You know what my favorite part of this game is, thus far?
I hit 15 today, I'm stretching my skills across Stealth, One Handed, Archery, Light armor, and maybe some alchemy and lockpicking as I move through the rungs. I've traveled down to Orphan Rock and the southern region just outside Iverstead, and I've gone as far north as the barrows outside Whiterun. Been playing two days and I've mostly been mired in clearing dungeons to skill up and gathering materials.
I opened up the world map and looked around. I've only covered ground in the immediate area of one Hold, and there's nine in total.
I get to do this eight more times, not including main and side missions. Just exploration for the hell of it.