Destinations to discover in your life

Indeed, I realize that each traveler has a special place (sometimes several) in the world that is particularly close to his heart, that he recommends again and again and that he considers to be one of the must-see destinations once in a life. So I asked 40 frequent travelers who surround me to play the game and reveal to us THE city or THE country to visit in your life.

I really enjoyed compiling this sort of collective gigabuck list , because I (re) discovered places that make you dream, each of which has its own personalities and particularities. Needless to say, I want to go on a trip to these 40 must-see places today, right?

This is the place where strangers offer you apple tea to get acquainted or to close a deal. It is also a place where the quality of textiles does not equal the warmth of the people who weave them. Through the busy aisles of the Grand Bazaar, you will find an unusual souvenir, something to talk about when you get home. At the Blue Mosque, we soak up the beauty of an often abused religion. It is a city where you learn to tame the strange and the foreign. To visit in a few days, or for a lifetime, Istanbul is a must stop for any traveler.

Cambodia

The first reason that I can give you is not necessarily valid for you, but for me it is completely legitimate, because Cambodia is the country of my origins. On the other hand, I will give you the other reasons why you should really visit Cambodia in your life.

In Cambodia, we welcome you, we respect you. I have noticed on each of my trips, Cambodians say hello to me using the “Sampeah” in hotels, restaurants, agencies… You will easily recognize it when they fold their hands close to their chest. It is a mark of respect and prayer. It is often accompanied by a smile just for you. Even when they don’t understand what you’re telling them, the smile will still be there. As you can see, Cambodians are so nice and we meet touching people. So what else can we love about Cambodia?

The temples in Angkor , although very touristy, are a must-see in the land of the Khmers. The best is to realize it on the spot, these temples are of a breathtaking beauty and if you do not visit them, you will have missed something! The genocide of the Khmer Rouge is one of the worst massacres in history. Any traveler to Cambodia should be aware of this, as it is part of Cambodia’s history. The country is recovering and transforming itself, starting with Phnom Penh, a bewitching and fascinating capital. If you move away from the capital, the Cambodian countryside is still well preserved and will offer you idyllic landscapes. Take a tour in the province of Banteay Mean Chey, you will discover the real rural Cambodia, change of scenery guaranteed.

South Africa

South Africa was recently voted the most beautiful country in the world by Buzzfeed, no doubt thanks to its unique natural and cultural wealth, as well as its history which, despite very dark turns, remains fascinating. It’s a well-deserved victory. The “rainbow nation” has 11 official languages, and many more communities, quite distinctly spread across the territory. The result is very simple: each arrival in a new region gives the impression of entering another world, the landscapes, the inhabitants and the customs are so different.

While Cape Town, nicknamed the “Mother City” because it is the first European trading post in the country, offers lazing by the sea and sunsets from the top of Table Mountain (NB it is one of the new wonders world), Johannesburg (Jozie, for close friends) is the place to be for the new black middle class in search of a miracle solution to make a fortune. Between the two, there is Bloemfontein, a sort of Texas Afrikaner style, or Durban, which one could call Little India as the Indians are so incredibly numerous. Already so much diversity by evoking so few places …

Between the city, the countryside, the sea, the mountains, the forest, the desert, the savannah, don’t be afraid to run out of things to do. Surfing on the Garden Route, hiking in the Drakensberg, safari in the many parks that dot the country, trek in the Karoo or Kalahari desert, wine tasting in the Stellenbosch region, discovery of Zulu traditions in KwaZulu-Natal, or simply admiration of the immensity of nature facing the Blyde River Canyon, there