There are traditional favorites like London, Paris and Rome; more recently discovered favorites like Croatia, Prague and Patagonia; and then there are exotic locales -- like Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
Sure, many Americans couldn't place those last two countries on a map and probably couldn't guess the local religions, languages or diet.
But O'Sullivan says Uzbekistan and destinations like it are increasingly popular. ''It's a whole new world between Russia and China,'' O'Sullivan said in a phone interview. She said her tours to the region include ``desert towns, ancient markets, magnificent mosques and minarets . . . but you're in modern buses and new Boeing airplanes. It's the Silk Route, so there are gorgeous carpets and jewelry; caviar is $10, and hotels are small and friendly.''
The Women's Travel Club is offering a trip to Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan Oct. 30-Nov. 10, $3,710 per person, double occupancy, plus airfare.
For travelers looking for more affordable destinations, O'Sullivan recommends Portugal and China as two destinations that give outstanding value. Portugal tours start as low as $950, including air, hotel for four nights and some meals; a ''Beijing Blowout'' tour starts at $899 including roundtrip air from New York and six nights in China.
The Women's Travel Club is also teaming up with the KN Karen Neuburger brand for an Oct. 24-28 ''Rosa in Roma: Eat, Pray, Live!'' trip to Italy. Participants will get KN merchandise, and KN and the Travel Club will make $200 donations on behalf of each guest to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The trip, at $2,695 per person (double occupancy, including group airfare from New York), will include a leisurely 5K ''Walk for Wellness'' in Rome with a ''pink penny toss'' in the Trevi fountain, using spray-painted coins.
Details at 800-480-4448 or www.womenstravelclub.com.
