The 5 Most Beautiful Countries In The World
Here’s why…
Now, I feel obligated to tell you upfront that this is totally subjective. You will have a different list so please feel free to share them in the comments section and tell us why. The community would love to hear about it.
As for me, here’s my Top 5:
(In no particular order)
Switzerland
Any region on Earth that produces chocolate as rich and as fine as Switzerland will always have a sweet spot in my heart. I have never been, but I’ve seen the videos on YouTube and have to wonder, “Do they landscape their grasslands and whole mountains too?!”
The Matterhorn, Lake Geneva, Zermatt. The place is just too perfect for words.
Switzerland is one of those countries that have not been ravaged by the Second World War. It makes you think about what the continent of Europe would look like if it weren’t marred by war or if we’ve been able to preserve it…instead of “rebuilding” it.
Switzerland is so beautiful it makes my eyes water. And as one of the most expensive places on Earth, the prices make my eyes water too! That’s what happens when you know your arms will never grace any of those expensive watches. (Hey, my smartphone tells time…and plays videos too!)
The Philippines
Neighboring countries fly to the Philippines when they want to experience world-class beaches, affordable (but luxurious) food, and priceless smiles. The Filipinos are so welcoming, you’ll feel like a popular school jock walking around. Everybody greets you like family. (Whatever your name is, they’ll call you “Joe.” As in “Hey, Joe!”)
The place is generally safe, unless you go to those places even locals don’t. And why would you even end up in those places when 99.99% of the country is perfectly safe and will overload your Instagram with culture, history, and nature?
People who know food know Filipino food. The late Anthony Bourdain, the seasoned world traveler, who presumably have feasted on all the world’s top culinary offerings had this to say after tasting Cebu lechon, “Best pig, ever!”
The U.S.A.
Folks from opposing political aisles might be having trouble seeing eye to eye at the moment, but on the whole, the United States, for me, is still one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
You got the land of technological marvel and majestic nature, from the dizzying heights of Times Square to the dizzying depths of the Grand Canyon. The United States is still the leading voice in world culture and thought, a bastion of innovation, and the home to serving sizes so unbelievably big they deserve their own zip code.
And while there will always be something to be said about its shortcomings, like how it wrapped up the show “Game of Thrones,” America will always be a country to be reckoned with. (Wait, is GoT even American?! Because it feels very British.)
I still haven’t lost hope for this country, and I believe the “Karens,” on a good day, and untriggered, can actually make for very pleasant neighbors.
America is not perfect, but it’s beautiful inside-out.
One should never count out the country that gave birth to Taylor Swift and Beyoncé.
Japan
Nowhere in the world does the old mix with the new without feeling off. You have cutting-edge robots grooving to century-old folk dances.
Japan is both the land of the fast and the slow, served by the world’s fastest train, whizzing past rice fields and connecting Tokyo and Osaka (a distance of almost 250 miles) in 1 hour. But at the same time, it will take a sushi apprentice half a decade to learn how to properly cook rice and appreciate the nuances of a perfectly controlled fire.
Japan has beautiful mountains, gorgeous seasons, and toilet seats so advanced it can make you change your mind.
India
I have nothing but admiration for the country that brought flavor to the West. It may not have the most efficient public transport or government system, but India, like America, is proof that one doesn’t have to be perfect to be appreciated or loved.
India is transcendent, a land of faith and devotion, holder of wisdom honed millennia before Western Philosophers learned their ABCs.
With its historic temples and shrines, and iconic monuments, India gives you a sense of awe — as if whispering, “I’ve been here long before you…listen up.”
But most of all…Curry.
Nuff said.
So that’s my top 5.
What’s yours?
And oh, by the way, here are the runners-up:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor (Timor-Leste), Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar (Burma), Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sudan, South, Suriname, Sweden, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
It’s a beautiful world out there. Have at it!
