An entrepreneur who’s travelled to more than 100 countries has named his five favourite nations, including one with a “fairy tale city”. Mike Swigunski, an “eight-figure entrepreneur” and TEDx speaker who’s travelled the globe, posed an interesting question to his more than 5,000 YouTube subscribers.
He asked where they would pick if they could only visit five countries for the rest of their lives, a “fun” thought experiment he’d previously conducted with a few of his friends. He then shared his own favourites, with his list spanning from the Americas to Europe and all the way to Asia. Among his picks were a nation that’s “full of pristine beaches” and a more surprising entry that offers up “just about every landscape imaginable”.
Thailand
Mike said: “One of my favourite countries in the world is full of pristine beaches, has some of the best food of any country I’ve ever been to and costs a fraction of the price and even 13 times cheaper than the United States.”
He explained that Thailand would be high on his list, citing the “great” climate, the cost of living, the “super high quality” of food and accommodation that’s obtainable for a “fraction of the price”.
When it comes to local attractions, Mike said he’s a fan of the beaches, forests, the country’s “super rich” history and, again, the food.
The Czech Republic
Mike said: “One of my favourite countries and, more importantly, favourite cities is actually the most beautiful city I’ve ever seen in my life.”
He was referring to Prague, the Czech capital. He described it as a “fairy tale city” with well-preserved medieval architecture and highlighted the “iconic” Charles Bridge in particular.
Mike also heaped praise on other parts of the country, including the historic town of Český Krumlov. In terms of food, Mike is a fan of Czech goulash and Svíčková (a beef dish in a creamy sauce).
Italy
Mike said: “Another one of my favourite countries is good at just about everything, from food, drinks, culture, history, experiences. They have great beaches, beautiful mountains, and an amazing transport system.”
He claimed to have visited about “50 different cities and locations” around Italy over 15 years. Some of the highlights he mentioned included the ruins of Rome, the canals of Venice, and Renaissance art in Florence.
Describing Italy as not only a “feast for the eyes” but also the palate, he pointed out the “world-renowned” wines, cheeses, pasta and pizzas, and described how each region provides a “distinct flavour” of Italian culture.
Georgia
Georgia, a former Soviet republic situated at the intersection of Asia and Europe, borders Azerbaijan, Armenia, Türkiye, and Russia. Mike is a particular fan of the nation’s “delicious” food, black sand beaches, and “gorgeous” mountains.
Indeed, he said Georgia has “just about every landscape imaginable”, dubbing it a “hidden gem” steeped in history, with hospitable people and “stunning” landscapes.
Some of the food he highlighted included Khachapuri (a type of cheese-filled bread) and Khinkali (dumplings typically filled with meat).
USA
Finally, he selected his home country, the US, as one of the nations he’d choose if he were only allowed five to visit for the rest of his life, mentioning that it’s where he has “so many” friends and family members.
He explained that he cherishes his time in the US because he can spend time with some of his “favourite people” in the world, adding that having the US on his list is “absolutely essential.”