Where I’ve Been
What’s Your Number?
People often ask me, “So, how many countries have you been to?” Truth be told, until recently, I didn’t have an exact answer. I mean, sure, I could ballpark it – but I’d never actually taken the time to make a complete list. So, the other day I sat down - world map in hand – to count the number of countries I’ve visited. It turned out to be a lot more complicated than I anticipated. Simple question, convoluted answer. For example, does Vatican City count as a separate country? What about Gibraltar or Puerto Rico? And what if I only connect through a country and never leave the airport? That shouldn’t count…or should it?
I needed answers. I wanted my list to be thorough, honest and accurate. So, after doing a little research on the subject, I discovered the Traveler’s Century Club (TCC). The TCC is an exclusive club only for those intrepid travelers who have visited 100 or more countries. And since they take their membership requirements very seriously, they have developed an official list of 320 countries or destinations that are politically, ethnologically or geographically different enough to merit inclusion. Since TCC’s list is recognized as the world standard on the subject, that’s good enough for me. (If you would like to read more about how they determine country/territory status and what it takes to qualify as a member, complete info can be found here.)
Based on TCC’s terms, my current country count is: 105
Now, on to the list!
Pacific Ocean (12)
Australia
Fiji Islands
French Polynesia
Hawaiian Islands
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Tonga
Samoa
Cook Islands
Palau
Guam
Yap (Micronesia)
North America (4)
Alaska
Canada
United States
Mexico
Central America (2)
Belize
Costa Rica
South America (5)
Argentina
Brazil
Peru
Chile
Uruguay
Caribbean (15)
Antigua
Aruba
Bahamas
Barbados
Bonaire
Curacao
Dominica
Jamaica
Leeward Islands, French (St. Martin)
Puerto Rico
St. Kitts
St. Lucia
St. Maarten
Virgin Islands, British (Tortola, Jost Van Dyke)
Virgin Islands, U.S. (St. John, St. Thomas)
Atlantic Ocean (1)
Iceland
Europe & Mediterranean (41)
Albania
Austria
Balearic Islands (Mallorca)
Belgium
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus, Republic
Cyprus, Turkish Fed. State
Czech Republic
Denmark
England
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Gibraltar
Greece
Hungary
Ionian Islands (Corfu)
Ireland
Northern Ireland (Ulster)
Italy
Macedonia
Montenegro
Monaco
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Serbia
Sicily
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Vatican City
Africa (4)
Egypt
Morocco
South Africa
Tunisia
Middle East (4)
Dubai
Israel
Jordan
Oman
Indian Ocean (1)
Seychelles
Asia (16)
Brunei
Cambodia
China, People’s Republic
Hong Kong
India
Japan
Laos
Lesser Sunda Islands (Bali, Indonesia)
Malaysia
Philippines
Sabah (Northern Borneo)
Singapore
South Korea
Taiwan, R.O.C.
Thailand
Vietnam
Well, that’s it! That’s my current list. Now, what’s YOUR number?
