Most beautiful country you have been to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You clearly haven't traveled enough. The beauty out west is hardly unique.

Sounds like you need to move somewhere outside the US as you don’t appreciate what beauty she has to offer.

[Anonymous]

Namibia
Scotland
Switzerland

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You clearly haven't traveled enough. The beauty out west is hardly unique.

NP, here. Have you been out west? Just in California, you can be a day’s car ride from spectacular 14,000 foot peaks in the Sierra Nevada, deserts of Death Valley and Joshua Tree, redwood and sequoia forests, some of the most stunning coastlines in the world from Big Sur to the coastline north of San Francisco…and more. This is just California. Throw in Utah, Colorado, Montana, PNW, and Arizona, and I would say the western U.S. is pretty special. I appreciate all the places I’ve seen abroad, but the western U.S. will always rank as one of my favorite places to visit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You clearly haven't traveled enough. The beauty out west is hardly unique.

NP, here. Have you been out west? Just in California, you can be a day’s car ride from spectacular 14,000 foot peaks in the Sierra Nevada, deserts of Death Valley and Joshua Tree, redwood and sequoia forests, some of the most stunning coastlines in the world from Big Sur to the coastline north of San Francisco…and more. This is just California. Throw in Utah, Colorado, Montana, PNW, and Arizona, and I would say the western U.S. is pretty special. I appreciate all the places I’ve seen abroad, but the western U.S. will always rank as one of my favorite places to visit.

Yes, I lived out west for several years in my 20s and have been to over half the places you listed. I've also been to a dozen countries in Europe, much of Asia, and the South Pacific. The U.S. West is great. There are also lots of countries around the world with spots at least as beautiful. Why is that so hard to understand/accept?

[Anonymous]

I’d say Colombia. The variety of landscapes there is incredible—from the towering wax palms and green hills of Cocora Valley to the snow-capped peaks of the Andes in Los Nevados and Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. You can explore the colorful, almost magical Caño Cristales river, then head deep into the Amazon rainforest to see pink dolphins and vibrant wildlife. The contrast is stunning.

Colombia’s coastlines are just as breathtaking. Places like Tayrona National Park combine jungle and pristine Caribbean beaches, while the islands of San Andrés and Providencia offer crystal-clear waters in every shade of blue. The way the country’s scenery changes so much—from mountains and deserts to jungles and beaches—makes Colombia one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, as lovely as the U.S. can be, it doesn't really have anything like the Amazon rainforest or even the Andes.

[Anonymous]

Honestly? The USA. Combination of places like St John, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, glacier national park…. There is amazing beauty in the US

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, as lovely as the U.S. can be, it doesn't really have anything like the Amazon rainforest or even the Andes.

Correct. The United States doesn’t have all of the beautiful places in the world within its borders.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I’d say Colombia. The variety of landscapes there is incredible—from the towering wax palms and green hills of Cocora Valley to the snow-capped peaks of the Andes in Los Nevados and Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. You can explore the colorful, almost magical Caño Cristales river, then head deep into the Amazon rainforest to see pink dolphins and vibrant wildlife. The contrast is stunning.

Colombia’s coastlines are just as breathtaking. Places like Tayrona National Park combine jungle and pristine Caribbean beaches, while the islands of San Andrés and Providencia offer crystal-clear waters in every shade of blue. The way the country’s scenery changes so much—from mountains and deserts to jungles and beaches—makes Colombia one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.

+1 full disclosure I am Colombian but it is legitimately gorgeous

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the people saying the US haven't been anywhere outside it. There are nice places, for sure, but not the best.

I would agree with posters who said:

Portugal
Switzerland
NZ
Norway

I would add Iceland if not yet listed here.

US has Portugal beat hands down.

I like Portugal for a lot of reasons, and have been there several times over the last 30 yrs, but it doesn't hold a candle to the US in terms of stunning scenery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:South Africa

+1 I thought my heart would explode at the beauty of Cape Town and the Stellenbosch. Quiet, chilly mornings on safari. Cape Malay food ((maybe the most delicious cuisine?!) The vibrancy of the cities.

On the people side: Opening my eyes/reminding me of the horror of apartheid but also learning about the Truth and Reconciliation movement. It is a beautiful, beautiful country that lives openly with its painful history. Unlike my (also beloved) USA, which has still not come to terms with slavery, racism, etc.

Is this a joke? The legacy of Apartheid is very much evident in modern South Africa. Far, far more than the legacy of slavery in the USA. Did you get anything out of that trip?!

Did you read the post?

[Anonymous]

The first time I went to Lucerne in the 90s I thought I was in Disneyland. So pristine, especially the lake.

[Anonymous]

Has anyone mentioned Taiwan yet?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Iceland

When it is not raining sideways.

Lol!

I've traveled so many places and yes Iceland, UK, and most of Northern Europe are so pretty if you can get them when it's not raining in your eyeball. Because no matter which way you turn, it's in your eyeball. Then again that's why it's so green.

First time I experienced sideways rain was when I went to Stonehenge.

I've also been to Iceland, but we didn't get that much rain, certainly not sideways rain LOL. But it was sooooo cold and windy at Black Sand beach in Vik in October. Still, worth seeing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am well travelled and have been to a lot of beautiful countries but secret... there are plenty of stunning locations throughout the US.

There are parts of UT that are so cool, stunning OR and N CA coast. Sedona of course (off season if possible). Santa Fe and Taos are the best kept secret. I'm not into Maine but it is beautiful and so is Vermont. Jackson and Boise are amazing. There are a few amazing places even down in TX - small towns like Marfa are so interesting. CO as a state offers so many points of beauty to explore.

There's just no listing the most beautiful places in the world because there are truly so many - there is no most beautiful for me. Just memorable in one way or another, often based on who I'm with and the conditions like weather, crowds, season, etc.

Tahiti is beautiful. Mongolia is unbelievable. Parts of S. France and of course the Greek islands like Milos and Ischia/Positano/S. Italy will take your breath away.

Your question is like asking who the most beautiful actress or actor is of all time. There's never just one. I'm sure all of us have been to places that were crazy beautiful - so instead of focusing on beauty just go to a place you've wanted to go that isn't ugly!!!!

I think the better traveled you are the more you realize how lucky we have it (based on only natural beauty) here in the U.S. and how fortunate our ancestors were to preserve so much. Our national parks are not only incredibly beautiful but the most accessible and well done in the world. Accomplishing this now under current conditions would be impossible.

I couldn't agree more!!! We need to recognize this so we don't lose it. I get so annoyed that everyone here is a "grass is greener" type person that never explores their own country. I lived abroad many years and have traveled extensively. We have something really amazing here that is worth protecting. It's also worth encouraging others to see it - I mean really see it...

What we set up with our National Parks and BLM land was so forward thinking. If only we can get on board with climate change initiatives so it doesn't all burn down in forest fires, melt off with global warming, or disappear with rising tides and floods.