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Where in the world is Gary Giller? In any one of 50 countries!
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BY: ARLENE FINE Senior Staff Reporter
Phineas Fogg, move over.
Gary Giller might not have gone around the world in 80 days, but the Shaker Heights resident just completed his goal of visiting 50 countries by Aug. 17 n his 50th birthday.
“I’ve been passionate about travel since my grandparents took me to the World’s Fair in New York when I was 7,” says the Akron native. “It was a thrill to see an exciting world outside my hometown.”
Giller began traveling in earnest when he made his first trip to the Soviet Union and China at age 24. He has been traveling around the globe ever since for both business and pleasure. Along the way he has gone through five passports, visited the United Kingdom 50 times, and chalked up three million frequent flyer miles. “As soon as I unpack from one trip, I am always thinking ahead to my next,” says the executive, who makes his living turning around failed business.
Although he enthusiastically describes his “magical” visits to the Taj Mahal (India), Machu Picchu (Peru), and walking on Moscow’s Red Square, Giller maintains his favorite travel spot is Cape Town, South Africa. “The area is amazing, with two oceans, wine country, gorgeous mountains overlooking Cape Town, incredible sunsets, safaris, and interesting historical sites,” he says.
His least favorite part of the world? “Albania. The country was very depressing; not much to see or do for tourists,” he says. Giller and his wife Lauren Rich Fine (unrelated to CJN reporter Arlene Fine) just returned from a 12-day whirlwind trip to Albania, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Norway, Poland and Hungry to complete his “50 by 50” goal. “Although we did not spend much time in those countries, we were on the go all day and visited more sites at each stop than most tourists do in a week,” claims Giller.
As a seasoned traveler Giller knows the ropes. He always travels with just one carry-on bag to avoid lost luggage and sleeps long stretches on the plane so he can hit the ground running as soon as he lands.
“I rely on the Internet, archived New York Times Sunday Travel Section articles, and the Lonely Planet guidebook for recommendations on hotels, restaurants and sightseeing tips,” he adds. He also books plane and hotel reservations through Kayak.com, Hotel.com and Expedia.com.
What’s next for the adventurous traveler? “I’m eager to visit Vietnam and Cambodia,” he says. “My goal is to be a member of the Century Club and visit 100 countries by the time I’m 75, and now I’m halfway there.”
afine@cjn.org
Gary Giller might not have gone around the world in 80 days, but the Shaker Heights resident just completed his goal of visiting 50 countries by Aug. 17 n his 50th birthday.
“I’ve been passionate about travel since my grandparents took me to the World’s Fair in New York when I was 7,” says the Akron native. “It was a thrill to see an exciting world outside my hometown.”
Giller began traveling in earnest when he made his first trip to the Soviet Union and China at age 24. He has been traveling around the globe ever since for both business and pleasure. Along the way he has gone through five passports, visited the United Kingdom 50 times, and chalked up three million frequent flyer miles. “As soon as I unpack from one trip, I am always thinking ahead to my next,” says the executive, who makes his living turning around failed business.
Although he enthusiastically describes his “magical” visits to the Taj Mahal (India), Machu Picchu (Peru), and walking on Moscow’s Red Square, Giller maintains his favorite travel spot is Cape Town, South Africa. “The area is amazing, with two oceans, wine country, gorgeous mountains overlooking Cape Town, incredible sunsets, safaris, and interesting historical sites,” he says.
His least favorite part of the world? “Albania. The country was very depressing; not much to see or do for tourists,” he says. Giller and his wife Lauren Rich Fine (unrelated to CJN reporter Arlene Fine) just returned from a 12-day whirlwind trip to Albania, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Norway, Poland and Hungry to complete his “50 by 50” goal. “Although we did not spend much time in those countries, we were on the go all day and visited more sites at each stop than most tourists do in a week,” claims Giller.
As a seasoned traveler Giller knows the ropes. He always travels with just one carry-on bag to avoid lost luggage and sleeps long stretches on the plane so he can hit the ground running as soon as he lands.
“I rely on the Internet, archived New York Times Sunday Travel Section articles, and the Lonely Planet guidebook for recommendations on hotels, restaurants and sightseeing tips,” he adds. He also books plane and hotel reservations through Kayak.com, Hotel.com and Expedia.com.
What’s next for the adventurous traveler? “I’m eager to visit Vietnam and Cambodia,” he says. “My goal is to be a member of the Century Club and visit 100 countries by the time I’m 75, and now I’m halfway there.”
afine@cjn.org
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