Most beautiful country you have been to?

[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.

I’ve been to all the places you’ve listed and lived abroad twice.

Nothing holds a candle to the breadth of America’s many beautiful areas. You’ve probably looked down your nose at traveling within this country and glamorized abroad.

The way I sometimes say it is that New Zealand is the prettiest country I’ve ever seen on a per square mile basis.

Yes the US has some incredible national parks (from Shenandoah in our own backyard to the Grand Canyon to 4 or 5 parks just in California, etc etc) but the US is also just so huge that I would say it’s a country with beautiful areas more than the entire country is beautiful.

[Anonymous]

Switzerland, again

[Anonymous]

Brazil. Most have only seen Rio,Sao Paulo and Iguaçu. It has far, far more and is incredible in its diversity of natural beauty.

[Anonymous]

The US is tops for me. After that - New Zealand and then South Africa.

[Anonymous]

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?!

[Anonymous]

Ireland, Canada

[Anonymous]

There’s nothing wrong with the places mentioned, but based on this thread, it’s clear that DCUM is not very well traveled and that everyone follows the same well trodden path. I shouldn’t be surprised really, DC people are unadventurous followers who like to believe they’re interesting.

[Anonymous]

Japan - Japanese Alps, Hokkaido, some of the older historic towns far outside major cities....just mind blowing this stuff exists.

I think Iran is probably a stunner based on the photos I've seen. Just too bad it isn't safe.

Thailand has some stunning ancient ruins that are intertwined with forest.

Indonesia has stunning spots.

Poland

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree- I prefer traveling abroad just to get out of here for the culture, food etc but I do think the US has incredible diversity.

Some favorites

Pacific Northwest
Moab Utah
Telluride and Crested Butte Colorado
NYC
Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard
Big Sur, Carmel
Montana
the South, gorgeous trees and bayous

I prefer traveling abroad and would vote for it for beauty because I am not a fan of driving really long distances and staying at crappy hotels to commune with our most beautiful locations.

Yes objectively the US probably should win. But unless you have a camper van and don’t mind traveling that way these are all separate trips with LONG drives or else flights in between and many spots are both pricy and not great in terms on lodging options when you are there (as in the national parks out west). In Europe the beauty is much closer by plus nice lodging is more available.

You’re clearly unfamiliar with any of the US places that PP mentioned. 😂

I’ve been to a few of them and agree the lodging spot does not apply - I was thinking of spots like Grand Canyon and others out west where there are not great hotel options.

But my bigger point stands - these are all individual flying vacations for me. This country’s most beautiful stuff is very spread out and not that close to where I live in NOVA.

[Anonymous]

In Mandarin Chinese, Měiguó (美国) stands for "Beautiful Country" and is the name for the United States of America. The character "Měi" (美) means "beautiful," while "Guó" (国) means "country" or "nation"

[Anonymous]

Patagonia.

[Anonymous]

Australia
New Zealand
Brazil
Nepal
South Africa
Zimbabwe

[Anonymous]

United States of America from sea to shining sea, plus Hawaii and Alaska.

[Anonymous]

Beauty is entirely subjective. Someone’s answer does not mean they are more or less well traveled. They could’ve gone to every country in the world, spent substantial time “off the beaten path,” and spent every minute of their lives immersing themselves in other cultures…and still say something like “Woodbridge, VA was the most beautiful!” Whatever floats your boat, man.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:USA or Northern Ireland

US is a lot more varied than Northern Ireland.