Counting Countries
Join the in Bangkok, October 22-25, 2026. Use code BANGKOK to save on your ticket. One of the goals of the Extraordinary Travel Festival is to bring the leaders of the travel industry together. Why? We want to make your travels richer and more meaningful. Hearing from these thought leaders keeps you abreast of changes and benefits that can help you. We have founders and leaders like Ian Cumming of Travel Massive, Stefan Krasowski of Every Passport Stamp, and Orest Zub of NomadMania. I am excited to be speaking with Matt Gray on this episode who will also be...
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Yaël Pericard has been to 133 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. In this episode, I have the pleasure to speak with traveler Yael Pericard. I met Yael briefly at the ETF in Bangkok and follow him on FB, but here is another case of a traveler who I really did not know well. Of course that is no longer the case after our conversation. Yael leads an adventurous life from summiting 7000 meters in Pakistan, to giving back in the Phillipines, to risking it all to explore a remote airstrip in Lesotho (this one is a pretty crazy story). And, you will get to meet...
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The ETF/ABS Magellan Travel Index was announced and premiered at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok in 2024 by founder, João Paulo Peixoto. The professor has recently moved into the #1 position on both the NM and MTP lists. The professor joins us on the ETF to provide an update on the MTI. You can learn more about the . Please remember the Extraordinary Travel Festival will be held in Bangkok from October 22-25 in 2026. You can join and use code BANGKOK to save.
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Thomas Preinl has been to 190 countries Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. On this episode I have the pleasure to speak with Thomas Preinl who I met at the NomadMania meeting in Uzbekistan and spent time with him during a recent visit to Thailand. Thomas is one of those characters who has been Chasing 193 but only recently found the extreme travel community. Thomas has benefited with flight benefits due to his employment with Lufthansa for years. As Thomas will share, he is German by birth, but not by character, having a flexible and adaptable travel persona. You...
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Hey now! Welcome to the third season of ETF news and updates. The destination for ETF III will be back to Bangkok, Thailand! The dates will be October 22-25, 2026. Join today to lock in great prices with these discount codes. ETF3 - $140 DISCOUNT – EXPIRES SEPTEMBER 24 ALUMNI - if you are an alumni of ETF I or II please contact me for a bigger discount - expires September 24 as well Tickets are non-refundable, but you may sell your ticket. It will be your responsibility to find the buyer. For more details. www.extraordinarytravelfest.com
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Thor Pedersen has been to every country in the world Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. Thor returns for the 4th time to Counting Countries in addition to 7 other episodes for patrons. During this conversation, we speak about his newly published book, The Impossible Journey (). Despite knowing his journey well, this book shares more stories and additional context to his quest. We also overview what he has been doing over the last 2 years since his return from his nearly 10 year journey. I would like to thank everyone for their support of Counting...
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Zsuzsanna Berencsi has been to every country in the world Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. Zsu Berencsi shares with us her awesome travel adventures to every country in the world with a big celebration this past December in her last country, Jamaica. I have met Zsu twice before at both ETFs and she promises a third. I got it on tape. I also reconnected with Zsu at April Peregrino’s 193 party in Bratislava where Zsu arranged a special field trip. I would like to thank everyone for their support of Counting Countries, especially my...
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Michael Zervos has been to every country in the world Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. This is a bonus episode with Michael Zervos. I interviewed Michael back in December of 2023, before he had started his quest. His quest? To travel to every country in the world in the quickest possible time. We have heard this before … someone who wants to break the GWR. And many in the community would ask what is the point? This is not a race. What will the traveler gain from spending just a day or two in each country? And once the record is...
info_outlineNabil Kazi has traveled to 129 countries
Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. I am excited to share my conversation with Nabil Kazi. I connected with Nabil Kazi back in 2021 when he suggested a guest (Nick Butter - episode 95) for Counting Countries. I guess everything comes full circle as Nabil is a guest on this episode.
Nabil and I have been in contact ever since and even connected in person for dinner in Bangkok at my favorite Mexican restaurant, Charlie Browns. Nabil has had two distinct chapters in his adult life. Chapter One, an executive in the land of Hollywood and Chapter Two, as a full time traveler. Maybe we can get some behind-the-scenes Hollywood insights.
Some of you might have heard the tragic news from Bamiyan in Afghanistan. Nabil and I touch on this but while editing there are some greater details. Apparently, a tour provider from our 193 community brought a group to Afghanistan. Three Spaniard travelers and three Afghan locals were shot and killed. In additional six travelers and Afghans were also injured. Just a reminder when you ask in a conversation or online, “is it safe?” and many people respond, “I just went it is very safe, just go!”. Remember it was very safe for that traveler, on that specific day, time, and location. This is a country of 40 million and 250,000 square miles. That traveler is not a security expert on Afghanistan.
If you are a listener, you have heard this before … the next Extraordinary Travel Festival will be held on November 15, 2024 in Bangkok. Discount code BANGKOK of $100, so please purchase your ticket today to lock in your savings at the Extraordinary Travel Fest.
Just a reminder for those who are coming or thinking of coming that we will be hosting the NomadMania Awards live in Bangkok on Sunday evening. This is the great event that NM has been streaming on YouTube for the last several years. This is a great opportunity to get together and recognize some travelers who are making a difference. Don’t forget, Sunday evening, November 17 this year.
I would like to thank everyone for their support of Counting Countries, especially my Patrons: Adam Hickman, Barry Hoffner, Bisa Myles, Ted Nims, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Steph Rowe, Lori Pastorelli, Gin, Philippe Izedian, Sunir Joshi, Jorge Serpa, Justine Kirby, Phil “Marmaduke” Marcus, Sonia Zimmermann, Katelyn Jarvis, Carole Southam, Per Flisberg, and Sam Williams for supporting this podcast. You can support this podcast by going to Patreon.com/CountingCountries. My patrons will hear extra content with Wee Cheng that you will not hear.
And remember, we have a new feature on Counting Countries. The idea is to celebrate wins in the 193 community and involve more people. The inspiration came from my friends at Club 100 from Sweden. They have been recognizing milestones on their great IG account - Club 100+ Countries (@club100pluscountries) • Instagram photos and videos. So make sure you follow along. Today, we will get updates from Ted Nims, Justine “off the beaten path” Kirby, Raiiq Ridwan (former guest and ETF speaker). You will hear their updates throughout the podcast. Let’s listen to one now.
I will be asking for travelers to submit audio files to recognize travel accomplishments. To learn more follow the Counting Countries on IG and FB accounts and I will be making future call to actions. Here are a couple of milestones to recognize now.
And take a look at Nabil’s page on GlobalGaz.com Counting Countries page. I share his Pakistani passport from when he was a small kid.
I was in Boston for this recording while Nabil was in Cali. Please listen in and enjoy.
Thank you to my Patrons - you rock!! …. Adam Hickman, Barry Hoffner, Bisa Myles, Ted Nims, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Steph Rowe, Lori Pastorelli, Gintaute Liutkeviciute, Philippe Izedian, Sunir Joshi, Jorge Serpa, Justine Kirby, Phil “Marmaduke” Marcus, Sonia Zimmermann, Katelyn Jarvis, Carole Southam, Per Flisberg, Dale Wursten, and Sam Williams.
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About Nabil Kazi Counting Countries
1. 129 countries (not including Kosovo, Vatican, Palestine and Taiwan)
2. I was born in Kuwait City, Kuwait
3. I hold a USA Passport
4. Favorite Travel Book is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
5. Favorite Travel Film is Eat Pray Love
6. Must Carry Item when Traveling AirPods and Canon Camera
7. Favorite Food is Lebanese
8 Favorite Drink is hot latte with oak milk
9. Favorite Airline is Emirates
10. Favorite Hotel is Aman Resorts
11. Instagram handle is https://www.instagram.com/traveladventurer197/
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!
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The United Nations states that there are 193 member states.
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The British Foreign and Commonwealth office states that there are 226 countries and territories.
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The Traveler’s Century Club states that there are 329 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands.
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The Nomad Mania divides the world into 1301 regions.
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The Most Traveled Person states that there are 1500 unique parts of the world.
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SISO says there are 3,978 places in the world.
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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.
An analysis of these lists and who is the best traveled by Kolja Spori.
Disclaimer: There are affiliates in this post. Nabil Kazi Counting Countries