Travel is most rewarding when a destination feeds you well, tells you a story, and invites you outside. The most memorable places to travel do all three at once—pairing local flavors with living traditions and landscapes that linger in your mind. This guide curates ten destinations where food, culture, and nature come together, then broadens the lens with budget guidance, seasonal tips, and a balanced view on questions like “Where is the best place to travel?” and “What is the #1 country to visit?” It also closes with a diverse list of the top 20 countries to consider for future trips. The selections reflect common traveler insights, tourism board data, climate norms, and widely recognized cultural highlights.
How we chose
A destination makes this list when it blends culinary depth, cultural richness, and accessible nature in a way travelers can realistically enjoy in a single trip. That means strong local food traditions, tangible history or arts, and nearby outdoor experiences—without requiring complex logistics. We also considered value for money, safety norms, infrastructure, and seasonal weather patterns. The intent is to give you places to travel that reward first-time visitors and seasoned travelers alike, based on reliable, human-centered criteria.
Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto excels at layering the old and the living. Food is thoughtful: kaiseki meals trace the seasons; ramen and yakitori lines remind you that everyday dishes can be extraordinary. Culture is palpable in temple gardens, teahouses, and crafts passed down through families. Nature sits within reach—bamboo groves in Arashiyama, wooded hillsides at Fushimi Inari, and hikes that skirt quiet shrines. Visit in late March to early April for blossoms or from mid-October to late November for maple reds. Japan’s infrastructure is efficient and clean, and Kyoto rewards slow mornings, respectful curiosity, and a willingness to walk.
Oaxaca, Mexico
Oaxaca is a masterclass in flavor and craft. Moles vary from home to home; tlayudas and memelas are simple and perfect; mezcal is still made with patience you can taste. Culture thrives in markets, mural-streaked streets, and nearby Zapotec sites like Monte Albán. Nature is layered: Sierra Norte cloud forests offer guided community hikes, and the Pacific coast is within a day’s reach for surfers and sea turtles depending on the season. Late fall through spring is dry and pleasant; summer brings rain and lush hills. The city remains one of the more affordable, deeply human places to travel for those who value food, art, and hospitality.
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany is easy to love. The food is honest—ribollita, pici cacio e pepe, bistecca alla fiorentina, olive oil pressed just after the harvest. Culture spreads from Florence’s galleries to hilltown piazzas. Nature is all around: cypress-lined roads, vineyard walks, and rolling valleys that shift color with the seasons. Spring and fall deliver mild weather, fewer crowds, and the chance to participate in harvest rituals. Italy’s regional trains and well-trodden driving routes make it practical to blend art days with countryside rambles. If you’re seeking places to travel that balance beauty, tradition, and gentle pace, Tuscany is as dependable as it gets.
Lisbon and Sintra, Portugal
Lisbon’s hills hold tiled facades, neighborhood bakeries, and seafood housed in salt and smoke. Pastéis de nata aren’t hype—they’re craft—and petiscos culture makes small plates feel personal. Culture shows in fado music and in museums that explain a seafaring past. Nature rests a short train ride away in Sintra’s mist-wrapped palaces and coastal cliffs near Cascais and Guincho. Spring and early fall bring bright days and cooler evenings. Portugal’s reputation for value, safety, and friendliness is well-earned, and its compact geography makes it a natural choice for a long weekend or a two-week meander.
Cape Town and the Western Cape, South Africa
Cape Town’s setting is a reminder that nature can frame a city. Table Mountain and Lion’s Head flank a downtown of markets and food halls showcasing Cape Malay flavors, braais, and a wide modern dining scene. Culture appears in District Six stories, Robben Island’s heavy truth, and in townships where local guides share daily life with warmth. Nature is immediate: Chapman’s Peak drives, penguins at Boulders, and whale watching near Hermanus in season. Add the Winelands for farm-to-table meals, and the Garden Route for dramatic coastlines. The Western Cape’s Mediterranean climate favors October–April; wildlife viewing windows vary, but shoulder seasons feel generous.
Hoi An and Central Vietnam
Hoi An’s lanterns draw you in, but it’s the food that keeps you. Cao lầu noodles, white rose dumplings, and crispy bánh xèo tell a regional story. Culture sits in preserved merchant houses and in riverside nights that hum without hurrying you. Nature is reachable by bicycle—rice fields, beaches, small islands—and by short journeys to the Marble Mountains or the Hai Van Pass. Da Nang’s airport makes access painless. Central Vietnam’s dry season runs roughly from February to August, with shoulder months best for value. Across Vietnam, street food, trains, and local buses keep costs low while offering rich daily texture.
Queenstown and Fiordland, New Zealand
Queenstown is a base camp for big scenery. Food energy comes from the farm-and-vine culture of Otago—simple lamb, Pinot Noir, fresh produce—and from cafes that take coffee seriously. Culture is quieter here, seen in local arts, Māori stories across the country, and the calm competence of a place that lives with mountains. Nature is the headline: hikes like the Routeburn Track, cruises and kayak trips in Milford and Doubtful Sounds, and day trips to glacial valleys. New Zealand’s seasons oppose the Northern Hemisphere; summer (December–February) is warm and busy, while spring and fall bring crisp air and fewer crowds. Trails are well-marked, and the outdoors is run with care and respect.
Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains, Morocco
Marrakech buzzes. Tagines, zaalouk, and mint tea anchor long walks through souks where scent and color guide you. Culture is layered in riads, gardens like Majorelle, and in artisans who shape leather, wood, and metal by habit and heritage. Nature is surprisingly close: sunrise hot-air balloons over the plains, day hikes in the Atlas, and seasonal ski fields farther afield. Spring and fall are comfortable; summers are hot and require early starts. Morocco rewards travelers who ask questions and engage gently—hospitality is a point of pride, and guides add context that elevates each day.
Barcelona and Catalonia, Spain
Catalonia cooks with confidence—pa amb tomàquet, calcots in season, seafood pulled from nearby waters, and a spectrum from market bars to tasting counters. Culture stretches from Roman ruins to Gothic quarters and Gaudí’s forms. Nature is wrapped around the region: Costa Brava coves, Montserrat’s peaks, and Pyrenees valleys within reach by train or car. Shoulder seasons (April–June, September–October) shine for weather and space. Spain’s rail network and walkable cities keep logistics light, and Catalonia offers a model blend of city energy and countryside calm—precisely the mix many travelers seek.
Kerala, India
Kerala moves at a gentler pace. Food leans on coconut, spices, and fresh catch—appam and stew for breakfast, thali plates that change with the region. Culture is felt in festivals, Kathakali performances, and synagogue, mosque, and temple histories that sit side by side. Nature is ever-present: Western Ghats tea gardens, Periyar’s wildlife, and backwater canals navigated by canoe or houseboat. The drier months from November to February are comfortable; monsoon turns the land lush. Kerala suits travelers who prefer slow travel, conversations with homestay hosts, and mornings that start with birdsong.
Budget notes
Value varies within each destination, but some principles hold. Street food and market dining are budget-friendly across Vietnam, Mexico, Portugal, and parts of Spain. Public transit and trains reduce costs in Japan, Italy, and Portugal. In South Africa and New Zealand, self-catering and local supermarkets help; national parks and public trails keep nature access low-cost or free. Shoulder seasons lower accommodation prices in most of Europe and parts of Asia, and weekday city stays often mean smaller crowds. Booking flexible lodging, using eSIMs for connectivity, and carrying a no-foreign-transaction-fee card simplify the day-to-day.
When to go
Seasonality shapes experience. Blossoms and autumn color define Kyoto; dry mornings suit Oaxaca’s markets; Tuscany’s hills glow in late September; Lisbon breathes in spring breezes; Cape Town’s wind eases in summer months; Central Vietnam’s dry season favors beach and bike; New Zealand’s shoulder seasons are ideal for hikers; Marrakech thrives in spring and fall; Catalonia’s coastal walks shine in May and October; Kerala’s winter months are gentle and green. When choosing places to travel, pair your interests with the right weather window to avoid spending a week indoors.
Where is the best place to travel?
The best place depends on your purpose and timing. For a first trip that blends food and art with easy logistics, Italy and Portugal are forgiving and rich. For a journey centered on street food and diverse landscapes at a lower budget, Vietnam and Mexico are hard to beat. If you crave mountains, lakes, and meticulously kept trails, New Zealand offers purity and calm. City culture plus coast? Spain and South Africa both make a strong case. The practical checklist is simple: flight time you can tolerate, a season that favors your plans, a budget that feels comfortable, and visa or entry rules that won’t complicate things.
What is the #1 country to visit?
There’s no universal #1 because travel is personal. If pressed for an all-rounder that balances cuisine, art, history, and countryside with strong transport and hospitality, Italy often rises to the top for first-time international travelers. Japan is a compelling alternative, contrasting tradition and modernity in a way that feels both orderly and surprising. For value that stretches each day while delivering deep experiences, Vietnam is exceptional. For outdoor life with minimal friction, New Zealand feels almost purpose-built. Your #1 is the country that aligns with your calendar, budget, and the kind of days you want to have.
Cheap places to travel internationally
Strong-value trips share traits: favorable exchange rates, street-food cultures, free or low-cost nature, and shoulder-season calm. Vietnam remains a standout, with regional trains, buses, and local eateries that keep daily costs modest. Thailand’s north and islands in the shoulder months offer variety without strain. Mexico’s interior cities and coastal towns beyond the most famous strips provide depth at humane prices. Morocco rewards travelers who embrace markets and riads. Portugal, while in Europe, still feels fair compared to neighbors, especially outside peak months. Indonesia beyond the busiest Bali pockets, Turkey across its Aegean and Cappadocian routes, Georgia in the Caucasus with mountain hospitality—each of these delivers flavor, story, and scenery without asking you to overspend. Travel slowly, use public transport, lean on lunch specials, and choose locally owned stays.
Top 20 countries to visit in the world
- Italy — A synthesis of food, art, coastlines, and hill towns; accessible trains and layered regions.
- Japan — Quiet temples, neon cities, mountain trails, and exacting cuisine; efficient rail and clear etiquette.
- New Zealand — Southern Alps, fiords, vineyards, and friendly towns; hiking culture and conservation at the core.
- Spain — Tapas, regional languages and histories, Mediterranean and Atlantic shores, lively plazas.
- Portugal — Maritime legacy, tiled streets, soulful music, Atlantic cliffs, and approachable prices.
- France — Parisian museums, wine regions, and Alps-to-Atlantic diversity; a classic for a reason.
- Greece — Island-hopping, Aegean light, and antiquity under open skies; shoulder seasons are golden.
- Turkey — Ottoman and Byzantine layers, Istanbul’s pulse, Cappadocia’s forms, Mediterranean ruins.
- Vietnam — Street food brilliance, karst bays, highland cultures, coastal trains; exceptional value.
- Thailand — Markets, temples, islands, and northern forests; hospitality and ease for first-timers.
- South Africa — Wildlife, coastlines, Winelands, and a serious food scene; road trips that feel cinematic.
- Mexico — Regional cuisines, archaeology, cenotes, craft traditions; cities and small towns alive with color.
- Morocco — Medinas, desert camps, mountain villages, and spice-scented kitchens; guided day hikes and tea hospitality.
- India — Festivals, forts, Himalayas, backwaters, and spice routes; vivid and vast—choose one region per trip.
- Indonesia — Volcanoes, temples, rice terraces, and reefs; beyond Bali, islands offer quiet rhythm.
- Peru — Andean treks, Inca heritage, coastal cuisine; altitude-aware adventures with deep flavor.
- Australia — Reefs, rainforests, red desert, and cosmopolitan cities; long distances, unforgettable nature.
- Switzerland — Lakes, peaks, and punctual scenic trains; hiking and alpine towns done to perfection.
- Canada — National parks, wildlife, and diverse cities; four-season outdoors on a continental scale.
- Argentina — Patagonia’s drama, wine country, and urban elegance in Buenos Aires; big landscapes and big evenings.
These twenty aren’t a ranking; they are a well-rounded set of places to travel that consistently deliver across food, culture, and nature, suited to different budgets and seasons.
Practical planning
Start with time and weather. Choose a two-week window and match it to a destination’s shoulder season to balance price and comfort. Scan entry rules—many countries now offer visa-free or e-visas for short stays, but requirements vary by passport. Consider health basics: routine vaccines, situational advice like altitude awareness for Andean travel, sun exposure in southern summers, and hydration in hot climates. Money matters: ATMs are widely available in urban areas, and no-foreign-transaction-fee cards reduce costs. For connectivity, eSIMs make landing days easier. Book a first-night stay in a well-located neighborhood to shake off travel fatigue and orient yourself before moving on.
Sustainable choices
Small steps scale your impact down. Favor trains over short flights where possible; plan walking-heavy days in cities; carry a refillable bottle; choose locally owned guesthouses; and book guided nature activities with certified local operators. Eat seasonal, regional food—it supports farmers and reduces transport footprints. Respect dress codes at religious sites, ask before photographing people, and keep noise low in neighborhoods at night. Your presence leaves traces; make them positive.
Itineraries at a glance
- Lisbon–Porto–Douro: ten days split between tiled streets, Atlantic light, and vineyard valleys, using trains and short walks.
- Kyoto–Nara–Koya: a week of temples, deer-filled parks, mountaintop monasteries, and quiet gardens.
- Cape Town–Winelands–Garden Route: twelve days of city culture, farm kitchens, and cliff-lined coast, best with a car and patient pacing.
These sample arcs pair food, culture, and nature in digestible sequences, saving you from zigzags and long transfers.
Quick answers
Where is the best place to travel?
The best place is the one whose season, budget, and daily rhythm match yours. For a first-timer seeking balance, Italy and Portugal are gentle and rich. For value and variety, Vietnam and Mexico excel. For mountains and order, New Zealand is a joy.
What is the #1 country to visit?
There’s no single #1 for everyone. Italy is a strong first choice for many because it blends cuisine, art, and countryside with easy transit. Japan, Vietnam, and New Zealand each top the list for different travelers.
Cheap places to travel internationally?
Vietnam, Thailand (especially the north), Mexico (beyond the big resorts), Portugal (outside peak months), Morocco, Indonesia (outside the most touristed areas), Turkey, Georgia, and parts of Colombia and the Philippines offer notable value. Travel slowly, eat locally, and embrace public transport.
Closing thoughts
The most meaningful places to travel let you eat with intention, learn with humility, and breathe in landscapes that reset your sense of scale. Whether you choose Kyoto’s temples, Oaxaca’s markets, Tuscany’s hills, or South Africa’s coast, go with a plan that respects season and pace. Leave room for conversations, for detours, for the small places not on any list. The world teaches well when you give it time. Go where food is made with care, where culture is lived rather than staged, and where nature still asks you to look up.
