[Travel] Your favourite country in the world and why

[swindonseagull]

Kenya, a wonderful country.

The scenery, and wildlife are astounding. When you come from a small country like ours,just the space is a bit daunting.
I went to the Serengeti in a Land Rover,stood on top of it, you could see about 30 miles in all directions, and the only man made thing was our tyre tracks.
The sky at night is huge, as is the moon.
The people are amongst the nicest I have ever met, dirt poor,but, just cheerful.
I loved it there, the only downside for me was the heat, by Christ, it’s hot.

Been to Nairobi many times with work, would never ever pay to go there, the place is a complete dump and its not safe after dark if you have white skin.meaning you cant walk anywhere after dark..had to be escorted everywhere in a minibus by armed guards...

of course maybe there are nice places in Kenya......but its a big NO from me.

 

[daveinplzen]

The Dutch are typically very direct and open and speak their mind honestly in a "tell it how it is" way. Criticism is generally regarded as being helpful. A lot of people who aren't used to all that often see it as "brash, rude, mouthy, vulgar, and condescending", but it really isn't. Once you get used to it, it's quite refreshing and a lot less frustrating than trying to get a straight answer out of many other nationalities (including Brits), who will always skirt around issues.

Took my Uzbek gf to Holland to visit my old friends. Was at Den Haag station, and wanting to experience everything, she wanted to get tram ticket from machine. Next thing I see is her disappearing into the station being held by a uniformed woman. I head over, and gf re-appears in a state of shock. Said, she took me to where the ticket was cheaper! That would never happen in my country or Czech Republic!

 

[Sussexscots]

Belgium. Never tire of visiting. Beautiful architecture, always a new beer to try. Some exceptional restaurants. Relaxed and friendly. Football , excellent trains and trams.

 

[BN41Albion]

I've been to Temple Bar once. Awful place, and Dublin is the most overrated city in Europe.

My wife is half Irish and has (what seems like) millions of family members over there, all over the country. I also used to work for an Irish company and had to go over once a month. I must have been to Ireland about twenty times, probably more. One thing I've noticed is that if you say anything negative about it people say "Oh you must have been to the wrong part". Well I've been all over that Godforsaken country, and I still haven't found the right part. I wish someone could point out where it is. Went to the Ring of Kerry last year for a week to stay with family. Pretty enough scenery, same pubs, same people, 13C and rain / fog in August. Yawn. There are just so many far better places to go in the world than Ireland. I don't understand all this "The people are so friendly angle either. If you bother to make an effort then people are friendly everywhere, except France.

I've also found Ireland and its people very overrated in the times I've been there. Everyone has their opinions, but Ive really never seen why they see themselves as being the friendliest people on earth (had a couple of longish-term Irish girlfriends in my youth, and they really do seem to have that opinion of themselves). Friendly, yes, but then some not so friendly too. Just like most places

 

[Commander]

Raise you Uganda.
Beautiful. So lush and green . One of the friendliest places i have been to despite incredible poverty,hardship and being downright dangerous in some areas(not so much anymore)
Not as many yanks in safari waistcoats as Kenya. In fact hardly any at all.

Uganda is fantastic. So underrated as a country. I don’t think the wildlife is as good as Kenya or South Africa, but it’s made up for by the fact you’re the only person there with it. And the mountain gorillas. No wildlife experience can beat that, it’s just magical.

Again, not somewhere I would want to live though!

 

[LamieRobertson]

Isle of Wight

 

[Not Andy Naylor]

The USA, for the sheer variety- beaches, mountains, deserts, cities. California alone beats most other countries. The people can spoil it, but at least the average American makes you feel intelligent and informed.

 

[Pavilionaire]

Morocco.

Dry heat. The Atlas Mountains. The Muslim architecture. Fish and meat tagines. The hypnotic music. Souks. And they speak French so I can get by.

 

[Weststander]

Austria (near Salzburg) - probably best two holidays we’ve ever had (stunning scenery) and Jordan - if you not been you must before you die visit Petra.

Austria (anywhere in the Tirol, Vorarlberg or Salzburg provinces) - incredible scenery, winter sports, stunning historic villages, towns and cities, lovely people and snowy winters. Paradise for me.

Sweden - l love the beautiful country.

 

[jessiejames]

Italy, a fantastic holiday destination, as have been ten times.
Why, we both enjoy the people, the food and the general way of life.
Bellissimo

I am lucky as my best mates mother is from Italy, stayed with his family in Italy wow what an amazing experience living the Italian family life. Me and wife were supposed to be in Sorrento last week.

 

[jimhigham]

Ooh! Excellent question. Prepare for shameless place dropping.

I'll always have a profound soft spot for both India and Nigeria, simply because they were home to me for a number of years.

I adored the Galápagos Islands but I'm not sure Ecuador as a country wins the top spot. A lovely place to be sure, but just not quite "wow" enough to be truly astonishing.

Finally got to Sweden for the first time just last autumn. Only a few days in Stockholm and dipping my toe in the archipelago but there was definitely something about the place that drew me in. Certainly hope to visit again soon for a better look.

Namibia comes close. Vast, empty and like walking on another world a lot of the time. And it's got rhinos in it.

Until recently, I might have put forward a case for this country. There is a lot to love about the U.K. Pubs. Coastal paths. A creative scene far beyond our diminutive size. The British sense of humour is definitely a thing. The lack of guns. Policing by consent. When you've visited almost 40 countries you realise what an absolute gem the BBC is. However, the last few years suggest we've largely lost our peaceable nature, which saddens me. Perhaps the Coronavirus crisis will help us rediscover our regard for each other. Here's hoping.

I'll give my personal top spot to Japan. Obviously the country's record isn't spotless. For one, it's an environmental nightmare. However, I adored the fact that it was modern, everything worked and yet it felt totally different. All the rules weren't quite where you left them. It was endlessly fascinating. The people were hugely welcoming and my daughter, who was a blonde 4 year old at the time, was universally adored wherever she went.

Bonus thought: worst country. Pakistan. My wife and I went to Karachi in 1995. In fairness, the problem was more about the circumstances of our visit. We were visiting friends who were working out there. This automatically placed us in the top strata of Pakistani society, far above our humble origins back home. We basically only went out with local high rollers and I've never met a more arrogant and entitled set of tossers in all my days. I'm sure we would have had a much better experience if we'd had a more down to earth itinerary.

 

[NooBHA]

Italy. Estonia and Sweden in that order.

Poor old US of A !

Not too many votes on here despite Donald Trump telling us it's the greatest country in the World.

 

[BN41Albion]

:
Until recently, I might have put forward a case for this country. There is a lot to love about the U.K. Pubs. Coastal paths. A creative scene far beyond our diminutive size. The British sense of humour is definitely a thing. The lack of guns. Policing by consent. When you've visited almost 40 countries you realise what an absolute gem the BBC is. However, the last few years suggest we've largely lost our peaceable nature, which saddens me. Perhaps the Coronavirus crisis will help us rediscover our regard for each other. Here's hoping.
.

I agree. We have so much to offer, and I'd add an extremely safe country despite what the media will have you believe. Police with a sense of humour is another plus and pretty unique aspect of this country - our police on the whole are brilliant compared to many around the world. And I think food here is great. Can you really beat a proper Sunday roast? But the sheer range of restaurant options is amazing too. So much choice. But it's easy when you're from/Live somewhere to see the downsides of the country. And on the flip side very easy to see the upside of countries you visit. For example I bloody love France and its culture, but know that they have a whole host of issues at the moment that would frustrate me if I lived there, like here. Same as all countries.

On your last point, Id counter that many, many countries worldwide are going through the same issues as us at the moment in terms of a rise in nationalism/growing divide between left and right. Many countries in Europe/worldwide more so than us in terms of a rise in far right. So we're not unique in that point. But hopefully, as you mentioned, this virus will help countries including us rediscover our regard for each other.

 

[lawros left foot]

Ooh! Excellent question. Prepare for shameless place dropping.

I'll always have a profound soft spot for both India and Nigeria, simply because they were home to me for a number of years.

I adored the Galápagos Islands but I'm not sure Ecuador as a country wins the top spot. A lovely place to be sure, but just not quite "wow" enough to be truly astonishing.

Finally got to Sweden for the first time just last autumn. Only a few days in Stockholm and dipping my toe in the archipelago but there was definitely something about the place that drew me in. Certainly hope to visit again soon for a better look.

Namibia comes close. Vast, empty and like walking on another world a lot of the time. And it's got rhinos in it.

Until recently, I might have put forward a case for this country. There is a lot to love about the U.K. Pubs. Coastal paths. A creative scene far beyond our diminutive size. The British sense of humour is definitely a thing. The lack of guns. Policing by consent. When you've visited almost 40 countries you realise what an absolute gem the BBC is. However, the last few years suggest we've largely lost our peaceable nature, which saddens me. Perhaps the Coronavirus crisis will help us rediscover our regard for each other. Here's hoping.

I'll give my personal top spot to Japan. Obviously the country's record isn't spotless. For one, it's an environmental nightmare. However, I adored the fact that it was modern, everything worked and yet it felt totally different. All the rules weren't quite where you left them. It was endlessly fascinating. The people were hugely welcoming and my daughter, who was a blonde 4 year old at the time, was universally adored wherever she went.

Bonus thought: worst country. Pakistan. My wife and I went to Karachi in 1995. In fairness, the problem was more about the circumstances of our visit. We were visiting friends who were working out there. This automatically placed us in the top strata of Pakistani society, far above our humble origins back home. We basically only went out with local high rollers and I've never met a more arrogant and entitled set of tossers in all my days. I'm sure we would have had a much better experience if we'd had a more down to earth itinerary.

I went to Karachi in the 70s, I didn’t mix with the nobs there.
It was still horrendous, probably the country I disliked the most.

India, on the other hand, I quite liked.

 

[shingle]

Agree, and although you cannot tar everyone with the same brush, Italians can be extremely difficult and up themselves, especially Rome and the cities.
My brother in law is Italian, from the North near Como, he is a top bloke.

Difficult and up themselves, absolutely right. I used to be the brochure photographer for the magic of italy and other brands that are now part of Tui, and I was out in Italy for months on end sometimes, and dealing with prissy hoteliers and villa owners was a nightmare, like dealing with toddlers.

 

[Weststander]

Italy. Estonia and Sweden in that order.

Poor old US of A !

Not too many votes on here despite Donald Trump telling us it's the greatest country in the World.

I love parts of The States and I like the Americans I’ve met.

But I despise Trump, Pence and their racist, feck the planet supporters.

 

[AmexRuislip]

I am lucky as my best mates mother is from Italy, stayed with his family in Italy wow what an amazing experience living the Italian family life. Me and wife were supposed to be in Sorrento last week.

Thats a shame, when this sh!t is over, make sure you go.
Amalfi and Positano are also beautiful places nearby, as you probably already know

 

[NooBHA]

I love parts of The States and I like the Americans I’ve met.

But I despise Trump, Pence and their racist, feck the planet supporters.

I loved Chicago but the USA is the only country I have been to that I felt a little bit threatened by going out in certain parts on an evening. And normally not much phases me when I travel.

 

[patchamalbion]

I’d go with South Africa. Had everything when I visited. Incredible scenery, beaches, cities, safari and so much to do. Granted it had its issues but at times it adds to the intrigue.

Closer to home agree with Italy.

 

[Badger]

Vietnam. It's probably the country which I've been most blown away by. Spectacular scenery, crazy cities, really friendly people and your Dong goes a long way... I'm not sure I could ever actually live there as it's probably a bit too far outside my comfort zone but I'd visit again in a heartbeat.

I would have said New Zealand a few years ago but some of my Canadian friends have rightly pointed out I can see the same kind of scenery in Western Canada. Note to self: see more of Western Canada.