The country's apartheid past still casts a lengthy shadow; you can learn more about it by touring Robben Island Museum,where freedom fighter and president Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. Afterward,wander down to the neighboring fishing community, Fish Hoek, choose any seaside restaurant, and enjoy the fresh fare.

EXPLORER VS. HOMEBODY
Sarah and Patrick, St. Louis, Missouri
Sarah likes trying out new restaurants— Thai one week, Tunisian the next—and she rarely orders the same dish twice. She's adventuresome and outgoing, makes new friends easily, and can be ounted on to go salsa dancing or to jump off a cliff into a running river. When it comes to vacationing, her list of "things to do" includes windsurfing in southern France, going on an African safari, and learning how to make Tandoori chicken—in India.

Patrick prefers hamburgers, medium rare, served with onion rings. He's known most of his friends since kindergarten, and they still meet every Thursday to drink a few beers and throw darts. The idea of traveling abroad doesn't cross Pat's mind. A holiday should be relaxing, and he tenses up just picturing himself in a foreign country struggling with the language and eating bizarre food. Most years he vacations in Chicago and takes in a Cubs game.

COMPROMISE DESTINATIONS:

New Orleans, Louisiana
You won't need a passport to go to New Orleans, but the city may as well be in a foreign country.

The Cajun cooking, steamy weather, and French colonial history blend together to create a party atmosphere with a southern twang. Live zydeco and jazz, played in Bourbon Street bars, can pacify even the crankiest of travelers. And while much local food can only be described as American creole, at La Petite Grocery the art of mixing local spices with French cooking has been perfected. To get an intimate feel in this bustling city, stay at the Hubbard Mansion, an inn with a wraparound porch. Stroll down the French Quarter's cobblestone streets,walk past the Garden District mansions, and, for a fright, take a voodoo and cemetery tour. Sports fans can check out the horse races.

Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Playa del Carmen doesn't feel far outside the U.S., despite being hundreds of miles from the border, and the cozy Hotel Lunata may have Spanish-tiled floors, but the staff speaks perfect English. Unlike Cancun, which is 40 miles to the north, Playa del Carmen isn't a strip-mall party spot, so replace those images of messy tequila shots with visions of frosty beers and mixed drinks. To get a feel for the country, step off the main drag and into the generally welcoming Mexican community.

Visit the Mayan ruins of Tulum and Cobá, and sail to the island of Cozumel to dive one of the world's largest coral reefs. Then return to Playa del Carmen, grab a bite of Canadian fare cooked with Mexican spices at Media Luna, sink into the sand, and relax with a Piña Colada.