Counting Countries | Travel The Entire World

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

Download Episode! Anthony accomplished the amazing goal of traveling to every country in the world, but even more impressive, he taught children in all 193 countries of the world.   Anthony through his foundation, Art In All Of Us, has dedicated his life to traveling to every country to teach and inspire the children of the world.  Listen in as he shares the secret to accomplishing this quest through practicing the 5 P’s.  This is truly an uplifting story of determination and perseverance.   Subscribe to iTunes today!! More about Anthony Asael: Born in: Brussels, Belgium Passports from: Belgium (But I but feel citizen of the world). Favorite travel book: Hard to pick one, as I read so many each year. Here is one that keeps travelling my mind: What is the What by Dave Eggers. Favorite travel film: 3 Idiots Favorite travel site: The Best Traveled Must carry: My laptop. Favorite food: Thai and Peruvian cuisine. Favorite drink: Fresh juices in Colombia. Favorite Airline:  None.  None give me any satisfaction.

Download Episode! Erick Prince overcame challenges as a youth and changed his life perspective through global travel. Erick Prince is on a mission to become the first African-American to visit every country in the world. Along the way, Erick strives to inspire peoples from low socioeconomic backgrounds, like his own, to change their global perspective through travel. Through this pursuit he hopes to inspire a new generation of global citizens from all socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. Subscribe to iTunes today!! More about Erick Prince: Born in: Cleveland, OH Passports from: USA Favorite travel book: Anything by Art Wolf Favorite travel film: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and The Sisterhood of Traveling Pants Favorite travel site: skyscanner.com and couchsurfing.com Must carry: Camera, Laptop, Towel Favorite food: Thai (anything spicy), Indian (curries and Samosas), Italian (Pasta and Pesto Favorite drink: Water and Screwdrivers Favorite Airline: Emirates, Qatar, and Norwegian Favorite Hotel: Interco

Download Episode! Gunnar Garfors is the youngest hobby traveler who has traveled to all 193 countries while still being employed full time. Besides traveling to every country in the world, Gunnar has also completed several other challenging feats.  In 2012, he traveled to five different continents in one single day.  In 2014, he traveled to 19 countries in one day, a world record.  You can read about some of his amazing adventures in his book, 198: How I Ran Out Of Countries.    More about Gunnar Garfors: Subscribe on iTunes!! Born in: World's northernmost town: Hammerfest, Norway Passports from: Norwegian (two of them!) Favorite travel book: 198: How I Ran Out Of Countries Favorite travel site: momondo.com.  It is great for comparing flight tickets Must carry:  Two pens and an old fashioned notepad (made by paper) Favorite food: Fresh natural oysters Favorite drink: Dry bubbles (champagne) Favorite Airline: Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) Favorite Hotel: To me, a hotel is for sleep, work and showers – and pref

Download Episode! Samu before the age of 40 had traveled to all 193 countries on earth.  And in one fell swoop, traveled to all 53 countries in Africa. Samu is one of seven Finns who have traveled to every country in the world.  At the age of 39, he had traveled to every country in the world.  Though he went back on the road in 2011 to visit South Sudan when it gained its independence. More about Samu Viljanen: Born in: Finland Passport from: Finland Favorite travel book:  Jules Verne’s adventure novels - they inspired me when I was a child.   Favorite travel site: Hostel World and Booking.com Must carry:  Enough memory cards to store pictures, a couple of passport photos, photocopy of your passport info page and possible visas, medication for first aid (ulcer cream, antibiotics for a stomach), small travel alarm with a flashlight, and a small padlock. Favorite food: Fish Favorite drink: Exotic fruit juices in tropical countries Favorite Airline:  Turkish Airlines Favorite Hotel:  I favor price and locatio

Mike Spencer Bown - 193 countries Mike is a true traveler and explorer, who over a twenty plus year time period has traveled to every country in the world. Mike shared with me some incredible travel tales, including a road trip with a nun in a war-torn, African country.   Mike has been on the road for over twenty years, exploring and discovering the remote corners of our planet.  He travels slow and espouses a simpler lifestyle with all of his belongings in one bag.     More about Mike Spencer Bown:   Born in: Canada Passports from: Canada Favorite travel book:  I like old Jack Vance fantasy travel books such as The Dying Earth and Cugel’s Saga.  Also, early travel accounts such as the First Footsteps in East Africa.   Favorite travel site:   I’m kinda old school, not a big user of the internet. I don’t travel with electronics, not even a phone or camera. Must carry: Mosquito net, a Swiss Army knife, Flagyl (for Giardia) and Coartem ( for Malaria).  I bring a collared shirt for embassy visits.  I also bring

Harry Mitsidis has been travelling “competitively” since 2000. This half-Greek and half-British 44 year old was born in London and is the founder of TheBestTravelled.com. He’s more than qualified to run a website of that name, as he’s already traveled to all 193 countries. More than that, he’s been to 128 of them at least twice!  But he’s not stopping there.  Of the 1,281 places listed on TheBestTravelled.com, he has been to 1,020 of them! More about Harry Mitsidis:   Born in: London   Passports from: UK and Greece Favorite travel book: Playing The Moldovans At Tennis   Favorite travel film:    Airplane!   Favorite travel site: TheBestTravelled.com Must carry: Of course, my passport.  And okroshka, the name I have given to a little angel, that I travel with for good luck.  My partner gave me this gift.   Okroskka means summer soup.   Favorite food: papanasi Favorite drink: Vla   Favorite Airline: Air New Zealand Favorite Hotel: Hotel-Bergheim   Website:  Harry’s Travels Around The World Face