Some travelers dream of seeing a few countries. Drew Binsky went much further. He visited every country in the world.
Drew is a travel YouTuber who has shared videos from all over the planet. His journey took more than 10 years. Along the way, he visited 197 countries, took thousands of rides, met many people, and learned lessons that go far beyond travel.
His story shows that travel is not only about places. It is also about people, patience, courage, and learning how the world really works.
Here are some of the biggest lessons from his journey.
1. Travel can help you find your real purpose
Drew’s first travel blog was called The Hungry Partier. It was about nightlife, parties, and fun travel stories.
The blog became popular, but Drew later felt it did not show who he really was.
One day in India, while looking at an old fortress in Jaisalmer, he realized he wanted to tell deeper stories. He wanted to focus on people, cultures, and communities.
That was a big turning point. His travel work became less about partying and more about understanding the world.
2. The journey was not always easy
Visiting every country sounds exciting, but it also came with many problems.
Some visas were very hard to get. Drew had trouble getting permission to visit places like Libya, Syria, and Venezuela.
The COVID-19 pandemic also stopped his travel plans when he was almost finished. He had only a few countries left, but the world closed down.
Some places were also hard to move through because of safety issues, poor roads, or few tourist services.
Drew has said that Central Africa was one of the hardest regions to travel in. He also once got caught in a scary police chase in Chad because the motorcycle taxi he was riding had been stolen.
His journey shows that big dreams can come with difficult days.
3. Money does not always mean happiness
Drew also learned that money and happiness are not always connected.
In some rich places, he saw people who seemed stressed or unhappy. In some poorer places, he met people who were warm, friendly, and full of life.
This does not mean poverty is easy or good. But it does show that happiness can come from family, community, kindness, and simple daily joys.
Travel helped Drew see life from many sides. It reminded him that comfort and wealth are not the only measures of a good life.
4. Pack less than you think
After visiting 197 countries, Drew became very practical about packing.
His advice is simple. Take half the clothes and twice the money.
Clothes can be washed while traveling. But extra money can help with tips, problems, transport, or special experiences.
For long trips, lighter bags make travel easier. You move faster, stress less, and have fewer things to worry about.
5. Stay calm when plans go wrong
Travel does not always go as planned.
Flights get delayed. Buses break down. Borders close. Hotels cancel bookings. Weather changes. People get tired.
Drew learned that staying calm is one of the most useful travel skills.
Panic usually makes problems worse. A calm mind helps you think, ask for help, and find the next step.
This lesson is useful not only for travel, but for life too.
6. The biggest lesson is simple: just go
Drew’s main message is easy to understand. If you want to travel, start.
You do not need to wait for the perfect time. You do not need everything to be perfect before taking the first step.
Travel can be local, international, short, long, cheap, or simple. What matters is being open to new places and new people.
Drew believes that most people do not regret taking a trip. They usually regret waiting too long.
Final thoughts
Drew Binsky’s journey to every country in the world is not only a story about travel. It is a story about curiosity, courage, and human connection.
He learned that people are more similar than different. He learned that kindness can be found in surprising places. He learned that plans can fail, but the journey can still be worth it.
For everyday travelers, the message is simple. Be respectful, stay aware, pack light, and keep an open mind.
The world is big, but it may feel a little friendlier once you start exploring it.
