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'I've been to 65 countries and one of my favourites is just 3 hours from UK'
Daily mirror | January 15, 2026 11:40 PM CST

A globe-trotting YouTuber who traded his desk job for a life of adventure in various 4x4 vehicles has named three countries that left him utterly spellbound. Originally hailing from Australia, Dan Grec relocated to Canada after studying engineering 20 years ago.

However, while chained to his office job, he found himself daydreaming about "all the adventures that are possible out there". Dan decided to turn his dreams into reality and began saving up. He eventually took the plunge, quit his job, sold all his possessions and boldly"hit the road to Alaska".

But this was just the beginning. After having "such a good time", he chose to head south and drive all the way to the southernmost tip of South America over two years, crossing 17 countries.

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His adventures have since taken him across the globe. He's now traversed five continents and an impressive 65 countries, including 35 nations in Africa. Yet, when asked to pick his favourites, three stood out.

Dan, who has even written a book about his thrilling escapades, said: "I've driven my own 4x4 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 quizzed about his favourite destination, Dan responded: "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

Dan's first recommendation was Gabon. He said: "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 boasting thick rainforests that are home to chimpanzeesand mandrills.

But that's not all adventurous travellers might encounter on the country's white-sand shores, as gorillas and elephants can apparently be seen too.

Other must-see attractions include Loango National Park and Ivindo National Park. The capital city, Libreville, features The National Museum of Arts, Rites and Traditions of Gabon, the Arboretum de Sibang, and the lively marché Mont-Bouët market.

Typical yearly temperatures in Gabon hover around 26C, with January reaching a slightly warmer average of 27C. The optimal time to travel is during the dry spell from May through September.

British tourists can anticipate a journey of roughly 10 hours and 58 minutes from London to Libreville, according to Booking.com.

Iceland

Dan went on to say: "Iceland has by far the most stunning landscapes I've ever seen.

Known as the "Land of Fire and Ice", this Nordic island nationis 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.

Travellers can hunt for the Northern Lights, explore the capital city Reykjavík, or embark on the Golden Circle route, whilst other attractions include the South Coast, Snaefellsnes Peninsula, the Eastfjords, and the spectacular Skógafoss Waterfall.

Iceland's average yearly temperatures swing from a bracing -1C during winter months to 11C in summer. British holidaymakers face an average journey time of 3 hours 21 minutes one way (London to Reykjavík).

Argentina

Rounding off his list, Dan confessed: "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 football icon Diego Maradona, Argentina is also known for the tango, the breathtaking Iguazu Falls, and literary figures including Jorge Luis Borges.

Additional must-see destinations across this enormous nation include its vibrant capital Buenos Aires, Misiones Province, the Iberá Wetlands (where capybaras might make an appearance), and Patagonia's striking scenery.

Average yearly temperatures fluctuate by region, though visitors heading to Buenos Aires can anticipate typical daytime temperatures around 18C.

UK holidaymakers can anticipate an average flight duration of 18 hours, 43 minutes one way (London to Buenos Aires).


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