With 195 distinct countries in this big, wide world, deciding upon the best ones to visit for travel and vacation becomes a daunting task. Each of these countries is distinct in its way, with a unique set of customs, places, traditions, food, and inhabitants. From golden beaches to turquoise waters, snow-capped mountains to emerald rainforests, coral reefs to huge deserts, you will find all aspects of nature at its best spread across these countries. Some countries border the rough seas, while some fall in the freezing Arctic regions. Yet their charisma never fails to entice us. Below we explore the best countries to visit on vacation.
Best Countries to Visit on Vacation
1. Indonesia
Indonesia is a South-East Asian country that lies in between the Indian and the Pacific Ocean. It is the world’s largest island country and has more than 17000 islands. Indonesia has lush green landscapes, beautiful turquoise beaches, and amazing country resorts, hotels, yoga retreats and spas for tourists. The Indonesian island of Bali is known for its volcanic mountains and lush forests, rice paddy fields, superb beaches, and coral reefs. Kuta, to the south of Bali, is a popular beach resort with a party-centric atmosphere and great surfing spots. Ubud, in the Bali uplands, offers breath-taking views of ancient temples, majestic royal palaces, and green hillsides and rice terraces. Gili islands are famous for their coral reefs, sea turtles and the Mentigi Beach.
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2. Thailand
Thailand is famous for its beaches, high-end resorts, exotic Thai food, Buddhist temples, and spa centres. The Thai capital Bangkok is home to the majestic Grand Palace, the Wat Phra Kaew with its gold spires, canals and a vibrant nightlife. Phuket is a rainforested mountain island, famous for Patong Beach with luxurious resorts and reef diving. Ahead of Phuket, are the Phi Phi Islands in the Krabi province, with white sandy beaches along turquoise shores and you can check here latest update from Surat Thani, the beautiful place in Thailand. You can enjoy snorkeling, hiking, boat cruises, kayaking and rock climbing at these exotic locations.
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3. South Africa
Situated at the southern end of the African continent, South Africa is famous for its Table Mountain, Kruger National Park, Cape Town, among other interest things. The country features some of Africa’s most impressive landscapes-from the Cape’s mix of coastline and mountains to expanses such as Namakwa, the Kalahari and Karoo . It is one of the best countries to visit in Africa. The Dragon Mountains boast of awesome peaks and formations such as the Amphitheatre in the Drakensberg, while green hills with round, conical-roofed huts, rugged cliffs, and beaches line the Wild Coast. You can find the world’s 6th highest waterfall in the Augrabies Falls National Park created by the River Orange. South Africa has the best national parks and reserves, teeming with animals.
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4. France
France is among the most visited European countries. The country is famous for French culture, iconic Eiffel Tower, gourmet food, vintage vines, and vineyards. It is also famously known for the Tour de France and Mont Blanc. The French capital Paris has famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Latin Quarter, Montmartre, and the Georges Pompidou Center. You can find the world’s best luxury ski resorts in Meribel, Les Gets, Morzine, and Chamonix. You can visit Mont Saint Michel in Normandy and the Cliffs of Etretat there.
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5. Italy
The birthplace of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance, Italy is rich in masterpieces of art and architecture. The country has exotic lakes, mountains, and a dramatic coastline that give it outstanding natural attractions. Visit the leaning tower of Pisa with the excellent stone carving work. You can also plan to travel through the canals of Venice in gondolas or visit the Colosseum in Rome. Explore the glamour of Mt. Vesuvius and the lava cooled frescoes, mosaics, and sculptures in ancient Pompeii. It is also one of the best European countries to visit.
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6. Mexico
Mexico is located on the southern tip of North America. Along with Mexico City and beach destinations like Cancun and Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, and Los Cabos are the most visited destinations in Mexico. The country boasts of endless sunshine, stunning scenery, and beautiful sandy beaches. The country is home to a large number of museums, art galleries, and theatres. Mexico is known for its tequila, gourmet food, luxurious resorts, spas and the Aztec relics in Mexico City.
7. New Zealand
Discover the ‘Island of Wine’ and explore Auckland’s west coast beaches with sample gourmet cuisine. Visit the North Island for beautiful beaches, kauri forests, caves, and geothermal activity. Explore the South Island for grand mountain scenery, adventure activities, historic architecture and wildlife encounters, West Coast glaciers, and Whale watching. The Waitomo Caves region is famous for its splendid ancient limestone cave systems decorated with stalactites, stalagmites, and glow-worms. Travel to Rotorua across a mixture of farmland, Lakeland and forest. You can travel through the Central Plateau to get amazing volcanic views of Tongariro National Park.
8. Ireland
Located as an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, Ireland is the second-largest island of the British Isles. Travelers visit the Irish capital Dublin for the Blarney Stone at the Blarney Castle. Make sure you visit St Patrick’s Cathedral when visiting Dublin. The Ring of Kerry is a popular driving route and the most scenic ride in Ireland. Pub tours are a tradition among visitors and residents alike. The Cliffs of Moher in County Clare are home to over 30,000 birds living along a 300 million-year-old river bed. The Cliffs offer amazing scenic displays. Nature lovers will also want to visit the Wicklow Mountains, a haven for wildlife and natural beauty.
9. Croatia
This Balkan nation, close to the Adriatic Sea, is a very safe place to travel. Historic cities and exquisite nature are some of Croatia’s top attractions. The vibrant capital city of Zagreb is home to some of the country’s best museums, galleries, restaurants, and shopping. Croatia’s blissful islands are a haven for yachters. Dubrovnik is Croatia’s most glamorous tourist destination and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The trendy city of Hvar is home to some of the country’s top hotels and best seafood restaurants in the blissful Dalmatian Islands. Plitvice Lakes National Park has steep hillsides surrounding 16 emerald-blue lakes connected by waterfalls.
10. Switzerland
Switzerland is a mountainous country in Central Europe. It is home to numerous lakes, villages and the high peaks of the Alps. It is one of the wealthiest countries in the globe and has exceptional cuisine and magnificent environment. The Swiss cities contain medieval architectural buildings, with landmarks like capital Bern’s Zytglogge clock tower and Lucerne’s wooden chapel bridge. The country is also known for its exotic ski resorts and hiking trails. Visit Zurich which is set alongside a shimmering lake and bordered by the Alps for bar crawls, high-end shopping retreats. Enjoy skiing at the opulent Swiss ski resorts at Zermatt, St. Moritz, Klosters and Verbier.
These are some exotic travel destinations and best countries to visit on vacation across the globe that will give you travel memories for a lifetime.