Stefan Krasowski - 186 countries...  and counting!

Stefan Krasowski - 186 countries... and counting!

Author: Ric Gazarian November 15, 2016 Duration: 1:00:50
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 have not seen Up in the Air. Favorite travel site: maps.me for offline navigation around he world. Must carry: Small Chinese umbrella with UV liner for rain and sun, yes, a parasol. Favorite food: If I had to pick one dish to eat every day for the rest of my life, it is Korean bibimbap. Favorite drink: Fruit juices, my favorite is soursop. Favorite Airline: My wife's favorite is Korean Airlines, when she flies happy, we are both happy Favorite Hotel: Shanghai Holiday Inn Pudong, I used to stay a lot for business, within a 5-minute walk there are a ton of restaurants where I can get all my Shanghai favorites, bubble tea, and even great Xinjiang food; for glamorous in Shanghai, by the way, Hotel Indigo on the Bund is that fantastic boutique style that is cool and fun, like 1920s art deco Shanghai with a colorful modern twist. Website: Rapid Travel Chai Facebook: Rapid Travel Chai Twitter: Rapid Travel Chai Instagram: Rapid Travel Chai Travel Map: Stefan's Map with The Best Travelled. Travel Hacking Tips: Travel Hacks Subscribe on iTunes today!! About Counting Countries Counting Countries is the only podcast to bring you the stories from the dedicated few who've spent their lives on the singular quest of traveling to every country in the world. Less people have traveled to every country in the world than have been to outer space. Theme music for this podcast is Demeter's Dance, written, performed, and provided by Mundi. About GlobalGaz Ric Gazarian is the host of Counting Countries. He is the author of three books: Hit The Road: India, 7000 KM To Go, and Photos From Chernobyl. He is the producer of two travel documentaries: Hit The Road: India and Hit The Road: Cambodia. Ric is also on his own quest to visit every country in the world. You can see where he has traveled so far and keep up with his journey at GlobalGaz.com How Many Countries Are There? Well… that depends on who you ask! The United Nations states that there are 193 member states. The British Foreign and Commonwealth office states that there are 225 countries and territories. The Century Club states that there are 325 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands. The Most Traveled Person states that there are 875 unique parts of the world. The Best Traveled states that there are 1281 unique places in the world. Me? My goal is the 193 countries that are recognized by the UN, but I am sure I will visit some other places along the way. Disclaimer: I will earn a fee if you order from Amazon/Agoda.

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
Pav Mbeda … Go Big Or Go Home [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:42:10
Pav Mbeda has traveled to 106 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. We are back with the second episode of 2025. I hope your travels are off to a good start. Today, I am happy to share this conversation with P…
Yooshita Fathi … Breaking Stereotypes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:49:01
Yooshita has traveled to 108 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. A giant Happy New Year to all of you country counters! We are back today with a new episode after a small break. Over the past year, you've li…
The Maverick Show ... Hosted By Matt Bowles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:45
Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. Well not really. Today I am sharing an interview of me hosted by Matt Bowles who hosts the Maverick Show Podcast. Matt and I had great conversation and wanted to share it with my li…
Extraordinary Travel Festival II Update #11 - Charles Veley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:16
Hey now! This is it, the last episode before the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok. Still a little time left to join. Use code BANGKOK. My special guest is speaker and sponsor Charles Veley, founder of the Most Tr…
Phillips Connor … IBZ To SIN Via GGR [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:53:21
Phillips has traveled to every country in the world Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. Today, we are speaking with Phillips Connor. I had the pleasure of meeting PC in Singapore with a group of extreme travelers and…
Andy Hicks ... Recatalogging DNA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:02:35
Andy Hicks Counting Countries has traveled to 120 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. Today, we are speaking with Andy Hicks. I have had the pleasure of meeting Andy at the first ETF in Armenia and the TCC m…
Luisa Yu … The Black Sheep [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:40:02
Luisa Yu has traveled to every country in the world Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. I am excited to have Luisa Yu on the podcast. She is well known and beloved member to many in the community. For those not in the…