Denmark Outhappied

Screenshot, The Guardian.

Earlier this week five million Norwegians woke up to happy news. Norway now tops The World Happiness Report after having leapfrogged several countries and outhappied even Denmark, the gold standard of happiness. And then The Guardian, one of the world's best newspapers, got in touch and asked me to write about it.

10 Destinations Where You Won't Meet Your Neighbour

Yes, you have to hike up to Tiger's Nest in Bhutan. I can not guarantee that the dog still lives there, though.

Millions and millions of people have read my article about the world's least-visited countries, but I get a lot of feedback that are just too weird, scary or remote as actual destinations for "most people". That pretty much sounded like a challenge, so here we go: 10 countries less-visited that won't scare the shit out of you - but where you're still guaranteed not to meet your neighbour.

The World's Smallest Capitals

That's pretty much it. Creative Commons Licenced by Binter.

Two countries don't have official capital cities, while 13 countries have more than one. The biggest capitals are among the usual suspects, but which ones are the world's smalles capital cities? I'll bet you a beer you haven't been to the smallest one*.

Make America Tourist-friendly Again

Tay-young Pak, Øystein Djupvik and I visited 22 US states in 24 hours.
Perhaps we ought to visit a different country next time.

Make America great again, the new president of the US has shouted all over the place before and after being elected. Not remembering, caring or perhaps even knowing that America consists of two continents, totalling 35 countries. The USA is only one of those. But the US of A is also the second most visited country in the world, with almost 70 million tourists a year. What if we stop visiting?

Is the World So Scary I Should Stop Travelling?

Why I was never admitted to art school. #altrape

I am often asked similar questions. As a prolific traveller, I am lucky enough to receive quite a lot of messages from fellow travellers and wannabe travellers from around the world. Most people ask for travel tips, but as of lately I have received a lot of questions dealing with safety.

The Two Countries Without Capitals

This island nation has no official capital.

South Africa is the only country in the world that has three capital cities, while 12 countries have two. But two countries have no official capital city. Can you guess which ones?

The World's 24 Easiest Countries to Visit, Visa Wise

Samoa can be visited visa free by everyone. Well, unless you are from American Samoa, that is.

You're not a big fan of bureaucracy, queues or red tape? Or perhaps a slightly paranoid citizen of i.e. North Korea, where travel agencies offer you a limited option of easy and friendly destinations? Then stay clear of the world's hardest countries to visit. Instead, go get a ticket to one of the world's easiest countries to visit as a tourist.

The Riverless Countries of the World

The world's biggest riverless country.

I bet you will never guess how many countries lack rivers. The biggest of them is even the 12th biggest country in the world. And it is far from being alone. Perhaps not surprisingly given that Tuvalu's highest point is only 5 meters above sealevel. That is still more than twice as high as the highest "peak" of the Maldives.

Magic Myanmar Made My Day(s)

A village in the Mergui Arcehpelago.

 It has long been a vastly underestimated destination, and it still is. More and more tourists are coming, but the numbers are still on the low side. To make the step from well-established and super safe Thailand seems a step too big for most. Luckily. That preserves the gem that this country is, for a little longer.

25 Strange Customs and Traditions Around the World

Snow ball fights cannot really compete. Tomatoes are the new weapons of choice. 

A big part of travelling is turning your head. To observe strange customs, to admire people in traditional outfits, to gasp at breathtaking sights or to try to understand why the hell people do what they do. But some strange customs are stranger than others.