photo credit:worldpress.org

Mine’s 25, and I am looking to get to 35 by the time I am 40 in 7 years time. My Mum’s is 21 and my Dad’s is 28, yet my boyfriend’s is only 9. What am I talking about? Countries. Or Countries visited to be precise. It was at the half point on the Inca Trail last year, and after an exhausting days trekking, my tent companion and I were indulging in a little pre-dinner relaxation, tending to blisters and catching up on our journals, when she asked me how many countries I had visited. I honestly had no idea, it wasn’t a list I’d ever consciously constructed before. According to my friend, ideally I should have visited one country per year of my life. At that point I was days away from my 32nd birthday. As I began listing, I was sure I’d been lucky enough to have taken one trip abroad most years, but to different countries each time, I didn’t think so? Damn those family caravanning holidays to France every Summer, they were going to damage my tally for sure. Thankfully, everyone can claim they have visited one country as where you were born or live counts for one. In terms of definitions, we are using the list of sovereign states (check out Wikipedia), so eager as I was to subdivide the United Kingdom into its 4 parts of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, this was not within the rules. However it does mean that places you might not even have thought of qualify, so if you have ever been to the south of France and visited Monaco, then as a the latter is a principality, that means you get 2 for the price of 1. What a bargain. Also, ever been to Rome? Did you go to the Vatican City? Another double whammy right there my friend.

The only other rule is to qualify what visiting a country means. Any place you fly to simply to connect for another flight and therefore never setting foot out of the airport, doesn’t count. So I can kiss goodbye to China after a lay over in Hong Kong en route to Australia, and also Guatemala after flying from Costa Rica to the US last year. The only other pre-requisite is either that you have spent one night in that country, or visited it for the purposes of a day trip. I thank my adventurous spirit for making me take a random day trip to Uruguay whilst I was in Buenos Aires last year and also for wanting to see Iguazu Falls from the Brazilian side as well as the Argentinean side. For the record, I think they are better from the Argentinean side, but who cares, it bumped me up one.

Once you have compiled your list you can begin to spot the gaps. I’m woefully low on Asian and African countries and for someone who has lived in the UK for most of my life, I feel like I probably should have a better list of European destinations than I do. For now, I’m residing in Toronto, which puts me in a reasonably good position to start ticking off some more Central American and Caribbean destinations. It’s funny how once you know your list, your travelling plans become governed by it. I find myself putting off a trip to Boston or a repeat visit to New York, because I’ve already been to the USA. I’m desperate to visit Rome and Florence, yet I won’t allow myself to until I have cross some more places off the list.

So what does your list look like? Who has the highest number? Let us know your magic number and what plans you have next to bump it up.

My list:
1. United Kingdom
2. Spain
3. France
4. Belgium
5. Netherlands
6. Germany
7. USA
8. Australia
9. New Zealand
10. Canada
11. Greece
12. Kenya
13. Monaco
14. Singapore
15. Italy
16. Ireland
17. Portugal
18. Argentina
19. Uruguay
20. Brazil
21. Chile
22. Bolivia
23. Peru
24. Costa Rica
25. Czech Republic

Written by: Vicky Fellowes
Vicky writes for dinner plate diaries where she blogs about her food adventures from around the world.

Colombia

Now everyone says, Colombia is one of the most dangerous countries to travel solo to, however this is where all the independent backpackers ventured off to in 2009. Within the last few years, Colombia has become under control and many backpackers seek into the deep culture and visit Bogotá and Medellin. Not only are the larger cities filled with hidden gems but also the smaller towns. Many backpackers travel to the heart of the coffee-growing region in the Andean Highlands and visit small fishing villages to join/meet friendly locals. Now not only is this country filled with lots of history and culture but it also extremely cheap.

Damascus, Syria

Want to take a step back in time; well many backpackers are doing just that. Syria’s capital city, Damascus is made up of many markets, Mosques, historic sites, and old cities streets. Now when I say old, I mean just that. This city is the oldest city in Syria and most of the city sights are hundreds of years old. When you walk around this city, everywhere you look it will feel like you are traveling back in time. Also not only is this city old, but traveling on a budget is perfect for us backpackers! Since it is incredibly affordable.

Senegal

I know many backpackers travel to Africa, but only to destinations such as Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa. Why not take a step deeper into Africa?! Well in 2009 many backpackers started that trend. Many travelers went over to Senegal to explore the capital city, Dakar. Now I know you might be thinking, that this city is dangerous well actually you are wrong. It is a safe city and is known for an amazing nightlife, and having a great music scene. Not only is the city amazing to sight see, but also the beaches. The beaches are where the backpackers tend to resort to. It is know that the scuba diving and fishing are the main things to do there.

Bangladesh

Many tourists resort to typical vacation destinations, so this stop to Bangladesh is not common. Dhaka, the capital city is know for it’s poverty and not the ideal backpacking location, yet 2009 many backpackers checked this country off their travel list. Dhaka is a city filled with chaotic crowds, but notoriously known to be friendly to the westerners. This city is cheap and filled with plenty of sights to explore.

So for 2010 will you be taking an adventure over to one of these countries?

Source: bootsnall.com

New Years Eve night is filled with traditions and celebrations, but around the world those traditions are very much different. Every country celebrates new years in a unique way and below are just a few great traditions I found interesting.

Cities such as Sao Paulo and La Paz have a tradition such as putting on brightly coloured underpants on. The residents do this in hoping for a successful year ahead. But you must be specific in what colour you wear since they all mean very different. So this New Years Eve will you be wearing bright underpants?

In Spain once the New Year hits the Spaniards start eating 12 grapes. They eat as many as they can once the clock starts ticking. I would say isn’t a healthy way to start the New Year?

In the Philippines traditions and celebrations are very much circular. Round shapes are displayed in resident’s homes to indicate the meaning of never ending. They focus on things such as round fruits and they wear clothes that reveal shapes such as polka dots.

In Denmark alcohol is taken to amount of plentiful. Once the alcohol hits the Danish, they start jumping on benches, tables, and chairs at midnight hoping to get rid of all those bad spirits.

In Ireland the customs are focused towards people throwing loafs of bread at the side of a house while speaking a prayer about a hunger-free year. Just like Christmas Eve in North America they gather for a large filling meal with the entire family for New Years Eve.

Many Italians feast off desserts all night which is from the tradition of St. Sylvester. Sweats such as apricots, plums and biscotti are eaten from 9pm to midnight, each sweet is significant for each of the months that gear up for the new year night.

Greece many families share and eat St Basil’s bread. Everyone eats this deep, sweet, baked dough, but who ever receives the piece with a coin in it is assured that luck is in the agenda for their upcoming year.

For us in Canada or the US we just party, with fireworks, lots of alcohol and really we just personally do our own wacky celebrations with many different traditions tide in.