-rated, but mountains around Dali are not) in China.