A couple of things, as tempting as it is to count all the UK/english countries, its generally presumed (accept for sporting events) that they are all just one country... I notice several people have also counted China/Hong Kong/Macau.. Not 100% sure about Macau but at least since 2000 or so aren't they all part of China although they may have autonomous status? Same with multiple Emirates etc.. And also not sure if Pal. Territories count just yet either??
Anyway, each to their own and not wanting to rain on people's parade or be party poopers but just for standardisation and accuracy...
Couple of things, for me personally I usually only count countries i have stayed in at least over night apart from the Vatican City as i don't think that is really an option (although almost everything else seems to be on sale there) so even though I have travelled across countries to get to other ones if I didn't get out and at least experience it for a bit or stay over night let alone just sit in an airport i don't count it...
And for those who think they are untravelled and a long way to go and how will they fit it in, in the last 4 years when i suddenly had much more freedom to indulge my love of travel and see the world i have managed to visit 27 of my 37 which is not a bad rate... And all countries visited have been personally paid for, no work travel which i think also an achievement...
Some long service leave didn't hurt and i bought more leave this year but helps how you like to travel, in 2008 I did a 6 week sweep through Europe, 2009 3 week/6 country trip round Asia, 2010 6 week sweep through North Africa/Europe and this year a biggy 2.5 months RTW through 15 countries trip... Its just a different way of travelling, which doesn't suit everyone, not week long stays in each country and lying by the pool relaxing but a sampling of some of the best, most interesting places in each... But depending on how you plan and like to travel its eminently doable, as i said 13 more countries in the next 2 years is not out of the question...
After 50 countries it will start to get into the realms of how many more countries do I really want to visit as its not visiting countries for the sake of it and there are plenty I wouldn't touch with a barge pole if it wasn't for work reasons and work paying, which is not likely...
