'I visited every country in the world - tourists never see this jaw-dropping one'

Amid growing conversations about frustrations with overtourism in certain parts of the world, some places remain largely undiscovered by travellers. One of those has been pointed out by a man who has just broken the Guinness World Record for the fastest time to visit all sovereign countries in the world. The American man, Michael Zervos, started his journey in January 2024 and finished it in May of this year, and revealed which country is the most underrated in the world.

In fact, he described this place as a pure "paradise", which makes it more surprising when you learn it gets only 160,000 tourists per year. The country that is most overlooked by tourists, he says, is Samoa. This small nation is made up of nine volcanic islands and is located in Oceania, 751 miles from Fiji and 364 miles from Tonga. Its population stands at 218,000, and its total land area spans just 1,093 square miles. While it is largely overlooked, Samoa is home to stunning beaches, rich forests and delicious food.

Zervos said of the tiny nation: "Many travellers simply don't realise how accessible and budget-friendly Samoa actually is. The word 'paradise' gets thrown around a lot when describing the Pacific, but Samoa truly matches my idea of paradise on Earth.

"The To Sua Ocean Trench is jaw-dropping. This natural sinkhole is filled with crystal-clear water and one of the most unique swimming spots I've ever encountered.

"Every village participates in an annual beautification competition, ensuring the entire country is immaculately maintained by those who live there. The environment always takes priority here."

The top-rated attraction in Samoa is the aforementioned To Sua Ocean Trench, a giant natural swimming hole that is a staggering 30 metres deep. Visitors are blown away by the turquoise water and the pathways that allow them to explore the surrounding nature.

One previous visitor said of this attraction: "This place is amazing! One of my favourite things I did on my trip to Samoa. Give yourself time to walk around the grounds. They are beautiful."

Other well-reviewed attractions in the country include Lalomanu Beach, Giant Clam Sanctuary, Samoa Cultural Village, Piula Cave Pool and Papaseea Sliding Rock.

When it comes to Samoa as an overall experience, the few tourists who have been there have had some excellent things to say. One person wrote on Reddit: "One of my all-time favourite holiday destinations - and happily, not chockers with tourists."

Another said: "I went to Samoa 8 years ago (stayed in Apia), and loved it. It really is a tropical paradise, which has so little tourism (though lots of expats visiting) that it felt like you were family visiting."

One person shared: "It's a really beautiful island and the people are absolutely wonderful. There isn't a ton to do, but if you're wanting to relax, the beaches at the hotels there are really wonderful."