"30 Under 30"

My goal is to travel to 30 countries before I turn 30. 

But, how do you determine if you've been to a country?

My travel partner in Australia, Jo, had a solid and indisputable formula for determining if you've visited a country.

"If you've eaten a meal there, you've been there," she advised, "but it doesn't count if you don't leave the train station or the airport."

Makes sense to me.




When do you turn 30?

May 25, 2014. I have a little over two more years to visit eight new countries.


The above map shows where I've travelled (blue) and lived (red).

But, how do you determine where you've lived?

I've never truly lived anywhere outside of Canada, but my rule of thumb is that if you've stayed someplace longer than one month and/or in a family's home, you've lived there. Personally, I have "host" families in both Finland and Vanuatu.

Where I've Been:

1. Canada (I include this first and foremost, because I've travelled extensively through my home country)
2. United States
3. Mexico (1998 & 2009)
4. Germany (2003)
5. Italy (2003)
6. Vatican City (2003)
7. Greece (2003)
8. Bulgaria (2003)
9. Hungary (2003)
10. Czech Republic (2003)
11. Sweden (2003)
12. Finland (2003)
13. Australia (2006)
14. Vanuatu (2006)
15. Dominican Republic (2008)
16. Croatia (2009)
17. United Kingdom (2009)
18. Cuba (2009)
19. Bahamas (2010)
20. Guyana (2010)
21. Peru (2011)
22. ?
23. ?
24. ?
25. ?
26. ?
27. ?
28. ?
29. ?
30. ?