Still clinging to your hometown like it’s doing you favors? Cute. Meanwhile, the rest of the world is out here serving wine from fountains and letting goats teach yoga. These countries are low-key crushing it—and frankly, you deserve better. So, pack up, buttercup. Your new life starts with this list.
Japan – Where Toilets Judge You Less Than Humans Do
The land of vending machines, toilet symphonies, and people who apologize for your mistakes! In Japan, you can buy anything from steaming hot ramen to used school uniforms via vending machine. It’s capitalism’s final form, and honestly, it’s majestic and mildly terrifying.
Toilets here do more than flush—they heat, play music, and squirt you with precision engineering. You haven’t lived until a toilet seat welcomes you in Japanese.
Even public trains arrive at the second. If your 3:04 is late by a minute, there will be a televised press conference and nationwide mourning.
Italy – Free Wine Fountain and Zero Shame About Carbs
Oh, Italy! Where wine flows freely and nobody does anything before espresso. In the town of Ortona, there’s literally a fountain that pours out red wine! We better schedule a visit now.
Aside from that, you know pizza was born here, right? Which already puts them above other nations! But they took it further by adding opera, emotional hand gestures, and judgmental grandmothers.
Every Italian meal includes seven courses, three existential debates, and unsolicited fashion critiques. You will be insulted—but lovingly, with balsamic vinegar on the side.
Iceland – No Mosquitoes, Yes to Elf-Zoning Laws
Fun fact: Iceland has zero mosquitoes! Yes. None. They simply decided those pests were beneath them and banished them to countries with worse skin care routines and hotter summers.
Elves, known as the “hidden people,” are also a big deal. Roads and buildings have been rerouted to avoid squishing their invisible cottages. Your HOA could never.
What’s more to Iceland? Well, their dating apps include a genealogy checker to avoid cousin-kissing! That’s right—this country is so small and well-organized that even their awkward moments come with data protection.
Australia – Every Animal Wants to Kill You, and It’s Fine
Australia is like nature’s rollercoaster: snakes, spiders, and swooping birds trying to unalive you, all set against sunsets that look like Windows XP wallpapers. (Everything can kill you, but you’ll die near a stunning beach.)
Locals are so chill, and they casually barbecue with sharks swimming nearby. Their reaction to danger is usually, “Ah, yeah, she’ll be right,” followed by a beer.
Also, they use the word “thongs” to mean flip-flops. If that alone doesn’t convince you to immigrate, you’re clearly not into chaotic linguistic energy.
France – Where Dogs Dine Out and Cheese Has a Police Force
A nation where even the dogs have better manners than you. Dogs in Paris are allowed inside restaurants, sit politely at tables, and probably know more about Bordeaux pairings than you do. It’s humiliating and inspiring.
France is home to a literal cheese police—inspectors who ensure your brie is brie-ing correctly. There are regulations on mold levels. Mold. They inspect your mold.
Every region has its own wine, cheese, and passive-aggressive feud with the next region over. French identity is like a deliciously fermented soap opera.
Switzerland – Every Citizen Has a Bunker, Just in Case You Text Your Ex
They have underground bunkers for every citizen. Not for a zombie apocalypse, but just in case the world forgets how to handle itself again. Sensible panic, honestly. Switzerland is ready for anything!
Cows in Switzerland are celebrated like celebrities, too. Floral headdresses, ceremonial parades, and names like “Butterbelle.” It’s rural royalty and the bovine version of the Met Gala.
And if you drop trash in public, a concerned yodeler may emerge from the hills to correct you. That’s not confirmed, but it feels spiritually accurate.
Brazil – Meat on Swords and Jesus Watching From a Hill
Rio’s Carnival is so wild that your clothing disappears in the music and feathers rain from the heavens. It’s Mardi Gras with more glitter and less structural integrity.
And oh, they serve meat on literal swords (yum!), brought to your table by a server who looks like a Marvel stunt double. Vegetarians may be gently ignored.
Brazil also has a Jesus statue the size of a skyscraper, arms out like he’s ready for a group hug with all of Latin America. If you’re not feeling protected by the divine, consider Brazil different!
Canada – Apologies Are Mandatory and So Is Maple Syrup
If you bump into a Canadian, they will apologize for existing. It’s a national sport, and their Olympic team would absolutely medal in “Sorry, Eh?”
Healthcare is free, the scenery is stunning, and their prime ministers occasionally snowboard. Your government can’t even pass a budget without dramatic table slapping.
Some towns fine you for swearing, but only if you do it meanly. Swear sweetly, and you’re golden. It’s like Canada is emotionally coaching the world.
New Zealand – More Sheep Than People and You Can Be a Hobbit
New Zealand is the real-life Middle-earth, and no, that’s not an exaggeration. They literally trademarked “100% Pure New Zealand.” Modesty? Never heard of her.
There are more sheep than people here, so you’ll never feel judged unless you’re a bad shearer. Even then, the sheep are silent critics.
Also, they do war dances before sports matches. Imagine if your soccer team roared at the enemy and slapped their thighs rhythmically before kickoff. Instant intimidation.
Bhutan – Gross National Happiness Is Their Actual Metric
Bhutan measures success in Gross National Happiness, which means they care more about your vibes than your bank account. Finally, a country that gets us.
Tobacco and plastic are banned, which is bad news for smokers and bubble wrap collectors. But great news for clean lungs and anxious dolphins.
Landing at Bhutan’s airport requires dodging mountains. Only a handful of pilots can do it. If you arrive alive, you’re automatically respected—and mildly traumatized.
South Korea – Refrigerators Exist Solely for Kimchi
There are refrigerators designed just for storing kimchi. Not milk. Not leftovers. A $2,000 machine to preserve fermented cabbage. That’s what you call culinary dedication.
You can rent a fake boyfriend, mother, or wedding guest for social occasions. South Korea: Solving your social anxiety with capitalism since 1998.
Their themed cafés include raccoons, sheep, and poop emojis. Yes, there’s a bathroom-themed café. You sip lattes in a toilet bowl. It’s disturbing and delightful.
Portugal – Illegal to Pee in the Ocean and Bats Guard Libraries
Portugal made it illegal to pee in the ocean. Not just frowned upon—illegal. That’s how committed they are to clean waves and public shaming.
In one library, bats are kept as natural pest control. They protect books by eating insects. At night, the scholars become superheroes in tiny capes.
Sidewalks in Lisbon are so beautiful that you forget to look up. Then you trip, fall, and break your ankle—but at least you did it artistically. Gorgeous views, tight laws, and bat-infested libraries (in a good way)- that’s Portugal, folks!
Finland – Home of ‘Pantsdrunk’ and Screaming Alone in Cabins
In Finland, silence is a sign of respect, not awkwardness. If no one talks to you for hours, congratulations—you’re now part of their inner circle. We’ll call you “The Silent Sanctuary” group. Kidding.
They invented “pantsdrunk,” the noble art of getting tipsy in your underwear. It’s a national pastime, not a cry for help. Finland knows self-care.
Did you know public screaming cabins exist there? People can release their stress into the void. It’s like therapy, but with more echo and fewer co-pays.
Argentina – Tango Therapy and Steak for Your Soul
Argentine steaks are so perfectly grilled that they could bring vegetarians to tears. They’re cooked over open flames like some ancient meat-based ritual of seduction.
Tango was also invented here, which is basically vertical foreplay with excellent footwork. Dancing in Argentina is foreplay, cardio, and a crying session rolled into one.
And Buenos Aires has more therapists per capita than anywhere on Earth! Don’t worry about therapist shortage! They will make sure you’re analyzed, understood, and probably recommended a Freudian podcast.
South Africa – Wine Tastings and Lions on the Same Day
Cape Town looks like someone painted paradise and then added mountains, beaches, and extremely photogenic penguins just for the Instagram likes.
You can go wine tasting and see a lion within the same afternoon. It’s like Disneyland, if Disneyland had more teeth and fewer screaming toddlers.
Also, baboons occasionally steal tourists’ snacks. Welcome to the real jungle, where your lunch is their lunch, and your fear is their comedy.
Norway – Trolls Get Road Signs and Prisons Look Like Spas
Norway has actual road signs warning drivers about trolls! Not figuratively—real mythical creatures with better property rights than some renters. Scandinavia doesn’t play with folklore.
They also experience “Polar Night,” where the sun doesn’t rise for weeks. That’s not depression—it’s ambiance. Perfect for writing brooding poetry in a cabin with elk.
What’s more interesting? Their prisons look like IKEA catalogs! Inmates have flat-screens and chef knives. Meanwhile, your college dorm had black mold and a shared spoon. Damn.
Thailand – Monkey Buffets Are a Government-Sanctioned Event
Thai street food is so good that it’ll make you cry in public. Pad Thai, mango sticky rice, and questionable chili levels await on every corner.
There are more temples than Starbucks, and monks casually ride mopeds while scrolling through Instagram. Enlightenment has Wi-Fi and good balance.
Also, they have a monkey festival! That’s not code. Monkeys are literally served a buffet while tourists cheer them on. This is not a drill.
Netherlands – Weed Is Legal, but Everyone Just Bikes Instead
The Netherlands has more bikes than people. Yes, it’s true! If you hear a bell behind you, it’s probably a toddler cyclist with road rage and excellent helmet fashion.
You might not believe this, but Amsterdam legalized weed so hard that locals got bored of it. They now prefer arguing about cheese aging and canal maintenance.
Also, there’s a museum dedicated to cats in art. Finally, someone said what we were all thinking: “More feline-themed oil paintings, please.”
Greece – Feta, Philosophy, and Tripping Over History
Greece invented democracy, drama, and feta—basically, everything that matters. They also yell a lot, but only because they care (and you’re wrong).
Ancient ruins are everywhere. You might be buying a gyro and trip over a 2,000-year-old column. History is aggressive and casually scattered.
They serve coffee so strong that it sees into your soul and asks about your unresolved childhood issues—therapy, but with foam.
Turkey – Tea Dictates Social Hierarchy and Cats Run the Streets
Turkey drinks more tea than any other country, and they do it with ceremony. Declining tea twice is polite. Declining a third time makes you the enemy.
Cats in Turkey are basically public figures. They stroll through mosques, shops, and cafés like they own the place. Most have more Instagram followers than you ever will.
Also, Turkish mosques are so stunning that they could humble your ancestors and make your apartment feel ashamed. You’ll stare at a dome, rethink life, then trip over a centuries-old mosaic because your brain stopped working.
Spain – Tomato War, Siestas, and Dinner at Midnight
In Spain, the day doesn’t start until 10 a.m., and dinner happens after 9 p.m. Time is fluid here, especially when tapas and wine are involved.
The siesta is real—an actual midday nap that the entire country respects. If your boss doesn’t understand it, tell them Spain said it’s medically necessary.
Spain hosts La Tomatina, a giant tomato-throwing war where everyone leaves covered in marinara sauce. It’s sticky, chaotic, and somehow still less stressful than office email threads. A must-watch!
Germany – Beer Steins Bigger Than Babies and Word Inventions for Sad Bacon
Germans are famously punctual. Arriving late is basically a war crime. Their trains are precise enough to make atomic clocks feel insecure and irrelevant.
Beer flows freely here, especially at Oktoberfest, where people drink from mugs bigger than toddlers. It’s not alcoholism—it’s cultural preservation with foam and bratwurst.
They also have a word for literally everything. Kummerspeck means “grief bacon.” Yes, even your emotional eating has a name. Germany sees you, and it understands.
Kenya – Zebras in Traffic and Marathoners as Neighbors
In Kenya, national parks exist within city limits. That means your Uber ride might include elephants crossing. Road rage doesn’t stand a chance against a Rhino detour.
The high-altitude towns here produce the fastest runners alive. You’ll feel out of shape simply watching people jog while you wheeze after opening a juice box.
Also, the Great Rift Valley is stunning enough to make your soul exit your body for a better view. It’s nature’s version of a humble brag.
Sweden – Coffee Pauses Are Legally Sacred (Fika or Die)
Swedes take their coffee seriously with “fika,” a daily pause for caffeine and deep emotional processing over cinnamon buns. Therapy? No thanks, they’ve got pastries.
Their design aesthetic is clean and sleek, making your IKEA assembly disasters feel like crimes against modernity. Even their trash bins look suspiciously well-adjusted!
And don’t forget the northern lights—Sweden’s free light show that makes up for months of darkness and seasonal introspection. You’ll cry, and you’ll look gorgeous doing it.
Mexico – Radish Carving Festivals and Midnight Tacos
Tacos here aren’t just food—they’re holy. You haven’t lived until you’ve eaten al pastor from a cart at 2 a.m. next to a dog and mariachi.
Mexican holidays go hard. Día de los Muertos is a beautiful, skull-painted party where people honor ancestors with food and dance. Your family reunion could never.
And let’s talk about lucha libre: masked wrestling meets theater. It’s body slams, glitter, and emotional catharsis with capes. Oscars, take notes. Mexico has a cultural heat enough to melt your flip-flops!
Austria – Classical Music, Opera-Level Mountains, and Chocolate That Judges You
Austria gave us Mozart, and they haven’t shut up about it since! Their coffee shops double as performance venues and philosophical debate centers with whipped cream.
Imagine the Alps looming over you like gentle giants, reminding you to ski better or die trying. What a beauty! You could also enjoy hot chocolate in the lodge while judging others. Smirks.
Vienna’s streets look like they were designed by angels with OCD. Cobblestones, palaces, and chandeliers? Yes. Graffiti? Only if it’s in cursive.
Czech Republic – Castles, Cheap Beer, and Elite Sarcasm
Prague has more beer than bottled water, and it’s often cheaper. This is not a drill. Hydration now comes with hops and existential conversations.
Czechia has more castles than Disney’s entire marketing team. They pop out of forests like fantasy real estate no one told you was on the market.
And if you love sarcasm, you have to visit here ASAP. Czechs speak sarcasm as a native tongue! Their humor is drier than your moisturizer-deprived winter skin—and 10 times more refreshing.
Indonesia – Monkeys Will Rob You, and Volcanoes Might Bless You
Indonesia is an archipelago with over 17,000 islands. Pick one. Live your life. Forget your taxes. Just beware of casual lava flows from sacred volcanoes. Always keep yourself updated with advisories!
They also have Balinese ceremonies, which involve flower offerings, traditional music, and sometimes trance dancing. Your cousin’s destination wedding, by comparison, was weak and overpriced.
Also, monkeys will rob you. Sunglasses, snacks, dignity—they don’t discriminate. You’ll be furious and charmed at the same time.
Poland – Haunted Buildings and Emotional Dumplings (Pierogi Therapy)
Poland serves up pierogi stuffed with everything from potatoes to your last shred of emotional stability. One bite, and suddenly you’re texting your ex in Polish.
The architecture is gothic, tragic, and beautiful enough to inspire multiple black-and-white films that win awards for “vibes.” Prepare to romanticize everything, even your coffee break.
Also, rumor has it that almost every building has a ghost! They’re friendly, passive-aggressive, and fluent in local gossip. Paranormal? More like par-normal.
Morocco – Carpet Salesmen Who Could Sell You Air
Moroccan souks are labyrinths full of carpets, lanterns, and shopkeepers who could sell air. You’ll leave broke, happy, and slightly unsure of what just happened.
Mint tea is served in acrobatic fashion—poured from alarming heights into tiny glasses with enough sugar to resuscitate your worst day.
And camels? Not just transportation—cultural icons! If you haven’t ridden one while wearing flowing linen, are you even living?
Philippines – Karaoke Is Law, and Strangers May Adopt You
Jeepneys are painted like graffiti met a disco ball and had transport babies. Riding one feels like a carnival and a concussion rolled into one.
If you visit the Philippines, always remember that Filipinos take karaoke seriously—like Olympic-level seriously. Someone’s tita will belt Whitney Houston in a backyard, and you’ll question your entire musical education.
Hospitality here is UNREAL. Strangers will feed you, hug you, and offer to adopt you before you finish saying “hello.” Emotionally whiplashing and wonderful.
Singapore – You Can Get Fined for Being a Hot Mess
Chewing gum is illegal. Spitting on the street? Fined. Jaywalking? Public shaming. Singapore is where chaos goes to get power-washed and politely redirected.
It’s also a sci-fi dreamscape. Trees light up, malls span universes, and you can eat Michelin-starred chicken rice for the price of a sad sandwich.
Despite the rules, food stalls thrive. Hawker centers are culinary temples where locals queue for perfection. It’s democratic deliciousness with a side of chili crab.
Egypt – Ancient Geometry, Cat Deities, and Sunburn Regret
Egyptians built pyramids with math that would break your calculator. Then they buried kings in them and dared you to find the hidden room.
Most importantly, they owned the Nile, which runs through history and modern life, and at least five Instagram photo shoots daily. It’s a river, a mood, and sometimes a traffic route for goats.
Also, cats were gods. Still are, kind of. Stroke one and gain divine favor—or rabies, depending on your luck. So, good luck!
Ireland – Pubs Double as Group Therapy and the Rain Won’t Stop
The Irish countryside is aggressively scenic, like nature’s apology for colonization. Even the sheep have better real estate than most New Yorkers.
Locals speak with accents that sound like lullabies wrapped in sarcasm. You’ll be insulted without even realizing it, and you’ll say thank you.
And the pubs? Therapy with beer. A place where your deepest feelings are shouted over fiddles and spilled Guinness. The tourist-favorite!
Sri Lanka – Elephants, Cinnamon, and Enlightenment by Train
Sri Lanka is a peaceful place where monks and surfers coexist—until a tuk-tuk cuts someone off, and enlightenment is rescheduled.
Who else here loves cinnamon? Then, what are you waiting for? Visit Sri Lanka! They grow the best cinnamon in the world! One whiff and your baked goods will legally be considered sorcery.
Train rides here wind through jungles and mist like a Miyazaki film. You’ll cry, wave at farmers, and question your nine-to-five job. You would wish to stay here permanently after your two-week vacation ends!
Belgium – Waffles Are a Civil War and Statues Pee Proudly
Belgium makes hundreds of beers, each served in its own glass. Order wrong, and the bartender will judge you in three languages simultaneously. Beware.
Waffles here are Civil War. Brussels versus Liège. Pick one and prepare to defend your sugary allegiance with tooth-shattering commitment. That’s how big of a deal waffles are for Belgians!
They also have a peeing boy statue that’s globally famous. No one knows why. It just is. And now you do too. I shouldn’t be alone in this. Winks.
Tanzania – Safari is Just a Tuesday and Lions Nap in Public
In Tanzania, lions casually nap in the shade while tourists panic quietly in Jeeps. It’s like Jurassic Park but with better sunsets and fewer lawsuits.
Mount Kilimanjaro watches over everything like a patient god. Climbing it is a spiritual journey—or a chance to cry while hiking and lying about altitude sickness.
Also, the Serengeti migration makes your morning commute feel deeply inadequate. Zebras have better time management than most office workers.
United Arab Emirates – Indoor Skiing and Robot Camel Jockeys
Dubai has vending machines that dispense gold. Why? Banks are for peasants, and ATMs need to step up their game. (My broke self couldn’t handle this information!)
Do you think ATMs dispensing gold are already strange? Well, wait till you find out that you can ski indoors in a mall surrounded by palm trees outside! It’s a contradiction and a flex wrapped in air conditioning.
And yes, camel racing is a thing. But instead of humans riding the camel, they use robotic jockeys. Because… obviously? We’re living in a world where ethics matters.
Vietnam – Scooters Everywhere and Coffee Stronger Than Regret
Crossing the street in Hanoi is like auditioning for a Fast & Furious film—just walk and hope the scooters see your soul. If they don’t, you’ll turn into a soul. Kidding!
Vietnamese iced coffee is the talk of the town, too! It’s rocket fuel. Sweet, dangerous, and utterly addictive. Your sleep schedule will die, but your taste buds will ascend.
Pho is sacred. It’s not soup—it’s a healing potion. Slurp it properly or face gentle but persistent judgment from every grandmother present.
Hungary – Thermal Baths and Paprika-Fueled Gothic Glory
Budapest has more spas than Starbucks. People soak all day and emerge looking ten years younger and mildly reborn. Would you rather have that?
If you think Paprika is just a spice. Here, it’s a religion. They sprinkle it like fairy dust on everything, including your ego. BURN.
Also, the Parliament building looks like it was designed by Dracula during his Pinterest era. It’s gothic, gorgeous, and utterly overqualified. Are you planning to shoot a vampire-themed Netflix series? This is your location!
Nepal – Everest, Monks, and Cows That Stop Traffic
We all know Everest lives here, towering over everything like the final boss of hiking. Climb it, or just respect it from a responsible distance.
Expect cows to roam freely when you move here because they’re sacred. Traffic yields. People yield. You yield. It’s cow country now.
Monasteries dot the hills like peaceful Wi-Fi dead zones. Silence isn’t awkward here—it’s expected, respected, and probably meditating.
Estonia – You Can Be a Citizen Without Even Visiting
Estonia lets you become a digital citizen from your laptop. Taxes, voting, and forming companies can all be done in pajamas. Could you believe that? Wait, we’re signing up.
The forests are dense, eerie, and oddly comforting, like a fairy tale with better Wi-Fi and fewer wolves. All your pains and tiredness will be washed away as you swim in their rivers!
One thing about Estonians is that they’re famously introverted. They won’t talk to you, but they’ll build a world-class app to express themselves emotionally. This is kind of relatable, honestly.
Colombia – Salsa Is Therapy and Coffee Is Religion
Colombia has entire towns painted like Instagram filters. When you walk through Guatapé, you assume someone hacked reality with a color palette.
Coffee isn’t just a drink here—it’s a rite of passage. Farms are open to visitors who want to taste heaven with a hint of earth. Coffee that is fresh from the farm instead of factory-processed? We’re drooling!
And when they dance salsa, it’s not just for fun. It’s therapy, seduction, and exercise disguised as joy. As you sway your hips, your problems dance away from you!
Lebanon – People Are Hot, Baklava Is Hotter, and Beirut Parties Through Chaos
Beirut parties through blackouts, political upheavals, and hangovers. If resilience were a nightclub, this city would headline every night.
Baklava here is not just dessert—it’s a seduction wrapped in phyllo. You’ll weep from joy, then demand the recipe from someone’s grandmother.
Also, the people? Universally hot. Even their baristas look like Vogue models who survived civil wars and still had time for perfect eyebrows.
Malta – The Island So Pretty It Keeps Getting Cast in Movies
Malta is so small that you can walk across it in a day—if you don’t stop every 10 feet to take photos like an influencer in crisis.
Ancient temples, medieval streets, and seas are so blue that they legally qualify as a personality. Malta punches way above its size.
Also, it’s been the backdrop for everything from Game of Thrones to Gladiator. Your life will feel like a movie, minus the dragons.