Lorenzo Riccardi … Marrying Economics And Travel

Lorenzo has traveled to every country in the world

I had the great opportunity to sit down with Lorenzo during his visit to Bangkok. We had known of each other through the EPS community on FB as well as through some mutual friends. After the interview, Lorenzo joined me at a travel networking event I host in Bangkok where he was the featured speaker. It is always great to do the interviews in person.

Counting Countries is offering its first group tour to Madagascar in August of 2020. Please reach out to me with any questions on this trip. In addition, if you are planning trips to places like Antarctica, Svalbard, Galapagos, please consider my partner G Adventures and use my link.

I am reminding you that Counting Countries is partnered with Patreon. Patreon is a platform that allows patrons, that’s you, to support creators, and that is me creating Counting Countries. And thanks to my other patrons, Steph Rowe, Ted Nims, Bisa Myles, Ryan Gazder, Stephen Rothwell, and Adam Hickman. They get to listen to extra content, like the extra interview I did with Lorenzo, only for them.

Untamed Borders, the sponsor of Counting Countries, focuses on challenging locations for those chasing 193. This year, Untamed Borders have some seriously off the beaten track trekking trips planned. Join them on one of the world’s most remote treks to the Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan. Discover the land of one of the world’s last and least visited nomadic cultures, the Kyrgyz people of the Hindu Kush. Travel along the famous Pamir highway, one of the world’s highest roads and explore deep into territory where few outsiders have ever been.

Or join them on a 16-day Trekking trip in Tajikistan, traversing through the heart of the epic Pamir mountain range, which boasts the world’s largest glacier outside the Polar regions and three mountains taller than 7000m. This trip also supports the training of Tajikistan’s first female mountain guides.

And neighbouring Kyrgyzstan is an offbeat destination renowned for its trekking and horse riding. There are plenty of rarely-visited locales to explore throughout this centuries-old nation. On Untamed Borders 13 day adventure, you’ll traverse your way across the less trekked southern corner of the country, through remote valleys, sleeping in yurts and kayaking across blue alpine lakes. Check out their website, UntamedBorders.com.

Lorenzo was an avid traveler while he was living in Italy. But he raised the bar, when he moved to China when he began his second chapter of his life. He built a successful business in Shanghai when he decided to chase 193. He shares his amazing journey.

I encourage you to subscribe wherever you listen, Apple Podcast, Google Play, or Spotify and write a review, even better when it is 5 stars.

Lorezno and I recorded the episode in the person in the city of angels, Krung Thep. Please listen in and enjoy.

Thank you to my Patrons …. Stephen Rothwell, Steph Rowe, Adam Hickman, Bisa Myles, Ted Nims & Ryan Gazder.

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Check out our friend: Large Minority. They organize international rallies around the world including: Sri Lanka, Cambodia, the Philippines and the Amazon. And watch my full length documentary in Cambodia when I traveled with Large Minority.

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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. Lorenzo Riccardi Counting Countries.

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

More About Lorenzo:

Born in: Italy
Passports: Italy and San Marino
Favorite Book: The Shadow of the Sun
Favorite Travel Film: In This World
Favorite Travel Site: Wikitravel.com
Must carry item: Passport, credit cards USD and EUR cash, laptop
Favorite Food: Italian
Favorite Drink: Local beer
Favorite Airline: Ethiopian
Favorite Hotel: Peace Hotel
Linkedin: Lorenzo Riccardi
Facebook: Lorenzo Riccardi
Website: 200 Economies

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 Traveler’s Century Club states that there are 329 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands.
The Most Traveled Person states that there are 949 unique parts of the world.
The Nomad Mania divides the world into 1281 regions.
SISO says there are 3,978 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.