[Off The Reservation]

(05-12-2016 12:24 AM)Off The Reservation Wrote:  

61 Countries, including all 13 of South America
All 50 States
12/13 Canadian Provinces and Territories

(05-15-2016 07:23 PM)Adrenaline Wrote:  

I'm the type to keep going back to the same countries I know and enjoy, rather than constantly leaping into the unknown so I doubt I'll ever reach some of the numbers on here. In saying that, some of the numbers here are pretty impressive assuming you haven't hopped from country to country every 2-3 days Euro-trip style. I doubt most of you saying 50+ or even anything over 20 have spent enough time in each country to really understand the culture or give any solid advice on the place.

I'll give a list of countries I've been or am interested in visiting at some stage over the next 10 years instead:

Thailand
Indonesia
Philippines
South Korea
Japan

England
Spain
France
Germany
Iceland
Hungary
Poland
Romania
Czech Republic
Serbia
Bosnia
Ukraine
Russia
Turkey
Israel

United States (New York City, Las Vegas, Miami, California, New Orleans, Chicago, Austin, couple of small college towns)

Brazil
Argentina
Columbia

That just about covers it, so there are only 20-25 countries I even have an interest in visiting, but I want to do them in depth. Most of these are for party/women reasons, with several for culture/curiosity reasons as well.

Not sure what is the point of your dismissive comment about well traveled people. What could you possibly know about what someone understands about a place they have been and you haven't?

[big poppa]

I look back on an earlier post of mine in this thread saying that my long term goal is 100. For me that isn't the case anymore.

I would prefer to spend 2 months in 25 different countries over the course of my life rather than 2 weeks in 100 countries. My long term travel goals as of this post would probably be

- Spend 18+ months in Asia. Maybe stints of 5+ months in countries I love.
- Spend 12+ months travelling South America. Become fluent in Spanish in the process.
- Visit Africa. Maybe a 3 month trip checking out the countries in the south of the Continent.
- USA road trip from west coast to east coast.
- Russia and a couple countries in Eastern/Central Europe for at least 6 months to a year.

That's 3-4 years of travelling about 30-35 countries, so that's probably my goal rather than 100.

At the end of the day the only thing stopping me from visiting 50+ countries would be time and resources. If I had both, I don't see why you wouldn't visit as many places as possible.

[LiameVans]

I've visited Estonia (Tallinn - http://tripity.eu)

and Scotland
Perth
is a small but historic city on the east coast, which stands on the River Tay.
Perth is known for its abundant parkland.
Close by is the village of Scone, ancient capital of Scotland and former home to Scottish kings.

[Off The Reservation]

(05-18-2014 06:40 PM)nomadicdude Wrote:  

A few days ago I hit my 88th country. I am traveling rest of year and should hit 100 by July if all goes according to plan. After that I am going to stop caring about my digits.

nomadicdude is
possibly most travelled on rvf.

[Off The Reservation]

(05-12-2016 12:24 AM)Off The Reservation Wrote:  

61 Countries, including all 13 of South America
All 50 States
12/13 Canadian Provinces and Territories

Added some more this year for 65.

Including driving all the way across Australia.

[MrBoombastic]

I've been to Kathmandu, Nepal. It's a very chill place and you can buy weed pretty easy there. Cheap lodging, cheap food (I hope you like momos), and it's just got a very laid back atmosphere.

[naughtynomad]

Hit my 100th country for my 30th birthday.

Tunisia next week will be 101.

I've learned to slow a bit though. I agree that it takes time to soak in a place.

[Hyyish]

I've been to:

Norway
Sweden
Denmark
Iceland
Finland
Germany
The Netherlands
Poland
Spain
Greece
Czech Republic
Portugal

Egypt
Somali-land
Kenya

Russia
USA

Thailand
Cambodia
Laos
Singapore

The southeast-Asian countries are my favorites. The diversity, energy, people and food is simply amazing.

Czech Republic was not bad either. A lot of good beer.

Russia was absolute worst. What a shit-hole. Colorless, rude people, cold, abandoned, boring food and aggressive men all over the place.

[LikeABaller]

USA
Singapore
Malaysia
Cambodia
Thailand
Colombia
Indonesia
Turkey(Homeland)
Denmark
Sweden
Germany
Italy
Czech Republic
Netherlands
Israel
Pakistan
Philippines
Panama
South Africa
Zimbabwe
Ukraine
Belarus
France(Paris= ShitHole, Cannes = Heaven)


These countries I've only been to the airport as transit passenger:
El Selvador
UAE
Qatar
Spain

[MANic]

is everyone on this forum extremely affluent. How does one finance such lifestyles?

[zatara]

(12-06-2016 07:54 AM)MANic Wrote:  

is everyone on this forum extremely affluent. How does one finance such lifestyles?

Its possible to do a couple of European city breaks and a long-haul holiday a year for most young people in Western Europe on an average middle class wage. This is due to European city breaks being extremely cheap (the joys of Ryanair) for the short-haul travel. And the high European wages, relative to most other parts of the world, making travel to Asia, South America etc cheap for the long-haul. And you might fit in multiple countries on each trip for the long-haul travel. I'd say a lot of posters here have racked up countries over a few years doing this.

With a decent bit of budgeting, and presuming you're young and willing to stay places like hostels, you can do weekend city breaks for 500-600eur a go and 3 week long long-haul trips for 3000-4000eur a go. Not huge figures for an average 25 year old office worker on 30k euros a year, with no student debt, no mortgage, no kids etc.

That, and there are quite a few digital nomads here. And guys who would prioritize spending money on travel over spending money on consumer items (newer car, bottle service in the club etc) in their home country. Those two groups would also bump the average up.

[Dirty Harry]

(12-06-2016 07:54 AM)MANic Wrote:  

is everyone on this forum extremely affluent. How does one finance such lifestyles?

I earn around €2000 per month.

Because of my budget, i'm mostly restricted to countries with a low cost of living. I end up saving around €200 to €500 per month.

In Ecuador and Colombia i spent about €1500-1800 per month, give or take. Here in Brazil it's a bit more expensive despite the quality of life being the same as those countries, Colombia is probably the best overall deal.

In Europe the cost of living is higher but travel is far less expensive.

[Buddydowrongright2]

First post on new handle. Was a forum member a while ago but I can't find my old password. 9) well.

USA
Poland (lived there 3 years)
Germany
Finland
Spain
France
Italy
Vatican
Mexico
Turkey
Czech Republic
Slovakia
Ireland
Croatia
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Romania
Greece
Scotland
Hungary
Slovenia
Austria
Netherlands
Malta
Belgium
Norway
Sweden


Going to Denmark and Iceland for a couple weeks in June.

[Buddydowrongright2]

First post on new handle. Was a forum member a while ago but I can't find my old password. 9) well.

USA
Poland (lived there 3 years)
Germany
Finland
Spain
France
Italy
Vatican
Mexico
Turkey
Czech Republic
Slovakia
Ireland
Croatia
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Romania
Greece
Scotland
Hungary
Slovenia
Austria
Netherlands
Malta
Belgium
Norway
Sweden


Going to Denmark and Iceland for a couple weeks in June.

[MANic]

what's you configuration of saving/investing : spending on travel?

I struggle to draw conclusions from the whole saving and investing into passive income streams for the future early on vs travelling when young. My heart is inclined to the latter but my pragmatic risk-averse mind tends to the former.

[Off The Reservation]

(12-06-2016 09:22 AM)MANic Wrote:  

what's you configuration of saving/investing : spending on travel?

I struggle to draw conclusions from the whole saving and investing into passive income streams for the future early on vs travelling when young. My heart is inclined to the latter but my pragmatic risk-averse mind tends to the former.

You are asking the wrong questions, they are framed by a limited choice this vs that mindset.

[zatara]

(12-06-2016 09:22 AM)MANic Wrote:  

what's you configuration of saving/investing : spending on travel?

I struggle to draw conclusions from the whole saving and investing into passive income streams for the future early on vs travelling when young. My heart is inclined to the latter but my pragmatic risk-averse mind tends to the former.

It depends on your career prospects/academic qualifications but if both are reasonable there's not a huge amount of reason to save in your early 20s. I didn't start saving anything at all (spent every cent on living costs/holidays) until I hit my late 20s and my salary got a few big bumps. Mostly because I'm confident in my own earning potential for the future. If you've got a good degree and/or post grad and a couple years experience in your industry then you're likely fairly professionally secure.

Worst case scenario I'd rather have spent my 20s fucking around traveling and as a result have to work an extra few years in my 60s if I'm not fully financially secure at that age yet. Better that than have saved all my spare cash in my 20s, barely lived my youth, and retired at 60.

[Truly]

(12-06-2016 02:10 PM)zatara Wrote:  

(12-06-2016 09:22 AM)MANic Wrote:  

what's you configuration of saving/investing : spending on travel?

I struggle to draw conclusions from the whole saving and investing into passive income streams for the future early on vs travelling when young. My heart is inclined to the latter but my pragmatic risk-averse mind tends to the former.

It depends on your career prospects/academic qualifications but if both are reasonable there's not a huge amount of reason to save in your early 20s. I didn't start saving anything at all (spent every cent on living costs/holidays) until I hit my late 20s and my salary got a few big bumps. Mostly because I'm confident in my own earning potential for the future. If you've got a good degree and/or post grad and a couple years experience in your industry then you're likely fairly professionally secure.

Worst case scenario I'd rather have spent my 20s fucking around traveling and as a result have to work an extra few years in my 60s if I'm not fully financially secure at that age yet. Better that than have saved all my spare cash in my 20s, barely lived my youth, and retired at 60.

How do you find the balance? I usually have a need to take a few days off during the year for emergency reasons, which leaves me a little over a week for any vacations. I went to Finland, Estonia, and Iceland last year, (after working/living in Hong Kong for a year), but it was only for a week. I came to realize that it's actually pretty difficult to enjoy traveling overseas while working in corporate America unless your job requires travel. All my friends are in similar situations and some make close to 6 figures (in LA/SF), but they still at best travel out of the country once a year, if only for 1-2 weeks at a time, which IMO is not enough time to immerse in a country's culture.

I suppose the only way to really get that freedom is to become location independent/passive income (early retirement), but that'll still take you into your mid-late 30s, early 40s, unless you're lucky or made it big early on.

[zatara]

(12-06-2016 02:59 PM)Truly Wrote:  

How do you find the balance? I usually have a need to take a few days off during the year for emergency reasons, which leaves me a little over a week for any vacations. I went to Finland, Estonia, and Iceland last year, (after working/living in Hong Kong for a year), but it was only for a week. I came to realize that it's actually pretty difficult to enjoy traveling overseas while working in corporate America unless your job requires travel. All my friends are in similar situations and some make close to 6 figures (in LA/SF), but they still at best travel out of the country once a year, if only for 1-2 weeks at a time, which IMO is not enough time to immerse in a country's culture.

I suppose the only way to really get that freedom is to become location independent/passive income (early retirement), but that'll still take you into your mid-late 30s, early 40s, unless you're lucky or made it big early on.

Yeah, thats a big problem in the US corporate environment unfortunately. The lack of holiday time is a killer. In Europe or much of the Anglosphere (South Africa/Aus/NZ) you're legally guaranteed anywhere from 28-38 days of paid leave a year, depending on the country. Everyone legally has to take it too, so nobody gets judged as workshy for taking it. Unlike in the US where my experience was even if you're lucky enough to get paid leave you'll often be judged for taking it.

My solution was I quit my job in the US and moved back to Europe. I took a paycut down to about 80% of my previous US salary, but got 34 days a year of leave instead of 10. Work a lot less hours on a weekly basis too. A worthwhile trade I think - that 7 weeks a year of paid leave has allowed me to do a lot of traveling over the years.

So option 1 is that, you could move to somewhere with better holiday leave for a few years while you're young. If you've got an Italian or Irish grandparent its fairly easy to claim an EU passport through that. Or you could get a 1 year working visa if you're under 30 - lots of places have those. Ie here for Australia:

https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/462-

EU countries have similar. If you get a decent job while on one of those visas the company will usually sponsor you to stay for a few years.

Option 2 is if you're currently working for a multi-national in the US you could request an internal transfer to a site in a different country.

Option 3 would becoming location independent/a digital nomad, but thats quite unreliable for most people.

Options 1&2 would allow you to keep a secure 9-5 income while fitting in a decent amount of travel on the side, so they're the better option for most people.

[swadeshi]

69, and I have lived for more than 6 months in 6 of them. Yet I haven't even been to Asia, but have been to pretty much every country in Europe and the Americas (excluding Caribbean), also lived in South Africa for 4 years. Pretty much sacrificed (profesionally speaking) my 20's and early 30's in order to get mileage and traveling is all I think about. Therefore, now in my 30's I'm back in university getting myself in debt for the first time in my life trying to figure out the whole getting old thing. Still I would do it all over again.

[Thaitanium]

Austria
Belgium
Cambodia
China
Egypt
France
Germany
Greece
Indonesia
Iran
Italy
Japan
Korea South
Laos
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Malaysia
Mexico
Myanmar, {Burma}
Netherlands
Peru
Philippines
Portugal
Russian Federation
Singapore
Spain
Sri Lanka
Switzerland
Thailand
Turkey
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
Vatican City
Vietnam

So that's 34. Not bad but should be more. Though I've been in most Asian countries many times. Living in one now, and next on the list are Taiwan, Mongolia and Nepal.

[MCMV]

46 but mostly due to my work. I just counted the other day because my passport pages ran out.

[bumborass]

I'm in the teens. I need some more countries tbh. Most of my travels is due to work, and a few countries have only been seen by me from military bases

[iam1albertan]

Argentina
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Brazil
Bulgaria
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cuba
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominican Republic
England
France
Georgia
Germany
Hungary
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Italy
Kazakhstan
Mexico
Moldova
Nepal
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Poland
Romania
Scotland
Slovenia
Sweden
Switzerland
Thailand
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkey
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States

Currently an expat living in Azerbaijan, been here for about a year and a half

[Off The Reservation]

(12-06-2016 03:37 AM)naughtynomad Wrote:  

Hit my 100th country for my 30th birthday.

Tunisia next week will be 101.

I've learned to slow a bit though. I agree that it takes time to soak in a place.

Congrats.

#1 on RVF?