think about Morocco - five days in Marrakech with an overnight to Ouazazarte should fulfil the "exotic" requirement, and it's relatively easy to get to.

23:59 here again

And, while I think Vietnam is more of a 2-3 week trip, perhaps you should consider it for the future. It is great!

5 days in those places that you listed (imo) is not worth it! There is so much to see. I was in China last summer for 3 weeks, fwiw.

How about Costa Rica? (if you like zip lining, rappelling, etc.)
Although USA, have you considered Alaska?
Ecuador is suposed to be great, and not "too" far for 5 days.

For the long flight and brutal time change, 1 week would rule out Asia for me.

I'd recommend somewhere in South America. We loved Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. You could easily spend a week in be of those countries. Maybe fly to La Paz and then travel across Lake Titicaca and overland by bus and train to Machu Picchu. We did that and it was gorgeous.

Morocco. The Yucatan. Senegal. Ghana.

Agree with PP who said <2 weeks isn't worth it unless you're talking Western Europe.

Jerusalem

Machu Picchu?

Anonymous wrote:I'm planning for the fall and if things continues as they are in Istanbul, it's most definitely out. Hadn't thought of Prague or Hong Kong... will look into those. Have traveled around Africa (loved it) including SA.

If you do choose to go to Prague, I highly recommend the tour http://www.tasteofprague.com/
Take it early in your trip (1st day if possible). We did, and found that things we learned on the tour, we used on the rest of our trip.
Check out their ratings on Tripadvisor (nearly perfect!) and they also have a Facebook page where they blog about a lot of interesting things in Prague, not just food.

I would also highly recommend visiting the town of Kutna Hora. That is where the famous "bone church" is. It was very easy to take a train there from Prague (about 1 hour). We also took a tour of the silver mine there. It's nice that you are going in the fall because it gets very crowded in the summer--we went in the fall and our tour of the silver mine was just us and another couple! The guide told me in the summer months there are 20+ people on the tour!

If you have other questions about Prague, let me know and I'll do my best to answer them, based on our trip.

I'm planning for the fall and if things continues as they are in Istanbul, it's most definitely out. Hadn't thought of Prague or Hong Kong... will look into those. Have traveled around Africa (loved it) including SA.

Don't think it's the best time for Istanbul right now. Tons of conferences just cancelled because of civil unrest. What about South Africa?

I think 5 days is too short for places further than Western Europe.

Dh and I went to Prague for about 5 days last fall--I guess the Czech Republic is actually part of "Central Europe", not Western?
Have you been to Prague yet? I've also heard that Budapest is a great place to go.

I wouldn't go to India for less than 2 or 3 weeks. 5 days in Thailand could be nice. If you want exotic consider Cambodia. 5 days in hong kong would be good.

5 days in Syria would have been great if it hadn't been for the current unpleasantness.

Good question. I'm planning on taking 7 days vacation. Figuring two full days for flights.

Adding a question to the original post... What's the minimum time posters would suggest staying in the location they suggest?

Is 5 days enough for that long of a flight?

I've always wanted to go to Thailand, so that's my choice out of your list.

I love to travel. The more exotic the better. I'm planning a foreign trip and I would plan to be at the destination for 5 full days. Where would you recommend and why?

I'm thinking of going back to visit Istanbul, which I loved on my first trip. But also think I'd also like to visit somewhere new. Anywhere but western Europe- been all around there and it's all nice but not a "wow" experience for me personally. What do you think about 5 days in China, Russia, India or Thailand? Any other helpful suggestions welcome.