Ok hopefully we can share that country/s we loved and hated that we have visited….
I loved visiting japan,singapore,thailand,italy
I hated and would never go back to pakistan,israel,indonesia(bali),india
You?
Fave Country You Visited and The Country You Hated after Visiting
HappyBigKid on 18/05/2025 - 14:18
Last edited 18/05/2025 - 14:30
Last edited 18/05/2025 - 14:30
Comments
It's a very unfair tax, however for the above to occur, the property had to be in a SMSF so won't affect 99% of people.
Lesson from this post: Avoid all countries, but all countries are worth a visit.
From my experience, I've never been to a country that I disliked wholesale (not that I'm much of a globe trotter). I always try to go to different areas of any country I visit, because there can be a world of difference within a relatively small geographic area. Vietnam is probably my best example. Saigon was chaotic but had an awesome vibe to it. Hoi An was super chilled out and the perfect place to sit back and drink coffee in the morning and beer at night. Ninh Binh had absolutely incredible scenery, with waterfalls and mountains poking through the fog. Hanoi was smoggy and a less enjoyable kind of chaotic (compared to Saigon), and probably the least favourite part of our trip. So we had 4 completely different experiences within the same country. Had we just gone to Hanoi, I'd probably be on here saying to avoid Vietnam. But as a whole, I loved the country and will definitely go back one day.
I loved Hanoi haha but can agree it can be very chaotic. Would love to go Ninh Binh someday.
Honestly, I feel like if we'd switched Hanoi and Saigon, my opinions probably would've also swapped. Saigon was the very start of our trip and we were only there a couple of days, so the change in culture and the chaos were still novel by the time we left. Hanoi, by contrast, was at the tail end and we just spent too long there. It was long enough that the chaos became tiring, combined with some general travel fatigue and poor weather (not a nice place to walk around when it's wet). So it was probably just a case of poor circumstances and overstaying a welcome.
We only had a day trip to Ninh Binh and regretted not spending longer there. I'd absolutely dedicate more time to the countryside next time we go back.
How you described Hanoi is how I feel about Saigon. Saigon has just never worked for me and I have now been there 8 or so times, the vibe is just off. Hanoi is one of my favourite places in the world, to the point that I lived there for a year.
Japan, Vietnam and Taiwan (albeit a very short trip).
Can't really think of any country I've hated? I've enjoyed something about each country I've been to.
Top 5 for me: Thailand (Food), Belgium (Beer), Spain (beer & food), Greece (food), UK.(beer).
Worst: Haven't found a place I wouldn't go back to. Probably Indonesia (okay, Bali) but I'd give it another chance.
Fave: China
Miles ahead of Australia in terms of elaborate city planning and also EV's everywhere. Cleanliness and modern infrastructure is top notch. Very High Tech and saw large amounts of European tourists during my two week business trip.
eg. Average scenery I saw in Shanghai.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hp4PJYQqtQ4&ab_channel=TourW…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY3a2h-ktnk&ab_channel=WalkE…Least Fave(hard to choose): Singapore
No particular reason other it is overhyped and it is not on the same level as Monaco or Switzerland even though they are ranked highly GDP per capita. Decent food though. Does not give the luxury vibe despite what many people would think initially.
Love Italy! Won’t go back to USA.
As an outdoorsy type person that appreciates the beauty of nature and dislikes crowded leisure beaches with rowdy Australians.
Favourite - Oslo - Norway
Never go again - Bali - Indonesia (ok for weddings only)Loved most of the countries that i visited, Top 3 - Iceland, NZ and Mauritius
Hate and never go back - Belgium
Here's my tier list of countries I've visited — ranked purely from a tourist perspective, not based on what it would be like to live there (which is a very different experience). Within each tier, countries are listed in order of how much I enjoyed them.
S Tier – Absolutely loved, would return again and again
Japan: If there’s a definition of the perfect tourist destination, it’s Japan. I’ve been four times and visited nearly every region except Hokkaido. It’s affordable, the food is incredible, infrastructure and public transport are world-class, and it offers something for all types of travellers. On top of that, it’s spotless, safe, and the people are exceptionally polite. Can’t speak highly enough of it.
A Tier – Amazing experiences, with some minor drawbacks
Italy / Vatican: Venice is a must-see, and Italy delivers on food, history, and stunning views. Downsides include crowds during peak season and the presence of scammers and pickpockets.
Switzerland: Breathtaking scenery and top-tier infrastructure. Very expensive, and the food didn’t stand out, but nature lovers will be blown away.
New Zealand: North Island is a bit underwhelming, but the South Island is spectacular — arguably rivals Switzerland for natural beauty. Lack of infrastructure means hiring a car is essential.
France: Similar vibe to Italy, but personally felt a bit less impressive overall.
Spain: Great food, more affordable than many Eurozone countries, and lively atmosphere.
B Tier – Enjoyable but with noticeable limitations
China: Amazing food, modern cities, and world-leading infrastructure. Ranked lower due to digital restrictions (firewall, lack of western apps/payment options, not western tourist friendly).
South Korea: Seoul was pretty ordinary, food and scenery didn’t wow me, but the DMZ tour was a highlight. Great transport though.
UAE (Dubai): Surprised me in a good way — the futuristic skyline and desert tour were awesome. Yes i am aware of the ethical concerns like slave labor.
UK (London only): Biased because I’m a big Harry Potter fan — the studio tour was amazing. Also loved Tower Bridge and Tower of London. Food was meh, and homelessness was very visible.
Taiwan: Breakfast food was great, but overall felt average. Street food was mostly deep-fried, and nothing really stood out.
Singapore: Easy to get around, stunning airport, and beautifully green city. That said, it’s small, and I didn’t find the food particularly memorable.
Germany: Didn’t find much exciting outside of Neuschwanstein and Linderhof Castle. Food scene felt bland.
C Tier – Wouldn’t rush back
Hong Kong: Felt like a lesser version of Shanghai. Didn’t find anything that really stood out.
Thailand: Just not my vibe — nightlife didn’t appeal to me.
Malaysia: Felt a bit dull overall. Durian was good though!
Indonesia (Bali): If you stay at a luxury resort and never leave it, it’s great. Outside the resorts, I found infrastructure poor, roads chaotic, and not much to do. Food options were a highlight, though.
D Tier – Not enjoyable, wouldn’t return
Qatar (Doha): Spent two nights there and wanted to leave after a few hours. Felt soulless and boring.
Philippines: Infrastructure is poor, airport was chaotic, food options were the weakest of any Asian country I’ve been to, and overall didn’t feel particularly safe.
I understand your comments on Doha, but I'll add for anyone visiting there - especially on the Qatar Airways free hotel stopover scheme - that it is worth going in for a look around if you have the chance but know that most of the place is new. Even some of the older areas are newly-built recreations. However, if you are an art or history fan, the Museum of Islamic Art is incredible. The collection is so wide and presented in a beautiful building over many levels. After a few hours browsing we had Arabic coffee with sweet dates in the atrium looking out to the Gulf. It was totally worth going.
Hard to compare apples to oranges. I would put it this way:
- For the best in hospitality, heritage, culture, and cuisine: India (Pro tip: If you have the chance, be sure to attend a grand wedding or a large family gathering while you're there! It'll be an unforgettable experience for life. A real glimpse of the culture.)
- For world-class modern attractions, public infrastructure and governance: Singapore
- A developed world experience from a unique perspective: Japan and S Korea (Very hard to interact with locals though due to language and cultural barriers!)
- For serene nature, wildlife and rustic culture: Much of (safer) Africa (Most food is 'organic' in real sense - don't miss some juicy fruits and other produces)
- For the top-level consumerism (it's fun as a tourist), highly dollar-driven society and impressive man-made developments: The USA (Love the freeways, amusement parks, cruises, other holiday options, and lifestyle luxury in general! Much cheaper and more accessible than elsewhere..)
- Reasonably (or very) stunning but unjustifiably expensive: Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and much of Western Europe (Mediocre hospitality too, possibly due to high wages and cost of living)
- For those who love breathtaking mountain ranges and pristine, untouched snow with remote life at the world's highest elevations: India, Nepal (The latter is a bit less developed from facilities and infra/roadways perspective but hey, they got Himalayas!)
Favourite: Singapore, Japan, Hainan (China), Hawaii
Average: Hong Kong, New Zealand, France, Italy, Spain
Worst: Indonesia, Macau, UKThis thread helps explain why Japan is overrun with tourists — pretty much the only country with almost uniformly glowing responses :)
It won't last, when it is eventually turned to shit by the same behaviour and trashing that turned Bali into a drug,alcohol sewer.
5 years,max for the popular locations.It will become an 'effluencer' paradise as they buy up local properties. Another culture corrupted for western curiosity.Another golden goose in the pâté cage.
I'm legitimately concerned by this and noticed that areas with a lot of tourists are the worst places I've encountered in each of the countries.. for example while I loved South Korea, Haeundae was my least liked population. It was tourist heavy, smelt bad, felt dirty yet places like Incheon were so pleasant and clean.
Ironically 15 minutes away from Haeundae was night and day difference clean and little to no tourists.Sadly, the internet has opened up paradise to parasites.
You probably heard the ad "Malaysia Truly Asia" right, went to Kuala Lumpur all excited after hearing about how the local food scene is bigger, better, cheaper than Singapore. Nope, definitely won't go back. The traffic jams are horrible. Racism towards non-Malay, had an incident where the vendor told me he was going to serve his Malay customers first as if my money and lining up didn't matter. Tourist attraction like the Batu Caves while free was dirty and smells. Imagine going to Three Sisters littered with rubbish and smells like a urinal. Surprisingly a huge fan of Bali as long as you avoid the tourist heavy locations like Canggu, Jimbaran and Kuta etc. Had an amazing time hiring our own scooter riding to hidden waterfalls and secluded beaches. It really depends on your Itinerary.
South African and Ukrainian Presidents both said USA.
At the appropriately named 'white' house
Fav - Jamaica
Least Fav - Japan
i think why I like the Jamaica explains why japan was not my cup of teaMakes sense… I enjoyed Japan but would not want to stay long term/live there. There's an air of depression after you stay there too long despite its amazing infrastructure.
Would you please elaborate on what you mean by "air of depression"? Is that in an economic sense or general mood?
Jamaica is in my top ten, despite the Americans being deathly afraid of such an evil, poor place :D
Any tips? I only really know of Negril as a decently safe spot to chill at.
wait i thought everyone was struggling with finances? you guys are travelling??!
"was" travelling…
Now travel between different grocery stores to find cheaper grocerry
Fav - Cyprus , Taiwan
Least Fav - Saudi Arabia, UKFav - Nepal, close second new zealand
Hated - United States, close second Indo (Bali)Favourite - Laos by far. Honest people, beautiful scenery, just an amazing adventure. Met some really wonderful people along the way. Italy a close second, but only parts - Milan is very underrated. Loved Rome. Hated Florence.
Least favourite - Vietnam, no question. I've been meaning to go back because everyone I know that's gone has had a ball, but I just thoroughly hated it. The locals found a new and interesting way to try and scam you everyday (and I've done SEA pretty extensively, I know how it goes).
No other parts of Vietnam you enjoyed? Or was it all ruined by scams?
Going to go with cities because countries have both good and bad places.
Great: Austin, Shanghai, Bangkok, Venice, Taipei
Bad: Delhi, Colombo, Geneva
Fav is Japan. So far all the countries I have been to are nice.
For me it's easy: India and Egypt. India in 2010, and I left Egypt yesterday. You are an ATM on legs there. The harrassment anywhere near tourist areas was constant. 'No' is a word these people do not understand. They'll also double the price after its agreed to.
The attempted scams in Egypt are simply outrageous. My tour guide took me to an alabaster shop, where I was offered a tiny cat statue for US$250. Lol! That's almost 10% of the average yearly income in Egypt. I rolled my eyes and stormed out of the shop, with the scammer running after me to save the deal.
I also have traveller's diarrhea right now, so, thank you Egypt. I tried my best, took Travelan before meals, but no good. You can't avoid it unless you eat chocolate bars and chips your entire visit.
Obviously these countries are very poor and people are desperate to get money. I understand that. And the few touts I met do not represent a country. But the amount of harrassment and hassle was imense. If Egypt didn't have the pyramids, tombs and temples, no one would ever visit.
Ive heard Cairo is a hellscape, but can you / anyone else chime in on the other areas? I've been looking at the Red Sea coast for the diving and thus far I haven't heard it lambasted as thoroughly as Cairo.
I only went to Cairo and Luxor, but if I stayed well away from tourist areas the level of harassment fell to nearly zero. The locals could not care less that you're there, which is the way I like it. Diving is quite a niche activity so I doubt touts are going to be swarming those areas, unless there's a temple or tomb in the area.
The incessant, constant touts obviously don't know this, but the more they hassle me the more likely I am to say no. Keep trying to sell me that service buddy. You're falling on deaf ears.
I don't know what it's like for most foreign tourists in Australia. I have heard of conmen trying the 'beach tax' scam on Asian tourists. Rock up to a family on Bondi Beach and tell them they have to pay beach tax. All the locals already pay it, but the foreigners also need to pay. I have heard figures of up to $80 being charged per person by the conman. I have nothing but contempt for these people as they sour the reputation of the entire country for the tourist through their actions.
For countries I really liked, I would have to say Japan first, and USA second. Japan is simply a joy to get around with so many things to see, and driving on the left helps too. Communication problems? Whip out Google Translate. Austria and Germany were really good too.
I enjoyed my time in the USA and saw a tiny fraction of the country in two weeks. I would happily go back again, although after 2028 as I'm on a US product boycott.
Favourite: Syria (went in 2023), Iran, Israel, Lebanon (food only)
Wouldn't go back: Turkmenistan, Saudi Arabia (any of the Gulf states actually, Levant is fine), Zurich (Switzerland, $$$$), South Korea (was fine but souless), Ukraine (just before covid)
South Korea (was fine but souless)
you mean, Seouless? ;)
No, that's North Korea
Syria, in 2023? Madness. Tell us about it? Such a shame how that country has suffered.
Best would be Thailand (not Phuket) or NZ South Island. Would put Hawaii as worst, but then remembered China.
Amsterdam isn't for me, I found out I dislike the smell of weed and the whole CBD was just gross.
Best country HANDS DOWN….Japan!!
If not for family I would permanantly leave Australia this afternoon!
Im not saying Australia is bad…jut not good for me…for my personality type.
Yehhh nahhh, Japan is a good place to visit but not to live….
why??
from what I've heard (I've been there, got a mate who's lived there for over 10 years) you will always be a 'foreigner', the big company work culture is full-on, and quite surprisingly - although very efficient with public transport, their banking system and general level of tech within goverment is exceptionally low - lots of forms to fill out, faxes are still HUGE, in-person meetings for trivial things etc. Yeah, I found it fascinating for sure but I prefer gritty, beautiful chaos (egypt, india, nepal etc)!
@buckerooni: This. They don't make it easy for foreigners to live there, even if you're an overseas born Japanese you'll still be seen as an outsider… I love visiting Japan but the work culture and overall social norms is too full on for me.
Here's mine: pre-2020.
Fave: Russia. Controversial view I know, especially now but I travelled there in 2016 and loved it. As an Australian they found me interesting and was willing to have a chat and practice their English and talk about AC-DC and kangaroos but their mood changed however when speaking to UK or US travellers. Minus St. Petersburg which is rife with pick pocketers it felt safe, even in the middle of Siberia.
Slovenia - beautiful scenery. Lithuania.
Dislike: Morocco. As a white guy, i couldn't walk five metres without a hawker shoving their crappy goods in my face expecting me to by it. Every time I got my camera or phone out it felt like it would be snatched by someone. (Especially in Tangier)
Spain. Barcelona full of pickpockers and buskers in the middle of the intersections holding drivers to ransom to pay a fee to pass. Costa del Sol full of drunken UK/Irish tourists. Madrid was great, less tourists and more "authentic"
I been to London (UK), USA , Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Indian Subcontinent
Loved Singapore.
Malaysia food was really goodI'm glad you clarified which London, as I assumed you visited this one:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London,_Ohio
lol
The more I visit a location/country, the least fav it becomes…Based on that concept, Australia is my least fav destination😜
Sometimes I find vacationing is strange. Living in Sydney, I find it's silly to spend hours in the cold pushing through thousands of pp just to watch Vivid's drone show.
But as a tourist, I spent hours to queue for, like Westminster Abbey or a (Internet) famous Beijing Duck restaurant…
Iceland and Namibia are my favourites. I can’t split them into a single favoruite.
Albania and Madagascar would never return to. If I had to choose one… Albania. Just.
Albo's new unrealised capital gains tax is going to make many many upper middle class people leave for good.
Imagine you had an investment house for 20 year and paid land tax but since you never sold it no capital gains tax. New is going to be a tax on income NOT earned.
Say REA tells albo your house you bought 20 years ago for 500k is now worth 4 millions. So you get taxed on the 3.5 million unrealised pretend to be tax. Then the market crashes and you sell it for 2 millions but hey you were taxed on the old high price. Australia will be the new Venezuela!