A couple of weeks ago, we asked you where you would travel to if you could only pick one country to visit for the rest of your life. Your responses were absolutely excellent, so we thought we’d pick a few of our favourites to share.

Fiji

If you’ve got to choose just one place, it may as well be paradise, right? But JFC-er Fraser says it’s the locals that really make it, excelling themselves at being friendly. Plus, it can be pretty cheap once you get there, and the sun is usually shining. Sounds awful…

From the moment you arrive in Fiji, you’re made to feel at home. The traditional Fijian welcome song, Bula Maleya, is likely to welcome you everywhere you go, and you may find yourself invited to a traditional welcome ceremony. The ceremony centres around sharing the local drink, kava - just take it easy, it’s potent!

Having travelled so far, it might seem a shame not to live like island royalty and splash out on, say… a villa on a private island? There’s no need, though. Poolside studio apartments only 10 minutes’ walk from the beach go for as little as £29 per night on the main island. A bit more seclusion comes even cheaper, with cottages by the ocean on stunning Matacawalevu Island starting at £26 per night.

Hostelling and home stays cost next to nothing, and then you have the added bonus that your hosts might also offer you home-cooked meals. As a general rule, it’s cheapest to eat in larger towns as opposed to resort areas (who’d have thunk it?!). What you might not have guessed is that the local catch of the day might catch you off guard when you get the bill, while eating at an Indian restaurant can set you back less than £5.

Every little helps when you’ve got to save those pennies for a sunset coconut and local rum…

Turkey

Turkey is Angie’s top pick, having completely fallen in love with it during a budget-friendly solo holiday. While the current economic crisis in Turkey is nothing to celebrate, it does mean that visiting now is more affordable than ever.

Istanbul makes for a very affordable city break, with the average daily spend coming in at around £35 pp. And if you’ve got the stamina to stay in a hostel dorm, you can make it even less.

Street foods like kumpir and dürüm (waaaay nicer than the kebabs you get back home) will keep you well-fed for less, while your morning tea or coffee in a local café won’t even cost you 50p. On top of that, some of the city’s most popular sights are actually free to enter, like the Hagia Sophia, and Gülhane Park, which sits beside Topkapi Palace and overlooks the Bosphorus. Top tip—it’s especially beautiful during the Tulip Festival in April.

A taste of the Turquoise Coast won’t set you back a load, either. You’ll find endless stress-free all-inclusive resort deals along the Riviera, but the trick to finding a more local experience is travelling a few hours from the airport. Kaş is a good shout for getting all the beauty but less of the buzz—plus there’s a bonus Greek Island just 20 minutes’ ferry ride away.

Philippines

Mark’s pick is the Philippines, mostly for the variety it offers. With over 7,600 islands, more than 120 languages and spectacular nature, you’d be hard pushed to get bored. It’s essentially paradise for the tropically-inclined.

Boracay is the main tourist island, with glorious sandy beaches that will lure you into the water for hours at a time. But it is a small and busy island. Even the childish giggles on offer from the wonderfully named Willy’s Rock might not stop us following paths less trodden.

Apo Island is worth the few hours’ trip by bus (and boat) from popular Cebu. Friendly sea turtles hang out in the shallows, while the coral reef surrounding the island will keep divers busy for days. Landlubbers can enjoy a peaceful wander through small villages on the car-free island, or take short hikes to the lighthouse and Rock Point View Deck.

Leaning into the Philippines’ volcanic nature is best on Camiguin. With 7 volcanoes come natural hot springs, spectacular waterfalls and rainforest hikes that reward you with epic views. Oh, and then there’s the creepy underwater goth vibes to be had at the sunken cemetery…

Each week in 2023, we’ll be going on a whirlwind tour of a different randomly selected US state. This week, we’re heading to Montana.

Here’s one you probably haven’t heard of—but don’t worry, we’ll tell you all about it.

Away from the bright lights of NYC, New York state has a lot going for itself. The oldest state park in the USA sits right up there on the Canadian border, setting the stage for the world’s second-largest waterfall—Niagara Falls. We know, it’s a tourist trap, but the Falls are so worth it.

Don’t hang around once you’re done—head straight to the glorious Finger Lakes region. Eleven lakes, more than 50 waterfalls (they’re good at them up there), nearly 150 wineries, and around 80 breweries mean it’s entirely up to you whether you head out on the trail all day or get merry on the Chardonnay. Or a bit of both.

Continuing west towards the state capital, Albany, there’s an underground secret. Well, the Howe Caverns would be a secret, if there wasn’t a giant sign painted into the grass out front. 156 feet below ground, you’ll be treated to a labyrinth of rock formations and light shows, while zip lining and rock climbing keep the fun alive above the surface.

Swing by the Sam’s Point Ice Caves for something a little more rugged and unusual on the road back to the Big Apple. But then you must visit Kelder’s Farm in Kerhonkson. It makes for a wholesome day out, with a corn maze, fruit picking, pumpkin cannons and more. But the most important attraction is former Guinness World Record holder, Gnome Chomsky.

Yes, he’s a giant garden gnome, and we love him—even if he’s no longer the tallest in the world.

We’ve deliberately ignored the Big Apple-shaped elephant in the room, because where do you even start? Thankfully, our JFC Facebook Community always have a wealth of knowledge, so pop over there to ask for (or share) the best NYC tips.