A World Tour Without Wings: How A Danish Traveler Visited 203 Territories Across The Globe Without Ever Flying

Embarking on a remarkable journey that spanned a decade, Torbjorn Pedersen, a Danish traveler, achieved the incredible feat of visiting every country in the world without boarding a single flight.

What Happened: This unique odyssey, which cost Pedersen an average of $20 a day, was not just about reaching destinations but also about the diverse modes of transport he utilized and the myriad experiences he gathered along the way.

While some destinations like Singapore required him to stretch his budget, in places like Bolivia, his daily expenses were well within his budget, CNBC reported. As Pedersen's journey gained traction on social media, he often found himself being hosted by locals.

Financial backing for his travels came from geothermal power generation company Ross Energy, which provided a monthly allowance of $600.

“They just felt [my plan] was really crazy, and they wanted to support it. What I did is part of world history, and they wanted to be a part of it,” Pedersen told the outlet. 

Also Read: The Financial Samurai: Unveiling The Man Behind A $4.4M Portfolio

Throughout his travels, Pedersen traversed approximately 382,000 kilometers (237,363 miles) across 203 territories. His transportation methods varied, from buses and trains to rickshaws and even a police vehicle.

He spent the longest time —  772 days, to be exact — in Hong Kong during the pandemic, while his shortest visit was a day in Vatican City.

However, the journey was not without its perils. Pedersen recalled a nerve-wracking incident at the Cameroon-Congo border, where intoxicated soldiers confronted him. Even with his background in the military and as a United Nations peacekeeper, this was a moment where he genuinely feared for his life.

On a brighter note, Pedersen reminisced about a memorable evening in the Solomon Islands. He introduced a village, devoid of electricity and running water, to a film on his laptop. Nearly 80 villagers gathered to watch "The Thin Red Line" under a canopy of stars, creating a memory he holds dear.

When asked about whether others should undertake a similar expedition, Pedersen's response was candid: "Don't do it." He emphasized the significant personal and financial sacrifices the journey demanded. Yet, for those with wanderlust, he suggested diving deep into the experience, absorbing every moment with all senses.

Now Read: Rent The Runway CEO Tells How Early Life Lessons Help Build $95M Company

This story is part of a series of features on the subject of success, Benzinga Inspire.

How can you invest in early-stage startups if you don’t know the founders? Easy. Click here for a list of startups you can invest in today.

Benzinga may receive monetary compensation from the issuer, or its agency, for publicizing the offering of the issuer’s securities in this article. Please see 17b disclosure linked in the offering circular for more information.

This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Photo: Shutterstock