Changing Your Map From Green To Blue

That's it?

Once you've filled out your map, no matter how much you feel like you've traveled the world over, you are bound to find gaping holes; deep shades of gray and green -- the cruel colors of unfulfilled potential. It's one of the most common post-map-pinning feelings. Unless you're Sir Richard Branson or Magellan, your completed map can leave you feeling pretty... incomplete. And small. But it doesn't have to be this way. Trust us.

The top five countries Where I've Been users want to visit aren't nearly as out of reach as they may seem, and we can prove it to you. Find out the top five most-desired countries and learn about the best times to travel to them, how to get in cheaply and myths about traveling there.

5. Japan

Dream counter: 1,401,508 Where I've Been users want to go to Japan.
Why are we putting it off? Like most countries that will appear on this list, Japan's remoteness renders it a longer trip, which means more careful planning is necessary and extra travel days must be set aside. Japan is also generally cost-prohibitive -- plane tickets regularly run in the $1000-range, and Tokyo currently sports the highest cost of living of any city in the world (followed closely by Osaka). However, it's all relative -- day-to-day expenses aren't too far from what one would pay during a trip in America or Europe, so travelers from those areas shouldn't be too surprised.
How to make the dream reality: Set your parameters. If cost is your concern and adventure is your ultimate goal, you may want to avoid Tokyo and Osaka altogether. Use their airports as hubs to get to smaller regions like the southern Kyushu (pictured above right) or the northern Hokkaido purchase a Japanese RailPass to access other smaller towns. If your heart's set on Tokyo, cut costs by catching lunch boxes at department stores ($5 for a nice meal) and sticking to local restaurants with cheap noodles. Stay in youth hostels and the efficient business hotels if you're willing to sacrifice a little space. Rent a bike (about $30) or use the city's extremely efficient rail system to avoid transport costs.
Cheapest upcoming airfares from Chicago: $736 to Tokyo (December 3-14), $759 to Tokyo (February 10-24), $759 to Tokyo (March 2-10) (source: Sidestep)
Current currency exchange: 86 yen / 1 U.S. dollar; 129 yen / 1 euro (source: XE.com)
Least-trafficked travel times: February-March / September-November

(sources: epinions, Kristin Johannsen; img: red ernest)

4. New Zealand
Dream counter: 1,489,102 users want to go to New Zealand.
Why are we putting it off? Perhaps NZ's association with Middle Earth makes the country seem like the stuff of far-off, unattainable fantasy -- vast landscapes populated by dwarves and centaurs, maybe. Like Japan above, New Zealand's remoteness goes hand in hand with higher travel pricetags and scheduling difficulty, and its dollar has appreciated quite a bit in recent years.
How to make the dream reality: The best part about "off-season travel" in places like New Zealand: Their concept of "seasons." Even while seasons run opposite of the Northern Hemisphere, weather in NZ's off-peak fall months from April to June is pretty mild (generally hovering around 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit). If you're in New Zealand for its extreme sports expeditions -- it is the birthplace of skydiving, after all -- then you might have to make some budget sacrifices in the way of food, beer and lodging. You'll want to set aside around $75-$100 per day for expenses, and more if you wish to up the ante in hospitality.
Cheapest upcoming airfares from Chicago: $1180 to Auckland (June 4-15), $1180 to Auckland (May 13-30) (source: Sidestep)
Current currency exchange: 1.39 New Zealand dollars / 1 U.S. dollar; 2.10 NZD / 1 euro (source: XE)
Least-trafficked travel times: October / November, April / May
(img: Kiwi Mikex)

3. Brazil
Dream counter: 1,547,622 users want to go to Brazil.
Why are we putting it off? Good question. Brazil isn't nearly as remote or expensive as its counterparts in this list. Perhaps it's this Southern vs. Northern Hemisphere opposite-day madness that keeps us from coherent planning. But it'd be wise to not put it off much longer -- 2014 is Brazil's coming-out party for the World Cup, while 2016 sees Rio hosting South America's first Olympic Games.
How to make the dream reality: Wait to book that flight, for now. Right now fares are a little difficult and the holiday season doesn't help matters. After the holidays -- and then after Carnaval in South America -- you can typically get airfares for around $700 round-trip, depending on where you come from. Brazil is so much more than the two huge cities (Sao Paulo and Rio) that tower in its confines -- Salvador, while still a large city, is rich with African cultural heritage, gorgeous shores and its day-to-day expenses can be a little bit cheaper.
Cheapest upcoming airfares from Chicago: $897 to Sao Paulo (March 23-March 30), $859 to Rio de Janeiro (April 7-21)
Current currency exchange: 2.63 Brazil Reais / 1 euro; 1.75 Brazil Reais / 1 USD
Least-trafficked travel times: March to May (after Carnaval), September / October
(img: Adam Jones, PhD)

2. Italy
Dream counter: 1,590,144 users want to go to Italy.
Why are we putting it off? The euro's not getting any weaker. Still trying to figure out if Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's mind is all there, too.
How to make the dream reality: As long as you know the euro is out to crush your purchasing power, you can plan accordingly. It's not that bad -- not as bad as the pound, at least -- and airfares for the coming off-season are relatively affordable. If fares shoot up, it's become common practice for the shrewd jetsetter to fly into one of Europe's cheaper hubs -- Dublin is the best example -- and use the preponderance of budget airlines to make your trip to and through Italy. Budget airline RyanAir has regular flights from Dublin to Milan for around 16.99EUR (about $24) and to cities throughout Italy like Rome, Palermo, Pisa and others (pictured left: Amalfi Coast). Dining costs can get a little steep -- stick to local trattorias and pizzerias if you can, as they are most likely to offer authentic Italian cuisine at lower prices.
Cheapest upcoming airfares from Chicago: $667 to Rome (Feb 23-Mar 16), $573 to Milan (January 29-February 28, and other dates)
Current currency exchange: 1 USD / 0.666 euro
Least-trafficked travel times January - March; October / November
(img: Jimmy Harris)

1. Australia

Dream counter: 2,175,746 users want to go to Australia.
Why are we putting it off? Australia sits in its own cheerful corner of the planet. It ain't easy to get to nor affordable for anyone. Its mystique as a playground for rugged wild children (I blame Road Warrior) may make it feel bit out of reach in the minds of starry-eyed but budget-conscious, more refined world travelers.
How to make the dream reality: Off-season travel, in all honesty, can be difficult to gauge in many countries -- some cities are affected more than others by weather, some unexpected countrywide holidays can cause congestion and more. You have to prepare yourself should anything get out of hand. But in Australia, their rainy / windy season isn't exactly the same throughout the continent, which means there's a great destination with relatively solid weather to be had. It should also be noted that if you set aside enough cash, tours set up by travel agencies and other groups can actually give you bang for your buck when you're in Australia as opposed to many other tour guide groups.
Cheapest upcoming airfares from Chicago: $1197 to Sydney (May 12 - Jun 2), $1287 Melbourne (June 2-16)
Current currency exchange: 1.09 Australian dollars / 1 USD; 1.64 Australian dollars / 1 euro
Least-trafficked travel times: June - September (rainy / winter season)