Hello, We’ve been lucky enough to travel to a bunch of amazing countries, and some of them have really stuck with us. In this post, I’m sharing my favourite travel countries in order, memories we can’t forget, and maybe even some spots you’ll want to add to your own travel list. I won’t be putting Australia on this list as its where I am from.
1. Taiwan
Times Visited: 3
| Amy | Anthony | |
|---|---|---|
| Favourite Area | Kaoshuing | Everywhere |
| Favourite Food/Drink | Bubble Tea | Boar sausage |
| Favourite Attraction | Taroko Gorge | Juifen |
Taiwan stole our hearts! From the moment we arrived, the people made us feel welcome, often going out of their way to help us or even just to talk to us. The food is incredible—night markets are a must, and nothing beats sipping bubble tea while wandering the energetic streets. The nature is stunning and easy to explore, from the serene tea fields to relaxing hot springs it is just beautiful. There is something about this country that just feels like home, I cannot describe it.
2. Cambodia
Times Visited: 1
| Amy | Anthony | |
|---|---|---|
| Favourite Area | Angkor Wat | Angkor Wat |
| Favourite Food/Drink | Pepper Pork | Pepper Pork |
| Favourite Attraction | Phare Circus | Stegowat |
Cambodia is unforgettable. Friendly locals, amazing food, and hands-on cooking experiences make it just so much fun. Everywhere we went we felt safe, looked after and like we were a local. Exploring ancient temples feel like you are in a movie and I loves being able to listen to the stories of locals as you wander. Tours like APOPO and Phare show how much good is happening here and were some of the best experiences we have had.
3. New Zealand
Times Visited: 4
| Amy | Anthony | |
|---|---|---|
| Favourite Area | Lake Tekapo | Matamata |
| Favourite Food/Drink | Fresh Salmon | Pork Pie |
| Favourite Attraction | Mt Cook Glacier | Ice Cave |
New Zealand stole our hearts in particular the South Island and its mountains. It’s extra special to us because we got married here, which has left us with some great memories. New zealand is stunning to drive through and has awesome wildlife experiences. It has a mix of adventure, beauty, and unforgettable memories.
4. Japan
Times Visited: 7
| Amy | Anthony | |
|---|---|---|
| Favourite Area | Otaru | Sapporo |
| Favourite Food/Drink | Japanese Curry | Kobe Beef |
| Favourite Attraction | Guinea Pig Bridge | Baloon New Year |
Japan is a country full of surprises at every turn. The people are polite, thoughtful, and always happy to help. The food is incredible, it could be sushi, ramen, street snacks, or grabbing something quick from Family Mart or Lawson. From bustling cities (and I mean busting) to tranquil temples, serene gardens, and even the magic of Tokyo Disney, there’s always something new to explore.
5. Singapore
Times Visited: 6
| Amy | Anthony | |
|---|---|---|
| Favourite Area | Gardens by the Bay | Mangroves |
| Favourite Food/Drink | Maggi Mee Goreng | Maggi Mee Goreng |
| Favourite Attraction | Wildlife night walks | Snakes |
Ahhh Singapore, the hot and humid tiny country of South East Asia. For such a really small country, it really punches above its weight for places to visit. From futuristic gardens and bustling hawker centres to colourful neighbourhoods and incredible food, there is always something to discover. And I love that you can swap the city lights for nighttime walks through the mangroves, searching for snakes and other wildlife. Singapore is full of surprises! We obviously keep coming back.
6. Hong Kong
Times Visited: 6
| Amy | Anthony | |
|---|---|---|
| Favourite Area | Lantau Island | On the Water |
| Favourite Food/Drink | Dim Sum | Hong Kong breakfast |
| Favourite Attraction | Hong Kong Disneyland | Hong Kong Disneyland |
Hong Kong is a city that buzzes with energy and charm. We might not have loved it the first time we went but the more you uncover you will see what an amazing gem it is, The food is incredible especially dim sum. Hong Kong Disneyland is hands-down the best one we’ve ever been to! Pure magic!
7. Thailand
Times Visited: 2
| Amy | Anthony | |
|---|---|---|
| Favourite Area | Bangkok | PhaNang Bay |
| Favourite Food/Drink | Pork lemon soup | Banana Juice |
| Favourite Attraction | Phuket Elephant Sanctuary | Phuket Elephant Sanctuary |
Thailand is one of those countries we feel we haven’t given a fair ranking yet! We’ve only been on two short trips, so we’ve barely scratched the surface. From visiting elephant sanctuaries and wandering through ancient ruined cities to eating our way through night markets and exploring beautiful temples, there’s already so much we love. We have a feeling Thailand could climb much higher on our list once we’ve had more time to explore everything it has to offer!
8. Brunei
Times Visited: 1
| Amy | Anthony | |
|---|---|---|
| Favourite Area | Borneo Jungle | Borneo Jungle |
| Favourite Food/Drink | Sushi | Coffee |
| Favourite Attraction | Borneo Boat cruise | Borneo Boat cruise |
Brunei was probably one of our biggest surprises! It seems to get a reputation as one of the least favourite countries to visit in the world, so we weren’t sure what to expect. But sometimes the places you go into with the lowest expectations end up surprising you the most. We loved the beautiful mosques, fascinating water village, thriving coffee scene and most of all the incredibly friendly locals who made us feel so welcome. Plus we got to explore some of the Borneo rainforest.
9. Indonesia
Times Visited: 1
| Amy | Anthony | |
|---|---|---|
| Favourite Area | Ubud | Ubud |
| Favourite Food/Drink | Nasi Campur | Mexican |
| Favourite Attraction | Ricefields Walk | Magical Ricefeild of Ubud |
Indonesia wasn’t somewhere we were particularly keen to visit at first however arrving in Ubud completely changed that for me. The huge, lush green rice fields, beautiful jungle scenery, and the chance to try something different like silversmithing made it such a special experience. We also got a chance to do a day trip up North of Bali which was honestly so beautiful.
10. South Korea
Times Visited: 1
| Amy | Anthony | |
|---|---|---|
| Favourite Area | Busan | |
| Favourite Food/Drink | Korean BBQ | Crab sticks |
| Favourite Attraction | DMZ | Taekwondo |
South Korea was a country we really enjoyed, with so much to see and do. From exploring the beautiful palaces and learning about the country’s history to wandering the busy streets and eating our way through plenty of Korean BBQ. Visiting the DMZ was definitely one of the most confronting experiences of our trip. It was a little scary seeing just how real the tensions are, but we’re so glad we got to visit and learn more about the history between North and South Korea.
11. Malaysia
Times Visited: 3
| Amy | Anthony | |
|---|---|---|
| Favourite Area | Selangor | Selangor |
| Favourite Food/Drink | Fried Rice | ? |
| Favourite Attraction | Firefly tour | Firefly tour |
Malaysia was a bit of a mixed bag for us at first. Our first visit was eye-opening, particularly seeing the huge contrast between wealth and poverty, and if we’re honest, we didn’t fall in love with it straight away. But after a few little trips back, it’s definitely started to grow on us. Each visit has given us a chance to see a different side of the country, from its incredible food to some truly beautiful nature.
12. Phillipines
Times Visited: 2
We have only visited Manila. We expected it to be busy, and it definitely was, with a fast-paced energy that took a little getting used to. But overall, it was much better than we expected! We loved exploring the old town, taking in the history and character of the streets, and our hotel was a real highlight too.
| Amy | Anthony | |
|---|---|---|
| Favourite Area | Intramuros | Intramuros |
| Favourite Food/Drink | Pork Belly | Curry |
| Favourite Attraction | Fort Santiago | Intramuros |
13. Vanuatu
Times Visited: 2
| Amy | Anthony | |
|---|---|---|
| Favourite Area | Country side of Port Vila | ? |
| Favourite Food/Drink | Vanuatu Potato | ? |
| Favourite Attraction | Sand Art | Sand Art |
Vanuatu is somewhere we’ve been lucky enough to visit on two cruises, and both times we’ve been struck by just how friendly and welcoming the people are. Everyone we met seemed to go out of their way to help, making each visit feel that little bit more special. It was also humbling to see the country continuing to rebuild after the earthquake, with communities working hard to get back on their feet.
14. SriLanka
Times Visited: 1
| Amy | Anthony | |
|---|---|---|
| Favourite Area | Wilpattu | Wilpattu |
| Favourite Food/Drink | Beetroot curry | Vegetable Curry |
| Favourite Attraction | Night Safari | Wilpattu Safari |
Sri Lanka was a bit of a mixed experience for us, and unfortunately, our trip wasn’t quite as good as it could have been due to some issues with our driver. Despite that, it’s hard to overlook just how beautiful this country is. From the stunning landscapes and endless green tea fields to the incredible scenery along the way, there was so much to admire. The safaris were definitely a highlight and honestly out of this world, giving us some unforgettable wildlife experiences.
14. New Caledonia
Times Visited: 2
| Amy | Anthony | |
|---|---|---|
| Favourite Area | Lifou | Noumea Aquarium |
| Favourite Food/Drink | Chocolate Bread | Chocolate Bread |
| Favourite Attraction | Noumea Aquarium | Crabs |
New Caledonia is another place we’ve been lucky enough to visit twice on cruises, and it’s been lovely to experience a little of what this island destination has to offer. The people were so friendly and welcoming, but one of our biggest highlights was exploring the incredible mangroves and seeing crabs. Seeing a nautilus at the aquarium was another huge highlight!
16. Macau
Times Visited: 1
| Amy | Anthony | |
|---|---|---|
| Favourite Area | Macau | Macau |
| Favourite Food/Drink | Portageuse Tart | Portageuse Tart |
| Favourite Attraction | House of Dancing Water | House of Dancing Water |
Macau was a bit of a whirlwind for us, as we only had one day to explore! The casinos were absolutely nuts, with their over-the-top designs and larger than life atmosphere. It was a real contrast to the historic side of the city, which we also loved exploring. The mix of Portuguese and Chinese influences gave Macau so much character.
17. Vietnam
Times Visited: 1
| Amy | Anthony | |
|---|---|---|
| Favourite Area | Halong Bay | Halong Bay |
| Favourite Food/Drink | Tumeric Fish | ? |
| Favourite Attraction | Halong Bay | Halong Bay Cruise |
Vietnam was a mixed experience for us. HaLong Bay was definitely the highlight, with its incredible limestone cliffs and beautiful scenery making it a truly memorable experience. Outside of that, though, we found it a frustrating most of the time. We often felt like people were trying to scam us, and having scooters and cars driving along the footpaths made simply walking around feel stressful. We saw some beautiful things but felt on edge at all times.
18. North Korea
Times Visited: 1
We have only stepped over the border into North Korea by doing our DMZ tour!
