Do you have a favorite child? Favorite pet? Favorite coworker?

Picking a favorite anything can be an emotional process. If you were to ask me what my favorite destination is, you would see my eyes glaze over as all my travels flashback at once…

It’s been 5 years since I anxiously boarded my first international flight. FIVE YEARS. Boy, does time fly. I still remember charting my route across the Atlantic: Salt Lake City to Chicago, Chicago to Frankfurt, and Frankfurt to Moscow.

My “country list” is consistently growing (currently at 33), and through my explorations I’ve been taught about this beautiful world through the eyes of cultures and peoples I can only hope to one day fully understand. For me, picking a favorite destination is like picking a favorite child, but here’s my best effort at selecting my top 5 favorite international destinations!

#5 Cuba

Cuba was an especially exciting trip for me, because I was not only going as a student, but as a social media correspondent for my university’s study abroad office! It was “my job” to try and capture the essence of Cuba, in hopes that other students would see my video and be inspired to come in the following years. I felt a heavy responsibility on my shoulders. What if I didn’t know what to film? What if I accidentally offend a local? How do I film if it rains?

Fortunately, everything worked out. I stayed in the apartment of a retired couple in the suburb of Vedado. Engaging with my host family was the most rewarding part of the experience. Waking up to the sound of eggs sizzling on the griddle and being greeted by the warm smile of my abuela could never be duplicated in any hotel – no matter how many stars it has. My instructor also provided our class with appointments to meet with non-profits, local farmers, climate activists, and Cuban intellectuals. Although the island has a vast amount of realities of what it means to be Cuban, I think I succeeded in capturing a glimpse into life in Havana. My video recap is attached below; fair warning, it’s over 5 minutes.

#4 Russia

My first destination abroad, everything going forward has been compared to Russia in one way or another. By living there for a semester, I felt a part of the city life. I shopped at the farmers’ markets, had a favorite schwarma stand, became friends with the cleaning lady, and built relationships with the kids in my classes. Through the eyes of my host family and students, I acquired a truly unique insight into the Russian people and the way they carry on in their day to day lives.

#3 Madrid

Spain has always been a dream destination for me, and I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface! Two friends, Cedric and Edward, showed me Madrid through their eyes! Edward, who has lived there for years as an English teacher. And Cedric, who is there attending university. Both times, my Madrid trips have been a 24 hour layover – I’m dying to get back and see more! The food, the sunsets, and the genuine friendliness of the people were the highlights of my two trips.

#2 Bali

Nestled among the islands of Indonesia, Bali is known as a sanctuary for those looking for a fresh start or an excuse to reconnect with themselves. For myself, I was able to reignite my entrepreneurial spirit and re-commit to elevating my blog to what I’ve always envisioned. I was fortunate to interact with many locals during the trip, seeing the island through the eyes of countless Balinese. Bali comes in as a close 2nd place. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of fellow bloggers to discover this bucket-list destination! Check out my guide: How to Bali like a Blogger!

#1 France

YES! Even after all this time, France is still topped out at #1. Why? I believe that every culture resonate differently with each individual. For me, France has captured and recaptured my heart over and over again. I’ve seen this country through the eyes of my friends, my family, ex boyfriends, fellow au pairs, teachers, and now through the eyes of my coworkers and passengers. I go to Paris three times a month and I still get excited when we’re landing! To me, that’s a clear sign that there’s something special about France that make me feel at home here. ♥

In addition, there’s several places I’d like to see more… I’ve linked each country to the blog posts covering what I have already seen, to give you some perspective. Let’s call this the “honorable mention” of my country list.

Mexico, Tunisia, Portugal, Argentina, & Canada

We’ll see what the future holds. I’m currently occupied with my move to NYC! If anyone has any tips for easing a move to a big (and I mean BIG) city, I’d love some advice!

As always, wishing you my best from 30,000 feet,