Counting Countries | Travel The Entire World

Download Episode! Sepp left his family farm in Austria in 1985, and he did not see his family until 1995, when he returned after visiting every country in the world.   Sepp is a vagabond at heart as he traveled the world with his guitar.  He traveled non-stop for 19 years as he traveled to every country in the world at that time (190 countries).  He nearly lost his life on more than one occasion, as he battled gun wielding attackers in Nigeria, and hepatitis in Angola.  He was both drugged and arrested in China prior to its opening to the west.  Sepp also shares a different perspective since his travels took place pre-internet, with all of the difficulties from communications to managing money.  He shares with us the beauty of Libya under Gaddafi.  His ten year journey, ended as he walked the final few kilometers to his family farm, as he nailed his backpack to the wall, to mark the end of his journey.            Subscribe on iTunes today! Check out our partner and sponsor: Chasing 193, Volume II: The Quest

Download Episode! Dave’s travel and life has morphed into one collective.  He began his travel career after graduation with the start of his travel blog, Dave’s Travel Corner and has been travelling ever since.    Over the past 20 years Dave has managed to visit 140 UN recognized countries in a quest to discover and experience true travel.  He does not have a specific stated goal of visiting every country, but through his desire to discover the world he has already managed to visit 140 countries, with a target of visiting ten plus new countries a year.  Dave’s other quest is to visit every winery in Napa Valley.  He has visited approximately 850 of the 1,000 wineries.  Dave shares with us how he nearly perished on his first true international trip as he trekked to Everest Base Camp and had to be carried off the mountain after being felled by altitude and food sickness.  This challenging event spurred him on to travel even more.  Dave shares more stories from traveling independently in Papua New Guinea to bac

Download Episode! David is traveling to every country and sending home a postcard! David has a passion for stamps and postcards.  The first has helped him finance some of his travels while he has sent a postcard home from every country and territory he has traveled to.  He started traveling as an intrepid teenager on a solo trip to the Pacific Islands after saving money for three years.  Today, his travel adventures have spanned five different decades with no end in sight.  He has traveled to some of the most remote corners of the world from Pitcairn Island to Tristan da Cunha, where he met the one and only Elvis impersonator.  Listen in on this amazing tale of travel.   Subscribe on iTunes today! Check out our partner and sponsor: Chasing 193, Volume II: The Quest To Visit Every Country In The World. Explore the unique stories from 20 more world-class travelers from various backgrounds and nations and from all walks of life who have tirelessly pursued visiting every country in the world and have filled the

Download Episode! Lawrence is on a quest to travel to every country in the world while honoring his uncle, by spreading his ashes in every country.   Uncle James was a free spirit and travel pioneer who inspired Lawrence to travel even more.  Lawrence lost his uncle to cancer and wanted to honor his memory.  Lawrence is now traveling to every country in the world as well as the 325 regions noted in Travelers' Century Club to spread his ashes.  Lawrence has braved the streets of Mogadishu and has been detained by North Korea while pursuing this quest.  Lawrence is based in The Gambia where he moved with Uncle James in the 1990s.  Their goal was to protect and preserve the environment and culture and along the way they built a beautiful lodge.  For years, they lived off the land, camping in the forest, with no running water or electricity.  Today, Lawrence joins me on Skype from England while I am in Boston.  Please listen in and enjoy. Subscribe on iTunes today! Check out our partner and sponsor: Chasing 1

Download Episode! Don has traveled to 851 places of the 875 places listed on the Most Traveled People list.  He is number one on the list, making him the most traveled person using this benchmark.     Don has been traveling and discovering the world since the 1960s when he worked in a factory in Germany on an exchange program.  He has an incredible passion for history and connecting events and people throughout time.  He has traveled to the Soviet Union in the 1960s as well as traveling to each 83 political subdivisions.  He has been traveling to China for over four decades witnessing the changes in the rising dragon.  He shares with us some of his favorite places to visit including Socotra Island, Iguazu Falls, the Panama Canal, Ayers Rock, and the Grand Canyon.  The MTP contains incredibly remote islands in the Pacific and the Atlantic which are only reachable via chartered boats.  He has made over 60 of these challenging and risky trips, including places like the Pitcairn Island, with less than 50 reside

Download Episode! Rick has managed to travel the world while raising a family heading an international marketing firm! Rick was inspired to travel by his globe-trotting grandmother and a visit to the World Expo as a child.  He spent over a month in Bucharest during Ceaușescu reign in the early 1980s.  And during a 6 month backpacking trip through Europe he crossed Checkpoint Charlie and toured Tito’s Yugoslavia. He also shares some of his favorite travel experiences in the Galapagos and on safari.  He is an avid runner who has finished marathons from Buenos Aires to Budapest.  Please listen in and enjoy!     Subscribe on iTunes today! Check out our partner and sponsor: Chasing 193, Volume II: The Quest To Visit Every Country In The World. Explore the unique stories from 20 more world-class travelers from various backgrounds and nations and from all walks of life who have tirelessly pursued visiting every country in the world and have filled their lives with a virtually endless amount of adventure. More abo

Download Episode! An intrepid traveller who has travelled to over 100 countries and has a special place in her heart for the continent of Africa.   Lillie is a Peruvian native who arrived in the US as an exchange student.  Avoiding the violence of the Shining Path in her home country she opted for a new life in America.  She began her international travels with a group bus trip across Europe and quickly graduated to more challenging adventures.  She toured multiple countries in South America on the back of a motorcycle.  Lillie traveled overland with her mother between Cameroon and Central African Republic.  She is very fond of Africa and has traveled to this vast continent 12 times.  And finally, listen in, on how Lillie kissed a South American president.  Please enjoy this episode of Counting Countries.     Subscribe on iTunes today! Check out our partner and sponsor: Chasing 193, Volume II: The Quest To Visit Every Country In The World. Explore the unique stories from 20 more world-class travelers from v

Stefan has been able to strike a great balance between life and travel.  Stefan has a full time job and is married, yet still has managed to travel to 186 countries.      Stefan’s passion for the Chinese language in school led him to studying, working, and living in China for eight years.  He also managed to visit every province in the country.  With detailed planning and with an expertise in travel hacking, Stefan has managed to live a life of travel and exploration.  Despite working full time has has managed with business trips and his vacations to methodically travel the world.  Listen in as he shares amazing travel stories of exploring Djibouti, dealing with a missing baby in Saudi Arabia, and why Tunisia is his favorite country.   Please enjoy this episode of Counting Countries.          Subscribe on iTunes today! More about Stefan Krasowski:   Born in: Minneapolis, Minnesota Passports from: Two, valid US passports Favorite travel book: My first Lonely Planet China book Favorite travel film: I still ha

Download Episode! Sal has travel in his blood.  He was born to an Italian father and German mother who began a quest to visit every state in the US when he was a kid.  And Sal attended a boarding school with fellow students from 80 different countries. Sal is only 26 but has already traveled to 151 countries and has 193 in his sites.  If he continues traveling at this fast pace, he might be the youngest American to travel to every country.  He attended a true global high school where visiting a friend entailed a long distance flight to distant country. Attending university included two semesters abroad in Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv.  Sal then settled in Abu Dhabi after graduation to begin his work career which took him to many countries, including hard to enter, Saudi Arabia.  He has strong ties to Tanzania where he visits often.  Sal founded a NGO, Trail of Seeds, which brought him to Tanzania.  Sal is joining me on Skype from Cambodia and I am in Bangkok.  Please listen in and enjoy.   Subscribe on iTunes tod

Download Episode! Savannah left a comfortable life in Vancouver as a young teenager to backpack the world with her family and at 18 years of age had already traveled to 80 countries.       Savannah, as a 14 year old, and her family were shaken out of their comfort zone in Canada.  With her mother, older brother and sister, she embarked on a four year journey across the world.  They traveled and lived as locals on a very tight budget.  The family was audacious, not shying away from the more challenging corners of the globe.  They traveled overland in Pakistan and Afghanistan. They spent months in India. The family circumvented Africa.  She literally grew up on the road, even meeting her fiance in Western Africa.  Savannah has documented her incredible journeys in a series of books: Sihpromatum.  Please listen in on her amazing adventures.    Subscribe on iTunes today! More about Savannah Grace: Born in: Vancouver, Canada Passports from: Canada and hopefully Holland soon! Favorite travel book: Gone With The

Download Episode! Michael Runkel has traveled the world as a professional photographer taking over one million photos, including over 600 UNESCO World Heritage sites!   Michael has traveled to 176 countries and on his journeys has collected some amazing travel experiences.  He stayed with a powerful sheik in his palace in Yemen as war was declared.  He survived a powerful earthquake in Bam, Iran that claimed the lives of thousands.  This experience changed his life as he dedicated his time to build a school and orphanage in the city.  Michael met his wife on a cruise to Antarctica and has travelled around the world with his infant daughter.  As a child, he was inspired by the travel author Karl May and his backpacking grandmother.  Please listen in on these incredible travel tales.    Subscribe on iTunes today! More about Michael Runkel: Born in: Bavaria, Germany Passports from: Germany Favorite travel book: Shantaram Favorite travel site: Thorn Tree Forum and Lonely Planet Must carry: My camera. Favorite

Download Episode! Anna is on a quest to travel to every country in the world.  Anna is an adventurous, solo female traveler who couchsurfed on her own in Afghanistan and then some!   Anna’s youth was spent as a citizen of the USSR effectively cut off from over half of the world.  She dreamed of travel and exploration.  As the Soviet Union collapsed, her travel opportunities expanded.  She began by visiting her neighbors in Europe.  Overtime, she stretched her wings and started exploring more challenging countries such as Iran, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia.  Anna and I met on a group trip to Eritrea in Eastern Africa this past Spring.  Today, she joins me on Skype from her home in Moscow while I am in Bangkok.  Please listen in and enjoy. Subscribe on iTunes today! More about Anna Zavialova: Born in: Moscow, Russia Passports from: 2 over stamped Russian passports (-; Favorite travel book: I like books about countries, about people’s traditions, cultures, they inspire me to discover new places: “Shantaram”,

Download Episode! Anthony is on a quest to visit all 193 countries in the world.  And he plans to accomplish this goal as the first person in a wheelchair.    Anthony is an incredibly impressive individual who has not let physical disabilities dictate his life.  Despite being in a wheelchair he has managed to travel to 20% of the world’s countries on his quest to visit all 193.  He shares with us the challenges of being disabled in developing countries with two heartfelt stories.  What stands out most is his positive and can-do attitude.  Anthony is an inspiration whether you are a traveler or not.   Subscribe on iTunes today! More about Anthony William: Born in: I was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, which is a city in the North East of England. Passports from: British Passport Favorite travel book: As much as I love reading and as much as I also love traveling, I've never actually combined the two and read a travel book. Favorite travel film: Perhaps it would either be something like Into the Wild or Life of

Download Episode! At the young age of only 23, William has made his way to over three quarters of the world’s countries! William began traveling at a young age with his family, including a 6 week cruise from the UK through Australia via the Suez Canal.  He took his first independent trip to Scotland via train.  He has only 39 countries until he visits every country in the world.  William has also created a list of approximately 12,000 places in the world. He plans and hopes to visit these places over his lifetime.  William also has a penchant to visit some of the most remote corners of the globe including the Russian Arctic and  Tristan da Cunha.   Subscribe on iTunes today! More about William Baekeland: Born in: United Kingdom Passports from: Republic of Ireland and United Kingdom Favorite Travel Book: I like historic accounts of colonial expeditions. One which ones to mind is Richard Burton's 'Wanderings in West Africa from Liverpool to Fernando Po'. Good luck finding a copy, it took me a few years. Favo

Download Episode! A true global citizen who was inspired to country count after an impulsive wager with a friend. Mario has lived on 3 continents in 7 different countries.  He has had a 30 year career in travel and in IT.  Mario on a bet with a childhood friend began his quest to travel the world.  I joined Mario at his office at the Pacific Asia Travel Association in Bangkok where he serves as the Chief Executive Officer.  In his role, he is able to mix business and leisure travel to explore the world.     Subscribe on iTunes today! More about Mario Hardy: Born in: Montreal, Canada Passports from: Canada & France Favorite travel book: National Geographic Favorite travel film: When The Villagers Left  by Kyle Sandilands Favorite travel site:  TripIt | Emirates | Triip.me | Kaligo    Must carry:  iPad, Bose headphones, iTraq GPS Tracker, The Dash (Bragi bluetooth headphone), and running sneakers for my morning run Favorite food: Persian, Vietnamese, and Thai Favorite drink: Whiskey Favorite Airline: Em

Download Episode! On an improbable quest to visit every country in the world without ever taking a single flight.   Thor is on a multi-year journey to visit every country in the world without ever taking a single airplane flight.  Thor has overcome malaria, corrupt Central African border officials, and incredible logistical challenges.  He is a representative of the Danish Red Cross and has been rewarded with serendipitous encounters with people throughout the world.   Subscribe on iTunes today!! More about Thor Pedersen: Born in: The Kingdom of Denmark, in the high north of Europe Passports from: Denmark Favorite travel book: GRUK - about travel, by Piet Hein Favorite travel film: Into The Wild Favorite travel site: Google Maps Must carry: Pen, scarf, passport, smartphone, credit card Favorite food: A good pasta dish or: fresh fish and manioc near the sea in Central Africa (eaten with my hands and not with cutlery) Favorite drink: Milk (from Denmark) Favorite Airline: Haven't flown for years. Figure they

Download Episode! Johnny has been collecting amazing travel experiences as he travels to every country in the world.   Johnny started his travel adventures straight out of university on an incredibly low budget. He shares with us his stories of illegally entering China via the Mekong River on a Chinese cargo boat to backpacking in Africa for months on $15 a day.  Over time, he created a million dollar business as he nears completing his goal of traveling to all 193 countries. Subscribe on iTunes today! More about Johnny Ward:   Born in: Galway, Ireland Passports from: Ireland & UK Favorite travel book: I love Vagabonding by Rolf Potts, and Shantaram Favorite travel film: Lost in Translation, best movie ever! Favorite travel site: XE - on it all the time Must carry: Secret stash of USD! Favorite food: Lebanese, Indian, Thai, and Mexican - yum, yum, yum, yum. Favorite drink: Guinness (as if you have to ask!) Favorite Airline: Singapore Air or Korean Air Favorite Hotel: Sri Panwa, Thailand or the Chedi, O

Download Episode! Markus is a Swedish diplomat who has traveled to every country in the world and now is focussing on the Travelers’ Century Club which divides the world into 325 places. Markus has been posted to countries such as Nigeria and China during his career as a Swedish diplomat.  Markus has a strong desire to travel as he demonstrated when he ventured as a 15 year old to China with a group of strangers he met via a newspaper advertisement.  Markus has traveled to the far corners of the earth from places such as Chukotka Autonomous Okrug (in the far east of Russia opposite Alaska) to Tristan da Cunha (considered the remotest, inhabited island of the world).   Subscribe to iTunes today! More about Markus Lundgren: Born in: Northern Sweden Passports from:  Sweden Favorite travel book:  Lonely Planet,  to my next destination Favorite travel film:  Timbukto, a place I really regret not visiting sooner. Favorite travel site: The Best Traveled   Must carry:  Passport, money/credit cards, printed ticket

April is approaching her century mark and is on a quest to travel to every country in the world! April is the first Filipino female to travel to all seven continents in one calendar year.  She is also on a mission to visit all 193 countries in the world  She is closing in on her 100th country, and she is doing this while working on this quest as a pharmacist in Chicago.      Subscribe to iTunes today!! More about April Peregrino:   Born in: Chicago, IL, USA Passports from: USA and Philippines Favorite travel book:  "The Beach" by Alex Garland and "Shantaram" by Gregory David Roberts (both read while traveling

Download Episode! Henrik Jeppesen completed his quest of traveling to every country in the world at the age of 27.  Henrik was laser focused on completing his goal at all cost. Henrik has traveled to all 193 countries at the age of 27.  On a limited budget, Henrik was determined to visit every corner of the globe.  If needed he would walk 20 km to the airport to save money on the bus fare.  Yet, through sponsorships he has also stayed at dozens of luxurious resorts.   Subscribe to iTunes today!! More about Henrik Jeppesen: Born in: Denmark Passports from: Denmark Favorite travel book: Chasing 193, Vol. II: The Quest to Visit Every Country in the World Favorite travel film:  It is a difficult choice, but I will choose Motorcycle Diaries. Favorite travel site: Insideflyer.dk Must carry: Only smartphone, credit card and passport. All you need to travel the world. Favorite food: Italian and French vegetarian cuisine. Favorite drink: Evian water. Favorite Airline:  Sun Air of Scandinavia. Amazing airline. Not a