Vacation Suggestions?

Now I have about 10 (9 actually +a few HTO's from working on a holiday) or so unused vacation leaves from 2008 that needs to be consumed before the end of March. This is perfectly fine since I want to go on vacation, but I can't decide where. Yes, I am willing to travel alone if I have to but getting someone to join me would be fine too.

I've already decided to go here to spend some of my vacation days by going to the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in the Clark Airbase, Pampanga this February. But since the event lasts 4 days, I have to pick which day I will attend. Schedule in the link below:

http://philippinetraveltimes.com/2008/12/26/14th-philippine-international-hot-air-balloon-fiesta-pihabf-2009-schedule/

Now that still leaves me with 9 more days. I'm thinking about the 6 days 5 nights tour indicated here (assuming my leave application gets approved), but the minimum 2 persons deal is a turn off (why did they add a price for single occupancy then?)

http://www.scorpiotravel.com/shanghai.html

I'm looking for other travel suggestions since there are probably better and cheaper alternatives. Budget inclusive of pocket money would probably be 1500-2000 USD max. Oh, and I prefer not to go to places that involve a lot of shopping and/or beaches. I'm in the mood for going around places and not exactly lounging around. If I wanted those, I'd go to Divisoria or a mall to shop or to my home town of Olongapo to swim.

One more thing, am I the only one that thinks a 3 day, 4 night or 4 day 3 night trip too short when visiting another place or country (especially another country)?