Frank has nearly visited the 5,000 places on his list which makes him the best traveled person in terms of quality.
Frank passionately believes in what he calls quality tourism, which he defines as the opposite of checking boxes. So instead of focusing on crossing borders, he focuses on visiting places of note which he believes contributes to authentic and meaningful travel. Frank despite being listed #5 on Nomad Mania, just recently visited his 193rd country in 2016.
Frank and his partner have traveled virtually non stop over the last 10 years to complete his list of 5000 places. He has a definitive travel style which does not allow for deviation of plans, since his focus is to visit 1.36 sites a day on average. Completing this list allows him to call himself the “The Best Traveled Man On Earth: Best in Quality Based On Highlights”.
Frank has traveled to the far corners of the globe with visits to both the North and South Pole as well as the circumnavigation of Antarctica and the Arctic. Travel plays a dominant role in his life. In one year alone, he dedicated 500,000 Euro for himself and his partner.
Frank during our conversation shares his love of Paris, why Chad is underrated, and why he was concerned with his visit to Mogadishu.
Counting Countries has been added to both Alexa and Spotify. Wherever you listen, consider subscribing and writing a review. And check out the awesome Counting Countries store on Amazon.
And for some trivia, Counting Countries has fans in 114 different countries, including Somalia, Togo, and Paraguay.
A final note, with this episode, it will mark the end of Season 1. A great thank you to all the listeners as well as all of the great travelers I have spoken with. I look forward to speaking with all of you when Season 2 kicks off in early summer.
Frank joined me from Phuket while I was in Bangkok. Please listen in and enjoy.
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts today! And write a review!
And now you can listen to Counting Countries on Spotify! And Alexa!
Check out our friends: Chasing 193, Volume II: The Quest To Visit Every Country In The World and Large Minority. They organize international rallies around the world including: Sri Lanka, Cambodia, the Philippines and the Amazon.
More about Frank Grosse-Oetringhaus:
Born in: Germany
Passports from: Germany
Website: Frank Grosse Oetringhaus
Map: Nomad Mania
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts 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.
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 226 countries and territories.
- The Century Club states that there are 327 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands.
- The Most Traveled Person states that there are 875 unique parts of the world.
- The Nomad Mania 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.
Explore the unique stories from 20 more world-class travelers from various backgrounds and nations and from all walks of life who have tirelessly pursued visiting every country in the world and have filled their lives with a virtually endless amount of adventure.
Disclaimer: I will earn a fee if you order from Amazon/Agoda.
Photos From Chernobyl
Sign up to receive your free copy of Photos From Chernobyl. Over 100 photos from the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.
I loved this interview, thank you very much. Indeed, Frank Grosse-Oetringhaus is the best traveler of the world in quality, I fully agree with his conception of quality. We all have to learn from him. He is not a ticker. I am anxious to read his book about the 5.000 highlights.
Great, glad you enjoyed…who else would you like to hear?
I would love to hear german Heinz Stucke. 50 years traveling the world and record GUINNESS. He came to Argentina about 20 years ago, I met him and we had lunch together. He now lives in Germany. I have his phone. I can give it to you by email if you want it.
Do you have email contact by any chance?
No, he is not using email. He can only be contacted by phone.