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A man who has visited more than 140 countries has revealed the one destination that keeps him "coming back" every year. Chris D. Brown, a former British Army serviceman who spent 20 years in the forces and has travelled to more 140 nations "and counting", described how he remains "captivated" by one European country in particular.

A popular tourist hotspot for Brits, the sunny nation is easily accessible from the UK (reportedly even without flying) and is famed for its sun-kissed beaches, incredible food, and rich history. Food in particular, is one aspect Chris is especially fond of, claiming that meals in the country, which he says is also home to his favourite city on the European continent - "never disappoint". He wrote in Business Insider: "Out of all the places I've been, though, only one keeps me coming back for annual visits: Spain. I've traveled there at least once a year for the past 15 years and am still captivated by its food, history, and more."

Elaborating on his love of Spain's cuisine, Chris highlighted the pintxos - a type of finger food eaten as a snack - that he enjoys when visiting San Sebastián, located in the Basque Country in northern Spain.

Another local delicacy he featured in his piece was pimientos de padrón, a cooked pepper dish, in Madrid. He also noted that his favourite restaurant "in the world" is Alfarería 21 Casa Montalván in Seville, which is also his favourite European city.

Situated in southwestern Europe with the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean to the east, and Africa to the south, Spain serves as something of a "political and cultural bridge," writes the BBC.

A major power in the Early Modern period, Spain once held one of the largest colonial empires in the world, with overseas territories in the Americas, Africa and Asia. In modern times, Spanish is the second most widely spoken language in the world.

History is also part of Spain's allure for Chris, with the globetrotting writer highlighting sites such as Granada's Alhambra palace and fortress complex, which serves as a notable example of the country's Islamic architecture.

His other recommendations included the Patio de los Leones, Madrid's Museo Reina Sofía - home to Picasso's 1937 Cubist masterpiece Guernica - and the Museo de la Paz de Guernica.

Chris also lauded Spain's "unmatched" festivals, naming his favourite as La Feria del Caballo (The Jerez Horse Fair), which takes place in Jerez de la Frontera in the southern Andalusia region.

He went on to praise public transport in Spanish cities, highlighting the affordable fares and how services "cover a lot of ground," while also commending transport networks throughout the country.

Finally, he explained why he loves Seville so much, citing its flamenco dancing, art, and architecture. However, he said the biggest draw is the city's residents, whom he called the "friendliest folk."

He added: "But above all, what I love most about the city is its people. They're some of the friendliest folk I've ever come across. Whenever I sit in a bar or a restaurant there for half an hour, I leave with new friends."