‘I’ve visited 65 countries and one was so good I nearly moved there’ | Travel News | Travel
Dan Grec’s travels have taken him to five continents and an incredible sixty-five nations (Image: Dan Grec)
A globetrotting YouTuber who swapped his sedentary career for a life on the open road in various 4×4 vehicles has named three countries that blew him away. Originally from Australia, Dan Grec moved to Canada after studying engineering 20 years ago. But, while he was tied to his desk job, he couldn’t help but dream of “all the adventures that are possible out there”.
Dan decided to put his thoughts into action and starting saving his cash. He eventually quit his job, sold all of his belongings and bravely “hit the road to Alaska”, but this would just be the beginning. He had “such a good time” that he decided to turn south and drive all the way to the bottom of South America over two years through 17 countries, but his adventures have taken him all over the world. He has now travelled to five continents and an incredible 65 nations, including 35 countries in Africa. However, when pressed to name his favourites, three stood out.
READ MORE: ‘Britain’s best place for 2026’ is underrated with historic castle
READ MORE: Mysterious ‘vanishing’ lake which disappears within hours and has ghostly past
Dan, who has even written a book about his exploits, said:”I’ve driven my own 4×4 vehicles through 65 countries on five continents. I don’t aim to visit every country on earth or anything like that, but I do love to explore and get as remote as possible. I plan to keep going.
So, when asked which one was his favourite, Dan said: “Which country? Oh, that’s like asking for a favourite child.
“It depends so much on the weather, on how exhausted I am at the time, who I happen to bump into and a million other things that are more or less random.”
Gabon is also known as “Africa’s last Eden” (Image: Getty Images/Bloomberg Creative Photos)
Gabon
The first answer Dan gave was Gabon. He explained: “I will say that Gabon in West Africa is an incredible country with extremely friendly people, tons of wilderness to explore and incredible wildlife.”
Located on the Atlantic coast in the subregion of Central Africa, Gabon, also known as “Africa’s last Eden”, is a sparsely populated nation with dense rainforests that play host to chimpanzees and mandrills.
That’s not the only wildlife that plucky tourists might be able to spot when they visit the country’s white-sand beaches, though, as gorillas and elephants can also reportedly be spotted.
Other highlights include Loango National Park and Ivindo National Park. Meanwhile its capital, Libreville, is home to The National Museum of Arts, Rites and Traditions of Gabon, the Arboretum de Sibang, and the vibrant marché Mont-Bouët market.
Average annual temperatures in Gabon sit at around the 26C mark, with January having a slightly higher average of 27C. The best time to visit being the dry season of May to September. UK holidaymakers can expect a 10-hour, 58-minute flight (London to Libreville), according to Booking.com.
Iceland is hailed for its staggeringly beautiful volcanic vistas (Image: Getty Images)
Iceland
Dan continued: “Iceland has by far the most stunning landscapes I’ve ever seen.”
Known as the “Land of Fire and Ice”, this Nordic island nation is hailed for its staggeringly beautiful volcanic vistas, waterfalls, and geothermal activity, including the famous Blue Lagoon spa.
Located between the Arctic and North Atlantic Oceans, lava fields cover the land in Iceland, and hot water beneath the ground is harnessed to supply heating.
Visitors can try to spot the Northern Lights, visit the capital, Reykjavík, or take in the Golden Circle sightseeing route, with other draws including the South Coast, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, the Eastfjords, and the Skógafoss Waterfall.
Average annual temperatures in Iceland range from a chilly -1C in winter to 11C in summer. UK tourists can expect an average flight time of 3 hours 21 minutes one way (London to Reykjavík).
Argentina is a nation of diverse landscapes in South America’s southern cone (Image: Getty Images)
Argentina
Finally, Dan revealed: “I loved Argentina so much I seriously looked into getting residency.”
A South American nation of diverse landscapes in the continent’s southern cone, Argentina spans 4,000km from its north, where it’s sub-tropical, to the sub-Antarctic southern region.
Famously the home of legendary football player Diego Maradona, the country is also known for the tango dance, the majestic Iguazu Falls, and literary figures such as Jorge Luis Borges.
Some of the other highlights in this vast country include its capital, Buenos Aires, Misiones Province, the Iberá Wetlands (where you may even spot capybaras), and the dramatic landscapes of Patagonia.
Average annual temperatures vary depending on region, but if you plan to visit Buenos Aires, you should expect an average daytime temperature of 18C.
UK tourists can expect an average flight time of 18 hours, 43 minutes one way (London to Buenos Aires).
