Malaysia is a cultural melting pot of customs, dress, architecture and cuisine. Penang has a history as a bustling shipping port.
Thailand's third-largest city and northernmost is Chiang Mai. The former capital of its kingdom appears more like a town than a city.
Tragically remembered for the Khmer Rouge genocide of the 1970s, Phnom Penh has since rebounded, and the local economy has been on a steady upswing.
The vibrant mix of cultures here means you can find everything from Roman Catholic cathedrals to mosques and Buddhist temples.
Vietnam features beaches, modern cities and thousand-year-old historic sites. Hoi An is a one-time trading port that is now known more for its lantern-lit evenings.
Isla Mujeres is more laid-back than Cancun. The area has calm white-sand beaches and fishers, artists, with expatriates.
Cozumel is another option if you are looking to spend retirement on a tropical Mexican island. At one time, as many as 10,000 Mayan residents lived here.
Armenia has been dubbed a “coffee lover’s dream.” It is home to the Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.