It all started 7 years ago in the quiet, Bavarian countryside on my very first “teacher party.” One of my soon-to-be colleagues mentioned that her parents challenged her to visit 30 countries before she turned 30. We worked together for two years before she moved back to the US, but that little morsel is the only thing that truly stuck with me. 30 countries before 30… Hmmm…. I was 22 at the time, that’s plenty of time!
It should be noted that I have developed some of my own rules for this little contest against time:
- Airport transfers or layovers do not count – you must leave the airport premises
- You must enjoy a meal, or other significant cultural experience in said country
- Preferably you will stay overnight in said country (but this rule can be waived in certain instances of desperation, such as my example of Liechtenstein, I mean, really, who wants to stay overnight in Liechtenstein?)
- Preferably the complete list will include countries from multiple continents
You may also be interested to note that this little “contest” has haunted every hour of my free time for the last 7 years. Every time we plan a vacation, we must go someplace new. No repeats (except Italy). Alex is so sick of hearing about these 30 countries, he resorted to trying to force me to include Vatican City about 4 years ago (thankfully, I don’t have to “officially” count that one anymore).
As I am now 29 and 1 month, I have only 11 short months to complete this challenge.
And, now, folks, for the official list:
- Ireland
- the United Kingdom
- the Netherlands
- Denmark
- Sweden
- Finland
- Estonia
- the Czech Republic
- Hungary
- Turkey
- Austria
- Germany
- Switzerland
- Liechtenstein
- Spain
- Portugal
- France
- Belgium
- Italy
- Vatican City
- Monaco
- Greece
- Malta
- Morocco
- Egypt
- the United Arab Emirates
- Thailand
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
- Cambodia
- Laos
- Mexico
- the United States of America
For those of you that enjoy the visual representation:
I used Visited Countries to make my map, go ahead and make one for yourself!
And with plenty of time to spare, I have officially conquered the 30 before 30 challenge. Yay me! Now I can finally relax and go back to all my favorite places 
How many countries have you been to?
Awesome, Kim! You are an inspiration… when I am not envying you, that is.
Before I make my list, it’s interesting that most of the countries you’ve visited are near water. From that I glean that you are very wise in your country selection.
OK, here’s my pathetic list:
U.S.
Mexico
South Korea
Germany
Netherlands
France
Spain
Italy
Switzerland
Turkey
Egypt
Holy See (beggars can’t be choosers)
Austria
Czech Republic
I’m not even halfway there. I need to get out of the country more!
OK before I even respond and have to use my brain and think, why have you never been to NEW ZEALAND! Hope to see it on your list soon, sweetie
New Zealand
Fiji
Western Samoa
Tonga
Mexico
Jamaica
United States of America
China
Indonesia
Malaysia
Singapore
Thailand
Philippines
Italy
England
Netherlands
New Caledonia
France
South Africa
Swaziland
United Arab Emirates
Scotland
Hmmm, I am sure there is more than this but I can’t for the life of me remember any more! Are you sure the Vatican City doesn’t count?
Hopefully Dave and I can add to this much more now that I have the freedom to travel with him now. His list is way more comprehensive plus he gets five star hotels and business class flights. Life is not fair.
1. United States
2. Costa Rica
3. Dominican Republic
4. Mexico
5. Angola
6. Malawi
7. Mauritius
8. Mozambique
9. South Africa
10. Swaziland
11. Zimbabwe
12. Denmark
13. France
14. Netherlands
15. Sweden
16. Switzerland
17. United Kingdom
18. Iran
19. Indonesia
20. Laos
21. Malaysia
22. Singapore
23. Vietnam
OK, I am determined this is my last post. I forgot Australia and Taiwan………oh screw it. I need to blog about this. Thanks Super Kimbo – great post
I love to see where you guys have been! You are inspiring me on to the (perhaps) 50 before 50 challenge!
New Zealand is so high on my list Mel. If only I wasn’t making mere pennies here in KL, I might be able to afford to travel to kiwi-land. Hopefully very very soon…
I also included the Vatican City, Jinna (so, really, I secretly believe that I’ve only been to exactly 30 countries, not the full 33 that I listed because in addition to the Holy See, this list also includes Monaco and Lichtenstein). But, I will be going to Vietnam in December, so that’ll take me up to 31.
I’m also desperate to go to Iran, Jabiz. I think because one of our very good friends from Germany is Persian, and perhaps something about the magical world of carpets, I would really like to visit… I’ll have to get all the “insider info” from you!
Iran is also high on my list of places to visit. The other top places are India, and anywhere in Africa.
I have 21 places, and am so jealous that you got your 30 before 30. Very cool bud!
Canada
USA
Germany
Austria
France
Italy
Colombia
Ecuador
Brazil
Peru
Chile
Argentina
Uruguay
Costa Rica
Laos
Indonesia
Singapore
Thailand
Cambodia
Nepal
Maybe I’ll get 35 before 35
Go for it! Why not! I think Nepal might be next on our list. Even Didi was recommending we go the other day… I’ll have to discuss it with you
England, Wales, and Scotland = 1 country?
USA
Mexico
Canada
South Korea
North Korea
Japan
Thailand
Vietnam
England
Scotland
Wales
Norway
Denmark
Sweden
Netherlands
Belgium
France
Germany
Poland
Hungary
Italy
Turkey
Yes, I think England, Scotland and Wales are officially one country for the purposes of this list (although every English, Scottish and Welsh person I know would prefer it if that were not the case, I think we’re all stuck with the United Kingdom).
check out this website, it is the travelers century club, for those who have travelled to more than 100 countries… it defines what constitutes a country – includes the vatican, balearic islands as separate from spain, that sort of thing. i found it very helpful when counting my 30!
http://www.travelerscenturyclub.org/
[...] 30 On 04.15.07, In norway, travel, By The Traveling Cowboy ShareMy mom tipped me off to a travel blog of an American living in Malaysia who had the lifelong goal of visiting 30 countries before the age [...]