travel the world in 90 days

Around the World in 90 Days

• October 6, 2020

With plenty of time on my hands and no travel plans on the horizon, I thought it was a good opportunity to reflect on my first overseas vacation. To say it was a trip would be an understatement. We went for an around-the-world trip that lasted for 90 days. My husband planned this ambitious round-the-world trip a few years after our wedding to commemorate a professional milestone with his friend-cum-partner. I had the good fortune to be a part of that unforgettable journey.

I’m referring to the year 1989 when life was very different. There was the internet, but only large corporations could afford it. The wired internet used to be painfully slow and would crash every half hour. Google had not yet been invented. (That is another story and let’s concentrate on the topic at hand). As a result, the only way to book tickets was through airlines or travel agencies. You could contact them via phone or visit their offices. There was no such thing as an online booking system. Our tickets were purchased through a reputable travel agency.

A round-the-world ticket allowed you to make several stops but only travel in one direction. So our itinerary was as follows: Delhi-Singapore-Bangkok- Hong Kong -Tokyo-Honolulu-San Francisco-Chicago-Detroit-Washington-New York-London-Luxembourg-Delhi For this multi-stop ticket, we paid Rs 19,000/- ($260) per person. Isn’t it unbelievable?

Indian passports aren’t particularly ‘travel friendly.’ Almost every country worth visiting requires a visa. Our vacation was not limited to the cities listed on our ticket. The trip also included a big portion of Europe, We planned to explore many more destinations by car or by using the Eurail.  Before we could begin our fantastic vacation, we had a task to accomplish.

Life was simpler back then, but it wasn’t always easy. There was no Euro and no Schengen visa. Each European country required a separate visa and currency. As a result, we spent the next month stamping our passports with visas for every country we intended to visit. 

Fortunately, the visa application process was considerably easier and faster back then. The visas were processed in a single day with minimal documentation. Every day the visa was submitted to a new Embassy and passports were collected in the evening or the next morning. If we had to take that many visas now, it would easily take a year. We were able to get all of our visas stamped and organize the currencies of the nations on our itinerary. Then we embarked on our 90-day round-the-world adventure.

Ironically, this was my first overseas trip. My solo vacation to Nepal does not qualify as an international trip. My husband was an experienced traveler, so he dared to embark on such a prolonged vacation without professional guidance, cell phones, and Google.

Our first stop was Singapore, and I was blown away by the city’s cleanliness, glitz, and vibes. From then on, it was a whirlwind trip filled with spectacular views and unforgettable experiences. It was a long vacation, and this post will never be able to cover all of the highlights of the sites I visited. Neither do I recall the specifics. So I’d just focus on some interesting tidbits that I recall vividly even now.

In the initial phase of our journey, we stayed in most places for 2-3 days. We were lucky to have relatives/friends in various parts of the world who were gracious enough to host us at their homes. It was eye-opening to observe people performing all of their own duties, including cooking, cleaning, ironing, mowing lawns, and cleaning kitchenware. And we were supposed to join in, unlike India where ‘Guests are God’. Seeing the elite class use public transportation in New York was a humbling experience. We live such a spoiled life in India, at least the upper-middle class does. All of this came as a shock to me because I had lived a fairly sheltered life with no overseas exposure.

The rest of the time we stayed in hotels and motels. We had no hotel bookings in any of the cities we visited. Our plan was a bit skewed, but fitting for those times. All airports used to have a large lit panel with a separate window for each reputable hotel. The hotels would provide images of the property along with the current room rate. If you liked a hotel, you were expected to call them from a phone that was dangling from the hook to confirm your reservation. It may appear strange now, but it was formerly the most convenient, affordable, and secure way to get a hotel room after arriving in the city.

It’s been more than thirty years, yet I’ll never forget my first sight of the breathtaking Niagara Falls, the majestic Mount Fuji, or the iconic Twin Towers. I was completely dazzled. I recall going to every single amusement park I came across, including Disney World. We didn’t have amusement parks in India, so I was particularly drawn to thrilling rides. We had a lot of problems as vegetarians , but the homestays made it a lot easier to deal with the recurrent droughts. We largely survived on pizza, French fries, ice cream, and yogurt – not the healthiest options, but the healthy eating craze had not yet gained traction.

We had a 15-day break after arriving in London and stayed with my sister-in-law. Our friends returned to India because they had a young kid. It was just the two of us from now on. It was time to go shopping and buy some gifts for family and friends back home. You couldn’t return from a foreign vacation without bringing gifts for each member of your family in that ‘era.’ I fell in love with London, and it remains one of my favorite places to this day.

My sister was staying in Luxembourg, so we decided to use it as a base for exploring Europe through Eurail. We began our European vacation after reaching Luxembourg. We were on a strict budget, so we decided to make the most of our Eurail pass. To save money on room rent, we would take lengthy overnight trains and return to Luxembourg frequently to replenish our food supplies. Indians are obsessed with eating home-cooked Indian food and saving money.

It was a frenetic 15-20-day itinerary in which we managed to visit all of the key attractions in Switzerland , France, Austria, the Netherlands, Germany , and Italy . We’d arrive at a place, spend the day exploring it, and then catch the night train. We would sometimes travel to two small towns in a single day. We’d be crossing borders regularly and replenishing our wallets with different currencies as we went. We faced countless language issues, particularly in France and Germany. The train station restrooms were our saviors, however, their hygiene standards left a lot to be desired. What bothered me the most was that I had to pay to use the subpar restrooms. 

Everywhere we went, there were architectural marvels, picturesque landscapes, admirable culture, and delectable cuisines (mainly pizzas, pasta, and dessert for us). You can imagine what a mind-boggling experience we must have had. We were young with no other pressing commitments and we made the most of it.

The cities I visited? It is a long list and, to be honest, I can’t recollect all of them. Singapore, Bangkok, Pattaya, HongKong, Macau, Tokyo (most expensive), Honolulu, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas , Washington, New York , Chicago, Orlando, Detroit, Toronto, London, Luxembourg, Paris, Nice, Monte Carlo, Amsterdam, Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Zurich, Geneva, Jungfrau, Rome, Venice , Naples, Pisa, Hamburg, Dusseldorf, and so many more. After spending 90 days on the roads, we took the flight back to Delhi – the last leg of our round-the-world ticket.

It is always good to be back home with friends and relatives. However, it was a life-changing event that altered my whole outlook and persona for the better. Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to travel all over the world regularly. Nothing, however, compares to the pleasure of traveling on a 90-day round-the-world vacation without a worry in the world.

PS: My memories are faded and so are the pictures. The clicks are mostly from the USA as they were taken by our friends. We had not bothered to bring a camera. As there were no handy phone cameras around, we are left with our memories to fall back on.

This Post Has 33 Comments

Loved it! Hard to imagine a world tour in times of no mobile phones and internet. Very interesting read.

Seema, what a lovely write up!! Enjoyed reading it and getting a feel of the wonderful time you had.

Thanks, Jyoti!

So vivid description… Must hv been wonderful experience. Amazed to know hygiene issue in france.

I was also surprised.

Although sketchy but the write-up oozes out intense feeling and takes the readers down memory lanes. Fine writng.

Could not write in detail as it would have become too long

Very interesting read Seema! And a very daring decision to travel for 90 days in those days without the modern day luxuries like mobile phones and Internet and of course easy availability of vegetarian food…..but wonderful memories!

At that time had no idea how the world would change in a few years

What a wonderful, evocative narrative! This essay, and your earlier stories about international travel in the age of COVID are a wonderful window into my aunt’s fascinating inner life. Thank you for sharing it with us. Sending lots of love…

Thanks, Viku!!

Seemaji, thanks for this write up as it reveals the major difference between global atmosphere taken place during past 30 years– a THEATER of various human facilites are fast changing in the whole world– a good write up to appreciate one’s virtues and the global developments advancing with the time

Madam those were the days when people could go for world tour now things are very different now you have to have a year before departure for visa’s only of course it is easy to get air tickets and Hotel booking. Real adventure and

Valid point. Have added it to write-up

Excellent narrative. You write so well that it can easily compete with best of professional journalists.Camera should have been your top priority. The photographs capture the events for ever.

Thanks, Uncle!!

I loved to read about your experiences and good old times, I remember checking internet in the library only 15 years back. So many places in short time though..

It was an amazing experience. Glad you enjoyed reading about it

Awesome write up! Shows the challenges and thrill of traveling in those times.

How lucky. This seems like a real fairytale travel now. Thanks for sharing your travel experiences. Would love to go on a 90 day tour around the world sometime in life with my husband.

Haha!! I am sure you will!!

Wonderful and Awesome

A beautiful read down the memory lane! I remember vividly parts of it as u came Home to Luxembourg to tell us about your adventures and replenish your Tiffin with aloo puri and “panchkuta” every 2-3 days. You both were using some book on travel to Europe. That became our guide on our future travels as u left that book with us. Lovely time spent with Kailash Babu and you!

Wow. How lovely to look back and say that you did this. Brilliant thing to do.

Yeah, it was a lovely experience. Thanks

I love this piece!!! Thank you for sharing your travel memories. Around the world air ticket for $260! It seems a bit crippling traveling nowadays without checking google, tripadvisor or checking fares comparison online. Yet things have changed a lot! Traveling is really a grand learning experience!

It was an amazing experience.

Loved reading this post. It was an amazing trip, surely. The ticket will cost a million bucks now 🙂

Love the post its great to look back isnt it

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Around the World in 90 Days in the Summer 2023

When Is the Best Time

Around the world in 90 days was our motto. We planned on these three months for a long time. Now, the time had finally come.

Are you a returning visitor to check out where we currently are? I added a Table of Contents for a better overview of all our destinations and stops. You are able to jump to the topic of your interest.

You are probably wondering where we are going. Who knows us well, we love adventures. Our motto this time is "Slow Travel". We want to experience the beautiful things in life with plenty of time. Therefore, we travel to fewer destinations, prioritising enjoying the sea, the sun, and delicious food. In addition, we love to watch whales, and we have selected a few interesting corners of the planet.

Still, we can't do without adventures and two of the best countries for that are Australia and the US.

However, nothing is more important than family and friends. So first, we flew to our family near Lisbon, and now, we will visit friends we have spread around the world. 

You might think it costs a fortune, but it depends on which ticket you book and which destinations you combine. We will tell you more about this in our video on YouTube soon. We booked an "Around the World" ticket for these months. You always travel in one direction, cross every ocean once and have the possibility to include many stops. However, we decided to go to only a few destinations. Less is more, and we want to explore these places with extra time. What was also important to us, if available, were direct flights.

You can definitely keep your budget smaller with homestays, self-catering cabins and camping. We have a tent, sleeping mats, sleeping bags and cooking utensils with us for this. Not much space is left for clothes, so we must wash them weekly.

Our Journey in Numbers

We like to give you an idea of how we stay and how we planned the trip. We will update this section regularly during our journey this summer.

Our Three Months Journey

Sixth stop usa - san francisco to kanab and las vegas.

Six years ago, we have been here in San Francisco for the last time. A lot has changed; European visitors' prices have risen enormously, and we have not felt safe in some places. We saw "Brake and Grap" signs frequently. 

 The Cypress Tree Tunnel was on my bucket list for years already, and we spent more than an hour here for the perfect light and photo.

We escaped from all that and spent my birthday at Point Reyes National Seashore. Mother Nature meant it very well to us on this day, and we spotted a lot of wildlife.

 Due to the harsh climate at Point Reyes, not many visitors go hiking. We were the only ones on the Chimney Rock trail and were rewarded with fantastic sightings.

The lighthouse was covered in fog all day, but it cleared up for us in the evening. Our accommodation, a motel in Inverness , was the perfect ending for this day.

The owners, Mara and Todd, are excellent hosts and care for their guests. We regret that we left this wonderful place after one night.

If you spend several days in the Bay Area, the Redwood trees, like the famous Muir Woods, were simply part of it for us. We got a tip from a local couple for a beautiful but not crowded park and spent a whole day under the canopy of more than a thousand-year-old trees.

Nature in the US is tremendous. 

Yosemite National Park and Mono Lake

Our last visit was over 20 years ago when we climbed Half Dome, one of the most exciting hikes in our lives. We explored the Valley and went to the best scenic viewpoint, Glacier Point, in the morning.

The scenery is breathtaking from this spot, and we simply sat down and soaked in the beauty. We felt so very tiny here. Another outstanding place in the National Park is Mariposa Grove.

These trees are up to 100 m tall and 3000 years old and awe-inspiring. However, Yosemite means crowds, and we left the path and hiked to remotely located sequoias. Here we found our favourite ones, the “Faithful Couple”, the perfect spot for us.

 I never saw such perfectly secured trash bins because of the wild black bears in the National Park but we didn't spot any. The bears smell is excellent and they even break up cars for food.

Actually, we had planned a day hike, but it turned out quite differently. The night at the campground was so unbearably cold, with under 5°C/40°F, that we were too tired for our planned hike.

Our luck, in retrospect, has saved us from heavy rainfall at the top of the Clouds Rest summit. Instead, we went to Mono Lake. What a unique lake with fascinating details.

The lake is 2.5 times saltier and 100 times alkaline than the ocean. Hordes of flies live here, a feast for the many migratory birds. The Tufa formations were absolutely picturesque, and the sunset was magical.

Mono Lake is not just a death lake; and the volcanoes around it are another gem.

We continued to Mammoth Lakes and learned that high CO2 levels heavily impact this area.

These CO2 levels can cause headaches and flu-like symptoms, and we both suffered from a headache for two days.

Zion National Park

The majestic Zion National Park. We can’t get enough of this exceptional park in Utah. We had already hiked The Narrows , Angels Landing and The Subway ; therefore, we concentrated entirely on Zion's east entrance.

The east part of Zion is located at higher elevations, and most people just pass by on their road trip, but we spent two outstanding days here.

We explored several rock formations and hiked to the Canyon Overlook and Observation Point. Zion Valley is amazing, but it is simply too crowded in September, and you must take a shuttle bus.

For the east part, you are able to go in your own vehicle, which guarantees more flexibility.

More pictures below.

Kanab – Coyote Buttes North, the Wave and White Pocket

Kanab is more a town where you pass by and may stay for one night. This time, we stayed five nights to participate in the daily lottery of Coyote Buttes North for the Wave. Kanab is located on a plateau, the Grand Staircase. 

The different places here and this staircase show the forming of this area. The highest place of the staircase is Bryce Canyon, and descends in steps to the Paria Plateau.

The Vermillion Cliffs and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument are full of beautiful sandstone formations created by weathering. We visited some of the most beautiful and otherworldly places here.

A dream came true to explore White Pocket and The Wave finally. My first attempt was more than 20 years ago, and finally, Markus won the lottery with just one shot. This is absolutely rare, and everyone congratulated him and suggested he should go to Vegas.

You need a 4 WD and experience for White Pocket, and we booked a tour guide. For The Wave, just a dry road and some driving skills are neede, and you get there in a 2 WD with high clearance.

Both places are simply unique. Coyote Buttes North is much more than most people only check out. The permit is valid for 24 hours, and we returned to our car shortly before sunset. 

There are alternatives for the Wave, which belong to the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. Under the Trump administration, many places lost their status, and a vast area is next to Yellow Rock for sale.

We checked out Yellow Rock for the second time, located between Kanab and Page and walked or rather ran through Nautilus. This region is simply breathtaking.

If you are in Kanab and Page, you must check out a slot canyon, but instead of the super busy Antelope Canyons, we booked a tour into the Antelope Valley and four smaller canyons. We were a group of four and had plenty of time to soak in the beauty and for taking pictures.

Bryce Canyon and Kodachrome State Park

Our intention was slow travelling, and we only continued to Cannonville, close to Bryce Canyon and our beloved Kodachrome State Park.

We are familiar with this area, and instead of a long detour on HW 89, we took the gravel Cottonwood Canyon Road, which was 100 miles shorter and a big adventure.

Bryce Canyon’s highest elevation is above 9000 feet/ 3000 m, and the oldest formation – the Grand Canyon is the youngest. These hoodoo rock formations in orange and pink are easily accessible, and of course, we also went hiking—another wonderful day here in Utah.

Close to Bryce but often overseen is the spectacular Kodachrome State Park, which we already visited last June. Another park with colour explosions and unique rock formations called spires, which are up to 170 feet high.

The staff in this park is super attentive, and the office hours to check in for camping are extraordinary. On top of that, they sell delicious ice cream. 

At some point, even the best time in life can end. We were fortunate to travel around the world for three months. We packed so many experiences in our baggage and met wonderful people.

From Las Vegas, we went back to Europe. Would you like to know what such a world trip costs, what kind of ticket you can book, where you can eat cheap and excellent and where life is cheap or extremely expensive? I will publish additional articles about these topics.

Fifth Stop Australia - Cairns to Brisbane

Our last visit to Australia was before the pandemic. Prices increased a lot, which also mentioned a lovely couple from Sydney. When we arrived in Cairns, we were starving.

We found a nice restaurant offering lobster, crabs, and prawns at the harbour, but a reservation was essential 😣. This nice elderly from Sydney invited us to share the table with them. That was the perfect start for our one month in Queensland. 

Daintree - Wet Tropics - Great Barrier Reef

We are mainly here to explore the Wet Tropics and the Daintree rainforest, maybe spotting a Cassowary, the Great Barrier Reef, and the humpback whales.

The Wet Tropics and the Daintree National Park are absolutely impressive and protected as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nevertheless, where there is rainforest, there is rain even in the drier season.

It frequently rained before we arrived and just stopped upon our arrival. These old-grown trees and giant strangler figs are amazing. 

However, the Daintree is fragmented. Again and again, we drove through bare areas where cows graze, tea and sugar cane plantations occur, or plots of land are sold. The animals, and especially the Cassowary, do not know these borders. A property still covered with virgin forest right next to the National Park is for sale for 250,000 AUD. That irritates us.

You may think this is a fantastic sunset, but it was caused by pollution from sugar cane. It grows in tropical regions like Queensland or the Caribbean. 

No worries, we enjoy our three months off, but with climate change, heat waves, and devastating forest fires, we take a more critical view today. 

Of course, we were delighted by the excellently laid out boardwalks through the rainforest and swamp with mangroves. We were lucky and saw a Cassowary and a curious-looking snake lying on the path in the afternoon but none of the salties, unfortunately.

We watched the snake on our hiking path and gave her time to decide we are not a threat and she moved away.

Croc signs are everywhere, and swimming in the sea in the Daintree is prohibited, but we didn’t spot any. Many of the plants are poisonous to humans and also to wildlife. The animals have partially adapted, and some birds too.

The beaches are magical, and you feel like you are in paradise when the rainforest meets the coral sea. You can quickly spend weeks here, so nine days in the Wet Tropics and the Daintree is less than scratching the surface.

Mossman Gorge is another part of the Daintree and is again owned by the indigenous people. A huge parking lot is outside to protect the forest, and you take a shuttle into the park. This way, no more jungle had to be logged.

The river in this gorge is terrific green, the crystal-clear water, the trees are unique, and if the weather is good, you should pack your swimsuit because you can swim in the river and the pools. Markus could not resist.

My birthday present to Markus was a tour to the outer reef of the Great Barrier Reef, where corals are still relatively well-preserved, the sea is colder, and box jellyfish don’t occur during this season.

The Great Barrier Reef, the most extensive reef system in the world, stretches from the far north at Cape York for 2,300 km until Fraser Island.

How beautiful the reefs must have looked once. This was a fantastic and exhausting day with plenty of humpback whale sightings, three times snorkelling, always one hour at three different parts of the Opal Reef, one of the furthest outer reefs on the continental shelf.

We continued south of Cairns and finally returned to the Wet Tropics, our beloved rainforests. Getting accommodation is tricky at weekends when the weather forecast is excellent, and we ended up in a laid-back small town, “Babinda”, which took us back to 1950.

We spent the night in a lovely house, the former nurse quarter of the town’s hospital, with wonderful hosts.

It was a short drive to the Babinda Boulders, part of the Wet Tropics, and the park is famous for a huge swimming pool or water hole fed by a creek.

There are plenty of such pools, and just another 15-minute drive away is the Josephine Falls. Here you are able to slide on the butt down the rocks that are smooth due to erosion.

Of course, everybody had enormous fun here; while swimming, you are surrounded by rainforests. These natural pools and swimming holes are popular and a great alternative to the sea. Here, high-up swimming is croc-safe. Nevertheless, the water is chilly, below 20°C/68°F.

Our next stop was Etty Bay, famous for Cassowary sightings, and we couldn't believe our luck. We got up before six; yes, we managed it that early and were rewarded with a Cassowary couple early morning and a younger one at the beach around 9 am.

The next day, we even spotted five Cassowaries, three around Etty and two nearby. The highest chance is early morning before nine and in the late afternoon.

Do you wonder why we saw so many of them when there are estimated to be only 1,200 Southern Cassowaries? First, it was our safari experience; the timing is essential, but the second reason frustrates us. The loss of tropical rainforest habitat for plantations and private properties, to say it bluntly for profit, is the reason. Intensive sugar cane growing and coal mining in the hinterland are significant businesses in Queensland.

The easily accessible flat land is cleared, and only the hills and more valueless land are classified as National Park here. In search of food, the Cassowaries are forced to cross roads, walk across grass areas, and along sugar cane plantations until they reach the next rainforest. Heavy-loaded trucks pass by at high speed.

I do not judge about the past, but today, with our knowledge and what happens worldwide with our climate, logging primary forest is a crime IMO. Cassowaries are classified as vulnerable, but they will be extinct in the future if the government does not stop the sell-off.

More about the Cassowaries in Queensland , when and where you are able to spot them.

Whitsundays

Whitehaven Beach, one of the top 3 beaches in the world, was on my bucket list for decades. We had booked a tour far in advance, and it turned out to be the best on offer here in the Whitsundays.

We went snorkelling and enjoyed the National Park, beach and rays in the shallow water. Whitehaven Beach is definitely a remarkable place. 

Afterwards, we were spoilt with a BBQ buffet and beverages. The crew of the Camira Sailing boat ran the extra mile for their guests on the catamaran sailing boat.

We are hooked on snorkelling, but getting a pure snorkel trip at different locations is offered on private charters only. However, we explored parts of Airlie Beach and the Conway National Park on foot.

A colleague of Markus's asked if we can still digest all the experiences. He was right, and a little break was doing us good. We prepared delicious seafood dishes almost daily wherever we were. The fish and prawns are of an excellent quality.

There are still four more tours here in Australia at the beautiful coast planned, which we will do soon. Best of all, we meet up with our friend Rik from Melbourne. He will celebrate our silver wedding anniversary with us.

Kangaroos on the Beach at Sunrise

We headed south to Burnett Heads, an 8 ½ hours drive – 750 km. This country/continent is immense, and we planned three days for the entire journey.

By accident, we crossed the Cape Hillsborough National Park at the coast and camped next to the beach for one night. What a fantastic park full of wildlife, great walks and the icing on the cake, kangaroos at the beach at sunrise. More about the kangaroos at sunrise and the Cape Hillsborough .

We behave like Australians going to bed before ten and up around six for the kangaroos even earlier. It is already pitch dark at 6 p.m. in winter. This is the best way to get the most out of your day. I even went swimming in a pool before breakfast.

We learnt here that there are eight different types of stingers, jellyfish that can kill you – photo of the eight , the sizes and how toxic they are.

Therefore, most of the paradise beaches are not busy. It is advised to go to the sea with a stinger suit only. We are almost entirely covered in our neoprene gear, including a hoody – a picture of my wetsuit . We access the sea during guided tours to the Great Barrier Reef only.

Lady Musgrave Island

The second southernmost reef and island of the Great Barrier Reef. This was our best Great Barrier Reef snorkel and dive experience. This is a magical place. The reef protects the lagoon which has a size of 1000 acres.

The corals still shine in all possible colours because the water is colder in the south. We have seen giant turtles, a ray, and incredibly many fish in the crystal clear water.

Lady Musgrave Island is fascinating and a heaven for bird watchers. We spotted brown boobies, and in most of the trees were nesting black noddies.

Now comes the story, like being in a BBC documentary. The Pisonia trees are the nesting habitat of the black noddies coming from Papua Neuguinea, and these trees kill the black noddies with their sticky seed pods.

This island turns into a cemetery for them in summer. Mother Nature is sometimes cruel, but the birds fertilise the soil, and the trees need this nutrition.

If there is one place I would love to go back for an entire week, it would be Lady Musgrave in December, when you are able to witness the serial killing and nesting turtles. 

Fraser Island and the Humpback Whales in the Hervey Bay

Hervey Bay is the “entrance gate” to K’gari (spoken Gari), previously known as Fraser Island, and for the humpback whales in this bay. We finally met up with our friend Rik from Melbourne after four years and had a fantastic time together.

This weekend was our wedding anniversary, where nature treated us with many surprises.  We enjoyed the sunny summer weather, although it was officially the beginning of spring in Australia. Here, spring starts on the first of September. 

Our first tour to the whales and K’gari was cancelled due to strong winds, but it couldn’t stop us from having a great time together at the beach and a great restaurant.

Our private Fraser Island tour with just four people and our guide, Hans, was outstanding. This island is 123 km long and the largest sand island in the world. We went swimming in the purest water ever. The Lake Mckenzie or Boorangoora is fed by rainwater. The colours of the lake were mesmerising, and Hans went there with us first.

After an excellent morning tea, he dropped us off for the Pile Valley hike through the rainforest.

Afterwards, he provided lunch before we continued to the Seventy-Five Mile Beach, where you are able to drive on with a max speed of 80 km/h. That was great fun.

Rik and Flore from France had a big wish to see a wild Dingo, and surprisingly, we got three in total, which is absolutely rare. Even Hans was excited about the two feeding on fish at the beach. K’gari Island is definitely a Must-Do in Queensland, and we all left the island with a big smile.

Going on a whale-watching tour usually means seeing a few swimming whales, but Hervey Bay is so different.

What we experienced here was the icing on the cake in Queensland during our one-month journey and, indeed, will never be topped again.

We spotted plenty of whales breaching, spy hopping, and slapping, and they came curiously close to our boat. The tour we chose was special; when other tour operators left, they provided lunch and continued to other whales.

Nevertheless, it was respectful whale-watching, letting the whales interact with us.

Thanks to a recommendation from our neighbour in the Tasman Camping Park, we were spoilt with another unique experience: seeing humpback dolphins in the wild . There are roughly one thousand in Australia, and we saw four adults and a young one. Thanks, Geoffrey! 

Noosa National Park

Our next stop was the Boreen Point Campground and Noosa National Park.

We chose this campground because of the excellent reviews, and this was the best and most beautifully located site we got during our month-long journey.

This is an excellent spot if you like to escape the crowds and stay in spacious sites in nature.

We came here to hike in the Noosa National Park along the coastal path and to check out the Fairy Pools. Noosa is exceptional; the coastal walk with a fresh breeze, the lush vegetation and beautiful beaches are worth visiting, but the pools are not.

They are far too dangerous and overhyped on social media. More about Noosa and these pools will be in an additional article soon.

Mary Cairnscross Scenic Reserve

Our journey through Eastern Australia was soon ending, but we checked out a patch of rainforest on our journey to Brisbane first.

The walk through the rainforest was 2 km long and usually took less than one hour, but it took us several hours. We have rarely seen such giant strangler figs and red cedar trees.

Pademelons occur here, and we spotted several in the bush. The Mary Cairnscross Scenic Reserve and the sound of different birds were the perfect last stop in Australia. 

This highly valued timber attracted the first European settlers in Australia in all rainforests, and red cedar is rare nowadays.

Our month in Queensland was outstanding. We rarely experienced so many adventures, diverse landscapes, and National Parks in such a short time. It is a slow pace here, and evenings are quiet in winter. Due to the short daylight hours, most people went to bed early and woke at 6 a.m. when the sun rose.

Fourth Stop Singapore

This city is overwhelming, impressive, and fantastic, one of our top five must-visit cities. Usually, we prefer the woods, and here you can walk through the lush rainforest and spot colourful birds, and ten minutes later, you are taking the underground back.

When we arrived at Changi Airport, it took us less than 30 minutes until we left the airport, including immigration and picking up the luggage. Taking the underground was also simple, you just take your credit card, and you get access instead of buying a ticket from a machine or booking it online.

We didn’t need a rental; it all worked excellently, even getting to Nature Reserves and into rainforests. It is all so very sufficiently organised in Singapore.

Housing is scarce in Singapore; therefore, hotel rooms must be space-saving and furnished. Our room was less than 20 sqm big, but we felt comfortable and slept fantastic here. The view from the 18th floor was great. Most hotels offer a garden for their guests in higher elevations.

Our hotel, the Lyf Farrer, was next to the MRT (public transport system) and a massive mall in Little India, perfect for grabbing breakfast or an early lunch.

Of course, we first went to the Gardens of the Bay and bought tickets to all the sights there. This dramatic-looking “Supertree Grove” is from another world. One tree has an observatory deck offering excellent views, and between two others is a skywalk 22 m high.

We visited the supertrees twice to watch the light and sound show the following evening. These “Supertrees” are one of the main attractions, and it gets crowded here from midday until night. Due to our night flight, we arrived early at Changi Airport and enjoyed the impressive architecture almost alone.

Another attraction is the glass-covered “Cloud Forest”. When we accessed the monumental, architected masterpiece made of glass, we were surprised by the pleasant temperature inside because it was scorching outside with 33°C and 100% humidity.

During our visit was an Avatar exhibition. Lots of these characters were placed around. Visitors are first welcomed by a massive 35 m high waterfall and immense trees inside. The entire construction, the trees, plants, fern trees, we felt like in a cool- temperate rainforest.

The “Flower Dome” is also a glass dome that contains plenty of ancient olive trees, baobab trees, plants from around the world and an orchid garden. The temperature in the dome was pleasant and cool compared to the heat outside.

There is so much to see and do in Singapore that we chose a few locations that interested us most. A highlight for us was the MacRitchie rainforest walk in the Nature Reserve, which is easy to get to by bus in northern central Singapore.

It is a popular local running track; not many oversea visitors walk here. This hike includes a Tree Top Walk on a suspension bridge and the Jelutong Tower, with excellent views of the canopy.

On the entire walk, it felt like hiking through different vegetation zones. When we reached the water reservoir again, we hiked along and through a swamp on a well-kept track and boardwalk.

We heard and saw many birds, monkeys were around, and plenty of butterflies were swirling. Officially the trail is 9,5 km or 11 km long, but overall, with sightseeing in Singapore in the evening, we hiked almost a new record (Grand Canyon was 37k): 36,000 steps – 28 km. We were utterly exhausted, but it was so worth it.

Singapore is a must-do. There is a great food variety, and the Singaporeans are super friendly and nice. We felt safe here all the time. More about this country and hike when we are back home. 

Third Stop South Africa    

We were in South Africa during wintertime in the southern hemisphere. Most accommodations do not have heating, and we sat in our down jackets at our laptops.

However, we were travelling with our warm winter-down sleeping bags, so we didn't care much. We were here to meet Paul, who developed this theme of besttime2travel.com with our friend Rik from Australia. 

Sedgefield and Knysna

South Africa was fantastic, and as a friend told me, South Africa will treat you well. We regret that we left this wonderful country already. We only came here to spend time with Paul and Janet and, in addition to spot Southern Right Whales. 

Getting to know a small town like Sedgefield and its residents with friends was a completely different experience, and they welcomed us with open arms. We came together for the sundowner each evening and felt like being part of the community. Rose, Brad, Allistair, THANKS!

Our remote cottage on top of a hill with breathtaking views of the lagoon was the perfect place for us in Sedgefield. Janet and Paul took us on a 4 WD track and showed us Jubilee Creek in the Knysna Forest.

While they prepared a delicious “braii” a South African BBQ for us, we hiked along and through a creek to a waterfall.

We were amazed by this lush and thick rainforest.

What a memorable day we will never forget. Here is more information about Jubilee Creek , the picnic area and the walk along old mines.

Sedgefield is situated along the Garden Route but is not busy. The beach and a massive rock formation called Gericke’s Point were other excellent spots we explored during low tide.

We spotted plenty of birds and wildlife more than expected.

We thought we would know all the beautiful places along the Garden Route, but there are many more. Swartvlei Beach and Gericke’s Point and also Jubilee Creek were amazing.

It was great to meet Paul and Janet. Meeting friends around the world means a lot to us, making our trip memorable.

Wintertime is the best time for whale watching from Hermanus, and yep, we were right. On the way back to Cape Town, we went on one of the best trips ever. However, before we were able to take part in such a trip, we ran through a thriller. Our first stay in Hermanus was windy and rainy, and all tours were cancelled.

On the way back from Sedgefield, we gave it another try, and the weather plus swell were perfect. We couldn’t get our car out of the garage when we left the rental cottage. An unforeseen load shedding prevented us from opening the garage. Luckily, we got the car of the cottage owner borrowed.

The Southern Right Whales come to Hermanus for mating and give birth in Walker Bay. This place, indeed, did not disappoint. We spotted plenty of whales close to the shore during our whale-watching trip. It took only 15 minutes by boat to reach the bay, and suddenly we were surrounded by breaching males, flapping young ones and mothers with their calves.

Curious? Also, for Hermanus, I will add an additional guide on when to spot whales and which ones, where to stay and, importantly, whe to eat excellent seafood.

Wintertime is southern right whale season here in Hermanus. Rain or shine, you are able to see them in Walker Bay from land.

There are plenty of outlooks; some are accessible by car, some on foot on the cliff path. We already spotted plenty of whale moms and their calves and jumping males.

We have two favourite viewpoints; one excellent to watch them out of the car - it is really cold here, and one from the coast.

Travelling on a budget works excellently here in South Africa.

I usually do not use the word cheap, but here it is, and we spoil ourselves with excellent seafood and meat.

Our self-catering apartment is huge and offers an excellent view out to the sea. We can't wish for better despite the cold temps and rain. However, the weather forecast looked great for the upcoming week. 

We drove up to a hill on the Rotary Way Drive for an excellent view of Walker Bay and hiked in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve in the afternoon to see more of the typical Cape vegetation and proteas .

Of course, we tried out another restaurant, and Markus ate sushi, and I line fish. The weather was not excellent, so we needed to treat ourselves with delicious food.

Our Essential Gear Tip

You probably know it too, you just want to prepare a coffee or tea, but there is no kettle in the accommodation, or you have no gas available at the campground. But you have electricity in most cases, and we have found the perfect solution on the road.

Heating up water on the go with our new electric smart cup became so easy. In less than 5 minutes, you can get a bottle of boiled water. Order the kettle from Amazon for the USA 110 V or Europe and the rest of the world ,

Enjoy a hot drink or dehydrated meal wherever you are. It is lightweight, operates safely, and automatically stops heating when the water runs dry, or there is no water in there.

Our new kettle provides us with a lot of quality time on our journey.

Second Stop Azores

After that, we continued to the Azores. The Azores and Madeira have simply done it to us. These islands are all of volcanic origin and utterly different. There are 9 Azores islands; four we already know, and three more are on our program. If you want to know more about the Azores, follow the link above.

More than half of the Azores' population works in agriculture, which primarily means livestock and dairy farming. The agricultural sector is the most important economic sector in the Azores. Dairy products (mainly cheese) and live cattle are the primary export products.

Every Azores Island has its own charm. One reason to visit São Jorge is surely the picturesque Fajãs. 

We are first on the beautiful island of Sao Jorge to see the majestic Pico from the south side. After only one day in Sao Jorge, this island has done it to us with its beauty, sheer cliffs, lush vegetation, and an impressive night active bird.

We had an excellent restaurant within walking distance. When we walked back after dinner to our self-catering cottage in the night, we heard plenty of screaming birds and all with different sounds and vocals and loud. 

We figured out this is the Cory’s Shearwater which visits the Azores from spring to fall for mating and breeding. You can hear their birdcall in my additional Sao Jorge article.

It was the right decision to go to the Azores while mainland of Europe experienced scorching temperatures. It is pleasant, with temperatures around 24°C/75°F in the shade. The sea temperature is awesome, 21°C/70°F, and we have a great natural swimming pool accessible by steps and ladders.

Luckily, we were in Sao Jorge for an entire week and knew why. The first days were fantastic, and we could see Pico all the time, but then we were forced to take a break because it poured heavily. However, in the late afternoon, we decided to give it a try, and we went to another Fajã in the north, just half an hour's drive. 

The topography of Sao Sorge is like a high plateau and tiny coastal plains called Fajãs, and we were right. It was cloudy and rainy everywhere, but the sun was shining where we went to. The Fajã da Ribeira da Areia turned out to be one of the most breathtaking places here. Writing a detailed guide about Sao Jorge wasn't planned, but this island deserves it. Sao Jorge is one of the most beautiful Azores islands, and we are addicted to this bird sound.

Sao Jorge Detailed Guide and Pictures

Flores belongs to the western Azores Islands. Getting here is always a little challenging. There are direct flights available from Sao Miguel and Faial, but due to a festival, it took us an entire day, and we had to change the plane three times from Sao Jorges to Flores. However, we were curious about this lush green island and its waterfalls and it did not diasppoint.

Who needs Hawaii when you can have the Azores? Flores is absolutely breathtaking a sea of green in all shades and a tremendous landscape. Flores is the wettest island of the Azores therefore, the weather decides where to go. We decided first on the most famous spot, "Poço Ribeira do Ferreiro". Look at this picture; it really looks like that and even better.

Another highlight is the lakes in the hinterland at higher elevations. These lakes we completely covered in clouds and fog during the day, and we took our chance when it cleared up on our way back to Santa Cruz das Flores where we stayed for three days before pitching the tent in Faja Grande.

If travelling to Flores, visiting Corvo for a day is a MUST. Corvo is the smallest Azores Island and is famous for its huge caldera on top of the island. We were lucky and chose the absolute best day for such a trip. The weather was great, and the tour company, a smaller one where we booked the transfer, were top-notch.

First, he showed us some waterfalls and caves of Flores, he stopped for us for the dolphins and the same on the way back, and the icing on the cake was a sperm whale. We approached the whale in silence and slowly.

We could hear the whale breathing. This was the perfect day, and we paid just 40 € per person.

Flores and Corvo Island  - Things to Do and Pictures.

You may wonder how the Azores can be compared to Hawaii, but all are volcanic in origin and in many ways very similar, only that the Azores are much less expensive. We prefer to eat where the locals go, and our starter is always a "sopa do dia", the soup of the day, which is homemade and costs between 1,50-2,50€.

Our last island in the Azores before we continued to South Africa. It is our second visit to Terceira, and again, we figured out some exceptional hikes through lush forests like Hawaii or Tasmania.

We couldn't resist and visited Algar do Carvao, an amazing vertical cave, again. We found another excellent hike in higher elevations, offering spectacular views into a caldera. Although our second visit, it was worth coming here.

More about Terceira, where we explored forests, caves, went swimming and enjoyed some of the best seafood dishes in my additional Terceira Guide .

We visited seven of the nine islands in the last two years and spent six weeks in the Azores. Do you wish to know which ones are our top 3? More soon here.

Portugal - Lisbon - Our Second Home

First, we went to our second home in Portugal, Lisbon, where we got many hugs and kisses. The Portuguese like to kiss a lot, and we love their warm nature and, of course, the Portuguese cuisine. 

First Stop Estoril - Cascais, Close to Lisbon

A day at the sea at our beloved second home in Estoril. A beautiful 3 km long beach promenade between Estoril and Cascais has natural swimming pools, beaches, restaurants and bars.

Enjoying the summer at the Atlantic, great food and a long walk was the perfect start for us. 

What can not be missed here is a "Bolas Berlim", filled with a delicious cream and is much tastier than the "Berliner" in Germany.

Berlengas Islands had been on our bucket list for a decade already, but getting here needs a bit of planning because only offered from the end of spring to fall, and good weather is important.

We were very fortunate because all tours were cancelled the week before due to storms. Of course, this was a bumpy ferry ride, and luckily, we did not eat much for breakfast.

Most famous are the picturesque fortress São João Baptista and the beach Praia do Carreiro do Mosteiro, and we were truly amazed by the crystal clear water, the fishes, and the nesting birds.

Although very touristy, we really loved it here. And, of course, we also swam in this green water, as seen in our YouTube short . More details and pictures from our trip in my Berlengas Guide

When we are near Lisbon, we usually visit some of our favourite places and a restaurant all close together. Rarely, however, have we had such a perfect day.

We first visited Adraga Beach - Praia da Adraga at low tide. Only then the beach is spectacular with its rock formations, caves and a hidden beach.

Our lunch at Adraga Restaurant was one of the best we ever had in Portugal; it was a 2 1/2 hours feast. Curious? Check out the menu and what we paid for our feast here.

Afterwards, we visited the hidden Praia da Ursa or Ursa Beach and watched a spectacular sunset at Cabo da Roca.

This was truly a remarkable day which you are able to see in our next YouTube Short , and video soon.

Best Months to Visit

Related Topics

Location and Tips

Follow us on our trip around the world here, be part of our journey and subscribe to our YouTube Channel  to watch our highlights. Explore five continents with us.

We think we have to live now, not postpone everything until later. We don't know how long we will be able to stay on this planet. Our life is finite. My thoughts are with my best friend from school, who passed away on Saturday, July 1. 

Ultimate Around the World Itinerary | 1 Year Around the World

By: Author Charles

Posted on August 25, 2023

In March of 2019, I quit my job, packed a couple of carry-on bags, and took a one-way flight to Auckland, New Zealand to begin my around the world itinerary.

Over the course of the next 375 days, I traveled to 20 countries and countless cities in 6 continents. I put together this post to walk you through the exact route, and how it all came together the way it did.

Whether, you are just interested in reading along, or you would like to put together an around the world itinerary for yourself, I hope this can inspire you!

*  Affiliate Disclosure : This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase through the links provided, at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting the work I put into TripTins!

1) Around the World Itinerary Overview

I knew from early on in my career that travel was a very important aspect of my life. I didn’t know at the time though, that I would have it in me to quit my safe corporate job of 6 years and travel for an extended period of time.

Instead of taking those few 10-day vacations and always looking forward to just taking that next trip, I thought a full year of solo travel would be the right move for me. I could visit places that would have taken years for me to get to, and challenge myself consistently along the way.

So, on March 13 2019, I hopped on a flight from JFK to LAX and then onwards to Auckland, New Zealand (essentially as far as one can get!). Over the course of the next 12 months, I got to experience some of the best travel moments of my life.

Whether it was meeting locals, exploring cities, hiking high into the mountains, trying new foods, engraining myself in new cultures, or hanging out with like-minded travelers. The one year of travel ended up being the best decision of my life, and one of the reasons, this site came to be .

Around the World Stats Days: 375  Countries: 20 Cities: ~100

2) Travel Considerations

As I planned the trip, there were a few “main” aspects that I was sure to plan the trip around. These included – weather, local holidays for & peak seasons, logistics, among a few other considerations.

Probably the most important aspect of the around the world itinerary, was making sure I was visiting countries during the best time of year from a weather standpoint .

I did not want to go through all of this, just to visit countries when it was rainy season or when I couldn’t take part of certain activities.

For example, I made sure to visit Nepal during November when the weather was at its clearest (but quite cold) and there was little risk of rain and clouds ruining the trekking views. I made my way to the Philippines at the tail end of the dry season and Costa Rica at the beginning of their dry season.

At the end of the day, it was all about being able to fully enjoy my time in each place on a day to day basis and not have constant days where the weather wouldn’t allow me to do anything.

With that said, the weather is unpredictable and you never know what it can bring (no matter how much you plan). There were certainly days I was completely rained out of doing anything, and times where I had to move things around last minute to circumvent the weather.

But by initially planning the trip to avoid poorer weather conditions, I feel as I was really able to get the most out of the journey.

Local Holidays & Seasons

Another thing that I considered is to avoid traveling to countries during the local’s national holidays . While dealing with tourists is one thing, dealing with a whole country traveling at the same time is another.

This isn’t across every country out there of course, but for some countries during these holiday times, many locals decide to travel for themselves.

This results in less availability for hotels and more expensive prices altogether . A couple that come to mind are Golden Week in Japan and Holy Week in the Philippines. 

I will caveat that with saying, sometimes it can be a great experience to take part of certain local celebrations if that is what is of interest to you.

In addition to holidays, I also tried to avoid peak season when most tourists are traveling to a certain destination .

Now, this is certainly not avoidable if traveling for a year, but it can help to steer clear of some places during those peak seasons.

Instead, I tried to visit places during shoulder seasons, as the weather is great but just less people are traveling to these places. At the end of the day it is just picking and choosing what works best.

The last main consideration when planning the trip was the logistics side of things. I just wanted to be sure that there was an easy way to get between city A and city B .

Whether that be a plane, boat, train or bus, I just didn’t want to put myself in the position where I would have to go drastically out of my way to continue on with the next city or country.

To the best of my abilities, I attempted to book direct flights when possible . I remember in the Philippines for example, there were not direct flights between certain islands or they were not operating every day of the week. I had to put the itinerary together so I was not wasting full days just to get between two islands. 

If I was renting a car, and I was taking a one way route through a country (such as Austria), I had to be certain that I could pick up and drop off the car in two separate locations without a hefty fee. 

With that said though, there were certainly times where I had to compromise with logistics. If I really wanted to travel somewhere but it would take days of traveling, I had to be fine with that. It all becomes a balance between everything .

Other Considerations

Also considered in the travel planning was the flexibility and having time to just unwind without anything planned. While I put together a list of countries and things I wanted to do in each country, I never had it written out to a tee.

I consistently moved things around as I went and sometimes did not even have a set date to leave a country I was in. Having that flexibility helped big time when things didn’t go 100% according to plan .

I also wanted to be sure that I had time to just rest and recover . For the majority of the trip I was out and about from morning until night. All of that traveling can take a toll on the body.

So, you will see times in the itinerary where I may have stayed longer than one may expect just to have time to do nothing and all.

When I combined the weather, holidays, and logistics, an itinerary began to form that I continuously worked on for months leading up to the trip.

→ Learn more: check out the planning a trip around the world and around the world cost guides for many more considerations when putting together an itinerary, as well as my around the world packing list

With that said though, there were some things that I had to plan around, making this around the world trip a bit more difficult to plan out than initially expected. See the next section for more on that…

3) What I Planned Around

Now, the around the world itinerary didn’t come without any hitches. There were a few things that came up which altered my initial travel planning.

Timing is never perfect to take a full year off from your friends and family. And there were certain events that I just had to come back for. Due to this, you will see a bit of interesting travel plans that the trip goes through.

» I spent October of 2019 back in the US as I had weddings to attend of close friends. Due to this I ended up staying the month back in the US before heading out again (and did get to visit NYC, Philadelphia and Chicago during my time back). Then again in December 2019, I came back again, but this time just for a quick weekend.

» On top of that, my trip was originally going to be closer to 15 months of travel. As we all know though, Covid started to ramp up in March of 2020. The end of my trip was a bit hectic trying to figure out where to go and what to do. But on March 20, 2020 I ended up taking one of the final flights out of South Africa before the world went into lockdown.

4) Around the World Itinerary Details

From start to finish the trip lasted 375 days with 329 days outside of the country. Over the course of those 375 days I visited 6 continents, 20 countries, and upwards of 100 cities. I ended up splitting out my trip in five phases:

Phase 1 : NZ/AU/Asia Phase 2 : Middle East / Europe Phase 3* : Nepal Phase 4 : Central and South America Phase 5 : Asia/Africa -> cut short

→ *I returned home before/after I traveled to Nepal

Below is the country by country route I took along with the number of days (including days to travel to them). Throughout the remainder of the post I will go into detail about where I decided to travel to in each country.

Country #1: New Zealand (29 days) Country #2: Japan (12 days) Country #3: South Korea (11 days) Country #4: Philippines (20 days) Country #5: Indonesia (30 days) Country #6: Australia (21 days) Country #7: Singapore (4 days) Country #8: Israel (17 days) Country #9: Jordan (4 days) Country #10: Austria (10 days) Country #11: Germany (6 days) Country #12: Slovenia (11 days) Country #13: Croatia (15 days) Country #14: Montenegro (10 days) Country #15: Nepal (26 days) Country #16: Belize (17 days) Country #17: Costa Rica (24 days) Country #18: Argentina (21 days) Country #19: Chile (11 days) Country #20: Sri Lanka (24 days)

Bonus : South Africa for 5 days until I had to take an emergency flight back home on my final day

Some of my travel plans would not necessarily look efficient on paper (Chile to Sri Lanka for example). However, given I did need to make some stops back in the US as I spoke about earlier, and with Covid ending the trip early, the trip doesn’t always make perfect sense without knowing the details.

You can see that I did spend quite a bit of time in many of these countries (24 days in Costa Rica). Like I said, when planning the trip, I did not want to rush myself in a country.

I wanted to truly enjoy all different aspects of where I was . I also wanted to be sure to have enough “rest” days, to just spend time to regroup and reset before continuing on.

You may find many itineraries out there that visit double the amount of countries in the same time period. But at the end of the day, each person has their own travel style and what they want to accomplish on a trip like this.

For me, it was seeing the world at my pace and really engraining myself in each country I visited.

5) Around the World Itinerary Map

Below is a map of each and every place I visited all along the year long journey. You not only can see the cities I visited, but you can also see nearly every attraction I got to visit along the way.

Feel free to zoom in for more details!

6) 1 Year Around the World Itinerary

With that all said, below is a breakdown of each country along with the main cities/attractions I got to enjoy along the way.

New Zealand (March 13 – April 10)

I started off the around the world itinerary by taking a one-way flight to Auckland, New Zealand and from there got to explore both the North Island and South Island of the country.

After spending a night in Auckland, I grabbed a rental car, and then began the journey from north to south. Along the way I was able to visit the following places:

• Auckland • Waitakere Ranges • Rotorua • Taupo • Tongariro Alpine Crossing • Wellington • Abel Tasman National Park • Punakaiki* • Wanaka • Te Anau • Queenstown • Mount Cook • Pukaki • Christchurch

* As I was making my way down the western coast of the South Island, a major storm caused mudslides and a collapsed bridge. I ended up missing out on Franz Josef and had to spend a day driving around the island to Wanaka. Always good to have the flexibility to change things on the fly!

Japan (April 11 – April 22)

From Christchurch, I hopped on a flight to Tokyo via Brisbane. After a full day of travel, I arrived to Tokyo, where started my 12 days through Japan .

Since this was my second time in Japan, I did not spend as long as I might have if it was my first time. While I certainly went to some of the same places from my initial trip, I did not go back to places like Kobe, Hiroshima , Miyajima and Osaka.

However, I did get to visit a bunch of new places as well, and took the following journey through Japan:

• Tokyo • Kamakura • Hakone • Takayama • Shirakawago • Kanazawa • Kyoto • Nara

South Korea (April 23 – May 3)

It was then off to South Korea as I flew directly from Osaka to Jeju Island. Over the course of the next 10 days or so, I visited three beautiful places in the country:

• Jeju Island (+ Mount Hallasan hike !) • Gyeongju • Seoul

Philippines (May 4 – May 23)

After a successful time around South Korea, it was then onto the Philippines. It was all about the beaches, water, and island life during this portion of the trip.

As the rainy season starts in June, I got there just in time to fully enjoy the experience. Besides a few nighttime rain showers, it was all clear to enjoy some time in the sun. I ended up spending time in 4 different islands for around 4-5 days each.

Logistics were important here as it can get quite tricky to travel around the country. With a combinations of boats and direct flights, I ended up visiting these places:

• Coron • El Nido • Bohol • Siargao

Indonesia (May 24 – June 22)

You are only allowed to visit Indonesia for 30 days without getting a longer term visa, so that is exactly what I decided to do. I spent a full month exploring the country visiting many places along the way .

While 30 days does sound like a long time, Indonesia is a massive country. I can honestly spend a year traveling around the country and still have things to do. But during my month there I started on the island of Java and then got to visit:

• Yogyakarta • Lumajang / East Java Waterfalls • Cemoro Lawang / Mount Bromo • Banyuwangi / Ijen Crater • Munduk • Ubud • Nusa Penida • Gili Trawangan • Mount Rinjani • Komodo National Park

From Komodo, it was then a quick flight back to Bali , where I headed off to Australia for the next portion of my trip.

Australia (June 23 – July 12)

Australia was one country, where it was a bit tougher to pick a time of year that worked weather wise for various cities around the country. I could have gone right after New Zealand but found some of the logistics a bit too difficult to manage.

Either way though, while I did not have the beach weather for Sydney, all else went great in the cities further up north. Below were the places I traveled to during my few weeks in Australia :

• Sydney • Blue Mountains • Whitsundays • Cairns / Great Barrier Reef • Port Douglas • Daintree Rainforest • Uluru / Kata Tjuta • Kings Canyon • Alice Springs / West MacDonnell Ranges

Singapore (July 13 – July 16)

From Alice Springs I took a flight over to Perth for a quick layover before heading off to Singapore. I decided to split Singapore into two parts.

The first couple days I would spend sightseeing all around the city. For the second two days, I opted for a bit of relaxing and treated myself to two nights at the Marina Bay Sands hotel.

Overall, the four days in Singapore ended up great and got me ready for the next leg of my trip as I traveled all the way to Israel.

Israel & Jordan (July 17 – August 2)

When visiting Israel, I knew that I wanted to spend a few days in Jordan visiting a couple of the top sites.

So, I ended up traveling around Israel for 10 days, and then ended up in Eilat. From Eilat, I traveled into Jordan for 4 days and then re-entered Israel, where I spent another week.

While I could have figured out the logistics to be a bit more favorable, the three weeks between Israel and Jordan ended up something like this:

• Jerusalem • Ein Gedi / Masada • Dead Sea • Mitzpe Ramon • Eilat • Petra • Wadi Rum • Haifa* • Tel Aviv

* After visiting Jordan, I crossed back into Eilat, rented a car and drove all the way north to Haifa. I spent a few days exploring the northern coast and ended the trip in Tel Aviv for a few days of beach time.

Austria & Germany (August 8 – August 23)

After taking a flight from Tel Aviv to Vienna, I spent the next 2+ weeks driving my way through Austria and the Bavaria region of Germany. I spent time in cities and out in the mountains, while visiting several places along the way:

• Vienna • Hallstatt • Berchtesgaden • Garmisch Partenkirchen • Mayrhofen

This is also a time where the weather did not always go according to plan. It was nice to have some extra days here in order to wait out the couple days of poor weather and then get up into the mountains.

Slovenia (August 24 – September 3)

From Mayrhofen, I took the quick drive to Innsbruck, dropped off my rental car and then took a train over to Ljubljana. I spent the next 10+ days driving around Slovenia and enjoying all different aspects of the country including:

• Ljubljana • Lake Bled • Bohinj • Bovec • Piran

Croatia (September 4 – September 18)

A quick train from Ljubljana to Zagreb and it was then time to explore Croatia for two weeks . I opted against renting a car here and just made my way around the country using busses and ferries. Along the way I got to visit:

• Zagreb • Plitvice National Park • Zadar • Krka National Park • Split • Hvar • Korcula • Mljet • Dubrovnik

Montenegro (September 19 – September 28)

Montenegro was the last country on the first portion of my trip around the world . I took a bus from Dubrovnik to Kotor and then rented a car for the next 10 days. During those days I made my way to a few different places:

• Kotor • Durmitor National Park • Lake Skadar • Sveti Stefan

My last night of the 200 th day of my trip was spent in the small coastal town of Sveti Stefan, where I got to enjoy one last sunset before making my way back to the US for the next month.

After heading to a couple of weddings and traveling to cities like NYC, Philadelphia and Chicago, I then made the round trip journey to Nepal. Here is where I took part of the Three Passes Trek + Everest Base Camp.

Nepal (November 11 – December 6)

Visiting the Himalayas had been a life dream of mine, and during this around the world trip, I finally got to experience some time there. I decided to go for the Three Passes Trek , which is essentially a longer version of the standard Everest Base Camp trek .

In addition to EBC, I got to head over the Kongma La , Cho La , and Renjo La passes, visit the Gokyo Lakes , and trek up peaks like Chukhung Ri and Gokyo Ri .

After three weeks of trekking, I had a few days of relaxing in Kathmandu before heading back for a quick weekend in NYC .

Belize (December 10 – 27)

It was then time to explore some of Central and South America, as I headed from New York down to Belize. During my time in Belize I spent several days scuba diving, visiting the inland of the country, and finishing up at the beach .

Technically I actually went to another country during the trip as I also did make the quick one night journey to Tikal in Guatemala. Overall, the trip to Belize (and Guatemala) looked like this:

• Ambergris Caye • Caye Caulker • San Ignacio • Tikal • Cockscomb Basin • Placencia

Costa Rica (December 28 – January 19)

It was then off to Costa Rica , where I got to spend 3+ weeks traveling to all different parts of the country.

It was a great mixture between volcanoes, rainforests, wildlife, hiking, and beaches as I visited the following places:

• Poas / La Paz Waterfall Gardens • La Fortuna / Arenal • Monteverde • Manuel Antonio • Corcovado National Park • Uvita • Cerro Chirripo • San Jose*

*The plan was to visit the Caribbean coast for the final few days of the trip around Puerto Viejo. However, the weather had different plans. So, I decided to just spend a few days in San Jose, rest and recover there before heading off to Patagonia for the next month of hiking.

Argentina (January 20 – February 9)

While I did spend a day in Buenos Aires, the main aspect of this portion of the trip was to hike my way through Patagonia . While, I did visit during what is considered one of the best times of year to go from a weather perspective, I still knew the risk of the Patagonian weather.

One day can be nice and sunny, while the next day could be a complete snowstorm (yes even in their summer months!). I mean, I even had a day when it was sunny and snowing at the same time .

Knowing the unpredictability of the weather, I decided to always give myself extra days in each one of the places I visited . This way if the weather did not cooperate for a day or two, I still would be able to enjoy my time there.

And for the most part, that is exactly what happened. Half the time I was in El Chalten, the weather made hiking impossible. A couple days in El Calafate by the Perito Merino Glacier were completely clouded over. But since I planned to have more days than necessary, it all worked out pretty well in the end as I visited these regions:

• Ushuaia • El Calafate • El Chalten • Huemul Circuit

Chile (February 10 – February 20)

From El Chalten, I bussed back to El Calafate, and then took a bus ride over to Puerto Natales in Chile. From there began the O Circuit Trek in Torres Del Paine National Park (an extended version of the famous W Trek ) .

This was actually one portion of Patagonia, where I could not just add on more days for a weather buffer. Since I needed to book the accommodation in the park well in advance, I was locked into my days.

Although the weather was not perfect for some of the days on the trail, it was more than suitable for some trekking. Some top highlights included the Grey Glacier , French Valley , and Mirador Las Torres .

After 8 days of hiking the “O”, I made my way back to Puerto Natales and flew to Santiago to end my time in Chile.

Sri Lanka (February 21 – March 15)

It was then across the world to Sri Lanka , where I got to see the ins and outs of the country for the next three weeks. Yes, I know not the best flight plan, but I planned to spend the next several months in Asia/Africa. Along the way I got to experience a little bit of everything including:

• Colombo • Habarana • Polonnaruwa • Kandy • Dalhousie / Adam’s Peak • Nuwara Eliya • Ella • Yala & Udawalawe Safaris • Mirissa

And here is where things just started to get a bit crazy. We are talking March of 2020 as the world began to turn upside down. The remainder of my trip I was supposed to go to China (quickly got nixed), India, South Africa and Namibia.

I soon realized though, that traveling was no longer an option. After deciding to go to South Africa, I just lasted a few days in Cape Town, before taking one of the last flights out of the country back to the US. It wasn’t the way I wanted to end it, but I still did get to travel around the world for a year.

But now I have written a ton about the countries I visited before, during and after the trip around the world. I hope you find the itineraries and travel guides up on the site helpful!

If you have any questions or comments about any of it, just feel free to comment down below. Also be sure to check out some travel tips & tricks to help you better plan your next trip.

Have fun out there and safe travels!

Related posts:

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Monday 13th of November 2023

This is very helpful!, thanks so much for taking the time to put it together. Can you expand more on why you didn't go to Australia after NZ? Also, so it was fall when you went to NZ and winter for Australia, any regrets going when you did? thoughts? I've read travelling west, is the best way to do a RTW trip, so it's a given to start in NZ, but when to go to get less tourists but decent weather.

Sunday 6th of August 2023

This is all very inspiring and informative, as I’m considering doing the same. Question, how much did you spend your your entire trip?

Monday 7th of August 2023

Hi Mai - feel free to check out this overview I put together about the costs of traveling the world. Good luck with trip planning!

Monday 26th of June 2023

Hi, love your travel story. Have u visited china ever since u miss the last round? Do you plan to round china? I am looking for a company to go round china. I am 60 years old woman.

Hi Janet - I traveled a long while ago just to Shanghai and Beijing. I have yet to go back but would love to travel more around the country one day!

Friday 23rd of June 2023

Hi, this trip sounds amazing! myself and my husband would love to do this type of trip! How did you manage to sort all this out with transport etc? And how did you budget doing all the travel? How much would you need? Thanks. Katie

Saturday 24th of June 2023

Hi Katie - I just took everything one step at a time. The entire trip was not planned out from day one. While I knew of the overall route for the most part, I did not want to corner myself into making decisions too early. I would recommend writing out the countries that are most interested to you and then doing some research on what an overall route would look like. You can see what is possible and what may be too difficult or expensive to fit in.

As for budget, check out this around the world cost overview up on the site that will walk through it all.

Hope you have an amazing time!

Saturday 10th of June 2023

What was it like coming back to the US and finding work? I want to travel the world for a year or two but it would take me leaving my very stable/promising career.... Which scares me to death! My worry is that I would come home to the US and not be able to get the same type of job.

I also worry that a gap year (0r two) may look bad on a resume. Thoughts?

@hailey, from someone who used to work in Human Resources, the time you spend travelling is an education. Learning language, culture, customs, weather, geography, etc. As a candidate, you bring a lot to the table with this type of experience. It would be a completely different story, if you were just unemployed and laying on the couch for a year. Travel....you won't regret it at all!!!

Tuesday 20th of June 2023

@hailey, The current unemployment rate in the U.S is 3.7%. Anybody who wants a job can find one. As long as the gaps in your resume were doing something interesting and intellectually stimulating (like travelling) and were not spent doing something stupid (like in prison or in re-hab), you'll be fine.

Monday 12th of June 2023

Hi Hailey - everyone is different and I can't say for certain how hard/easy it will be able to come back and find work. I was able to do so within a few months but there are many factors at play such as industry, the economy, demand/supply, etc. I am an advocate of traveling as you can tell, and would recommend doing so if it is something very important to you. There are ways to fill up the gap in the resume - for me it was this site, for others it may volunteering, remote work, etc. It is certainly a tough decision, but hope you make the right one for yourself!! Good Luck!

Around the World in 90 Days

Friends. We have some catching up to do.

First of all… I gave the website a surprise instaglam makeover, and dare I say it, she be Hot. It took me forever+a day because I am not a web developer. Happily, no one told me this before I haphazardly began slashing & burning CSS code, redesigning the website in much the same way that I re-landscaped the backyard: pull up all the groundcover just as the sun sets, with nary a clue of what to do next. Flying by the seat of my pants is apparently how I gets the things done.

New & Improved website lets you peruse posts by location; click on any tag on the homepage map and voila! Therein shall lie a list of all related posts for that location! Play around- I think it’s tops.  On the far right side of the homepage, you’ll see a blue box that says  Toggle List View , just in case you like your info in list form. I got ya.

To read posts in the usual, bloggy format (or to check for new posts if you’re not a subscriber), click on the “Blog” tab at the top of the homepage … all of my ramblings (including the ones that aren’t location-specific) can be found there.

Okay… so we’re finished with business now, yes?

And we can move on to the fun stuff?  Because I’m no good at holding for dramatic effect.

For the past two months, I’ve been planning a go-for-broke Round the World Adventure starting…now!

Over the next 90 days, Mr. M & I shall be visiting 17 countries, from Rwanda to Bhutan to Chile. I’ll update the Where I’m Headed sidebar each month, and I’ve posted my complete travel plans below.

Why? Because go-for-broke adventure is always the right decision and because opportunities should be grabbed. And because I imagine this will be the Swashbuckling Life Adventure about which great-grandkids gather round our rocking chairs to hear tell. (Hopefully I’m not making expectations too high.)

How? I’m still not really sure how the stars aligned themselves to allow for three months of uninterrupted travel, but I’ve decided it’s a thing better left unquestioned and best taken advantage of. Immediately.

As best as internet connectivity allows, I’ll be posting new adventures as we go… and you’re welcome to follow along on Twitter or Instagram , if you think my verbal diarrhea is best confined to 140 characters.

I’ll be updating the Where I’m Headed sidebar as we go, but here are some highlights…

**After leaving New York City, my first stop will be in  Athens, Greece to attend the TBEX Travel Writers conference.   Big Olive City Walks is taking me on a 3-hour Tasting Tour because they understand that eating food and walking are pretty much the best ways to appreciate a new culture’s history, identity, and culture. Prep yourselves for a spate of mouth-watering feta, olives, & spanikopita instagrams.

** Petra and the Dead Sea in  Jordan

** Istanbul, Turkey  and a trip to  Cappadocia,  where we shall be staying in a cave hotel. As in, our hotel room is literally the inside of a cave. !!

** Gorilla-trekking in Rwanda

**Hiking & biking our way through  Bhutan and up to the famous  Tiger’s Nest Monastery

**India!  Which I  hope will be exactly like stepping into the movie “Darjeeling Limited” and simultaneously know will be much better because it won’t be that way at all.

** Tea plantations in Sri Lanka . And of course, making the dawn pilgrimage up to the peak of Sri Pada, home to Buddha’s sacred footprint.

** The Maldives,  where I am hoping to run into a whale shark. And by “run into,” I mean “observe from a distance,” as I am quite afraid of any and all sea creatures, especially those the size of a school bus.

** Seoul, South Korea  to retrace my Grandpa’s journey as a soldier in the Korean War

** The Great Wall in Beijing  and  pandas in Chengdu, China

**Camping out in an airstream trailer in the salt flat desert of  Uyuni, Bolivia

**Easter Island,  home of the massive and mysterious moai statues

** Patagonia,  which has me tongue-twisted already. Too excited for words.

**Sailing the coast of Thailand & Malaysia  over New Year’s

** Hanoi, Vietnam & Halong Bay

And… wait for it… I packed everything into a carry-on. A CARRY-ON. If that’s not a highlight, I don’t know what is. (Also, prepare to see a lot of photos of me in the Exact.Same.Shirt…)

I hope you’ll follow along… the Around the World adventure begins in Athens on Wednesday!

Ok you are my hero! A carry-on!!! Awesome! I am so excited about your journey! It is going to be amazing to follow along! Not to sound creepy stalker but I've missed you! Have a safe and wonderful trip! I'm ready to be amazed!

Ha ha, Mr. M casually mentioned that he *knew* I could never pack just a carry-on... which I took to be the equivalent of a triple-dog-dare. :) He totally reverse-psychologied me! I give it 4 days before I'm sick of wearing the exact same clothes. Also, I'm sure you must be confusing "creepy stalker" with "really sweet." You are definitely the latter!

I was just thinking about you last week, and was surprised when I got an error while trying to visit the site. The new layout looks great! This trip sounds super amazing. Have lots of fun, and take lots of photos for those of us who are stuck being jealous at home ;)

Thank you! I've been sweating over this one for a LOONG time now. And all I really started out to do was change the color of one of the fonts! Oops. Many photos shall certainly be taken, although with a handsome guy like Baby G kickin it with you at home these days, there's no reason to be jealous. :)

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Round the World How-To

Inside: the ultimate guide to planning a dream vacation around the world, from rtw tickets to choosing your bucket list itinerary..

Let’s face it, the pandemic was a punch to the gut for travel lovers around the world.

Never did I think I’d see a day when I couldn’t just bebop onto a transatlantic flight. Or just, say, leave my own home. But there we were.

When I (literally) dusted off my passport in early 2021, the thin layer of dust accumulated was borderline soul crushing.

But fear not dear globetrotters, the pandemic era is finally in the rear view mirror and international travel has rebounded with a heart-warming zeal!

So now what?

You’ve got some lost time to make up for, that’s what.

And there’s no better way to do it than with a life-changing, Bucket-List-crushing, dream vacation around the world .

Take my word for it…I’ve done 10 around the world trips, visiting more than 175 countries on all 7 continents along the way. And you can, too.

But I probably don’t need to waste my time selling you on the idea of a trip around the world. You found this site. I suspect you’re on board.

So let’s start with the basics.

What is a Round the World Trip?

Simply put, a Round the World (RTW) trip is a circumnavigation of the globe, either in an eastward or westward direction. Start in one city and continue east or west until you get back to it. That’s all there is to it!

Tip: West is best for combatting jetlag, while east saves time and hotel nights ($$) with overnight flights. (I’m cheap and usually short on time, I fly east. )

Read More: 8 Reasons to Stop Dreaming & Start Planning a Trip “Around the World in 30 Days “

Of course, while the concept of round the world travel is simple, the variables are far more complex.

For example, you may be wondering…

How many days do I need for a RTW trip?

What you’ve probably seen on YouTube and Instagram from round the world travelers is true.

Most quit their jobs, sell their possessions, and hit the road for a year or more with big dramatic flair. Of course, that kind of nomadic commitment is not for everyone.

And I’m living proof that there are other options.

My first 9 RTW trips were approximately 30 days each. The lone exception was RTW #10, my honeymoon , which clocked in at a pretty incredible 3 months.

I’ve also done 30-day trips focused on various regions of the world like Europe , Central America , Oceania , the Balkans , and the Himalayas (a great option if there’s a specific part of the world that interests you or you just hate jetlag).

For me, a month is the ideal amount of time to travel.

Long enough to truly disconnect and explore. Yet short enough that I’m unlikely to throw my carry-on (we’ll get to that) suitcase out the nearest train window because I’m tired of every single thing in it.

There’s no right answer to how long your round the world trip should take. I know someone who went around the world in 5 days (zero stars, do not recommend) and someone else who started 10 years ago and is still going strong.

So, two weeks, a month, or even 6 months to travel around the world? It’s totally up to you.

The bottom line: Take as much time as you can, anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months will do. If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that you never know if you’ll have the chance to do it again.

A trip around the world sounds amazing, but how do I get the time off?

When I wrote the first edition of The Grown-Up’s Guide to Globetrotting 11 years ago, this topic was a central focus and the largest hurdle to taking a career-friendly trip around the world. After all, most Americans are stuck with a measly 2 weeks of annual vacation leave (the horror!).

So, how do you travel the world without tanking your career?

Amazingly, on this front, the COVID-19 pandemic gifted us with one gleaming silver lining:

WORK. FROM. HOME.

Yes, even the stuffiest of Fortune 500 corporations have finally come around to the idea that work from home can (and does) work – with the right employee.

This revelation is especially thrilling to me as someone who has been working from home (combined with business travel) for more than 20 years.

In fact, my friends will tell you that my life mantra has always been:

If you can work from home, you can work from Rome. Jenny McIver Brocious

Or Paris. Or Bangkok. Or wherever floats your boat. You get the idea.

There’s a lot more to making this work successfully from exotic locales – time zone challenges, reliable internet, etc. (I go into that in detail in the book) – but I can assure you, it can be done. And it beats the pants off working from your dining room table.

The bottom line: You can use the WFH option to increase your available time for travel. Add days or weeks onto your trip or schedule a trip just to work from somewhere inspiring.

What’s on your Bucket List?

And now we come to the fun part. This is where the magic happens.

Where in the world do you want to go?

I speak from experience when I say that there are few things more thrilling than sitting down in front of a giant foldout map of the world and plotting out your dream vacation .

Maybe you already have a dozen exotic destinations in mind. Or maybe there are places in the world you never considered visiting because they always seemed too far away.

The beauty of going around the world is that the entire world becomes just a short flight away.

How many destinations should I choose?

The answer will directly correlate to how much time you plan to take. My month-long trips have ranged from an uber-ambitious 15 stops on Round the World #1 to a more relaxed pace with 8 stops on Round the World #2 .

Here’s a simple, 3-step plan to crafting your round the world itinerary:

• Make your wish list.
• Compare it to the number of days you have to travel.
• Adjust accordingly.

Critically evaluate how long you actually need to see each place on your wish list.

For some (like me), 2-3 days per destination can be a good rule of thumb. Devote more time to your “ Top 5 ” must-see destinations and maybe just spend one day exploring the city you only added to the itinerary because it was right there and you couldn’t just skip it (you laugh, but I guarantee a few of these stops will sneak their way onto your itinerary!).

Remember that a short-term round the world trip, however incredible, is not going to be an in-depth cultural experience at every stop. Think more Amazing Race and less Under the Tuscan Sun .

It IS, however, a terrific way to get a taste of new and exciting places and start building a new wish list for future trips.

Depending on your interest level, you may not need a week to see the Pyramids , I did it in an afternoon and it was magnificent. A full day at the Taj Mahal and a morning walk along the Great Wall of China were enough to fulfill my dream of seeing those world wonders.

But that’s me. And I’ve been told I can be a little, ah, overly-energetic when I travel. You do you.

Need some destination inspiration? Here are 30 of my favorite travel experiences around the world:

Around the World in 30 Extraordinary Travel Experiences

And here are the Top 50 places I think should be on every Bucket List:

50 Amazing Places for Your Travel Bucket List (2024)

Round the World Flights: The RTW Ticket (your new best friend)

I am fortunate that my years of excessive business travel have one nifty little side benefit, I have a crap ton of airline miles.

So when I discovered the magical world of “ Round the World airline tickets ” years ago, those Delta miles not only afforded me the opportunity to take that first RTW trip but to take it in first class with Delta’s Skyteam Alliance.

Sadly, the days of booking a RTW ticket with miles went the way of the dodo bird in 2015. I won’t lie to you, I wept openly when Delta first announced it (followed quickly by United and American).

But all is not lost if you’ve been hoarding miles like pandemic toilet paper. All major US airlines now allow one-way award booking. Meaning you can still use your miles to route yourself around the world, one one-way flight at a time!

And honestly, the old mileage RTW tickets were a deal but they were a BEAR to book and had zero flexibility. One-way award booking gives you a ton more flexibility plus the option to mix economy and business class legs (for longer flights) on your journey. This is a BIG perk.

Here are a few more tips for you “ Up in the Air ” business travelers out there with miles & points to burn:

How to Use Points & Miles to Redeem Your RTW Dream

No miles, no problem

Two of the three major airline alliances do still offer paid RTW ticket options. Delta’s Skyteam Alliance is the exception, they discontinued the RTW ticket option completely a few years ago. The airline alliance RTW tickets are not cheap and you’ll spend extra time connecting through hub cities but you can earn a ton of miles as you travel.

If that option interests you, start here:

• Oneworld – World Travel (American, Alaska)
• Star Alliance – Round the World (United)

The affordable RTW ticket…

If redeeming (or earning) miles isn’t your jam and you truly just want the most affordable way to see the world, skip the airline alliances and head straight to:

• Airtreks – This site is more service oriented, you enter a proposed itinerary and a travel planner will contact you to create the perfect customized itinerary.
• BootsnAll – This one is more DIY. You can create and book an itinerary yourself online.

Unlike the airline alliances, these two round the world airfare specialists utilize all airlines to create your dream itinerary. This will often yield both the best price and the most direct routing for your trip.

WARNING: Once you start playing around with the trip planners on these two sites, you may become addicted to the global possibilities.

Tip: You guessed it, I’ve covered all the ins and outs of booking RTW tickets in the book.

Hotels vs. Airbnb – Where to stay?

Once again business travel rewards can be handy when planning a round the world trip.

My Marriott and Hilton points have been offsetting the costs of my round the world trips for years. Not to mention affording me swank rooms at hotels and resorts that were WAY outside of my round the world budget, like these:

But if you don’t have points, not to worry! I am a firm believer that a quality, affordable hotel can always be found, even in the most expensive destinations. My go-to hotel site (when I’m not using points) is Booking.com .

Tip: If you’re not a member of any hotel frequent guest programs, sign up for all of them before you go. It’s free and you’ll earn points as you travel. Many also offer perks during your stay, just for being a member.

If you’re not a fan of chain hotels or if you’re going to be in one spot for more than 3 or 4 days, I’d highly recommend an apartment rental. They can be considerably cheaper than even the most economical hotel and having a kitchen can be a tremendous cost-saver as well. Not to mention it’s just fun to live more like a local!

One of my favorite apartment rental sites is Airbnb but I’ve also found that more and more apartment rentals are also listed on Booking.com (and the fees there are often cheaper than Airbnb). That said, I’ve booked with Airbnb all over the world (including the Tuscan villa we used for our wedding – below!) and never had a bad experience. If you haven’t yet rented through Airbnb, click here for my discount code. You’ll get $40 off your first rental and, when you book, I’ll get $20 off my next rental…that’s a win-win!

Who should I travel with on an around the world trip?

If you’re married, it would probably be rude to go without your spouse (try it at your own marital peril).

But if you’re single, this is a question that deserves serious consideration. If you’ve never traveled solo, your gut instinct may be to find a friend or family member to travel with.

But before you do that, consider this…

A solo trip around the world is perhaps the best gift you can ever give yourself, especially for women. It’s empowering, it’s safe and it just might be the best travel experience of your life.

Read More: Why Every Woman Should Travel the World Solo (at Least Once) & How to Stay Safe Doing It

No matter what you decide, choose carefully.

How to pack (carry on only!) for an around the world trip

Yes, you read that right. I just casually floated the idea of traveling around the world for a month or longer with nothing but a carry-on bag.

If you’re a guy, you were probably not at all alarmed by the previous paragraph and thought, “ Couple of t-shirts, some shorts, underwear, got it. ” You can scroll down to the next topic, this section is not about you.

Now, for my globetrotting ladies. I’m going to ask you to trust me on this one (we’ve known each other for 10 or 15 minutes now and I feel like you get me).

With so many flights involved in a RTW trip, carry-on is truly the only option.

Reuniting with a lost bag can quickly become a logistical nightmare when you’re changing cities every few days. (And I can assure you that no one at the lost baggage desk understands what “ RTW ticket ” means.)

If you don’t believe me you can read all about the one time I broke my own rule and ended up spending an entire day at baggage claim in Paris on Round the World #4 . (Actually, don’t. It’s mind-numbing reading and definitely not my best work.)

You can do this. You don’t need all the “ stuff ” you think you do!

(For the things you do need, here’s all the Stuff I Love most!)

I have traveled for as long as 3 months out of just a carry-on (and in case I forgot to mention it, I’m a girl!). I do freely admit, however, that I was over just about every item of clothing in that suitcase by the end. I also confess I checked a bag to Antarctica. Because Antarctica .

How do I do it? This excerpt from “ The Grown-Up’s Guide to Globetrotting ” is guaranteed to help you overcome your RTW packing challenges:

How to Travel Around the World with Just a Carry-On: A Girl’s Guide to Traveling Light

What else do I need to know for a RTW trip?

We’ve covered the big-ticket items – how long to travel, how many places to visit, with who, how to find RTW tickets, where to stay, and what to pack. So what’s left?

Well, a LOT actually. But hey, that’s where my book comes in (insert shameless plug here).

I’ll end with a hit list of other tips, tricks and things to consider when planning your once-in-a-lifetime (or maybe more!) round the world trip:

• Apps : For currency conversion, I like Oanda. And Google translate is also incredibly handy to have around.
• Thoroughly research entry requirements for ALL countries you plan to visit well in advance. Almost all visa applications can now be completed online.
• A good universal power adapter & converter is a must. More than one is a plus if you have lots of devices (and don’t we all these days?).
• Check with your doctor for any immunizations you may need for your destinations. I got the works before my first trip and haven’t had to worry about it since (other than the occasional prescription for malaria pills).
• Consider purchasing travel insurance, for a trip of this magnitude, it’s a must! Especially in the post-pandemic era. Here’s a good independent review of the benefits of travel insurance and the options available: 10 Best Travel Insurance Companies
• Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your planned date of return because all countries have different requirements on this.

And finally…

Get the Book!

For more comprehensive advice on planning your route, booking RTW tickets and everything else you ever wanted to know about traveling around the world, get the ultimate resource guide to planning a RTW trip (without quitting your job!):

Round the World in 30 Days: The Grown-Up’s Guide to Globetrotting

Now get out there and start planning the around the world trip of your dreams!

As Phil Keoghan says at the start of every season of the Amazing Race,

“The world is waiting for you!”

Around the World in 90 days

Moving... Out of Africa

Around the World in 90 Days issue # 9

Travelling back in time…..to my childhood

Coddiwompling – to travel purposefully towards an as-yet-unknown destination.

Travelling by sharing your home..

Will carbon emissions be a threat to future events on the scale of taylor swift, in australia.

Around the World in 90 Days Issue # 8

Hope you enjoyed Issue # 7 and the fun facts about the Nile River

• May 31, 2019

Around the world in 90 days

Updated: Jan 4

Leaving it all behind for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

“You need to do something BIG, something crazy.”

My good friend, Alex, has a way of making sweeping statements like this one that seem to set the course for whatever will happen next. Whenever I’m torn about life's decisions (Should I go back to school? Should I go on this trip? Has a relationship run its course?), Alex offers the perspective I need. As usual, he was right. It was time to make a change. To do something BIG.

I had been working towards a career change and I was cooking up a plan with my new, London-based, Canadian boyfriend, Andrew, to take a big trip together. He was in the perfect position to take an extended leave from work and we knew this trip was more than a two-week vacation. It’s funny how once you set your mind to something, the pieces start to fall into place. It was as if it was already decided for us. It all made perfect sense. He would take a sabbatical from work, I would quit my job, and we would spend the summer traveling around the world together.

Something BIG indeed.

It was suddenly a very busy time! Ideally we would have spent a year or so planning a trip like this, but not us. We had two months to prepare for the epic journey ahead of us. So we made a wish list of all the places we wanted to visit. Over many FaceTime calls, Google Hangouts, and an ever-growing shared Google doc, we scoured the map, looking at high seasons and low seasons, flight schedules, budgets, prices, and where we had friends around the world.

We settled on a final itinerary and purchased two Round-the-World tickets. We would visit ten countries (not including our respective home countries) and have plenty of time in each location. We would spend some time in each other’s hometowns near Calgary, Canada and Cleveland, Ohio before beginning our BIG journey westward. Of course we would make a couple more stops in the States before heading out of the country because they were on the way. This "on the way" logic is the reason my trips are never simple.

Our Around-the-World itinerary:

Canada - Calgary

U.S. - Cleveland, San Francisco, Napa Valley, and Hawaii

New Zealand - Queenstown, Auckland, and Rotorua

Australia - Sydney, Cairns, and Brisbane

Vietnam - from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

Cambodia - Phnom Penh and Siem Reap

Thailand - Bangkok

Indonesia - Bali

Egypt - from Cairo to Luxor

Jordan - from Amman to Petra

Portugal - Lisbon and the Azores

Planning the trip was just the beginning. I was also crafting an exit strategy from my current job, finishing up my certification in UX design, and moving all of my stuff into my parent's place for safe-keeping while we were away. Andrew was wrapping up work in London and planning his journey back to Canada. Of course we also spent plenty of time on other trip-related details, like researching each destination, booking hotels and Airbnbs, applying for visas, getting vaccinations, buying travel insurance, and booking activities.

Some days I wake up and I still can’t believe this is happening. On a few of those days, I have a moment of panic where I wonder if it was a huge mistake to quit my job and travel for three months without having a job lined up when I get back. But then I remember that life is short and you have to do what makes your heart happy, no matter how BIG or scary it may be. You have to do it while you can, even if it means taking a leap of faith that it’ll all work out on the other side.

Around-the-World planning resources:

Bootsnall.com is a great resource for planning a trip around the world and buying a Round-the-World (RTW) ticket. This option gave us the flexibility we wanted with flight schedules and pricing.

Star Alliance offers a RTW ticket, but the options are a bit limited once you head to countries that have major airlines that aren't part of the alliance. There is also a limit on the number of "legs" (flights) you can book in one trip. Since a flight with a layover qualifies as two legs, we quickly ran out of legs before we could book a trip all the way around the world.

If SkyTeam is your preference, they offer a RTW ticket as well, but the circumstances will be similar to those with Star Alliance.

We also included two group tours from G Adventures to break it up a bit: Essential Vietnam & Cambodia and Egypt & Jordan Adventure .

These are our go-to sites for booking accommodations: TripAdvisor , Expedia , Booking.com , and Airbnb .

Don't forget to take a look at my planning resources for any and every trip.

Until next time, happy travels!

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How to plan a trip around the world

 Making the fantasy of a global odyssey an achievable reality is not as impossible as it might seem.

Combining a series of once-in-a-lifetime experiences into a single around-the-world trip can feel like the ultimate expression of luxury travel. It can be a daunting prospect though, with many contending factors to consider. Here's how to start planning the ultimate round-the-world trip.

1. Take to the sky

Air travel is, predictably, the simplest way to traverse the globe. Start by purchasing an around-the-world plane ticket through an airline alliance — coalitions of different airlines which let you pay for all of your flights in a single transaction. The alliance offers regional passes which might work better should you want to devote the bulk of your time to one or two continents.

There are three main players: Star Alliance, OneWorld and Skyteam; the latter, however, has suspended sales of RTW tickets. Star Alliance is a confederation of 26 airlines covering 1,200 airports in 98% of the world’s nations, while OneWorld’s 13 airlines serve 1,000 destinations across almost as many countries.

The small print varies, but fliers must always keep to one global direction, east or west (the latter better suits your circadian rhythm), with no backtracking; must only cross the Atlantic and Pacific oceans once each; must start and finish in the same country; and must travel for a period between 10 days and one year.

Convenience is a benefit here, allowing you to minimise paperwork. It’s worth noting that some countries, such as China, also require proof of an outbound air ticket before issuing visas.  

How to do it:   Star Alliance offers a 133-day itinerary from London via Istanbul, Dubai, Bangkok, Sydney, Los Angeles and New York from £2,580 per person.  

2. Ride the rails

A century ago, taking extended rail journeys was one of the only means of long-distance travel. Today, trains are a great option for travellers looking to minimise their carbon footprint and take a slower, more measured route.

Recapturing the romance of the past, around-the-world specialists Travel Nation can tailor-make odysseys involving   separate train journeys. Vietnam’s Reunification Express, an Outback crossing aboard the Australian Ghan and a ride on the Rocky Mountaineer in Canada can all feature.

How to do it:   Travel Nation ’s 74-night, rail-focused global tour costs from £17,760 per person, including flights, trains, accommodation, most meals and some excursions.  

3. Go Private

For those who truly want to travel in style, it’s possible to circumnavigate the globe by private jet through National Geographic Expeditions. These trips are based around epic itineraries whose remarkable destinations are brought to life by a experts and groundbreaking researchers in various fields, who most travellers never get to meet.

On the 24-day Around the World by Private Jet expedition, you can visit 10 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Among the trip’s standouts are Easter Island’s Moai statues, Angkor’s jungle-flanked temple complexes, rock-carved Petra and a Serengeti safari. Departing from Washington, DC, up to 75 passengers will travel VIP-style in a customised Boeing 757, bedding down throughout the adventure in five-star hotels or lodges.

How to do it: National Geographic Expeditions ’ 23-night Around the World by Private Jet trip starts from £77,100 per person, all-inclusive, including medical evacuation insurance. Departures on 10 March, 29 October and 28 December 2024.  

4. Head overland

Travellers who don’t mind hitting the open road can try Oasis Overland, a tour company specialising in overland travel. Its longest offering is a 293-day trip from the UK to Cairo via an anticlockwise loop along much of the African coast, plus Victoria Falls and Zanzibar. The slew of highlights include the Sahara desert, the Giza Pyramids and East Africa’s wildlife-rich plains.  

The 16 (or fewer) group members will ride in one of Oasis Overland’s bright yellow trucks, built for traversing bumpy roads while offering as much comfort as possible. Nights are almost exclusively spent camping, and everyone is expected to contribute by pitching tents or cooking dinners.

You could also combine trips by flying from Cairo to Istanbul and then joining another overland tour all the way to Singapore, for example.

How to do it: Oasis Overland ’s 292-night UK to Cairo expedition starts from £9,495 per person, including all transport (except flights from the UK to Gibraltar or Malaga) and a selection of excursions.

5. Do it yourself

Arranging everything yourself is an option — most easily accomplished by purchasing multi-destination flights through a comparison website such as kiwi.com or Skyscanner.

A big upside to this is that you can work out something closely aligned to your specific needs; it’ll require a fair bit of time, though, and you’ll lose out in terms of flexibility — changing dates can be tricky — and cancellation cover.

It’s usually more convenient to aim for large airport hubs — the likes of Bangkok, Dallas, Dubai, Heathrow, Paris and Singapore — as the many competing services provide more options. A typical around-the-world ticket will involve something along the lines of London — Istanbul — Bangkok — Singapore — Sydney — Los Angeles — New York — London. From these hubs, you’ll be well placed to add in more obscure destinations in between.  

It’s also worth bearing in mind that you don’t have to fly between each stage. For instance, it’s possible to travel from London to Istanbul by train, lowering your carbon footprint in the process. Or, rather than flying from Bangkok to Singapore, you could get a boat from the Thai capital to Koh Samui and continue from there instead. A reliable tool for establishing train, bus, boat or taxi costs is the website Rome2Rio, and it’s worth investigating the likes of Amtrak rail passes in the US, Eurail Passes for European trains or Greyhound coach tickets covering Australia’s east coast.

Accommodation is something to decide on in advance. Be sure to have all hotel bookings locked in place well ahead of time. Hostels are a good bet, especially if you’re travelling solo or planning an ad-hoc approach during each stage of the trip, but can be lacking in privacy and comforts. House or apartment rentals can be much more comfortable and convenient, particularly for longer stays.  

How to do it: A sample 147-day itinerary from London via Istanbul, Dubai, Bangkok, Sydney, Los Angeles and New York from kiwi.com starts at £2,189 per person, including checked luggage.

6. Enlist a pro

One of the best ways to arrange an air-based around-the-world itinerary is by booking with a specialist agent or operator such as Trailfinders, Travel Nation or AirTreks. This can cut out a lot of organisational stress, while also enabling you to take advantage of these companies’ many years of experience. These firms often have access to special deals and aren’t constrained to particular airlines or alliances, allowing them to further improve the offerings to their clients.

The AirTreks website even has a trip planner tool listing a series of suggested activities, interests and attractions such as hiking, beaches, meditation or family travel, providing an extra level of choice at the planning stage.

If you’re interested in earning air miles, specify this to the agent so that they can concentrate on finding flights that qualify. Agents will also be able to suggest tempting additional stops — Taiwan, maybe, or a pause in Oman — which can be a great way of adding an extra bit of excitement to burgeoning itineraries.  

Finally, a specialist company can also take care of — or advise on — vaccinations (such as malaria), and certification and visas you’ll need, saving you plenty of legwork.

How to do it: AirTrek s’ nine-stop ticket from London via Paris, Florence, Venice, Athens, Singapore, Sydney, Auckland and Los Angeles costs from £1,325 to £1,770.

7. Learn to sail

Land ahoy! You might just get to utter those words by signing up for a unique sailing adventure with London-based operator Another World Adventures, which can arrange for you to join a classic, square-rigged tall ship for 90 days as it makes its way around the world on a 455-day voyage. Once on board, you’ll learn how to trim the sails, haul mizzen spinnakers and lean on trade winds to cross the tropics. No experience is required, and participants will become part of a tight-knit crew and make friends for life.

It doesn’t matter at which point on its itinerary the ship happens to be, as it’s entirely possible to join subsequent legs. Setting sail from Bali on 6 November 2023, leg three sees the ship call at the Indian Ocean islands of Rodrigues and Reunion before arriving in Cape Town on 6 February. Beginning one day later, the fourth and final stage is via Namibia, the British overseas territory of St Helena, several Caribbean islands and, on 13 July, Nova Scotia in Canada.

If you’d prefer to wait and tackle the whole trip — the other two legs are Nova Scotia to Tahiti, and Tahiti to Bali — then Another World Adventures (which also offers other, similar experiences) expects it to start in 2025.

How to do it:   Another World Adventures offers 90 nights, full board, from £13,600 per person, including transport, port fees and instruction.  

8. Cruise along

Ever more around-the-world voyages are being offered by cruise lines. To join one, you’ll need one important thing: lots of spare time. The circular itineraries are mostly more than 100 days in length, with Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise maxing out at 274 nights via seven continents and around 150 stops. These kinds of journeys really fit the ‘trip of a lifetime’ tag, running up to £100,000 per person.

Notably, 2023 marks a century since the world’s first continuous passenger cruise ship completed its pioneering journey. Chartered by the American Express Company, Cunard’s SS Laconia arrived back in New York City after completing a monumental six-month sailing via Japan, Singapore, India and Egypt.  

They also sell out quicker than almost any other cruise, partly due to having a limited number of departures. Holland America Line, for example, opened bookings this summer on its new 2025 Grand World Voyage. Departing from Fort Lauderdale in Florida, this is a six-continent, 124-day round-trip which transits the Panama Canal before visiting Callao (for excursions to Machu Picchu), Easter Island, Tahiti, the Great Barrier Reef, the Seychelles, Cape Town, Kenya, Jordan and Barcelona among 46 stops.  

How to do it:   Holland America Line’s 123-night Grand World Voyage starts from £19,900 per person, full board, including complimentary airport transfers, a $500 (£400) air credit and up to £6,700 per person in onboard spending credits if booked by 3 June 2024.  

9. Hop aboard a cargo ship

A rather more adventurous way of sailing the seas is aboard a cargo ship or freighter cruise. Carrying large containers of clothes, electrical equipment, foods and most other things between the world’s major ports, some of these allot space for four to 12 passengers.

Single, twin or double cabins are the norm, usually with sea-facing windows as well as a sitting area, a desk, a shower and a toilet. A few boats come with a pool, but most are very simple — they’re built for work, not pleasure, after all — and you certainly won’t find a spa or casino (though playing cards with the crew members isn't unheard of). All meals are provided in the on-board canteen.

The major appeal is the sense of serenity — watching the ocean drift by and having time to gather your thoughts or write that novel you’ve always planned.  

This can also be an amazing way to tick off some hard-to-reach places. Take freighters travelling to Singapore from New Zealand; be it for fuel and supplies or to make a drop-off, these stop at numerous Pacific islands en route, occasionally for a couple of days. That said, some port calls are too quick for guests to go ashore.

Note that good health and unaided mobility — due to steep gangways and lots of stairs — are mandatory, and it’s not suited for children or elderly travellers.

How to do it:   Cargo Ship Voyages offers a cargo ship crossing from Rotterdam to Cuba (estimated at 16 nights) from £1,880 per person, which includes all meals.  

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10 Around-the-world Cruises for the Trip of a Lifetime

These world cruises offer the ultimate itineraries.

Elizabeth Rhodes is a special projects editor at Travel + Leisure , covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina, Elizabeth moved to New York City from London, where she started her career as a travel blogger and writer.

Want to island hop around French Polynesia, visit Africa's incredible cities, and cruise through Asia without ever switching hotels or repacking your bags? An around-the-world cruise provides the ultimate itinerary, packed with exciting international destinations (some even visit hard-to-reach destinations like Easter Island and Antarctica), and luxury cruise lines provide comfortable accommodations, specialty restaurants, and plenty to do on and off the ship.

There are two main things you need before booking a world cruise: plenty of time and some spare cash. Prices range from around $20,000 to upwards of $100,000 per person, and all our top picks are more than 100 days (one is even a whopping 275 days), so they're ideal for retired travelers looking for their next big adventure. Pack wisely for a range of destinations and climates, and get ready for the journey of a lifetime, filled with postcard-perfect destinations and new friends (because you're bound to meet a travel buddy or two after 100-plus days on a ship). If an around-the-world cruise is at the top of your travel list, you'll want to book sooner rather than later — these journeys frequently sell out because many cruise lines only offer a limited number of sailings.

Here are ten of the best around-the-world cruises you can take in 2023 and 2024.

Viking Ocean Cruises

Viking world cruise.

See 28 countries on the 138-day Viking World Cruise from Fort Lauderdale to London. After departing from Florida, the Viking Sky will sail the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, stopping in sunny destinations before crossing the Panama Canal to reach the Pacific. From there, the ship will visit destinations in Mexico and the continental United States, continuing on to Hawaii, French Polynesia, New Zealand, and Australia. Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, and India are among the ports in Asia, then it's on to the Middle East before traveling to Europe, where final destinations include Italy, Spain, and Portugal en route to London. Fares start at $59,995.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Moments in time: world cruise 2024.

Sail around the world in 132 nights aboard the Seven Seas Mariner on a round-trip journey from Miami. You'll spend the days at sea enjoying the luxury ship's amenities, including the spa and several restaurants and lounges, between stops in destinations like Costa Rica, Mexico, Hawaii, Tahiti, Bora Bora, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, India, UAE, Israel, and Italy, among others. This 2024 world cruise , with fares starting at $73,499, is officially sold out , but you can join a waitlist to be notified of cancellations.

Royal Caribbean

The ultimate world cruise.

Royal Caribbean pulls out all the stops — and there are more than 150 of them — on this 274-night cruise to all seven continents. The itinerary aboard the Serenade of the Seas begins in Miami on December 10, 2023, and visits more than 60 countries, including Brazil, Ecuador, Nicaragua, French Polynesia, the Philippines, South Korea, India, Romania, and Greenland, before ending in Miami on September 10, 2024. Travelers who don't want to commit to the entire cruise can book shorter segments. Fares start at $59,999 for this cruise that gives travelers the opportunity to visit 11 of the great wonders of the world, including the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, and Chichen Itza.

World Cruise 2024

Enjoy 133 days on Silversea's Silver Shadow with this round-trip sailing from San Francisco. During that time, the ship will visit 65 ports in 14 countries, including Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, China, Japan, and Canada. Fares start at $66,000 for this 2024 sailing, which currently has waitlist availability.

2024 World Cruise: Extraordinary Horizons

Climb aboard the Seabourn Sojourn for a 145-day world cruise from Los Angeles to Athens, visiting 72 ports in 28 countries. The cruise departs Los Angeles and goes to Hawaii, French Polynesia, New Zealand, Australia, Vietnam, Japan, and China — just to name a few places — before ending in Greece. Visit the website for booking details and shorter segments.

Oceania Cruises

Around the world in 180 days.

Travelers on Oceania's 180-day round-trip cruise from Los Angeles to New York aboard the Insignia will see some of the world's most impressive sights. Highlights include stops in stunning French Polynesia, Indonesia, Thailand, Egypt, Spain, France, and Iceland. Fares start at $48,499 for the 2024 sailing .

MSC Cruises

Msc world cruise 2024.

The MSC Poesia will take guests to 56 destinations on this 120-day cruise starting in Rome. Countries visited during this journey include Argentina, Chile, Peru, New Zealand, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India, and Jordan. When you're not exploring each port, you can relax in the swimming pools and hot tubs, visit the many restaurants, bars, and lounges, or go to the spa. Fares start at $17,199 per person; find booking details on the MSC website.

Princess Cruises

111-day world cruise.

This round-trip cruise from Los Angeles on the Island Princess will visit 47 ports in beautiful places like New Zealand, Australia, Bali, Sri Lanka, UAE, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Spain, Morocco, Bermuda, Mexico, and more. Fares for this 2024 sailing start at $19,497.

Holland America Line

128-day grand world voyage.

Explore the world on this 128-day round-trip journey from Fort Lauderdale on the Zuiderdam . This cruise's itinerary includes a trip down the Amazon River, stops in the Caribbean, a Panama Canal crossing, and stops in cities like Honolulu, Tokyo, Shanghai, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Istanbul, and more. Fares start at $23,599 for this 2024 cruise .

Azamara World Cruise

This 155-night itinerary to more than 40 countries kicks off in Fort Lauderdale and finishes in Barcelona. The itinerary features ports for experiencing some of the great wonders of the world, including the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, as well as Petra in Jordan and the Colosseum in Rome. Travelers can also choose to join segments of the cruise aboard the Azamara Onward for as few as 10 nights. Fares for this 2024 sailing start at $36,379.

How to budget for a trip around the world

Dec 11, 2019 • 5 min read

Bundling visas is one way you can shave your long-term travel budget © maybefalse / Getty Images

In Around the World in 80 Days , Phileas Fogg bets his friends at London ’s posh Reform Club that he can circumnavigate the globe in under three months. His fictional expenses were £20,000, and for nearly a century and a half, that number somehow stuck as the price for seeing the world. 

Despite the fact that author Jules Verne actually budgeted the equivalent of £2,242,900 in today’s money, some experienced world travelers will still tell you that $20,000USD is the baseline cost for a single person on a year-long around-the-world adventure. While that comes out to just under $55 per day, other globetrotters will insist that you’ll need at least $100 or more per day to travel comfortably. 

So how do you figure out what figure is right for you?

My husband and I spent 12 months visiting over 100 countries on all seven continents, and our day-to-day budget covered a huge range of expenditures. 

In Southeast Asia , it was easy to travel like royalty for next to nothing. Comfortable hotel stays that included a lavish breakfast for two could be found for around $30 a night. Huge bowls of savory dumplings were just $2 apiece, and centuries-old temples and gardens could be toured for as little as $1 a ticket. 

Related:   Safari without the big bucks

Eastern Europe was equally affordable, with bed-and-breakfast accommodations for under $30 a night, rental cars with unlimited mileage for just $17 a day, country-to-country bus passes for $19 or less, and a number of ancient castles and cathedrals open to the public for free. 

At the other end of the spending spectrum, our daily budget flared to $820 per person for an 11-day expedition to Antarctica . The cruise included three extravagant meals a day, a private cabin with a large ocean-view window and en suite bathroom, and all transportation and excursions. But for $18,000, shouldn’t it be all-inclusive? 

There are limitless ways to see the world, from holing up in luxury hotels to surfing couches, so before you can begin crunching numbers, you need to make some decisions. Here are the top questions to ask as you start to create your around-the-world budget.

Are you planning the trip yourself?

My husband loves trip planning. It is arguably his favorite hobby, aside from the travel itself. He will pore over flight schedules, train timetables and bus routes while keeping endless spreadsheets of costs and combinations and codes.

We typically travel in one direction (either moving continually eastward or westward) and book only one-way flights. It keeps us from wasting time and money by retracing our steps, but this kind of detailed planning is not for the faint of heart. It took him a year and a half to plan our around-the-world adventure.

Related:   Six smartphone apps for budget travel

Ready-made trips 

If a package deal is more your style, then you’ll find plenty of ready-made options. Several cruise lines will sail you to half a dozen countries in a month starting around $7,000, or you can spend half a year at sea and visit three dozen countries or more for upwards of $65,000 per person. We’re talking interior cabins without all the bells and whistles, but all you have to do is show up.

Prefer the air over the sea? You can regularly find cheap flights with long layovers in two or three cities for around $1,500 round trip. For example, one recently multi-airline itinerary on offer featured travel from London to San Francisco , Honolulu , Samoa , Fiji , New Zealand , Sydney , Singapore and Athens before returning to the UK five weeks later, all for $1253 (£950). 

How fancy are you feeling?

The level of luxury you expect from your around-the-world experience has a direct effect on your bottom line. Do you imagine yourself in glittering cities like Paris , Rome , Dubai , Singapore, Sydney, Los Angeles and New York ? Better bring the big bucks, even for a long weekend. Are countries like Thailand , Cambodia , Morocco , Portugal , Bulgaria , Romania , Colombia and Peru more your style? You could travel for several weeks on the same budget.

Once you’ve narrowed down potential destinations, take a look at places you can visit without paying for a visa. Many countries have reciprocal relationships that allow visitors holding certain passports to enter for free. You can also find regional deals that bundle countries, like the European Schengen Visa or the KAZA UniVisa that offers discounts to travelers visiting both Zambia and Zimbabwe . Don’t forget about required vaccinations for some destinations, too, since they can be pricey and often aren’t covered by regular health insurance. 

Destinations definitely makes a difference, but so do your day-to-day choices. Are you willing to take a bus instead of a taxi? Stay at a hostel rather than a hotel? Sip a soda in lieu of champagne? Our travel research includes typical costs for transportation and accommodation, but we also consider how much daily expenses like food and drink will be. 

Cost of living calculators like Numbeo give useful benchmarks for things such as taxi fares, groceries and gasoline, and you can see prices in both the local currency and your own currency, which helps you learn the conversion rates, too.

Can you save money along the way?

Establishing a travel budget ahead of time is important, but once you leave home, it’s easy to ignore the numbers and convince yourself that you only live once. That’s why we sneak in some money-saving tactics along the way that help us keep things in balance. 

Many travelers like to play it safe by buying bottled water, but all those dollars (and all that plastic) add up. We carry a lightweight, reusable water bottle and an ultraviolet light purifying pen wherever we go, which saved us over $1,000 on our year-long trip and kept our stomachs settled on all seven continents.

We will also go to great lengths to avoid checking bags and paying those extra fees on planes and trains. Traveling with only carry-on luggage shaved nearly $3,000 off our expenses and ensured we never missed a connection while waiting at the baggage carousel. 

Related:   Under-the-radar budget activities from around the world

The bottom line

There is no one-size-fits-all number for an around-the-world adventure. Your budget on the road is as personal as your budget at home. But you can approach it one of two ways: either begin with the destination in mind and plan accordingly, or start with your budget and see how far it will take you. 

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All four corners, one epic voyage.

The Ultimate World Cruise

The most epic world cruise ever to set sail.

Get ready to see the world in a whole new light — introducing the Ultimate World Cruise onboard Serenade of the Seas®. You can spend 274 nights bonding with like-minded explorers over global discoveries across all seven continents. Or pick a corner of the globe and explore every inch of it on one of four Ultimate World Cruise℠ segments — each an immersive voyage of 60+ nights. Connect with countless distinct cultures, soak up the most spectacular landscapes on Earth, and marvel at World Wonders that showcase mankind’s boundless imagination.

Or call your local travel advisor . For more information, call the Ultimate World Cruise Contact Line at 800-423-2100.

Dive deeper into the world's wonders

Ultimate world cruise.

Visit 150+ destinations and 8 World Wonders, across 7 continents and 60+ countries. The Ultimate World Cruise features four distinct segments that traverse the globe in one incredible journey.

Dec 10th – Feb 11th

Ultimate Americas Cruise

Feb 11th - May 9th

Ultimate Asia Pacific Cruise

May 9th - July 10th

Ultimate Africa & Southern Europe Cruise

July 10th - Sep 10th

Ultimate Europe & Beyond Cruise

Chichén Itzá, Cozumel, Mexico

Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Iguazu Falls, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Machu Picchu, Lima, Peru

Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Australia

Great Wall of China, Beijing, China

The Taj Mahal, Cochin, India

The Colosseum, Rome, Italy

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Berlin, Germany

Copenhagen, Denmark

New York, New York

Dec 10th 2023 – Feb 11th 2024

Venture across Three Continents

36 Destinations, 64 Nights

Arica, Chile

Your once-in-a-lifetime journey begins December 2023, embarking from in Miami on the first segment of the Ultimate World Cruise℠ — the Ultimate Americas Cruise. Go from postcard-perfect Caribbean shores—including the ABC islands —to viewing abundant wildlife like sea lions, penguins and whales roaming glacier-studded Antarctica as you round Cape Horn. Along the way, discover World Wonders in South America, including man-made marvels and extraordinary natural phenomena.

Take in the largest Art Deco sculpture in the world, Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. Behold the largest waterfall system on the planet, Iguazú Falls near Buenos Aires. And explore Machu Picchu, one of the most iconic symbols of Peru’s ancient Inca heritage. Then sail up to the Yucatàn Peninsula to discover hidden coves and dramatic rock formations along Land’s End in Cabo San Lucas before exploring Ensenada.

Feb 11th 2024 - May 9th 2024

Far East. Down Under. And up for anything

40 Destinations, 87 nights

Taj Mahal, India

Venture miles from ordinary in Australia and Asia on this leg of the Ultimate World Cruise SM . Explore Hawaii and discover the crystal-clear waters of Mo’orea and Tahiti in unspoiled French Polynesia. Set out for Australia’s Great Barrier Reef — the only living thing on the planet that’s visible from space. Trek from pristine natural beauty in Bali to one of the most iconic man-made World Wonders, the Great Wall of China. And discover the unparalleled culture and modern architecture of Tokyo, then take in one of the most breathtaking sights in the world — The Taj Mahal.

May 9th 2024 - July 10th 2024

Beauty beyond belief

Ultimate Africa & Med Cruise

39 Destinations, 63 Nights

Walvis Bay Sandwich Harbour

Explore the orange sand dunes of the world’s oldest desert in Namibia. Bask in the beauty of idyllic beaches in Cape Town. And hike mist-topped rainforests along the Ivory Coast. Plus, go back in time as you wander through the Colosseum in Rome and get lost in the Venetian-style streets of Corfu.

Then your journey continues to even more destinations known for their storied history — like the fortified walls of Split, Croatia and the cobblestoned streets of Barcelona, Cannes and Provence.

July 10th 2024 - September 10th 2024

Set a course for the north

40 Destinations, 63 Nights

Blue Lagoon, Iceland

The final leg of the Ultimate World Cruise is an immersive cultural exploration starting in the Med heading north. Discover Barcelona’s brilliant architecture, including Gaudi’s Sagrada Família. Savor flavors across continents — like a dinner of tagine and mint tea in Morocco.

Go from taking in fjords in Norway to biking through Copenhagen. Finally, experience another natural marvel — the other-worldly geothermal seawater at The Blue Lagoon in Iceland before stopping in New York and Perfect Day at CocoCay on your way back to Miami.

Amenities Included in your entire adventure

Join us for the entire Ultimate World Cruise, you’ll enjoy exclusive perks and amenities — all included in your adventure. So you can complement back-to-back discoveries onshore with all your favorite comforts onboard, plus thoughtful touches to elevate every moment.

*New World Wonders Shore Excursions included for Crown & Anchor® Society Platinum members & above

Business Class Airfare

Premium Transportation Between Airport, Hotel and Ship

Pre-cruise Hotel & Gala

New World Wonders Shore Excursion*

Deluxe Beverage Package

Wash & Fold Laundry Service

VOOM Surf & Stream

A World Wandering Fleet Favorite

Designed with acres of glass offering panoramic vistas of sea, sky and land, Serenade of the Seas® is the perfect ship for scenery-scoping. Take in captivating views of Norway’s majestic fjords, gaze at glaciers in Antarctica, and soak up the sun and the sights while cruising through French Polynesia. In between adventures onshore, you can unwind poolside or tee off on the mini golf green. Settle in for dazzling entertainment or dance until dawn beneath the stars. And with top-notch restaurants onboard, every meal turns into a global taste-tour that’s as immersive as your Ultimate World Cruise.

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Machu Picchu, Peru

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Cruise Details & Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Ultimate World Cruise?

The Ultimate World Cruise is a never-before-offered Royal Caribbean adventure that takes you on a 274-night journey around the world from December 10, 2023 – September 10, 2024. The adventure begins and ends in Miami, Florida, visiting all 7 continents, 65 countries, 150 ports of call, with 16 overnights and 8 World Wonders. More than 40 of the ports you’ll visit are either rarely available on our other itineraries or brand new to Royal Caribbean, so get ready for the exploration of a lifetime. Book The Ultimate World Cruise early to ensure the best accommodation throughout the entire voyage.

What is the starting price for the Ultimate World Cruise and its 4 individual segments?

Ultimate World Cruise Starting Price

Considering all that’s included in your 274-night Ultimate World Cruise fare, you’ll enjoy an incredible value. No matter which stateroom you choose, your fare includes Ultimate World Cruise complimentary amenities like business class airfare, pre-cruise hotel and gala, Deluxe Beverage Package, gratuities, VOOM internet package, wash and fold laundry service, and more.

*Taxes, fees, and port expenses of $4,667 USD per person are additional and are subject to change at any time. All starting prices listed are per person, in USD, cruise only, based on double occupancy and are subject to change at any time.

Ultimate World Cruise Segments Starting Price

Considering all that’s included in your Ultimate Cruise segment fare, you’ll enjoy an incredible value. No matter which stateroom you choose, your fare includes Ultimate Cruise segment complimentary amenities like Deluxe Beverage Package, gratuities, VOOM internet package, and wash and fold laundry service.

*Taxes, fees, and port expenses are additional and are subject to change at any time. All starting prices listed are per person, in USD, cruise only, based on double occupancy and are subject to change at any time.

What are the 8 World Wonders the Ultimate World Cruise and the four Ultimate Cruise segments will visit, and on what dates?

Ultimate Americas Cruise: December 10, 2023 – February 11, 2024

Chichen Itza: via Cozumel Dec 13, 2023

Christ the Redeemer: via Rio de Janeiro Dec 31, 2023

Iguazu Falls: via Buenos Aires Jan 5, 2024

Machu Picchu: via Lima Jan 29-30, 2024

Ultimate Asia Pacific Cruise: February 11, 2024 – May 9, 2024

Great Barrier Reef: via Airlie Beach and Cairns March 13-14, 2024

Great Wall of China: via Beijing April 7-8, 2024

Taj Mahal: via Cochin May 1, 2024

Ultimate Africa & Med Cruise: May 9, 2024 – July 10, 2024

Colosseum: via Rome July 1, 2024

Ultimate Europe & Beyond Cruise: July 10, 2024 – September 10, 2024

There are no World Wonders visited during this Ultimate Cruise segment.

What benefits are included when booking the Ultimate World Cruise or one of the four Ultimate Cruise segments?

Guests who join us for the entire Ultimate World Cruise will receive the following inclusions:

Embarkation Amenities

Round-trip business class airfare

Pre-cruise hotel and gala

Premium transfers between airport, hotel and ship

Onboard Amenities

Deluxe Beverage Package for entire voyage

VOOM Wi-Fi internet for entire voyage

Gratuities for entire voyage

Wash and fold laundry service

Our Crown & Anchor Society guests who hold Platinum status and above will also receive the exclusive benefit of included excursions to the 7 New World Wonders.

Guests who join us for one of the four Ultimate Cruise segments will receive the following inclusions:

Deluxe Beverage Package for entire segment

VOOM Wi-Fi for entire segment

Gratuities for entire segment

Wash and fold laundry service for entire segment

Will I receive the same stateroom for the entire duration of my Ultimate World Cruise or Ultimate Cruise segment?

Our Ultimate World Cruise team will ensure that you get the same stateroom for the entirety of the cruise when purchased within the exclusive booking window through November 2021. If you are purchasing your Ultimate World Cruise after the Ultimate Cruise segments have opened for sale, our team will work with you to make every effort to secure the same stateroom for your entire time onboard, based on the remaining available inventory.

What is the payment schedule for the Ultimate World Cruise and the four Ultimate Cruise segments?

To reserve a stateroom on the Ultimate World Cruise or one of the four Ultimate Cruise segments a non-refundable deposit is required. Final payment must be received by Royal Caribbean 180 days prior to cruise departure. For bookings created within 180 days prior to cruise departure, final payment must be received within 48 hours of booking.

How long do I have to place my deposit for the Ultimate World Cruise or one of the four Ultimate Cruise segments?

If outside of final payment, our Ultimate World Cruise and Ultimate Cruise segment guests are able to place a two-week hold to lock in their preferred stateroom and price before deposit is required. Your deposit must be placed within the two-week offer period to secure your selected stateroom.

Are there travel insurance options available on the Ultimate World Cruise or the four Ultimate Cruise segments?

There are travel insurance options available to guests who meet certain qualifications. For more information, please call 800-423-2100 or contact your Travel Advisor.

Why are the Ultimate World Cruise and the four Ultimate Cruise segments only offered as nonrefundable?

Our Ultimate World Cruise and the four Ultimate Cruise segments are a unique adventure that has never before been offered by Royal Caribbean and we want to ensure that our guests who are committed to sharing this experience with us receive priority placement. To preserve this unique experience, all sailings onboard Serenade of the Seas from December 10, 2023 – September 10, 2024, will be offered as exclusively nonrefundable.

Explore More

Title: How One SFS Senior Went Around the World in 90 Days

Before coming to Georgetown, Emily Hardy (SFS’23) had never traveled extensively, let alone by herself.

Now as she prepares to walk the stage at commencement, Hardy can say she’s quite literally traveled around the world — all in 90 days.

Hardy is part of an elite group of circumnavigators . The rules Hardy had to follow were not for the faint of heart: She had to travel in one direction to at least six countries and three continents. Her travels had to exceed the distance of the Earth’s equator — all 24,900 miles. And she had to do it all in just three months.

For Hardy, that was a challenge waiting to be accepted — and a challenge uniquely suited for the then-junior who in many ways had been preparing for an international adventure throughout her time at Georgetown.

Preparing to Circumnavigate the World

An international politics major, Hardy has been engrossed in global affairs ever since her high school social studies teacher inspired her to start thinking about engaging with the world through diplomacy. She decided to attend Georgetown instead of a university in her native Canada for its Washington, DC, location and proximity to policymakers.

“You get to be at the heart of so many political things and thinkers [at Georgetown],” Hardy said. “That’s why I picked DC in the end.”

In her four years on the Hilltop, Hardy has led the Georgetown International Relations Club , organized academic programming on foreign policy and competed on Georgetown’s top-ranked Model United Nations team. She also worked with multiple professors studying global issues. She even traveled to Paris this spring with Claire Standley , an associate research professor in the Center for Global Health Science and Security, to help present on animal health emergencies at the World Organization of Animal Health.

So when Hardy first discovered the opportunity to travel the world to conduct research during her junior year, it was a natural fit.

Hardy’s globe-trotting adventure was made possible by the School of Foreign Service (SFS)’s Circumnavigator Grant , a grant that gives one SFS junior the chance to conduct an around-the-world research project on an international issue.

After seeing a call for applications in the weekly SFS announcement emails, Hardy knew she had to apply.

“Although I could not have imagined myself taking a trip around the world before coming to Georgetown, I always hungered to see different places, immerse myself in different cultures and gain a truly international educational experience,” Hardy said. “I think it was this urge that compelled me to apply for the grant.”

Getting the call that she won the grant while eating at the Georgetown neighborhood restaurant Mai Thai, she knew that she was in for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Kicking off in DC in the summer of 2022, Hardy traveled from Morocco to France, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Singapore, Thailand and finally to her home in Canada.

In the lead-up to her departure, Hardy had a lot to learn and prepare for. With $9,500 in her grant to travel for three months, she knew she’d have to stick to hostels and travel light.

“I was outrageously underprepared. No one should have let me go,” Hardy joked. 

For the entire journey, Hardy had to live out of her backpacking gear. Her only possessions: Five outfits, two pairs of shoes, her laptop, a journal and some other basic necessities.

“I had to buy a new pair of sneakers because I quite literally walked holes into my sneakers,” Hardy said. “It was wild, truly.”

Conducting Global Research

Hardy’s research project examined the variables affecting why certain countries have not signed the UN International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families, a multilateral treaty signed in 1990 that today only has 58 signatories.

Hardy first got interested in this topic when she learned that the agreement was the least ratified UN human rights convention. To better understand the phenomena, Hardy examined factors such as the migration patterns and ruling political ideologies in non-signatory states.

In designing her research project, Hardy traveled to non-signatory states and Morocco, the only country on her itinerary that signed the multilateral agreement.

Staying in hostels and moving from place to place on a weekly basis, Hardy often found herself in local cafes to conduct her everyday research while also taking the time to identify subjects for in-person interviews and sites to visit to enrich her research.

Hardy’s research took her from memorials in Germany to cultural sites in Thailand. In Geneva, she observed a session of the Human Rights Council run by Michelle Bachelet — then-United Nations high commissioner for human rights — who was leading investigations into possible human rights abuses around the world.

Hardy noted how visiting these different sites enhanced her research by giving her a richer understanding of cultures.

“You can technically talk to anyone over Zoom now, but the real reason why travel is necessary for the grant is because you’re present in different spaces,” Hardy said. “It was really cool to just have so many different experiences and to realize how different corners of the world are. I think we can get really wrapped up in the belief that there’s only one way to do things. But there’s not. Every cultural context has different ways of doing things.”

Her research project also allowed her to connect with local leaders on the ground in every country to interview, including various diplomats-in-training and Bob Rae, the Canadian ambassador to the United Nations.

The Challenges and Lessons From Solo Travel

Backpacking around the world did not come without its challenges, particularly in being alone for three months.

Hardy encountered her most challenging experience while trekking alone in the wilderness in Thailand, where she was cut off from the outside world without a functioning cell phone.

“I was at this gorgeous waterfall in the middle of Thailand, and I quite literally, out of random chance, got hit by a falling tree,” Hardy recalled with humor.

Yet despite going solo for three months in foreign countries, Hardy appreciates how the individual time allowed her to be in more tune with her own thoughts and emotions.

“Like on campus or when you’re constantly on your phone, we’re constantly seeking distractions from our psyche and our thoughts,” Hardy said.  “And I just would have nothing to do but sit there and journal.”

She also appreciated how brief connections with strangers have left a lasting impression on her. On her first night in Paris, Hardy visited the Eiffel Tower with two young women she’d never met before.

“It was just surreal to see the Eiffel Tower light up at night with these strangers that I’d never met,” Hardy said. “I’ve never seen them since. I have no way of contacting them.”

But that’s all okay for Hardy.

“The big thing I learned was that you don’t need people to be in your life forever for them to have an impact on you,” Hardy said. “People can be temporary and yet impactful.”

Looking Ahead as a Carnegie Junior Fellow

Just a few years ago, Hardy never would have guessed that her education would center on global politics. Today, her world revolves around international affairs and trying to drive change in the world.

“I think that’s the fundamental purpose of education,” Hardy said. “Refining the things that you believe are important in the world and coming up with tools, strategies and methods to bring those visions into reality.”

Hardy will only add to her global credentials in the year to come. In September, she will join the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace as a James C. Gaither Junior Fellow , a competitive one-year program in which junior fellows conduct research alongside Carnegie scholars on important foreign policy issues. At Carnegie, Hardy will study the intersection between climate change, technology and international affairs.

Hardy credits Georgetown and the Circumnavigator Grant for making her a more thoughtful researcher and observer of international politics, enabling her to see countries adversely affected by climate change. Her experience gave her a first-hand glimpse into what she will research at Carnegie and how climate change impacts national security.

“It’s something that very few people can say they’ve done, right? Like spending three months alone, quite literally backpacking around the world in a circle. It’s such a unique experience that I could not have gotten anywhere else but Georgetown.” Emily Hardy

The soon-to-be graduate is particularly interested in how governments can partner with the private sector and technology to build innovative solutions to solve the climate crisis.

“Climate change is the hot topic of our generation. It’s the existential issue,” Hardy said. “I feel like I will give my life to it in some way, shape or form.”

While Hardy dreams of one day inspiring the next generation of global leaders as a professor, her world tour taught her there’s no need to rush to figure everything out.

“I really grew to accept change and discomfort and experience these incredibly high highs and incredibly low lows,” Hardy said. “Like one second you’re swimming in a gorgeous waterfall in Thailand. The next second you’re getting hit by a tree. There’s just incredible variety in your experience, and the Circumnavigator made me more comfortable with living with change and uncertainty, which is not something that I could have said before I came to Georgetown.”

As for whether she’d do it all again, Hardy has no regrets.

“It’s something that very few people can say they’ve done, right? Like spending three months alone, quite literally backpacking around the world in a circle,” Hardy said. “It’s such a unique experience that I could not have gotten anywhere else but Georgetown.”

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Home » Europe » Long-Term Travel in Europe: How to Stay for More Than 90 Days

Long-Term Travel in Europe: How to Stay for More Than 90 Days

Mind-blowing history, delicious food, and charming cities with a history beyond imaginable — Europe is a fascinating place, and long-term travel here is a dream for many.

Unfortunately, visa issues & travel costs often make it difficult to travel through Europe for an extended amount of time, which can throw a lot of travelers away.

But don’t let this discourage you… there are still options for determined humans!

First, you gotta really sink in that Europe isn’t just one place, and when people talk about the 90-day limit, they’re talking about restrictions on the Schengen Area and the visa policy that governs a total of 27 countries. It includes most of the European Union as well as a few non-EU countries.

And that’s mostly what I’m covering here.

This guide will not only show you the options for staying more than 90 days, but also tips for long-term travel in Europe. It may not be easy, but there’s definitely a way or two to make it happen. 😉

Let’s make your dreams come true.

First Things First: The Schengen 90-Day Rule Explained

Money-saving advice for long-term travel in europe, faqs on long-term travel in europe and the schengen 90-day rule, final words of wisdom.

Simply put, the Schengen Area is a group of 27 European countries that work together to make traveling between them easier.

By removing passport controls and border checks, people (and goods) can travel freely in the area without too much hassle – kinda like traveling in a single big ass country.

All you need is a valid passport to enter a Schengen Area country and boom – you’re set.

The Schengen Area got its name after the 1985 Schengen Agreement, signed in the village of Schengen in Luxembourg, and it encompasses some of the most popular backpacker destinations in Europe (The Netherlands, France Portugal… you name them).

And now, while this all sounds like great news, the only issue is that you’ll need a visa (which is difficult to get) if you wish to stay more than 90 days.

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How the Schengen Area Affects You

Citizens from countries such as the US, Canada, or Australia, are allowed to stay in the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. That’s not a whole lot of time, so you’ll want to make the most of it.

Once you hit that 90-day limit, you’ll need to take a break and stay outside the Schengen Area for another 90 days. But don’t worry, the countdown clock stops when you leave, and doesn’t start again until you come back.

So, in theory, you can stay for 30 days, leave for a bit, and come back for another 60 days, as long as it all adds up to 90 days or less.

It’s important to keep in mind that these rules apply to Schengen in general, not just one country. So, if you’re planning a grand European tour, make sure you’re keeping track of how long you’ve been in the area. You don’t want to get caught out and have to leave before you’re ready.

List of Schengen Area Countries

Non-schengen area countries.

There’s more to Europe than the Schengen zone, so it’s worth mentioning a few exceptions. Each of them will have its own set of rules on how long a traveler can stick around without a special visa.

These will be even more important when you lay out your strategy on how to stay in Europe for more than 90 days, but more on that later.

Some noteworthy countries include:

• United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland): 180 days
• Republic of Ireland : 90 days
• Bulgaria : 90 days
• Georgia : up to 365 days! (so you should definitely give it a go )
• Others : you’ll have to look into the particular country you’re planning to visit. The US State Department has compiled all this information for US citizens .

Alright, folks, now for the meat of it. The truly juicy question. The reason why y’all clicked on this article in the first place…

How the heck does one stay in Europe longer than 90 days?

It is NOT possible to extend a tourist visa to Europe, the Schengen 90-day rule is real, and exceeding it can result in fines, deportation, and a ban from re-entering. Enforcement of this rule varies greatly between countries — some may not enforce it as strictly, but it is still not advisable to overstay.

There’s an easy and a hard way to stay longer, though, and we’re gonna look into both. Baby steps.

The Easy Way: Splitting Things Up

There is indeed an easy way to stay in Europe for more than 90 days — you just have to split things up.

Most non-Schengen countries, such as Ireland, Romania, and some other Balkan countries , allow you to stay for up to 60 or 90 days. In the UK, you can stay up to 180 days, and countries like Albania and Georgia even let Americans stay up to a year!

So, in theory, all you need to do to extend your stay in Europe beyond 3 months is to spend 90 days in the Schengen Area, take a trip to Ireland for a couple pints of Guinness, immerse yourself in Bulgarian folk culture for a while, and then return to the Schengen Area with a renewed Schengen visa.

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Want more deetz on why these packs are so  damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!

The “Hard” Way: Longer Term Visas & Life Hacks

If you’re determined enough about moving to Europe, or just politely overstaying as long as possible, know that there is a way — you just gotta be determined enough.

Working Holiday Visa

A working holiday visa might be one of the easiest and best ways to actually travel long-term in Europe. This type of visa is designed with young travelers in mind, meaning people that want to work and travel abroad for a period of time.

In Europe, several countries (both in and outside the Schengen Area) offer working holiday visas. For example, people from Australia, Canada, and New Zealand can apply for a working holiday visa in several European countries, including Germany, France, and Spain.

They allow you to travel and work for up to 12 months , but may have restrictions on the type of work, hours, and specific qualifications or funds required. Make sure to check for specific requirements !

People looking to move to Europe from the US through this method will have a harder time though, as only a couple of countries offer this possibility. The next few options might give you a better chance.

Long-Term-Stay Visa

The majority of Schengen countries do not provide long-term-stay visas for tourists or visitors who do not plan to work in the country. To get a long-stay visa, one must typically apply for a work or residency visa.

The Schengen area does offer a temporary residence visa (C- or D-class, depending on the country) for up to one year, but requirements and availability vary among countries. Some may be more difficult to obtain than others.

Also, some countries may require you to have up to 20,000€ in savings before you can move.

Student Visa

International students can apply for a student visa once they’ve received an admission letter from a recognized European university program. This is the most common type of visa for international students, and it will allow you to enter the country to follow a specific course or program.

These are relatively easy to obtain if you do plan on studying abroad, and it gets better: even though each country has its own set of policies, the European Union advocates for international students to be allowed to stay for at least 9 months to find suitable jobs.

Freelancer/Remote Worker Visa

This one can be a little bit more complex for casual tourists, and you’ll likely be denied if that’s your case. If you live life as a digital nomad, though, then this visa is probably the right choice for you.

There are several countries that offer freelancer visas and visas geared towards the increasing number of remote workers, Germany being one of the most popular ones with their Freiberufle visa .

A freelance visa like this is typically granted for three months, after which it can and should be converted into a residence permit. You apply, pay a fee, submit proof that your business can survive, and then wait to be accepted.

Month to month payments, no lock-in contracts, and no itineraries required: that’s the exact kind of insurance digital nomads and long-term traveller types need. Cover yo’ pretty little self while you live the DREAM!

Get a European Passport/Marry a European

If your parents or grandparents (sometimes even great-grandparents) have citizenship in a European country, you may be able to apply for a passport. With one, you could work in any EU country without paperwork or restrictions! The process can be very time-consuming, but it’s worth it.

Alternatively, you can fall in love and apply for a marriage visa! You’ll get to stay there while the application process goes through and then you can move to Europe and stay there forever with the love of your life (a chocolate croissant).

All jokes aside, leave love out of your visa extension attempts as much as you possibly can.

If you’re planning to stay in Europe for a year or more, costs will definitely add up, even if you just wander around the cheapest countries .

And as you’re probably gonna spend part of this time without work, you’ll need to find ways to make life as inexpensive as possible.

Here are a few different ways you can make this process easier:

• Embrace Hostelling: Hostel life is the best life! Besides saving you a ton of money, hostels are places where you get to meet awesome, like-minded travellers. Just book yourself an epic hostel in Europe and let the magic come to you.
• Try Couchsurfing: For Broke Backpackers that want to go the extra mile, Couchsurfing is the way to go . The community is amazing, and you’re likely to have experiences you would never normally have had — I attribute many of my traveling highlights to it, and highly recommend looking into it.
• Experience Volunteering/Work-Exchange: Do good & experience the world fully by signing up for a volunteering program! There’s definitely a lot to it, as this strategy has gotten a bit of a bad rep over the years, but we address it all in our comprehensive guide to volunteering abroad .

Still have some questions? No problem! We’ve listed and answered the most commonly asked questions below. Here’s what people usually want to know:

How long can you stay in Europe without a visa?

Travelers with a Schengen Visa can stay for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. They have a 180-day countdown, during which you can only stay for a total of 90 days, regardless of how many times you enter or exit the area.

Are there any special visas for Americans looking to move to Europe?

There are no special visas specifically for Americans, but there are a variety of options for long-term stays, such as student visas, work visas, or long-term residency permits. It’s best to check with the specific embassy or immigration office of the country you’re interested in.

How long can an American stay in Europe?

Generally, Americans can stay in EU countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa. This can vary with the country though, as countries like Albania and Georgia let American citizens stay up to a year. Always check with the embassy or consulate before traveling.

Do all European countries use the euro?

Not all European countries use the Euro as their currency. Only the member states of the Eurozone use it, which currently includes 19 out of 27 European Union countries. Places like the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Poland, for example, are not in on that.

Can I stay in Europe longer if I start drinking wine like a true European?

If you can drink wine like a true European and make the border control officer believe that you can’t live without it, it might just work. But if you can’t hold your liquor, they might just think you’re a liability and send you back home. Best stick to the 90-day rule.

That’s all for today, my fellow dreamers. The main takeaway here is that long-term travel in Europe IS possible! Don’t let visa issues and travel costs give you a hard time — just tell ’em where to stick it.

With the right knowledge and trip planning , it is possible to travel through the Schengen Area and other parts of Europe for more than 90 days.

But remember: Europe is not just one place and there are options available for those who REALLY want it. Don’t let anything hold you back from exploring its beauty. And come say hi in Lisbon!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Tomás Monteiro

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can you stay in Spain and France for 60 days, go to England for 30 days, then back to Spain for 30 days.

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90 Day Europe Itinerary

A detailed itinerary for 90 days in Europe. From the UK to Svalbard in the arctic circle. Accommodation, transport options and local highlights. 7 countries, 20 cities, 4 boats and more.

Schengen rules limit access to the EU for many of us around the world, including Brits post-Brexit. We made full use of our 90-day allowance for our epic Europe itinerary.

This adventure took us from London to Svalbard, the northernmost town in the world

We started planning this adventure in reverse. Seeing the northern lights has always been a dream of ours and where better to do so than at the top of the world? We worked backwards from there to our base in London and what follows is the route we plotted through Europe.

We try to limit how frequently we fly, so we made a plan which involved trains and boats, with as few planes as possible.

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Europe Itinerary Location 1 – London

Itinerary Days: 1

Accommodation: With Family

Transport: NA

So whilst England is part of Europe, it isn’t part of the EU so the 90-day Schengen clock doesn’t start yet. We spent the first day of our itinerary doing last-minute shopping and packing as well as spending time with family.

Europe Itinerary Location 2 – Brighton

Itinerary Days: 2-3

Accommodation: Q2

Transport: Train from St. Pancras International to Brighton – 90 minutes.

Our chosen route to France was via ferry from the south coast of England so we used the opportunity to stop in Brighton for two nights and catch up with friends before leaving the UK.

Europe Itinerary Location 3 – Dieppe

Itinerary Days: 4-7

Accommodation: via booking.com

Transport: Train from Brighton to Newhaven Town – 30 minutes

DFDS Ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe – 4 hours.

Dieppe is a relaxed coastal town with a good selection of restaurants and bars, a busy Saturday market, a pretty beach and much more.

Europe Itinerary Location 4 – Rouen

Itinerary Days: 8-10

Accommodation: Airbnb

Transport: Train from Dieppe to Rouen – 49 minutes.

Rouen is a fantastic place, full of history and stunning architecture. We initially planned to stay for 2 nights, but due to a train strike in France, added an extra day here. Because we are generally planning our route one step at a time, this didn’t cause any issues.

Europe Itinerary Location 5 – Paris

Itinerary Days: 11

Accommodation: hotel via booking.com

Transport: Train from Rouen to Paris St-Lazare – 91 minutes.

Paris wasn’t on our itinerary initially as we feel that Paris deserves to be its own holiday, not a short stop on a whirlwind tour. However, whilst you can travel north on the train from Rouen, it was easier to do so via Paris.

As it was an unexpected stop, we hadn’t done any research or planning in advance, but we had a fabulous time exploring by foot during our 24 hours in Paris.

Europe Itinerary Location 6 – Lille

Itinerary Days: 12-13

Transport: Train from Paris Gare du Nord to Lille Flandres – 62 minutes.

We loved the relaxed feeling in Lille, perhaps it was more noticeable in comparison to the hustle and bustle of Paris. We stayed in an Airbnb in the centre, which was a great base for exploring the city.

It was our intention to head north into Belgium, but another train strike meant that we had to continue straight into the Netherlands as we had pre-booked accommodation that couldn’t be changed.

Europe Itinerary Location 7 – Volendam

Itinerary Days: 14-15

Transport: Train from Lille Europe to Amsterdam Central – 3 hours and 7 minutes (Change at Brussels Midi).

Bus from Amsterdam to Volendam – approximately 30 minutes.

Fred and I were lucky enough to have the opportunity to tour parts of the Netherlands in Autumn 2021, but we hadn’t been to Volendam. We booked a hotel in the harbour for a couple of nights and took a direct bus from Amsterdam Central station.

We had a lovely time taking cycle and ferry rides and were very lucky with the weather even though it was the start of October.

Europe Itinerary Location 8 – Amsterdam

Itinerary Days: 16-17

Accommodation: Room Mate Aitana

Transport: Bus from Volendam to Amsterdam Central – 20 minutes

We’ve been to Amsterdam together three times now, and have already planned our fourth visit. We have now planned our return to the UK and it will be via Eurostar from Amsterdam to London in mid-December.

We spent our time walking, catching up with friends we’ve made in the city, eating and drinking. I’ve rounded up a list of must visit places in Amsterdam, with all of our favourite places, so check it out.

Europe Itinerary Location 9 – Bremen

Itinerary Days: 18-24

Accommodation: Apartment via booking.com

Transport: Train from Amsterdam Central to Bremen – 4 hours and 15 minutes (change at Osnabrück)

After 17 days and 8 different locations, we needed a bit of a break and chose to stop in Bremen for a week. We weren’t disappointed.

Head south from the train station and towards the river and you’ll find the old town. Beautiful architecture, great restaurants, quirky bars. To the North is Bürgerpark, a sprawling maze of paths, lakes, ponds and play areas for the kids. There are also several cafes. We stopped at Waldbühne for a treat after exploring the park.

Europe Itinerary Location 10: Hamburg

Itinerary Days: 25-27

Accommodation: Hotel via Booking.com

Transport: Train from Bremen to Hamburg – 1 hour and 27 minutes

Whilst this was my first visit to Hamburg, Fred has been several times before. As such, these three days were a whirlwind tour of his favourite places to eat and drink.

While we were in Hamburg we made a decision about the next steps of the itinerary. We had originally planned to head north from Hamburg to Copenhagen, but at this stage, we looked for alternative options.

We looked at the possibility of travelling north-east via Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, before taking a ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki. However, the train routes were restricted to weekend travel in places and we couldn’t find options which worked with our timeframes.

We then discovered an overnight ferry crossing from Gdańsk in Poland to Nynäshamn in Sweden . This option worked well with our timeframe and gave us the opportunity to head east and explore Poland for a couple of weeks.

Europe Itinerary Location 10: Berlin

Itinerary Days: 28-29

Transport: Train from Hamburg to Berlin – 2 hours and 4 minutes

Although we only spent two nights in Berlin, we both agreed that there is something special about it.

It rained torrentially for almost the entire stay, but we didn’t let that stop us from seeing as much as we could.

There are so many things to see and do in Berlin, but we took advantage of the free exhibitions and monuments. My post on how to spend 48 hours in Berlin is coming soon.

Europe Itinerary Location 11: Poznań

Itinerary Days: 30-31

Transport: Train from Berlin to Poznań Główny direct – 3 hours and 5 minutes

We immediately liked the feel and atmosphere of Poznań. We stayed near the old town where there are lots of bars and restaurants, just a short walk from the main train station.

Europe Itinerary Location 12: Warsaw

Itinerary Days: 32-38

Transport: Train from Poznań Główny to Warszawa Gdańska – 3 hours and 24 minutes

The train journey between Poznań and Warsaw was the first where we had trouble booking tickets online. The train services require seat reservations and all the services we looked at were sold out in the days before we were due to travel. By going to the station and speaking to staff, we were able to get a ticket to an alternative station slightly further north, but still within central Warsaw.

We spent a week in Warsaw, partially so we could explore the city at leisure, but also as we knew it would help to keep costs down before heading into Scandinavia.

Europe Itinerary Location 13: Gdańsk

Itinerary Days: 39-41

Accommodation: Apartment via Booking.com

Transport: Train from Warszawa Gdańska to Gdańsk Główny – 3 hours and 20 minutes

Gdańsk is in the north of Poland and on the coast. It is a popular holiday and weekend destination for the Polish as well as tourists from abroad. As a result, the weekends can be very busy, so think ahead and book a table if you don’t want to wait.

Gdańsk was a lovely place to explore for a few days. We also found a fantastic pizza restaurant on the river. It impressed us enough to make it onto our list of where to find the best pizza outside Italy .

Europe Itinerary Location 14: Onboard Nova Star

Itinerary Days: 42

Accommodation: Onboard

Transport: Overnight ferry from Gdańsk to Nynäshamn – 18 hours

If you’ve never been on an overnight voyage, then we highly recommend you try it. We had a fantastic night’s sleep in a basic but cosy cabin.

We’ve written more about the experience of travelling from Poland to Sweden by ferry .

Europe Itinerary Location 15: Stockholm

Itinerary Days: 43-45

Transport: Train from Nynäshamn to Stockholm Södra – 53 minutes

We loved Stockholm and spent our time here exploring the city on foot. We stayed in a converted prison on an island in the middle of the city! More about that experience coming soon.

Europe Itinerary Location 16: Gothenburg

Itinerary Days: 46-48

Accommodation: Långholmen Hotell

Transport: Train from Stockholms Central Station to Gothenburg Central Station – 2hrs 43 mins (+60 mins on a rail replacement bus from Alingsås

Gothenburg felt a bit more relaxed than Stockholm. Good food, good wine and friendly locals. What more could you want?

We also found a fantastic pizza place that made it onto our list of where to find the best pizza outside of Italy .

Europe Itinerary Location 17:Oslo

Itinerary Days: 49-50

Transport: Train from Gothenburg Central Station to Oslo Centraal – 3hrs 36 mins

Europe Itinerary Location 18: Bergen

Itinerary Days: 51-57

Accommodation: AirBnb

Transport: Train from Oslo Centraal to Bergen – 6 hrs 50 minutes

Whilst this was the longest train journey of the trip, it was also the most beautiful.

We decided to spend a week in Bergen to relax before getting on our Hurtigruten. Bergen is a nice mix of local and touristy and it is definitely worth taking a couple of extra days to explore the city and surrounding nature.

Europe Itinerary Location 19: Hurtigruten cruise from Bergen to Tromso

Itinerary Days: 58-61

Accommodation and Transport: On board MS Richard With

This was our first experience on a cruise, and anyone who has travelled with Hurtigruten will tell you they do it differently. Boats are the size of a ferry, so they feel small and intimate, but have all of the facilities you could need. The food is also fantastic.

Much more about this fabulous adventure coming soon.

Europe Itinerary Location 20: Tromso

Itinerary Days: 62-75

It is a well-known fact that Tromso is one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights. We weren’t taking any chances of missing them and booked an apartment for two weeks. This paid off and we saw the northern lights from our garden more often than we didn’t.

We were in Tromso when the sun rose for the last time in 2022. This is a fantastic part of the world – much more about our time in Tromso will be published soon.

Europe Itinerary Location 21:Svalbard

Itinerary Days: 76-78

Accommodation: Svalbard Hotell | Polfareren

Transport: Flight from Tromso to Longyearbyen – 90 minutes

When you are in Svalbard, you feel like you are at the top of the world. December in Svalbard is dark. Polar night means that the sun never rises at this time of the year. It is a very interesting thing to experience.

Related Posts:

Packing list for Svalbard in December

Europe Itinerary Location 22: Olso

Itinerary Days: 79

Transport: Flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo – 4 hours with a stop in Tromso

This was just an overnight pit-stop on the way south. From central Oslo it is just a short walk to the color line ferry terminal.

Europe Itinerary Location 23: On board MS Color Fantasy

Itinerary Days: 80

Accommodation and Transport: On board MS Color Fantasy Oslo to Kiel

We weren’t prepared for what we found on board MS Color Fantasy. We were expecting something similar to the ferry on the Poland to Sweden ferry . However, this was closer to a cruise ship, with bars, restaurants, shows, shops and A LOT of people.

We spent most of our time in our cabin, which was thankfully very comfortable.

Europe Itinerary Location 24: Hamburg

Itinerary Days: 81-82

Accommodation: Hotel booked directly

Transport: train from Kiel to Hamburg – 80 minutes

By this time it was mid-December and Hamburg was transformed by Christmas markets. A magical time of year to visit European cities.

Europe Itinerary Location 25:Amsterdam

Itinerary Days: 83-85

Transport: Train from Hamburg to Amsterdam – 5 hours 25 minutes with a change at Osnabruck

We chose Amsterdam as our final destination on the continent as it is now possible to get a train directly from there to London St. Pancras International in about 4 hours.

Unfortunately, train strikes interfered with our plans for a final time and our train was cancelled. This left us with little option but to fly back to the UK. Luckily we were able to book last minute flights, but it cost twice as much as the Eurostar ticket we had purchased in advance!

Europe Itinerary Location 26: London

Itinerary Days: 86

Accommodation: with family

Transport: Flight from Amsterdam to London Gatwick, Train from Gatwick to London Bridge, London Underground

A final journey via plane, train and London Underground took us back to my family home for Christmas in London.

Have a look at our ‘Where We’ve Been’ page to see where our travels have taken us so far.

If you’re thinking about travelling full-time, or are planning an extended itinerary, have a look at our guide on how to prepare and things you should be considering.

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Schengen Area – Crafting a Travel Itinerary Within the 90 Days

Published by Jeremy . Last Updated on August 25, 2022.

Disclaimers : Our site uses demographic data, email opt-ins, display advertising, and affiliate links. Please check out our Terms and Conditions for more information. Listed prices and attraction details may have changed since our visit and initial publication.

When going on our next 14-18 month trip, we were overjoyed with the fact that we would not have to plan very much in advance and could roam on our idealized itinerary .   Then we added Europe into the mix.  In the summer .  After counting the number of days we were hoping to spend on the continent, we realized that we were getting dangerously close to the 90 day visa limit for the Schengen Area while also having to combat the hoards of travelers during peak season.  Just like that our hopes for a reservation free long-term trip came crashing down.   To lock in the good deals in peak season, and to force us to fit within the 90 day Schengen visa limit, our bookings began and thousands of dollars were spent.

The logic of booking in advance during peak season is obvious. But the need to craft our itinerary to fit within the limits of a free Schengen visa may not be as apparent.

What is the Schengen Area?

The Schengen Area is a region of the European Union whose countries came together and agreed on a treaty covering the topics of internal and external border control (amongst others).  To put it simply, European Union countries who enter the Schengen Area agree to open their borders with neighboring countries and only provide checks for entries and exits outside of the area as a whole.

While the full text of the Schengen Agreement is quite interesting, what is critical to most travelers is one small piece of information.  If you reside in a country that has a visa-free agreement with countries in the Schengen Area, but do not carry a passport from one of those countries, you are limited to a 90 day stay in any half-year period .

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For long-term travelers such as ourselves, 90 days in the Schengen Area is hardly any time at all.  With the annual expansion of the European Union, an outsider's ability to explore Europe becomes more and more limited.  It is because of this reason that we had to craft our European itinerary ever so carefully to avoid crossing over this particularly nasty milestone.

How Close to 90 Are We?

As our itinerary is particularly open to changes on the fly, we could easily decide to stay an extra few days in any country in the Schengen Area.  The problem that we realized soon after planning our itinerary was that the number of days we wanted to spend in these countries totaled well over 90 no matter how we looked at it.  In our first itinerary post we mentioned that our logic for booking the first two months in advance was to get us in and out of the expensive Western European countries to lock us out of the urge to stay longer.  This is true; however, we were also keeping Schengen limitations in mind to keep our total number of days in check.

But what countries are we hoping to visit that are in the Schengen Area?  The following is a breakdown of each destination we are looking to visit and the rough number of days we hope to spend in each:

• Switzerland: 12
• Austria: 5, 4, and 2 respectively
• Slovenia: 6

That is one week between us and a very devastating black list in the European Union.  But while 7 days sounds like a lot of time for flexibility, it is not much time if we decide to stay an extra day or two in any given city.  It is because of this reason that our first 60 days are booked entirely before leaving to minimize this desire to stick around longer.

To put it simply: we want to roam, but not that much.

It is also worth pointing out that both Romania and Croatia are set to join the Schengen Area any time between now and 2015.  While it does not sound like either will be admitted into the region before we get there, the fact that we are hoping to spend another 18 days in those two countries at a minimum is something that I have lost a bit of sleep over in the last few months (albeit less now that it doesn't look like it'll happen until 2014).   Romania entering, for example, would put us up at an even 90 and give us absolutely no flexibility on anything we want to see.  Not quite the structure one desires when thinking of traveling long-term now is it?

Would We Really Get Caught?

We could dissect the Schengen Area rules for hours and never get anywhere.  The focal point of the issue is not how limited a traveler is but whether or not someone over staying their entry into the Schengen Area would actually get caught.

At the border it is customary for the agent to look through your passport to find your entry stamp.  If you are looking at spending the entirety of your stay in the Schengen Area in a continuous 90 days, your overstay would be pretty obvious.   But for a set of travelers like us, who are bouncing all over the planet over the first six months of our adventure, it becomes a bit trickier to follow.

As we mentioned above, the first 60 or so days of our itinerary are in the Schengen Area and have been fully booked at the time of this posting.  But the next thirty to forty or so are outside of not only the Schengen Area, but one country is out of Europe as well. Over a month later we're anticipating returning to Europe, with the remaining 30 days being spent inside the Schengen Area.  For a border control agent looking to catch us, they'd have to get through a wall of a few extra stamps to do the math.  Even so, it is something we are leery on risking.

Stories have been told of being black listed in the European Union from future re-entries and is something we do not want, especially if we ever want to try and get a work visa there in the future.  But for every one bad story, several dozen exist where travelers have over stayed or left and returned without issue.  In fact, it is almost common philosophy that the Schengen Area acts as a 90 visa upon entry, with the 6 month validity period being a bit of an afterthought.

But with the progression of technology and the ease of a simple name and passport search, is it something you'd want to risk as a planned feature of your itinerary?  A sympathetic border agent is far more likely to forgive a traveler who overstayed their visa by one day as a mistake than someone who actively planned to stay weeks longer than they are legally allowed.  For us, we can't even think of entertaining the option, and 90 days out of the 180 day period is what we must follow.

It is a funny coincidence that we will have exceeded our 180 day waiting period before heading over to South America.  Or for our Mystery Destination , perhaps it was planned from the start?  You'll just have to wait and find out!

About Jeremy

About the Author: Jeremy is a full-time travel writer based in Pittsburgh and primary author of this site. He has been to 70+ countries on five continents and seeks out new food, adventure activities, and off-the-beaten-path experiences wherever he travels.

1 thought on “Schengen Area – Crafting a Travel Itinerary Within the 90 Days”

The 90 days sucks, especially when they keep expanding the area! I have heard some countries are tougher than others…

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Here’s Everything You Need to Travel the World

F iguring out how to travel the world is no easy feat, especially when you’re trying to do it on a budget or planning world travel with a family.

There are many factors to keep in mind when evaluating your trip, including what to do before leaving and your budget. To help you get started, we’ve put together a guide on how to travel the world, including everything from how to start looking into your trip to how to save money once you’re abroad.

1. Get prepared

If you want to travel the world, there are some planning measures you want to take first to ensure you have durable luggage and the proper documents — a passport and possibly visas — and figuring out how much time off you’ll need.

Get your documents in order

Those in the U.S. will want an up-to-date driver’s license because by Oct. 1, 2020, all U.S. residents traveling domestically must have identification compliant with the Real-ID Act , which increased security requirements for state drivers licenses and ID cards.

Residents in 24 states including Alaska, California, Idaho, Maine, Oregon and Washington have until Oct. 10, 2018 get a Real-ID compliant card, though states have the option to apply for exemptions through Oct. 1, 2020 when the last phase of the Real-ID Act is enforced, meaning residents in those states should regularly check the status of their IDs before flying.

For travel outside of the U.S., passport cards or trusted traveler cards can serve as documents at certain land and sea crossings. But you’ll want to make sure you have a passport book if there’s any chance you might leave or enter another country via plane, where passport cards won’t work.

Already have a passport? You’ll want check if it’s valid for at least six months after planned trips. That’s because some countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Russia make this a requirement for entering their countries. Renewing a passport takes at least six to eight weeks through the mail, but those with proof of international travel (like a flight itinerary) can get an expedited passport renewal for an additional $60 to the $110 fee and by visiting a passport center in person.

International travel could also require a visa depending on the location and duration of your trip. Some countries have agreements in place that allow travelers to enter and leave visa free. For example, the U.S. and Canada don’t require visas for travel ( except in certain circumstances ), and Europe’s 26 Schengen States have a system where a visa issued by one of the 26 states typically allows travel throughout the others for up to 90 days.

To find out if your trip requires a visa, check your destination’s embassy or consulate website. Some countries will allow you to travel visa-free for a short stay. Others, like Lebanon , also allow citizens from destinations like the U.S. to get a visa upon arrival.

Get your vacation dates in order

Working while traveling can be tricky, but there are a few steps you can take that don’t involve quitting your job to travel the world.

Start by saving vacation days if you work at a company that pays out for these dates. Those looking to trade in vacation days can also check out companies like PTO Exchange , which lets companies buy back unused vacation days so employees can convert these days into travel, health benefits or charity credits.

Speed up security wait times

Signing up for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry can help save you time when moving in and out of airports.

TSA PreCheck , which costs $85 for a five-year membership, allows you to speed through domestic airport security without having to remove your shoes, belt, laptop, liquids or light jackets. The service is currently available in 200 airports in the U.S. across 47 participating airlines .

Global Entry , which costs $100 for a five-year membership will get you the same expedited screening through airport security as TSAPreCheck does, while also giving you the added benefit of expedited U.S. customs screenings through automated airport kiosks when arriving from an international destination.

Look for work on the road

Even if you leave your job to travel the world, there are some ways you can make money while abroad .

Companies like Upwork allow people to find work almost anywhere, even while traveling, since it’s open to freelancers across a wide range of fields that include video production, translation, programming, designing, writing, and mobile development. Income will vary on the type of position and number of hours worked, but freelancers can often rack up hourly rates that go as high as $200 per hour, according to Upwork representatives.

You could also find a place to stay through companies like the Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms ( WOOF ), which offers housing at organic farms around the world in exchange for volunteering on the farm, doing everything from feeding livestock and watering gardens to harvesting fruit trees.

Get the right credit card

Having the best travel credit card for your trip can not only prevent foreign transaction fees, but also help you reap rewards and perks during your trip.

A few cards with travel benefits include the Chase Sapphire Reserve ($450 annual fee), which offers $300 toward travel costs, $100 toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, access to thousands of airport lounges, zero foreign transaction fees, and a 1:1 point transfer program towards top airline and hotel loyalty programs. The Bank of America Travel Rewards no-fee card lets you easily cash points to use toward airline tickets, baggage, hotel stays, car rentals and cruise packages. The card offers unlimited points, with up to 1.5 points for every $1 spent and 20,000 bonus points if you make at least $1,000 in purchases the first three months of opening your account.

When it comes to savings on hotels, the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card lets you earn five points for every dollar you spend at one of the company’s hotels, and two points at participating Marriott Rewards hotels.

Read More: What Is Travel Insurance? And How Much Is It?

2. Book travel far in advance

After all that preparation, you’re ready to book your trip around the world, which will likely be a round-the-world plane ticket, a journey by sea, or a combination of flights and ground transportation.

Below is a breakdown of how different travel options work:

Consider a round-the-world ticket

Round-the-world tickets allow you to buy a ticket and fly with various airlines under one alliance. But there are some regulations to keep in mind. Tickets are usually valid for up to one year, though flyers are required to start and end their trip in the same country through the following major alliances:

• Star Alliance (including Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, Austrian, United, and Lufthansa) bases its round-the-world tickets on the number of miles, with levels of passes you can choose from based on mile increments. You can take up to 15 stopovers, but you’ll need to keep moving in the same direction as how you started your trip.
• OneWorld (including American Airlines , British Airways , Cathay Pacific , and Qantas) has two different round-the-world ticket options. Its Global Explorer ticket is a mile-based option with four different mile increments to choose from, while the One World Explorer is based on the number of continents you visit, with up to four segments (flights) you can take in each of the six continents the alliance flies into.
• Skyteam’s (including Delta, Air France, Korean Air, AeroMexico) round-the-world option requires a minimum of two stops and runs for a year, with the alliance even offering theme-based trips, like beach or history, to make planning your ticket a little easier.

Round-The-World tickets can cost around $2,000 , and Dave Grossman, author or MilesTalk: Live Your Wildest Travel Dreams Using Miles and Points , recommends checking whether it’s cheaper to book a round-the-world trip or individual legs by entering itinerary into Google Flights and comparing the overall price to those offered when building an itinerary out on the alliance websites.

You can also book round-the-world tickets through a travel agent or third-party sites like AirTreks of Flight Centre . These sites can be cheaper because they often pull together individual airline tickets based on the lowest fares to create a round-the-world itinerary.

However, round-the-world ticket travelers should note: missing one leg of your ticket could cancel the rest of your trip, making it best for travelers who feel comfortable planning out a lengthy trip well in advance.

Take a world cruise

If you’re looking to travel the world by sea, a world cruise can provide the flexibility to explore multiple continents, traveling from the U.S. to Europe for example, or to hone in on one continent. Itineraries vary by cruise, and world cruises can be great for families, retirees or those who can be at sea for around three months.

Sometimes, cruise lines will offer the option to book only a segment of world cruise, which can range from two weeks to a month. To book a segment, prospective travelers will also have to add a one-way trip to or from the start or end of their journey.

The costs of world cruises can be anywhere from $13,000 to upwards of $40,000 per person, as Cruise Critic points out.

Take a repositioning cruise

If you’re looking to travel the world for cheap, consider a repositioning cruise, which take place when ships need to relocate from one region to another. The cruises can cost up to $50 less per day than classic cruises and typically take place during shifting seasons like the fall and the spring. Cruise lines often sell repositioning tickets as one-way routes.

Consider train travel

If you plan on using trains throughout your world travel, there are a few options. For example, select companies like Great Rail Journeys now offer around the world rail journeys as well as a variety of rail passes.

Amtrak offers U.S. rail passes with 15-day ($459 for adults), 30-day ($689 for adults), and 45-day ($899 for adults) pass options that let you travel across eight segments (stops), 12 segments (stops), and 18 segments (stops).

Rail passes are a popular way to explore multiple stops within continents like Europe on the cheap. The Eurail Global Pass is the only rail pass that lets international travelers visit all of Europe , with unlimited travel offered in 28 countries. Eurail sells its global passes directly through its official website with a variety of prices and time options, starting at $600 per person for six days of travel within a month.

Those looking for the cheapest ways to travel, which can involve buses or ferries, can check out Rome2Rio , which lets you see all the transportation you can take between two locations and what route will be the cheapest. There are also lower-cost options like Berlinbus (a low cost bus operator in Germany) and the Student Agency Bus , which will give you discounted prices on coach lines in Europe. Swiss Federal Railways, often called SBB , also provides travelers with a wide variety of overnight train options, allowing you to save on overnight hotel fees to travel instead.

Know when to book

Unfortunately, there’s no magic set of days before your trip that will get you the best deal on flights. But travel seekers can keep an eye out for regular flight sales on social media, where airlines will often announce flash sales. And there are certain travel apps that will alert you when the price has gone down on flights you’re interested in.

3. Avoid hidden travel and communication fees

Once you’ve started your trip, there are tips and tricks to help you travel each destination across the world on a budget. Here are some ways to cut costs during your travel around the world:

Grab a city pass

City-pass offerings vary by location, but many will give you free or discounted admission to top attractions in a city, as well as fast-track options to cut lines. Some passes, like the Paris Pass , also include free transport throughout the city as well as admission to attractions. If you’re traveling in the U.S., you can check out the CityPASS network , which provides discounts on attractions across 12 North American cities.

Eliminate hidden hotel fees

To reduce hidden hotel fees (that is, after checking what hidden fees the hotel charges before you book), you can ask the hotel whether they can forego additional fees for amenities you don’t use, like the gym or in-room safe. The hotel may be able to remove these charges from your bill before you arrive.

If you’re staying at an all-inclusive property, you’ll want to look into the fine print and the “terms and conditions” of your stay. The reason for this is that some properties will charge more for items like champagne, high-end liquor or some activities. The easiest way to spot these is by keeping your eye out for asterisks in promotions and advertisements.

Communicate for free

Communicating with friends and family while traveling is important, but roaming charges and international calling fees can add up quickly.

Apps like WhatsApp, Viber and Skype, which allow messaging and calling for free over Wi-Fi if you have an Android phone. You can also grab a local SIM card, which you can purchase at airport vending machines and convenience stores. The Local SIM app can pinpoint the best local cellular carrier to grab your SIM card.

Choose Restaurants Wisely

While eating food from around the world is often one of the best parts of traveling, dining out for every meal can become expensive. To save some money: stay away from restaurants located near tourist attractions, which generally have higher prices and lower quality . Some travel experts recommend making lunch your biggest meal, when prices can be half that of dinner, according to CheapOAir.

Ask about free amenities on flights and at hotels

Some airlines and hotels have free perks available to guests who know to ask for them. On flights, for example, travelers can request everything from ukuleles on some Hawaiian Airlines flights to hot chocolate on Southwest Airlines. Some hotels also offer free amenities that range from night lights, chargers and curling irons at Kimpton Hotels to complimentary yoga sessions at select Hyatt properties.

Now, if all you need is travel inspiration, check out the 20 best and affordable places to travel in 2018 .

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Europe Travel: A Schengen Area Itinerary — 13 countries in 90 Days

Our objective is to provide readers with a sense of what can be seen within 90 days in schengen area europe. it suits travelers who would like to get a broad brush look and feel of cities, townships and villages across multiple places in europe ., this itinerary is field tested and realistic around time, money, transport and energy constraints., notes about the itinerary.

• We did not cover Portugal, Southern France, Andorra, Spain and Morocco in this part of the trip.*
• This itinerary does not cover any areas in non-Schengen Area countries. We continuously travelled for the full 90 days of our 180 day allotment within the Schengen Area.
• We did not focus much of our travel on Italy as we’d been the previous couple of years.

Maximize your experience

Most travelers have limited time. The many obligations back home and restricted holiday schedules means that people want to get more out of their itineraries when they are on the road. Because of this, we’ve written a post about How to Structure Travel when Booking a Multi-City Trip to maximize your time.

The only times we felt the pace was rushed were on travel days that turned out to be longer than anticipated.

We organized departure from one city by train, only to find out that we need to make a chance to a local, slower regional train halfway through the ride. our expected three hour train journey turned into a seven hour haul. while you can never fully control the transport schedule, we were not panicked because we had plenty of time to see the next destination, even with this twist in the schedule., we recommend traveling in the morning – you never quite know what can happen on travel days., there’s no right answer for how long to spend in a place — it comes down to whether you want the highlight reel or a longer, deeper look, the locations listed below include cities, towns, villages and islands. each is captivating for its own reasons., some places require a half-day of sightseeing to get an adequate sense and solid feel of the place. other places like cities are places you could spend a lifetime and still not ever know beyond your own neighborhood., similarly, we often receive questions about how long to stay in a certain location before moving on to the next. the reality is, there’s no right answer — it very much depends on whether you’re looking to get a sense of a country’s cities and townships, or looking to get intensely acquainted with a particular place., it’s really up to you., our itinerary, any country names that are hyperlinked route to a more detailed itinerary in that country., 20 comments, leave a reply cancel reply.

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The Golden Rules of Retirement Travel

By Stacey Lastoe

This is part of a collection of stories celebrating the many shapes retirement travel can take. Read more here.

Bonni and Bob Gumport travel regularly in their retirement. Not beholden to one short vacation a year (they average seven big ones), their compounding experience has allowed them to develop a code of rules by which they abide— tips and tricks to use wherever they go. After one too many of the small rooms common in boutique hotels, for example, they’ve cut them out entirely. Also out of the question are walking tours within two days of arrival in a new destination, as they prefer to settle in. Their daughter Lauren describes them as “pros on retiree travel,” but they are not the only ones with advice to give.

There are former museum curators who have learned not to overbook themselves; solo travelers who always learn a little of the local language. Adherence to anyone’s rules will never ensure a vacation free of hiccups, where no flight is ever delayed , every tour is worth the hours put in, and every meal sublime . But learning from others may improve your chances of a good time—even when things inevitably go sideways. We’ve spoken to over 20 retired travelers to hear how their Golden Years have informed the way that they travel. Below, find some of their savviest secrets for better trips.

1. Take a ride on the hop-on, hop-off bus tour

If she’s traveling in a city that offers one of those double-decker hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tours, Denver -based Heidi Burtoni, 65, who goes on multiple trips per year, is definitely stepping aboard. Burtoni says it’s a great way to figure out the rest of her itinerary, get tips from other travelers and the tour guide, and get a feel for the new city. “It’s the first thing I do to get the lay of the land,” says Burtoni. Her previous career in sales means the frequent solo traveler will “talk to anybody,” so these tours also open the door for socializing and making connections.

Know what to skip—“whether that means avoiding tourist traps, the most sweltering hours at fairs, or not putting yourself in danger by flagging a taxi when it's unsafe," says Lynn Zelevansky.

2. Figure out what to avoid

For Paul and Lynn Zelevansky (77 and 76, respectively), travel is less about hitting all the top spots and more about learning where not to go, “whether that means avoiding tourist traps, the most sweltering hours at fairs, or not putting yourself in danger by flagging a taxi when it’s unsafe.” They visit the Venice Biennale in fall, now, rather than at the opening, to avoid the worst of the crushes—it also helps them more effectively skirt the city's infamous pickpockets (Lynn's wallet was stolen on a crowded vaporetto ferry in 2022).

3. BYOTP (Bring Your Own Toilet Paper)

“Toilet paper in Europe is very scratchy … not good for sensitive parts,” says Florida native Karen Butera, an avid pickleball player who often travels with the sport in mind. Whenever overseas, she always travels with her own toilet paper. Butera, 66, is taking her granddaughter to see Taylor Swift in Paris this summer, and, yes, she will be packing TP—creature comforts are even more crucial on the road than they are at home.

4. Don’t overschedule

Packed-to-the-brim itineraries used to be J. Patrice Marandel’s MO, but these days, the former chief curator at Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is more keen on scheduling “plenty of time for the unexpected.” Gone are the nonstop days with planned breakfasts, lunches, and dinners; instead, Marandel, 79, leaves room for the possibility of something unexpected and “exciting.” It often pays off.

5. Pack light

Buffalo, New York-based Lisa LaLonde, 74, and her travel companion Antoinette Judelsohn, 70, whom she’s been traveling with for over a decade, are pros at packing light . The pals can manage for a month on very little, relying on the versatility of black leggings and black tops, says LaLonde. The trick? Develop a travel uniform, bring just a few versions, and wash undergarments as necessary, says Judelsohn. Big suitcases stuffed to the brim with a ton of different outfits are more of a hassle than a luxury. “They’re a pain in the neck if you’re getting on a train or off a train … or moving from one city to another,” says LaLonde.

“Anybody and their brother with an RV travels on Sunday,” warns Jenelle Jones.

6. Don't get (too) excited

Judelsohn, a former teacher who met LaLonde when they worked together at the same school in Buffalo, has another travel rule that’s served her well: Letting go of expectations. “I never get excited about a trip,” says Judelsohn. Instead, the savvy traveler lets the excitement emerge based on what's in front of her in the moment.

7. Avoid traveling on Sundays

RVer Jenelle Jones, 64, is against traveling on Sundays. As she puts it, “anybody and their brother with an RV travels on Sunday.” Long weekend RVers who have to get back for work on Monday use Sundays to head home, so retired Jones, 64, simply avoids the day altogether. It's also, according to her, the “biggest day to get in an RV wreck”— yet another reason to sit back and relax. You have nowhere you need to be, after all. Take advantage.

8. Learn a few words of the local language

Charlotte Simpson , whose blog Traveling Black Widow documents her travels (100 countries and counting so far), says her number one travel rule is to learn a few key phrases—hello, goodbye, please, thank you—in the dominant language of the places she visits. Simpson says her efforts are always well received. “I just find, inevitably, it sort of stuns people when I even just say good morning.” Simpson, who prefers not to reveal her age, says she gets a lot out of bridging the language gap with just a few words: “It just makes people so friendly and so happy that you took this moment to learn [their language].”

9. Travel slower

When you cram too much into a single trip, “the whole experience just kind of becomes a blur,” say Gillian Batt, 43, and Stephanie Myers, 51, whose blog Our Freedom Years documents their early retirement and subsequent travels. The couple, who hail from Ontario, Canada, say staying in one place for an extended period of time helps them avoid travel burnout, keep costs low, and enjoy the whole experience more. All that rushing around on limited PTO? Well behind them.

For RVers like Norm, keeping things flexible is key.

10. Go your own way

The pandemic crystallized things for Kim Kelly Stamp , 65, and her wife Liz Schick, 62, who left it all behind and decided to travel around the country in a red 21-foot teardrop trailer. They’ve since gotten really good at going with the flow. “We know where we’re going to stay along the way, but we hold that really loosely and give ourselves the opportunity to make something else happen,” explains Stamp. This approach led them to Laurel, Mississippi, where the HGTV show Hometown —of which Stamp and Schick are big fans of, is based. Instead of following a regimented schedule, they followed their passion when the road forked, literally.

11. Keep an open heart and mind

In spite of being seasoned travelers, John and Bev Martin, 60, who started the RetirementTravelers site to share their journey with others, admit they still need to remind themselves that they can’t control everything. “We have to be patient and receptive to the lessons the world is trying to teach,” says the couple. One that keeps coming up? “Retirement is not the time to stop dreaming about new and different routes in life.”

12. Do your research

The Gumports appreciate getting a taste of the local culture wherever they are traveling, and they’re not opposed to tours or experiences that deliver on this front. But Bonni has a few words of advice: “If you’re looking at purchasing something that uses words such as ‘bespoke, artisanal, farm-to-table’ and more fluffy adjectives, make sure these experiences are as authentic as they sound.” Read reviews thoroughly and take the time to research before you buy, advises Bonni. It's fun to be spontaneous, but it's easy to be misled by clever marketing and buzzwords.

13. It’s a marathon—not a sprint

It wasn’t long before Brenda Huyhn adopted—and adapted— a popular van-lifer rule: Don’t travel more than 3 hours, get in by 3 p.m., and stay at least 3 nights. Huyhn, who at 47 retired earlier than many, is adamant about not trying to do too much in one day to avoid burnout. She and her husband take their time, prioritizing “quality over quantity” with their stops and stays. It makes the entire experience all the richer.

14. You can always head home

Diana Petterson is on track to hit the 100-country mark just in time for her 70th birthday in 2026. But as much as the Black solo traveler loves seeing the world, she’s not afraid to ditch a trip if something isn’t working out. “Wherever I am in the world, if for whatever reason I am uncomfortable, or I don't feel well … I’m going to plop down that credit card , and get home.”

15. Start the day early to avoid the crowds

Artist Simma Liebman, 76, enjoys going to museums while visiting new cities and places. But since the retiree is immunocompromised, she plans these outings a little differently. Now Liebman hits the museums “as early in the day as possible” and masks up while taking in the art "unless there are very few people inside.” Whatever your motivation, rising early is something you can be sure the hordes of 20-something backpackers won't be doing. Beat them to all the best spots.

“I like a very good hotel, but not necessarily the best,” says Betty. Focus on getting the right location.

16. Base yourself strategically

Betty, 80, an art collector who declined to share her last name, has found that mid-sized hotels (meaning about 200 rooms) in central locations, with just enough of the services she wants and needs, do the job. “I like a very good hotel, but not necessarily the best,” says Betty. As long as you have the basics covered, it's really about location, location, location.

17. Don’t wait for tomorrow

Instead of putting off travel for a later date, Chicago -based Ruthie Maldonado-Delwiche advises those interested in exploring the world to get out there and “do it now.” Because “tomorrow isn’t promised,” Maldonado-Delwiche, who’s been traveling since she retired in 2017, says. Don't wait if there’s something you want to do or a place you want to visit.

Former psychiatrist Ann Heaslett, 60, who aims to run the six major world marathons in her retirement, feels exactly the same way. “There’s no time like the present.”

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World Heritage Day 2024: India’s 5 remarkable sites that draw millions every year

TRAVEL TRENDS , INDIA Updated : Apr 18, 2024, 13:31 IST

India, a land steeped in history and culture, is home to a wealth of heritage sites that capture the imagination of travellers from around the globe. Not only ancient temples, there are majestic forts to marvel at, wherein each site tells a story of India's rich past and diverse heritage. Here are some of India's most visited and remarkable heritage sites that you can plan to visit to explore their significance and the reasons behind their enduring allure.

Taj Mahal, Agra

Undoubtedly, the Taj Mahal stands as India's most iconic symbol of love and architectural splendour. Commissioned by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, this breathtaking white marble mausoleum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that you try visiting at least once in your lifetime. Its intricate craftsmanship, symmetrical design, and ethereal beauty draw millions of visitors each year, and offers a glimpse into the opulence of Mughal architecture and the enduring power of love.

Jaipur City Palace, Rajasthan

Nestled in the heart of Rajasthan's capital, Jaipur, lies the majestic City Palace, a magnificent blend of Rajput, Mughal, and European architectural styles. Built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the palace complex encompasses courtyards, gardens, and palatial structures adorned with exquisite artwork and historical artefacts. Visitors are captivated by the grandeur of the palace, which proudly showcases Rajasthan's royal legacy and vibrant cultural heritage.

Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Maharashtra

Steeped in antiquity and spiritual significance, the Ajanta and Ellora Caves are proof of India's rich religious traditions and artistic prowess. Carved into the rock cliffs of Maharashtra, these ancient cave complexes showcase remarkable Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain temples, monasteries, and sculptures dating back to the 2nd century BCE. The intricate carvings and mural paintings depict scenes from Indian mythology and offer insight into the spiritual practices of bygone eras, attracting history enthusiasts and pilgrims alike.

Khajuraho Group of Monuments, Madhya Pradesh

Renowned for its stunning depiction of human emotions and sensuality, the Khajuraho Group of Monuments is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that showcases India's architectural brilliance and cultural diversity. Built by the Chandela dynasty between the 9th and 11th centuries, these intricately carved temples feature elaborate sculptures depicting various aspects of life, love, and spirituality. Despite the passage of centuries, the Khajuraho temples continue to mesmerise visitors with their exquisite craftsmanship and timeless appeal.

Hampi, Karnataka

Nestled amid the rugged terrain of Karnataka lies the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hampi, a sprawling complex of ruins that was once the glorious capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Steeped in history and architectural splendour, Hampi's ancient temples, royal enclosures, and boulder-strewn landscape offer a captivating glimpse into India's mediaeval past. Visitors can wander through the labyrinthine streets, marvel at the towering gopurams, and soak in the serene ambiance of this living heritage site.

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India, a land steeped in history and culture, is home to a wealth of heritage sites that capture the imagination of travellers from around the globe. Not only ancient temples, there are majestic forts...

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Two days after $1.3 billion Powerball drawing, the winning Oregon ticket holder remains unknown

A Plaid Pantry in Portland, Oregon, was the location where a $1.3 billion Powerball ticket was sold. State lottery officials call the ticket sale a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ event.

Plaid Pantry President and CEO Jonathan Polonsky leaves a Plaid Pantry convenience store after a news conference on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Portland, Ore. A ticket matching all six Powerball numbers in Saturday’s $1.3 billion jackpot was sold at the store. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

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Plaid Pantry cashier Darling Hinojosa looks out the window as members of the media begin to gather for a news conference outside the convenience store on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Portland, Ore. A ticket matching all six Powerball numbers in Saturday’s $1.3 billion jackpot was sold at the store. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Plaid Pantry President and CEO Jonathan Polonsky laughs during a news conference outside a Plaid Pantry convenience store on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Portland, Ore. A ticket matching all six Powerball numbers in Saturday’s $1.3 billion jackpot was sold at the store. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Oregon Lottery External Communications Program Manager Melanie Mesaros speaks during a news conference outside a Plaid Pantry convenience store on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

A customer enters a Plaid Pantry convenience store on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Plaid Pantry President and CEO Jonathan Polonsky speaks outside a Plaid Pantry convenience store on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

The Plaid Pantry convenience store that sold a $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot, the eighth-largest lottery prize in U.S. history, is seen in Portland, Ore., on Monday, April 8, 2024. The odds of winning a Powerball drawing are 1 in 292 million. (AP Photo/Claire Rush)

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The winner of the eighth-biggest lottery prize in U.S. history won’t be announced for at least a couple more weeks until their ticket is verified and arrangements for the massive payment are made, Oregon lottery officials said Tuesday.

A person with a ticket matching all six Powerball numbers in Saturday’s $1.3 billion jackpot came forward Monday to claim the prize from last weekend’s drawing. They bought the ticket at a convenience store in northeastern Portland.

For selling the winning ticket, managers of the Plaid Pantry location plan to share their $100,000 bonus. The store’s other employees typically get a cut of lottery prize bonus payments too, said Jonathan Polonsky, CEO and president of Plaid Pantry.

Lottery officials said they were taking precautions to verify the win and in order to send the winner the sum, they will need to coordinate with the Multi-State Lottery Association, which oversees the Powerball and Mega Millions lotteries. That will take time.

“We’ve never had a jackpot this large in Oregon won here. There’s a lot of moving pieces,” Oregon Lottery spokesperson Melanie Mesaros said.

Oregon has had five previous Powerball jackpot winners, including two families who shared a $340 million prize in 2005.

The jackpot has a cash value of $621 million if the winner chooses to take a lump sum rather than an annuity paid over 30 years, with an immediate payout followed by 29 annual installments.

In Oregon, the prize is subject to federal and state taxes that whittle down the haul by a couple hundred million.

The prize was the fourth largest Powerball jackpot in history and the eighth largest among U.S. jackpot games, according to the Oregon Lottery.

The largest U.S. lottery jackpot won was $2.04 billion in California in 2022.

Gruver reported from Cheyenne, Wyoming.

US restricts travel of embassy workers in Israel as Iran retaliation looms

Editor's Note: This page is a summary of news on the Israel-Hamas war for Thursday, April 11. For the latest news on the conflict in the Middle East, view our story for Friday, April 12 .

The U.S. State Department issued a security alert Thursday for its personnel and their families in Israel, limiting where they can go amid increased concerns of an Iranian attack.

“Out of an abundance of caution, U.S. government employees and their family members are restricted from personal travel outside the greater Tel Aviv (including Herzliya, Netanya, and Even Yehuda), Jerusalem, and Be’er Sheva areas until further notice,’’ the alert says. “U.S. government personnel are authorized to transit between these three areas for personal travel.’’

There’s no reference in the alert to an impending Iranian strike, but Tehran has signaled it will retaliate for the April 1 assault on its consulate in Damascus, which killed seven senior Iranian military officers. Israel is widely believed to have launched that attack, although it has not claimed responsibility.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken reached out in the last day to the foreign ministers of China, Saudi Arabia and Turkey “to make clear that escalation is not in anyone’s interest and that countries should urge Iran not to escalate,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters Thursday.

With the Israel-Hamas war still raging past the six-month mark, the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem is also urging American citizens to be mindful of the risks of traveling to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, warning against visiting the embattled Palestinian territory.

“The security environment remains complex and can change quickly depending on the political situation and recent events,’’ the alert says.

Israel to 'flood Gaza with aid': War of words with Iran also heats up

Developments:

∎ Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews demonstrated near a Jerusalem enlistment office, protesting a recent court ruling that means "Haredim" men will be drafted for the first time since Israel was founded in 1948.

∎ Israel is prepared for military confrontations beyond Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday, amid concern that Iran was getting ready to strike Israel. "Whoever harms us, we will harm them," he said.

∎ The Israel Defense Forces said it began a "precise, intelligence-based operation to strike terrorist infrastructure and eliminate operatives in central Gaza'' overnight into Thursday.

∎ Russia urged countries in the Middle East to show restraint to avoid "complete destabilization" of the region. Russia also warned its citizens against traveling to the Middle East.

Iran says it must punish Israel because UN didn't condemn embassy attack

Tehran must retaliate for the deadly attack on its consular compound in Damascus last week because the U.N. Security Council failed to condemn the strike or take any action against Israel, Iran’s U.N. mission said in a statement posted Thursday on the X platform.

“Had the U.N. Security Council condemned the Zionist regime’s reprehensible act of aggression on our diplomatic premises in Damascus and subsequently brought to justice its perpetrators, the imperative for Iran to punish this rogue regime might have been obviated,” the statement said.

Despite its threats, Iran has indicated to the U.S. through an intermediary that it will respond in a manner that avoids an escalation of hostilities with Israel and wouldn’t rush into it, Reuters reported. The U.S. has maintained it was not involved in or given advance notice of the attack.

Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the April 1 attack on an Iranian consulate annex building adjacent to the Iranian embassy in Syria that killed seven high-ranking Iranian military officers, including Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi of the elite Quds Force. Tensions between the nations have increased, and Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned Wednesday that “the evil regime made a mistake and must be punished.”

The top U.S. commander for the Middle East reportedly arrived in Israel on Thursday for meetings with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and other senior defense officials to discuss an anticipated military response from Iran,  Haaretz.com  reported. Gen. Erik Kurilla’s trip comes a day after Blinken spoke with Gallant and “reiterated the United States’ support for Israel’s security and made clear that the U.S. will stand with Israel against any threats by Iran and its proxies,” the State Department said in a statement.

U.S. Central Command, in an email to USA TODAY, declined to confirm Kurilla’s trip: “We do not discuss flag officer travel for operational security.”

Hamas official says cease-fire needed to account for hostages

A senior Hamas official on Thursday deflected questions from journalists concerning fears that many hostages could be dead. The possibility gained traction after Hamas said it was not sure it could provide 40 living Israeli civilian captives as part of a cease-fire proposal. Dr. Basem Naim, a member of political bureau of Hamas, said a cease-fire agreement is needed to provide time and safety to collect information on the captured Israelis. They are held in different places by different militant groups − and some are "under the rubble, killed with our own people" and heavy equipment is required to find them, he said.

No one is asking about the thousands of Palestinians kidnapped by Israel since the Hamas-led attack Oct. 7 that ignited the war, he said.

"The most outrageous is the repeated questions regarding the hostages in Gaza, how many alive or dead, does Hamas rejected the proposal because it can’t release 40 hostages in the first phase, etc ..." he said in a statement posted on Telegram. "The lives of their people aren’t more precious than ours."

UNICEF aid convoy hit with gunfire, turned back from Gaza

A UNICEF convoy was hit by gunfire Wednesday as it tried to deliver aid to northern Gaza, the latest in a series of violent obstructions faced by aid workers in the enclave.

"The incident has been raised with relevant Israeli authorities," UNICEF said in a statement. "Sadly, humanitarians continue to face risks in delivering lifesaving aid."

The incident occurred nine days after a World Central Kitchen aid convoy was attacked by Israeli rockets, killing seven workers − and the same day Israel promised to greatly increase the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a USA TODAY request for comment on the incident.

UNICEF spokesperson Tess Ingram told Al Jazeera she was in one of the vehicles at a “holding point” area at a checkpoint. She said three rounds hit the car where she was sitting. The mission had been authorized and the Israeli authorities knew about the convoy, Ingram said. After the shooting, Israeli authorities continued to delay the convoy and it eventually was forced to return to Rafah.

“So those life-saving supplies never made it to the children in northern Gaza,” Ingram said.

Israeli commander pitches aid plan to Red Cross, other agencies

Israel's Southern Command chief, Major General Yaron Finkelman, met with representatives of U.N. agencies, the Red Cross, IMC, USAID and the American Humanitarian Coordinator as part of "increasing coordination and cooperation on the issue of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip," the Israeli military announced.

The meeting comes as Israel announced plans to greatly increase access to humanitarian aid for Gaza residents. Plans include a new border crossing designed make it easier to bring humanitarian supplies from overseas and from Jordan to the east.

“These breakthroughs have a direct impact on the flow of aid – we plan to flood Gaza with aid," Gallant said. "It will also streamline security checks and strengthen our work with international partners.”

Contributing: Reuters