I want to take a vacation outside of N. America. I look for 2 things in a vacation

1. cultural and a learning experience especially historical (eg. ruins and temples)

combined with...

2. time to relax- like on a tropical beach

recommendations?

I would go to Italy.

My g/f was just in Peru -- they have beaches and they have world heritage site Machu Pichu -- she had a great time there. You can also find beaches and ancient history in close proximity in Greece, Turkey, Israel, Egypt, India, Indonesia.

You will have many options in the state of Kerala, India. There is a large, established tourist trade with many reasonably priced resorts and spas. Spring is the perfect time to go. It is an area with a culture that goes back thousands of years. It was a well known port on the Arab sea trade and it's colorful history goes back thousands of years, so you will find a lot of 'culture'.

India. Beautiful beaches in Goa. I would fly to Calcutta then train through the country. Rahjastan State is beautiful. Go north to Kashmir. Come back down to Bombay and catch the boat to Goa.

Mexico the Cancun and Yucatan coastal area. My wife and I love to travel somewhere warm in the winter (we live in Canada) but we also like to do something active whilst we are away.
Look for an all-inclusive vacation and use it as a base to travel. Use local taxis and buses if you want to make travel more exciting or there are lost of excursions available. This coast is littered with history, ruins and temples.