Man Who’s Visited Every Country in the World Says Best Place He’s Visited Has Everything You Could Want

If you’re into cruising, you’ve probably already sailed the Caribbean, explored the Med, and maybe even gone a bit further afield to places like Japan or Alaska. But what if you wanted to go really off the beaten track? Like, “visited every country in the world” level of travel?

That’s exactly what Drew Binsky has done—197 countries, millions of miles, and countless experiences later. But after all that, where does the world’s most travelled man say is the best place he’s ever been?

His answer might just surprise you—and if you’re the kind of cruiser who loves chasing hidden gems and epic stories, you’ll want to add this destination straight to your bucket list.

Who Is Drew Binsky?

Before you roll your eyes and mutter “influencer,” let’s be clear—Drew Binsky isn’t your average travel vlogger.

He’s a Guinness World Record holder who’s visited every single country on Earth. From war zones to remote Pacific islands, he’s done it all. Over the past decade, Drew’s has racked up more than 10 billion views, sharing stories from the far corners of the globe that often shine a spotlight on people and cultures that don’t make mainstream headlines.

So when someone with that many passport stamps says the Philippines is the best place on the planet? You sit up and take notice.

The Big Reveal: “It’s the Philippines”

After 197 countries, countless flights, and probably more passport pages than most of us will ever fill, Drew Binsky dropped the ultimate travel bombshell: “The best place I’ve ever been… is the Philippines.”

In his words, the country has “everything you could want”—jaw-dropping nature, wild adventures, world-class diving, vibrant culture, and above all, people who greet you like family the second you arrive.

“Every single experience in the Philippines is incredible,” Drew says in his video. “It’s not just the scenery that blows your mind—it’s the people. You’re never a stranger here. Filipinos will always greet you with a smile.”

For a man who’s been spearfishing with tribes in Papua New Guinea and slept in the Sahara Desert, that’s saying a lot.

And while he admits he’s a bit biased (he’s married to a Filipina), he’s also visited the country over 75 times—so this isn’t a one-and-done love affair. It’s a full-blown relationship.

What Makes the Philippines So Special?

So, what exactly makes the Philippines stand out in a world packed with bucket-list destinations? According to Drew, it’s not just one thing—it’s everything.

The Warmest Welcome: Whether you’re in bustling Manila or a remote island village, Filipinos will greet you like a long-lost friend. “It’s more fun in the Philippines” isn’t just a slogan—it’s a national personality trait. Expect spontaneous karaoke, shared meals, and strangers who instantly feel like family.

Epic Nature: If you’re cruising through Southeast Asia, the Philippines should be top of your list for shore excursions. Think turquoise lagoons, postcard-perfect beaches, active volcanoes, underground rivers, and dive sites so surreal they look photoshopped.

Unbeatable Food: From sizzling street barbecues to fresh-off-the-boat seafood, the food scene is wildly underrated. Ever tried balut? It’s a rite of passage. Prefer something less… challenging? Go for halo-halo or a perfect adobo.

Rich Culture: The country’s cultural mash-up is vibrant, colourful, and seriously cool. Tribal tattoo traditions, Catholic fiestas, jeepneys painted like art projects, and music pouring from every corner—it’s a sensory overload in the best way.

Real Adventure: Fancy freediving with turtles? Surfing on Siargao’s world-famous waves? Or getting inked by a 106-year-old tribal tattoo artist in the mountains? The Philippines is not for passive tourists—it’s for people who want to feel something.

A Land of Contrasts

The Philippines is a country that constantly keeps you on your toes. One moment you’re weaving through the chaotic, traffic-clogged streets of Manila, dodging jeepneys and street food carts; the next, you’re on a boat heading to a secluded island where Wi-Fi is a rumour and time moves differently.

It’s this extreme variety that Drew Binsky found so captivating. From buzzing cities bursting with energy to untouched slices of paradise, the contrasts aren’t jarring—they’re exhilarating. “You can party on a rooftop in Makati one night, then find yourself on a silent white-sand beach with no one else around the next,” he says.

What ties it all together? The people. In a country hit by dozens of typhoons a year, there’s still laughter in the streets, music in the air, and a deep-rooted sense of joy. “There’s a resilience here I haven’t seen anywhere else,” Drew reflects. “Filipinos smile through everything.”

And then there are the experiences you won’t get anywhere else. Like sailing with the Bajau sea gypsies, who live entirely on the water. Or being invited to a village wedding just because you happened to walk by. Or, if you’re brave enough, getting a traditional hand-poked tattoo from the legendary Whang-Od in a remote mountain village—no machines, no numbing cream, just bamboo and ink.

Why It Should Be On Every Cruiser’s Bucket List

If you’re the kind of cruiser who’s seen the Med, done the Caribbean, and wants something with a bit more edge, put the Philippines on your list.

Cruise ships are increasingly making stops in places like Manila, Boracay, and Puerto Princesa, giving passengers a glimpse of what this sprawling archipelago has to offer. You can hop off and dive into buzzing local markets, explore underground rivers, or lounge on beaches that somehow still feel undiscovered.

Major cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess Cruises, NCL and MSC feature the Philippines on their Southeast Asia itineraries—often paired with stops in Vietnam, Thailand, or Malaysia. Expedition lines like Seabourn and Oceania also include lesser-known ports, making it easier to explore remote areas that are otherwise tricky to reach.

Because this isn’t polished, tourist-trap territory. You’ll eat things you’ve never heard of, meet people who treat strangers like family, and see landscapes that feel like they’ve been ripped straight out of a fantasy film.

You can watch Drew’s video here:

The Takeaway: Will You Be Next?

Let’s be honest—you’ve probably cruised through the Med, soaked up the Caribbean sun, and maybe even had a cocktail or two in the Canaries. But isn’t it time to go somewhere that really leaves a mark?

If a guy who’s spent years visiting every country in the world says the Philippines is the best of the lot, maybe it’s worth finding out why. This isn’t just another stop on a map—it’s the kind of destination that sticks with you long after your suitcase is unpacked.

So here’s the real question:
Will your next adventure be just another cruise—or the one you talk about forever?

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