Couple Visits 197 Countries, Reveals Top Hidden Travel Gems and Wildest Moments

Pack your bags and try to keep up—because this couple just made every travel influencer look like they're standing still. Hudson and Emily Crider, a married duo from Pennsylvania, have spent the past eight years conquering the globe, visiting every country on Earth—except Sudan, which, honestly, gets a pass due to its current humanitarian crisis.

From sprinting across Tuvalu (seriously, it's so tiny you can cross it in under a minute) to catching some shut-eye right on the Great Wall of China, the Criders have chalked up 197 countries in their adventure log. They kicked things off with a tour of all 50 U.S. states, then capped their global odyssey with a chill trip to the Bahamas before preparing to welcome their first child this June. Talk about a power couple—most people just binge-watch travel shows during pregnancy.

Traveling the world wasn’t the original goal, according to Hudson. The pair simply wanted to explore more, dive into new cultures, and see what was out there. But after meeting so many welcoming people, their mission took on a new meaning. As Hudson puts it, "a smile transcends all languages," and Emily says their encounters have "completely changed our hearts." That's one souvenir you can't buy at the airport.

When it comes to hidden gems, Uzbekistan took the Criders by surprise with its dazzling blue mosques, rich Silk Road history, and wallet-friendly hospitality. Before they even crossed the border, locals were inviting them home for a meal—a trend that repeated everywhere they went. Emily was equally wowed by Namibia's landscapes, calling them underrated and perfect for safari-lovers and sand-dune enthusiasts alike.

Thailand earned a special spot in their hearts after seven months of flavorful food, beautiful scenery, and genuine friendships. Meanwhile, Argentina’s Patagonia region had Hudson raving about its glaciers, mountains, and unbeatable photo ops. The Maldives won the title for most relaxing destination, thanks to its beaches that look like desktop wallpapers brought to life.

If food is your travel love language, you'll relate to the Criders. Emily still dreams about the cheese-and-chocolate fondue in Switzerland, especially after a Swiss family introduced her to raclette—basically a cheese-lover’s fantasy come true. Hudson, meanwhile, is convinced you can’t go wrong with Vietnamese or Thai cuisine, though Emily did fall victim to a bout of "horrific" food poisoning in Pakistan (pro tip: always pack stomach medicine).

Wildlife encounters were another highlight, with Kenya delivering the kind of safari action you'd expect from a nature documentary. The Great Migration at the Kenya-Tanzania border made Emily feel like she was living inside a movie. And swimming with humpback whales in Tonga and French Polynesia? Let’s just say it’s hard to feel big next to a 40-ton mammal.

It hasn’t all been private jets and infinity pools, though. In West Africa, the couple’s public transit adventures sometimes included a few extra passengers—of the goat variety. There’s nothing like being wedged between a stranger and a bleating travel buddy to make you appreciate the little things.

So, what’s their advice for would-be globe-trotters? Set your expectations low and stay open to whatever comes your way. Whether it’s a perfect day or a wild story to tell later, every experience changes you. Or as Emily puts it, “Think of the stories you want to tell some day and then go out and live them.”