Best Countries to Visit from India: A Traveler’s Dream List

There is a time when we desire more than the familiar destinations and places. We desire for something new and interesting scenic places to relieve ourselves which give us some goose bumps and refresh our soul and body. So, that after returning home we feel ourselves super charged give 100% to our family and work. The same thing happens with me and I have planned for an international vacation with my family.

Now, question arises that which country we choose to travel and spend some memorable time of our life. Let me tell you it is not an easy task. It will consume your lot of time in research and reading the reviews of people on social media to decide.

After devoting so much time in planning we have decided to visit Thailand, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, France, Switzerland, Singapore and Maldives. Oh, not in one go but once in a year! But here in this blog I am going to summarize all my experience and feelings for you so, that when you have to choose best countries to visit from India there will not be any problem for you.

Looking for the best countries to visit from India? From nearby gems like Thailand and Singapore to dream destinations like Italy France and New Zealand this guide explores the top international tourist places loved by Indian travelers. Whether you are craving beach getaways cultural cities or nature escapes discover the best foreign countries to visit with practical tips, local highlights and unforgettable travel stories. Perfect for first-time travelers or seasoned explorers planning their next adventure abroad.

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Thailand – A Tropical Wonderland Just a Hop Away

We have planned our stay in Bangkok and have booked our hotel in advance through Trip.com. The river area of Bangkok was cool and we were only mildly stimulated about Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. We love the food of Thailand. The people of Thailand were nice enough. Mountains around Chiang Mai were gorgeous.

Grand Palace-We have planned The Grand Palace tour through GYG and I must say that Grand Palace has most beautiful Thai architecture. The Trip include Wat Arun, Wat pho and local Thai markets. We have a great guide I just forget his name but he had a lot of knowledge of the Grand Palace, temples and the all-important & special Emerald Buddha. I recommend to hire a guide on a tour like this because he holds lot of knowledge about places. You are basically paying for entry & knowledge here.

Damnoen Saduak Market and Maeklong Railway Market- The Railway Market and Damnoen Saduk Market (Floating market) are well worth a visit in our opinion. However, expect crowds here and I hate crowd. So, I have finished it in hurry but my family enjoyed it. We have paddleboat ride in floating market and enjoyed it.

Chaina Town– This place is must visit if you are in Bangkok. As per guide Chaina town is around 200-year-old and full of flavor. Chaina town is best place to eat in a city. Just walk around choose your flavor and dish and you will not be disappointed. We did do a tour here, although it is not necessary, just we wanted the full experience and we have hired a local guide with the help of local tourist center who can communicate properly to all the establishments/stalls we visited.

Our recommendation for Restaurant in Bangkok– Pagoda Chinese Restaurant, T & K Seafood, Prachak Pet Yang, Err Urban Rustic Thai, and Issaya Siamese Club. To find exact location and address of all restaurant you can google it.

Transport in Bangkok

Traffic is horrible in Bangkok. Thankfully there are alternative to getting around. However, if road travel is necessary as a tourist I would suggest to hire a taxi or Motorbike rental and try to travel in odd time to avoid heavy traffic.

Alternative methods of transport include:

• BTS (Sky Train One day ticket is 180 bhat)
• MRT (Subway – One day ticket is 180 bhat / three day 360 bhat)
• River Taxi Networks [Ticket prices might get changed]

Phuket– Favorite tour in Phuket was a boat tour to the Phi Phi & Bamboo islands. Which included a visit to some caves and the beautiful Maya Bay, Koh Phi Phi Don, James Bond Island boat tour, Big Buddha (walking tour). The famous restaurants in Phuket where you can enjoy your food is Raya Restaurant, Day & Night of Phuket, Mee Ko Lan and Three Monkeys Restaurant. Apart from this you can also enjoy street food but we have avoided it all because we don’t want to take any risk.

One thing you have to keep in mind while traveling to Thailand that credit card is not accepted everywhere. You need to pay in cash at small and local vendor outlet. So, be prepare to avoid last minute embarrassment.

Thailand’s warm hospitality lively nightlife and deep-rooted spirituality make it one of the best tourist countries for every kind of traveler. Be you are budget backpackers, honeymooners or adventurer ready to scuba dive with whale sharks. It is one of those abroad places to visit where every sunrise brings a new story.

Italy – Where History, Art, and Pasta Collide

Italy is a romantic place. Full of life and great food like pasta, Pizza, Risotto etc. Italy is my solo travel and I have explored it a lot mostly related to historical places and facts.It is not just one of the best countries to visit from India—it is one of the best places to visit in the world.

I have started my tour with Venice. What a great experience here, it is like peace in a haven. After that I have visited Museo Criminologico in Rome. This Museum was founded in1931 by the Minister of Justice Alfredo Rocco and was initially set up in the seventeenth century building of the Carceri Nuove (New Prisons) in Via Giulia and moved to the adjacent former juvenile prison in Palazzo del Gonfalone in1975. The Museum is a great collection of historical torture and captivity instruments make them available to scholars.

Museum of the History of Medicine– This is about history of medicine. This museum is founded in 1938 by Adalberto Pazzini topreserves a rich collection of objects that allow us to reconstruct the evolution of medical knowledge and practices from prehistory to the genomic revolution. The collection of museum is for medical and educational documentation purposes.

 Basilica of Saint Clement- It is a three-layered church close to colosseum. Just a short walk from the Colosseum there is a church that feels like layer by layer. The present beautiful basilica built sometime before the year 1100 during the Middle Ages. But beneath the present basilica there is an older 4th-century basilica which was actually converted from a Roman nobleman’s house.

Part of that house had briefly served as one of the earliest Christian churches back in the 1st century and the basement of the same house was once used as a mithraeum in the 2nd century. And if you go even deeper the nobleman’s home itself stood on the remains of Roman villa and warehouse from the Republican era that were tragically destroyed in the Great Fire of AD 64. All above knowledge will come to you once you hire a guide. So, mark my word and don’t hesitate in spending some dollars in taking useful service of guide.

After that I have started my journey to Crypt of the Resurrection, The Mass Chapel, Crypt of the Skulls, Crypt of the Pelvises, Crypt of the Leg Bones and Thigh Bones, Crypt of the Three Skeletons.

It is the time to visit WWII area in Rome and it started with Via Tasso (A Nazi HQ prison and torture center in Rome now the seat of the Museum of the Liberation), Porta S.Paolo gate where civilian and Italian army tried to resist the German attack on 8^th Sept 1943 you can find some monuments honoring the event here. In Via Rasella you can still see the marks of shooting by German Army in reaction to attack of a group of partisans.

There were 33 soldiers killed in Via Rasella in retaliation of this SS murdered 335 Civilians in Fosse Ardeatine. In Forte Bravetta Nazifascist massacres occurred. La Storta the last massacre occurred. San Lorenzo train station was bombed heavily on 19 July 1943. Oh, my mind was hammering why we murder each other in such a brutal way. I have asked my guide for some rest, because I am going through very emotional phase that time.

Now let’s move to some natural wonder of Italy. Which least visited by tourist. The place name is Veneto and it is barely 150 km from Venice and a height of 3000 mtrs a peak of Dolomites (UNESCO Site). Do you know? risotto originated from the Veneto region. Approx 100km from Venice there is Garda Lake the biggest Italian Lake and as famous as Como Lake. This lake is famous for paragliding, hiking, windsurfing and biking. There is a small charming city called Vicenza. It is famous for Palladio architect and situated between Venice and Verona. Here you can find old palaces and countryside villas yet it is less visited place by tourist.

The history of this city is deeply connected with the history of this famous architect. The example of his masterpiece in Vicenza- the Basilica, the Rotonda Villa and the Olympic Theatre. Vicenza is also a UNESCO site. I would like to thank my guide for sharing very interesting and historical knowledge. I am not sharing his name because he is not a full-time guide.Italy is not just a tourist place abroad. It is a place you will carry in your heart long after your passport has faded stamps and your suitcase has lost its shine.

Japan – The Future Wrapped in Tradition

If there is one country that dances perfectly between the past and the future it is Japan. One moment you are sipping matcha in a 1,000-year-old tea house and the next you are whizzing past Mount Fuji in a bullet train. My Japan tour started from Asakusa, Ueno –Asakusa Hotel I had noodle at hotel and it was very tasty and free. I had planned a visit to Sensoji Temple, in fact I came to know about this temple from one of my clients. And I have very spiritual experience in hand cleansing to the incense ritual and prayer. I love the atmosphere of temple which deeply divine and immersive.

After getting recharge from temple, I have gone up to the Asakusa Culture Tourist Center Observation Terrace for a great panoramic view of the area. I have made a reservation in advance for lunch in famous Pokemon café Tokyo. The food was delicious and restaurant ambience from inside is very beautiful. Children are enjoying it very much. Rest of the day I have spent in Tokyo in visiting the street and cultural places.

Nara(Omizutori fire festival)– Next day I have planned for Nara by Bullen train which is scheduled for 7:30AM So, I have Checked out from hotel early in the morning around 6 AM. I have hired a taxi which is parked outside hotel and I reached station 40 min before the train time. After arriving at Kyoto Station, I have picked up my Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass. Since the line for pass is very long and it is moving very slowly.  

From there I walked over to my hotel which is next to station. After dropping the bag, I have taken Kintetsu Limited Express to Nara for the deer park and the Omizutori Fire Festival. I have reached Nara in 30 minutes. The park was near to station and I start heading to Kasuga-taisha Shrine. Along the way I had bought some deer biscuit for deer which bow down before taking the food. I have started short hiked up to Tōdai-ji Nigatsu-dō, the main viewing area for the Otaimatsu torch-burning ceremony. I arrived around 6:45 PM and secured a good place in line. The crowd was sizable but mostly locals. The festival started around 7:40 PM with a short explanation in Japanese, follow by Korean, Chinese and English.  

Kyoto (Philosopher path, Gion, Fushimi Inari)- For my full stay in Kyoto I have opted for the hotel breakfast package during booking. This package provides me a great opportunity to try several different traditional Japanese dishes in the morning along with other items.

After breakfast I have booked an Uber to Philosopher path. As soon as I got off, I saw small shopping street leading up to Higashiyama Jisho-ji. My plan wasn’t to walk whole Philospher’s  Path, I decided to trek to Mo-an Café. It was quite a hike up the hill but extremely funny looking all the Kyoto houses and smaller shrines. After Mo-an café I headed back down towards Yoshida shrine with a priest doing his prayers. I went into the iconic Starbucks rested for a few minutes and then went back out for more sightseeing heading towards Kiyomizu-dera. This temple was busiest temple I saw during my whole trip, but the que was moving fast. Finishing up at Kiyomizu-dera I honestly wished I’d spent more time in the area.

Apart from it I have visited Himeji, Hiroshima, Uji (Nintendo Museum), Harajuku, Shibuya. The Japanese culture deeply respectful and beautifully disciplined gives travelers an experience like no other. The cherry blossoms in spring? A fairytale. The snow-covered onsens in winter? Pure bliss. Add to that sushi sumo wrestling, anime and a culture of perfection—and you will understand why it is among the best countries to visit in the world.

New Zealand – Nature’s Most Dazzling Masterpiece

New Zealand is not just a famous country in the world it is nature’s love letter to tourist. Since I have visited New Zealand in Summer, my recommendation for summer in New Zealand is North Island all the way. My trip started with Auckland where I have booked a ferry to Waiheke Island for a wine tour. Trust me some of the best wine I have ever had in Waiheke Island. During my trip to Aukland I have found that it is an interesting and diverse city which is lively through the night no matter what day of the week it is. This is my personal opinion.

Since I have visited New Zealand in Summer, my recommendation for summer in New Zealand is North Island all the way. My trip started with Auckland where I have booked a ferry to Waiheke Island for a wine tour. Trust me some of the best wine I have ever had in Waiheke Island. During my trip to Aukland I have found that it is an interesting and diverse city which is lively through the night no matter what day of the week it is. This is my personal opinion.

Since I have visited New Zealand in Summer, my recommendation for summer in New Zealand is North Island all the way. My trip started with Auckland where I have booked a ferry to Waiheke Island for a wine tour. Trust me some of the best wine I have ever had in Waiheke Island. During my trip to Aukland I have found that it is an interesting and diverse city which is lively through the night no matter what day of the week it is. This is my personal opinion.

Hiking- Tongariro Alpine Crossing takes all day so I have started early and hiked through the mouth of volcano literally but it’s wonderful experience. If you hiking lover, you can also try- Whitianga, Hike Mount Manganui in Tauranga, Wai-O-Tapu, Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Thermal Pool, Glow worm cave & Ruakuri Cave and lots more.

For Indian travelers like me it is a journey to the edge of the world that feels like a homecoming. If you are chasing the thrill of must visit countries in the world New Zealand should be into your map.

France – The Eternal Charmer

If you are traveling to France then fly direct to Paris. I have planned my trip in shoulder seasons and have got good deal in hotels and I feel more special at that time. First, I would like to share my experience that jet lag will reduce you time 3 days to 2 days trip if you are travelling through different time zone. So, rest is must and you need to take nap or start slow. I had enjoyed France historical spots a lot since, I am history lover. Napoleon? I have enjoyed Fontainebleau. WW2? Head out to Normandy beaches and towns. King Louis XIV, Francis etc.

I have planned Loire Valley which is a beautiful mix of history and wine. I have taken the new Metro Line 14 to Orly and rent a car and go down for a few days or take the train to Tours and rent a car from there.

The Napoleon section of Les Invalides is a must see. But it is expensive and his tomb is quite incredible. I have walked down the steps at Fontainebleau where Napoleon walked down on his way to exile. Fontainebleau is a whole day trip from Paris and highly recommended. I have got an early start and was back in the city around 6pm. Prior research about the places and travel time save your vacation easily. My recommendation to every fellow traveler to plan an itinerary in advance after doing research and stick to it.

Paris is a large capital city over 2300 years old with a lot to see a lot to explore and a lot to do. The Louvre alone taken my full day (you can spend a life time in that museum and still not see everything there is to see). I find the most enjoyable part in visiting Paris is to walk around, take the time, take everything in and getting “lost” in the city. Especially when night falls it is such a beautiful city at night. My suggestion is booking a guided tours with specialised guides conférenciers via the Office du Tourisme.

I have observed one thing in Paris is that you don’t always need to sit down at a fancy restaurant to enjoy amazing food. I came across these incredible little specialty food shops and local farmers markets—places where you can pick up freshly roasted chicken, all kinds of cheeses, cured meats, and warm, crusty bread straight from the oven. It is all so good and honestly grabbing a few of these. It is such a fun and local way to experience the city.

Before coming here, I did not realize just how big and diverse France really is. I mean compared to some of its European neighbors it is huge and what is even more fascinating is how every region feels totally different. In one moment, you are surrounded by vineyards and medieval castles and the next you are walking through coastal towns or alpine villages that feel like their own little worlds.

It really depends on what you are into. But France has so much of it that you kind of have to narrow it down. Are you into Roman ruins? Gothic cathedrals? World War history? Napoleonic times? Whatever it is you will find something that fits.

And if you are thinking of getting out of Paris (which I totally recommend but you need to plan for 7 days trip minimum), there are so many amazing places just about an hour away by train. I did quick trips to Versailles, Reims, Rouen and even Giverny. Monet’s garden is unreal in person. The trains here are super-efficient and pretty stress-free.

But if you are up for more of a scenic adventure renting a car is a great way to explore the countryside. Just be informed automatic cars are not super common in France and if you do find one it is usually more expensive. Still if you are comfortable driving stick or don’t mind paying a bit extra a road trip through the French countryside is so worth it.

Switzerland – A Symphony of Alps and Awe

I have started my Swiss trip from Engelberg and I quickly realized trying to fit both Mount Titlis and Mount Rigi into one day would be an injustice to their beauty. There is simply not enough time to do them both right. So, I chose to linger near Titlis.

Instead of rushing, I allowed myself to breathe in the tranquility at Trübsee the mid-station stop where the lake shined like a mirror supported by snow-dusted peaks. I could not resist myself and started hiking toward Engstlenalp and the sapphire gem of Engstlensee. Turning the journey into a perfect blend of serenity and thrill.

I continued toward Tannensee and Melchsee-Frutt another quiet alpine lake that seemed untouched by time. Rather than returning the same way I looped around and descended through this peaceful valley which offered awesome views like a dream.

Honestly, it was far more fulfilling than squeezing in Rigi at the expense of rushed moments. And since Pilatus was already on my itinerary boat ride and all the essence of Lake Lucerne would be beautifully woven into my journey without retracing steps.

Next on my itinerary is Lake Thun and I had asked by my guide to visit the lake shore to see Oberhofen castle. I have spent some time in Thun. It is beautiful town with castle overlooking it.

I tried planning a day to cover both the Lauterbrunnen Valley and Oeschinensee but honestly it is not possible in one day. Lauterbrunnen really deserves a full day on its own. I went up to Schilthorn for the panoramic views totally worth it and spent time walking around Mürren and Gimmelwald. The wooden chalets there are amazing and the villages have such a peaceful atmosphere. If you are visiting Trümmelbach Falls that is super easy to include since it is right at the end of the local bus route. One loop I really enjoyed was going from Lauterbrunnen up to Grütschalp and coming down via Stechelberg or you can do it in reverse depending on what works better.

As for Oeschinensee that trip needs almost a full day too. The lake itself is beautiful but to really appreciate it you have to hike a few hours to get to the viewpoints above it. Just reaching the lake and staying there doesn’t give you those iconic views you have probably seen in photos. Also if you have already visited alpine lakes near Titlis or been to Bachalpsee then skipping Oeschinensee is totally fine the experience is somewhat similar. This is one of those world-famous tourist places that simply feels unreal—until you are sipping cocoa by a window watching snowflakes dance.

Singapore – The Little Giant That Never Sleeps

I have visited Singapore in budget for almost 8 days and my total expenses came around 4.5 Lakh per person including everything (Air ticket, hotel, food, travelling and attraction passes). I have stayed in little India and my decision was good. I loved all the places I have visited in Singapore. Tip to decide on places is go through google map reviews and find if anything you enjoy in that attraction. It will make easy to decide.

Starting with Universal studios. It’s like childhood dream come true for me. S.E.A. aquarium was also amazing. And the Gardens by the Bay is absolute dream. I have planned a budget shopping in little India in Mustafa center where you can find anything you want. Attire doesn’t matter in Singapore. However, be prepared for occasional rain. Shoe is must if you want to enjoy roller coaster ride in Universal Studios.

Singapore is traveler friendly and you can find anything you need to know online. Once you have finalized the places you want to visit then book your hotel close of it. However, overall Singapore transport system is good and you can travel in any corner within 2 hours. In my personal opinion Singapore flyer is too costly. The must visit places as per my recommendation is- 1. Sentosa- Experience both Universal and Sentosa Island, be sure to get express pass before you go for Universal. 2. SEA Aquarium 3. Gardens by the bay (the super tree grove lightshow) 4. Flower dome and cloud forest 5. Marina bay Mall 6. Art and since museum 7. Jewel at Changi 8. Hawkers Centers.

Efficient, safe and incredibly exciting Singapore is one of the best tourist countries for families, couples or solo travelers wanting a taste of the future today. I have organized everything on my own. Everything is available online in Singapore. Visa is upon arrival and you need to fill the arrival card online before 2-3 days of flight.

Maldives – Paradise in the Indian Ocean

So, I finally have planned the Maldives tour with my family to celebrate my daughter birthday and honestly, we tried to turn it into a paradise like feeling for her. I have decided to share a full breakdown of how the trip went just so anyone planning something similar can get a real-world take on it. I remember wishing I had a post like this to read before I booked anything!

We wanted to get a real taste of what the Maldives had to offer so we decided to spend our time to different island instead of sticking to just one resort. First, we spent a couple of days on a local island called Maafushi and it gave us a glimpse into the everyday Maldivian vibe which was refreshing. After that we moved to Komandoo a beautiful 4 star resort that felt cozy and quiet. Let me tell you frankly both places had its own charm and I will break it all down so you can decide what is worth your time.

Let’s talk about Maafushi first. I actually chose it after reading a few honest posts on social media and I am thankful to God that I have not done anything wrong. After nearly 8 hours of travel (including everything airtport, check in time and waiting) I knew I would be completely wiped out because I just hate Air Travel. So, I figured Maafushi would be the perfect place to ease into the trip.

We stayed at Arena Beach which cost around $200 a night not bad at all for what we got. One of the good things of staying there? The outings were super affordable. I remember comparing prices with the ones offered by the resorts like Conrad and Komandoo some of their snorkeling trips were around $90 per person for just an hour. But at Arena Beach we have paid only $45 per person for a five-hour excursion. And it was not just a quick dip either we snorkeled with nurse sharks and stingrays spotted dolphins out in the open water and had a chill lunch at a sandbar. Honestly it was one of the highlights of the whole trip and a total steal for the price. But as a father my real happiness is the smile on the face of my children.

We felt very safe on Maafushi. The traveler crowds were more diverse than at resorts. And most of the travelers from Indo-Asian countries and it feel like another home to us.

After spending two days on Maafushi we hopped on a speedboat back to Malé and then boarded a seaplane to reach Komandoo. Where we stayed for the next three nights. Here I would like to share our seaplane experience. I had assumed that ear protection would be standard on all flights. But out of the four seaplane rides which we took during the trip only one actually gave us earplugs. So my suggestion is here if you are planning something similar definitely pack your own it will make a big difference.

After spending two days on Maafushi we hopped on a speedboat back to Malé and then boarded a seaplane to reach Komandoo. Where we stayed for the next three nights. Here I would like to share our seaplane experience. I had assumed that ear protection would be standard on all flights. But out of the four seaplane rides which we took during the trip only one actually gave us earplugs. So my suggestion is here if you are planning something similar definitely pack your own it will make a big difference.

After spending two days on Maafushi we hopped on a speedboat back to Malé and then boarded a seaplane to reach Komandoo. Where we stayed for the next three nights. Here I would like to share our seaplane experience. I had assumed that ear protection would be standard on all flights. But out of the four seaplane rides which we took during the trip only one actually gave us earplugs. So my suggestion is here if you are planning something similar definitely pack your own it will make a big difference.

The food at Komandoo is great and it is made to order dishes. The pasta, meat and seafood are super tasty. Let me tell you one great thing about Komandoo that you need not to wear sandals anywhere on the island.

This tropical haven is unquestionably one of the best tourist countries and international tourist places for travelers seeking ultimate relaxation and romantic escapism.

So, Which Is the Famous Country?

A question traveler often ask “Which is the famous country?” The truth is, fame is not always the answer. What matters is the feeling a place gives you—the stories it helps you write the connections it helps you form the version of yourself it helps you discover.

From the top 10 places to visit in the world to the hidden gems tucked away from crowds the world is teeming with magic. These best tourist places in world are more than just dots on a map—they ae memories waiting to happen.

The Final Boarding Call

So dear traveler as you sit by your window planning your next getaway remember this your journey is not just about international tourist destinations or ticking off names from the world tourist places list. It is about diving into a world of cultures, cuisines, landscapes and laughter. It is about standing at the edge of the familiar and daring to leap into the extraordinary.

These are the best countries to visit from India but the best destination of all is the one that makes your heart race and your soul sing. Pack your bags. The world awaits.

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