Top 3 Favourite Countries: Alex of Adventure to Every Country
October 23,2023 | Tagged: Top 3 Favourite Countries
Happy to be featuring South Korea-based British traveller and blogger Alex, of Adventure to Every Country.
I’m Alex, a traveller on the wrong side of 30 with a dream to visit every country in the world.
Currently, I stand at 67 having done several long-term trips since my first step outside of the Western world, to Sri Lanka in January 2019.
Right now I’m teaching English in South Korea to replenish funds ahead of the next big adventure. In the meantime, I’m building my brand new blog, Adventure to Every Country. I share stories from each country, bucket list destinations worth visiting, logistics guides for trickier countries, tips to help you on the road and the occasional take on when travel goes wrong.
Some highlights of my travels include seeing a volcano erupt in Guatemala, a trip to the mysterious Easter Island and visiting the many incredible Buddhist temples in Myanmar.
But to become one of my favourites, a country needs to offer a great all-round package rather than just one or two amazing bucket list experiences.
Here are my top 3 countries to date:
Currently, I stand at 67 having done several long-term trips since my first step outside of the Western world, to Sri Lanka in January 2019.
Right now I’m teaching English in South Korea to replenish funds ahead of the next big adventure. In the meantime, I’m building my brand new blog, Adventure to Every Country. I share stories from each country, bucket list destinations worth visiting, logistics guides for trickier countries, tips to help you on the road and the occasional take on when travel goes wrong.
Some highlights of my travels include seeing a volcano erupt in Guatemala, a trip to the mysterious Easter Island and visiting the many incredible Buddhist temples in Myanmar.
But to become one of my favourites, a country needs to offer a great all-round package rather than just one or two amazing bucket list experiences.
Here are my top 3 countries to date:
1. Colombia
The country that has it all. Fun cities? Tick. Fascinating history? Tick. Friendly people? Big tick. Incredible nature? Tick. Awesome wildlife? Tick tick tick. Even being wiped out for a week with the flu couldn’t dampen my enthusiasm for beautiful Colombia.
Bogotá isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Some travellers, myself included, love it. Others hate it.
I was based in popular La Candelaria and kickstarted my love of this country with a free walking tour. Free (okay, they’re tips-based rather than free) walking tours are the best thing you can do in a new city/country. They show you the highlights and introduce you to the culture, and some will even throw in a little food or drink sampling.
Other highlights of Bogotá include a short hike up Monserrate and watching football there.
I went to Millonarios (Bogotá) and Independiente Medellin (funnily enough, Medellin) games and they had the best atmosphere of any games in 37 countries where I’ve watched football. Only a match at Brazil’s famous Maracaná matched them for the top spot. The walking tour certainly helped shape my positive view of the city.
Speaking of Medellin, this is one of the best cities on the planet. Lovely people, fascinating history and a lot to see and do.
Did you know that Medellin’s Communa 13 was the world’s most dangerous neighbourhood in the early 1990s? This is because it was right at the heart of Pablo Escobar’s drug wars.
Plus it’s easy to do a day trip to beautiful Guatapé - famous for the unique Peñón de Guatapé, stunning views from the top, and a colourful small town nearby.
Colourful small towns are common in Colombia, with Barichara and Guane among others worth visiting.
Also, be sure to check out Santa Marta. A perfect base for nearby Minca (famous for its waterfalls) and jungle paradise Tayrona National Park.
It will take something truly special to knock Colombia off the top of my list.
Bogotá isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Some travellers, myself included, love it. Others hate it.
I was based in popular La Candelaria and kickstarted my love of this country with a free walking tour. Free (okay, they’re tips-based rather than free) walking tours are the best thing you can do in a new city/country. They show you the highlights and introduce you to the culture, and some will even throw in a little food or drink sampling.
Other highlights of Bogotá include a short hike up Monserrate and watching football there.
I went to Millonarios (Bogotá) and Independiente Medellin (funnily enough, Medellin) games and they had the best atmosphere of any games in 37 countries where I’ve watched football. Only a match at Brazil’s famous Maracaná matched them for the top spot. The walking tour certainly helped shape my positive view of the city.
Speaking of Medellin, this is one of the best cities on the planet. Lovely people, fascinating history and a lot to see and do.
Did you know that Medellin’s Communa 13 was the world’s most dangerous neighbourhood in the early 1990s? This is because it was right at the heart of Pablo Escobar’s drug wars.
Plus it’s easy to do a day trip to beautiful Guatapé - famous for the unique Peñón de Guatapé, stunning views from the top, and a colourful small town nearby.
Colourful small towns are common in Colombia, with Barichara and Guane among others worth visiting.
Also, be sure to check out Santa Marta. A perfect base for nearby Minca (famous for its waterfalls) and jungle paradise Tayrona National Park.
It will take something truly special to knock Colombia off the top of my list.
2. Peru
Head south from Colombia and you’ll reach another incredible country in the form of Peru.
You can do a boat tour in Paracas to see penguins and sea lions living off the Peruvian coast. Paracas is known as “the budget Galapagos” thanks to its wildlife and affordable tours.
Near Paracas is Huacachina, a stunning desert oasis popular for sandboarding and dune-bashing activities. I skipped this though having already done similar in Dubai. Huacachina is also a fun little party town.
Then there’s Arequipa. Perhaps the most beautiful city on the planet. Stunning architecture and incredible mountain views. Oddly enough, Arequipa considers itself to be independent from the rest of Peru and even has its own passport. Although this is pretty useless outside of Arequipa.
Colca Canyon is also cool but the real place to be in Peru is Cusco. The former Inca capital is interesting enough itself, but also a great base for many surrounding points of interest.
One of the best was Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca). I met some incredible people there including a Peruvian from Lima whom I later ended up sinking a few beers with whilst learning about football in Peru.
Meeting fellow travellers is always fun. But meeting locals reminds you why it’s so enjoyable to travel in the first place. It opens up so many doors and you learn a lot from people living interesting lives so different from our own.
The Sacred Valley was also fun, but of course, no Peru trip would be complete without a trip to Machu Picchu.
The 5-day Salkantay trek was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. From humid jungles to snow-capped mountains, we experienced almost every possible climate during the 83.1km walk. Arriving in nearby town Aguas Calientes after such a lengthy trek, and then Machu Picchu itself just as the sun started to rise.
That’s a memory that will stick with you for a lifetime.
You can do a boat tour in Paracas to see penguins and sea lions living off the Peruvian coast. Paracas is known as “the budget Galapagos” thanks to its wildlife and affordable tours.
Near Paracas is Huacachina, a stunning desert oasis popular for sandboarding and dune-bashing activities. I skipped this though having already done similar in Dubai. Huacachina is also a fun little party town.
Then there’s Arequipa. Perhaps the most beautiful city on the planet. Stunning architecture and incredible mountain views. Oddly enough, Arequipa considers itself to be independent from the rest of Peru and even has its own passport. Although this is pretty useless outside of Arequipa.
Colca Canyon is also cool but the real place to be in Peru is Cusco. The former Inca capital is interesting enough itself, but also a great base for many surrounding points of interest.
One of the best was Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca). I met some incredible people there including a Peruvian from Lima whom I later ended up sinking a few beers with whilst learning about football in Peru.
Meeting fellow travellers is always fun. But meeting locals reminds you why it’s so enjoyable to travel in the first place. It opens up so many doors and you learn a lot from people living interesting lives so different from our own.
The Sacred Valley was also fun, but of course, no Peru trip would be complete without a trip to Machu Picchu.
The 5-day Salkantay trek was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. From humid jungles to snow-capped mountains, we experienced almost every possible climate during the 83.1km walk. Arriving in nearby town Aguas Calientes after such a lengthy trek, and then Machu Picchu itself just as the sun started to rise.
That’s a memory that will stick with you for a lifetime.
3. Bolivia
You’re probably beginning to realise what my favourite region in the world is right now.
Argentina, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia and Myanmar are all unlucky to miss out on this top 3. But this Andean state is truly special and gets the nod.
La Paz is one of the most unique cities in the world. The mountain surroundings, fun transportation system by cable car, and strong indigenous ties give the city a fun feel to begin with. But two factors make La Paz stand out more than any other city.
Firstly there’s the witches market. A bizarre selection of potions, llama fetuses and witchcraft supplies that wouldn’t look out of place in a JK Rowling novel. Many of these are left by the local Aymara people as offerings to the Pachamama (earth goddess) in the hope it will make their wishes come true. An absolutely fascinating place.
Secondly, you have Cholitas wrestling. This unusual form of entertainment sees local indigenous women fighting each other in traditional clothing. I found the novelty wore off within a few minutes, but it was still fun to check out.
Okay, technically it takes place in neighbouring El Alto rather than La Paz. Although the two cities are adjacent which makes them feel like one.
La Paz is really cool. But not the highlight of Bolivia. Not even close.
That title belongs to the spectacular Salar de Uyuni. In my opinion, the most beautiful place on earth.
Vast white salt flats with some of the most incredible natural views you will ever see in your lifetime. When it rains, the puddles create the illusion of a mirror effect.
And the sunsets are just ridiculous. I mean that in the best way possible.
From Sucre to Potosi to the Amazon and more, Bolivia has so much I never had a chance to see. You will not get bored in this country. It’s truly magical.
Argentina, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia and Myanmar are all unlucky to miss out on this top 3. But this Andean state is truly special and gets the nod.
La Paz is one of the most unique cities in the world. The mountain surroundings, fun transportation system by cable car, and strong indigenous ties give the city a fun feel to begin with. But two factors make La Paz stand out more than any other city.
Firstly there’s the witches market. A bizarre selection of potions, llama fetuses and witchcraft supplies that wouldn’t look out of place in a JK Rowling novel. Many of these are left by the local Aymara people as offerings to the Pachamama (earth goddess) in the hope it will make their wishes come true. An absolutely fascinating place.
Secondly, you have Cholitas wrestling. This unusual form of entertainment sees local indigenous women fighting each other in traditional clothing. I found the novelty wore off within a few minutes, but it was still fun to check out.
Okay, technically it takes place in neighbouring El Alto rather than La Paz. Although the two cities are adjacent which makes them feel like one.
La Paz is really cool. But not the highlight of Bolivia. Not even close.
That title belongs to the spectacular Salar de Uyuni. In my opinion, the most beautiful place on earth.
Vast white salt flats with some of the most incredible natural views you will ever see in your lifetime. When it rains, the puddles create the illusion of a mirror effect.
And the sunsets are just ridiculous. I mean that in the best way possible.
From Sucre to Potosi to the Amazon and more, Bolivia has so much I never had a chance to see. You will not get bored in this country. It’s truly magical.
This Top 3 Favourite Countries series features 30 other travellers and blogger, such as Jonny Blair of Don't Stop Living, Ric Gazarian from Global Gaz, Lavdi from Kosovo Girl Travels.
Be sure to check them out.
So if you are a traveller, blogger or both and have a story to tell and would like to be featured on this series, just contact me.
Requirements are pretty straight forward. An intro with selfie photo and a shortish but detailed account of why your chosen 3 countries stand out and 1 or 2 photos per country preferably in landscape mode.
I don't have deadlines, word count restrictions, just make it interesting. The more wacky the better.
Be sure to check them out.
So if you are a traveller, blogger or both and have a story to tell and would like to be featured on this series, just contact me.
Requirements are pretty straight forward. An intro with selfie photo and a shortish but detailed account of why your chosen 3 countries stand out and 1 or 2 photos per country preferably in landscape mode.
I don't have deadlines, word count restrictions, just make it interesting. The more wacky the better.