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A Woman Has Become The First Traveller To Visit Every Country On Earth

A Woman Has Become The First Traveller To Visit Every Country On Earth

Amazing stuff!

James Dawson

James Dawson

A woman has become the fastest person to travel to all 196 countries in the world, managing the feat in the space of just 18 months and 26 days.

Cassie De Pecol, 27, from Washington, Connecticut, set off on her journey in July 2015 and has just finished her visit of all the world's 193 sovereign nations plus Taiwan, Kosovo and Palestine.

She is the not only the fastest person to visit all 196 countries, but the first person to do so.

Not content with breaking the record she now says she plans to travel to Antarctica.

She quit her 'corporate' job in 2012 and has been travelling since July 2015, funded by a mixture of 'planning, saving money, obtaining sponsors and endorsements'.

Credit: Caters

Explaining her thirst for exploration, she told the Daily Mail: "Since school, I've had this desire to visit every country in the world, intrigued to learn more about every culture, natural habitat, and religion.

"In America we are lucky to have such a vast melting pot of cultures and people from all over the world who make the country what it is today.

"I wanted to learn about where these people came from, more specifically, where I came from, with my ancestors originating from Europe.

"I wondered what existed outside of North America and what it was like. Is the Middle East really like how they say it is on the news? What about the Amazon?

"Going to every country was for me a personal quest to learn as much as I could about our world, stepping outside my comfort zone and becoming comfortable in the unknown, while also aiming to leave a legacy behind."

Credit: Caters

It's estimated Cassie has spent more than $198,000 (around £160,000) in a bid to break the record.

Cassie also promoted eco-friendly, luxury hotels through her Instagram, in exchange for free accommodation.

Cassie added: "All sponsors and funding is obtained by me while I'm on the road, which is not an easy task."

On average she spends two to five days in each country. After 15 months on the road, Cassie has experienced both highs and lows and believes that travelling as a solo woman played a big role in her experience of it.

"It's been amazing meeting with the students and dignitaries, also travelling to off the beaten path locations on my own, places that no one else I know has experienced. I also love long bus rides," she said.

Credit: Caters

"I've been harassed and in sticky situations, whereas a man in the same situation likely wouldn't have experienced the same.

"Some like to be believe that they can take advantage of me because I'm a woman, thinking I'm more gullible to cough up more money or talk to them more because they want me to, but I don't tolerate any inequality anymore.'If I feel that I'm being harassed or taken advantage of, I say how I feel, then I'm out."

What a fantastic achievement it is.

Sarah Kohan's Animal Travelling Mission

Another woman going on inspirational travels is 22-year-old law student Sarah Kohan.

Between completing exchange courses at Harvard University and Columbia University, the Sydney-born woman has spent the past few years travelling to some of the globe's most exotic locations to see the world's animals, including the Cook Islands, Bora Bora, Hawaii, The Bahamas, Europe and South America.

She has documented her documented her adventures through her Instagram, which has over 250k followers.

The student, who will graduate from Notre Dame in June before hopefully interning with the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands.

Speaking about her love of animals, she told the Daily Mail: "'When I'm underwater and swimming with a whale, it seems like nothing else matters - seeing an animal in their element and being able to interact with them without feeling scared or them feeling vulnerable - that's nice to see.

"They're beautiful creatures and so unique. People always need to be respectful of their surroundings and appreciate that they are just a beautiful animal."

She began documenting her travels on Instagram and her rising popularity soon helped her forge relationships with hotels and swimsuit brands, allowing her to pay for her travel.

While attending school Sarah works as a nanny.

Two incredible adventurers.

Featured Image Credit: Caters

Topics: travel