$5000 saved up for travel, Where should I go?

Portugal.

Hawaii

For just 12 days I would stay fairly close.

I would go to Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica or Ecuador and Galapagos Island.

Columbia must be also pretty good these days.

But I am sure you will end up in some cheesy US resort with lots of Americans around you.

Ummmmm, ever hear of Toledo, OH?

Climb Kilimanjaro

Hikes in Cordillera Blanca, Peru

Bolivia

Haiti

Spain

At the current prices for lodging, tickets, air travel & misc, 5 grand will get you three days at Worlds, four if you scrimp.

Montreal, Quebec has an eight-week summer. Now's the best time of the year to visit.

If you're driving, probably just to the nearest gas station 😄

Japan

Isn’t it winter down there? Guess you didn’t know that.

Never mind. I guess this is one of the recommended times of year to climb both of those.

Does it snow in La Paz Bolivia?
Of course it doesn't snow often in La Paz,
and even in “winter,” from June through September daytime temperatures
typically reach into the upper 50s during the day, and fall to the low
40s at night. It seldom ever freezes in this high mountain region, and
winters tend to be the dry season.

Mm hmm

Iceland 🇮🇸

Bangkok

Cape Town

Buenos Aires

Recife

I've been to 49 states, 48 countries, and 47 national parks. Suggestions:

National parks: top three are wows: Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Grand Canyon. Lots of other great choices: Redwoods, Olympic, Zion, Crater Lake, etc.

Great US cities for museums, food, and history: Washington, DC; NYC; Boston

Great international cities: London, Paris, and Rome have so much! Lots of other great cities as well, depending on what you're looking for. Lots to see and do in Istanbul, Vienna, and Amsterdam.

Off the beaten path: Cracow (not bombed out in WW2; visit Auschwitz; Schindler's List factory; world heritage salt mine at Wieliczka; affordable!)

Machu Picchu is the most stunning place I've visited (visually, architecturally, historically).

Tropical paradise: Virgin Islands

Natural beauty: Croatia, New Zealand

Lots of other great options, but if you haven't done some of the "biggies," they are worth the visit.

I'd also recommend staying in a place and getting to know it in more depth. I led a trip to Boston, and we did a number of days with different themes for 12 days: historical Boston; literary Boston; education Boston; political Boston; fine arts/museums Boston; food Boston; natural history Boston; ethnic Boston; sports Boston, etc.

Norway, specifically the Lofoten Islands. Unbelievable scenery, there are cool places to stay, lots of hiking and outdoor activities, and if you start to run low in terms of budget, you can camp (almost) anywhere in Norway.

Domestic island time: Sitka Alaska or Big Island Hawaii