Counting Countries

Maurizio was a travel outlier at a young age.  Riding the rails in Europe independently as a 13 year old.   At 17, he left Italy to travel the Trans-Siberian to visit his penpal in Mongolia.             After university in the UK, be began an international career as a journalist and NGO worker.  This allowed ample opportunity to travel and lives overseas.  Maurizio has spent time living in Haiti, Brazil, Mali, Sudan, Afghanistan, Central African Republic amongst others.  Maurizio shares with us why he loves Gabon and Cameroon.  Maurizio has traveled to Tokelau, one of the remote places in the world in the Pacific, and recounts his journey.   Maurizio lived in Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban.  He met his future wife in Kabul.  And he had his wedding in Kabul, but yet he and his wife were traveling with the wedding held in their honor.  Maurizio spent time in Saudi Arabia on a pilgrimage to Mecca.   Maurizio in 2004 held the Guinness World Record for being the youngest traveler to visit every country in the world.  In August 2013, James Asquith, a Brit, became the youngest,  Eric Nguyen, who has been on this show previously, has claimed to be the youngest, beating James Asquith’s record.   Please listen in and enjoy. Check out our partner and sponsor: 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. And take a look at .  They organize international rallies around the world including: Sri Lanka, Cambodia, the Philippines and the Amazon.   More about Maurizio Giuliano: Born in: Milan, Italy Passports from: Italy and UK Favorite travel book: Favorite travel film: Favorite travel site: I use all of them, but don’t have a favorite.   Must carry:  At least five passports lol ???? as well as ink pads in case immigration officers don’t have enough ink, and a mousepad to make the stamping more even. Favorite food:  Anything ethnic. Favorite drink: Like trying everything. Favorite Airline: KLM Favorite Hotel: IHG Facebook:   Twitter: Map:  No point as it’s all red except Western Sahara ???? 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 . About GlobalGaz Ric Gazarian is the host of Counting Countries. He is the author of three books: , , and .  He is the producer of two travel documentaries: and .   Ric is also on his own quest to visit every country in the world. You can see where he has and keep up with his journey at How Many Countries Are There? Well… that depends on who you ask! The United Nations states that there are . The British Foreign and Commonwealth office states that there are . The Century Club states that there are . The Most Traveled Person states that there are . The Nomad Mania states that there are . 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: 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.