11 Countries That Will Make You Want to Pack Your Bags and Move Right Now:By the time I was 27, I had fulfilled my lifelong dream of going alone to 193 independent countries, setting two Guinness World Records in the process. I broke the records for “fastest time to visit all sovereign countries” and “fastest time to visit all sovereign countries (female).”
For Guinness, I had to say that I had visited 196 countries, including all 193 independent ones plus Taiwan, Kosovo, and Palestine. It took 18 days and 18 months. By age 30, I had reached another goal:
I had become an Iron MAN. I get a lot of satisfaction from teaching and encouraging young people to follow their dreams, no matter what they are.
11 Countries That Will Make You Want to Pack Your Bags and Move Right Now
Nature and culture that bring peace and quiet to a place are my favorite things. When I think of the most beautiful places on Earth, I think of countries with out-of-this-world landscapes, mountains, forests, beaches, and open areas.
These places also made me feel calm while I was there. When I’m feeling stressed, I want to go to those places because I know they will make me feel better. This list shows the 11 most beautiful places I’ve been.
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1. Mongolia
- That’s where I was on my 27th birthday. At the time, I was in a hurry to move around the world faster than anyone else, but I was tired. Nothing was more appealing to me than being in a place where I couldn’t get cell service or internet.
- I set up camp in the valley of the Tuul River in the Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area. This is one of Mongolia’s real desert areas, and it goes all the way to the Russian border.
- I woke up every day to see the sun rise over the steep slopes. Going outside every day to explore the riverbank, larch woods, and lush meadows was what I did. A nice husky followed me around, but I mostly went on my own.
- I milked cows with a family from the area, rode a yak and wild horses, and went to sleep under the stars. There was no time when I missed the internet or cell service. It was like being in heaven.
2. Switzerland
- Switzerland is beautiful and far away, and its culture makes it even more appealing. I always go straight to the mountains when I go to Switzerland. Mountains make me happy.
- Not only are they beautiful all year round, but the towns that are spread out among them give them a charming, homey feel that always makes me feel good.
- The air is clean, the food is fresh, the lakes are cool, and the people are nice.
- When I’m in Switzerland, I like to hike to the highest hill I can reach. The cows and goats that live there freely seem to enjoy the natural beauty of the mountains as much as I do.
3. Canada
- Canada is the first country outside of the US that I ever visited, and it stands out for its beauty.
- From the French-influenced cultural wealth of Quebec to the coastal charm of Vancouver, Canada has always been a great place for me to visit. People I’ve met there are always so nice and friendly, and it always amazes me.
- The Rockies, with their stunning peaks, clear lakes, and glaciers, are still my favorite of all the beautiful places I’ve seen. Before the pandemic hit in 2020, my cat Kishmere and I were able to visit the town of Banff in Alberta. The town’s big mountain ranges and clean lakes make me love it so much.
4. Dominica
- Dominica is a real gem, even though it doesn’t get as much attention as places like the Bahamas and St. Lucia. I stayed in a beautiful boutique lodge and could walk down to the beach every day.
- There, I could kayak through beautiful coves. But the island is more appealing than just its pretty beaches. It includes lush jungles, waterfalls that fall over rocks, and dramatic volcanic landscapes that add to the beauty of nature.
5. United States
- I’m always amazed by how beautiful the United States and its regions are.
- There’s something for everyone here, whether they want to enjoy the beautiful fall leaves in the Northeast, explore the lush rainforests of Hawaii and Puerto Rico, go snorkeling in Guam, or be amazed by the grandeur of Alaska’s glaciers and volcanoes.
- I think it’s cool that each season has its own appeal. I love Vermont in the fall for looking at the pretty leaves, the Colorado mountains in the winter for skiing, and the spring road trips through Arizona, California, and Utah’s deserts.
6. Maldives
The Maldives is one of my favorite places to visit in the world. You can enjoy beautiful beaches with fine sand, stunning sunsets, and water that is as clear as glass. The beach also cares deeply about the environment.
11 Countries That Will Make You Want to Pack Your Bags and Move Right Now
7. Costa Rica
- I would love to visit Costa Rica again and again because of its amazing natural beauty. It has active volcanoes, huge waterfalls, beautiful beaches, gorgeous cloud forests and rainforests, and monkeys and toucans, which are two of my favorite animals.
- There was a city in the Puerto Limon district where I lived with a foster family when I was 18. That’s where I spent the first six months of college. Recently, I went on an adventure in the Gulf of Papagayo, a body of water in the province of Guanacaste that is off the northwest coast of Costa Rica.
- There were big differences between the different areas. The east coast felt more relaxed, while the west coast felt more fancy.
- I loved both of these experiences, but I think what makes Costa Rica truly magical is how they work together.
8. Peru
- I think Peru is one of the most beautiful and interesting countries in South America. The majestic Andes mountains, the ancient wonders of Machu Picchu (where I spent my 22nd birthday), and the Amazon’s rich history that is woven into the rainforest all give it a unique and alluring draw.
- Even though I’ve been back to Peru many times since my first trip there, the extraordinary beauty that makes it stand out makes it more appealing than any other place I’ve been to.
9. New Zealand
- In the short time I spent in New Zealand, I liked the friendly people of Auckland, the country’s most populous city, the beautiful fjords, skiing in the dark, and leisurely walks along Queenstown’s harbor.
- The country is stunningly beautiful, with lush green fields that go on forever and clear lakes that reflect the mountains around them. The beautiful scenery in New Zealand makes every part of the country feel like a still from a dream.
10. Jordan
- Jordan is the place to go if you want to see a lot of historical wonders. Even though I was only there for a few days, I loved every minute. I walked around the beautiful city of Petra and the old streets of Amman, and I explored many sites.
- I was hooked on Jordan right away. It’s said that Wadi Rum, a protected area and UNESCO World Heritage site I didn’t get to see, is out of this world, so I’ve added it to my list of things I want to do.
11. South Africa
- I’ve been lucky enough to visit South Africa three times in the last ten years: for a race, a conference, and my 196-country trip. Cape Town, which is the capital of South Africa and is on the coast with mountains and the sea, really spoke to my Californian soul.
- It brought together my love of big mountains and sandy beaches. When I went to Africa for the first time, the Cape of Good Hope, which is on the Atlantic side of the Cape Peninsula in South Africa, was the first place that really amazed me.
- I was shocked by how important it was that the rough seas were right next to the calm penguins walking on the white sand beaches.
- For eight hours, I raced an Ironman 70.3 in this beautiful city. It made me think a lot about what I love most about South Africa in general.
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