Women Who Visited Every Country Reveal The 'Friendliest' Nations
Travel enthusiasts and bloggers Rachel Davey from Australia and Martina Sebova from Slovakia have achieved the extraordinary feat of visiting every country recognized by the United Nations. The women who visited every country reveal the 'friendliest' nations.
Author:Jane RestureDec 13, 2023124 Shares123.5K Views
Travelenthusiasts and bloggers Rachel Davey from Australia and Martina Sebova from Slovakia have achieved the extraordinary feat of visiting every country recognized by the United Nations. The women who visited every country reveal the 'friendliest' nations because of their friendly people.
After a decade of separate travels, the duo met in 2008, bonded over their shared passion for exploration, and documented their journeys on their blog, Very Hungry Nomads.
In 2018, they decided to embark on a joint venture to visit the remaining 88 UN-recognized countries to discover which places have the friendliest locals.
Friendliest Locales
The dynamic pair, now a couple, commenced their journey from Melbourne, exploring Western Europe, Central Africa, and the Middle East.
Despite navigating through diverse cultures and facing challenges, they found certain countries stood out for their warm hospitality.
“„The people in Sudan and Iran were some of the friendliest people that we have encountered. And most people would assume those countries are really dangerous based on the image [we see].- Martina Sebova
She added that Eritrea, a small nation on the east coast of Africa, also left a lasting impression on them.
Challenges Faced
Their remarkable journey wasn't without hurdles. Traveling to over 70 countries where LGBTQIA+ rights are criminalized, Rachel and Martina had to conceal their relationship for safety reasons.
“„We were visiting a lot of countries where even the concept of a same-sex couple doesn't exist.- Martina Sebova
They also encountered visa rejections based on their gender and relationship status.
Undeterred, the couple explored unique destinations like North Korea, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Bhutan, and Pakistan, utilizing various modes of transportation, including a 38-hour bus ride in Africa.
Despite facing occasional setbacks, the nomadic duo continued their quest to unravel the wonders of each country.
Completing The Challenge Amid The Pandemic
Having visited over 100 countries individually, Rachel and Martina joined forces to explore the remaining nations.
The global pandemic disrupted their plans when they were just 10 countries away from completing their goal. However, they adapted by traveling within Australia in a camper van, waiting for borders to reopen.
After years of exploration, Rachel Davey and Martina Sebova celebrated reaching their goal by visiting Samoa, the last country on their list, in November 2022.
They reflected on the challenges and triumphs, emphasizing their desire to inspire other women to pursue adventurous travel.
A Nomadic Future
With media attention growing, the couple revealed their relationship and emphasized the significance of encouraging more women to embrace adventurous travel.
Now having visited every country in the world, Rachel and Martina have no plans to settle down.
They remain committed to their nomadic lifestyle, living in the moment and finding happiness on the move.
Future plans include a trip to Thailand and a visit to Indonesia later in the year. The adventurous duo continues to inspire with their extraordinary journey around the globe.
Final Words
Rachel Davey and Martina Sebova's journey to every country in the world is a testament to resilience, courage, and breaking barriers. Despite facing challenges like concealing their relationship in conservative countries and visa rejections, their love for travel prevailed.
Their journey, completed amid the global pandemic, showcases adaptability and determination, inspiring women to embrace adventurous travel and challenging stereotypes. Their journey is a celebration of diversity, friendship, and the spirit of exploration.
Jane Resture
Author
Since she embarked on her first world trip in 2002, Jane Resture spent the past decades sharing her personal journey and travel tips with people around the world. She has traveled to over 80 countries and territories, where she experienced other cultures, wildlife she had only read about in books, new foods, new people, and new amazing experiences.
Jane believes that travel is for everyone and it helps us learn about ourselves and the world around us. Her goal is to help more people from more backgrounds experience the joy of exploration because she trusts that travel opens the door to the greatest, most unforgettable experiences life can offer and this builds a kinder, more inclusive, more open-minded world.
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