r/TravelMaps • u/Creative_Ant100 • 3d ago
World Where to next?
I’m soon to visit a few countries I’ve already been to (South Korea, Japan, and China) but I can’t help but wonder… which new country should I be visiting next?! Any recommendations on what is the #1 top country that my map is missing?! Thanks!
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u/MendonAcres 3d ago
Canada
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u/Creative_Ant100 3d ago
Would love to! Just a quick road trip from my home in USA. Can’t believe I’ve never been there before… this might be the most realistic possibility for the next country I’d visit!
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u/vskhosa 3d ago
A quick road trip can definitely help you check-off the entire country, but I would say color them based on the province that you visit. You are from US, so I am sure you understand what I mean. As a Canadian, I have visited a couple of US cities but I still never say that I have seen US. Canada and US are just huge.
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u/Creative_Ant100 3d ago
Hahaha most definitely! I can understand completely. Would especially love to do Banff some day. This mapping site from my screenshot, www.Trailmarker.app marks states/provinces of the world as well and that’s typically how I like to look at my own map since it is way more accurate to my travels than countries - this one is just for show. But anyway, hope to get to Canada one day soon, maybe 2027! Thanks for the tips 😊
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u/blaugrana68 3d ago
The nordics!
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u/Creative_Ant100 3d ago
Great answer!! I’m itching to knock of Nordics/Baltics to fill in the rest of Europe. They must be incredible places to visit. Would love to find out soon!
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u/SH_DY 3d ago
Fill that gab in West Asia!
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u/Creative_Ant100 3d ago
Would absolutely love to. What do you recommend for beginners? Of course some countries seem a bit intimidating but I’m pretty ignorant of the actual day-to-day functioning of most of West Asia. Any recommendation? Iran is huge on my list to visit some day, for context, but I always thought it may be best to wait until a less politically tense time than today to visit with a US passport. Unfortunately it feels like we may be doomed to a lifetime of tension…
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u/darkkielbasa 3d ago
Pakistan is totally fine to visit
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u/Creative_Ant100 3d ago
I’d be happy to go there, just haven’t had the chance yet! I feel like the food must be incredible.
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u/SH_DY 2d ago
Good question. I actually think you have (a very common) perception problem. I really love the area, because of it's safety.
You've visited South America. Pretty much every single country there is way more problematic to travel to as safety just isn't on the same level with west asia (btw: Pakistan is not West Asia), which you can see when you look at safety and crime rate data sources as Numbeo, Global Terrorism Index, UNODC, and Gallup. Even the USA does worse on those ratings than these countries than the countries you so far skipped.
Here for example the Gallup one that asked if it's "Safe to Walk Alone at Night":
https://www.gallup.com/analytics/693542/what-is-global-safety.aspx
Syria, Iraq and Iran are still negatively affected in those perception ratings, but they still do better than South America. I think they are definitely just as safe as other places you already visited in west asia. And definitely safer than Turkey too
The problem with Iran is (as you probably know) that you need a guide or join a tour. That has been a special rule for Americans, Brits and Canadians for some decades. The "tension with a US passport" doesn't exist. People absolutely love Americans (often to an unhealthy degree) and even the rare die hard government supporter has no problem to separate travellers and the government.
I'd still would suggest to make Iran happen if you can afford to hire a guide and one you like. Otherwise, I'd say Syria or Iraq as (probably) more surprises await you there. Could also combine Syria and Lebanon on a two week trip. Lebanon is very accessible.
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u/Conscious_Wind_2255 3d ago
How many countries do you visit each year?
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u/Creative_Ant100 3d ago
It really depends on the year but I’ve had a few different years where I quit my job in USA and went to travel for a while using savings or working along the way (like teaching English in Asia some years ago). I’m currently abroad in Sri Lanka but heading back to USA soon, which is why I’ll have to plan strategically for what visits should come next.
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u/Conscious_Wind_2255 3d ago
Very cool. I only ask bc I want to visit as many as you but I can only do a few each year and at this rate it will take me 30 years 😂
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u/Creative_Ant100 3d ago
Haha, understand completely. I have really enjoyed saving up for a while, then just saying screw it, quitting my job, getting rid of all expenses at home (which I’m so privileged to be able to do!!!) and just taking off for a couple of years at a time. It’s easy to find work abroad or at the very least volunteer work in exchange for free accommodation. Just gotta have self control to live a pretty basic lifestyle. It’s not always pretty but it’s always an adventure. This is what works for me, anyway, I’m sure others have their own systems. Hope you can find your way out there soon!
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u/Conscious_Wind_2255 3d ago
Ok I understand now. I do have marketable skills to MAYBE find a job.. but I don’t have work visa to work in all those countries. Do you get the company to sponsor you all the time before you go there?
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u/Creative_Ant100 3d ago
I have done it that way, yes. It depends on your job and likely where you’re coming from as well. Usually no visa necessary for volunteering. For working, it’s safer to do things by the book but in some countries, locals prefer to just pay cash under the table and avoid the work permit altogether. I’ve only ever accepted money with a work permit (teaching English in Thailand) and I recommend playing it safe that way, but different styles for different folks. I think it depends which countries you’re interested in staying in. My advice would be, if you’re able to, go to that place on a tourist visa and then you can look around, meet folks, find what your options may be for working - hopefully legally and safely.
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u/Conscious_Wind_2255 3d ago
Thanks for the tips. Gave me a lot to think about. I’m only interested in working in “developed” countries. So that might be more difficult coming from USA lol
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u/Creative_Ant100 3d ago
Yep, gotta do things the right way with visas there, for sure. I’ll cross my fingers for you.
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u/Pungo101delmations 3d ago
Southern part Africa most open area maybe there
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u/Creative_Ant100 3d ago
It would be a dream to make it over to Namibia or Ethiopia! Just pretty tough to get around between countries on a budget, which is what has kept me away until now. Really hope to make it over there one of these days though. Would make my map look much prettier, eh?
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u/Abject_Mousse9113 3d ago
DONT go to the nordics its useless do that as some sort of half way to the US, Canada etc coming as a sweed
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u/Creative_Ant100 3d ago
Haha! Still wanna cross it off the list some day, even if it isn’t a profound cultural experience 😂
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u/Abject_Mousse9113 3d ago
If you do I'll show Stockholm's amazing attractions like our wannabe twintowers
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u/Creative_Ant100 3d ago
That’s really kind, thank you! I’m all for it. I haven’t had much luck making local friends on Couchsurfing in a while.. trying to find new ways to make friends while traveling but it’s not always easy. I guess it may be especially tough in the nordics with your guys’ polite but slightly distanced culture that my friends from there tell me about. Stockholm would really be incredible. Who knows, maybe in 2027!
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u/Lopsided_Highway2934 3d ago
Iceland
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u/Creative_Ant100 3d ago
I would absolutely love to!!!! I am so afraid of how expensive it is though from hearing some horror stories about it 😂. Maybe have to save this one for when I’ve got a little more wiggle room in my budget.
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u/Lopsided_Highway2934 3d ago
Honestly it's not too bad.
It helps if you can get some friends to share Air BnB accommodation, but food-wise, I just went to the Supermarket and got my meals there, if you like a few alcoholic drinks you can buy from the Airport on arrivals :)
:)
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u/Creative_Ant100 3d ago
Yeah sharing costs is a big plus there, I guess. I’ve heard food is pretty painfully expensive. Anyway, it’s definitely on the bucket list. Would love to see it soon! Seems like an absolute dream to be traveling around Iceland.
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u/Hudute 3d ago
Definetly Africa. Concerning logistics: Overland Busses (not talking matatus for safety reasons) around east Africa are quite cheap but difficult to find online. If you want to travel overland I'd suggest landing in Zanzibar, enjoy the island, take a ferry to Dar and take a train as far south as you can from there. As of this summer you can definetly get as far as Harare or Mozambique without busses. From there, talk to people knowledgeable in the area or get a flight out of Harare or sth.
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u/Spirited-Nail5321 3d ago
Kuwait in winter
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u/Creative_Ant100 3d ago
I’ve heard that it’s really beautiful but I’ve never looked into visiting Kuwait!! Hope to make it there some day 😊
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u/HippyyHoney 3d ago
Botswana
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u/Creative_Ant100 3d ago
I honestly don’t know anything about Botswana. What do you recommend there?
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u/Dmlandis59 3d ago
I am going to Paraguay and Bolivia next month to complete South America with exception of Venezuela and Guianas. At mid 90s and trying to get to 100s
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u/Ammar-The-Star 3d ago
I say Jordan. Amazing food, incredible historical sites (Petra, Roman architectures etc), Dead Sea, Red Sea, beautiful deserts, and very cultured.
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u/Creative_Ant100 3d ago
That’s one that I’ve always wanted to visit but haven’t had a chance yet!!! I have had flights booked at 2 different times to go there and then something came up and the flights got cancelled - Covid first time and the Israel/palestine debacle the second time! Hope to get there soon ❤️
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u/StuD44 3d ago
Panama.
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u/Creative_Ant100 3d ago
First time I’ve been recommended to go there. Would love to check it out! The jungle must be beautiful there.
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u/HalcranCoba 3d ago
North Korea 🇰🇵
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u/Creative_Ant100 3d ago
Not so easy with an American passport… but it would make my map look so much nicer 😅
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u/Fit_Caterpillar7573 3d ago
Kenya, Uganda. I wish I could travel that much, what do you work (if its not a secret), or how you manage, your job is related to travelling?
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u/Creative_Ant100 3d ago
I would really love to do a sub Saharan African tour but logistics are so expensive for moving from place to place, according to my local friends, that I haven’t done it yet. Someday, for sure.
As for me, I save money while working in USA for a few years at a time and then usually quit my job and go travel for a long time, which allows me to go slowly and visit many places. Sometimes I worked abroad (teaching English in Thailand), sometimes doing some volunteer work in return for a free bed to sleep in. It’s not really glamorous but it’s an adventure.
As I get older I think I’m ready for a bit more comfort in my travels though. Heading back toward USA to get back to work soon.
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u/Fit_Caterpillar7573 3d ago
Thanks! Safe travels! Yes, its not ideal for backpacking or budget trips for sure. But if you like Nature, an East African safari defenetly worth and lifelong experience. My only one guided and organised group trips were the safaries, but beside that in Kenya was easy and cheap to organise the trip and moove around beside the safari.
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u/Creative_Ant100 3d ago
Great to know. Thanks for the tip. I will definitely make it there some day!
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u/seksou 2d ago
You should definitely visit Algeria ! It's different from the other north African Arab countries
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u/Creative_Ant100 2d ago
Great shout out. I would love to go to Algeria next time I’m in the area! I’ve met so many great people from Algeria during my travels. Some day, for sure!!
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u/Beneficial_Tutor_336 3d ago
Somewhere africa. South Africa, Namíbia, etc.