And it's a tough question to answer.
First of all, we've only been to somewhere around 23 countries. So considering there are around 195 countries in the world, we really don't have that many to choose from. However, it's still a valid question.
I guess we better tell you the countries we've been to. Here's the list...
Antigua, Canada, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, England, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, South Korea, Lesotho, Mexico, Namibia, Portugal, Scotland, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Wales, United States.
We consider having been in a country if we've been there long enough to walk around and have a meal. So that's the only reason Spain and Sweden are on the list! We certainly haven't been there long enough to get to know those places at all.
So then, you have to decide on what you're going to base your choice on. For example, we think that the most photogenic country we've ever been to was Iceland.
On Iceland's Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
We were only in Iceland for five days, and it wasn't long enough. The paved ring road the goes around Iceland is 1,300 kms (800 miles) long, and we think an ideal trip would be a month or six weeks in a motorhome, boondocking around that ring road. Besides that ring road, there are hundreds of dirt roads leading to all of the peninsulas around the coast. Maybe six weeks wouldn't be long enough! We would definitely like to return to Iceland.
Czech Republic is also on our list of countries that we would like to return to. Although we were there for three weeks, there was so much of the country that we didn't see.
The town square in Olomouc, Czech Republic.
So much history and interesting architecture. Oh, and over 400 breweries. And the some of the best and least expensive beer in the world. Czech Republic also has thousands of kms of well marked paved cycling trails all through the countryside. It would make for a fantastic long term cycling or backpacking trip, and it's another country we would love to return to.
But where do we keep being drawn back to, year after year?
Mexico.
It has a culture that we enjoy. An economy that makes it inexpensive compared to Canada. A wide variety of geography where you can go from the beaches to the mountains in under four hours pretty much anywhere in the country. And food that we simply love! We could easily live in Mexico.
A wedding celebration in Oaxaca, Mexico.
So far, Mexico is our favorite country. But we will keep traveling and exploring new countries, because perhaps there is something even better out there. How do we know if we don't keep on exploring?
Time to load up your Kindle at Amazon...
Since we won't be leaving the country that question would apply to what state do we like the best. I always say, it is where we are at right now. How can you not find beauty everywhere. I just really like the fact that I can enjoy all those other countries because of you guys.
ReplyDeleteYes, that can work to seeing that the United States of America is so big and so diversified. And yes it is hard to come with a favourite State as well because again each one has something to offer.
DeleteGreat question and I love your answer. We are so excited to explore the Baja this winter. I know you don't consider it the REAL Mexico but it'll be a great beginning for us. Grace (in Tucson)
ReplyDeleteI don't think we ever said that it isn't the REAL Mexico because it is really more like the wild west, as there isn't as much population in the Baja. It is just that when we went we found we stayed places that weren't really populated by the Mexican people, in other words we stayed at boondocking spots along the beach that had mostly other RV's, so we didn't get the same interaction that we do when we travel in mainland Mexico. You and Steve will enjoy it and we are happy that you are venturing down there.
DeleteThanks for the clarification, Ruth. It all sounds good to us and we can't wait!
DeleteMexico is mine too. I've been about 15 times, unfortunately all on one or two week stints. Portugal has to be my second favorite after traveling there last Spring. I could live there too - so clean, such nice people, and life makes sense there.
ReplyDeleteI don't know quite what it is but Mexico just keeps pulling us back there, even though we are visiting other countries in the process. Maybe it is because we now have so many good friends there and we find almost everyone to be so friendly and welcoming. So glad that you love it there too, and one day soon maybe you will be able to spend longer there. We really enjoyed Portugal too and again would love to return and see even more of the country.
DeleteI've lived in or visited 48 countries and using your criteria, I would pick Costa Rica (lived there 6 years) as my favorite country. Great climate, friendly people and an interesting culture. Didn't like the earthquakes though. Egypt was fascinating and I loved it also when I was there, but things have changed too much there now.
ReplyDeleteThe two countries I liked the least were Guyana & Nigeria. Crime being a big factor in this decision. JMHO
We look forward to seeing that many countries. It certainly gives you a good overview and a better understanding of what is out there. We have heard mixed reviews on Costa Rica, I am not sure it is a country that we would pick as a favourite but then again we haven't been there so we can't really base this opinion on wht others say until we have actually visited it ourselves. We like to keep an open mind. It's a good thing that everyone is unique and enjoys different places for different reasons.
Deletefor pictures Antarctica... for hiking and scenery New Zealand... for tropical beaches Fiji... but it is pretty hard to beat North America as a whole, lots to offer here!
ReplyDeleteAll three of those places are on our list! Definitely want to visit New Zealand. Yes, North America has lots to offer but like anywhere else there are good things about it and bad things. I don't think there is any place out there that is "perfect" but we will have fun continuing to find the "perfect" place.
DeleteIn terms of liveability, I'd have to say The Netherlands was our favourite country. Mostly due to the good food, friendly people (they still love Canadians, since we came in and routed the Nazis once upon a time) and the biking infrastructure. Well, the transportation infrastructure in general.
ReplyDeleteThe weather was "temperate". Of course, when it came to culture and that kind of stuff, Vienna couldn't be beat. Just couldn't really go "bike riding".
I think the one downfall to the Netherlands, at least for us would be the cost of living and the winter. Other than that I think it has a lot going for it. We look forward to exploring more of that part of the world some day.
DeleteWe love hearing everyone's ideas of their favourite places because they are all so different!
Mexico for us, love the small town , people and the beaches
ReplyDeleteThen you need to get back down there more often George! :-)
DeleteI only know the Americas. All the countries I have been to for work with time to tour were all beautiful countries. The scenery in Canada is incredible but the country is very expensive for someone from Mexico. Chile and Peru are at the top of my list. Chile would be wonderful for rving. Excellent highways and free rest areas with electricity. Apart from living in Mexico, I am very fond of the country for many reasons. But, it has wonderful mountains, scenery, and you can boondock just about anywhere. Food, fresh produce and other products are relatively inexpensive. The only issue for most rvers is the language barrier. I would love to rv in rural China and also Australia´s outback.
ReplyDeleteYes, but the Americas cover a whole lot of ground, and is oh so different! I think we need to find a smaller vehicle so that we can travel all the way down to Argentina and do it slowly like over several years. I'm not sure that we would want to RV in rural China but we certainly would want to visit there, but a definite yes, to RVing in Australia and it's outback.
DeleteFor us Mexico will always have a special place in our hearts, and will probably be a favourite of ours for a long, long time. :-)
Hmmm ... that's a toughie. Antarctica is at the top of my list ... followed closely by Greenland, But then Botswana still flutters my heart. Peru was fantastic ... as was Iceland. And we enjoyed our recent foray into New Zealand. And let's not forget the wonders of the USA ... and our neighbor to the north. I guess no matter how much I try, I just can't pick a favorite ... each country we've been to has its own special attraction.
ReplyDeleteI agree each country is special and fascination....how can one have a favorite? Impossible!!
DeleteErin, you and Mui have been so forunate to see so much of the world and yes, you are totally right, each and every country has something special to offer and that is what makes picking a favourite a very hard choice. We still have many countries to cover but we will always enjoy something special from each one and I don't think we have gone to a country yet that we wouldn't want to go back to, to see more. For us though, there is something about Mexico that keeps drawing us back, time and time again.
DeleteI've traveled many countries virtually through the eyes of world travelers. I'm currently watching the last episode of "Long Way Down" with Ewan McGregor and Charlie Brooman's travel from Scotland to South Africa. Wow what a trip!!! I've learned so much....about Roman ruins in Northern Africa....what a sophisticated society the Romans had. I've learned so much about people...local people, other travelers, learned about some politics, religion and it's influences, economy, agriculture, wildlife....on and on and on and I'm not done watching the documentary yet. I traveled to many countries but each is fascinating and I don't think I can have a favorite....all are unique and special.
ReplyDeleteWe had started watching that show many years ago but for some reason we stopped. I think it was that we didn't have the whole series downloaded and then we must have just forgotten about it. Now I want to watch it again!
DeleteI agree, that you can learn so much from other people's blogs and from documentaries and every time I see pictures or read about other places it draws me in and I want to visit these places. I don't think that there is enough time in our lives to experience all that the world has to offer but we are certainly going to give it our best shot. There is so much to learn!