Our old dishwasher leaked and was loud. In recent years, it also hadn't been cleaning dishes properly, meaning we were doing a lot of handwashing.

We'd had it for about 15 years, and early in the renovation process, we realized we were in desperate need of a new one.

We upgraded to JennAir's Rise model. It cleans the dishes beautifully with its multiple spray arms but is unbelievably quiet.

The dishwasher offers three racks with adjustable components making cleaning dishes after big gatherings much more convenient. Plus, the twist-out filter makes it easy to remove food particles, preventing it from becoming stinky.

The coolest feature is that the dishwasher tells us how much time is left and when it's finished by projecting a light onto the floor. It also subtly pops open when it's finished.

The windows had been in this house since it was built, so it was time for new ones.

I never even realized how much of a difference windows can make in a house's appearance until we replaced all of ours.

We hired a company called Window World to come out for the installation, and it was so neat to watch the process.

The team of six efficiently staged the layout of the windows, tore out and replaced any rotted wood, measured and bent the metal for the new windows, hung the metal, caulked the trim, and meticulously installed everything.

The sizes and shapes of the windows didn't change drastically, but the difference in clarity felt stark. We live on a lake and it's so nice to be able to clearly see the beautiful view.

Our old refrigerator was an eyesore in the kitchen, mostly because it was really showing signs of wear and tear.

Plus, it was getting to the point where it wasn't even staying very cold.

We upgraded to Samsung's Bespoke French-door refrigerator with a beverage center and built-in water pitcher.

It's so pretty that I actually can't stop staring at it.

We went with the white finish to help brighten up our kitchen, but it also has changeable door panels in case we ever wanted a different look.

One of its unique features is that it can sync to our phones, allowing us to regulate its temperature and know if the door has been left open.

Our pair of matching living-room couches were small, and I thought the upholstery was ugly.

We'd had them for 27 years, and I rarely ever sat on them.

We upgraded to Cozey's Ciello XL seven-seater sectional in sunset beige, which completely transformed the space.

It was shipped in individual boxes and was easy to put together. I like that it's fully modular, plus the pillow and seat cushion covers are washable (aka very pet-friendly).

The couch has been the most-used item in the house since the renovation.

The color is clean and brightens up the room. It's also much larger than our old one, providing ample seating for company.

Best of all, it's incredibly comfortable and cozy. I honestly sleep on it more than I sleep in my bed at this point.

We'd had a JennAir oven for about 20 years.

Even though we loved it, we wanted something with a few more bells and whistles.

We wanted to stick with the brand we knew and loved, so we upgraded to JennAir's Rise double-wall oven. For someone who doesn't know how to bake or cook, it's been life-changing.

The touchscreen culinary center has built-in recipes with pictures that make it easy to cook and bake anything when I have no idea what I'm doing. I can even select the type of pan I'm using, and the oven will automatically adjust the setting.

To be honest, it's the smartest thing in the house.

The best part is that I can start the oven from afar and then fully control and monitor it wherever I am via the JennAir app.

We knew our kitchen needed the most renovation out of every room in the house.

Our outdated red-oak cabinets were 40 years old, and we never liked that they didn't reach all the way to the ceiling.

My mom has always wanted a white kitchen, so she took it upon herself to make it happen.

She deglossed the old cabinets to take off all the old varnish. Then, she sanded them down and prepped them for two coats of white paint.

She even built smaller cabinets to stack on the old ones to make the kitchen look taller. My mom then ordered small cabinet doors with cutouts from Fast Cabinets and filled them with frosted glass.

After months of work, new brushed-nickel hardware and hidden lighting were the finishing touches.

After living with a cooktop that only had two working burners for years, we were plenty fed up.

We caved and chose KitchenAid's electric downdraft cooktop.

There are two small burners and two larger burners, but the larger ones also have settings to heat smaller pots.

My favorite feature is the melt setting. Its sole purpose is to melt things like chocolate or butter without scorching it.

Plus, the downdraft fan with three speeds quickly sucks out any smoke produced while we cook.

Unfortunately, there has to be a country that comes in last, and for me, it's Germany.

That said, I've been twice, and the second time was better than the first. When I travel, I really value interacting with locals and other people, and I found that more difficult for me to do here.

Even so, Germany has a lot of history, and seeing everything from the Berlin Wall to Neuschwanstein Castle was incredible.

I seem to rank countries that speak my native language, English, on the lower end of the list. I think I find them less adventurous — less of a challenge. That's primarily why the UK is second to last.

Plus, the skies are gloomy many days of the year, and I'm not a huge fan of the local cuisine.

Full disclosure: I've been four times, and each visit occurred during the dark, cold winter months. That definitely could've colored my opinion on the country.

Still, I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the Christmas markets, the cute city of Bath, and major attractions like Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.

Canada is a beautiful country and an outdoors lover's paradise, with national parks like Banff and amazing winter sports in Whistler.

But outside Quebec and a handful of other provinces, English is the primary language. It was hard to decide where to rank it, but by that standard, it ended up lower on my list.

Canada has a great mixture of bustling cities and stunning nature. However, it's so close to the US and has a similar topography in many regions, so it feels like less of an adventure to me.

I primarily live in the United States, so I find it a little less exciting to travel around.

I do, however, love that you can spend months here and experience varying landscapes, people, and cuisines across the country.

I've been to 48 states, and California is my favorite. It has a healthy mix of cities, state parks, epic scenery, and beautiful beaches.

Bahrain, a tiny country in the Middle East, is a quarter of the size of Rhode Island, which is the smallest state in the US.

Unfortunately, that limits the number of things to do. But I love visiting the Manama Souq and the Bahrain National Museum.

The delicious variety of Gulf food is also a plus.

I couldn't find a ton to do in Senegal.

From what I experienced, though, I enjoyed taking a boat to the car-free Gorée Island to learn more about the history of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and visiting the gigantic African Renaissance Monument in Dakar.

I also absolutely loved my hotel, Hotel Casa Mara Dakar. It was somewhat of a hub for nomad travelers from all over the world.

I have to admit, the main reason I ranked Honduras in the bottom 10 is because of the endless potholes that plague the roads and highways in the country. Its notoriously rough roads made getting from one place to the other quite stressful.

Aside from that, the country is beautiful.

I recommend visiting the Macaw Mountain Bird Park and Nature Reserve and the archeological ruins of Copán. Taking a zipline tour across Pulhapanzak waterfall and exploring Pico Bonito National Park were also highlights of my trip.

If you're looking for places to stay, Hotel Marina Copán, Finca Las Glorias, and Angeli Gardens are all great options.

It has been quite a long time since I was in Saudi Arabia, which is partially why it ended up where it did.

When I visited in 2008, I couldn't find much for tourists to do. Nowadays, I've heard the country is bustling with tourism, music festivals, unique desert and overwater stays, fashion boutiques, and adventure sports.

Plus, it's ranked No. 41 on the Travel and Tourism Index, so I know, economically, things have grown since 2019.

I'll have to go back to see if that changes my decision.

Although I love a challenge — and this goes against my above sentiments — I really struggled with the language and food in China.

I'm a pescatarian, and I wasn't able to find a lot of local cuisine to enjoy. Plus, outside Shanghai, hardly anyone I came across spoke English, which was not surprising. Still, because I wasn't familiar with the language, I found it difficult to get around from place to place.

It was an adventure, to say the least. Nevertheless, my favorite activities were taking a food tour, visiting the Great Wall of China, and seeing the mesmerizing Terracotta Army in Xi'an.

This is where it really started to get difficult to rank all the countries because I've loved traveling through all of them.

I road-tripped around El Salvador with my Dad, and it was quite a memorable vacation.

We met a lot of hospitable locals, but the food was what really left a lasting impression on me. I recommend trying nuegados de yuca (Salvadoran doughnuts), quesadilla Salvadoreña (sweet cheesecake), sopa de pescado (seafood stew), torta (sandwich), tamales pisques, tamarind juice, horchata, and the country's national dish, pupusa (thick flatbread).

Places I loved were El Rosario Church, the volcanic crater at El Boquerón National Park, and the colorful slide at Picnic Steak House.

I also enjoyed staying at the Cardedeu Hotel. The rooms were made of shipping containers and had stunning views of Lake Coatepeque.

I drove across the border from Georgia into Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.

Although I didn't spend many nights in the country, I remember it had beautiful landscapes and stunning cathedrals.

I definitely want to go back to explore more.

I also didn't spend a long time in Austria, but I remember Vienna embodying so much culture and beauty.

St. Stephen's Cathedral is a must-visit for any world traveler — I'm glad I checked it off my list.

My main reason for ranking Egypt on the lower half of the list is that it can be quite hectic — especially for first-time visitors. I experienced a lot of culture shock during my trip.

However, seeing such fascinating and historic landmarks firsthand was incredible.

While in Cairo, be sure to get to the Giza Pyramid Complex early for the opportunity to go inside the pyramids. I also recommend taking a Nile cruise, seeing a belly dancing performance at a local restaurant, and spending time shopping at Khan el-Khalili market.

There are also many places outside Giza worth exploring, including Aswan, Luxor, Alexandria, and El Gouna.

Like many islands in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic is a fun place to vacation. It's a great destination for couples, families, or groups of friends.

While there, I enjoyed the beautiful beaches, took a catamaran tour, rented my own boat, and went on a four-wheel adventure through the jungle.

I spent three nights in Singapore, and I felt like that was enough time to see everything I wanted to.

Overall, I was fascinated by the country's cleanliness, organization, and (for lack of a better word) perfection.

Marina Bay Sands was a beautiful place to stay, and I enjoyed visiting Gardens by the Bay and the ArtScience Museum.

The cafés and shops on Haji Lane are worth strolling around, as is the Lau Pa Sat hawker center (which was featured in "Crazy Rich Asians").

Tunisia is a beautiful country.

One of the top things I remember is that it had a lot of cute coffee shops, which I love.

Some of the highlights of my trip were visiting Tunis, Hammamet, Kairouan, Sousse, and El Jem.

I had unique experiences staying in homes throughout Tajikistan.

A highlight was hiring a driver to do the scenic Pamir Highway.

A good chunk of the drive borders Afghanistan, and it was fascinating to see villager life across the river that separates the two countries.

I may be biased because I'm originally from Kuwait and travel back to visit my family every year, but I love the country. That's a testament to how difficult this ranking was because it didn't even break into my top 25.

My favorite part of every trip is spending time with family, but my second favorite thing to do is explore all the new restaurants, shops, museums, and pop-up events.

I realize that compared to some tourism hot-spots, Kuwait doesn't have that much for tourists to do. If you're thinking of visiting, I think it's best if a local can show you around.

The old souk, Mubarakiya, and Kuwait Towers are a must-visit. And be sure to try some delicious dishes, such as hareesa (creamy soup), margoog (lamb stew), and muhammar (sweet rice dish), as well.

Malaysia has a lot to offer, from beaches to jungles to cities.

Some of my favorite places to visit in the country were the night markets of Kuala Lumpur, the colonial city in Penang, the UNESCO sites of Malacca, the island of Langkawi, and the Batu Caves of Selangor.

I love the biking culture in the Netherlands. In Amsterdam, locals seem to cycle everywhere, and it's fun to see rush hour happen on bicycles.

Amsterdam also has beautiful canals where you can stay on a houseboat.

The country has some of the best cheese in the world, and biking to the countryside to see the tulips and windmills was well worth the adventure.

The island country of Malta has so much history.

I enjoyed exploring the town of Valletta, staying in the palazzo of Domus Zamittello, jumping into St Peter's Pool in Marsaxlokk, watching the sunset from Sliema and Rabat, dining at Bahia, and lounging at Golden Beach and Gnejna Bay.

In 2018, Qatar didn't seem to have a lot to offer tourists, but hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2022 changed the landscape of the country.

Now, it's ranked No. 52 on the Index, and there's so much for people to explore. I think it's such a beautiful place full of Arab hospitality.

When I visited, I found myself constantly returning to Souq Waqif, Katara Cultural Village, Msheireb Downtown Doha, and the Pearl Island.

France is another country whose regions cater to a lot of varied interests.

Visit Courchevel in the French Alps for a lovely ski vacation, the glamorous French Riviera for some of the most relaxing beaches, the charming town of Annecy that's been dubbed the "Venice of the Alps," or the regions of the Loire Valley or Bordeaux for wine.

Even though some might think the capital city is overrated or overdone, you can't discount all the fantastic shopping, romantic walks, museums, monuments, and restaurants in Paris.

Switzerland has stunning natural beauty and is perfect for any outdoors lover.

The country offers breathtaking lake and mountain vistas, and cities like Geneva are remarkably clean.

Some of my favorite places in the country are Zermatt, Interlaken, Zurich, Lake Lucerne, St. Moritz, Lugano, and Bern.

I think the UAE is the perfect introduction to the Gulf Arab culture for tourists.

I regularly travel alone, and this is one of the places I felt the most safe. Plus, it has everything a cosmopolitan city should offer — including plenty of museums (the Museum of the Future is my favorite), restaurants, and activities.

Although Dubai has some of the best shopping and nightlife, Abu Dhabi has the best cultural attractions, such as Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

Hatta is a wonderland for hikers, and Ras Al-Khaimah is perfect for travelers looking for a desert experience.

If you're interested in taking an African safari, I highly recommend going to Kenya.

My first safari experience was here, and it was unforgettable. We saw breathtaking landscapes and got up-close experiences with animals. It was unlike anything I've ever experienced.

I also recommend checking out the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

When I visited Uzbekistan, I started in Tashkent.

I saw the Chorsu Bazaar before visiting Samarkand's Registan Square and Bibi Khanum Mosque. I ended my sightseeing tour in Bukhara, which was a major stop on the Silk Road.

The country is definitely top-25 worthy, and I can't wait to go back. On my next visit, I'd like to see the archeological sites in Khiva.

Tanzania will always hold a special place in my heart because I hiked Mount Kilimanjaro. It was so gratifying to check that famous site off my list.

I also went on a safari in the Serengeti with my Dad. It was just as amazing as the one in Kenya.

Zanzibar was another highlight. I saw the giant tortoises on Prison Island and did some epic snorkeling.

I love that each region of Mexico is so different. Every time I return, everything from the cuisine to the landscapes makes it feel like an entirely new experience.

Some of my favorite regions are Mexico City for a bustling city, Baja California (specifically Todos Santos and La Paz) and Sayulita in Riviera Nayarit for laid-back beach vibes, and the cenotes and jungles in the Playa del Carmen.

I look forward to visiting Oaxaca and San Miguel de Allende on my next trips.

Mumbai and Delhi are must-visit destinations in India, but don't discount the beauty of Jaipur.

The city is so rich with colors, bazaars, and ornate buildings. I loved driving down the street alongside elephants, horses, and mopeds loaded with an entire band of people.

Kerala is a tropical beach town with thriving wildlife, but Varanasi was my favorite place to visit.

It was unlike anywhere else I've been. It's a pilgrimage site for Hindus, and people make the journey there to die, heal, and mourn.

Costa Rica is the ultimate destination for adventurers and outdoors lovers.

I had wild experiences in nature, ranging from white-water rafting and night hikes through the jungle to camping and ziplining.

The flora and fauna are also unmatched — so much of the country is lush.

I constantly think about returning to Turkey to explore more of the country.

If you're new to traveling beyond the US and Western Europe, it can be a bit of a culture shock. However, it's a great country to visit if you want to get acquainted with aspects of Middle Eastern culture.

Istanbul is a vibrant city with delicious cuisine and stunning sights like the Hagia Sophia. The city is split — half located in Europe and the other half in Asia — which makes for a fascinating wander.

Next time, I'd love to visit Bodrum, the capital of the Turkish Riviera.

Nicaragua is another country with a special place in my heart because I spent weeks there producing a documentary for my master's thesis.

Highlights include capital-city Managua, the beaches of San Juan del Sur, colonial architecture in Granada, the cathedrals of Léon, and volcano-surfing in Cerro Negro.

I think Iceland has the most distinct topography of all the countries I've visited. Seeing glaciers, fjords, and volcanoes up close isn't something I can do every day.

Some of my favorite places in the country were Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Akureyri, Mývatn Nature Baths, Hallgrímskirkja church, and the attractions along the Golden Circle.

Oman is a major highlight of the Persian Gulf. It's one of the most hospitable Arab countries I've been to and has such beautiful nature.

In the capital of Muscat, the Royal Opera House, Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, and Oman National Museum are must-sees. Outside the capital, the mountainous regions of Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams are stunning hiking destinations.

Some of my favorite stops were Wadi Shab, a canyon with clear water to swim in, and Wahiba Sands, the desert region of the country. Nizwa is also a fascinating ancient city, and Salalah is known for its beaches.

Peru was the first South American country I visited, and it did not disappoint.

I could've spent months wandering around, but in my 10 days there, I made it to Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Arequipa, and the Amazon.

The locals were incredibly warm to me, the food was delicious, and the vistas were breathtaking.

I'd like to return to visit Rainbow Mountain and spend a few more nights in the Amazon.

I love Thailand. The only reason it isn't higher on the list is that I'm not a huge fan of Bangkok, its capital.

Luckily, the country has something for nature lovers, city dwellers, water fanatics, adventurers, and partiers.

Chiang Mai is laid-back and has beautiful temples, great night markets, and endless outdoor activities, such as white-water rafting. Whereas, the islands of Koh Phi Phi, Phuket, and Koh Samui are great for diving and have lively party scenes.

I was pleasantly surprised by Georgia — probably because I hadn't heard that much about it before visiting.

The country has various regions to visit depending on what you'd like to do.

I went to Tbilisi to get a sense of city life, Mtskheta to see Jvari Monastery, Vardzia for the cave monastery, Svaneti to see the Caucasus Mountains, Kazbegi to see the Gergeti Trinity Church, and Sighnaghi for the historic wineries.

I love Finland — especially in the winter.

I spent a few November days exploring Helsinki, partaking in a food tour, stopping in Hietalahden kauppahalli food hall, and experiencing a Finnish sauna at Löyly Helsinki.

Then, I took a short flight to Lapland, where I went dog sledding, sat around a campfire, and experienced a winter hammock nap at HaliPuu.

Above all, there was nothing quite like soaking in the beauty of the northern lights at Levin Iglut.

I only explored Cape Town on my trip to South Africa, but I absolutely fell in love with the city. I'm excited to return to see even more of the country.

From shark-cage diving to hiking Lion's Head at sunset, I found some thrilling things to do.

Foodies should do wine tastings in Stellenbosch, and animal lovers should know about the penguins at Boulders Beach. Riding the cable car to Table Mountain was also the perfect place to snap beautiful photos.

Other highlights include historic Robben Island and the beaches of Camps Bay.

Colombia sometimes gets a reputation as being unsafe, but I've been twice and had zero issues. In fact, it's one of my 10 favorite countries to visit.

My favorite places in the country are the bustling city of Medellin, and Cartagena, a smaller town with so much personality.

If you go to Guatapé, there's a gigantic granite rock that can be climbed. It's quite famous and fun to see.

Ecuador has a beautiful mix of city and nature.

Many travel to the country to summit Cotopaxi, but I've been twice because I am fascinated by the Galápagos Islands.

The second time I visited, I took Ecoventura's weeklong cruise that combined educational information with island exploration. It was mesmerizing to observe the island grouping's endemic species and flora thriving in the wild.

Indonesia was easily one of the most memorable trips of my life.

I went to Bali, Nusa Penida, and the Gili Islands, and all the locals I met were incredibly kind and helpful. The cuisine was delicious, I felt safe, and there were endless activities.

Bali, in particular, has a great balance of culture, nature, and modern amenities.

Morocco triumphs in my book of Arab countries. Traveling by train from Fez to Marrakech was one of my greatest adventures.

Chefchaouen (the blue city), Essaouira, and the Sahara were all highlights of my trip to the African country.

Portugal had such a rich mix of landscapes, cultures, and vibes. I spent a few days soaking up the tourist attractions in Lisbon before I made my way to Sintra, which was once a summer getaway for royalty.

I continued up the coast to Nazare, a coastal town known for its epic waves, and Aveiro, known for its canals. Then, I spent a few days in Porto before ending my trip with a wine tasting in the Douro Valley.

If I return, I'd love to explore the country's southern regions and islands.

Vietnam is one of my favorite Southeast Asian countries because there are seemingly endless places to visit and things to do.

My favorite itinerary begins in the city of Ho Chi Minh before going to Hoi An to visit the famous Night Market and experience a basket-boat tour.

Next, I recommend making your way to Hanoi. I explored the city before sleeping a few nights on a houseboat in Halong Bay.

I'd love to return to Vietnam to see the rice terraces in Sapa.

I spent months island-hopping between the Cycladic Islands and Athens and loved every minute of it.

I was welcomed into locals' homes, ate the freshest seafood on the islands, and sunbathed on remarkable beaches.

Some of my favorite Greek Islands were Milos (for local life and beauty), Mykonos (for nightlife and shopping), and Santorini (for sunsets and views). But Crete was the cream of the crop — the large island offered so many opportunities for exploration.

I could spend years exploring the beauty of Italy.

Rome, Milan, and Venice are full of history, stylish people, and fantastic shopping. However, my favorite trips have been to the country's southern parts, from Naples through the Amalfi Coast.

Sicily is definitely one of my top spots in the country. I loved roaming Taormina's charming streets, taking a ferry to the Aeolian Island of Salina, and staying a few nights at Principe di Saline.

I spent many wonderful summers in Cyprus as a child, and the island nation is still one of my favorite travel destinations.

I love taking road trips around the island. I begin in Limassol, where I explore the quaint streets and walk along the seafront. Then, I'll move on to Paphos to visit archeological sights before driving through the Troodos Mountains and stopping in beautiful vineyards along the way.

I usually spend at least a day in Nicosia — a capital city that's divided between Cypriot and Turkish governing bodies. Then, I like to end my stay in Ayia Napa for its beaches and nightlife.

Surprisingly, it wasn't difficult for me to select my No. 1 country — Spain has always been near and dear to my heart.

Again, I may be biased. It's where I lived as a child and studied abroad, but every return trip has been memorable.

You really can't go wrong anywhere you travel in the country. Sevilla and Granada are great places for history buffs, San Sebastián is a foodie's paradise, and Madrid and Barcelona have amazing shopping and nightlife.

Mallorca is my favorite Spanish island because it's home to stunning beaches, cultural festivals, and stunning scenery. Even though it's very popular, it somehow still has a relaxing aura.