I’ve been to 25 countries. Picking a favorite feels impossible, but there are 3 I’d gladly return to again and again.

• Over the past seven years, I’ve visited 25 countries across six continents.
• Although it’s hard to pick a favorite, Ireland holds a special place in my heart.
• I loved visiting Egypt and Germany, and I still have many things I’d like to see in both countries.

I’d be lying if I said I always had a desire to travel.

As a shy, introverted kid, I never had big dreams of adventures in faraway places. In fact, I didn’t even own a passport until my family relocated from the US to Ireland for my dad’s job when I was 16.

Now, things couldn’t be more different. Living abroad opened my eyes to the world, and I was bitten by the travel bug.

At 23 years old, I’ve been lucky enough to have visited 25 countries across six continents, and my desire to travel has only grown.

People often ask which country is my favorite, but honestly, it feels like an impossible question to answer. Each place I’ve visited has been vastly different and offered unique experiences.

That being said, there are a few countries I’ll never say no to revisiting. From endless history to diverse landscapes, these three countries are places I’ll go back to without a second thought.

Ireland will always hold a special place in my heart

Although I may be biased, I think Ireland is a magical place to visit. From the friendly people to the breathtaking landscapes, it’s a country I always want to come back to. Even after living there and returning almost a dozen times since, there’s still so much more I want to see.

In addition to cultural hubs like Dublin and Cork, which have everything from great museums and distilleries to delicious food, I’ve loved visiting some of the country’s smaller towns. In my opinion, they’re the best way to get a taste of true Irish culture.

I always recommend snagging a reservation at one of the top-rated restaurants in Kinsale, taking a boat tour in Dingle, or exploring a castle in Adare.

There’s so much to see and do in Egypt

I’ve visited Egypt twice now, and it’s one of the most culturally rich places I’ve ever been. I’ve always found the people to be incredibly welcoming, and I’ve barely scratched the surface of everything there is to see.

Plus, I love enjoying koshari, a traditional street food made with rice, noodles, lentils, chickpeas, and a tasty tomato garlic sauce. This dish alone is enough for me to want to return again and again.

On my first trip, I assumed I would cover everything in a week. I centered most of my trip around the Cairo area, seeing the pyramids, visiting museums, and roaming through street markets.

I also checked out the Faiyum Oasis, where I sandboarded on the dunes and relaxed by desert lakes. Then, I explored the historic city of Alexandria, situated in Northern Egypt on the Mediterranean Sea.

Although this was a great introduction to Egypt, I quickly realized I would need many more return trips to cover everything I wanted to see.

Germany is a great country to visit any time of year

With an efficient public transportation system and a wide range of things to do, Germany truly has something for everyone.

I’ve now visited the country several times, but first went in 2018 when my family went to a Christmas market in Stuttgart. The atmosphere was enchanting, and the food was nothing short of delicious.

On another trip, I visited a friend who lived in Berlin and I fell in love with the city. Over the course of five days, I took in the art, history, and shopping scene. Berlin also gets major bonus points from me, because I was able to find a lot of great vegetarian food options.

Another thing I loved doing in Germany was driving through the countryside in a convertible to visit Neuschwanstein Castle.

The rolling green hills, cows with bells dangling from their necks, and castle in the distance felt like something out of a movie. It was a simple day, but it’s probably one of my favorite travel experiences.

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