Minneapolis, Minnesota

A Midwestern city already known for its gorgeous city layout and its fine arts community, Minneapolis is experiencing a cutting-edge design boom. The blockbuster new Guthrie Theater (now located in the Mill District along the Mississippi River) is a sight to behold -- a sleek, dark-blue steel building designed by the architect Jean Nouvel. The Walker Art Center has been expanded and also in the works is an addition to the Frank Gehry-designed Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota, which some say evokes his later, more famous Guggenheiim Bilbao. Though winters are harsh, Minneapolis is a fantastic place to be outside. Alongside the Mississippi is a series of lakes that wind through downtown, where you can bike, jog, or just hang out. The Guthrie's new location, with its spectacular views of St. Anthony Falls, is also bringing more traffic to this neighborhood, in addition to shops and restaurants.

Krakow, Poland

Amazingly, Krakow -- the capital until 1609 -- survived the destruction that befell the rest of the country during WWII and is now, with its amazing historic landmarks, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among the things to see are the gargoyle-bedecked Sukiennice (Cloth Hall), a medieval covered market still bustling with tourists and street vendors; Wawel, the royal castle; and the 14th-century Gothic Kosciól Mariacki (St. Mary's Basilica), with its intricate spires. Wandering the cobblestone streets of the Old Town (Stare Miasto), aged landmarks coexist amid a modern shopping scene. The town may have a rich history, but it has its feet firmly in the modern world -- wireless internet access is everywhere, and festivals throughout the year (especially in summer months) showcase cutting-edge music and theater. Look for our first-edition Frommer's guide to Eastern Europe, which releases in March of 2007

3) We could also go to some other North or South American Country..

Panama

Panama has much of the same appeal as a destination like Costa Rica -- rainforests, volcanoes, and snorkeling. Panama City is the only metropolis that has a rainforest within the city limits, and on a clear day, hikers at the summit of Volcán Barú can often see both oceans at the same time. Isla Coiba, once home to a penal colony, is now part of a national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site that has the second-largest coral reef in the eastern Pacific. Here, you can see sharks, dolphins, turtles, whales and other big marine life. For a tropical beach experience, go to one (or several) of the 1,500 islands off the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. To get to Panama, you can fly directly from the U.S. on American Airlines, through Miami, and on Delta, through Atlanta. For more, see our first-edition Frommer's guide to Panama, releasing in Dec. 2006.