60 days in South Pacific, Asia, Europe, United States, Mexico, South America & Africa Itinerary

Part of a volcanic archipelago that encompasses over 6,800 islands, Japan remains one of Asia's most fascinating tourist destinations, where a blend of modernity and tradition creates a look and feel completely different from any other place in the world. A tour of Japan lets you discover big cities filled with ancient temples and innovative skyscrapers, as well as quiet country landscapes dotted with castles, perfectly manicured gardens, cherry orchards, and primeval forests seemingly untouched by the hand of mass tourism. Many tourists on vacation in Japan devote lots of time to the country's unique cuisine, prepared with painstaking attention to detail and a genius for simple yet effective presentation.

Often the central story in the evening news for the worst of reasons, Afghanistan remains a troubled country ravaged by internal conflict and shaken to its core by political instability. Although few travelers take a trip to Afghanistan for pleasure, this landlocked nation boasts breathtaking extremes of landscape and a rich history spanning over 2,000 years. Powerful empires came and went over the ages, leaving an indelible mark on Afghanistan's culture, arts, and religion. The last few decades have brought mostly chaos, from the invasion of the Soviets in 1979, to the 2001 offensive led jointly by NATO and American forces. Today, Afghanistan remains a battered though undeniably picturesque country slowly figuring out how to reinvent itself as a young democracy.

More than the country of car-packed streets seen in TV shows and movies, the United States of America is a complex and diverse home to over 300 million people living in a wide range of landscapes and climates. From its big-city skyscrapers to its sprawling natural parks, the country's ''melting pot'' combines many ethnic groups that share a strong sense of national identity despite their cultural differences. A country of road trips and big blue skies, the United States harbors orderly cities filled with restaurants, parks, museums, and innumerable sightseeing opportunities, as well as pristine natural areas perfect for a holiday in the great outdoors. To see as much as you can of this diverse land quickly, drive over some of the more than 6 million km (4 million mi) of highways leading through deserts, mountain peaks, fertile fields, and giant urban centers.

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.

Squeezed between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean, geographically diverse Chile is a long, thin stretch of land encompassing some of the world's driest deserts in the north, and some of its largest glacial fields in the south. Though most Chile holidays include some form of adventure in the vast wilderness areas, the country also contains charming cities providing plenty of urban things to do and see. Many tours of Chile include at least a brief visit to the country's lush wine regions, where backyard vineyards compete with sprawling estates producing some of the world's most respected whites and reds.

A trip to State of Sao Paulo reveals one of Brazil's wealthiest regions, considered one of South America's economic powerhouses and known for its high standard of living. The eponymous state capital remains one of the country's most cosmopolitan urban centers, housing almost 20 million residents in its metropolitan region. Beyond this hub of frantic nightlife and thriving commerce, a tour of State of Sao Paulo showcases lively beaches scattered across 600 km (370 mi) of coastline. Farther inland, visitors take advantage of the area's pleasant climate and explore numerous waterfalls, caves, mountains, rivers, spas, parks, and historical buildings dating back to early colonial times.

The landscapes of South Africa match its people in terms of diversity, richness, and vitality. From desert lands and coastlines, to the famous nature reserves sheltering the "Big Five" game animals, the country has natural charm in spades. The main cities provide a wealth of bars, clubs, shopping districts, and entertainment options to please the most demanding visitors, while traditional life can still be admired and respected in a collection of villages with beehive-style huts and an age-old cultural heritage. When in need of a minute to digest all that's happened during your trip to South Africa, sit down to a braai (traditional barbecue), and a bottle of wine made at one of the country's thriving vineyards.