57 days in Europe, Asia, South Pacific, Mexico & South America Itinerary

North Rhine-Westphalia is in many ways almost a country unto itself. It's noted for its dense concentration of museums, art galleries, theaters, concert halls, and opera houses. The most populous German state, North Rhine-Westphalia was created at the end of World War II. It joined two Prussian provinces and a small fiefdom. The region's landscapes include flat expanses, densely forested hills, mighty rivers, and rugged mountains. Known for more than a century as the land of coal and steel, this was one of Europe's most important industrial regions in the post-war recovery period. Facing new demands of the ever-changing European markets, the region shifted its energies in the second half of the 20th century. Now it focuses on high-tech industries, media, and culture. Your itinerary may include days sightseeing in the region's bustling metropolises, but don't miss a chance to drive out into the sprawling countryside. You'll find a trove of quiet villages virtually unchanged since the Middle Ages.

Baden-Wurttemberg is one of Germany's most popular vacation destinations. After all, who wouldn't be entranced by pristine natural habitats, rich culture, a multitude of mineral spas, and plenty of sunshine all year long? Most of this region is covered by the famed Black Forest. This spot's rugged peaks, glittering lakes, and well-maintained trails draw hikers, cyclists, and swimmers from around the globe. Located in the southern section of the country, Baden-Wurttemberg shares many of its traditions with its German-speaking neighbors in France, Switzerland, and Austria. Far more bucolic than the central and northern parts of the country, the area nevertheless offers a wealth of urban pleasures and tourist attractions. It features several large cities, most notably Stuttgart, the home of Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. Be sure to include Baden-Baden on your itinerary as well, as its spas have been soothing weary travelers since Roman times.

Bordered by the Alps on three sides and often overlooked by casual tourists, the Piedmont region is famous for its wines, including Moscato D'Asti, Barolo, and Barbera, to name just a few. Piedmont's cuisine is renowned throughout Italy. Its exotic white truffles--a precious ingredient used in first-class restaurants around the world--are often compared to gold because of their staggering cost. An ideal holiday destination for foodies, the region is also known for its thriving industries of fresh produce, nuts, and chocolates. There are many places to visit in Piedmont, including several medieval castles, trendy spa resorts, and cities with both historical attractions and modern industries.

Hugging the Mediterranean coastline, Valencian Country is one of Spain’s great agricultural districts. The region’s rich soil has been cultivated for many centuries. Arab farmers, who arrived here during the Middle Ages, introduced irrigation methods that allowed for extensive farming of rice, citrus, almonds, and dates. To this day, the area is best known as the cradle of Spanish rice cultivation. Regional ways to cook rice and incorporate it into dishes number in the hundreds. In the colorful countryside, each village features different methods of preparing that famous Spanish rice creation called paella, and no vacation here would be complete without a sample or two. Valencian paella, once the food of humble farmers, is now a symbol of Spanish cuisine that draws tourism from around the world.

Both a historical region and modern federal state, Brandenburg was once the heart of Prussia. It surrounds but does not officially include the national capital, Berlin. Best known for its wealth of natural attractions, Brandenburg contains three World Heritage-listed biosphere reserves and 11 protected nature parks. A sprawling national park spreads all the way across the border with Poland. The region's pristine natural environments are protected by the nation's strict natural protection policies, which began in the 1990s. An extensive network of park rangers lead tours through the various environments and ensure continued conservation. Be sure to explore the state capital's lavish royal palaces and gardens. Extend your itinerary outside the urban centers if you'd like to enjoy the numerous bike trails, golf courses, canoeing tours, and boat trips.

The country's largest province, Lower Austria, offers tourists a taste of Austrian history, culture, and scenery. This region is actually situated in the northernmost part of the country, but was named for its location downriver along the Danube. Take part in outdoor recreation or relax at a top-quality vineyard. Like much of Austria, this region hosts forests and mountains and is dotted with castles and lakes. Additional attractions include museums of traditional handicrafts, a historical abbey, and the nation's newest capital town.

An area of impressive coastal settlements and natural abundance, Terengganu is part of northeastern Peninsular Malaysia. The state possesses a predominantly Malay culture (thanks to a limited history of migration), with mosques, traditional arts centers, and regal architecture providing the focal points of urban area. The region features waterfalls, wetlands, and forests in a state known for the tranquility of its rural areas. Along the coast, beaches are renowned for their calm atmosphere and offer prime snorkeling and diving sites.

Largely arid or semi-arid in terms of its climate and geography, South Australia nevertheless boasts several picturesque mountain ranges and grasslands, particularly in its coastal region. Founded in 1836 as a planned colonial province rather than a penal settlement, South Australia has a slightly different modern history than Australia’s other states. Economically prosperous and culturally rich, South Australia boasts a confident, easygoing personality.

The smallest state on mainland Australia, Victoria nevertheless boasts a richly attractive interior and an exotic, bay-strewn coastline that compensates for its relatively diminutive size. With snow-topped alpine areas and coastal paradises running into dry, semi-arid plains in the west and northwest, Victoria has something of a split personality in relation to its geography. Around 70 percent of Victoria’s population live in the capital of the state, Melbourne.

A land of fjords, rocky coastline, and expansive plains, Southland Region remains known for its impressive scenery and abundant native wildlife. Relatively untouched and uninhabited swathes of land and sea, much of it protected, support rare bird species and an abundance of marine life, such as seals, whales, and dolphins. Don't expect too many urban centers on your tour of Southland Region, but when you do happen across one that's sprung up from the wilderness, be sure to try the famed local cuisine, such as the bluff oyster and other seafood.

Tailor-made for anyone seeking that traditional sun-and-sand experience, Mexico vacations allow visitors to explore nearly 10,000 km (6,200 mi) of picturesque coastlines. Idyllic beaches and favorable year-round weather aside, this diverse country with a rich pre-Colombian history allows tourists a chance to discover a fascinating cuisine, numerous archaeological sites, state-of-the-art museums, colonial-era haciendas, and outstanding examples of 21st-century architecture. Most visitors get to know the country by its cities, but if you want a well-rounded Mexico tour, spend some time exploring its jungles, cloud forests, Caribbean reefs, snowcapped volcanoes, vast deserts, and tranquil lagoons. Life is lived outdoors in Mexico, so wherever you go, don't forget to dine alfresco and stroll the country's colonial streets.