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The youngest Russian to visit every country in the world.
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My main book · the traveller's path
How life changes when you travel wisely
Do you dream of travelling, but something always holds you back — money, the unknown, no one to go with? I know that feeling well.
I travelled the whole world together with my friend Mikhail Zarubin — an ordinary guy with a backpack and a big Dream, on my own, without rich parents or travel agents. We even made it to Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan and North Korea. In 14 years on the road I learned everything I share in this book: how to find your own way of travelling, cut your budget dramatically, pack your backpack and first-aid kit, keep calm when things go wrong — and not feel lost when you come back home.
But this book is not only about routes. It is about how we have forgotten how to dream — and how to hear ourselves again. How to remember childhood dreams, stop being afraid and find your purpose: the work, the people and the place where you are truly happy. I looked for it in 193 countries and found it within myself — and on the other side of the world, in Australia, which became my new home.
Warning: after this book, amazing changes may happen in your life. Welcome to the Traveller's Path!
На русском
The Russian edition of the same book, with the new chapter «My new home — Australia».
Library
Read for free on your phone, tablet or computer. PDF opens on any device. EPUB is better for Apple Books, Google Play Books and e-readers: the text adapts to your screen. The books below are in Russian.
2009 · in Russian
This is show business, baby!
The first book by Sasha Zhdanov, one of the best-known photographers of Russian show business. Music videos, concerts, television, «Star Factory», Eurovision — he saw it all from the inside. Who is friends with whom, what people whisper at parties and who really runs the music world. Revelations, humour, gossip and backstage secrets in a page-turner that still reads in one breath.
2010 · in Russian
A thriller behind the scenes of a song contest
Moscow is getting ready for the international «EUROsong» contest. A website appears where you can bet on the winner — but whoever gets the most votes will be killed live on air. At first it looks like a fan's silly joke, but soon it becomes clear: on the night of the final, there will be a murder. Real artists, star passions, the internet, lies and betrayal.
2011 · in Russian
The third part of the star saga
Celebrities, quarrels, fame, money, love — what really happens there? Something strange is going on in the country's most famous production centre: artists are being set up and careers are at risk. Photographer Alexander Nezhdanov once again has to do the impossible — expose the most powerful people backstage. And maybe, at last, meet the love he has been waiting for.
2014 · in Russian
Starting again from scratch
Life is a roller coaster: today you are on top, tomorrow you lose everything. You can despair — or take a risk and bet on zero: start again, with new people, in a new country. An adventure novel about Mexico, ancient secrets and show business. Maybe it is a mistake — or maybe that is how you hit the biggest jackpot of your life.
2017 · in Russian
Dreams became reality
The author's most amazing journey — into the world of dreams, where you can meet new people, go anywhere and gain superpowers. But dreams can also be used for harm: a new Man in Black stands against the Gunslinger-Zhdanov. A diary of dreams and real events about finding yourself, freeing your soul from the Dark Tower and choosing real life.
2019 · in Russian
Interactive adventures in the world of dreams
In real life Sasha is a traveller who has visited every country in the world. In his dreams he can enter other people's dreams, change reality and talk to those who are gone. One day strange bodiless creatures arrive from another reality, and Sasha has to work out how to stop them. An adventure where you choose some of the plot twists yourself.
New · in Russian
Perth, 2033: humans versus neural networks
2033. Young neurologist Steve Nezhdanov lives a comfortable but joyless life: robots and AI have replaced most professions, and neural networks have replaced artists and doctors. Then a ghost from the past appears — his first love, a woman of rare intelligence. What she tells him splits his world into «before» and «after». But is everyone telling him the truth? The world of the future, unexpected twists and magical Perth by the ocean.
Photo album · for tour guests only
A very personal experience in fragments · Mikhail Zarubin and Alexander Zhdanov
Our joint photo album with Mikhail Zarubin: photos from every country in the world, exclusive shots with our families and the most precious things we brought back from our trips. It cannot be bought or downloaded — only guests on our tours receive it.
About me
My name is Alexander Zhdanov and I was born in Leningrad. I am a journalist by education, a photographer, a TV and radio host, a writer and a traveller.
From 2002, when I was 20, I worked with Russia's Channel One for more than ten years, photographing the stars: Alla Pugacheva, Sergey Lazarev, Dima Bilan, Philipp Kirkorov. I shot every season of «Star Factory», went to Eurovision with the Russian delegation more than twelve times, and in 2006 and in the winning year 2008 I was Dima Bilan's personal photographer. That is what my first books, the «Paparazzi» series, are about.
I invested my money not in a flat or a car but in a dream. 14 years on the road, at least two or three days in every country, no airport transits counted — and at 36 I became the youngest Russian to visit all 193 countries of the world. The record is listed in the Russian Book of Records and the National Register of Records.
Today I live in Perth, on the west coast of Australia, and together with Mikhail Zarubin I lead small-group tours for Russian-speaking travellers.
★ Our record in the Russian Book of Records — all 193 countries together →That is how many people on the whole planet had visited every country in the world by 2019. Two of them are Mikhail Zarubin and me: we walked this path together, as friends. The Russian Book of Records 2022 also lists our joint record — every country in the world, together, in 14 years, 11 months and 18 days.
Interview · NomadMania
Mikhail and Alexander: Travel Buddies Who Visited 193 UN Countries Together
A long interview about how Mikhail and I visited all 193 UN countries together while working on the road — and why we keep travelling together.
Read the interview →
Travel with us
Small-group tours by Mikhail Zarubin and Alexander Zhdanov for Russian-speaking travellers — routes we have tested ourselves.
19–27 January 2027 · 9 daysChina. Ancient towns, «Avatar» mountains and a hotel with deerGuilin, Yangshuo, Fenghuang, Zhangjiajie and Chongqing: ancient towns, karst mountains, bamboo rafts and the landscapes that inspired «Avatar».from €1,990Tour details →
7–16 March 2027 · 10 daysFour countries: Argentina's glaciers, Uruguay, Paraguay and BrazilPatagonia, Buenos Aires, Uruguay, Iguazu Falls, Paraguay and Rio de Janeiro with a samba school.from €2,680Tour details →
18 February – 2 March 2028 · 14 daysMadagascar cruise and African safariA premium tour: a 5* hotel and a 5* expedition ship, lemurs, Madagascar beaches and a safari in South Africa.from €10,970Tour details →Photo archive · 44 photos
From 2002, at the age of 20, I worked at Channel One: years backstage in show business, Eurovision, «Star Factory». Swipe through the strip and tap a photo to open it full size and share it.
Me and animals · 40 photos
Penguins in Antarctica and South Georgia, cheetahs and lions in Africa, elephants in Thailand, kangaroos, koalas and wombats here in Australia — and even a crocodile I dived next to in a glass cage. On every trip I look for encounters with animals.
Video · television
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