Talk about wanderlust! Woman hopes to become fastest female to travel to all 196 countries

A WOMAN with a severe case of wanderlust hopes to become the fastest female to travel to all 196 countries.

Cassie De Pecol, 27, is nearing the end of her epic mission to visit all 193 sovereign nations plus Taiwan, Kosovo and Palestine. 

The intrepid traveller from Washington, Connecticut, USA, embarked on her journey in July of 2015.

Having a huge heart for sustainable travelling, on her 25th birthday Ms De Pecol started to plan for the trip of a lifetime: Expedition 196.

So far she has ticked off 180 countries, taken over 254 flights and has roughly 26 flights left to go.

The young adventurer, who has been set back a cool $198,000 has 45 days left to visit the final 16 countries on her list.

Acting as a Peace Ambassador for International Institute of Peace Through Tourism and Skal International, part of Ms De Pecol's work is meeting with university tourism students to discuss responsible tourism and economics.

In addition, Ms De Pecol is working with Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation to collect water samples to test for the presence of micro plastics.

She said: "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." 

After 15 months on the road, Ms De Pecol has had both highs and lows and believes that travelling as a solo woman has shaped some of her



experiences. 

She said: "On average, I spend two to five days in each country.

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

"Lows are flying, being in airports, and not being in a safe enough environment to go for a run.

"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." 

The incredible trip was made possible through sponsors - including AIG, Artisan Bags, Dogeared, Eagle Creek, Clif Bar, Travisa, SPOT Globastar, Westcomb and Eagle Creek - and investors, who have also contributed to the making of the educational documentary which Ms De Pecol has filmed along the way. 

She also promotes sustainable, luxury hotels on her Instagram, such as Six Senses, Soneva and Secret Bay, to over 12 thousand followers, in exchange for accommodation. 

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

"If I'm not meeting with the Ministry, giving keynote sessions to university students, collecting samples, obtaining visas, or doing promotion, I travel around the country on my own, but not for long.

"I try to spend the most time in countries where I'm able to promote my Mission to make a difference.

She added: "Though I haven't yet become the first documented woman to travel to every country in the world, I imagine that the feeling of accomplishment and awe will be overwhelming.

"I just hope that I'm able to inspire young women (and men!) around the world to go after goals and feats that so far, people think can only be done by man."