My Goal to Travel the Whole World: Lessons from the Journey So Far

I have a big dream: visit every country in the world. All 195+ of them. It sounds impossible when I say it out loud. But the journey itself—the people I’ve met, the places I’ve seen, the person I’ve become—has already been worth it.

This isn’t a bucket list post. It’s about why I started, what I’ve learned, and how remote work made this audacious goal feel achievable.

Why This Goal?

The Origin Story

I didn’t grow up traveling. My family didn’t take international vacations. The farthest I’d been before university was within my home region.

Then I moved to Sweden for my Master’s in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence. Suddenly, I was in the middle of Europe, surrounded by countries I’d only seen in atlases. A two-hour flight could take me to a completely different culture, language, cuisine, history.

That’s when it clicked: the world is accessible. And I was going to see all of it.

What Drives Me

It’s not about collecting countries like stamps. It’s about:

1. Experiencing Human Diversity

• How people live in Tokyo vs. Marrakech vs. Buenos Aires
• Universal truths (kindness, family, hospitality)
• Cultural specifics (etiquette, values, traditions)

2. Stepping Outside Comfort Zones

• Navigating cities where I don’t speak the language
• Trying foods I can’t pronounce
• Figuring out transportation systems with no signs I understand

3. Capturing the World Through Photography

• Light looks different in different places
• Architecture tells stories of history and values
• People’s faces hold their culture’s experiences

4. Understanding Our Shared Humanity

• Despite political headlines, people are generally good
• Hospitality transcends borders
• We all want similar things: safety, family, purpose, joy

Progress So Far

Where I’ve Been

Starting from Sweden (my home base since 2018), I’ve explored:

Nordic Countries (Home Base)

• Sweden 🇸🇪 (home)
• Norway 🇳🇴 (multiple trips, Lofoten is magical)
• Denmark 🇩🇰 (Copenhagen is a weekend trip away)
• Finland 🇫🇮 (Helsinki, Lapland)
• Iceland 🇮🇸 (Ring Road, northern lights)

Central Europe

• Germany 🇩🇪 (Berlin, Munich, Bavaria)
• France 🇫🇷 (Paris, Alps, Côte d’Azur)
• Italy 🇮🇹 (Rome, Florence, Amalfi, Dolomites)
• Switzerland 🇨🇭 (Zurich, Alps, Interlaken)
• Austria 🇦🇹 (Vienna, Salzburg, Hallstatt)
• Netherlands 🇳🇱 (Amsterdam, tulip season)
• Czech Republic 🇨🇿 (Prague is enchanting)
• Poland 🇵🇱 (Kraków, Auschwitz, Tatra Mountains)
• Hungary 🇭🇺 (Budapest, thermal baths)
• Croatia 🇭🇷 (Dubrovnik, Plitvice, coast)
• Slovenia 🇸🇮 (Lake Bled, Ljubljana)
• Estonia 🇪🇪 (Tallinn, medieval old town)
• Latvia 🇱🇻 (Riga)
• Lithuania 🇱🇹 (Vilnius)

Southeast Asia (Extended Stay)

• Thailand 🇹🇭 (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, islands)
• Vietnam 🇻🇳 (Hanoi, Ha Long, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh)
• Indonesia 🇮🇩 (Bali, Java)
• Singapore 🇸🇬 (layover that turned into exploration)

Middle East

• Turkey 🇹🇷 (Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya)
• United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪 (Dubai, Abu Dhabi)

The Count

Depending on how you count (some trips were layovers, some were proper explorations): ~30 countries

Is this close to 195? No. But every journey starts with step one.

Travel Philosophy

1. Slow Travel Over Checklist Tourism

Checklist Tourism:

• 7 countries in 10 days
• Photo at landmark, next bus
• Never unpack your bag
• Exhausting

Slow Travel:

• Weeks in one place
• Learn the neighborhood
• Find your favorite café
• Live like a local, even temporarily

My approach:

• Minimum 1 week per city (preferably 2-4)
• Monthly rentals when possible
• Work remotely while traveling (more on this below)
• Return to places that call to me

2. Local Connections Over Tourist Traps

Tourist Traps Have Their Place:

• Yes, see the Eiffel Tower
• Yes, visit the Colosseum
• But also…

Local Experiences:

• Neighborhood markets where locals shop
• Parks where families gather
• Cafés where people work and socialize
• Events that aren’t on TripAdvisor

How to find them:

• Talk to people (neighbors, baristas, taxi drivers)
• Ask “where do YOU go?” not “what should I see?”
• Wander without destination
• Say yes to invitations

3. Document Everything

Why:

• Memories fade
• Photos preserve moments
• Writing clarifies thinking
• Sharing helps others

How I document:

• Photos: Thousands per trip (I’m a photographer)
• Journal: Notes on experiences, feelings, conversations
• Blog: Longer reflections (like this post)
• Maps: Mark where I’ve been, plan where I’m going

4. Give Back

Travel shouldn’t be extractive. Take photos, leave only footprints, give back to communities.

How I try to do this:

• Support local businesses (not international chains)
• Respect cultural norms (dress codes, etiquette)
• Learn basic phrases in the local language
• Tip appropriately (or more, where appropriate)
• Consider volunteer opportunities (carefully—voluntourism has problems)

Balancing Work and Travel

This is the question I get most: “How do you travel so much while working?”

The Remote Work Enabler

Data engineering is uniquely suited to remote work:

• Cloud-native tools (Snowflake, dbt, Airflow)
• Async communication (Slack, documentation)
• Results-oriented (output matters more than hours)
• Global demand (companies value skills over location)

My Setup

Technical:

• Laptop + portable monitor
• Noise-canceling headphones
• International phone plan (eSIM)
• VPN for secure connections
• Cloud development environment

Practical:

• Reliable WiFi is non-negotiable
• Time zone overlap with team (I’m in CET, work is US-based)
• Dedicated work hours (even when traveling)
• Travel buffer days (don’t work the day you arrive)

Communication:

• Clear calendar (team knows when I’m traveling)
• Over-communicate availability
• Record meetings I can’t attend
• Async-first whenever possible

The Reality Check

It’s not all Instagram-worthy. Some truths:

• I’ve been on calls from airport lounges
• I’ve worked from hotel rooms with terrible WiFi
• I’ve woken up at 5 AM for important meetings
• I’ve declined plans because of work deadlines

Travel + work means compromise. I accept this.

Practical Tips for Extended Travel

Packing

My Carry-On Only Setup:

Backpack (40L travel backpack):
├── 2 shirts (merino wool, wrinkle-resistant)
├── 2 pairs pants (one worn, one packed)
├── 1 jacket (all-weather)
├── 1 week of underwear/socks
├── Toiletries (TSA compliant)
├── Electronics (laptop, charger, adapters)
└── Camera gear (mirrorless, 2 lenses)

That's it. Everything fits in one bag.

Why carry-on only:

• No checked bag fees
• No waiting at baggage claim
• No lost luggage nightmares
• Mobile and flexible

Budget

My approach:

• Track everything (spreadsheet)
• Set monthly limits
• Splurge on experiences, save on accommodation
• Use points/miles strategically

Average costs (varies hugely by region):

• Southeast Asia: $1,500-2,500/month
• Western Europe: $3,000-5,000/month
• Nordics: $4,000-6,000/month

Accommodation

Where I stay:

• Airbnb: For weeks+ (kitchen, laundry, space)
• Hotels: For short stays (convenience)
• Hostels: For meeting people (when I want social)
• House sitting: Free accommodation (trusted housesitters)

Booking strategy:

• Book first night upon arrival
• Extend if you like it
• Leave reviews (helps future bookings and hosts)

Health and Safety

Before traveling:

• Travel insurance (World Nomads, SafetyWing)
• Vaccinations (consult travel clinic)
• Copies of important documents (cloud + physical)
• Register with embassy (for US citizens: STEP)

While traveling:

• Stay aware (don’t flash wealth)
• Trust instincts (if something feels off, leave)
• Keep emergency cash separate
• Have digital + physical backups of passport

Plans for Africa and South America

Africa (Next Big Goal)

Countries I’m excited about:

• Morocco 🇲🇦 (culture, Sahara, architecture)
• Egypt 🇪🇬 (history, pyramids, Nile)
• Kenya 🇰🇪 (safari, wildlife)
• Tanzania 🇹🇿 (Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar)
• South Africa 🇿🇦 (Cape Town, wine country, safari)
• Namibia 🇳🇦 (deserts, landscapes)

Concerns:

• Safety (varies greatly by region)
• Health (malaria prophylaxis, vaccinations)
• Infrastructure (WiFi reliability for work)
• Visas (some require advance application)

South America

Countries on the list:

• Argentina 🇦🇷 (Buenos Aires, Patagonia)
• Chile 🇨🇱 (Atacama, Patagonia, wine)
• Peru 🇵🇪 (Machu Picchu, Lima, Cusco)
• Colombia 🇨🇴 (Cartagena, Medellín, Bogotá)
• Brazil 🇧🇷 (Rio, Amazon, beaches)
• Ecuador 🇪🇨 (Galápagos, Andes)
• Uruguay 🇺🇾 (Montevideo, Punta del Este)
• Bolivia 🇧🇴 (Salar de Uyuni, La Paz)

Timeline: Probably 2027, extended trip (2-3 months)

What This Journey Has Taught Me

About the World

It’s more complex than headlines suggest:

• News shows extremes; most people live ordinary lives
• Political tensions exist, but hospitality is universal
• Poverty exists, but so does resilience and joy

It’s more connected than it seems:

• Globalization touches everywhere
• Young people everywhere have similar aspirations
• Technology bridges vast distances

It’s more beautiful than I imagined:

• Landscapes that photos can’t capture
• Architecture that tells centuries of stories
• Human creativity expressed in art, food, music

About Myself

I’m more capable than I thought:

• Navigated cities speaking zero of the language
• Solved problems I couldn’t have imagined at home
• Adapted to situations that would have terrified me before

I’m less certain than I used to be:

• Travel challenges assumptions
• “Right” and “wrong” are often cultural
• My way isn’t the only way (or even the best way)

I’m more grateful:

• For privileges I didn’t earn (passport, education, opportunity)
• For simple things (hot water, reliable internet, comfortable bed)
• For people who welcome strangers into their homes and lives

The Big Question: Is This Sustainable?

The Challenge

Traveling full-time isn’t forever. I know this.

What I’m thinking about:

• Career trajectory (travel now, settle later?)
• Relationships (how does this affect dating, family?)
• Health (travel is physically demanding)
• Finances (long-term savings, investments)
• Home base (do I need one?)

Possible Futures

Option 1: Continue Indefinitely

• Maintain remote work
• Slow down pace (fewer countries, longer stays)
• Establish “home bases” in different regions

Option 2: Transition Phase

• Travel intensively for 2-3 more years
• Then settle somewhere (maybe multiple places)
• Take extended trips instead of constant travel

Option 3: Hybrid

• Home base + quarterly extended trips
• Focus on deeper exploration of fewer places
• Use travel budget for quality over quantity

I don’t have the answer yet. That’s okay.

If You Have a Similar Dream

My Advice

Start before you’re ready:

• Don’t wait for the “perfect time” (it doesn’t exist)
• Book the first trip
• Figure out the rest as you go

Make it financially feasible:

• Save aggressively before leaving
• Negotiate remote work
• Consider travel hacking (points, miles)
• Travel slowly (cheaper than rapid hopping)

Embrace the discomfort:

• You’ll feel lost (literally and figuratively)
• You’ll make mistakes
• You’ll have terrible days
• It’s all part of the journey

Remember why you started:

• When airports exhaust you
• When WiFi fails during important calls
• When loneliness hits
• Remember: this is temporary, the growth is permanent

The Bottom Line

Will I visit every country? I don’t know. Maybe, maybe not.

But here’s what I do know:

• The journey has already changed me
• The people I’ve met have expanded my understanding of humanity
• The places I’ve seen have humbled and inspired me
• The challenges have made me more capable and confident

The goal isn’t really about countries. It’s about living fully, learning continuously, and experiencing the extraordinary diversity and beauty of this planet we share.

However far I go, whatever I see, that’s the real destination.

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Want to follow my travel journey? Check out the photography section of this site or connect on Instagram. And if you’re planning a trip somewhere, reach out—I love helping people plan adventures.