- Is your New Year’s resolution to see the world?
- Those who have done it say it’s not easy, but not impossible either.
- You have to be ready to sacrifice everything to take the trip of a lifetime.
According to Conde Nast Travelerthere are probably only 400 people throughout history who have visited every country in the world.
But with the rise of influencers on social media, that number is growing fast – expert travelers documenting their every move in this crazy to-do list quest.
To you, this may seem like a distant dream that only the rich can achieve, but many have proven it’s possible if you have the right attitude – not easy, but possible.
And everyone is chasing world record status – from youngest to fastest to first.
Others just want to complete it as a personal journey – no one can tell you you’re wrong.
But if you’re not sure where to start, here are the top tips from those who’ve done it in style.
Decide from the start what constitutes a country
You might think the number of countries in the world would be easy to find out – but it all depends on who you ask. The UN has 193 official members, but that number does not include Taiwan, Palestine and Vatican City – all generally considered countries in their own right.
Guinness World Records recognizes 196 countries, while there are even more considerations when thinking about countries like Tibet, Hong Kong and island dependencies.
Decide on a list before you even start ticking off so you have an end goal to work towards – although the United Nations list may be your easiest bet.
Get support from the travel community
There are plenty of online forums and social media groups full of travelers focused on the same quest as you – try joining a few where you can ask for advice and get tips.
Also follow anyone busy with their own quest – this will help with some much-needed motivation when the goal seems too big for you.
Then there are clubs you can join once you’ve checked off a lot on your list. The Travellers’ Century Club is the oldest – it’s been around since 1954 – and you can join once you’ve visited 100 or more countries.
Others include the most traveled people, whose list includes 891 locations like provinces and cities, while Nomad Mania’s list covers 1,281 regions and they intend to verify traveler claims, according to Conde Nast. Traveler.
Budget even when you’re not traveling
If you really want to achieve your goal, you have to be ready to make a lot of sacrifices.
Lexie Alford – who finished her quest at the age of 21 – told Forbes: “I do a lot of research ahead of time to find the best deals, redeem points and miles for my flights, stay in cheap accommodations like hostels, or create content for hotels in exchange for accommodation.”
“I’ve also made sure to keep my monthly overhead as low as possible by living at home with my parents, I don’t have car payments or student debt, and I don’t spend my money on material things. useless.”
It’s also easier if you choose to put your career on hold while you pursue that travel lifestyle. Melissa Roy said Forbes she did odd jobs in Hollywood in order to have a flexible schedule until she reached her goal. She adds that it can be shocking how much money you save by focusing only on your needs rather than your wants.
Crack on social networks
Another way for a few people to have completed their records is through sponsorship – and the best way to attract that extra income is to have a strong social media presence.
You can slowly start building a travel-focused account on platforms like Instagram, and while it will take a while, quick campaigns and advertising deals can add up to help you take one trip at a time.
However, be prepared to do it all yourself.
Think about your motives
If you want to prove something, remember to keep track of every trip. Cassandra De Pecol broke the Guinness record for visiting all sovereign countries in the shortest possible time and had to submit thousands of pieces of evidence to make her record official.
If the trip is more personal and you don’t care about proving something, this will make your logistics much easier.
Be realistic about your timeline
Michael Palin – who started traveling aged 14 in 2004, took 13 years to visit every country in the world – you don’t have to rush to your goal, just travel in the best way for you .
Also think about the time you can spend in a country – three days in Paris still count as much as two weeks in Thailand.
Some countries have easier borders than others – you can hop into neighboring countries just for the day if possible.
But don’t forget to know your visas inside out!
Ask for advice on visiting countries in conflict
The most difficult countries to visit will be those at war or various other security issues. Try to find people who have visited the site for advice and try to connect with someone who lives there and can show you how to navigate. You can also choose to book through tour operators – these countries are likely to be your most expensive destinations.
For some countries with difficult borders like North Korea, you can look for easy access points like a DMZ for day visits.
Alford noted that she opted for very short stays (two or three days) in countries where she did not feel completely safe on her own and where she could not provide adequate security.
Focus on people rather than attractions
Many travelers have noted that connecting with locals is more important than focusing on a sightseeing itinerary.
Roy told Forbes that she opted for couchsurfing over Airbnb because it opened up more authentic experiences and closer connections with her hosts.
These connections can also open up more options for visiting other destinations – you’ll learn to trust the friendliness of strangers.
Choose your last country carefully
Finally, reaching your goal can be an emotional moment – and you’d want to experience that in a country that could mean more to you than just a tick on a list.
For Roy, her final destination was her ancestral home in Bangladesh, which she visited with her mother – this of course made the completion of her journey even more special.
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