I will use the camera for my travels.

I have recommended the G12 (and other equivalent cameras) to my beginner friends and they all were completely happy with the choice. The G12 is much cheaper and still offers you the controls if you want to improve your technique. Get an SLR only if you know exactly why you want/need it.

I recommend the Canon G12 (I own one along with the T4i DSLR). At 10MP it has a better sensor than other cameras with 15MP. The camera now retails for $399 after the release of their G15 ($499) and G1 X ($799), however is harder to find.  It has similar quality to G15 at 12MP, but has something the G15 does not: flip LCD display (allows you to compose while the camera is above/below/pointing at you). It has many features of DSLR cameras (except, of course, interchangeable lenses) and a few they don't. Like stitch-assist for in-camera panoramic photos. Also, it's got a few facial recognition features not found on DSLRs: All eyes open and wink triggers. You can tell the camera to wait until everyone's eyes are open (up to 9 people) to trigger the shutter; or wait until it detects a wink (one eye), so you can get into the picture then simply wink to trigger the shutter (it's really neat). It also has a powerful built-in flash that ranges 23 feet, but also has a hot-shoe allowing for an external flash, not often found in point-and-shoot cameras. All this in a compact camera that is easy to use out-of-the-box.

Looks like a vintage camera but behaves like a dslr. Interchangeable lenses, big sensor, high iso, nice picture quality, lovely feeling, small size and cool looks.

go and get this nikon d7000 with tokina 11-16mm lens great for landscape photography