10 Unforgettable Countries
"What's your favorite country?"
After visiting all 195, that's the question I get asked the most. Honestly, there’s no single answer. Different countries stay with you for different reasons. So here are 10 that left the biggest mark on me.
Most Beautiful: Venezuela
I've seen breathtaking scenery all over the world, but I never expected Venezuela to be the country I found most beautiful. From the Andes to the Caribbean coastline, the diversity blew me away. In a single trip, the landscape shifted constantly, from high peaks to tropical beaches to places that looked almost prehistoric.
The highlight was venturing deep into Canaima National Park to reach Angel Falls, the world's tallest waterfall. At more than 3,000 feet tall, it's so high that much of the water turns to mist before it reaches the bottom. Surrounded by rivers, dense jungle, and towering tabletop mountains, I felt like I had been transported into Avatar. Little did I know, there was a reason it felt that way. I later learned that the park was one of the inspirations for the film.
Honorable Mentions: Switzerland, Philippines
Most UNIQUE CULTURE: BHUTAN
Traveling to Bhutan felt like going back in time. I saw young Buddhist monks running through centuries-old fortress-monasteries. I watched a group of friends in traditional dress compete in archery, the country's national sport. I also hiked to Tiger's Nest, a monastery perched on the side of a cliff.
Even in the cities, life is different from anywhere else I've been. There isn't a single traffic light in the entire nation, and its approach to development is just as distinctive. Bhutan is carbon negative, with forests that absorb more carbon dioxide than it emits. In an increasingly globalized world, Bhutan has stayed deeply rooted in its culture and traditions, which is a big part of what makes it so fascinating.
Honorable Mentions: Yemen, Mongolia
BEST FOOD: JAPAN
Japan has the best seafood in the world, and it's incredibly fresh. I once woke up before dawn to watch the day's catch get auctioned off at Tokyo's Toyosu fish market, then sent out across the city. Sushi is everywhere in Japan, from high-end restaurants to tiny counters tucked inside train stations, and the quality is consistently outstanding. Even the packaged sushi I bought at 7-Eleven was better than the average sushi I've had in restaurants around the world.
But the food goes far beyond sushi. Some of my favorite meals were ramen and curry, along with countless dishes I had never heard of before I arrived. Japan's nature and sights are extraordinary, but the food alone makes it worth the trip.
Honorable Mentions: Iran, Mexico
BEST ANcient WOnders: EGYPT
I'm biased, since I'm half Egyptian, but I believe Egypt has the most incredible historical sites in the world, with a civilization stretching back more than 5,000 years. The mistake many visitors make is only going to Cairo. The pyramids are magnificent, but many of the country's greatest wonders lie farther south in Luxor.
The Valley of the Kings holds elaborate tombs carved into the rock for the pharaohs, and nearby Karnak is a sprawling temple complex of towering columns, enormous statues, and walls covered in hieroglyphs. I remember taking a hot-air balloon over Luxor at sunrise, watching the Nile wind through the city as temples rose out of the landscape. In Egypt, the past isn't just something preserved in museums. It remains part of daily life.
Honorable Mentions: China, Jordan
MOST HOSPITABLE People: IRAQ
When I arrived in Iraq, I expected to be public enemy number one. As an American, and given the U.S. invasion, I assumed locals would be angry with me. That couldn't have been farther from the truth. When Iraqis learned I was from the U.S., they thanked me for spending the time and money to come, and for helping change the perception of their country. I couldn't walk down a busy street in Baghdad without a shopkeeper offering me tea and welcoming me. They wanted nothing in return.
There, I learned that governments are not their people. It's a theme I've seen consistently around the world: those who come from places of war or economic crisis tend to be some of the most generous on the planet, because they know how important it is to look out for one another. Iraq was a perfect example of that.
Honorable Mentions: Ireland, Pakistan
BEST Adventure: Indonesia
When most people think of Indonesia, they think of Bali. And Bali is beautiful, from rice terraces to clifftops overlooking the ocean. But Indonesia is so much more than that. On the island of Java, I hiked up Mount Bromo, an active volcano, before dawn. As the sun came up, smoke poured from its crater. It felt like the earth was waking up.
In Raja Ampat, in the remote eastern corner of the country, more than 1,500 forested islands rise out of turquoise water. There, I snorkeled over some of the most biodiverse reefs in the world, surrounded by coral and marine life in every direction. It was magical. For an adventure that's relatively accessible but still feels far off the beaten path, Indonesia is the place to go.
Honorable Mentions: South Africa, Thailand
Best VIBES: SPAIN
I love a lot of things about Spain, but what stands out most is the way life feels there. Cafés and restaurants fill the streets, plazas are full of people well into the night, and there's a rhythm to the days that makes time slow down.
For a medium-sized country, Spain has remarkable variety. Madrid is energetic and cosmopolitan, while Barcelona pairs striking architecture with a Mediterranean lifestyle. The islands have a personality of their own, from the beaches and laid-back atmosphere of Mallorca to the famous nightlife of Ibiza. Then there's the north, where Asturias has a rugged coastline, green mountains, and a much quieter pace. Every region has its own character, but wherever I am in Spain, the vibes are always excellent.
Honorable Mentions: Australia, Brazil
MOST SURPRISING: ALGERIA
Before visiting Algeria, I had little idea what to expect. It’s the biggest country in Africa, but compared to nearby Morocco and Egypt, it receives very few international tourists. When I arrived, I found the capital, Algiers, to be a vibrant Mediterranean city filled with grand boulevards and French-influenced architecture. Then there's Constantine, unlike any city I'd seen before, built around a massive gorge with bridges stretching across it in every direction.
Farther south, Ghardaïa feels like another world, with desert settlements rising out of the Sahara. I was also stunned by the Roman ruins. At Tipaza, I walked through the remains of an entire Roman city, and I found it more impressive than the ruins I saw in Rome. Algeria doesn't have a highly developed tourism infrastructure, but with so much to see, I hope more people make the trip.
Honorable Mentions: Kazakhstan, Eritrea
Best Value: Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka packs a huge amount into a relatively small country, and hotels, food, transportation, and activities are all remarkably affordable. But it would be worth visiting at any cost. Colombo is a vibrant city of temples, bustling markets, and great street food. For $3, I took a minibus down the coast to Galle, a beautiful historic city built around a centuries-old Dutch fort.
Inland, Kandy, the last capital of the ancient Sinhalese kings, has a completely different atmosphere, with a peaceful lake set among lush green hills. Farther north is Sigiriya, where I climbed a massive rock to reach the ruins of a fortress at the top. With so much variety at such low prices, Sri Lanka is hard to beat for travelers looking to stretch their budget.
Honorable Mentions: Georgia, Kyrgyzstan
BEST HIDDEN GEM: PALAU
Located about a four-hour flight from Taiwan in the Western Pacific, Palau is one of the most remote countries in the world. From the moment I arrived, I could tell it was different. At immigration, visitors are required to sign the Palau Pledge in their passports, promising to respect and protect the environment for future generations.
Palau is known for the Rock Islands, a cluster of small limestone islands topped with dense forest and scattered across turquoise water. Exploring them by boat was amazing, but my favorite view came from the air. Even with no previous flying experience, I was allowed to rent a small plane with an instructor and actually got to fly it myself. Looking down at hundreds of green islands dotting the sea felt like something out of a fairy tale. To me, Palau is the definition of a hidden gem.
Honorable Mentions: Slovenia, São Tomé and Príncipe
Bonus — Most Otherworldly: Antarctica
Antarctica isn't a country, but I'd be remiss not to include it. Getting there is a journey in itself. From the tip of Argentina, it took nearly three days to cross the notorious Drake Passage by boat. Arriving feels like stepping onto another planet.
The wildlife is unlike anything I've experienced, from kayaking with whales just a few hundred feet away to seeing colonies of thousands of penguins. But the moment that stayed with me most was camping overnight on the ice, looking out at towering glaciers surrounded by endless white landscapes. It was a wilderness so vast it was hard to comprehend. Being there reminded me how small we are, and how much of the world was never meant to belong to us.