What does it take to see every country on the planet, and what do you discover about yourself along the way?
Born in a quiet town in Hungary during the last years of communism, Ildikó Szabó grew up believing that travel was for other people; the wealthy, the privileged, the lucky. But at eighteen, she crossed her first border, and nothing was ever the same. Over the next two decades, she visited all 193 countries, traveling solo to remote islands, conflict zones, and forgotten corners of the globe, often with no plan except to keep going.
The World is Your Playground is a candid, deeply human look at what it means to pursue a dream most people consider impossible. Through 22 vivid, true stories from sleeping under the stars on a cargo ship in Yemen to sharing tea with strangers in Afghanistan Ildikó shows how stepping into the unknown changes the way we see others, and ourselves.
More than a travelogue, this book explores courage, connection, and the quiet strength it takes to keep moving when the road gets difficult. Each chapter closes with reflections and practical insights, encouraging readers to challenge their own assumptions, trust their instincts, and approach the world with curiosity rather than fear.
This is not a guide to collecting passport stamps. It’s an invitation to notice, to listen, and to be transformed by the world as it really is complicated, surprising, and far more welcoming than we often imagine.
Because the world isn’t just out there… it’s yours.
Author – ILDIKO SZABO