How I Traveled to 5 Continents in 5 Years
Setting goals is an import part personal development. On my long term path towards traveling to all 7 continents, I decided it was invigorating to celebrate the short term achievements of traveling to 5 continents in 5 years along the way. Plus I just really love crossing off bucket list items. I’ve been traveling for many years but just recently hit this milestone. We’ll be looking back in time to my travels spanning the years 2016 to 2020. As tempting as it is, I will exclude my country of origin and start the counter from the first international trip. Okay here’s the first 5 countries on each of the 5 continents I’ve visited!
2016 – 1st Continent: Asia (Japan)
My first stop on the journey to visit 5 continents in 5 years began with an epic college graduation gift to Japan in 2014/2015. This exposed me to the wonders of traveling and experiencing new cultures. Fast forward a year to the summer of 2016, I had to take advantage of another opportunity to visit my favorite city (outside of New York of course). Our second journey to the land of the rising sun was with the company of some long time friends and was just as incredible as my first visit.
We headed to Tokyo for some of the greatest food and excitement of the vibrant city. Our itinerary also included the traditional city of Kyoto and a midnight hike to the top of Mount Fuji, Japan’s legendary volcano. Although I have much of Asia left to explore, I’m sure it will be one of my favorite continents! Japan is a great destination for foreigners thanks to an amazing public transportation system and many signs translated into English.
2017 – 2nd Continent: Europe (Germany)
My first time in Europe was very exciting. I was fortunate enough to be reconnecting with family, so I had a very authentic insight into German culture. We traveled to many cities including Munich, Berlin, Nuremburg, Wurzburg, and Bad Kissingen. The wonderful sights and amazing beer makes Germany one of my favorite European destinations yet. I began documenting my travel adventures a few months after this trip. Germany is a great place for foreigners since transportation between cities is relatively easy and a majority of people also speak English.
2018 – 3rd Continent: North America (Canada)
This destination was very close to home and a great way to explore different regions of our own continent. We live on the East Coast so the easiest way to visit our northern neighbor was by car. After a 7 hour drive, we reached the border between the United States and Canada. There we got to witness the majestic beauty of Niagara Falls. This natural wonder is best experienced from the Canadian side. I know this barely scratches the surface of the country, so I’m planning another trip back soon. It’s very accessible to Americans plus everyone is super friendly, which makes Canada a great choice. And how about that poutine, eh?
2019 – 4th Continent: South America (Brazil)
Things start heating up with our first trip to South America, as we attend the largest celebration in the world; Carnival! Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is a great city with a lively atmosphere and beautiful beaches. Plus, it also has one of the 7 wonders of the world. This was an thrilling trip where we went hand gliding, walked through favelas, and joined in on a city wide samba parade. Brazil isn’t the easiest country to get around without knowing the language, but it is a must for party goers and beach bums alike.
2020 – 5th Continent: Africa (Egypt)
Although Egypt seems more closely related to the Middle East, it is indeed part of the northern African continent. Egypt is a popular tourist destination and holds the final remaining wonder of the ancient world; the Great Pyramids of Giza! The sheer magnitude of history, culture, and ancient monuments definitely make the trip an unforgettable one. The country is huge, but we managed to travel to Cairo, Luxor, and El Gouna in the time we had. Each region is very unique so it’s definitely worth seeing. This trip almost didn’t happen thanks to the coronavirus, so I’m grateful for the opportunity we had to go. Although Egypt is not the easiest destination for foreigners, the history, good exchange rate, and the guided tours make it an appealing choice.
Traveling to 5 continents in 5 years is a very achievable goal. I can highly recommend visiting to each of these countries on this list, but there are many more that make great options. I Hope you get to see each of them too! Guess the next stop is hitting the last 2 continents to complete the goal. But we’ll be sure to celebrate the smaller victories along the way. Stay tuned for exclusive travel tips to each of these continents. Until then, thanks for reading and keep leveling up!
