Let's turn up our noses right here at the inevitable "desperation," "naked corruption" and "open sewer" jokes. We take the sweet smells that remind us of our travels seriously. Starting with the ubiquitous temple incense in Myanmar and other Southeast Asian countries.
21 country-specific aromas —
Let's turn up our noses right here at the inevitable "desperation," "naked corruption" and "open sewer" jokes. We take the sweet smells that remind us of our travels seriously. Starting with the ubiquitous temple incense in Myanmar and other Southeast Asian countries.
Soe Than WIN/AFP/Getty Images
Thought we were gonna say pizza? Good choice, but can't you practically smell the bitter goodness of espresso in an Italian cafe from here?
Italy = Espresso —
Thought we were gonna say pizza? Good choice, but can't you practically smell the bitter goodness of espresso in an Italian cafe from here?
ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty Images
If you've been to Japan, you know exactly what this room smells like. Pure elegance.
Japan = Tatami —
If you've been to Japan, you know exactly what this room smells like. Pure elegance.
Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images
In certain woodlands of North America, like California's Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, some insist they could be dropped in blindfolded and still know where they are by the distinctive smells.
North America = Forests —
In certain woodlands of North America, like California's Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, some insist they could be dropped in blindfolded and still know where they are by the distinctive smells.
Wild Horizons/UIG via Getty Images
We couldn't decide which smell most took us back to Bavaria, sausage or freshly tapped beer. So we went with both.
Germany = Beer and sausage —
We couldn't decide which smell most took us back to Bavaria, sausage or freshly tapped beer. So we went with both.
OLIVER LANG/AFP/Getty Images
In the olfactory safari that is India, spices at places such as New Delhi's Khari Baoli, the largest spice market in Asia, demand to be remembered.
India = Spices —
In the olfactory safari that is India, spices at places such as New Delhi's Khari Baoli, the largest spice market in Asia, demand to be remembered.
MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images
You don't need to be a "Seinfeld" fan to understand the heady aroma of "the beach." If only we could bottle this stuff! This beach in St. Martin on the Island of Guadeloupe stands in well for the entire Caribbean.
Caribbean = The beach —
You don't need to be a "Seinfeld" fan to understand the heady aroma of "the beach." If only we could bottle this stuff! This beach in St. Martin on the Island of Guadeloupe stands in well for the entire Caribbean.
MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/Getty Images
The aroma of freshly baked bread brings France to life each morning. Good for when you've had your nose in too much red the night before.
France = Fresh baguettes —
The aroma of freshly baked bread brings France to life each morning. Good for when you've had your nose in too much red the night before.
FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty Images
Love it or not, the pungent smoke from clove cigarettes (kretek) is inescapable -- and unforgettable -- throughout Indonesia.
Indonesia = Kretek cigs —
Love it or not, the pungent smoke from clove cigarettes (kretek) is inescapable -- and unforgettable -- throughout Indonesia.
ROMEO GACAD/AFP/Getty Images
Something smell gamey around here? The aromas of an African safari might not always be pleasant, but when wild animals come near, they can be profound.
Safari countries = Wildlife —
Something smell gamey around here? The aromas of an African safari might not always be pleasant, but when wild animals come near, they can be profound.
Daniel Hayduk/AFP/Getty Images
In China's street stalls, spices such as flower pepper and aniseed mix with sizzling grease to produce a scent that travelers and homesick natives will recall from thousands of miles away.
China = Blazing woks —
In China's street stalls, spices such as flower pepper and aniseed mix with sizzling grease to produce a scent that travelers and homesick natives will recall from thousands of miles away.
STEPHEN SHAVER/AFP/Getty Images
The Belgium Chocolate Village (pictured) in Brussels easily passes the sniff test.
Belgium = Chocolate —
The Belgium Chocolate Village (pictured) in Brussels easily passes the sniff test.
EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images
There's nothing like the fug of a warm English pub, preferably with a dog and fire in the mix. The Old Spot Inn in Dursley (pictured) is a 100-year-old pub with a keen nose for tradition.
England = Pub fug —
There's nothing like the fug of a warm English pub, preferably with a dog and fire in the mix. The Old Spot Inn in Dursley (pictured) is a 100-year-old pub with a keen nose for tradition.
Matt Cardy/Getty Image
Fresh off the comal (that's the metal hotplate for cooking), warm tortillas smell like home for Mexicans, heaven for visitors.
Mexico = Warm tortillas —
Fresh off the comal (that's the metal hotplate for cooking), warm tortillas smell like home for Mexicans, heaven for visitors.
OMAR TORRES/AFP/Getty Images
The Philippines is the world's largest producer of coconuts, so when you're in country you're never far from the olfactory excitement of a freshly cut one.
Philippines = Coconuts —
The Philippines is the world's largest producer of coconuts, so when you're in country you're never far from the olfactory excitement of a freshly cut one.
NOEL CELIS/AFP/Getty Images
We already mentioned espresso, but there's no way to forget the intoxicating aroma of coffee -- traditional and otherwise -- in Turkey.
Turkey = Turkish coffee —
We already mentioned espresso, but there's no way to forget the intoxicating aroma of coffee -- traditional and otherwise -- in Turkey.
Chris Hondros/Getty Images
The nasal rush of fresh mountain snow in Switzerland's high country is worth going back for. No matter how you gotta do it.
Switzerland = Fresh snow —
The nasal rush of fresh mountain snow in Switzerland's high country is worth going back for. No matter how you gotta do it.
FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images
Few tulip varieties are fragrant, but other flowers at the Netherlands' famed Keukenhof garden -- the world's second largest flower garden -- compensate sweetly.
Netherlands = Flowers —
Few tulip varieties are fragrant, but other flowers at the Netherlands' famed Keukenhof garden -- the world's second largest flower garden -- compensate sweetly.
Sander KONING/AFP/Getty Images
You can get unlimited nosefuls of some of the crispest air on the planet in Patagonia, at places like Chile's Explora Lake Lodge in Torres del Paine National Park.
Chile = Patagonian air —
You can get unlimited nosefuls of some of the crispest air on the planet in Patagonia, at places like Chile's Explora Lake Lodge in Torres del Paine National Park.
Courtesy Explora Patagonia
Even in Las Vegas (where this dish was prepared) the spicy scent of Moroccan lamb tagine can transport you thousands of miles in mere seconds.
Morocco = Lamb tagine —
Even in Las Vegas (where this dish was prepared) the spicy scent of Moroccan lamb tagine can transport you thousands of miles in mere seconds.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Vegas Uncork'd by Bon Appetit
There's plenty of good beer out there, but none excite memories of Ireland like a healthy snort of Guinness. We bet he wishes he were back here once in a while.
Ireland = Guinness —
There's plenty of good beer out there, but none excite memories of Ireland like a healthy snort of Guinness. We bet he wishes he were back here once in a while.
JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images