There are about 195 land in the world — depending on how you define “ country”—and most people have only inflict a handful of them . However , for those with the means totravelfar and wide , there ’s one club that link up these itchy feet - stricken souls .
grant toLonely Planet , an exclusive organization called theTravelers ’ Century Clubonly bear members who have been to 100 or more country and territories . The non - profit social club is headquartered in Los Angeles but has more than 20 chapters in the U.S. , Canada , UK , Mediterranean , and Central Europe .
A few zealous travelers founded the club back in 1954 , and within six year it had attracted43 members . Now , the club boasts about 1500 members , whose collective travels would put most casual vacationist to shame .
The nightclub ’s shibboleth is “ mankind travel : the pass to peace of mind through understanding , ” and its missionary station falls in line with this ethos . Travelers ’ Century Club board extremity Gloria McCoy tells Lonely Planet their members “ seek to genuinely experience and appreciate the people and cultures around the earth . ”
By have got regular societal events , inviting Edgar Albert Guest speakers , and put up intro about different destinations , the club give member the chance to see about other parts of the world they might not have considered visiting . Members also have access to files containing “ single information ” about far - flung and hard - to - visit destinations , all of which were written by club extremity who have in person been there and done that . in conclusion , the society is a way for fellow member to touch base with like - minded citizenry and perhaps even find newfangled traveling chum .
The club ’s official listing of countries and territorial dominion visit totals 327 . This is partially because it includes district that are n’t always considered land by the external community , such as Tibet , Taiwan , and Palestine . To join , members must fill out an app physique and select the countries they ’ve been to — even if they were just short trips or layovers . There ’s a $ 100 creation fee , plus yearly dues .
If you are n’t quite there yet , travelers who have been to 50 countries and territories can qualify as provisionary members . This gives them access to group meeting and some of the “ bragging rights ” that traveler ’ Century Club member get to enjoy .
[ h / tLonely Planet ]
