Oooh, I would have loved to see the Espiritu Santo Islands!
I stayed 10 days in Port Vila and another 10 days on Tanna. I also climbed Mt Yasur. Such a cool experience!
I went there on a whim, needing a break from Australia. Probs would have been around Sep 2008. Did you ever get to Kiribati...
As Berty23 said, depends on the situation.
Nature, hiking, camping: Adirondacks, NY.
Cities: Berlin or New York
Little bit different: Vanuatu
UK: Cuckmere Haven or Skye