If you have seen Europe and Mexico and are looking a bit further afield for your next vacation, your timing is perfect to enjoy the renaissance of cities located almost halfway around the world from North America. From the bottom of the Persian Gulf to the exciting destinations in India, there is a lot of culture and entertainment waiting to be explored.

Here are some of the most popular destinations in the region:

Dubai: Located on the shores of the Persian Gulf, Dubai was home to a lot of American and British military support staff during the Iraq war for a good reason. It is modern, safe, and has amenities that many other cities in the world cannot compare to. Long known as a city that promotes business, it has become a hub in the trade between Europe, the Middle East, and India, reprising a role in a trade zone that has existed since Roman times. Hotels in Dubai are very well rated in most travel guides and contain everything from full water amusement parks to full-scale marinas. One of the best ways to find out what is available in your budget in Dubai is to look at an expert travel site like Hipmunk, that focuses on providing very detailed information about transportation, dining, entertainment, and hotels for key cities around the globe.

Mumbai or Bombay: One of the largest cities in India, Mumbai has managed to continue to move forward in the 21st Century with a unique blend of traditional and modern Indian culture. You can therefore go out to a brewpub or a wine tasting in a boutique bar or enjoy Indian cuisine from all over the sub-continent. The range of hotels in Mumbai is very large with inexpensive accommodations vying for a large part of the market. You will likely find that luxury hotels are value-priced compared to other very large cities. Transportation options range from pedi-cabs to car rentals, although with so many reasonably priced options around, most travelers prefer to leave the driving to someone else.

Goa: While Goa is a state rather than a city, the region is culturally different from the surrounding states owing to its Portuguese influence. Over 400 years ago, the British, the Portuguese, and the French competed for business influence in India. Portugal ended up retaining its control over Goa until 1961, when it became clear that the land needed to revert to India as a country. Since that time, the economy of Goa has continued to hum along and there is a unique fusion of cultures present in the area which boasts a modern infrastructure and some of the most unique rainforest preserves anywhere. If you like fresh tropical fruits and vegetables, you’ll enjoy visiting Goa and its surrounding countryside. The cities are also quite modern and hotels still trend towards being less expensive than their counterparts in other cities. Transportation is like Bombay, with public transportation options dominating the market. The largest secret in Goa is that the beaches are on a par with resort beaches that normally cost a lot more to visit.

Traveling to the other side of the world conjures up images of exotic spices and cuisine for many people. With airline prices coming down again, it may be time to look at spending your next vacation in a region that will leave you with many stories to tell when you get home.

This article was contributed by Fiona Moriarty of Hipmunk, the most comprehensive travel search website allowing you to find the best deals on anything from flights and hotels to train rides and Homeaway rentals.