Robert A. (Bob) Bonifas … is ranked #2 on MTP

Robert A. (Bob) Bonifas … is ranked #2 on MTP

Author: Ric Gazarian October 4, 2018 Duration: 1:39:53
Key Links Get your official Counting Countries apparel Listen with Spotify We're on Amazon Alexa --------------------------------------- On today's episode, I spoke with Bob Bonifas. I have seen Bob's name on the top of the Most Traveled People's list. MTP divides the world into 874 places and Bob is currently ranked #2 on the list. I had the opportunity to visit Bob in his office in Aurora, a suburb of Chicago. His spacious office was filled with a ton of travel mementos. Bob did not take his first flight until the age of 30, but since then he has racked up several million plus miles and then some. Bob founded Alarm Detection Systems and became involved with the industry associations. With his involvement in the association he began to travel more and more, expanding his horizons. Bob learned about Travelers' Century Club and MTP and being a Type A personality he quickly became hooked on travel. He rapidly picked up new countries and territories, moving up on the list. He is now in a friendly competition with his IL neighbor, Don Parrish, who is ranked #1. Bob touches on the great difficulty of finishing of the MTP list as you near the end. Many of his final territories are remote or require permission to visit. These trips tend to be expensive. And very frustratingly, the visit is not guaranteed. Many of these territory visits are accomplished by ship, and sometimes the oceans are so rough, it is not possible to land. I encourage you to subscribe wherever you listen, Apple Podcast, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify and of course if you like the program, feel free write a review like Swissdogg from the US did. "As an avid traveler myself...Rick and his guests are an inspiration. So far I have been to 63 countries...looks like I have some work ahead of me!" Swissdogg good luck on your next 63 countries and thanks for the compliments, I can feel my head getting bigger. I also want to say a quick hello to our fans around the world … from Paraguay to Afghanistan, from Angola to Haiti and over 100 different countries. But for now, here's my conversation with Bob. We are both in the Aurora, IL known as the Land of Lincoln. Please listen in and enjoy. Be the first on your block to sport official Counting Countries apparel! You can purchase today on Amazon. More about Robert A. (Bob) Bonifas: Born in: Aurora, IL Passports from: US Must carry: Satellite phone and a Garmin InReach Favorite drink: Diet Cherry Coke Favorite Airline: UAL

The journey to visit every country on the map is a pursuit that defines a life, blending obsession, logistics, and profound personal discovery. Counting Countries, hosted by Ric Gazarian, explores this rarefied world through conversations with the travelers who are doing it. This isn't a typical travel podcast about tips or destinations; it's about the human stories behind the stamps. Each episode delves into the motivations, the decades-long itineraries, the close calls, and the unexpected moments of connection that happen along the way. Listeners hear firsthand accounts of what it truly costs-financially, emotionally, physically-to chase this singular goal. The podcast naturally examines the shifting definitions of travel and countryhood, the ethical considerations of crossing borders for a list, and the quiet reflections that come from a lifetime of movement. Gazarian guides these discussions with the insight of someone who understands the quest, creating a space for honest talk about an endeavor fewer people have completed than have gone to space. It’s about the texture of the world, one border at a time, and the unique perspective gained from seeing all of it. Tune in for intimate narratives that go far beyond passport counts, revealing the deeper meaning of a global life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 166

Counting Countries
Podcast Episodes
Sherri Donovan … Hugs From Old Mommas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:06:01
Sherri Donovan has been to 187 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Sherri Donovan, a well-known member of the community. I was taken aback when Sherri sha…
Barry Hoffner … Belonging To The World [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:18
Barry has published his memoir Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. This is a special episode with Barry Hoffner. Barry is a former guest on Counting Countries and I encourage you to listen to this episode to hear his…
Erik Futtrup … Left At The Fork [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:36:50
Erik Futtrup has been to every country in the world Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. In this episode, I had the pleasure of meeting Erik at ETF II in Bangkok, and I am looking forward to seeing him this October for…
Konstantin Liorek … Strawberries Forever [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:53:50
Konstantin Liorek has been to every country in the world Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. In this episode, I have the pleasure to speak with traveler Kostia Liorek. I met Kostia at the ETF in Bangkok in 2024, and I…
Brian Johnson … Slightly Bigger Office [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:39:16
Brian Johnson has been to 128 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. In this episode, I have the pleasure to speak with traveler Brian Johnson. I met Brian twice in the last two years, first at the Extraordinar…
Extraordinary Travel Festival III Update III – Matt Gray Of Pangea [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:29
Join the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok, October 22-25, 2026. Use code BANGKOK to save on your ticket. One of the goals of the Extraordinary Travel Festival is to bring the leaders of the travel industry togeth…
Yaël Pericard … A Pair Of Jeans [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:03:00
Yaël Pericard has been to 133 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. In this episode, I have the pleasure to speak with traveler Yael Pericard. I met Yael briefly at the ETF in Bangkok and follow him on FB, but…
Thomas Preinl … Inspired By His Grandfathers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:23:29
Thomas Preinl has been to 190 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. On this episode I have the pleasure to speak with Thomas Preinl who I met at the NomadMania meeting in Uzbekistan and spent time with him dur…
Orla Phillips … A Travel Brochure [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:30:50
Orla Phillips has been to 172 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. On this episode I have the pleasure to speak with Orla Phillips who I was fortunate enough to meet at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Ba…