Last updated on August 2, 2025 by Shannon
I can see the question forming on their lips and I instantly backtrack in my mind—what did I just say to prompt it? I know better. I thought I could avoid it this time. Will I go tactful, flippant, or just make up an answer? Or can I just pretend they phrased it differently?
In slow-motion the lips of the person across from me begins to pucker in formation of the “wh” sound, followed by the soft opening of the palette for an “a” and ending with the abrupt staccato of a “t.”
There’s just no stopping them now. Once they found out I’ve traveled the world since 2008, they have to know.
“What country is the best country you’ve visited?!” they gush, desperate to know which country is my favorite.
Arghhhhh! Can I run and hide?
It’s as if all of the countries are in a police line-up and I have to point out the suspect. “That one right there. That’s the best country in the world. The rest, psh, don’t even bother.”
Now I’m being cheeky here, and I’m treading dangerously close to coming off as snotty. But I’ve been to many countries—how can I announce a single country that’s far better than the rest? And to pick one favorite? Impossible.
That’s just not fair to all of the countries that have people and experiences I loved.
They’re all different. And sometimes I feel like the question is being asked in the spirit of gaining an absolute recommendation—I tell you my favorite country so you can go visit and you will love it too!
How to Pick a Country You’ll Love Visiting
Choosing my favorite country from the nearly 70 I’ve now visited is highly personal, not only in what I pick, but in the travel experiences that made it tops for me. Picking the “best country in the world” to visit isn’t as simple as taking the recommendation of any traveler you meet. It doesn’t work like that.
Travel is personal, and what I love you may not. I have loved something about each country I’ve visited over the past 15+ years. Of course, some countries jived better with my travel style, foodie preferences, and learning goals, but each one is memorable in some way for me.
Get Specific on Asking for Recommendations Tailored to Your Interests
When I’m asked this question, I normally rephrase it into something I can answer and feed it back to the person. That way they understand the elements of my perspective that are shading that answer.
“Oh, you want to know my most memorable experiences on the road! Sure, let me share those.”
Then I describe my deep love of the food in India. I loved traveling in India for many reasons, but it’s one of my favorite memories because I have an epic and lifelong affair with Indian.
Of if I’m feeling in the mood, I’ll share a story about the sweet and gentle sound of “sab bai dii” being sung into the evening air from the vendors at Laos’ night market, a beautiful lilt that sticks with me to this day.
Or perhaps if I know my friend is sporty and into the outdoors, I’ll talk about the crisply fresh smell of pure, clean mountain air several days into my Himalayan hike. Visiting Nepal overall was an incredible experience, and hiking the Annapurna circuit is a bucket list worthy activity that sends many travelers to Nepal .
One of my favorite memories also illustrates how deeply personal some travel memories are, and how they surely color a person’s experience. As a riot of stars broke out overhead in the clear night sky, travelers at our campsite on Fraser Island, Austrlia would randomly stop by across several hours as they serenaded me with a dozen different versions of the Happy Birthday song.
That night under the stars permanently lodged that giant sand island into a fond place in my heart. But is Australia my favorite country in the world and should you go visit for that reason? Obviously your mileage will vary!
I could go on, and on, and on. And a “thanks for putting up with me” is in order for my St. Pete friends, who all get subjected to my every random and wistful recollection when I visit home.
Those travel memories—each one showcased in a different country—make me love each of those countries. And I’ve had experiences that make me not too in love with a place too. But whether they were good or bad, they’re my memories and I would hate to taint a person against a place they’ve always dreamed of going just because I fell on bad travel luck while I was there.
But Wait, Don’t I Have One Favorite Country in All of the World?
Nearly every time I answer someone by listing the countries that hosted favorite travel memories, the other travel-lover realizes that’s exactly what they were asking for..
But occasionally it’s not enough. They tell me: “No, one must stick out as better than the rest. Which one is the best/greatest/coolest/grooviest country of them all?”
India.
Why India? Because it cracks me up.
One person sputtered. The other gave a thoughtful nod. Neither was expecting that answer.
Here’s my calculation on India as the best country in the world for travlers:
India offers a massive range of human experiences and you could spend a decade exploring it and never be done. While it’s definitely not a great fit for every type of traveler, the subcontinent of India hosts a little bit of everything most people say they love when they travel.
- India has a long, varied, and complex history.
- India’s welcoming of many of the world’s top religions, so there are temples and ruins to fascinate many. And a number of pilgramages for the faithful.
- India’s food is so incredible it’s been ported to all other major countries. It’s flavorful in all the right ways and it’s diverse from north to south, meaning there are regional cuisines to sample too. You could eat a dish a day for years and still not sample everything India has to offer.
- Indian people are the heart of what makes any travel experience to India memorable. Spend long enough in India and you will find yourself more frustrated than you’ve ever been one moment, and laughing like old friends with the person the next.
Quite simply, there’s nowhere else like it on Earth. India is itself, and it’s incredible.
Is it my favorite country in the world? It could be. I have incredible travel memories from my time there and fondly plan my next trip in the coming years.
But then, Ireland touched my heart on my road tirps there. And traveling through Guatemala made me fall in love with its Maya culture. And there are friends in Thailand who still make me smile even though we’ve been apart for 10 years at this point.
So what’s my favorite country? What’s the best country in the entire world? Ask me more than once and I’ll give you a different answer every single time!
This is also a question I get, and find impossible to answer. Each country provides a different experience, at a different time in life. I usually settle on Guatemala, because that is where I developed a healthy dose independence and courage, learned a whole lot of Spanish, and fell in love with our globe.
Guatemala certainly stands out for me as well – I went for a couple of weeks
and stayed for three months! My first trip out of the US was to Italy where
I did the same as you, learned the language, culture, and learned the sweet
tangy taste of independence :)
I like to choose Brunei dar Salam even thought I’ve never been there, just to move on. Then again, sometimes the next thing is “What’s the craziest thing that’s happened?”.
Brunei, lol, that would even give me pause…I’ve also had the “craziest
thing” question and always dread coming up with a wild story…I’ll take the
fav country question over that! :)
Shannon, I get this one all the time, and like others who have also commented. I tend to not name countries but stick to regions of the world I like best, and where I’ve had my most memorable experiences. My answer does sometimes change, but there’s no doubt that central and eastern Africa is a region I constantly name as a favourite.
Africa is still so much at the top of my travel list – I just have this feeling that I too will love it once I make it there :) Your photos from there are gorgeous, every time I see one Africa gets higher on my “to visit” list!
Great advice! I often get that question “What’s your favorite place?” and I always fall back on the old “I loved them all” answer (which is mostly true, by the way), but no one’s ever satisfied with that. The other danger, as you point out, is that just because I liked a place doesn’t mean someone else will. Everyone’s tastes are different. I like turning it into favorite experiences, though. I’ll have to give that a try.
Lol, that’s my answer when I am just don’t feel like getting into it (tho it’s also mostly true)! :-) I find listing your fav experiences also gives you a reason to reminisce..and lord knows most travelers are always looking for a reason to do that!
Sorry to write again so soon…but wanted to state my age 79 yrs young!
My favorite country in the world would be Ireland. Was first there in 1970 when I put together a small family tour (Mother & three of her cousins) for 3 weeks in Ireland & England. Was last there in 2006 for 4 weeks (2 in England and 2 in Ireland) with two trips between 1970 and 2006 for 30 more days. I have visited the 2-story home in Dublin City where my g.g.g.g grandfather was born and his nearby tanyard.
::sigh:: Ah Ireland, it’s def up there at the top of my favorite places in the world :) Like you, I anticipate that it’s a country I will return to many times over the course of my life to explore. I also went and visited the house where my g. grandfather lived before coming over on the boat! (and hugs for your youthfulness and spirit of adventure :)
I often go with India as well :)
But since I generally love every country I visit, sometimes I’ll just pick another one, often so that I can relive my experiences while explaining why I enjoyed my visit so much. Of course, it really is an impossible question as you say but in the end, many who ask it are really interested in learning more about what attracts us to the traveling lifestyle…
I still love India though!
Now that you say that, I reminds me that I have varied it up a bit lately since some of my stories and anecdotes started to get too “overtold” by me…gotta keep things fresh!
Even after getting this question all the time, I tend to ramble a bit like Laura (a wandering sole) and ask whether they mean by people, food, etc. Other times, I go for Kyrgyzstan or the Pamir Mountains in Tajikistan and see the surprised look on the face. Sometimes they ask “Why?” and other times they think I’m odd and move on to another subject. It’s kind of a fun game :)
I’m guilty of the ramble too…the “-stans” are an interesting choice….I admit I’m guilty of not really having them in my mind for upcoming travels but I’m intrigued…
Isn’t that the question every long term/extensive traveler gets? I have my response down pat now. I have favorite cities, but my favorite country is the one that lets me in and lets me leave in peace!
Agreed – I could list of cities I would love to live in one day but as far as countries…if you let me in without hassle then I am in peace! I just wish that it was easier for Americans to live in other countries without the pesky work permits! :)
Interesting article. As someone who’s never traveled to another country, I actually am kinda looking forward to being asked that question. However, I’m sure once I start traveling I’ll understand what you are saying.
It is cool to be asked for advice and tips – I just hate the responsibility of telling a person where they should go to next since travel tastes are so different! Congrats on your own trip…just over a week left before you leave! :) Safe travels and thanks for stopping by and commenting Mike!
TOTALLY agree with you on this one. Get this question all the time. Nice that they want to know, but most of the people asking me know that I hit 40+ on my last trip. One is a tough one to pick. I usually go with “5 countries you should visit,” since I think that is what they are usually asking.
I also tend to gauge answers by the person asking and will give them recs I know they might like….40+ is impressive…I am still just hitting 30…not that we’re counting or anything :)
Definitely a difficult question. I usually give the “Well in terms of people… In terms of culture… In terms of activities….” I end up listing off like 10 countries before I realize that I’m rambling :)
Lol – I can’t lie, I’ve been guilty of the ramble as well. There comes a point where they shift awkwardly and get a glazed look in their eye – that’s when I realize I’ve started reminiscing a bit too much! :)
https://everything-everywhere.com/2010/09/12/my-most-frequently-asked-question/
I’ll sometimes just say “Micronesia” to move the conversation forward.
Lol! I love the ending and that you gave me the link to the URL – and though
I hadn’t read that post previously our tones are pretty similar, perhaps
an inevitable attitude developed on the road… :)
china and thailand for the food :-)… philippines for the beaches and india for… limitless adventures
That’s a great way to describe India – I love it! I haven’t been to the Philippines yet but it’s on my list for sure…I hear there is some good diving out there as well!
I also love how people ask you while they are traveling so that you can name the country you are in. I have learned to never name the bordering country as you are received with a scowl.
Hah! That is so hilariously true…they have some fierce patriotism that is best left without questioning :)
France because my answer is almost always either where I’ve just been, or where I’m going next.Unless it’s Tuesday or I’m in an odd mood. I always shy away from asking people “absolute” kind of questions or giving absolute answers… usually ask “what’s one of your favorite places?” or “where have you been recently that you really liked?, always following up with “why?”
I feel like I need to give France another shot – I’ve only been there once, to Paris, and I had some not-so-fantastic experiences…I agree with you about asking for a more general, “one of your favorite” type of questions…it really makes the pressure of answering easier!
I used to think I couldn’t answer that question until I got to Colombia :) But you’re right, there’s certain aspects of almost every country I love. For example, I have a favorite city that I don’t know enough about (Rome), a favorite city to live in (Melbourne), the easiest people to meet (Indonesians). And some countries I love because I met great people or got special insight, but didn’t have much to do with the country itself.
Is it that good?! I haven’t made it there yet but several other travel bloggers have really raved about it – you have me intrigued :) I too love Rome for the history – Italy is one of those countries I feel I could visit an endless number of times throughout my life and always enjoy the language, people, and food. Thanks for stopping in and commenting :)
The best country? Usually whichever one I happen to be visiting at the moment. I agree, there are just too many unique an likable things about every place you go. I often answer similar questions with a neutral — and honest — “It depends on what you’re looking for!” ;)
(And cheers to you from another Indian food lover!)
The sheer number of foodie options when you’re in India continually boggles my mind! I also tend to rave about the place I’ve just visited so whoever asks the question can be subjected to that bias as well! Thanks for stopping in and commenting :)