James Asquith - 193 countries ... and Guinness World Record Holder

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James is the current world record holder as the youngest person to travel to every country in the world according to the Guinness World Records

James has travel DNA. His grandfather regaled him with tales of spending time in Yemen. His mother lived in Hong Kong. His father was an airline captain who flew to international locales like Senegal and Ethiopia, James sometimes accompanying.

James shares with us why people make such a big difference when visiting every country in the world. And he tells us what country has the friendliest people. James tells us where the most magical sunrise is in the world. James recounts visiting Ivory Coast during a civil war and traveling to Libya after the killing of Gaddafi.

And what counts as visiting a country? James and I discuss the “broken finger rule”.

James also has a lot of current travel initiatives currently. He recently published a book called Breaking Borders. He is also rolling out a new travel app named Holiday Swap that helps people travel the world and build new friendships.

James joined me from London while I was in Bangkok, please join in and listen to today’s episode.

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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 James Asquith:

Born in: Cuckfield, UK
Passports from: UK
Favorite travel book: Into The Wild
Favorite travel film: Cloud Atlas, not travel specifically but more on relationships and interconnectivity
Favorite websites: Holiday Swap, obviously 😉
Must carry: Passport and money. Nothing else is necessary. I travel really light and there is nothing I need except the essentials to get me places. Everything else I’ll figure out along the way (I hope!)
Favorite food: Anything that are Italian staples, meats and cheeses with some wine and I’m all set!
Favorite drink: If I’m being boring a gin and tonic is the go to, but anything out of a pineapple or coconut always gets my attention!
Favorite airline: Cathay Pacific. Good product and quality service
Favorite hotel: No comment, conflict of interest 🙂
Instagram: James Asquith Travel
His book: Breaking Borders
His travel app: Holiday Swap
Guinness World Record: James’s record

All photos of James provided by James Asquith Travel

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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 226 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 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.

Check out our partner and sponsor: Chasing 193, Volume II: The Quest To Visit Every Country In The World.

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.