I’ve been to over 80 countries, and there are 5 that stand out from the rest

• I’ve traveled to over 80 countries, and some stood out more than others.

• Spain, Vietnam, Ecuador, Morocco, and Indonesia have so much to offer to tourists.

• I’ve spent at least a week in each of the five countries, and I’d return to any in a heartbeat.

I’ve been to over 80 countries, so people always ask me for firsthand vacation advice.

I thought narrowing my lengthy list down to a top five would be challenging, but it came quite easily.

Although there’s no way to fully take in an entire country as a tourist — even if you go multiple times — I’ve spent one to four weeks in each of these spots and visited more than once.

Based on my plentiful international travel experiences, here are the five countries I think everyone should visit.

Spain is my favorite country for many reasons.

First and foremost, the people I’ve met in Spain have been friendly, inviting, and love to celebrate life. I feel like they’ve taught me the importance of slowing down to enjoy both the little and big moments.

There are so many diverse cities, towns, and islands to explore, but my favorites are Valencia, Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Marbella, Granada, Seville, San Sebastián, Mallorca, Ibiza, and Formentera.

I’ve learned about medieval architecture and the Moorish influence in Granada, visited the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Seville, dined on phenomenal food and wine in San Sebastián, and beach-hopped in Mallorca.

Food is important to me when I travel, and some of my favorite Spanish dishes are seafood paella, patatas bravas, tortilla Española, and Galician octopus.

Vietnam has diverse landscapes, delicious food, and friendly locals.

My favorite place to visit in Vietnam is Hoi An. Once a trading port, it’s now a charming spot known for the canals that wind through the ancient town.

In Hoi An, I highly recommend booking a basket boat ride in a circular vessel crafted from bamboo and palm leaves.

I also enjoyed sleeping a few nights on a junk boat on Ha Long Bay. My cruise offered kayaking, hiking excursions, and onboard activities like tai chi, karaoke, and cooking classes.

Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi are bustling and unique cities where you can learn about Vietnam’s history and culture, and Sa Pa offers breathtaking scenery of the country’s highlands and rice terraces.

In terms of local food, it’s an absolute must to visit a night market. Don’t leave without trying pho, egg coffee, and a papaya salad.

Ecuador is a beautiful country.

Although all of Ecuador is beautiful and rich in culture, I primarily focus my travels on the Galápagos Islands. It takes about two and a half hours to fly to the famed grouping of 19 islands from the mainland.

Only four of the islands are inhabited and allow for overnight stays. The best way to see the remaining islands is by taking a cruise — I highly recommend Ecoventura’s route and itinerary.

Before each stop, we got a briefing on the ship. Once on the island, we toured with an expert guide who discussed the native flora and fauna.

The Ecuadorian government protects the islands’ unique ecosystems. And seeing species endemic to the islands, such as the giant Galápagos tortoises, marine iguanas, Galápagos finches, and the Galápagos blue-footed boobies, is always a highlight.

Morocco is full of talented artisans, stunning landscapes, and one-of-a-kind shopping.

Marrakech is my favorite city in Morocco, and Jemaa el-Fnaa is its main attraction.

The marketplace features artisans of all sorts selling their beautiful crafts. But you may also see snake charmers, poets, storytellers, and even dentists waiting to extract a tooth.

Although I think the Sahara Desert is the best place to immerse yourself in the local culture, the Agafay Desert is often more doable if you’re short on time. Nothing beats stargazing with an astronomer or riding camels over dunes.

I love visiting Chefchaouen, known as the Blue City, and getting lost in the alleys that flaunt various shades of blue.

In Fez, the walled medina section of the city is a UNESCO Heritage site that feels like an ancient village. Within the walls, you’ll find a labyrinth of alleyways filled with traditional craftsmen, medieval architecture, and a leather tannery.

Although the tannery has a bit of a strong smell, it’s fascinating to see the honeycomb-like pits of different dyes that the tanners soak the leather in.

While in Morocco, be sure to stay in a riad (traditional Moroccan house) for an authentic experience, and don’t miss out on visiting a hammam (bathhouse) to leave with incredibly soft skin.

For food, any tagine dishes and Moroccan mint tea are a must.

Indonesia holds a special place in my heart.

I spent a month solo traveling around Indonesia, and the experience was impactful. It was very much an “Eat, Pray, Love” era for me.

I went to Bali, the Gili Islands, and Nusa Penida and met tons of fellow solo travelers and digital nomads, so I never felt lonely.

Of all the destinations, Bali is the place to “find yourself.” I highly enjoyed immersing myself in nature, eating natural foods, and visiting a healer.

I also took scooter lessons before renting one and spent weeks driving around different areas of Bali.

The village of Canggu is the perfect place to meet other nomads, shop at cute boutiques, and hop around trendy coffee shops. And Uluwatu has beautiful hidden beaches and stunning sunsets.

Beyond Bali, the Gili Islands are perfect for laid-back relaxation and beautiful marine life, and Nusa Penida has breathtaking cliff views.

The best dishes I tried during my travels were nasi goreng (fried rice), mie goreng (noodles), and gado-gado (salad with peanut sauce).

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