Where to go with less than 2 weeks vacation time

Hi all!

I find myself with roughly 10-12 days vacation time this summer and want to get away. I live in Toronto, and want to go somewhere I havent been (Peru, NZ, Aus, Thailand, Caribbean) but I also am not interested in resorts (obviously, else I wouldnt be posting on here!).

Where would you go if you were me? Im thinking Europe makes sense, but am looking for country recommendations.

Thanks in advance!

12 days is not enough for NZ from Toronto.
Apart from that, what are your interests? What would you like to do/see/experience?

Cuba is good & you don't have to do the resort thing there. Afew days in Havana, Vinales & Trinidad will eat up 10-12 days easily.

While not the cheapest place it won't break the bank either.

Like MTM said, we need to know what kinds of things interest you. For me, Puerto Rico would be nice. Warm weather, pirate forts to explore, a rainforest, old town, beaches, lots to like.

Thanks for the replies!

@MTM -- The countries in the brackets are where I've already been (or lived, in NZ's case!), I should have worded that a little clearer =)

I'd like to go somewhere I can explore with my camera, maybe take a class of some kind (cooking, dance, language), and meet other like minded travellers and have (for the most part) lazy days where you decide what you are doing when you get up that morning.

Thanks for recommending Puerto Rico and Cuba! Ive always considered the Caribbean as a winter destination, but maybe I should look at it for a summer break as well.

I've been to both Cuba & Nassau in August/September (only time I could get away) was great & not to crowded with tourists.

If you've just got 10-12 days, I'd suggest a small country, like Slovenia. You could see quite a bit of it in that period of time AND have time set aside for some real R&R. For a tiny place, it packs in quite a bit, from the Alps to the Adriatic.

Thanks guys! You've definitely given me some places to look into. Much appreciated =)

Take a sailboat from Cartagena, Colombia through Kuna Yala to Colón, Panama.