Matt & Sandra: 35 Countries In 35 Years

I love travelling and since I backpacked around Australia for 2 years I realized that nothing is impossible. Now I have the travel bug and use every little opportunity to explore the world. From cycle tours to city trips and travels to exciting countries. Lucky me my husband enjoys the same passion and we have many travel stories to tell. We met in Australia and travelled a year together. Returned 9 years ago to our everyday life and even we created a new home in Ireland we always feel something is missing. Our big dream is quitting jobs and travel the world full time. So many have done it why not us? Life is too short!!! We decided to finish our holiday plans end of next year and begin saving in 2020 for our lifetime trip. If things go as planned we will start living our dream in 2023 and who knows if we ever return to our NORMAL life which we most despise. We are just not this kind of people.

The world is full of things to see and I only been to 35 countries in my 35 years. Feels like this is just the start of something much bigger.

Let me share my travel blog stories from each country I have been:

#1 Germany (since 1982)

Is the country I was born. In a small city called Erfurt which is right in the middle of Germany. I travelled a lot around and also lived 5 years in Hanover. Seen cities like Hamburg, Berlin, Nuremberg, Leipzig and many more. My new way to explore even more is by bike. My next trip from Trier to Koblenz is already booked.

Highlights: Neuschwanstein Castle | Berlin Wall | Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe Berlin | Europa-Park Rust | Nuremberg Castle

I stayed in: nhow Berlin | Hotel Pension Intervarko Berlin | Holiday Inn Express Hamburg | Barbarossa Hotel Constance

#2 Denmark (1990, 2018)

After Germany reunited and I was allowed to travel everywhere my first country was Denmark with my family. We rented a holiday house near Ringkøbing Fjord and had a pretty good time. I don't remember too much but returned to this country and visited the capital Copenhagen. It is a great city for every season but also very expensive.

Highlights: Carlsberg Museum Copenhagen | Nyhavn Copenhagen| Tivoli Gardens Copenhagen | Legoland Billund

I stayed in: Comfort Hotel Vesterbro Copenhagen

I ate at: Sachi Sushi Copenhagen | Torvehallerne Market Copenhagen

#3 Poland (1990, 2012)

I only remember this country for cheap shopping but it has so much more to offer. Got to know the story from my granny who lived in Legnica and escaped after the World War II. Also had a winter city break in Krakow to visit the impressive Salt Mine and the shocking Auschwitz Concentration Camp.

Highlights: Wieliczka Salt Mine | Auschwitz-Birkenau | Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory Krakow

I stayed in: Vienna House Andel’s Krakow

#4 Czech Republic (1990-1997, 2015)

This was the only country so far where I was denied access. When I was only 15 I had no passport back then and was named in my parent's passports. But the Czech Republic had other laws and no ID meant no entry for me. Before that happened we visited the country several times to go shopping on these markets with the fake brand clothes. In a town called Cheb close to the German border. Or we spent Easter there and ate like kings. Everything is just so cheap. I returned later to finally visit the capital Prague which is really beautiful.

#5 Hungary (1991, 1992, 2000)

I had my first holiday in this country without my parents. Went to Balatonberény with friends on the lake Balaton. Years before I have been already twice on family vacation nearby in Zalakaros and Balatonszemes. Also a day trip to the capital Budapest where I am planning to return this year as it is just a very nice city.

#6 Austria (1998, 2014, 2017)

The first time in this country was on a school trip to Salzburg. I remember being impressed by the mountains. I returned with my husband on a Cycle Trip from Passau to Vienna where he just fell in love with Austria and so we returned for one day in Feldkirch on another Cycle Trip. Always want to go back for a hiking or skiing holiday. The food is delicious and the locals are very friendly.

#7 Switzerland (1999, 2017)

This is one of my favourite countries. It has impressive mountains and clear lakes. My first time was just a little visit near the border to Germany to the Rhine Fall and only years later I returned for a Cycle Trip from Constance. I still see myself sitting on a lake and looking at the mountains thinking how unbelievably beautiful it is. I want to go back for another nature trip and always planning on taking the panorama train.

Highlights: Rhine Falls | Lake Walen Cruise

#8 Italy (1999, 2012)

My first time was on a school trip to Venice and Rimini. I returned for my 30th birthday to Pisa, Florence and Rome. Fell in love with Italy. The little streets, the food and countryside are just great. I lost all the pictures from this trip and always plan on going back. Verona is on my list too.

Highlights: Pisa Tower | Florence Cathedral

I stayed in: Hotel Alex Florence | Camping Village Roma

#9 England (2001, 2016)

My first ever flight was to this country with Ryanair from Frankfurt Hahn to London. And I returned years later to visit a friend in the capital. I am not the biggest fan of what I have seen so far but always wanted to take the ferry over and explore England on a road trip.

Highlights: Tower Bridge London | Hyde Park London | St Paul's Cathedral London | London Dungeon

#10 Tunisia (2002)

I was looking for a cheap holiday and decided for this country. Was a week in Monastir. A very distressing time with people trying to sell you stuff and never giving you peace. Tunisia is probably a place I would never bother to return.

#11 Cuba (2003)

This country was my very first long distance holiday. With a stay in Havana and a round-trip. The beaches are a dream. White sand and turquoise water. I would love to go back there as the country has also an interesting history. Places in the Caribbean are just heaven. I am planning a re-positioning cruise someday which includes islands like Antigua, Saint Kitts, Saint Lucia and Barbados.

I stayed in: BelleVue Deauville Havana | Hotel Club Acuario Havana | Mirador de San Diego | Hotel Palma Real Varadero

#12 Turkey (2005)

This was another cheap holiday decision. After the Tunisian disaster and some Turkish peoples attitude in my own country I wasn't really keen on going. But I was surprised. The locals are very friendly and even leave you in peace if you turn down a sale. Sometimes they provide you a tasty apple tea and just chat with you. I had a good time and would consider to return. I really like to visit Istanbul.

#13 Australia (2007-2009)

This country was my dream since I can remember. I am so grateful that I got the chance to Backpack Around Australia for 2 years. Started in Sydney went up north to Brisbane and Cairns. Back south to Melbourne. Climbed Ayers Rock and took a train to Darwin. Travelled the west coast from Perth all the way to the north. It was so far the best time of my life. I wouldn't return since I seen it all but who knows. I met my husband there we might go back for our anniversary.

Highlights: Ayers Rock | Great Barrier Reef | Coober Pedy

#14 Singapore (2009)

A flight home from Australia was the cheapest from Malaysia. This how I ended up in this country. I flew from Darwin to Singapore stayed a week and got a fancy bus to Kuala Lumpur. I don't remember too much since I was exhausted after 2 years non-stop travelling but hopefully, I will return someday.

#15 Malaysia(2009)

A cheap flight from this country home to Germany after 2 years backpacking in Australia was the reason I came here. Kuala Lumpur was the main stop and super cheap to survive the last week on a tight budget. I did also a trip to the tea mountains in Cameroon Highlands. Not sure if I would go back to Malaysia.

#16 Sri Lanka (2009)

This was one of the countries I couldn't wait to get out. On a stopover flight from Malaysia the airline paid a night in a hotel in Colombo. At the airport and on the streets you could see heavy armed soldiers which gave a scary vibe. I never seen that before. The roads were covered with rubbish. A few years later I seen pictures and heard friends talking about a great Sri Lanka experience. I think I'd like to return and do a proper trip.

#17 Ireland (since 2009)

I visited Ireland the first time when I already decided to move there and my husband had the keys for our apartment. Maybe a good decision as I hated it at the beginning. If I seen Dublin before I probably would have never made this move. This way I had to give it a chance. Once I started working and travelled around the country I finally understood while the whole world seems to love this green island. Now I consider myself lucky to have a stunning nature so close. I love hiking, moved into a village near the beach and apart from the weather I enjoy living here.

#18 Spain (2010, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017)

After I settled in Ireland my first trip abroad was to Barcelona. I fell in love with this city and it is still one of my favourites. There is just so much to do. I returned years later with a friend and even we had a week to explore it all, it was not enough.

Also visited some of the islands like Lanzarote where I had my first all inclusive holiday and I never been so relaxed. There is not too much to do and plenty of time to get a good rest. So it is with Mallorca where I went with friends. There is a bit more to see and it feels a little like Germany just with summer weather all year.

One new years eve I spent in Madrid, ate 12 Grapes at midnight and seen a bit of this city. Not really impressed but the food market was one of the best.

Valencia is on my list and also someday I would like to walk the Camino. Spain will always be a country where I see myself returning. Chilled out people, good food, sangria and a lot of sun. What more do you need?!

Highlights: Sagrada Família Barcelona | Park Güell Barcelona | Hospital de Sant Pau Barcelona | Parc De La Ciutadella Barcelona | Magic Fountain Of Montjuïc

I stayed in: Plaza Catalunya Guest House Barcelona | The Gates Diagonal Barcelona | Hotel Liabeny Madrid | Complejo La Santa María Mallorca

I ate at: El Pacifico Barcelona | Wok Arc de Triomf Barcelona | La Tasqueta de Blai Barcelona

#19 Sweden (2011)

I really loved Stockholm and there is also a lot to do. Hop-on / Hop-off tours can even be done by boat. Another country where I lost my pictures and a good reason to return someday.

Highlights: Vasa Stockholm | Stortorget Stockholm | Swedish Army Museum Stockholm

I stayed in: Connect Hotel City Stockholm

#21 Vatican City (2012)

Just crazy that there is a tiny country in the middle of Rome. It is really impressive and walking through the halls of the Vatican museum left me sometimes a little speechless.

Highlights: Vatican Museum | St. Peter's Square

#20 Belgium (2013)

So far I only went to Brussels. Not sure what to think about this city. For museums lover (not me) there is a lot to explore. Food was amazing. They have lots of streets full of restaurants to eat shellfish. Not to forget the famous Belgium waffles. I really like to see Bruges some day reminds me a little about my own hometown.

Highlights: Autoworld Brussels | Mini-Europe Brussels

I stayed in: Leopold Hotel Brussels

#22 USA (2013)

This country was only on my list because my husband and I were invited to his best friends wedding in California. We decided to make a holiday out of it and went to Los Angeles and San Diego too. When we mentioned to friends we would also go to Las Vegas they assumed we would get married there. Which sounded so crazy at first but crossed our mind again just 2 weeks before the trip. After being 5 years together why not? So we did it and I have no regrets. This day was just about us which we always remember as a non-stressful day. It was also planned in a 10min live chat.

I stayed in: MGM Grand Las Vegas | Laguna Hills Lodge

#23 Northern Ireland (2014)

I went many times to Belfast and love the Christmas market. Apart from this, I hiked in a few areas. I love the countryside and need to see more in the future. Also, the border is less than one hour from my house.

Highlights: Titanic Museum Belfast | Giant Causeway | Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

I stayed in: Radisson Blu Hotel Belfast | Holiday Inn Express Belfast

#24 Portugal (2014)

Lovely city and many spots to chill out with their famous sangria. Just needed to be careful with tourist traps. Restaurants are overpriced with bad quality food. Go in hidden streets away from the tourist areas and find the better places.

I stayed in: SANA Lisboa Hotel Lisbon

#25 Slovakia (2014)

After my cycle trip finished in Vienna I decided to take the bus to Bratislava. Got ripped off by a taxi driver on arrival and also you can tell they new to tourism. Not a welcome feeling but the old town is lovely. Don't think I would return to Slovakia.

I stayed in: Hotel Devín Bratislava

#26 Croatia (2015)

I had such a great relaxing holiday in this country. The locals are so laid back. From great beaches, interesting history and many places to see. So far I have only been to Dubrovnik but I really like to go to the north part some day.

I stayed in: Valamar Argosy Hotel Dubrovnik

#27 Montenegro (2015)

I love the countryside but the places I been so far didn't impress me much. Kotor is actually a nice little town but overrun by cruise ship tourists. Budva has a total vibe of Russian corruption as this is the only place they can go without a visa. Not sure if I would return to Montenegro.

#28 Bosnia And Herzegovina (2015)

I went on a bus tour to Mostar and found it very magical. Probably would consider exploring more of this country.

#29 Netherlands (2016)

I went on a girls trip to Amsterdam and tried my first joint. So funny that you can just sit in a cafe and smoke weed. I didn't feel anything and had to laugh constantly but just because the situation was so hilarious. Four girls who have no clue about drugs and sitting down waiting for the effect. The city is big and busy. You queue up hours for every attraction. So I only managed to visit the Anne Frank house. I would love to cycle through the country some day and Rotterdam is on my list too.

Highlights: Anne Frank House

I stayed in: Fletcher Hotel Amsterdam

#30 South Africa (2016)

I went on an amazing trip from Cape Town all the way on the garden route up to Johannesburg and Kruger National Park. It is a different experience since you cannot walk around like you want to. Many places are dangerous and after dark, we mostly stayed in our hotel. Still enjoyed every minute. There is so much beauty out there.

#31 France (2017)

Most people probably enter this country through Paris. Strangely not me and it still stays on my bucket list. But I seen Bordeaux. Seems this city gets overlooked even it has so much to offer and the wine museum is just a big highlight. I heard a lot about the countryside and will do a cycle trip in the future to just see it myself. My family roots go far back to France through my great-great grandpa. Sometimes I can feel it especially when it comes to food. I am just as picky as they are.

Highlights: La Citè Du Vin | Monument aux Girondins Bordeaux | Marché des Capucins Bordeaux | Saint-Émilion

I stayed in: Aparthotel Adagio Bordeaux

I ate at: L’Ombrière Bordeaux | O Trois Fontaines Saint-Émilion | Marché des Capucins Bordeaux

#32 Liechtenstein (2017)

This country is so tiny I even managed to cycled through it in a few hours. It is also my only new country so far which I entered by bike. Stopped at the capital Vaduz and got a stamp in my passport even its in Europe. They seem proud people but little is known about Liechtenstein. They have the lowest crime rate.

#33 Malta (2017)

This country would probably be one of my choices if I ever have to live in another country. It seems they starting to boom with tourism and industry. The weather is still hot late in the year and flights back to Germany are cheap. Got one to Nuremberg for just 50€. Malta has a nice vibe and it was such a relaxing holiday.

Highlights: St. Peter’s Pool | Mdina | Captain Morgan’s Fernandes

I stayed in: Marina Hotel Corinthia Beach Resort St. Julian's

I ate at: Hugo’s Lounge St. Julian's | Club Sushi St. Julian’s

#34 China (2017)

I just wanted a great firework one more time and Hong Kong was booked. I loved it how modern and clean the city is. Sure the rest of the country is totally different but the wall of China was always on my list and I will hopefully see some day. I also went to Macau and Shenzhen.

Highlights: The Sky Terrace | Big Buddha | Nan Lian Garden | Temple Street Night Market

I stayed in: Ovolo Southside Hong Kong

#35 Wales (2018)

This country was just a spontaneous trip by ferry from Dublin. We rented a car and drove around the north part. From Holyhead to the Snowdonia National Park. Checked out the Swallow Falls on the way before we explored the town of Conwy. Wales is a perfect country for mountain and castle lovers. Bit unlucky with the weather I would like to return for hikes and finding more castles.

Highlights: Conwy Castle | Snowdonia National Park | The Smallest House | Swallow Falls

That was me with hopefully many more countries to come. How about you? How many countries have you seen so far? Tell me about your travel stories