A few days ago, I was exchanging a couple of emails with a friend and TWL reader (you know who you are) about traveling around the world on one of those “around the world” tickets. It is something of a dream of mine and I just haven’t managed the experience yet. I know little about planning an itinerary so my thoughts ran toward my list of places I have yet to visit. I cannot help but feel a little embarrassed for not having already visited a few of these countries, which only means I need to go soon. So in the spirit of “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours,” let’s start off Sunday right with my top 10 countries I haven’t been to, but need to in descending order.

10. Argentina/Uruguay
I have added these two together because I am drawn to both countries and would never make a trip to one without stopping at the other.

9. Cambodia
Two words, Angkor Wat. I have more words about why to see Cambodia, but the two are enough to justify the visit.

8. Turkey
Over the last five years, I have had more stories submissions come in about Turkey to ITKT than any other place. I should see what I am missing.

7. Kenya
I am not sure of Kenya has the best safari possibilities, just the most familiar one.

6. Oman
I have heard too many good things about Muscat from too many travelers that I respect.

5. Cuba
Please don’t tell me I can’t go and expect me not to want to go. This is before music, food and communism is added into the interest mix.

4. Jordan
The origin of civilization, maybe? I sent an ITKT writer there a few years back and I have been jealous ever since.

3. Madagasca
The lemurs alone make it of particular interest.


2. Mongolia

I want to travel with a nomadic family and live in a yurt for a week. I doubt I will ever get this lucky, but still nice to consider.

1. Papua New Guinea
(which with any luck should happen this year)
There is simply too many different cultures and too much flora and fauna diversity to miss. Maybe the most interesting place on Earth.

Ask me tomorrow, and I will probably have a different list, but for now, planning this adventure has me drooling. I think I will add my top ten travel list for places I have already been for next week.

What’s your list?

Photo by me. Map by the Wizard of New Zealand (placing south and New Zealand at the top of the world)

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