What are some countries you wanted to visit when you were younger, but no longer do?

[KostasKouvalis]

And the reserve, "Are there any countries you didn't want to visit when you were younger, but now you do?"

[PJH359]

I will name three that I never cared about but now would find interesting to visit. Israel would be on top of the list. So much religious history…I would love to experience the atmosphere and energy there. Second would be Alaska. Aside from Antarctica I view it as the accessible final frontier. I’d look forward to the beauty of the landscape and the abundance of wildlife. Last would be England for the simple reason that they have been (besides France) perhaps our closest ally throughout modern history.

[KostasKouvalis]

I've had a love hate relationship with Israel, not because of the politics, but from a touristic perspective. But now I see it would be worth it, especially if I can visit Petra from there.

Alaska is cool. I went for the first time last summer, and I was amazed that such a remote and unspoiled place still exists in the US. Would definitely recommend it over Antarctica.

I've always liked England, though these days I would avoid the major tourist sites like London and Stone Henge.

Never had much interest in France, aside from Corsica, but I visited the French Pyrenees on a day trip from Barcelona and quickly discovered why everyone loves that country.

[slatyb]

I still want to visit Turkey and Hungary but not under their current regimes. They are no longer free countries.

[KostasKouvalis]

If you're talking about Orban, there's nothing wrong with him.

You're right about Edorgan, but his regime doesn't impact tourists, except maybe financially. I was fortunate enough to visit before the financial crash. At least for the moment, they still have some degree of dress and religious freedom. But like I said, as a tourist, as long as you don't bother the regime, they won't bother you. It's not like Iran or Algeria. Just don't go to the Kurdish region and you'll be fine

[slatyb]

There’s plenty wrong with Orban. He has crushed the once free press. Democracy in Hungary is over.

[KostasKouvalis]

That's not true. I saw the Tucker Carlson interview. Don't believe that propoganda. There are several newspapers criticizing him

[slatyb]

Tucker Carlson is propaganda. I get my information from several other reputable sources.

[slatyb]

From theowp.org/.../

The 2018 annual Freedom in the World report run by Freedom House showed that Hungary has fallen from the status of ‘’a free country’’ to now only ‘’partly free’’ where it remains today. The fall is mainly due to the ascension to power of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the Fidesz party, who have since taken control of most of Hungary’s regional media and have passed several detrimental laws for NGOs and academics.

[KostasKouvalis]

Okay, believe what you want. If Orban is so corrupt why's he so popular? Orban is a good man. You just don't like him, because he wants to keep Hungary Hungarian

[slatyb]

Good leaders tolerate a free press. Who stifles the press? Leaders afraid of people knowing the truth.
"Why's he so popular?" Authoritarians are often popular for a time. That's how they attain power. Then they ruin the country like Erdogan is ruining Turkey. As you said yourself: "Erdogan... I was fortunate enough to visit before the financial crash". The same will happen in Hungary. Everyone with the talent and means will emigrate. Probably that's already occurring. This will result in a decrease in GDP as the highly competent depart and are replaced with the less capable. This is not a hypothetical, In Germany, companies where highly competent Jewish business leaders were forced out became less profitable. Hungary will leave the EU and NATO and the country will revert to the hellhole it was between the WWI and the end of the Warsaw Pact.

[Guy13]

Europe except for Switzerland...

[alice55]

Why do you dislike Europe?

[Guy13]

It doesn’t appeal to me. as much as Asia does.

[KostasKouvalis]

Asia sucks, except the West of the continent