The places that will surprise, confuse or scare you (and five that do all three)

Even before you leave home, travel is an emotional experience. That emotion is excitement, mostly, as you wait for departure day to arrive. But it’s also a little trepidation, maybe some sadness, maybe even panic (if you’ve lost your passport). And of course, joy; plenty of joy.

But then the journey begins, and it’s an intensely emotional ride. Travel has a way of magnifying feelings.

Everything is outsized when you’re away from home in an unfamiliar environment, seeing new things, meeting new people, challenging yourself to survive and thrive.

The people you meet when you travel stick with you forever. The places you stay, the things you see, even the foods you eat and the scents you smell – these things are forever imprinted. Travel does that.

And so today we pay homage to this emotional experience by selecting the destinations that are guaranteed to make you feel a certain way. Whether it’s joy or wonder, confusion or surprise, there are countries that will always deliver in a certain way. Below are our favourites.

*Given current global events and travel disruptions in the Middle East, it’s best to check smartraveller.gov.au before making any travel bookings, and also leading up to your date of travel.

JOY

Italy

What’s special Just look around when you travel in Italy: joy is everywhere. It’s in locals’ faces as they take part in evening aperitivo; it’s in every hearty, generous bowl of pasta and in the salty air at seaside lidos; it’s in the sense of discovery at every mind-blowing historic site and museum. Italy is a destination in which to just have fun, to relax and enjoy the cliched la dolce vita in every facet of your day.

Don’t miss To experience joy in Italy, you just have to exist. Go out to a trattoria in Rome – we love Felice a Testaccio, a local favourite. Grab a gelato from Giolitti and wander around the Centro Storico. Relax on a beach in Ischia. Climb a mountain in the Dolomites. Ride a scooter around Sicily. Visit UNESCO sites, medieval villages, canal-side restaurants and spend the night on a farm. Truly, you can’t go wrong.

Essentials Emirates flies from Australian ports to Rome, via Dubai. Italy is a year-round destination, with skiing in winter and beaches for summer, though it’s busy (and hot) mid-year. See emirates.com; italia.it

CONFUSION

India

What’s special There will come a point, perhaps after many, many visits, when India no longer confuses you. But most of us will never get there. Because India is many things – it’s joyful, it’s beautiful, it’s shocking, it’s frustrating – but above all, it’s confusing. Like, how does this place work? Literally, how is it functioning? How does anyone get anything done here? How is one country capable of stoking so many conflicting feelings? How do you do something as simple as get from one point to another? Things start to take shape, gradually. But rarely do they make complete sense.

Don’t miss For the full hit of confusion in India, the glorious chaos of it all, you need to visit its biggest cities, heaving megalopolises such as Mumbai and Delhi. The energy in these places is incredible, if discombobulating. For those hoping for respite, however, coastal Kerala is a pleasure, while the mountains in the likes of Uttar Pradesh are stunning.

Essentials Air India flies direct from Sydney and Melbourne to Delhi. October to March is best in India – avoid the monsoon from July to September. See airindia.com; incredibleindia.gov.in

AWE

Peru

What’s special Even if Peru’s ancient civilisations had never existed, you would be in awe in this amazing country. Peru’s natural landscapes are just so spectacular: the Andes, the nation’s spine, rising sky-high; the vast plains of the coastal regions; the wild beauty of the Amazon taking up massive swathes of the east. But then you have the legacy of the Incas, including Machu Picchu. You have the mystery of the Nazca Lines. You have the ancient sites of the Chimu, the Moche people and more. Truly awe-inspiring.

Don’t miss For all the awe you can handle: walk the Salkantay Trail in the Andes, finishing at Machu Picchu; get up early to see the condors rise from far below at Colca Canyon; take a flight over the Nazca Lines; take a cruise at Pacaya Samiria Reserve in the Amazon; visit the Royal Tombs of Sipan near Lambayeque; take yourself out for a high-end meal in Lima. Incredible and inspirational across the board.

Essentials LATAM flies from Sydney and Melbourne to Lima, via Santiago. Dry season in Peru is May to October, which is when most people choose to trek the Andes. April and November can also be good, and they are cheaper. See latamairlines.com; peru.travel

WONDER

Egypt

What’s special We know, for the most part, how the pyramids of Giza were constructed more than 4500 years ago. A lot of skill, a fair measure of brute strength. But still, you are surely made of stone yourself if you don’t feel a deep sense of wonder at the sight of these incredible feats of engineering, the largest of which – at 146 metres high – remained the tallest structure on Earth for 3800 years. Egypt, top to bottom, will fill you with wonder, from the museums to the city streetscapes, the historical sites to the mighty Nile.

Don’t miss The pyramids of Giza, clearly, are a must for wonderment, along with the Sphinx. Then you have the rock-hewn Abu Simbel, the huge temple complexes of Luxor and Karnak, and the Valley of the Kings. Elsewhere, check out the new Egyptian Museum, and the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa near Alexandria.

Essentials Qatar Airways flies from Australian ports to Cairo, via Doha (though given recent events in the Middle East, check Smartraveller before booking and/or travelling). Egypt is best from October to April, though be aware, peak summer is busy. See qatarairways.com; visitegypt.com

DESIRE

Japan

What’s special The Japanese, surely, are masters of making things look beautiful. Of course, you want that plate of food: it looks immaculate, gorgeous. You want those clothes, they’re so perfectly cut and flattering. You want those little gifts to take back home, they’re so lovingly wrapped and thoughtfully packaged. This happens every day in Japan, everywhere you go: the feeling of desire, of wanting things because they’re just so perfect. There’s no point fighting it. Just budget accordingly.

Don’t miss The main attractions of Japan are well known at this point: historic charm in Kyoto, mountains in Hokkaido, big-city buzz in Tokyo. To embrace the idea of desire, however, you could focus on fashion in the likes of Tokyo and Osaka, where everything from tiny boutiques to massive department stores will be inspiring; you could shop for gifts and trinkets at the thoughtfully stocked stores in any major railway station; or you could eat, anything and everything, and the desire will be there.

Essentials Qantas flies direct from Sydney and Melbourne to Tokyo. Japan is a year-round destination. It is most popular in April for cherry blossoms, and in January for skiing. See qantas.com; japan.travel

SURPRISE

Colombia

What’s special There’s no shortage of wow moments in Colombia. The natural beauty, the rich culture, the history, the warmth of the people. Perhaps the biggest surprise, however, is the way the country just doesn’t match up to its reputation. This is supposed to be a scary place, with a history of violence and a location near troubled Venezuela. However, in the likes of Cartagena, Medellin, Bogota and more you will discover a friendly, welcoming country that knows how to have a good time.

Don’t miss Cartagena is the big-ticket attraction, and rightly so: the city’s walled old town is UNESCO heritage-listed and a pleasure to get to know. With more time to spend, check out vibrant Barranquilla, sample the surprising fine-dining scene in Bogota, and ride the cable car that crosses the city (surprise!) in Medellin.

Essentials Parts of Colombia are rated no-go zones by Smartraveller: areas bordering Venezuela, Panama and Ecuador should be avoided. LATAM flies to Bogota via Santiago. The weather is best in Colombia from December to March, but shoulder seasons are also pleasant. See latamairlines.com; colombia.travel

CALM

Bhutan

What’s special Here is a country that famously measures its Gross National Happiness, so you know you’re onto a place that will be pleasant to visit. What that measurement doesn’t tell you, however, is the deep sense of peace that permeates Bhutan, a quiet, traditional and devout country where life moves slowly and purposefully. There are no huge highways in Bhutan – not even any traffic lights in the entire country. Just mountains, temples, villages, peace.

Don’t miss Bhutan’s most famous attraction is the clifftop monastery called Paro Taktsang, or Tiger’s Nest – though, given its popularity, this is actually one of the country’s least peaceful spots. Instead, try the deeply spiritual Bumthang Valley, tranquil Phobjikha Valley, the culture of far-eastern Trashigang, and the meditative serenity of walking the Trans Bhutan Trail.

Essentials Thai Airways flies to Paro in Bhutan via Bangkok, in partnership with Druk Air. The best seasons for travel in Bhutan are spring (March and April) and autumn (October and November). See thaiairways.com; bhutan.travel

FEAR

New Zealand

What’s special This is a little unfair on New Zealand because it’s not a scary place to visit, and if you don’t want to feel fear there, you have absolutely no need to. If, however, you like pushing your limits, getting your heart racing, then New Zealand is for you. This is the home of bungy jumping, but it’s also a place you can go skydiving, whitewater rafting, downhill mountain biking, jet-boating, ATV-riding, and pretty much anything else that will whiten your knuckles.

Don’t miss There are a few adventure capitals in New Zealand that specialise in this stuff: Queenstown is the most obvious, with three bungy sites, jet-boating on the Shotover River, and all those mountains, though nearby Wanaka also offers its share of envelope-pushing, and in Nelson and surrounds you will discover all sorts of activities to get the pulse racing. In the North Island, Taupo has rafting, bungying, and great biking.

Essentials Qantas flies from major Australian ports to major New Zealand ports. You can get your adrenaline fix here any time of year, though stick to winter if you want to ski. See qantas.com; newzealand.com

CHEER

Ireland

What’s special Is there a place on Earth more convivial than Ireland? If there is, we would struggle to name it. If you want to feel a deep sense of warmth, of welcome, of gregariousness, then Ireland is your country. People here just love the craic, the act of going out and having a good time, of striking up conversations with strangers and sharing stories and singing old songs and getting a big crowd together to do it. You will always meet people when you travel in Ireland; you will always return home with stories to tell.

Don’t miss Get yourself to a pub for a “session”, when a band comes in to play traditional songs and everyone packs in to listen or sing along. In fact, just get yourself to a pub in Ireland – these venues act as the shared loungeroom for the local community, and you will meet plenty of members up for a chat. The counties of Mayo, Galway, Kerry and Cork are known as being the friendliest areas (of an already friendly country), and don’t miss Down and Derry in the north.

Essentials Emirates flies from Australian ports to Dublin, via Dubai. Ireland is most popular in summer, though the shoulder seasons can offer good value. See emirates.com; ireland.com

EXHILARATION

Canada

What’s special Consider strapping on a pair of skis or a snowboard and prepare to shoot down a mountainside somewhere deep in the Rockies. If that doesn’t fill you with excitement, we don’t know what will. Canada has more to offer, too, for those who seek thrills. This is a nation with a huge backyard, a playground of sorts with everything from mountains to prairies, Arctic tundra to massive waterfalls, rugged coastline to culture-filled cityscape. Every day in Canada, there’s something to get excited about.

Don’t miss If we’re talking winter activities, you can ride the Olympic bobsleigh track at Whistler Blackcomb, zoom down ski slopes anywhere in the Rockies, watch an ice hockey game, go ice-skating through a forest near Montreal (at Domaine Enchanteur), see polar bears in Manitoba. In warmer months, visit Niagara Falls, ride the huge tidal flow at the Bay of Fundy, or paddle a canoe in the Yukon.

Essentials Qantas flies from Australian ports to Vancouver, via Sydney. Canada has something for every season – as long as you have the right clothing, you’re all set. See qantas.com; travel.destinationcanada.com

The full gamut: five places where every emotion is possible

South Africa

This country is surely one of the world’s most underrated tourist destinations, one whose attractions go far beyond the safari camps and Table Mountain climbs that readily spring to mind. Drive the Garden Route; go wine-tasting in Franschhoek; explore the Cape of Good Hope; discover history and culture in Johannesburg; hike in Maloti-Drakensberg Park; have a braai out in the bush. And enjoy a warm welcome everywhere you go. See southafrica.net

Vietnam

There will certainly be some fear that you will experience while you’re in Vietnam. First time you go to cross a road in Ho Chi Minh City, you will understand that this is a white-knuckle ride that will never change. That sea of scooters aside, however, there’s also conviviality in Vietnam, with friendly locals, not to mention surprise, excitement, joy and desire – and that’s just breakfast. Feel the full gamut here and enjoy it all. See vietnam.travel

Brazil

There’s a lot going on in Brazil. This is a huge country – the world’s fifth largest, by area – with diverse landscapes and ecosystems, populated by a vast swathe of people with different backgrounds and even languages. Brazil can be soaringly beautiful, but also dangerous; heady and joyful, but also confusing. There is rarely a dull moment here, which is all part of the attraction. See visitbrasil.com

France

Desire? You will feel desire in France. For that morning croissant, for that late-evening cheese, for the beautiful clothes, even – it has to be said – for the chic residents. But then there’s the full gamut of other emotions too, all the positive ones of course, the fun and the excitement, mixed occasionally with a little fear when you wander into the wrong neighbourhood, or confusion on the Metro. There might even be disappointment when you can barely see the Mona Lisa. But, c’est la vie. See france.fr

US

There’s a lot to feel about the US these days. Many feel anger. Some, perhaps, disappointment. This is not a country that leaves people with no opinion. And yet on the ground, the US is confusing because people here are so nice, and the experiences you have are so enjoyable, and you’re reminded that actually, this is a place we love. Right? See visittheusa.com.au