Any sci-fi fans out there? I'm looking for a good book to read.

I tend to like series of books, three or four books following a storyline. I tend not to like wizards, dragons, elfs, and Merlin. I like books that explore other worlds, societies, people soaring through space encountering new worlds or chasing after some Holy Grail type thing that will save humanity. I've read a couple of Jack Chalker series and enjoyed them a lot.

I've been out of touch with the sci-fi book market for a while and I could use some tips.

Cheers,
Michael