A Milestone of 50 Countries Marks a Shift in Travel Perspective
Macy Stramm marked a significant milestone this year, having visited her 50th country. Yet, this number, while personally meaningful, no longer defines her travel ambitions. Reflecting on her lifelong passion for exploring the world, Macy recounts how her approach has evolved from simply ticking off destinations to seeking meaningful experiences.
The Pressure and Downsides of Fast-Paced Journeys
In the early stages of her travels, Macy often found herself rushing through multiple countries on tight schedules. For instance, in June 2019, she and friends visited Greece, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Germany in just ten days. The pace was so relentless that in Athens, there wasn’t even enough time to explore the Acropolis properly. Stays were usually under 48 hours per city, dominated by flights and landmark visits. At times, Macy found herself spending more time in airports than actually exploring locales such as Split, making the trips feel more like transit than true travel.
Social Media’s Role in Turning Travel into a Numbers Game
The pressure to showcase the number of countries visited on social platforms intensified the focus on quantity over quality. Macy describes this phase of travel as “checking boxes,” driven by the desire to document and rank each visit rather than to immerse herself in the surroundings. Practical constraints further reinforced this approach — until a job layoff at the end of 2023 granted her the time to embark on a different kind of travel.
The Depth of Experience Offered by Slow Travel
Since early 2024, Macy has been spending extended periods, typically over three weeks, in locations primarily across Asia and Australia. This slower rhythm allows her to engage deeply with local culture and history, discovering hidden gems beyond typical tourist paths. Highlights include a three-day exploration of the Kinabatangan River in Malaysian Borneo, where she observed orangutans and crocodiles, and earning an advanced diving certification while sailing the Komodo Islands in Indonesia, gaining insight into the region’s diverse geography and heritage.
Revisiting Destinations Adds Value Beyond Countable Visits
Rather than viewing previously visited countries as finished achievements, Macy embraces return trips as opportunities to build lasting connections. Repeated visits to Italy and Bosnia and Herzegovina, including establishing a base in Sarajevo, have enriched her experiences with stronger relationships, improved language skills, and a tangible sense of belonging. Her current travel plans often involve familiar start or end points, focusing on deepening existing ties.
Ongoing Travel Goals with a Broadened Outlook
Although Macy still has 12 European countries left on her list, the importance of these numbers has transformed. While each new country still gives her a sense of accomplishment, the genuine value now lies in immersive experiences and meaningful life moments accrued through travel.