AROUND THE WORLD: COUNTRIES I'VE EXPLORED FROM A TO Z
(CONTENT COMING SOON)

This page showcases the countries I've visited so far, all of which are recognized by the United Nations, arranged alphabetically for easy navigation. Each destination has contributed something special to my journey, from breathtaking landscapes to rich cultural experiences.

Explore the map below to visually see the countries I've explored so far:

To give you a better sense of my travels, I rate each country on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. These ratings reflect my overall impressions—how welcoming the people were, the natural beauty, and the unforgettable memories I've made.

I also provide a brief, informative overview of each country, with facts sourced from Wikipedia to give you a quick snapshot of the destination.

Beyond these UN-recognized nations, I've also ventured to regions with special political status or partial recognition. Although not universally acknowledged, these places have their own unique histories and experiences, and I'll feature them in future updates.

This list is always expanding, so keep an eye out as I continue exploring new countries and regions around the world!

Rating system

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 – Excellent)
"An unforgettable experience. I would absolutely recommend visiting this country to anyone. Stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and an amazing overall experience. I would love to go back."
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 – Great)
"A very enjoyable visit with plenty of things to explore. Some minor inconveniences or issues, but overall a fantastic trip. Definitely worth the visit."
⭐⭐⭐ (3/5 – Good)
"A solid visit with a mix of positives and negatives. While I enjoyed certain aspects of the country, there were some things that could be improved. Still, a worthwhile destination."
⭐⭐ (2/5 – Fair)
"There were some highlights, but the overall experience was underwhelming. I encountered a few challenges during my time in the country, and it didn't live up to expectations."
⭐ (1/5 – Poor)
"Not a great experience. While there may have been a few positive moments, they were overshadowed by significant issues or disappointments. Wouldn't recommend unless specific circumstances change.

AFGHANISTAN

Country Name: Afghanistan

UN Status: Member

Capital: Kabul

Official Language(s): Pashto & Dari

Currency: Afghani (AFN)

Size (sq. km): 652,867

Population: 41,128,771

Visited: 2015, 2016 & 2017

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Source: Wikipedia

BELGIUM

Country Name: Belgium

UN Status: Member

Capital: City of Brussels

Official Language(s): Dutch, French & German

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Size (sq. km): 30,689

Population: 11,763,650

Visited: 2022

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Source: Wikipedia

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Country Name: Bosnia and Herzegovina

UN Status: Member

Capital: Sarajevo

Official Language(s): Bosnian, Serbian & Croatian

Currency: Convertible Mark (BAM)

Size (sq. km): 51,209

Population: 3,434,000

Visited: 2018

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Personal Reflection: I was deeply moved when I came across a Red Cross message at the Museum of Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide, which included the name of someone sent to a Norwegian refugee camp. This moment resonated with me profoundly, especially after walking through the streets of Mostar, where the bullet holes in the buildings still stand as haunting reminders of the devastating war that took place here in the 1990s.

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Source: Wikipedia

BULGARIA

Country Name: Bulgaria

UN Status: Member

Capital: Sofia

Official Language(s): Bulgarian

Currency: Lev (BGN)

Size (sq. km): 110,993.6

Population: 6,445,481

Visited: 2019

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Source: Wikipedia

CANADA

Country Name: Canada

UN Status: Member

Capital: Ottawa

Official Language(s): English & French

Currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD)

Size (sq. km): 9,984,670

Population: 41,288,599

Visited: 2015

Highlight: I got snowed in at a hotel in St. John's due to a fierce blizzard, which turned what seemed like an unfortunate delay into a memorable adventure. Stranded by the wild winter weather of Newfoundland, I had the chance to experience the raw power of the elements up close. The storm transformed the city into a winter wonderland, and while I was stuck indoors, I couldn't help but marvel at the unpredictable beauty of the island's harsh yet captivating climate.

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Source: Wikipedia

CROATIA

Country Name: Croatia

UN Status: Member

Capital: Zagreb

Official Language(s): Croatian

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Size (sq. km): 56,594

Population: 3,861,967

Visited: 2018

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Source: Wikipedia

CYPRUS

Country Name: Cyprus

UN Status: Member

Capital: Nicosia

Official Language(s): Greek & Turkish

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Size (sq. km): 9,251

Population: 923,272

Visited: 2015

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Source: Wikipedia

CZECH REPUBLIC

Country Name: Czech Republic

UN Status: Member

Capital: Prague

Official Language(s): Czech

Currency: Czech Koruna (CZK)

Size (sq. km): 78,871

Population: 10,900,555

Visited: 2015

Highlight:

A local acquaintance took me deep into the countryside, where we dined at a traditional tavern. I was the only non-local there, enjoying hearty Czech home-cooked food in an authentic, rustic setting. It's moments like these that make traveling so exciting—experiencing the true local culture in unexpected ways.

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Source: Wikipedia

DENMARK

Country Name: Denmark

UN Status: Member

Capital: Copenhagen

Official Language(s): Danish

Currency: Danish Krone (DKK)

Size (sq. km): 43,094

Population: 5,982,117

Visited: Way too many times... Last in 2017

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Source: Wikipedia

EGYPT

Country Name: Egypt

UN Status: Member

Capital: Cairo

Official Language(s): Arabic

Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP)

Size (sq. km): 1,010,408

Population: 107,304,000

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Source: Wikipedia

ENGLAND (UNITED KINGDOM)

Country Name: England

UN Status: Member

Capital: London

Official Language(s): English

Currency: Pound Sterling (GBP)

Size (sq. km): 132,932

Population: 57,106,398

Visited: 2002

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Source: Wikipedia

ESTONIA

Country Name: Estonia

UN Status: Member

Capital: Tallinn

Official Language(s): Estonian

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Size (sq. km): 45,335

Population: 1,373,101

Visited: 2015

Highlight: I went out for a night in Tallinn, dressed as I normally would back home in Norway, but quickly realized I was a bit overdressed for the local scene. The bouncers took one look at me and whisked me straight into the VIP area. What followed was a night full of champagne—and a lot of shots! The evening was a blur of fun, laughter, and more than a few 'Na zdraví!' cheers. It was such a wild time that I didn't stumble back to my hotel until 5 or 6 in the morning. A classic night out in Eastern Europe for sure!

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Source: Wikipedia

ESWATINI (SWAZILAND)

Country Name: eSwatini

UN Status: Member

Capital: Mbabane (Executive) & Lobamba (Legislative)

Official Language(s): Swazi & English

Currency: Lillangeni (SZL) & South African Rand (ZAR)

Size (sq. km): 17,364

Population: 1,236,126

Visited: 2025

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Source: Wikipedia

FRANCE

Country Name: France

UN Status: Member

Capital: Paris

Official Language(s): French

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Size (sq. km): 643,801

Population: 68,373,433

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Source: Wikipedia

GEORGIA

Country Name: Georgia

UN Status: Member

Capital: Tbilisi

Official Language(s): Georgian

Currency: Georgian Lari (GEL)

Size (sq. km): 69,700

Population: 3,688,647

Visited: 2017

Highlight: Georgia's wine is truly exceptional! Known as the birthplace of wine, Georgia boasts over 8,000 years of winemaking tradition, and the locals take great pride in their craft. The unique qvevri wines, aged in large clay vessels buried underground, offer a distinct and ancient flavor that you won't find anywhere else. I was amazed by the variety and depth of the wines, from rich reds to crisp whites, each bottle telling a story of the country's deep-rooted culture. A must-try for any wine enthusiast looking to explore a different side of the world's wine heritage!

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Source: Wikipedia

GERMANY

Country Name: Germany

UN Status: Member

Capital: Berlin

Official Language(s): German

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Size (sq. km): 357,596

Population: 82,719,540

Visited: 2006 & 2024

Highlight: One of the most unexpected highlights of my trip to Munich was watching surfers in action at the Eisbachwelle in the English Garden. Right in the middle of the city, there's a standing wave where locals, with wetsuits on, ride the fast-flowing waters of the river. It's not something you'd expect to find in the heart of Munich, but it's definitely a unique and thrilling experience to witness.

To top it all off, I had an unforgettable dinner at Little London, a steakhouse with exceptional service and a fantastic atmosphere. The food was superb, and the evening was a perfect way to cap off a day full of new experiences. A true gem in the city!

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Source: Wikipedia

GREECE

Country Name: Greece

UN Status: Member

Capital: Athens

Official Language(s): Greek

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Size (sq. km): 131,957

Population: 10,413,982

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Source: Wikipedia

ICELAND

Country Name: Iceland

UN Status: Member

Capital: Reykjavik

Official Language(s): Icelandic

Currency: Icelandic Króna (ISK)

Size (sq. km): 103,125

Population: 399,189

Visited: 2015

Highlight: Somehow, we 'borrowed' a giant marble lamp shaped like a naked woman from a bar and took it all the way back to our hotel. The lamp felt like it weighed a ton, and getting it back was an adventure in itself! The night quickly turned into an unforgettable experience involving a very confused taxi driver, a severe case of hangover anxiety, and an absolutely furious Iranian father in the hotel lobby—his daughters and wife watching the whole scene unfold. Before we left later that morning, we wrote a note saying 'sorry,' mentioned which bar the lamp belonged to, and left it behind in our hotel room so the hotel could easily contact them. Definitely a night to remember (or maybe to forget). And who knows, maybe there's a "Wanted" poster of me somewhere in Iceland from that evening in 2015!

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Source: Wikipedia

ITALY

Country Name: Italy

UN Status: Member

Capital: Roma

Official Language(s): Italian

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Size (sq. km): 301,340

Population: 58,968,501

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Source: Wikipedia

JAPAN

Country Name: Japan

UN Status: Member

Capital: Tokyo

Official Language(s): Japanese

Currency: Japanese Yen (¥)

Size (sq. km): 377,975

Population: 123,970,000

Visited: 2015

Highlight: Tokyo was a total mind-blower and by far my biggest cultural shock ever! The city is full of quirky (and for us, downright weird) café concepts, and my cousin and I found ourselves at a maid café. We ordered an omelette and some milk for lunch, and when it arrived, the omelette was shaped like a teddy bear, and the milk came in a bottle. To drink it, we had to fake cry like a baby, and suddenly, one of the maids came sprinting over to 'feed' us the bottle… it was like a bizarre dream we couldn't wake up from! But once we got over the shock, we couldn't help but laugh. Tokyo is such a cool and mind-blowing city—seriously, it's unforgettable!

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Source: Wikipedia

JORDAN

Country Name: Jordan

UN Status: Member

Capital: Amman

Official Language(s): Arabic

Currency: Jordanian Dinar (JOD)

Size (sq. km): 89,342

Population: 11,484,805

Visited: 2016

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Source: Wikipedia

KOSOVO

Country Name: Kosovo

UN Status: Not a UN Member, partially recognized

Capital: Pristina

Official Language(s): Albanian & Serbian

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Size (sq. km): 10,887

Population: 1,586,659

Visited: 2019

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Source: Wikipedia

LESOTHO

Country Name: Lesotho

UN Status: Member

Capital: Maseru

Official Language(s): Sesotho & English

Currency: Lesotho loti (LSL) & South African Rand (ZAR)

Size (sq. km): 30,355

Population: 2,210,646

Visited: 2025

Highlight: The breathtaking journey up Sani Pass from South Africa into Lesotho. This rugged and exhilarating 4x4 route winds through dramatic mountain landscapes, offering spectacular views of the Drakensberg Mountains. Reaching the top at 2,876 meters, I entered Lesotho through the highest border post in Southern Africa and was greeted by stunning, remote highlands.

Travel Tip: Due to Lesotho's mountainous terrain and high altitude, the weather can change quickly. Always dress in layers, even in summer, and bring a warm jacket, especially if you're traveling to higher altitudes like Sani Pass. Additionally, a 4x4 vehicle is essential for navigating mountain roads, as they can be steep and rugged.

Personal Reflection: As we ascended Sani Pass, I saw a man making the arduous journey up and down the pass, collecting sticks and wood. I learned that he trades this wood for food, making this tough trip every day. It was a humbling sight—a reminder of the hard work and resilience required to sustain life in remote areas like these. Witnessing his daily struggle made me reflect on how different life can be in places where people rely on the land and their determination for survival. The beauty of the landscape contrasted deeply with the challenges faced by those who call it home.

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Source: Wikipedia

LUXEMBOURG

Country Name: Luxembourg

UN Status: Member

Capital: Luxembourg

Official Language(s): Luxembourgish, German & French

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Size (sq. km): 2,586.4

Population: 672,050

Visited: 2022

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Source: Wikipedia

MALI

Country Name: Mali

UN Status: Member

Capital: Bamako

Official Language(s): Bambara, Bobo, Arabic, Bozo, Dogon, Toro So, Fula, Kassonke, Maninke, Minyanka, Senufo, Senara, Songhay, Koyraboro Senni, Soninke, Tamasheq & French

Currency: West African CFA Franc (XOF)

Size (sq. km): 1,240,192

Population: 21,990,607

Visited: 2016

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Source: Wikipedia

MALTA

Country Name: Malta

UN Status: Member

Capital: Valletta

Official Language(s): Maltese & English

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Size (sq. km): 316

Population: 542,051

Visited: 2024

Highlight: This trip marked my first adventure abroad with my daughter, and it was truly a special experience. Watching her take in all the new sights, cultures, and places was heartwarming. It's moments like these that make traveling so meaningful and memorable. I hope there will be many more to come, and I'm already looking forward to the next adventure with her!

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Source: Wikipedia

MEXICO

Country Name: Mexico

UN Status: Member

Capital: Mexico City

Official Language(s): Spanish

Currency: Mexican Peso (MXN)

Size (sq. km): 1,972,550

Population: 129,875,529
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Source: Wikipedia

MOLDOVA

Country Name: Moldova

UN Status: Member

Capital: Chișinău

Official Language(s): Romanian

Currency: Moldovian Leu (MDL)

Size (sq. km): 33,843

Population: 2,423,300

Visited: 2019

Highlight: The standout experience in Moldova was undoubtedly visiting the Cricova Winery. Known as one of the largest wine cellars in the world, this place offered a fascinating tour of its expansive underground wine tunnels. Sampling the local wines and learning about Moldova's rich winemaking history made for an unforgettable experience. I even bought a numbered bottle, which I still have safely stored in my wine cooler, waiting for a special occasion to drink. The atmosphere was amazing, and I couldn't help but be impressed by the scale of the winery—an experience truly unique to Moldova!

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Source: Wikipedia

MONTENEGRO

Country Name: Montenegro

UN Status: Member

Capital: Podgorica

Official Language(s): Montenegrin

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Size (sq. km): 13,812

Population: 623,633

Visited: 2019

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Source: Wikipedia

NETHERLANDS

Country Name: Netherlands

UN Status: Member

Capital: Amsterdam

Official Language(s): Dutch

Currency: Euro (EUR) & United States Dollar (US$)

Size (sq. km): 41,865

Population: 18,227,100

Visited: 2022

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Source: Wikipedia

NORWAY

Country Name: Norway

UN Status: Member

Capital: Oslo

Official Language(s): Norwegian, Sámi, Kven, Romani, Scandoromani & Norwegian Sign Language

Currency: Norwegian Krone (NOK)

Size (sq. km): 385,207

Population: 5,550,203

Visited: Norway is my place of birth

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Source: Wikipedia

OMAN

Country Name: Oman

UN Status: Member

Capital: Muscat

Official Language(s): Arabic

Currency: Omani Rial (OMR)

Size (sq. km): 309,500

Population: 4,520,471

Visited: 2022

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Source: Wikipedia

POLAND

Country Name: Poland

UN Status: Member

Capital: Warsaw

Official Language(s): Polish

Currency: Złoty (PLN)

Size (sq. km): 312,696

Population: 38,036,118

Visited: 2006

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Source: Wikipedia

PORTUGAL

Country Name: Portugal

UN Status: Member

Capital: Lisbon

Official Language(s): Portuguese

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Size (sq. km): 92,230

Population: 10,639,726

Visited: 2014

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Source: Wikipedia

ROMANIA

Country Name: Romania

UN Status: Member

Capital: Bucharest

Official Language(s): Romanian

Currency: Romanian Leu (RON)

Size (sq. km): 238,397

Population: 19,064,409

Visited: 2019

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Source: Wikipedia

SENEGAL

Country Name: Senegal

UN Status: Member

Capital: Dakar

Official Language(s): French, Wolof & Pulaar

Currency: West African CFA Franc (XOF)

Size (sq. km): 196,722

Population: 18,847,519

Visited: 2014

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Source: Wikipedia

SEYCHELLES

Country Name: Seychelles

UN Status: Member

Capital: Victoria

Official Language(s): English, French & Seychellois Creole

Currency: Seychellois Rupee (SCR)

Size (sq. km): 457

Population: 130,523

Visited: 2024

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Source: Wikipedia

SLOVAKIA

Country Name: Slovakia

UN Status: Member

Capital: Bratislava

Official Language(s): Slovak

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Size (sq. km): 49,035

Population: 5,422,194

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Source: Wikipedia

SLOVENIA

Country Name: Slovenia

UN Status: Member

Capital: Ljubljana

Official Language(s): Slovene

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Size (sq. km): 20,271

Population: 2,124,709

Visited: 2019

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Source: Wikipedia

Country Name: Vietnam

UN Status: Member

Capital: Hanoi

Official Language(s): Vietnamese

Currency: Vietnamese đồng (₫) (VND)

Size (sq. km): 331,344.82

Population: 100,300,000

Visited: 2015, 2016

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Source: Wikipedia

AROUND THE WORLD: COUNTRIES I'VE EXPLORED FROM A TO Z (CONTENT COMING SOON)

Rating system

AFGHANISTAN

BELGIUM

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

BULGARIA

CANADA

CROATIA

CYPRUS

CZECH REPUBLIC

DENMARK

EGYPT

ENGLAND (UNITED KINGDOM)

ESTONIA

ESWATINI (SWAZILAND)

FRANCE

GEORGIA

GERMANY

GREECE

ICELAND

ITALY

JAPAN

JORDAN

KOSOVO

LESOTHO

LUXEMBOURG

MALI

MALTA

MEXICO

MOLDOVA

MONTENEGRO

NETHERLANDS

NORWAY

OMAN

POLAND

PORTUGAL

ROMANIA

SENEGAL

SEYCHELLES

SLOVAKIA

SLOVENIA

SOUTH AFRICA

SOUTH KOREA

SPAIN

SWEDEN

TANZANIA

TUNISIA

TÜRKIYE

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (UAE)

UNITED STATES

VIETNAM

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AROUND THE WORLD: COUNTRIES I'VE EXPLORED FROM A TO Z
(CONTENT COMING SOON)