A US woman has just become the fastest person to visit each of the globe’s 196 countries, earning herself a spot in the Guinness World Records.

Cassie De Pecol left her home in Connecticut in July 2015 for the tiny Pacific nation of Palau. The now 27-year-old’s arrival in Yemen on 2 February marks the end of her epic journey.

Completing the mission in little more than 18 months meant the peace and sustainability advocate could only spend two to five days in each country.

From sunbaking in the Maldives to trekking the Himalayas, Cassie made the most of her trip, documenting it all on her travel blog Expedition 196 .

A post shared by Cassie De Pecol | Official (@expedition_196) on

Dec 19, 2016 at 11:42am PST

Among the sight-seeing and spectacular photo-taking, Cassie spent time visiting schools and giving and universities, collecting water samples for the Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation and working as an ambassador for the International Institute of Peace Through Tourism.

It hasn’t all been a dream for the entrepreneur, who managed to fund her travels with savings, endorsements and complimentary accommodation, admitting she’s a “wuss when it comes to flying and turbulence”.

A post shared by Cassie De Pecol | Official (@expedition_196) on

Feb 3, 2017 at 12:26pm PST

“Lows are flying, being in airports, and not being in a safe enough environment to go for a run,” she told the Daily Mail .

The jet-setter said managing her safety as a woman was also a major concern.

Listen: This Glorious Mess talks to the couple who retired in their 30s and travelled around the world with their baby.

“I’ve been harassed and in sticky situations, whereas a man in the same situation likely wouldn’t have experienced the same.

“Some like to believe that they can take advantage of me because I’m a woman, thinking I’m more gullible to cough up more money or talk to them more because they want me to, but I don’t tolerate any inequality anymore.

A post shared by Cassie De Pecol | Official (@expedition_196) on

Jul 6, 2016 at 2:58am PDT

“If I feel that I’m being harassed or taken advantage of, I say how I feel, then I’m out.”

So what’s next for the seasoned traveller?

A post shared by Cassie De Pecol | Official (@expedition_196) on

Dec 30, 2016 at 12:50pm PST

Despite visiting all of the world’s sovereign nations, Cassie hasn’t yet visited Antartica – a continent, not a country.

“I’m so excited to head to Antarctica in a week,” she wrote on Instagram.

“For four days, I’ll be travelling across the Drake Passage to Antarctica, and while that voyage scares me, it’s what gives me purpose and also makes me feel alive, just as Expedition 196 did.”

A post shared by Cassie De Pecol | Official (@expedition_196) on

Sep 20, 2016 at 2:25pm PDT

“We all have fears, and many of us let fear get in the way of pursuing a dream. If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the course of this Expedition it’s that; we’re never going to make it out of life alive, so may as well push the boundaries and make our dreams come alive.”