Here’s a topic that I thought would make for a fun discussion — what are your favorite places that you’ve traveled to? It’s a question that I’m often asked, but struggle to answer. That’s not because I never leave the airport (contrary to what some people may believe), but rather because I have a hard time picking some destinations over others. Let me explain.
In this post:
My challenge with picking “best” travel destinations
Before I share some of my favorite places I’ve traveled to, let me talk a bit about why I struggle with the concept of making recommendations in this area, and why I’m cautious when taking recommendations from some people (just as you shouldn’t put too much weight in my recommendations). This comes down to several factors, so let me share them in no particular order.
What determines our enjoyment from a trip
Simply put, our perception of a trip comes down to the experience we actually had, compared to the experience we thought we were going to have. Let me give a non-travel example involving ice cream:
- Say your friend says that X place has the world’s best ice cream, and no other ice cream can compare
- Then you go to that place and have ice cream, and it’s really good, but perhaps not memorable; you’d probably feel disappointed, since you were expecting a life changing experience
- Now compare that to what your perception would be if your friend hadn’t given that recommendation; you’d probably be thrilled, and would think “that was so much better than I was expecting”
The same principle applies to travel. If you ask me, the best trips are those where we don’t have many expectations, or where our expectations of the experience are exceeded. For example, there are some objectively great travel destinations, but if they don’t quite live up the hype of what you were expecting, it’s natural to feel disappointed (Paris syndrome comes to mind).
For example, Santorini couldn’t be more picturesque, and it’s perhaps one of the travel destinations you see the most photos of. Everyone posts a picture that makes it look like they have all of Oia to themselves, given the beautiful backdrops. If you go in late July and then discover the crowding levels, the whole thing might feel a bit less charming than you pictured it to be. It’s natural to feel like it maybe didn’t quite live up to your expectations, assuming you were expecting that the real experience would be like the carefully curated photos that others shared.
Meanwhile if you go to a place no one really recommended where you don’t have many expectations, and you end up having a great experience, your expectations may be exceeded, and you’ll probably be quite happy.
Admittedly this is probably just a reality we have to live with, as the world is increasingly online. If you traveled somewhere 20 years ago, you weren’t as influenced by everyone on the internet. That’s no longer the case.
Social media & recommendation culture change travel
This ties in to the above, but I think it’s worth calling expanding on a bit more. I think social media, and our general “recommendation culture” has kind of fundamentally changed travel, and the ability of people to objectively share their thoughts on a place. This can come in many different forms, so let me give a few examples.
For example, take the Maldives. It’s an absolutely picturesque destination, but I’d almost argue that it’s nicer in pictures than in real life. In pictures, you just see the beautiful sunshine and crystal clear waters. What you don’t see is how outrageously hot it can be, that the UV is an 11 for much of the day, the number of bugs you’re going to be dealing with, the reality of jet lag and exhaustion for having traveled so far to get there.
That’s not at all to say that the Maldives isn’t worth visiting. It’s just that I think that pictures make it look like heaven on earth, while there are some realities to deal with when traveling there.
We live in an era where social media is such a large part of peoples’ lives. For many people, travel isn’t just about having a good time, but it’s about presenting to their friends and family like they had a good time. After all, people want to share the highlights of their life with friends and family. You don’t see people captioning pictures with “I had a pretty nice time in the Maldives, but it wasn’t quite what I was expecting.”
Instead there’s almost a bias going into a trip of wanting it to be amazing — and I guess that’s a good attitude to have. But then this is also how we create a cycle of sort of fake feedback (or at least feedback that omits improtant details). Your friend says “oh my gosh, your trip to Santorini looked amazing,” and then you say “yeah, it was totally amazing.”
I’m not saying there’s anything inherently wrong with that, but I also think that collectively we’re not necessarily honest or thorough with sharing our impressions of places. Like, you’ll sound like a total Debbie Downer if you go to Rome and say “it was great, but it was really damn hot, and the crowds were wild.”
So many factors impact our travel perceptions
I also think it’s important to reflect on how so many factors can impact our perception of a travel experience. This includes things like crowding levels and weather.
But it also includes who you’re traveling with, and the kind of experiences that you’re having. Travel experiences are almost always better if you’re with a local friend, or someone very familiar with an area. For example, over the summer we went to San Sebastian with some friends who were very familiar with the area, and we absolutely loved it.
I know one thing for sure, though — I definitely wouldn’t have had the same perception if we had traveled there alone, and had to come up with our own plan. There’s something so nice about someone just guiding you to their favorite places, and not having to do all the work.
The places that I’ve enjoyed traveling to
With the above out of the way, I don’t have a top X list of my favorite places I’ve been to, though I’ll share some of the places that I’ve very much enjoyed visiting. Let me start by saying that I’m not a huge fan of visiting cities, and prefer places that either have a totally different culture, or are more outdoor-focused.
With that in mind, here are several of my favorites:
- Hong Kong is one of my favorite cities in the world; admittedly I haven’t properly visited since before the pandemic, but it holds a special place in my heart
- I absolutely love everything about visiting Japan, and it’s probably the place I most enjoy traveling to; I’m not meaning to fetishize it, and Japan has its problems, but culturally Japan couldn’t be more different than my home city of Miami, and that’s why I enjoy it so much
- Bhutan is a unique country, unlike anywhere else I’ve ever seen, and I can’t recommend it enough, especially given the lack of crowding (due to how visitor permits in the country work)
- New Zealand has so much to offer, and is also a great outdoors destination
- Mexico is an easy getaway from the United States, so I generally prefer that to the Caribbean, especially thanks to the friendly people and great food; personally I’m not a huge fan of the Cancun area, but that’s just because it’s so similar to what I’m used to in Miami in terms of climate
- I’ve absolutely loved the nature focused destinations I’ve been to, from Svalbard to Iceland; I’m hoping to visit Greenland next summer
- I’ve very much enjoyed traveling to the “stans” (like Kazakhstan, for example), simply because they’re a part of the world that isn’t discussed much in the United States; so it’s fascinating to come in with no expectations, and see these places firsthand
- Africa is amazing for its safari opportunities, because it’s truly a vacation unlike any other, and it gives you a new appreciation for nature and the cycle of life
Next, let me say that nowadays France, Greece, and Italy, are by far the most popular summer travel destinations for Americans, and I largely think that’s for good reason. I love visiting all three of the countries, but try to be strategic about when I go:
- France has so much to offer, from amazing food, to incredible hotels, to diversity in destinations — Paris is a dynamic city, the South of France is gorgeous in summer, Courchevel and the surrounding area is lovely in winter, Provence is awesome in spring and fall, etc.
- Greece has endless places to travel to, and even as so many tourists flock to Mykonos and Santorini (with a stopover in Athens), there are so many places that are less busy that can still be visited; I love the weather, the food, and the scenery
- Italy also has so much to offer, from the best food, to a variety of experiences; Italy has some of my favorite cities (even though I’m not a city person), and also has beautiful countryside, beaches, and mountains
Bottom line
I think just about every place has its charms as a visitor, and it all comes down to what expectations you come in with, and through what lens you see things. A lot of the most visited tourist destinations are popular for good reason, though I can’t help but feel like they may sometimes lead to disappointment, given the high expectations that people have going in.
There’s no denying that social media and the internet at large have shaped our travel patterns, and that’s both a blessing and a curse.
What are your favorite places you’ve traveled to?
What a thoughtful article. Thank you, Ben. The concept of "best places to travel" is a fluid thing with so many factors--based on our own "season of life," living situation, financial considerations, interests, and even restrictions (for example, many places around the world that are definitely not gay-friendly).
My spouse and I recently returned from a two-week Japan trip and we both felt it was worth the trip. We avoided doing "The Golden Triangle" itinerary...
What a thoughtful article. Thank you, Ben. The concept of "best places to travel" is a fluid thing with so many factors--based on our own "season of life," living situation, financial considerations, interests, and even restrictions (for example, many places around the world that are definitely not gay-friendly).
My spouse and I recently returned from a two-week Japan trip and we both felt it was worth the trip. We avoided doing "The Golden Triangle" itinerary trip and spent time in lesser-known cities in the Tohoku region. I think our experiences would have been vastly different had we ingested the "recommendation culture" postings and gone elsewhere in that country.
Calm down..can we stop saying Europe! I mean there are many countries. Life's hard enough and this is what you want to complain about..
Anyway couldn't agree more. Such a bla question. So many factors. Carnival in Brasil v. World Cup v. Amazon...Big world get out and see it make your own take.
'Africa is amazing for its safari opportunities, because it’s truly a vacation unlike any other'
Africa is a continent not a country and safari excursions are only available in few countries. Could have narrowed down to South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, Botswana etc
Come back to Hong Kong, Ben - the city is back to being much like you remember it. Still very, very different than mainland China, contrary to what some US media and politicians say. Don't wait for CX First Class awards to open up, which will not happen anytime soon...
Surprised no one has mentioned Croatia. The Adriatic coastline is beautiful, and the Plitvice Lakes are astounding. The Venetian towns dotting the islands are cozily medieval. Dubrovnik is incredible. The coastal food is delicious - lots of fresh seafood and light tasty fare. Inland you can still get your kebabs (ćevapi) if you want them.
Yes, it has become very touristy (thanks, Game of Thrones), but any list that includes countries like Italy and Greece...
Surprised no one has mentioned Croatia. The Adriatic coastline is beautiful, and the Plitvice Lakes are astounding. The Venetian towns dotting the islands are cozily medieval. Dubrovnik is incredible. The coastal food is delicious - lots of fresh seafood and light tasty fare. Inland you can still get your kebabs (ćevapi) if you want them.
Yes, it has become very touristy (thanks, Game of Thrones), but any list that includes countries like Italy and Greece would be remiss without Croatia.
Did one of the best road trips there, starting from Dubrovnik, then to Split and the Plitvice Lakes ending in Zagreb.
What lovely memories! :)
Lofoten Islands = THE most beautiful place on earth.
Pelion Greece and Thessaloniki. Athens without the headache
People who choose to boycott the likes of Isreal as a holiday destination for political reasons, alternatively, because of the presence of high security measures are missing a most profound experience.
Most of the world’s police forces are routinely armed.
In most of the Americas there are more small arms on the streets than citizens.
In most of the Americas there are more chemically inclined people than are not so.
Edgy...
People who choose to boycott the likes of Isreal as a holiday destination for political reasons, alternatively, because of the presence of high security measures are missing a most profound experience.
Most of the world’s police forces are routinely armed.
In most of the Americas there are more small arms on the streets than citizens.
In most of the Americas there are more chemically inclined people than are not so.
Edgy Middle Eastern countries like Isreal, Iran, Syria and Iraq offer the traveler more culture per second than some even after centuries.
To the north the ‘stans, which straddle the Silk Road provides more life experiences per $£ or €, than most places on earth.
One who has travelled in any of the North African countries will appreciate the opportunity for lifetime experiences of renown too.
Regardless of which country, continent, north or southern hemispheres one chooses to visit, life beyond the clinical tourist destinations has to be experienced before you die.
Those who fail to appreciate that life should be full of adventure, culture and learning has to be considered brain dead.
@AeroB13a
Why would you even bother with inferior cultures?
DEI should be extended to even your travel destination choices?
You're really making yourself miserable, as well as making your life more complicated than it has to be.
Those who fail to force life to be full of horrible adventure, not-worth-trying culture and learning has to be considered brain dead.
Thank you Mason for providing, without any shadow of a doubt, that your single uneducated brain cell has finally run out of electrons.
One is ever hopeful that you have not procreated as there would be a very strong possibility that you could have passed on your disability to undeserving issue.
I tend to agree with you in the majority of the destinations you mentioned: San Sebastián is my favorite place in Spain, Crete is my favorite place in Greece, Iceland and the Artic is unmissable… I think most of those destinations are pretty consensual.
As Portuguese I’d add Azores. It’s an incredible destination with astonishing sights, great food, wines (from Pico) and nice people.
It used to be Latakia, Fes, Astana and Ishigaki but alas the first has been destroyed by war.
Rapa Nui. The culture and volcano lake was breathtaking.
Bogota. Surprisingly good food. Reminds me of SF with its burgeon food scene in early 2000s.
Bhutan. I still remember hiking up to Tiger’s Nest while snow falling on my head.
Everest base camp. Perhaps the most out of this world scenery. I feel like I was in Mars.
Glenorchy/ Milford Sounds. Just stunning nature. Top three most beautiful scenery I ever came across....
Rapa Nui. The culture and volcano lake was breathtaking.
Bogota. Surprisingly good food. Reminds me of SF with its burgeon food scene in early 2000s.
Bhutan. I still remember hiking up to Tiger’s Nest while snow falling on my head.
Everest base camp. Perhaps the most out of this world scenery. I feel like I was in Mars.
Glenorchy/ Milford Sounds. Just stunning nature. Top three most beautiful scenery I ever came across.
Volcano Park. Meeting wild gorillas in their habitat will change your life perspective.
Moscow. So exotic to me. I love the onion dome architecture and cheap caviar.
Jaipur. The color, the culture, the chaos. I can still smell the plethora of herbs in my nostrils.
Cape Town. The climate, the cheap Michelin star level food, the beautiful Wineland that’ll make Napa blush.
Beijing. City full of stories. You really need to know Chinese history well to really appreciate what you are seeing.
Egypt. Glad I saw Roman and Greek architecture before coming to Egypt. The scale is incredible.
Korea is better than Japan because DELTA has a hub at Incheon!
If you're going to pick destinations based on airline hubs, there are better airlines to choose from...
Anyone who chooses to limit their travel experiences to Delta hubs has to be regarded as brain dead …. unless one is deliberately stirring the sh1t that is?
I can only agree with your list of top destinations. Hong Kong also holds (held?) a special place in my heart, but I haven't been there since the pandemic and the hostile takeover by Beijing. The last time I was there was during the first wave of protests, and that was eerie. I've heard from locals that the place changed a lot since...
And I also have to agree on your conclusion. A lot...
I can only agree with your list of top destinations. Hong Kong also holds (held?) a special place in my heart, but I haven't been there since the pandemic and the hostile takeover by Beijing. The last time I was there was during the first wave of protests, and that was eerie. I've heard from locals that the place changed a lot since...
And I also have to agree on your conclusion. A lot of the success of a trip depends on things that are completely beyond your control. Weather, crowds, mood, expectations, fellowship, and most of all unexpected events, for better or worse. Those are always the most memorable.
If I can give you one tip, it'd be Namibia. It's unique, even for Africa. By the way, Africa is a continent made up of over 50 countries and is much, much more diverse and has a lot more to offer than just safaris.
I would add Iran to the list, but it's currently not safe to get in. But trust me, I've been completely blown away by how genuinely nice and friendly people are over there, and how much there is to see and do, even if you decide to just stay in Tehran. Just bring a ton of cash (or a few gold coins), as your bank card won't work. And a shoe box to carry all the local money in. The biggest note was worth about $1.50 when I landed there and the inflation was about 4 digits...
Mediterranean Europe is appealing to almost everyone, worldwide. Only the penguins from Antarctica stay away for now... Try Montenegro if you want to stay away from the crowds but still want Europe.
As someone who has been in HK for years now, most tourists would not notice much different from pre-pandemic. The city now reminds me of when I first visited in 2009, before there were a lot of angry street politics. The biggest differences a visitor might notice now are fewer large overhanging signs (sadly removed due to safety regulations) and more shops for rent (largely to do with the HK dollar peg to the USD...
As someone who has been in HK for years now, most tourists would not notice much different from pre-pandemic. The city now reminds me of when I first visited in 2009, before there were a lot of angry street politics. The biggest differences a visitor might notice now are fewer large overhanging signs (sadly removed due to safety regulations) and more shops for rent (largely to do with the HK dollar peg to the USD and so many locals are shopping/dining in the mainland or taking more trips to Japan etc. where it's cheaper.)
One of the most fascinating countries in the world which nobody seems to dare mention has to be Israel.
Jerusalem, the cradle of so many religious beliefs.
Thousands of years of history, fascinating architecture, archaeological sites and cultures, surely makes Jerusalem the number one visit on everyone’s bucket list.
Nope, I would boycott Israel, a country of 94% genocidaires. I would not have visited Nazi Germany, either.
Been there, as I've visited nearly every country in the world.
One thing I learned when traveling is to distinguish between a regime and the local people. The locals are not the regime. Many people disagree, many are clueless, and opinions on the topic are usually as diverse as people at home are. Because, let's be honest, think of what the rest of the world would call Americans if we look at the last...
Been there, as I've visited nearly every country in the world.
One thing I learned when traveling is to distinguish between a regime and the local people. The locals are not the regime. Many people disagree, many are clueless, and opinions on the topic are usually as diverse as people at home are. Because, let's be honest, think of what the rest of the world would call Americans if we look at the last decade of politics there, right? I'm pretty sure Ben will ban me if I spell out all the profanities.
Anyway, I remember that Israel was very expensive, had lots of palpable tension everywhere all the time and hordes of tourists in Jaffa and Jerusalem. I also crossed over into the West Bank and that was as filthy and dirty as most similar Arab countries (Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, etc) seem to be. It was especially noteworthy that there were tons of soldiers everywhere all the time. Police was also everywhere, all the time. Heavily armed, of course. It was impossible to move freely or to feel at ease. Oh, and I got a really bad food poisoning while staying there.
And for those religions? They're basically three sides of the same religious concept and have caused more death and suffering and have restricted the development of mankind more than anything else in the history of the world. I rather stay away from such mental poison. Humans are smart enough to observe things they don't understand but stupid enough to attribute those to a 'higher power'.
@ImportViking
I agree locals people are not the regime, but I'd still rather visit Oman, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, or maybe Egypt rather than Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, etc. The predominant religion doesn't bother me, but aside from physical safety being an issue in some of those places right now, I'd rather not visit countries whose regimes have been engaged in terrorism, large scale slavery, blatant warcrimes, etc, for longer than the USA's...
@ImportViking
I agree locals people are not the regime, but I'd still rather visit Oman, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, or maybe Egypt rather than Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, etc. The predominant religion doesn't bother me, but aside from physical safety being an issue in some of those places right now, I'd rather not visit countries whose regimes have been engaged in terrorism, large scale slavery, blatant warcrimes, etc, for longer than the USA's forever war in Iraq.
@AeroB13a
Airbus/Apple fanboy, liberal, now even a Zionist.
Amazing.
You have all four red flags.
Mason, sadly you have absolutely no idea of who I am, what I have experienced or what I represent.
Anyone who knows anything about aviation knows only too well the advantages Airbus aircraft.
Those who know anything about technology can appreciate the advantages of Apple products too.
While my political views are categorised by you, clearly you are delusional if you believe me to be a “Liberal”.
As for being a...
Mason, sadly you have absolutely no idea of who I am, what I have experienced or what I represent.
Anyone who knows anything about aviation knows only too well the advantages Airbus aircraft.
Those who know anything about technology can appreciate the advantages of Apple products too.
While my political views are categorised by you, clearly you are delusional if you believe me to be a “Liberal”.
As for being a “Zionist” one doubts that you have any inclination as to how to categorise one.
If one were to have the audacity to put you into a box Mason, you are unlikely to appreciate the reality of the opinion of others.
That said, I must thank you for this opportunity to make an attempt to educate the ignorant.
Mason's favorite travel destination was that time he visited Charlottesville in August 2017.
For much of my career, I worked with an international health NGO and got to travel to fantastic places not on many people’s radar. I also had local staff to take me around. I often used these travel opportunities to stop at many places Ben and others have listed. So, I got the best of both worlds. Here are a few of my favorite places, in no particular order:
San Sebastian, Spain (I agree with...
For much of my career, I worked with an international health NGO and got to travel to fantastic places not on many people’s radar. I also had local staff to take me around. I often used these travel opportunities to stop at many places Ben and others have listed. So, I got the best of both worlds. Here are a few of my favorite places, in no particular order:
San Sebastian, Spain (I agree with Ben)
Bangkok, Thailand (in January and staying at one of those fantastic, affordable 5-star hotels).
Tashkent/Samarkand, Uzbekistan (the Silk Road)
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Mexico City, Mexico (and many other great, safe locations to visit, but not Cancun).
Cape Town, South Africa (and the nearby wine region)
London, England ( I love theater)
The Romantic Road, Germany (from Frankfurt to Munich)
Miami, Florida to Nashville, Tennessee (by car)
Singapore
Antarctica
Scotland Highlands
Hanoi, Vietnam
What did you like about Buenos Aires? I am going soon and would love some recommendations.
Very random faves:
- Zermatt for skiing
- Switzerland and Austria for late-summer hiking
- almost everywhere in Japan
- Vancouver Island
- Switzerland again for glorious train travels
- nature spots in Taiwan
- Italy for a huge variety of experiences one may have there
- Canadian Rocky Mountains (Banff, Jasper) in late September/early October - it is one of the most beautiful places you could...
Very random faves:
- Zermatt for skiing
- Switzerland and Austria for late-summer hiking
- almost everywhere in Japan
- Vancouver Island
- Switzerland again for glorious train travels
- nature spots in Taiwan
- Italy for a huge variety of experiences one may have there
- Canadian Rocky Mountains (Banff, Jasper) in late September/early October - it is one of the most beautiful places you could ever dream of visiting; plenty of panoramic hikes and vistas galore; it's one of the very few instances where ever the most beautiful pictures cannot convey the majestic beauty of them
The one place I would not return to (even if politically things were different) is Russia. Spent 3 days in Saint Petersburg Russia. The people seemed cowed, sad and depressed. Went to the Hermitage. Guide said to hold onto your ticket because you could be asked to present it at any time and if you cannot, may be escorted out. A man at the turnstile kept staring at me. When I got to the turnstile...
The one place I would not return to (even if politically things were different) is Russia. Spent 3 days in Saint Petersburg Russia. The people seemed cowed, sad and depressed. Went to the Hermitage. Guide said to hold onto your ticket because you could be asked to present it at any time and if you cannot, may be escorted out. A man at the turnstile kept staring at me. When I got to the turnstile to go in, he signaled for me to come to him. He grabbed my ticket out of my hand and ripped it up in front of me. I did nothing to provoke this man. In the Hermitage, it was constant harassment. I couldn't wait to leave Russia.
Try Siberia the next time. Wonderful region
Ben,
Where is Istanbul on your list?
You have said repeatedly that Istanbul is one of your very favorite cities to visit.
Istanbul is great. Lots of history and culture and sights to experience. Not to mention the food is delicious.
The Turkish government, on the other hand, can f*** right off.
Living in one of the biggest cities in the US, we now find ourselves wanting to spend most vacations in nature and viewing animals.
Some of our favs include seeing the big 5 in Sabi Sands, tigers in India, gorillas in Rwanda, polar bears in Nunavut, and walking/hiking long distances throughout the UK, US National Parks, and desert regions.
I'm still in awe of the way air travel allows us to get to very remote...
Living in one of the biggest cities in the US, we now find ourselves wanting to spend most vacations in nature and viewing animals.
Some of our favs include seeing the big 5 in Sabi Sands, tigers in India, gorillas in Rwanda, polar bears in Nunavut, and walking/hiking long distances throughout the UK, US National Parks, and desert regions.
I'm still in awe of the way air travel allows us to get to very remote places so we can enjoy natural spaces! There are so many uncrowded places to go.
Reading all the comments makes me realize the infinite variety in our world. As a 75YO I also realize that some of your favorites are probably not going to be places I'll likely get to, like Bhutan.
But I've enjoyed my travels over the years, especially in the days before the internet or in the early days of web browsing. Often so little travel info and so much serendipity, plus my stash of miles...
Reading all the comments makes me realize the infinite variety in our world. As a 75YO I also realize that some of your favorites are probably not going to be places I'll likely get to, like Bhutan.
But I've enjoyed my travels over the years, especially in the days before the internet or in the early days of web browsing. Often so little travel info and so much serendipity, plus my stash of miles was only enough for us to fly economy back then. Great memories of being in Prague in 1996 when Madonna was filming Evita and came into the restaurant with Jonathan Price. Being led to our small hotel in Bruges by following a man on a bicycle. Spending Thanksgiving week in Florence with no crowds and no pre-booking of tickets and decent weather. Cross country skiing in the Laurentians. Slovenia, Croatia, Malta before they became popular And Warsaw and Krakow. More recent favorites - Sydney, Portugal, Sicily (pre-White Lotus), and Puglia, Bangkok.
Weird PCism. Nothing wrong with saying Africa as he was very specific about what aspect he’s talking about (safaris). If I’m going to multiple countries in Europe or Asia, I frequently say I’m going to Europe or Asia; not everyone is interested in exactly which countries I’m going to and they can ask if they are.
I think the problem with Americans is a different one, and it's a well known one as it has been so for decades: a complete lack of basic knowledge of geography. So saying anything that sounds remotely like a continent, country, city or fictive place is the same to most people there: confusing.
That has nothing to do with being PC.
Africa is just so vast that it's like saying, "I have really enjoyed my travels on planet Earth."
Well, no, as Africa is on planet Earth. It's like saying I have really enjoyed my travels in Europe, which is a perfectly reasonable thing to say.
My favorites (no particular order): Portugal (the whole country), Tuscany, Barcelona, Bergen, Copenhagen, Berlin (Christmastime), Hoi An, Oaxaca, Sacred Valley Peru, Kauai.
Meh: Paris.
Urban:
Tokyo
Mexico City
Melbourne (AU)
Buenos Aires
Beauty:
Vancouver
Cape Town
Personal Meaning (not all major cities):
Livingstone/Victoria Falls
Naxos
Honolulu
Airlie Beach/Whitsunday (AU)
Koh Samui
Gimmelwald/Interlaken
Cinque Terra
Happy travels!
Ooops! Meant to also mention Naples as an urban favorite!
Europe: I really appreciate Switzerland, Finland and France. They each have so much to offer. I have a hard time with Italy because every time i have been there everything feels dirty and disorganised. I've had better Italian food in Brazil/Argentina and better pizza in the US. Finland has such a unique culture, there's really no place like it.
I can't recommend Colombia enough, it's the most unique country to visit near the US....
Europe: I really appreciate Switzerland, Finland and France. They each have so much to offer. I have a hard time with Italy because every time i have been there everything feels dirty and disorganised. I've had better Italian food in Brazil/Argentina and better pizza in the US. Finland has such a unique culture, there's really no place like it.
I can't recommend Colombia enough, it's the most unique country to visit near the US. More diverse than Mexico and largely spared mass tourism.
Uruguay is perfect: don't go!
South Africa/Southern Africa should be visited at least once.
Paraguay/Bolivia are the weirdest places I've been, a little like your description of the "stans."
Japan: spot on
I need to go back to Finland. I was only there once and got both sick and rained on. :(
my regulars:
Japan - the best food and, outside main tourist destinations, peace and relaxation.
Singapore - for so many reasons
Australia - for an amazing variety of landscapes, great nature, wildlife etc.
Europe (where I live) is unfortunately getting overcrowded. Decades ago I had no problem visiting famous places in Firenze, Paris, Rome, Venice... now friends tell me everything has to be booked in advance, long lines, huge crowds of tourists...
my regulars:
Japan - the best food and, outside main tourist destinations, peace and relaxation.
Singapore - for so many reasons
Australia - for an amazing variety of landscapes, great nature, wildlife etc.
Europe (where I live) is unfortunately getting overcrowded. Decades ago I had no problem visiting famous places in Firenze, Paris, Rome, Venice... now friends tell me everything has to be booked in advance, long lines, huge crowds of tourists practically everywhere.
Locals in a few European tourist hot spots are actually so sick and tired of tourism that they started rioting against it. Rightfully so, it's impossible to live a normal life in most of those cities anymore ad some places have been completely overrun by tourists.
Well, riots are never okay. Protests would make sense if they're against their own government and not against the tourists themselves. It's not Joe American's fault that he's always heard Barcelona is beautiful and wants to see it once in his life (assuming he behaves). It's the Catalonian government's fault for allowing people to buy up property just to use as Airbnbs, or for not implementing higher tourist taxes to account for the negative externalities.
Kazakhstan ranks up there for me... in that I had really no expectations one way or the other (other than trip reports on Air Astana). Had a great guide we hired for a couple days in Astana who was a university student and actually was able to get us into the national university (which... wow! what an amazing campus and facilities, even were able to get a glimpse into dorm life and chat with some professors).
I've been to over 50 countries and I'm going to have to say my two favorites were the Galápagos Islands and Egypt.
I'll clarify Isabella island in the Galapagos was my favorite.
No place like home as they say, for me I love north of England, Cumbria and the Lake District and the castles on the Northumbria coast, Holy Island and walking causeway just great.
Maui. Petiod.
Cape Town !
One makes some very compelling statements about the county of one’s birth …. by default however.
Although ‘God’s Country’ lies only a 100 or so miles south, one has to agree that Northumbria is a very special place to visit.
One of my favorite places in the US is Ohio, seriously! As a European, I’ve traveled to many states, but none have felt as welcoming as Ohio. It’s a unique place, different from popular spots like California or New York. Ohio is down to earth, with beautiful landscapes and plenty of farms, which I love. For anyone visiting the US, I’d highly recommend exploring states like Ohio and Kentucky to experience a more grounded, authentic side of America.
In my younger days it was Rio, Sydney and Sitges. Today it's more of a place with great hiking and where you can get to sleep early. My days of staying out to the sun is rising are well over. But man did I have a blast in those places.
I agree with the other person who criticizes your use of "Africa" here as a singular destination. Definitely gave me the ick when reading.
It's like saying "America" or "Europe". Everyone knows what "Africa" means - wildlife safaris, north African desert / market towns, south African coastline, etc.
If people ask where you went for your holiday and you rattle off a long list of individual states or countries while emphasizing the distinctions between each of them, that's just tiresome.
"Where'd you go for your trip?"
"We did a big eurotrip / African safari / backpacked across Asia"
Keep it simple.
I truly believe everywhere has something to offer. You're not going to LOVE every place, but the majority of the time, I assume the traveler is the problem, rather than the country/city. What I mean is, it's very possible (and easy) to visit a place and do it the "wrong way" - i.e. someone who visits NYC and never leaves midtown/times square. Was the trip poorly planned, was it one unfortunate occurrence? Just about everywhere...
I truly believe everywhere has something to offer. You're not going to LOVE every place, but the majority of the time, I assume the traveler is the problem, rather than the country/city. What I mean is, it's very possible (and easy) to visit a place and do it the "wrong way" - i.e. someone who visits NYC and never leaves midtown/times square. Was the trip poorly planned, was it one unfortunate occurrence? Just about everywhere has some redeeming qualities, and I don't think there's any place I wouldn't hesitate to go back to.
My first time to Greece, I thought it was vastly over rated and over crowded. I went back a few years later and had a Greek friend take me around - one of my favorite trips.
Perception can change. It's all about the experience.
Can we also stop saying "Africa" when it comes to trip recommendations? Each region (and country) is incredibly different (and amazing).
Americans tend to refer to Africa all the time as if it’s a single country when it consists of 54.
Where are you going ? Africa.
That said, I read an article where the actor Idris Elba said he may eventually move to Africa ( Zanzibar and Ghana … 3500 kms apart.
Similarly many people respond they are going to America ( meaning the USA) I ask where ? Argentina or Chile ?
“America” is obviously much more closely associated with / descriptor of the United States of America, than “Africa” is of any country or nation on that continent. Technically, in English, sure: you can stretch the definition to apply to any country from Canada down to Chile, but practically, there is no widespread global confusion on the definition of what “America” means, by default, and to pretend otherwise is pretty obtuse. Go to any continent on...
“America” is obviously much more closely associated with / descriptor of the United States of America, than “Africa” is of any country or nation on that continent. Technically, in English, sure: you can stretch the definition to apply to any country from Canada down to Chile, but practically, there is no widespread global confusion on the definition of what “America” means, by default, and to pretend otherwise is pretty obtuse. Go to any continent on Earth, and if you speak to any person in English (or many other languages!), if you reply to a question about one’s nationality with “American”, exactly nobody is going to think you mean “Uruguay”.
In English, "America" refers to the USA. In Spanish, it refers to the continents of North and South America.
@pstm91
Why only Africa?
You're not gonna stop saying "Asia", "Europe", etc when it comes to trip recommendations.
Yet another OMAAT hypocrisy.
@Mason, not at all. Who says "I am going to Asia for a week"? I genuinely don't think I have ever heard someone say that. It's always "I am going to China" or "I am going to Thailand," etc. Same for Europe and South America 99% of the time - you say the country. It's more than that, though. American's, in particular, tend to lump all of Africa into one generic statement (I am American,...
@Mason, not at all. Who says "I am going to Asia for a week"? I genuinely don't think I have ever heard someone say that. It's always "I am going to China" or "I am going to Thailand," etc. Same for Europe and South America 99% of the time - you say the country. It's more than that, though. American's, in particular, tend to lump all of Africa into one generic statement (I am American, by the way), usually because they do not know any better. I understand that the vast majority of tourism to the continent is for safaris, but it's just an incredibly inaccurate way to view it. That's all.
On an extended trip to Asia, due to weather and award seat availability, I would up in Taiwan without the usual months of online research. Ended up spending two weeks there traveling from Taipei to Taroko National Park and all the way down to Kenting and back up the west coast. I had no expectations and had a great time.
Everyone, especially "that" one specific person, should take a note here.
Even I, an anime addict, have never fetishized Japan.
That being said, Japan is still a good travel destination. And so somewhat are Taiwan, South Korea. HK isn't what it used to be anymore but wouldn't hesitate to visit.
What's more important...
Everyone, especially "that" one specific person, should take a note here.
Even I, an anime addict, have never fetishized Japan.
That being said, Japan is still a good travel destination. And so somewhat are Taiwan, South Korea. HK isn't what it used to be anymore but wouldn't hesitate to visit.
What's more important is the lack of tourists' respect to those destinations. Even those who are thinking that they respect the places they visit are probably being rude there by the local standards. Pretty sure that some OMAAT users do the same.
Fetishization of Japan often comes in the form of fetishization of East Asia in general, with little actual attention paid to the cultural, social, religious and historical differences between Japan, Korea and China.
Great post! This is something I've actually been thinking about alot, as I also get this question frequently.
I loved your comment about who you are travelling with and the things that shape your perception. So I break it down between "my favorite trips" and "most recommended"
My favorite is ireland because we took my parents there for their 60th birthdays, and they had never been to Europe. That I'd an experience that others...
Great post! This is something I've actually been thinking about alot, as I also get this question frequently.
I loved your comment about who you are travelling with and the things that shape your perception. So I break it down between "my favorite trips" and "most recommended"
My favorite is ireland because we took my parents there for their 60th birthdays, and they had never been to Europe. That I'd an experience that others may not be able to replicate.
On the other hand, Kenya and the galapagos I would recommend to anyone.
Totally agree on unexpected surprises, some of mine have been Nevis, Taipei, Malaga, and Puglia (not necessarily a surprise but lived up to the hype!)
Curious about those who were disappointed by Morocco, I haven’t been but people seem to love it or hate it. I wonder if it’s like my experience with India where it was glamorized in my head but I wasn’t prepared for the overwhelming chaos and poverty.
My favourite destinations have definitely evolved as I age.
I think even the less enjoyable trips can have positive memories once you get over the disappointments or hassles you faced. That said, the only country I'd not go back to is Morocco.
"I went to this place, it was amazing. But you have to go at this time otherwise ___. OR But you have to do ___ otherwise ___. OR Don't do ___ OR Don't go ___."
I say it's about personal preferences, how you structure the trip, certain things you need to do or not do, and who you go or meet up with that make a trip enjoyable. Plus who you ask and are they...
"I went to this place, it was amazing. But you have to go at this time otherwise ___. OR But you have to do ___ otherwise ___. OR Don't do ___ OR Don't go ___."
I say it's about personal preferences, how you structure the trip, certain things you need to do or not do, and who you go or meet up with that make a trip enjoyable. Plus who you ask and are they able to convey their thoughts/opinions objectively.
Favorite places? Hard to say. I remember more the places that aren't talked about or traveled to as much in my friends circle or are underrated that I try to push more towards people. Hamburg and Berlin in Germany, Kuala Lumpur, Lisbon, Prague, Turin and Bologna in Italy.
I think it's easier for me to think about "big touristy destinations" I have been to that I have not enjoyed as much as I expected.
Great example where people visit the same places and come away with different thoughts/preferences....
Hong Kong hasn't been Hong Kong in 10+ years. 20 years ago, one of my favorite places. Now, just a glitzed up shadow of it's former self.
Japan is very nice and the people are nice. But there is a Xenophobia there that cannot be ignored and came out loud and clear during the pandemic.
Mexico is dangerous. Full stop....
Great example where people visit the same places and come away with different thoughts/preferences....
Hong Kong hasn't been Hong Kong in 10+ years. 20 years ago, one of my favorite places. Now, just a glitzed up shadow of it's former self.
Japan is very nice and the people are nice. But there is a Xenophobia there that cannot be ignored and came out loud and clear during the pandemic.
Mexico is dangerous. Full stop. The Bahama's is getting that way. Elsewhere in the Caribbean still has local charm and some great quiet getaways. (No I will not list them and have them overrun.)
NZ - Yes. Agreed.
Africa is interesting, but the abuses there keep my trips very limited.
Vietnam is beautiful.
Rural China is a different world.
Hilarious that you think that you, some random commenter, posting a destination as a comment on this post is going to make it overrun by tourists.
Although xenophobia is a major issue in Japan, it's nothing compared to what we are seeing in the United States right now from one of the two major political parties.
Exactly. There are areas of the US I would absolutely avoid.
At the troglodyte’s rally yesterday “ deport all illegals” was written in hoardings behind him. Enough said. Disgusting piece of … that he is
"Africa is interesting, but the abuses there keep my trips very limited"
Care to specify what exact 'abuses' we're talking about here, and where in 'Africa' it happened to you?
Because I bet you limited your number of trips to zero. Africa is a continent, not a country. Places like Namibia and Botswana are safer and more civilized than most of the US...
Anyway, some countries in Africa can be a bit...
"Africa is interesting, but the abuses there keep my trips very limited"
Care to specify what exact 'abuses' we're talking about here, and where in 'Africa' it happened to you?
Because I bet you limited your number of trips to zero. Africa is a continent, not a country. Places like Namibia and Botswana are safer and more civilized than most of the US...
Anyway, some countries in Africa can be a bit rough, although I felt more at ease in Hargeisa (Somalia) than Cape Town (South Africa), even though the travel advice for the former (and for all of Somalia) is a full 'code red' and the latter being a tourist hot spot.
"Mexico is dangerous. Full stop."
Again, I bet you've never been there because some (social) media outlets talk fear into you. There are definitely no-go areas, a lot of them around the US border, but I've been to quite a few places in Mexico and I can just agree with Ben: people are wonderful, food is great, tons to see and do, and if you don't go looking for trouble, you won't find it.
Mexico is not "dangerous."
You sound like you're full of yourself.
@henare
According to Democrats, then yes Mexico is a safe place.
But according to those who live there and those who don't get fooled by some blue hypocrites, it is dangerous.
Wake up.
Being fully awake and appreciative of the dangers posed to the traveler both in Mexico and the USA, the enlightened visitor knows only too well that there is very little difference between them when it comes to personal risk.
I’m generally a city guy so for me, in order of favorites: Munich, London, New York, Paris and then Interlaken.
I'm intrigued to see Munich in first place. What do you recommend about it?
Munich has a great blend of old and new. There's a lot of history and historical buildings, huge parks, nice walks, good restaurants, cafes, and nightlife. In that regard I think it's similar to many other European cities. But what sets it apart is how walkable and efficiently arranged it is. The public transit is very good and you can easily get from anywhere to anywhere. There are also a huge number of day trips...
Munich has a great blend of old and new. There's a lot of history and historical buildings, huge parks, nice walks, good restaurants, cafes, and nightlife. In that regard I think it's similar to many other European cities. But what sets it apart is how walkable and efficiently arranged it is. The public transit is very good and you can easily get from anywhere to anywhere. There are also a huge number of day trips you can do to mountains, lakes, monasteries, neighboring cities – all easily accessible by public transit. I also find Munich to be relatively clean compared to other European cities (except during Oktoberfest).
While reflecting on my personal favorite trips, I realize that you are 100% correct when you say that our favorite trips are the ones where our expectations are exceeded, often because we have little going in. Magdalen Islands in Quebec fits that definition, as does Corfu, Bermuda, and the 3 vallees french alps (Courchevel).
For sure Butan is one of the top picks for me and places I went before tourists arrived was Burma and Vietnam.
Places to avoid Morroco, New Zealand (because of weather).
New Zealand is amazing but if you are a person with limited vacation, the weather in New Zealand is so unpredictable, you can end up with a horrible vacation.
How about New Zealand during December? Is the weather unpredictable then as well? I’m heading there for Christmas: Auckland and Queenstown.
The places I always go back to: Nantucket, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Spain (everywhere), Southern Africa, Japan, France, London.
High on the list to visit for a first time: Albania, Botswana, Puglia, Egypt, Jordan, Israel.
Places I've enjoyed visiting but probably wont go back to, mostly because I've seen everything there but still enjoyed it: Myanmar, Sri Lanka.
Places I've been to and never need to visit again: Colombia (most of.. and this is...
The places I always go back to: Nantucket, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Spain (everywhere), Southern Africa, Japan, France, London.
High on the list to visit for a first time: Albania, Botswana, Puglia, Egypt, Jordan, Israel.
Places I've enjoyed visiting but probably wont go back to, mostly because I've seen everything there but still enjoyed it: Myanmar, Sri Lanka.
Places I've been to and never need to visit again: Colombia (most of.. and this is sad.. I went in really wanting to like it, but it just didnt click), Morocco.
Love the list, I agree about Bhutan and the stans and this is why I love getting out of the touristy destinations per se.
I know you talk about Africa for safaris, but would really encourage you to visit some other "non safari" destinations where you get looked as if what are you doing being the only caucasian person here. Central Africa, West Africa, and if you ever make it to Somalia in East,...
Love the list, I agree about Bhutan and the stans and this is why I love getting out of the touristy destinations per se.
I know you talk about Africa for safaris, but would really encourage you to visit some other "non safari" destinations where you get looked as if what are you doing being the only caucasian person here. Central Africa, West Africa, and if you ever make it to Somalia in East, it might be the most beautiful place you'll ever see (people will say I am delulu, and before I went I agreed).
Interesting. I had a Somali Uber driver the other day (I was on my way to a Nigerian restaurant in London and we were talking about that) and he was saying how beautiful Somalia was compared to lots of Africa (I've only ever been in and around Cape Town in SA), so it's thought provoking to hear the same from someone without potential bias.
I've lived in East adn Central Africa for 11 years and I disagree considerably. Somalia and Somaliland are pretty mediocre destinations by most measures versus the surrounding countries, even before you get to security issues, which ain't minor. "Lots of Africa" may include a lot of West Africa's interior, which is sort of topographically "meh", byt in the region he's dead wrong IMO.
If you avoid Zanzibar, the Masai Mara, The Serengeti, Ngorogoro Crater, and...
I've lived in East adn Central Africa for 11 years and I disagree considerably. Somalia and Somaliland are pretty mediocre destinations by most measures versus the surrounding countries, even before you get to security issues, which ain't minor. "Lots of Africa" may include a lot of West Africa's interior, which is sort of topographically "meh", byt in the region he's dead wrong IMO.
If you avoid Zanzibar, the Masai Mara, The Serengeti, Ngorogoro Crater, and maybe 1 or 2 others for crowds, there is some absolutely spectacular scenery in the rest of the region that has relatively minimal tourism (i.e. Meru National Park in Kenya or Kidepo Valley in Uganda)
I love countries where there aren't many tourists because then it feels like that I do have the entire place to myself, so with that said my top 5 are Bhutan, Mongolia, Oman, New Zealand and Seychelles (the last two most touristy of the five).
There's no denying that Hong Kong is amazing. Any point in the city viewed from any angle is exceedingly picturesque.
Namibia will be on your list once you go.
I generally shy away from trying to nominate a "favorite" place. I've enjoyed almost everywhere I've gone to; that's not to say that I'd go out of my way to go back to all of them. But I always note that different people like different things: Some people love big city energy, for example, whereas I *tolerate* big city energy - I'd rather be out hiking by an isolated fjord than in the heart of...
I generally shy away from trying to nominate a "favorite" place. I've enjoyed almost everywhere I've gone to; that's not to say that I'd go out of my way to go back to all of them. But I always note that different people like different things: Some people love big city energy, for example, whereas I *tolerate* big city energy - I'd rather be out hiking by an isolated fjord than in the heart of London/New York/Paris/Singapore/Johannesburg/Buenos Aires. So, what I enjoy is not necessarily what my interlocutor enjoys.
I think the ice cream analogy is a good one. Some years ago, I visited a friend in Brenham, TX, home of Blue Bell Creamery. Every Texean friend insisted it to be the greatest ice cream ever created. It was good, but I wouldn't put it on a tier by itself. Left me wondering what the hype was instead of just enjoying the ice cream.
An interesting analogy Jim, thank you for your contribution.