Are you well travelled?

[twohoursfromlondon]

Earlier today, as I was planning a few trips abroad next year, pandemic permitting, I started remembering all the places and countries I’ve been to during my almost 49 years on this planet, which lead me to writing up the list below. I have added the countries where I have visited the mainland, and then any islands within those countries I have been to (in brackets).

I thought I was quite well travelled, but considering there are 195 countries in the world, I’ve not even visited a quarter!

United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales)
France (Corsica) - lived here 4 years
Belgium
Holland
Germany
Denmark
Sweden
Norway
Finland
Luxembourg
Austria
Switzerland
Italy (Sicily)
Spain (Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Palma de Mallorca)
Portugal
Andorra
Morocco
Greece
Cyprus
Hungary
Thailand
Malaysia
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Indonesia (Bali)
Hong Kong
Australia
New Zealand
Cook Islands
Fiji
USA (Hawaii)
Canada
Egypt

I clearly need to focus my attentions on South America / Africa as I’ve not even scratched the surface.

So how extensively travelled are you? Where do you want to go next? Any tips for me of places to visit in South America and Africa, as a solo traveller, or anywhere I haven’t been yet that I should?

Merry Christmas all!

Edited by twohoursfromlondon on Saturday 25th December 07:40

[Tango13]

My late Grandfather always spoke well of his time working in Montevideo and very highly of the people there.

[Ouroboros]

My brother travels all over the world for his job, straight from airport to chain hotel.

So well travelled but not really well travelled.

For me, travel is an experience, going away from tourist traps and experiencing the real country, the tastes the sounds, the culture. That for me defines how well travelled someone is, over a list of countries visited.

People go to Cuba, Dominican republic never leave the hotel, have they really seen the country?

[twohoursfromlondon]

Ouroboros said:

My brother travels all over the world for his job, straight from airport to chain hotel.

So well travelled but not really well travelled.

For me, travel is an experience, going away from tourist traps and experiencing the real country, the tastes the sounds, the culture. That for me defines how well travelled someone is, over a list of countries visited.

People go to Cuba, Dominican republic never leave the hotel, have they really seen the country?

Couldn’t agree more, travelling is all about experiencing a new culture and learning about the history and talking to the people there, trying to speak their language, eating their cuisine and attending local events.

A lot of those countries I went to while travelling the world backpacking in 1993, and I have such amazing memories 30 years on of how much I learned from being totally immersed in every place, and understanding where I was and what was appropriate or not. Loved every minute of it.

Travel has always fascinated me and I’m toying with upping sticks for my 50th in 2023 and going travelling again! Only live once right.

Edited by twohoursfromlondon on Friday 24th December 22:02

Edited by twohoursfromlondon on Friday 24th December 23:29

[Tango13]

Ouroboros said:

My brother travels all over the world for his job, straight from airport to chain hotel.

So well travelled but not really well travelled.

For me, travel is an experience, going away from tourist traps and experiencing the real country, the tastes the sounds, the culture. That for me defines how well travelled someone is, over a list of countries visited.

People go to Cuba, Dominican republic never leave the hotel, have they really seen the country?

Exactly this /\

My Grandfather lived in Ceylon as it was back then for 4 years on one contract, he got to know the people and he got a taste for the local food, culture etc.

I visited Las Vegas a few years back and the closest I got to the real Las Vegas was chatting to a cab driver. Tucson on the other hand was night and day, I went to a local restaurant, chatted to local people and got a real feel for the place.

One hotel in a tourist compound is the same as any other.

[mybrainhurts]

I've been to the post office....

[Tango13]

mybrainhurts said:

I've been to the post office....

Pension day was yesterday you senile old fart!

[mybrainhurts]

Tango13 said:

mybrainhurts said:

I've been to the post office....

Pension day was yesterday you senile old fart!

Yes, I come once a month...

[Don1]

How come Hawaii isn't in the USA?

I've done more, but not enough. Most amazing have been Nepal, Maldives, Iceland...

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Tango13 said:

My late Grandfather always spoke well of his time working in Montevideo and very highly of the people there.

Montevideo is a nice city. It's basically Buenos Aires on sleeping pills. Everything is slower, calmer, smaller, more sedate. I preferred Argentina if I'm honest but very glad I went to Uruguay. And the beach is fantastic.

[daddy cool]

twohoursfromlondon said:

Couldn’t agree more, travelling is all about experiencing a new culture and learning about the history and talking to the people there, trying to speak their language, eating their cuisine and attending local events.

Try doing that in Wales as an English man.

[RizzoTheRat]

Is well travelled only defined by how many counties you've been to? Lots of people have been many different countries but not travelled that much with thier own country. I've only been outside Europe once (South Africa), but have been to the Isles of Scilly, Orkneys, Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Rathlin (I like Islands) and many other bits of the uk that people i know who would consider themselves well traveled have never been to.

[twohoursfromlondon]

Don1 said:

How come Hawaii isn't in the USA?

I've done more, but not enough. Most amazing have been Nepal, Maldives, Iceland...

Ah dammit I will edit!

The countries you mention I think are definitely worth me considering, moreso Nepal and Iceland. Any tips on these welcomed, thanks.

[Liokault]

Just the ones I can remember of the top of my head.

France
Germany (worked there for 3 years, then later another 3 years visiting regularly)
Spain
Italy
Poland (more times than I can remember)
Latvia
Lithuania
Slovenia
Slovakia (both of the peoples of the above countries are really ok with you mixing them up when in country)
Ireland
Turkey
Ukraine
Russia (many times over about 6 months)
Netherlands
Sweden
Belgium
Mexico (had to stay over the border as work deemed it to unsafe to stay in country. It’s the only place I didn’t get to see anything of…went twice, both times surreal).
USA (didn’t like it)
Canada (the other half is Canadian, many extended visits to the in-laws)
China (hated it so much I cut the trip short and came home)
Vietnam (love it, can’t recommend enough)
Malaysia
Tunisia
Hungry
Switzerland
Austria


Probably a few others. It’s really killing me that I haven’t been to an airport in two years.

I disagree with the above comments about work travel not counting. Most of the above is work travel and while I have gone Airport-factory-hotel- airport more times than I care to remember, I think I have seen more of most of the above places and the real lives of the actual people than 99% of tourists.

You don’t know real food if you are eating tourist junk, wait till you eat in a Vietnamese factory canteen, you get a spoon and knife, but no fork for some reason…or ask a Russian college to show you real Russian food, then to be given a cure of clear cold jelly with a sprat suspended inside.


Edit to add…just remembered two more.

Edited by Liokault on Friday 24th December 22:52

[twohoursfromlondon]

Tango13 said:

My late Grandfather always spoke well of his time working in Montevideo and very highly of the people there.

I know very little about S America so will check Uruguay out.

[LukeBrown66]

No, and dont give the slightest toss about being so.

[Jim on the hill]

Travelling is genuinely one of life's true pleasures I believe.

We've done 40 countries in our mid 30s, pre Pandemic we were visiting 4 a year and really enjoying it.

Standout ones for us were

Sri Lanka
Romania
Malaysia
Italy
Tanzania
Iceland
Czechia

Had some amazing trips planned the last couple of years but only managed Morocco and Mexico which were both great and we probably wouldn't have gone if it wasn't for the Pandemic so swings and roundabouts.

Next for us is Hong Kong, Vietnam then Canada, Costa Rica and South America probably Argentina to Brazil via Uruguay.

Hopefully we can all travel more next year.

Edited by Jim on the hill on Friday 24th December 23:04

[twohoursfromlondon]

RizzoTheRat said:

Is well travelled only defined by how many counties you've been to? Lots of people have been many different countries but not travelled that much with thier own country. I've only been outside Europe once (South Africa), but have been to the Isles of Scilly, Orkneys, Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Rathlin (I like Islands) and many other bits of the uk that people i know who would consider themselves well traveled have never been to.

I think it’s just an expression. I guess for me I identify travelling with being a long way from home, ie abroad. You’re clearly well travelled within the UK.

[Tim Reaper]

No...furthest north and east I have been is Rovaniemi ,Arctic circle Finland .

South , Vallelunga circuit north of Roma .

West ,possibly Land's End ,Cornwall .

[twohoursfromlondon]

Tim Reaper said:

No...furthest north and east I have been is Rovaniemi ,Arctic circle Finland .

South , Vallelunga circuit north of Roma .

West ,possibly Land's End ,Cornwall .

Also went to Rovaniemi and into the wilderness on the Russian border. Finland is a very unique place.