Favourite Countries - and Places I Won't Hurry Back To

 Travelling is an exhilarating experience: scenery, new cultures, novel delectable cuisines, and above all unforgettable memories. One of the questions I’m asked most often is, 'What are your favourite and least favourite countries?' It's a tough one. I'm very aware that this is dodgy territory. But it's just my opinion. I'm not foisting it on anyone.
 

Favourite Countries - The Good

I've written quite a lot about favourite places in Wonders of the World articles. And I've quite often said that my favourite country is the one I've just been to. But here's a quick crack at countries which have left me with the fondest memories:

The Americas: Chile and Bolivia for the most amazing scenery, Nicaragua, probably, for the most authentic Latin American experience (though its hard to choose), Mexico for indigenous culture, the BVI, Exuma (in the Bahamas), Anguilla and Barbuda for the most beautiful beaches, the stunningly engaging National Parks of the USA (allow at least double whatever time you think you're going to need) and Newfoundland, Canada for more gorgeous scenery and the friendliest people ever.

Europe: Europe is the hardest continent to comment on. There's very little in Europe that isn't enjoyable. Splendidly historic cities, captivating architecture (The Seven Wonders of the World - Cities and their 'Dupes'), Greece for beach holidays and diverse islands (hop away) Scotland, or the Alps of Austria and Switzerland for wonderful mountain views (and skiing).

Asia: So much incredible choice and fascinating culture. More beguiling cities. (The Seven Wonders of the World - Cities and their 'Dupes') Pakistan for its mountain scenery, India for its awesome and colourful variety and spirituality, Indonesia and the Philippines for stunning beaches, a plethora of islands with great reefs, wildlife, volcanic scenery, magnificent rice terraces and friendly people.

Africa: The most vibrant of continents. The best wildlife on the planet and the most incredible desert scenery. Again, it's hard to pick out favourites: Ethiopia (hospitality, landscapes and churches), Senegal (colonial architecture and beautiful people) South Africa (scenery, wild life and Cape Town), Socotra (unique and incredible flora) and Zambia (for safari experiences).

Oceania: Home to the idyllic islands of your dreams. The Solomon Islands (especially from the air), Aitutaki in the Cook Islands (the most beautiful lagoon in the world) to pick out just two of those. And Australia, of course, friendly, diverse and beautiful.

Least Favourite Travel Destinations - The Bad

However, not every destination leaves us with the best of recollections. It’s an interesting one. I don’t want to offend anybody. And one man’s meat etc. No place has been out and out awful. And some destinations I’ve struggled with the first time have been significantly better the second. Malta’s a good example. Sometimes it just depends on your mood, or circumstances at the time. The rest of this post is going to be about difficult places, as I've already written a great deal about the places I liked.

What Makes a Travel Destination Difficult?

Overcrowding

Too many tourists is an obvious problem, which us travellers have created for ourselves. Long queues, crowded attractions (in galleries you’re sometimes lucky if you can see the pictures at all), and difficulty finding affordable accommodation and transport (or indeed any). Much of Europe suffers from over-touristing. Venice has to be the prime example. It’s often cited as a travellers hate. So many people in the narrow alleys you can’t move, high costs, and occasional flooding. But it shot to the top of my favourite city list (The Seven Wonders of the World - Cities and their 'Dupes') when I managed to get there during a Covid break and I was the only tourist in St Mark’s Square. That’s when I got to appreciate the enchanting canals and historic architecture.

It may just be about timing. Long haul flying has its disadvantages, but I’d still rather do it than face most of Europe in the school summer holidays. It’s not only Europe that comes in for stick. Bali, once lauded for its tranquillity. is now cited as overcrowded, particularly in the south. I always preferred the Philippines anyway. Much better rice terraces, older and bigger. And once gorgeously peaceful and hippy Goa is now overrun with Russians, wearing budgie smugglers

Infrastructure

Poorer destinations with inadequate transportation systems, healthcare facilities, or communication networks can be very challenging. Though camel might be your preferred means of transport. And the experience is nearly always worth it. Contenders for worst roads in the world : Mozambique and Madagascar - endless  deep ruts in sand. Would I go back? Undoubtedly yes. With the right bra. How many days of bumping over unmade roads in unreliable vehicles are you happy to endure? (Though it’s getting to the point where this applies to the United Kingdom too.)

Too much traffic is another issue. This applies to much of Europe and many big cities. A 24 hour jam in Manila anyone? (I know folk who've endured these.) You have to be patient and take in the street scenes.

Wi-Fi. It’s all part of travelling to go without - it’s often too expensive. But good Wi-Fi access is a definite bonus. No electricity for hot water and to charge my camera. That’s another matter. And one of the many reasons why I won’t be camping again if I can help it. It’s just too uncomfortable.

The Price

Some places are just too expensive to return to, or even to visit once. And sometimes, high cost  cities also have contrasting areas of poverty, making the situation even harder to deal with. Bora Bora in French Polynesia - gorgeous but exorbitant prices for over water bungalows. I would only go back if someone else paid. Aspen and Vail, very upmarket ski resorts in the USA, (there are other places to ski), millionaire filled Monaco (take the train from Nice), Switzerland has made itself nicely exclusive, Iceland (where most foodstuffs have to be imported)  and Botswana (also turning itself into a niche safari destination).  

Social and Cultural Differences

Social and cultural differences can be uncomfortable. Aggressive vendors, unfamiliar customs, or language barriers may create discomfort and confusion. Downright hassling for handouts and bribes are, sadly, the result of poverty and inadequate pay, but it can be relentless and disorientating. Travelling solo in the Democratic Republic of Congo was one of my worst experiences. I was stopped literally every five minutes and asked for money.

Liberia wasn’t much better. The man on immigration pointed to the tips box, as he poised his entry stamp over my passport, setting the scene for everywhere I went. Hands were thrust into the car. but it's another very poor country. Morocco (especially Marrakech) is often reported, by tourists as difficult. It's overflowing with would be (extremely persistent) guides, who initially pretend to want nothing and then become aggressive when that’s what they are proffered. It can be exhausting. You either have to go prepared to ignore them consistently and don’t make eye contact. Or don’t go back. A man denied his baksheesh can be very tenacious. The policemen in Vietnam are known as 'money collectors'. The imaginary fines for foreign motorists in Mexico are legendary.

The hustle and bustle of busy places like markets, or the streets of Indian cities, for example, can feel overwhelming. It’s more constant vigilance, watching out for the opportunist or the scammer. But you get used to it. I have a love-hate relationship with India. Every time I go there I swear I’m never returning, worn down by the crowds and ‘every man for himself.’ But I’ve now been 10 times, drawn back by the colour, culture and spirituality.

Safety

Safety is obviously the key concern, but it’s a difficult one to judge. Destinations with high crime rates, political instability, or health risks can be daunting to visit. Advisories often suffer from ‘an abundance of caution.’ You can only get a real sense of how risky places are by speaking to those operating on the ground and hoping that what they say is accurate.

I’ve been to Afghanistan and felt secure, but a few months later, a tourist group were attacked and shot. I wouldn’t go back, but more because I don’t want to support the Taliban regime, than because I'm scared. Mali was a different matter. I was told it was safe and was supplied with a car and guide by a Dutch firm, operating out of  Bamako. Which was fine until the car broke down and I had to be rescued by the army. United Nations workers told me I had been taken well into off limits zones and that Boko Haram had been kidnapping folk on the road where we stopped, just a few days ago. It was more than a tad stressful.

I’ve been escorted by men with guns of all sizes in Algeria, Somaliland and Pakistan. It didn’t feel dangerous. Though  you don’t know what you’ve just missed; I would go back.

I’ve been robbed in  Europe (London, Rimini and Copenhagen) and Latin America (Uruguay, Cuba, Costa Rica). It was my own fault on most occasions - too careless. I would (and have), returned but making more effort to secure my stuff at all times. Rio, of course, is notorious for robbery. I’m not sure I’d go back on my own. You need someone else to watch your stuff.

And then there’s North Korea. I  made it into The Sun as a foolhardy tourist, after I went here ( Click here to read the article.)  It was fascinating, but I’m not sure I’d go back. Much too Truman Show and stressful, wondering if you’re going to make it out again.

Health

Health is another vital consideration. Travellers’ diarrhoea, seems to be inevitable for me in any developing country. And, I’ve been to hospital, in Tibet (dysentery) and had my appendix out, in Kathmandu. These things seemed more risky when I thought about them afterwards. But it wouldn't stop me going back.

Terrain, Natural Disasters, Climate, Flora and Fauna

Safety isn't just about situations created by humans. There are natural considerations too. First, there’s the weather. I can cope with cold for a short while. But too hot isn’t much fun either. And lots of rain? Monsoons are one thing, but what about when the weather gets out of control?  I’ve been in a few hurricanes; St Lucia, the Philippines. A huge storm in the English Channel sailing back from France. Wild weather is fun to watch - from safety.

I’ve survived volcanic eruptions in Costa Rica and Vanuatu and landslides in Nepal and Pakistan. My leg was  encased in plaster, after I fell off a waterfall in Venezuela. I was rescued by the police on Christmas Island and a companion was attacked by a reef shark on the Cocos Islands. To be honest, that’s rather put me off snorkelling, especially on my own.

And I haven't yet mentioned wildlife. What about the insects? And spiders? And other possible night visitors - like scorpions. Or hyenas? Mosquitoes are the biggest deterrent for me. Dry season only please.

Least Favourite Travel Destinations - The Ugly

The notion of an 'ugly' place is rooted in taste, culture, and the eye of the beholder (in this case me). Cities, towns, regions saddled with such labels are often dismissed by guidebooks, overshadowed by their more picturesque counterparts. But ideas about beauty change over time. And there's usually (but not always) some kind of appeal to be found in concrete jungles, post-industrial wastelands, and stark landscapes.

Environmental Degradation

Over touristing in destinations which are not managed sustainably, especially in areas where the local population is increasing may cause worrying issues which damage the landscape: pollution, erosion,  habitat destruction, and resource depletion. The Jellyfish Lake in Palau (where you can swim) has had to be closed for recovery time,  due to tourist damage, as has the famous White Beach, at Boracay in the Philippines and Maya Bay (The Beach) in Thailand. Some sites have started imposing strict quotas: the Galapagos Islands, The Great Wall of China, Ngorongoro Crater, in Tanzania,  to name just a few. Safari is no fun when your vehicle races numerous others to a glimpse of some poor creature trying to eat its lunch in peace. I’m sticking to the less well known safari destinations and widening my animal search criteria. The Shy Five, The Small Five.

Pollution has increased dramatically since my first visit in many places, but most notably in Asian cities. Chonqing is like something out of Dickensian novel, Bangkok is now a continual haze and the Kathmandu Basin is one sea of smog. Cairo and Manila are two more very polluted cities. The traffic obviously doesn't help.

The small Pacific island nation of Nauru is perhaps the best example of all. Once the richest nation, per capita, on earth, because of its guano derived phosphate mines, it’s now one of the poorest and least appealing. The phosphate is mined out, but the rusting gantries and machinery remain. The island is littered with dumped cars. Feral dogs roam the streets. Australia uses it as a home for its refugees. Nauru is now only  ‘a cure for the very curious’. I wouldn’t choose to go back, but I'm still glad I went.

Urban Landscapes and Suburban Sprawls

Man is often said to have desecrated the earth with industrial landscapes. Andorra has been dubbed the ugliest country in Europe (understandably) and Charleroi, in Belgium, the 'ugliest town in Europe'. But urban landscapes can be fascinating and have their own stories to tell. The only acceptable place for graffiti, IMHO. Brutalism is now back in fashion (London's Barbican Centre is now lauded and so, even, is Birmingham). I'll still struggle to admire Slough.

Natural Landscapes: Beauty in the Barren

Most of what nature offers is glorious; it's harder to find beauty in the very barren, but still possible. Scorched earth, endless salt flats, and marshlands may struggle to compete with what is touted as the more picturesque, but often offer awe and space for contemplation. I'm not going to cite any natural areas as ugly. It's man's fault when they have become too forbidding to enjoy.

Is Travelling Worth It?

I hope my list of travel deterrents hasn’t depressed you. That wasn't the intention. Have another look at all the places I liked! I want to emphasise that nowhere for me was truly awful. Some trips were just more challenging than others. I would go back to most countries. And, as I said. One man’s meat…

The situation changes day by day. And often unexpectedly. Who’s up for the U.S.A this year?

There are still plenty more places to try. And, of course travelling is worth it!