As part of our Travel More- Explore More series here are our 17 Amazing Countries that you should be visiting this year.

The list was curated really simply- these are countries that we love. Some we’ve been to. Others are on our list of places to get to.

Australia

The land down under. A ridiculous nick name but alas one us Australians must learn to live with. Australia is unsurprisingly a huge country with a lot to offer even the fussiest traveller. The East Coast is where you’ll see most of the action happening, with three major cities Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. For a more remote experience head down south to Tasmania or across west to Western Australia. Just a note – everything is a lot more expensive out West.

Whilst located in the Asia Pacific region Australia is not a dirt cheap tourist haven. Expect to pay prices similar to major European countries for things like accommodation and food.

Australia is generally speaking, a country that loves sport, wine, beer and coffee.

New Zealand

Ah New Zealand, aka Kiwi Land. Australia’s rebellious little sister who broke away so many million years ago. Yet still desperately trying to be cool like Australia.

New Zealand, when not being shaken up by earth quakes, is a fascinatingly beautiful country to visit. Without a doubt the highlight of travelling New Zealand is seeing the majestic mountains, braided rivers and giggling at the Kiwi accent.

Price wise New Zealand is similar to Australia. As the country has to import just about everything, expect slightly higher prices for food and petrol. The natural beauty of the country does make up for this price increase.

Tip- head down South for an adventure fulled holiday. It’s really easy to get flights and hire a car or campervan.

Raja Ampat, Indonesia

It’s time to step beyond Bali and see what other wonders Indonesia has to offer. Raja Ampat is certainly one of these wonders. Commonly referred to as the Amazon of the Ocean this place is a well known scuba divers secret location. This isn’t the easiest part of Indonesia to get it. The remote location, friendly people and the most amazing waters in the world it’s worth the effort and expense.

There’s no tacky shopping here. You won’t find cheap elephant pants, silly bags or over priced beer. It’s all about nature, luxury and becoming a mermaid. You can swim with manta rays, watch dolphins frollick by over breakfast and find yourself lost in the jungles on one of the many unnamed islands.

Japan

The land of rising sun, late night izakya eats and some truly wonderful history. I love Japan. It was the first country I visited outside of Australia. I love the seamless mixture of ancient culture meets bizarre new world technology. You can be emerged self relfection in the subtle silence of a temple, walk outside and find yourself bemused by a pachinko palour staffed by a robot maid.

Japan is certainly on board the coffee band wagon. Which I’m all for. It’s wonderful to get a Melbourne style coffee in an Asian country. It’s a little comfort from home with a local twist.

Japan is another country that gets the nasty expensive label. It certainly isn’t Sth East Asia cheap. Every time we’ve been our budget has certainly been more backpacker then not. One of the marvellous things about Japan is the huge domestic travel. Meaning that there is a lot of accommodation options. Hostels, hotels, Air B&B, love hotels, capsule hotels…

Myanmar

Myanmar, previously known as Burma, has been high on the backpackers list for a few years now. Recently we’ve seen the introduction of more widely available ATM’s, a better mobile phone network and ease of visa entry. Allowing even the most timid traveller a chance to explore a fairly unique developing country.

The Burmese people are lovely and helpful. They haven’t yet adopted the common Sth East Asia scams. Also on a side note haggling over prices really isn’t the done thing here. Even when I was trying to get the same price per item to buy up gifts for friends back home. So don’t be upset or angry when you aren’t getting things super cheap in an already amazingly cheap country.

Tips- Take clean fresh USD $. Yes there are ATM’s on mass but these aren’t always turned on.
There is a well worn tourist trail that loops between Yangon, Inle Lake, Bagan, Mandalay and Hsi Paw. These are some easy places to get to without needing additional permits. Go check out our good friend Will”s guide on backpacking Myanmar.

Cambodia

The Kingdom of Cambodia has so much to offer travellers of any variety. Except the sex tourists. Please don’t go here to buy little girls. It’s really in very poor taste. For the rest of us normal folk Cambodia has a wealth of history, culture and delicious food on offer. Don’t pass by the amok. It’s still a dish I crave for.

There are a few semi-set tourists routes which does make getting around a lot easier and cheaper. Mini van buses do the rounds between the big cities. If you’re more of a travel the road less travelled kinda person then hire yourself a scooter or mountain bike adn go explore.

No trip to Cambodia is complete without a visit to Angkor Wat. Yes it’s touristy. Yes you have to pay. But in all honesty it’s become description the magnitude and beauty. Your imagination goes wild as you walk through arch ways designed for elephants to carry the king. Allow a few days to truly explore these ancient wonders.

Vietnam

Good morning Vietnam! Such a cheesy call but it’s got to be done. Thankfully the rest of the country is less cheesy and more wonder. You’ll notice the unique mixture of Communism meets French colonialism in the streets in Ho Chi Minh. Without a doubt a highlight of Vietnam is the coffee. Glorious, hot and iced coffee.

Vietnam is a hot spot destination for backpackers and families alike. It’s easy to see why. Overall it’s affordable. Transport via bus, train or plane is easy to arrange. There’s jungles, beaches and mountains. And coffee. Win win!

Philippines

It really is more fun in the Philippines. From driving out of Manila airport into the city via the thick of traffic, to adventures in eating and generally relaxing on a lonely beach. The Philippines has some of the most magnificent beaches in the world. The people are friendly and it is rather easy to get around. You just need a pinch of patience and some spare time up your sleeve. Like many other countries in the region don’t super tightly pack your itinerary, as things will and do go slightly askew.

The Philippines is still a hot spot for romantic adventures away and lonely backpackers. There’s something here for just about everyone.

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan has just realised how cool a country it really is.

This is certainly another great country for the adventure traveller including mountain tops, glaciers, coniferous woods, large rocky canyons, pristine mountain lakes and amazing rivers.  Let’s not forget horse back riding, skiing and generally awesome adventures are on offer.

Mongolia

If you have a keen sense of adventure, a love for mountains and are generally a fun loving happy person than Mongolia should be  on your list of places to have an adventure in 2017. The country is small, land locked and bordered by Russia and China. Fun communist times you’re thinking by now. Well yes there is still a truly unique communist heritage amongst the thousands of years old history. But really to enjoy Mongolia you need to push yourself beyond the political mayhem of the past 100 odd years and embrace this ancient culture.

Mongolia offers mountains, rivers, desserts. It’s the perfect unique country for the traveller that wants to travel the road less travelled, embrace local culture and vodka. All the vodka. It’s not a Mongolian adventure unless you’ve drunk vodka and airag. Or if you are more into the historical side of life you can visit ancient monasteries.

Scotland

Scotland has captured my heart and many other travellers too. Not only is it my ancestral home its also a stunningly beautiful country, with wonderfully welcoming and warm people. The Scottish hospitality is some of the best in the world. You might not be able to understand what they are saying all the time but rest assured it’s usually helpful.

The thing about Scotland is that you need to get out of the cities and exploring the Highlands and the islands off the coast. Sprinkled with magic, ancient castle ruins and fairly decent whiskey it’s a no brainer as to why you should be visiting here this year.

Denmark

Such a stylish country that isn’t normally on the list of places to go. Copenhagen is a beautiful photogenic city. Some people may complain about the cost but we’re in Europe and it certainly isn’t one of the cheaper post-communism countries. There are a lot of options to keep costs down, like not eating and drinking on the main tourist strips.

Overall Denmark is a wonderful country to spend a few days exploring and pretending to be a viking. It’s easy and affordable to get trains outside of Copenhagen and explore the countryside. Aarhus is definitely a city to be on your to visit list.

Guyana

Located in South America and not South Africa. Guyana is an adventure travellers dream destination. If you are into obsecure, off the beaten path places then Guyana is for you. The country is small in size and population but big in community, giant animals, waterfalls and fun. You’ll find stunning beaches, mystical jungles and large expanses of wide open lands.

There’s no easy way to put this- travel in Guyana is expensive. There are a few DIY options or you can go with a tour company. Why so expensive? Well the country is rich in natural resources and rum. Not a whole lot more. So a lot of things, especially fuel, needs to be imported. There’s a lot of big mountains and jungles in between towns. Resulting in mildly expensive and difficult logistics to get things in and out.

Fun fact- Guyana is the only country in Sth America that speaks English. You’ll notice as you walk around George Town and other larger towns the Dutch and British influence from prior colony days.

Peru

Mountains, desserts, beaches, ancient history AND pisco sours. What more can an adventure traveller ask for? Peru has so much on offer for travellers that it’s no wonder this small country consistently makes these kind of lists.

Bolivia

Bolivia is an amazing country often ignored on the South American trail. Which seems so strange as it has so much on offer. Perhaps the teeny tiny size of this colourful country turns people off. Bolivia boasts some of the worlds most colourful and Instagram worthy markets, the White city of Sucre and who could by pass a photo opportunity at the Salar de Uyuni. An area that seems to be from space, the salt flats are at an altitude of nearly 12,000ft and nearly 5000 sq miles in area.

Chile

Wine. Horse back adventures. Skiing. Glacier hikes. Desserts. Patagonia. Atacama Desert.

Do I need to say anymore? No I don’t but I will. Chile has some of the most amazing biodiveresity in the world. With some truly amazing polar opposite. The Atacama Desert is the driest non-polar region on Earth, receiving less then 20ml of rain per year. At the other end of the scale you can go skiing in the summer time.

Argentina

Have you ever considered becoming a wine drinking, steak eating gaucho? I have. Ponies have long been part of the Argentinian lifestyle. As have great food and wine. So this country really is a no brainer as to why you should pack your bags and get here.

Who wouldn’t want to trek on down to Ushuaia to visit the end of the world? While you’re there you might as well visit Penguin Island, Isla Yécapasela.

So there we have it. A short list of 17 amazing countries that you should visit in 2017. Have we missed any amazing country? Maybe there’s a fabulous adventure that we haven’t listed. Let us know in the comments below.

Just a little FYI- this article was written in partnership with me and me! Any and all views and opinions expressed are entirely my own based on personal experiences when traveling and are honest and factual without any bias. There are no spammy whore affiliate links here. Any links to websites are for your help only.

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