By reading this book, one will embark on a literary journey of travel with the intent to learn more on bucket list locations and activities. Through this journey, one will also acquire knowledge of countries, cultures, and people. The journey is accomplished by walking in my figurative footsteps as I traveled and explored new countries, cities, cultures, and lifetime experiences. Volume I documents this journey accomplished within about a year's timeframe, challenging my physical and mental stamina under aggressive travel conditions. I also capture travel difficulties experienced throughout the year. Using a country assessment index, I evaluate the stability of the nations that I have visited. Reading this book, one gains a better understanding of the world. This better understanding promotes a philosophy of respecting cultural differences while recognizing that we share many of the same core human elements: rights, desires, and challenges. One should embrace our similarities while celebrating our differences. The year encompassed travel to Portugal; Argentina and Chile's Patagonia; Italy; Seattle, Washington, United States; Switzerland; France; Australia; Alaska, United States; Spain; Hungary; Slovakia; Austria; Germany; Czech Republic; and Costa Rica. This grouping of countries is just the first of a multi-year endeavor; the quest for learning and understanding is an iterative approach. This book is to inspire readers to travel to gain better understanding of the world, its land and people, through bucket list natural wonders and man-made accomplishments. For those challenged to travel for a number of reasons, my journey provides a literary approach to experience the world. The intent of this book is a literary journey traveling the globe to gain a better understanding of international relations and geopolitics and share my knowledge to entice others to be intellectual travelers too.