Luca Pferdmenges, a 22-year-old German globetrotter, has visited an impressive 190 countries, making him a seasoned expert on navigating the world. He recently shared his thoughts on the best and worst travel destinations with the Daily Mail, offering insights based on his extensive experiences.
One of the most surprising revelations from Luca’s travels is the affordability of Afghanistan, a country he visited before the Taliban takeover. He found that a plate of street food cost a mere 11 cents (approximately ₹ 9), making it one of the cheapest places he’s experienced. Other countries with incredibly cheap food, according to Luca, include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
On the other end of the spectrum, Luca identifies Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, Israel, and New Zealand as the priciest destinations he’s encountered. However, he acknowledges that these observations are inherently biased due to the vast amount of data he’s accumulated over his travels.
Luca, a professional juggler, also offers insights into the safety of various destinations. While he praises the beauty of many European cities, he considers Brussels, along with several other Belgian cities, unsafe and unappealing, particularly at night and during winter. He also expresses concern about the safety of Brussels North and certain areas of Paris, London, and Frankfurt after dark.
He encourages travelers to explore destinations beyond the usual tourist hotspots like France, Italy, Greece, and Spain, arguing that many other countries offer equally captivating experiences. Luca is particularly surprised by the lack of attention given to countries like Montenegro and Slovenia, which he describes as stunning and affordable yet often overlooked.
Luca also shares his thoughts on popular tourist destinations, highlighting some that he finds overrated. He criticizes Egypt for its tourist-heavy atmosphere and lack of genuine cultural experiences. The Caribbean, especially the Lesser Antilles, also receives a similar critique for its over-reliance on beach-centric tourism.
In contrast, Luca highlights a number of underrated destinations, including Uzbekistan, other Central Asian countries, the Baltics, Myanmar, North Macedonia, Bhutan, Montenegro, and numerous Latin American countries. He finds these places to be more exciting and affordable than typical tourist spots, with Bhutan and Myanmar standing out for their exceptional beauty and relatively low visitor numbers.
Luca also reveals his top travel destinations, listing Mexico, Brazil, Israel, Spain, Bhutan, the UK, UAE, Portugal, and Austria as his favorites. He praises Mexico for its exceptional food scene, highlighting the vegan Middle Eastern cuisine of Israel, the delectable Middle Eastern dishes of Lebanon, the traditional Injera of Ethiopia, and the well-stocked supermarkets of Germany and the UK. He also has a fondness for Mediterranean cuisine in general.
However, Luca isn’t shy about expressing his criticisms. He criticizes countries like Haiti, Chad, and small Pacific islands for their limited and unhealthy food options. He also points out the challenges faced by vegans in the Balkan countries.
