Nothing stopping you from getting out and seeing the world.  Start small and go from there.  Make a promise to yourself to visit one place a year.  Take a look at some Travel Planning Sites I Like.

As for what's next – Havana, Cuba.

Not quite – there is an Economic embargo against Cuba.  This translates to – it is legal for any US citizen to go to Cuba – but illegal for that citizen to spend money there.  Since it's virtually impossible to visit another country without contributing in some way to it economy (think goods & services, taxes on those services, etc.) – it serves as a de-facto ban on US citizen travel to the island.

Exception to this rule includes obtaining a "Specifc License" from the US State Department prior to their departure, have verifiable familiy memebers living in Cuba or are eligible for a "General License".  Specific Licenses are for situations where there is a specific purpose for being in Cuba, e.g., undergraduate studies, employed in a teaching capacity, sporting event, etc.  General Licenses are designed for journalists, full-time professionals, etc. Finally, there is an exemption for visiting family members on the island.  I will be going to Cuba on a General license. 

As for the safety of the country, Cuba is no different than any other country in the Caribbean – safer so I hear.  Remember, crime is usually the byproduct of poverty.  Cuba has the second highest literacy rate in the world, near zero homelessness and less than 2% unemployment (per CIA Fact Book).  Not implying there's no crime in Cuba – just that poverty is low and the penalties for crime can be high.  My impression is tourists in Cuba are safer than any other country in the Caribbean – though I expect to confirm/correct this impression during research visit.

Jay

It's an interesting question for sure – not a black and white issue.  On one hand, I'm staying in a Casa Particular instead of a hotel – so my money is going directly into the hands of someone that can use it.  On the other hand, teh Cuban government gets a piece of that money as well.

For me, the issue isn' so much whether the Cuban government benefits in any way from legal US travel – but whether the Cuban Embargo makes any sense whatsoever.  Too much to discuss in a post here, but I will be writing an article about teh subject in the very near future