Forget Trump, Here's Why The 'Shithole Countries' Should Be On Your Bucket List

| © nike159 / Pixabay

Last week, President Trump referred to African nations as ‘shithole countries’, and spoke disparagingly about El Salvador and Haiti. During a discussion with US senators about immigration policy, the president used ‘racist’ language to describe these countries and expressed his frustration about immigrants coming from them to America.

We believe that these countries aren’t anything like the way President Trump describes, and are, in fact, full of beautiful locations we are desperate to visit. Below are some of the places on our bucket list.

speech icon man in bubble

Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
speech icon man in bubble
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

Haiti

Citadelle Laferrière

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd5aYLWAXgg/?taken-at=16794959

A stunning mountaintop fortress built after Haiti declared independence, this landmark is in fantastic condition and is an important symbol of strength and resistance for Haitians.

Gelee Beach

https://www.instagram.com/p/tqLdLrQad7/?tagged=geleebeach

The longest stretch of sand in the country, this beach is next to open pasture, which makes for a gorgeous vista. Fishing boats bob on the horizon and the sweet smell of coconut floats on the breeze as you tuck into your seafood lunch.

Saut-Mathurine

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd3mtf9hBsI/?taken-at=574348486

You can swim in the pool of this huge waterfall. It’s surrounded by the kind of lush greenery that is typical of Haiti.

El Salvador

Tazumal

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd3SVsBjyu7/?taken-at=236695083

First settled in 5,000 BC, you won’t want to miss a trip to these seriously impressive Mayan ruins. Many remain unexcavated, so you can dream about Mayan civilisation while imagining the structures beneath your feet.

Lake Ilopango

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd3HumfF0_Y/?taken-at=278985144

This is one of the largest lakes in the country. It fills the crater of an extinct volcano, which is super cool. You can swim and dive to look for fish while surrounded by the glassy reflections of mountainous peaks.

Montecristo National Park

https://www.instagram.com/p/BIyOytThpLu/?taken-at=1015453668

A natural cloud forest, you can see pumas, anteaters and spider monkeys in this national park. It’s got everything from 2,418 metre (7,933 foot) peaks to 30 metre (98 foot) trees.

Africa

Casbah of Algiers, Algeria

https://www.instagram.com/p/BBBRjr3GA_V/?taken-at=610030996

This location is made up of winding streets stuffed with mosques, palaces and homes, and is an unmissable attraction for any visitor. A UNESCO world heritage site, it is beautifully preserved and dates back to the Ottoman empire.

Victoria Falls, the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd-UBCUlyoo/?taken-at=225198377

The African name for this famous waterfall is Mosi-oa-Tunya, ‘The Smoke that Thunders’, which refers to the incredible sound and spray from the water. It’s roughly twice the height of the Niagara Falls and is surrounded by a savannah home to lions, rhinos and hippos.

Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd-Fk0cBv7W/?taken-at=4255893

A picturesque village on the Mediterranean coast of Tunisia, this location has inspired artists and writers for many years. Originally a religious site, it’s inspired the likes of Matisse and Simone de Beauvoir. The colour scheme of white and blue houses, along with the turquoise water, make it a sight to behold.

The Sahara desert

https://www.instagram.com/p/aW3q4ZOU7b/?tagged=thesaharadesert

This famous desert spans roughly 3.6 million square miles (9.4 million square kilometers), and reaches Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan and Tunisia. Visiting the largest desert in the world means slow, soulful camel journals, nighttime fires and experiencing the best view of the stars that the world has to offer.

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd4kUfcFGqv/?taken-at=208121666344438

If you’ve ever dreamed about seeing leopards, giraffe, lions, buffalo, rhinos and gazelles in their natural environment, this is where you need to be.

Marrakech souks, Morocco

https://www.instagram.com/p/BdaAy4Jnr2d/?tagged=marrakeshsouk

These markets have existed for more than a thousand years. You can find everything you could ever want to buy here, from metalwork and tapestries to clothes and spices.

culture trip left arrow
 culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Holiday Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

X
Edit article