Top 3 Favourite Countries of Hamish Wilson from World of Wilson
Posted: March 21 2024 | Tagged: Top 3 Favourite Countries
Featuring Hamish Wilson from Scotland who runs the World of Wilson travel blog.
If you are a traveller, blogger or both and have a story to tell and would like to be featured in this series, just contact me.
If you are a traveller, blogger or both and have a story to tell and would like to be featured in this series, just contact me.
I’ve been a backpacker for a good few years and lived on 4 different continents. I decided to start up my blog World of Wilson 2 years ago while I was studying abroad in Mexico City. On my blog, I like to write about backpacking in the different countries I visit. I also write about living abroad and how the world is a much nicer place than you might think.
I am originally from Glasgow, Scotland where I spent most of my life, and I have been a lifelong supporter of Heart of Midlothian FC. I have previously lived in Brazil and Mexico, and now I live in Korea where I work as an English teacher.
I am originally from Glasgow, Scotland where I spent most of my life, and I have been a lifelong supporter of Heart of Midlothian FC. I have previously lived in Brazil and Mexico, and now I live in Korea where I work as an English teacher.
1. Mexico
I spent 5 months living, studying Spanish and exploring Mexico. I genuinely think it’s one of those countries that everyone should visit at least once in their lives. With an undeserved reputation from a high crime rate, a lot of people fail to realise that everyday people in Mexico are some of the happiest and warmest people you can ever meet. The best thing about Mexico is definitely its people, when I was living there it seemed really easy to connect with someone after a 10 minute conversation.
Mexican cuisine is also absolutely incredible, you think you know what Mexican food is until you go to Mexico and have tacos that will blow your mind. If you visit a local taqueria, you can expect to fill your stomach with amazing tacos for less than three quid. It doesn’t even stop at tacos, Mexicans do breakfast the right way. I can easily say that molletes and chilaquiles are the best breakfast dishes I have ever had.
If you go backpacking in Mexico, you will very much be spoiled for choice. Having only been to 12 of the states, there is so much to see. When you’re thinking about this place, I highly suggest avoiding Cancún as it is not the real Mexico. Firstly, Mexico has some of the best beaches I have ever been to, especially in Puerto Escondido. Of course, Mexico is synonymous with Tequila. You can visit the town it’s named after in Jalisco and take a tour of the Jose Cuervo factory. Moreover, one of my favourite places I visited was the city of Guanajuato. Which looks like something out of a dream.
Mexican cuisine is also absolutely incredible, you think you know what Mexican food is until you go to Mexico and have tacos that will blow your mind. If you visit a local taqueria, you can expect to fill your stomach with amazing tacos for less than three quid. It doesn’t even stop at tacos, Mexicans do breakfast the right way. I can easily say that molletes and chilaquiles are the best breakfast dishes I have ever had.
If you go backpacking in Mexico, you will very much be spoiled for choice. Having only been to 12 of the states, there is so much to see. When you’re thinking about this place, I highly suggest avoiding Cancún as it is not the real Mexico. Firstly, Mexico has some of the best beaches I have ever been to, especially in Puerto Escondido. Of course, Mexico is synonymous with Tequila. You can visit the town it’s named after in Jalisco and take a tour of the Jose Cuervo factory. Moreover, one of my favourite places I visited was the city of Guanajuato. Which looks like something out of a dream.
2. Serbia
When you think of Serbia, what do you think? You’ll probably think it’s a country full of tracksuit-clad thugs waiting to rob and stab anyone that resembles a tourist. Let me tell you that almost everything I’ve been told about Serbia from people who have never been there is absolute nonsense. I can positively say that it’s the European country where I’ve met the friendliest people around.
When you come to a lot of countries as a tourist, most people that approach you think they can get their next paycheck out of you. This is not the case in Serbia. When people found out I was a tourist rather than a local while walking around Belgrade, people seemed genuinely curious as to why I was visiting their country. I would say that Serbian hospitality is also the best you can experience in Europe. You can expect people you have just met to buy you coffee or shots of rakija. Serbian food will also satisfy your stomach. Especially burek which can be found in bakeries all over the country.
I found Belgrade to be quite a fascinating city. That’s because this city used to be the capital of Yugoslavia which was a country that comprised different ethnic groups living together under what its leader, Tito called: “brotherhood and unity.” You can visit Tito’s grave at a place called the House of Flowers which also serves as a small museum about Yugoslavia. Aside from that, I would say that Belgrade has quaintness like a lot of other European cities. However, it also feels raw and less discovered which is why I like it so much.
When you come to a lot of countries as a tourist, most people that approach you think they can get their next paycheck out of you. This is not the case in Serbia. When people found out I was a tourist rather than a local while walking around Belgrade, people seemed genuinely curious as to why I was visiting their country. I would say that Serbian hospitality is also the best you can experience in Europe. You can expect people you have just met to buy you coffee or shots of rakija. Serbian food will also satisfy your stomach. Especially burek which can be found in bakeries all over the country.
I found Belgrade to be quite a fascinating city. That’s because this city used to be the capital of Yugoslavia which was a country that comprised different ethnic groups living together under what its leader, Tito called: “brotherhood and unity.” You can visit Tito’s grave at a place called the House of Flowers which also serves as a small museum about Yugoslavia. Aside from that, I would say that Belgrade has quaintness like a lot of other European cities. However, it also feels raw and less discovered which is why I like it so much.
3. Portugal
Coming up with 3 of my favourite countries would never be easy. I would say that Korea, Colombia, Japan and El Salvador are also among my favourites. However, Portugal seems to have a special place in my heart. Most of the time when someone asks what my favourite country is, I just say Portugal. It really comes as a surprise as they’re expecting some far-off and exotic place like Japan.
The reason why I like Portugal so much is because when I was in high school, I spent my free time learning the language and became fluent in it. Ever since I started learning the language, I knew I wanted to visit the country it came from and talk to the locals there. Moreover, I’ve yet to see much of this country, as I haven’t even been to Porto or had the time to relax on the beaches that Portugal is famous for.
Lisbon itself is a reason in itself to visit Portugal, its steep streets and incredible architecture make it an enjoyable city to experience. There’s also nothing quite like sitting down and enjoying a Super Bock with the incredible views of the Alfama district. A place that’s worth visiting just outside of Lisbon is Sintra which is home to 2 incredible palaces. Sintra also has an ancient Moorish castle and it felt amazing to walk along the walls and take in the views at the same time.
The reason why I like Portugal so much is because when I was in high school, I spent my free time learning the language and became fluent in it. Ever since I started learning the language, I knew I wanted to visit the country it came from and talk to the locals there. Moreover, I’ve yet to see much of this country, as I haven’t even been to Porto or had the time to relax on the beaches that Portugal is famous for.
Lisbon itself is a reason in itself to visit Portugal, its steep streets and incredible architecture make it an enjoyable city to experience. There’s also nothing quite like sitting down and enjoying a Super Bock with the incredible views of the Alfama district. A place that’s worth visiting just outside of Lisbon is Sintra which is home to 2 incredible palaces. Sintra also has an ancient Moorish castle and it felt amazing to walk along the walls and take in the views at the same time.
And don't forget, 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.
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.