TOP 10 MOST VISITED COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD

Austria may be small, but it has a lot to offer visitors. It's a perfect destination for hikers looking for alpine landscapes and skiers who want to enjoy beautiful resorts like Kitzbühel or those in the Tyrolean mountains, accessed from the charming and historic city of Innsbruck. Music lovers can explore the footsteps of great musicians like Mozart in Salzburg, while history buffs and art enthusiasts can discover the Renaissance city of Graz and Baroque Linz. Austria's alpine landscapes are adorned with picturesque mountain villages with wooden cabins and balconies filled with flowers. Last but not least, Vienna, the Austrian capital, is a destination worth revisiting. Vienna has something for everyone, from the imperial palaces of the Hofburg and Schonbrunn to museums such as the Albertina, the magnificent History of Fine Arts, or the modernist museums of the Museum Quarter. Several of Austria's cities are also among the favorite winter destinations for strolling through their traditional Christmas markets.

Mainland Greece is a treasure trove of archaeological wonders, while its coastline boasts beautiful beaches and islands worth visiting. The Peloponnese and Macedonian coasts are particularly noteworthy. Visitors to Athens can explore the ruins of the Parthenon and the city's charming neighborhoods with traditional taverns and whitewashed alleys. Among the other famous destinations known for their archaeological remains are Delphi, Philippi, the Pillars of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, Corinth, Mycenae, Epidaurus, the temple of Zeus on Mount Olympus, the male-only monastery of Mount Athos, and the Meteora monasteries, which are perched on stone columns. Many travelers combine these treasures with cruises through the Greek archipelagos, some popular tourist destinations, while others remain untouched. The Cyclades Islands, such as Mykonos, Santorini, Paxos, and Naxos; the Ionian Islands, such as Kefalonia and the small, mythical Ithaca; and the Sporades, including the historic Rhodes, are all equally beautiful. Rhodes once possessed the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Today, it preserves walls, palaces, old hospitals of the Order of St. John, and cozy squares with restaurants.

Since the reunification of Germany in 1990, the country has become even more attractive with the addition of new cities and landscapes. Over twenty cities are now popular destinations for travelers, with Berlin leading the way as the capital. Other notable cities include elegant Munich, bustling Hamburg, Cologne, Potsdam, artistic Dresden (nicknamed "Florence on the Elbe"), medieval Heidelberg, and Rotenburg. In addition to these cities and their art galleries and museums, the romantic Rhine Valley and Moselle Valley offer attractive destinations for river cruises, while the lush forests of the Black Forest also draw visitors. One of the most popular attractions is the Route of the Castles of Ludwig II of Bavaria, which offers stunning views of the Alpine mountains that form the country's southern border.

Frequent travelers who manage to overcome their love for visiting London may be surprised to discover other destinations in the United Kingdom. Nonetheless, those who visit the capital can witness the Abbey and Palace of Westminster, St. Paul's Cathedral with its imposing dome, emblematic bridges over the Thames, or the mysteries of the Tower of London, where legends and the Crown Jewels are kept. Outside the city, England holds on to the charm of its countryside, the refinement of its gardens, legendary routes such as King Arthur's, and historic towns such as the seaside resort of Bath or Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare—these contrast with vibrant destinations such as Liverpool, York, and Bristol. However, the United Kingdom is more than just England. To the north lies Scotland, with its lochs, islands, medieval castles, and citadels such as Edinburgh. And beyond that, Wales is untouched, with its typical villages, infinite horizons, and mountains such as those found in Snowdonia National Park or the Brecon Beacons. Some travelers seek to visit Northern Ireland to witness the sublime coastal landscapes of the Giant's Causeway, formed by basalt prisms in County Antrim.

Mexico City is an overcrowded city with immense artistic value, serving as the main gateway to the country. Mexico is known for its archaeological remains, including the Pyramid of Teotihuacan, Chichen Itza, and Tulum. Many travelers extend their stay and explore destinations with colonial architecture, such as San Cristóbal de las Casas, Mérida, Morelia, or Oaxaca. The landscapes of Mexico are diverse and offer a range of experiences, from the Biscayan desert to the lakes of Pátzcuaro, the Sierra Madre Occidental, and the Sierra del Cobre. Beaches are another major attraction, with popular destinations like the Riviera Maya, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Acapulco, as well as the lesser-known coastline of Baja California, a destination for surfers and whale watchers.

Italy boasts an endless list of attractions as beautiful as its artistic treasures. Its cities are flooded with an exceptional architectural heritage, like Rome, rich in vestiges of the Roman Empire; Florence, considered the birthplace of the Renaissance; and Venice, with its canals. Other notable cities include the romantic Verona and Vicenza, the university town of Bologna, and the revered Assisi with its famous frescoes. Outside the cities, valleys, villages, and coasts demand attention. Rolling hills like those in Tuscany, active volcanoes such as Mount Etna, famous beaches like those in Puglia, Amalfi, and the Italian Riviera, and island treasures like Sardinia and the archaeological marvels of Sicily.

Turkey is a country that connects the East and the West and is home to various cultures. It boasts several natural wonders, such as Cappadocia's stone hills and chimneys, Pamukkale's white pools, World Heritage Sites, and the "Turquoise Coast" islands in the Aegean Sea. The country is also home to several ancient Roman and Greek sites, including Ephesus with its iconic Library facade, Pergamon, Aphrodisias, and the Lycian tombs of Myra, which date back to the fourth century. Additionally, Turkey is known for its lively bazaars and mosques, such as the stunning Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, which overlooks the Bosphorus Strait, and palaces like Topkapi.

The United States is a popular tourist destination, with numerous iconic cities such as New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, and New Orleans. Miami, located in warm Florida, is also a liberal and artistic city that attracts many visitors. Besides these popular destinations, many travelers also prefer to explore the less-trodden rural areas that lead to over 40 national parks, including the famous Grand Canyon of Colorado, Monument Valley in Arizona, and Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon in California. Additionally, Alaska and the Hawaiian Islands of the Pacific are two other must-visit destinations in the country.

Spain is undoubtedly one of the world's most visited destinations, and it's not difficult to see why. The country boasts many monuments, landscapes, traditions, festivals, and cultural and gastronomic attractions, including world-renowned museums. Every year, Spain's coasts, beaches, and fishing villages are rated among the best in the world. Its archipelagos are also exceptional, with the Canary Islands offering volcanic and dune islands and the Balearic Islands boasting the charming Menorca and Formentera. Regarding monumentality, Spain has everything from unique prehistoric sites like Atapuerca to Roman relics such as those in Mérida, Tarraco, and the Aqueduct of Segovia. You must visit the immense Mosque of Cordoba, with a Christian cathedral in the center of the monument; Granada, with its beautiful Alhambra; imposing medieval castles throughout the autonomous communities; Seville and its Alcázar; Santiago de Compostela and its cathedral, the admired destination of the Camino de Santiago; and Renaissance villages such as the duo formed by Úbeda and Baeza. Urban destinations are also among the top 10 attractions in this country, with Barcelona's Modernism Route and a stop at the Sagrada Familia, Valencia's contemporary architecture, and Madrid's famous museums and street atmosphere being among the most popular.

France is again at the top among the 10 most visited countries in the world due to its rich and varied historical, artistic, and natural heritage. Visitors flock to Paris, the Abbey of Mont Sant-Michel, Versailles, Alsace, Mont Blanc, and the Alps. However, France also boasts untamed landscapes along the cliff coasts of Normandy and Brittany, as well as Pyrenean and Alpine destinations for skiing in winter and hiking in summer. The island of Corsica, known as "the island of beauty," is also a treasure. There are cities in France to suit all tastes. Paris, the City of Light, is impossible to sum up in just a few words. Other beautiful cities include Toulouse, Lyon, Marseille, and Nice. France is also renowned as a gourmet paradise, offering exclusive culinary experiences.