With the benefits of both snowy mountains and sunny Black Sea resorts, the former communist nation is on the short list of for adventurous travelers to Europe. Just a handful of other Eastern European nations have the desirable geographical mix of mountains and beaches, with Bulgaria the most prepared for tourism.

Details: Wedged between Greece, Turkey and Romania, Bulgaria abandoned communism in 1989. Its capital, Sofia, is modernizing, the ski resorts of the Rila Mountains are affordable, and the countryside remains traditional and friendly. Sofia is a feast of historic churches, museums and tree-lined boulevards. It's also just a 10-mile bus ride from popular skiing and hiking area of Mount Vitosha to the south. The gorge town of Veliko Tarnovo and the fishing town of Nesebar appeal to history buffs.

Where to stay: Aside from family-run establishments, most hotels in downtown Sofia are still 1950s-style socialist high-rises. But newer hotels are starting to open, including Central Hotel (Blvd. Hristo Botev 52, 011-359-2-981-2364; from $120) and Hotel Maria Luisa (Blvd. Maria Luisa 29, 011-359-2-980-5577; from $90).

Info: Embassy of Bulgaria, 202-387-0174, www.bulgaria-embassy.org; Bulgarian Tourism, www.bulgariatravel.org.

Ecuador

With volcanoes, tropical beaches, rain forests and cobblestone towns, Ecuador has just about everything you'd want in a South American destination — all jammed into a friendly, easily navigable country the size of Nevada. Plus, the politics and economy are stable in this Pacific Coast country that finally is starting to be recognized for more than its ownership of the Galapagos Islands.

Details: The no-hassle U.S. currency, the prevalence of English in the capital of Quito, a stable political climate and ease of transportation are putting Ecuador on the eco-tourist's map, said Atlanta travel consultant Pam Walker, a South American travel expert. Quito, though burdened with street crime in some areas, boasts sweeping valley vistas of the sleeping volcanoes and is a good base for trips to the Equatorial Line Monument, where latitude equals zero; the town of Otavalo, known for its Saturday morning market where locals dress in traditional costume; and the Avenue of Volcanoes, where the world's highest active volcano, Cotopaxi, resides. Continuing south, the town of Cuenca has a cobblestoned town center with buildings dating to the 1600s, and the Ecuador Amazon Basin is the center of action for eco-travelers. And oh yes, don't forget the famed Galapagos, filled with endemic wildlife and plants that made Charles Darwin and natural selection famous.