This is my most frequently asked question. Even at this moment, I still have a hard time answering it. To be fair to myself and to the questioner, I would default to a top five answer. And to be quite honest, I give different answers every time depending on my mood. It’s a tricky question, really.
What’s my favorite country to visit? To live in? With the best food? For solo travel? My internal struggle is real.
Whenever someone finds out that I’m a big traveler, the inevitable question comes up. You’d think I’d be a pro at answering by now.
Sorry to disappoint.
However, I finally made a list I can default to for the next time I get asked. Based on today’s mood and in no particular order:
Spain
My love affair with Spain will always going to be one for the books as I spent almost a month traveling it and spent time traveling by myself. It was a place where all my favorite things are: sangria, tapas, art and history. Not to mention it is also the favorite of my favorites: Picasso and Hemingway.
Japan
Ah, the country I fell in love with as soon as I landed. Food, check. Culture, check. History, check. It is probably the cleanest country in the world. I love the modern Japanese bathrooms! And of course, let’s not forget the bullet trains. Japan is just the perfect mixture of exotic, modern and ancient. Most importantly, I had a lot of great memories with my Dad in Japan before he passed away.
Greece
Greece has been on top of my bucket list for the longest time, thanks to the Greek Mythology and the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. So on my 30th birthday, I gifted myself with a two week trip to this beautiful country. Again, it has my favorite trifecta of food, culture and history. Can you see a pattern here?
Philippines
For obvious reasons, the Philippines made it on my list. I mean,you know, it’s my Motherland. Besides being biased, we all know how it’s been dominating all over travel social media as ‘the one with the best beaches’….well because, it IS the one with the best beaches. Now you guys know why my beach standards are super high.
United Kingdom
I like any modern city with a deep history. I love the combination of the old and the new. Also, the whole Medieval times and lords and knights were appealing to me. The literature, the art, the diversity. Seems like an easy city to live in. No need to learn a new language or adapt to conservative customs.
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Jen is a Chicago-based traveler and creative. She is a full-time development & communications executive specializing in non-profit organizations. Originally from the East Coast, she created The Jetsetter as a place to share her travel stories and photos with friends and family. Now, it is a place for adventurers and dreamers. Its purpose is to inspire and encourage busy professionals to see the world and achieve a better work-life balance.
I agree with many of these – especially Spain, Japan and Greece. I love making these lists all the time!
I love the UK too. I am craving to go back this year. I still haven’t been to Greece, but it is at the top of my list.
Hello from the UK! Thanks for including my country, there are some fantastic places outside London too. I love New Zealand and Argentina and want to see more of the USA.
I struggle myself with the question which country I love most. I love my country of birth which is Switzerland, I have a in dept love affair with South Africa and now I have a hub in France and I develop here a new love.
I get asked this all the time too! Your choices are wonderful and amazing countries. Mine is Chile, I visited in 2010 and stayed till last year. Ive been gone almost a year now, and I cant wait to go back!
It is such a hard question. We are lucky to have seen so many places in the world which we love. I’m pleased UK made it on your list!
I always say I would never want to live in London again, but you reminded me of what I do love about the city. It is a great tourist destination with so much history! I also loved greece. Haven’t been to Spain or the philippines yet. My top three spots are Ireland, barbados, and cambodia!
Have been to only one country on this list-Spain and I loved it to bits. So much to see and such beauty all around. Plus the food is fantastic
yay, philippines represent. 🙂 I’m loving your list. Haven’t been to half though. Mine is too many.
Wow – of your list, I’ve only ever been to the UK! Spain is definitely someplace I want to visit, though. If I had to pick one country, it would be Mexico – for the culture, the food, scenery, diversity of landscapes, etc, etc. Glad I don’t have to pick just one, though!
I love that you say you answer this question differently every time someone asks it. I completely identify! There are so many factors that influence my decision: Am I going on my own? With my husband? Whole family? What time of year is it? For how long am I going? But I love your ‘Top 5’ solution, makes it much easier!
Yup it is a trikky question for me too and totally agree that my mood changes the way i see it too
I can totally relate, people I meet ask me the same question all the time, and I also give different answers. I have different favorites depending on type of travel, so it had to give just one answer.
I love Japan as well. I’ve spent a good amount of time in Tokyo and made one trip to Kyoto and Osaka. It really is a peaceful and clean country with lots of different cultural aspects.
I love knowing that there are a lot of travelers out there!
Spain is my favourite Destination so far. This blog has an amazing information about the destination. of every travel place, you have visited.