entire world travel

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!

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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!

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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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How to travel around the world: our complete guide

Last Update: 08/04/2024 5 COMMENTS

Planning a round-the-world trip (or long-distance trip) is not necessarily a small task! It can even be scary at first! You certainly ask yourself tons of questions like:

• Is it really a good decision?
• How much does it cost to travel around the world?
• Where to start between paperwork, vaccinations, insurance, and equipment?
• What about my résumé ?
• What to do with my apartment, my stuff, my furniture?
• It all seems very complicated to me…
• Aren’t there dangerous places in South America?

Does this sound familiar to you? We reassure you right away, we asked ourselves these questions before leaving for our trip around the world ! To tell you the truth, we were a little bit lost when this project emerged… But after spending a lot of time on travel blogs and forums, we managed to gather a maximum of information to stop making excuses and to start without any worries .

With the experience of this first long-distance trip (and the others that followed 😉), we can now share with you what we would have done differently, the mistakes not to make, the equipment that we think is essential, the useful tips, etc.

So, you want to start your round-the-world trip adventure? Follow the guide!

So we have created a complete ebook that details all the important steps to plan a round-the-world trip . This ebook is a project in which we put all our heart, it is now part of “ our babies “. We hope it will help you to take the plunge and organize your world tour to make the most of this wonderful experience!

To consult the ebook, you have the choice between browsing the different pages created for each chapter (we give you the summary below) on the blog or downloading it directly in PDF format to read it quietly on your computer, smartphone, tablet, or even print it if you want!

Here is the summary of the festivities:

• Leave everything and travel
• The Itinerary
• Round-the-world Tickets
• Health and travel insurance
• Travel gear
• Checklist and schedule

Chapter 1: How to leave everything behind and travel

In this first chapter, we come back to all the reasons that push you to travel but also to the excuses that are still holding you back from quitting your job and leaving everything behind to travel around the world ! We will break down each excuse and give you solutions to solve these problems. We also discuss an important question: should you travel alone or with someone?

Chapter 2: How much does a trip around the world cost?

It’s all very well to travel, but how much does a round-the-world trip cost ? In this chapter, we detail all the expenses related to a long-distance trip. Daily budget, accommodation, insurance, vaccines, equipment, transportation, visas, bank fees, budget for the return trip… Everything is covered! So you will find all our tips to save without sacrificing everything. Yes, a round-the-world trip is within your reach!

Chapter 3: How to plan your round-the-world trip itinerary?

Now that you have the budget, you will have to plan the itinerary of your travel around the world … or not! There are two different ways of doing this… We give you all the advice and all the elements to take into account so that you can establish YOUR itinerary for this trip around the world.

Chapter 4: Travel round-the-world ticket

Here again, there are 2 choices: take your plane tickets as you go or buy a travel round-the-world ticket . In this chapter, we review the advantages and disadvantages of these special round-the-world tickets and we give you all the tips to buy your plane tickets cheaper!

Chapter 5: Travelers’ health

Health is an important point when you plan a journey around the world because you have to think about it beforehand with insurance and vaccines , but also during the trip with specific treatments (your usual medicine, anti-malaria medication) and the backpacking first aid kit , which is essential for the trip. In this section, you will find all our pieces of advice to be prepared for any eventuality during your round-the-world trip and leave serenely!

Chapter 6: The gear backpacking checklist

What equipment should I take for a world tour? How much clothing should I take? If this is your first long-distance trip, you may be wondering how to carry everything you will need for 6 months, 1 year, or more. It’s like your home that you’ll be carrying on your back for all that time, so you might as well choose each item carefully. In this chapter, we open our backpacks and give you a backpacking checklist to help you prepare your gear!

Chapter 7: Risks of traveling

Even though it has many benefits, travel still has its share of risks , and knowing about them will help you avoid or overcome them. Whether it’s about diseases , security , or encountering all kinds of bugs or ailments (homesickness, motion sickness), we go over all the risks of traveling around the world!

Chapter 8: Planning your round-the-world trip and checklist

OK, you have all the cards in hand to plan your round-the-world trip, all you have to do is to establish a checklist before the big departure ! We have established a summary schedule for you, spreading out all the preparations over 1 year before D-day .

Download our free pdf E-book!

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get a free E-book with more than 100 pages to help you prepare your trip around the world

When do you plan to leave on a round the world trip? I don't know yet In the next 3 months In the next 6 months In the next 12 months In more than a year

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Reader Interactions

5 years ago

I LOVE your site design! You have such a beautiful theme and color scheme. And the dropped anchor on the right side of the page is a nice touch! Keep up the great work and keep living your dream life!

A Word To The Wise Poem

Thanks Wayne! We’ve put a LOT of work into our website so we are glad you like it! You too keep doing your best to chase after your dreams 😉

3 years ago

I am not sure if I’d like to travel around the world, but I’d like so much to spend some months travelling in Asia. Hope to do it soon!

12 months ago

Your presentation is beautiful, fun and very practically insightful. I am right now in Bansko and am able to compare your notes with reality. You have done excellent job reporting and describing many aspects of how things are. You are fresh and inspirational. Thank you.

6 months ago

I’m almost seventy years old And still have that itching in my soul to go places and meet new people, did a lot of traveling in my life (40 countries on 4 continents)my advice to young people, is don’t let life pass you by, you only live once and after thirty, time goes by so fast and never returns

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Around the World Tours & Travel Packages 2024/2025

Our 27 most popular around the world trips. compare tour itineraries from 17 tour companies. 106 reviews. 5/5 avg rating., popular around the world tours.

Discover our popular around the world tours, each crafted with unique themes, diverse price ranges, varying durations, and different physical levels. Search several options and choose the tour package that aligns seamlessly with your vision of the perfect trip around the world.

Discover the Baltics

• Discover three Baltic states in 12 days
• Visit stunning national parks, castles and museums
• Explore the magnificent Trakai Castle

Budapest to Prague Adventure

• Discover the four distinctive capital cities of Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna and Prague
• Enjoy a wine tasting in the charming town of Mikulov
• Walk through the castle park known as 'the garden of Europe' at Chateau Lednice

The Grand Epic of Egypt, Jordan, and Israel

• Discover the mysterious pyramids, Great Sphinx, and Kings Valley
• Cruise leisurely along the Nile from Aswan to Luxor
• View the Promised Land from Mt. Nebo and the Mosaic Map of the Holy Land
• Trace the footsteps of Jesus and explore the old and new cities of Jerusalem

Get Social: Europe Express 2024-25

• Berlin highlights drive
• Walking tour of Prague with Trip Leader
• Vienna highlights drive
• Orientation walk in Venice with Trip Leader
• Orientation walk in Paris with Trip Leader

Balkans Rail Adventure

• Visit seven countries of Former Yugoslavia in just 16 days
• Experience a variety of scenic rail journeys
• Discover contrasting landscapes and cities in this lesser visited region

Cape Town to Victoria Falls - Hotel/Lodge

• Visit Cape Town, the most exciting city in Africa
• Discover the mountainous dunes of Sossusvlei
• See the fantastic wildlife of Etosha National Park
• Visit the Okavango Panhandle and Chobe National Park
• Marvel at the mighty Victoria Falls

London to Istanbul Rail Adventure

• An iconic rail journey across Europe to the gateway of Asia
• Discover rural Serbia, from local wine producers to narrow gauge railway routes
• Take a boat trip on Europe's largest wetlands in Croatia and explore the waterways of Venice

Imperial Escape

• Budapest: Welcome dinner; guided sightseeing, panoramic view from Fishermen’s Bastion, visit Heroe’s Square
• Vienna: Guided sightseeing, visit Heldenplatz and St. Stephen’s Cathedral
• Prague: Guided sightseeing, Astronomical Clock, visit the Hradčany Castle grounds; farewell dinner at a local restaurant
• On this guided vacation of Central Europe, experience the rich history and most popular destinations without the crowds—and even better—without the high-season prices
• This Central Europe escorted tour is a magnificent journey through the former Habsburg Empire offering romantic castles, churches, villas and modern architecture, vineyards, breweries, first-class shopping, art, and culinary delights

All Around the World , expedition cruises, self guided adventures and vacation packages. Find the best guided and expert planned vacation and holiday packages. Read more about Around the World

Small Group Around the World Tours

Peru, Chile, Argentina & Brazil in 20 days - Machu Picchu, Iguazu & Capital Cities - Superior

• Santiago de Chile
• Barrio La Boca
• Buenos Aires
• Iguazu Falls, Argentinian side

Indochina in 35 days - 5 Country Southeast Asian Discovery - Superior

• Kuala Lumpur

South American Odyssey with Amazon & Peru

• Rio de janeiro : Cable-car ride up Sugar Loaf Mountain and Sugar Loaf cocktail party; sightseeing with a Local Guide; visit Corcovado Mountain and the cathedral; Churrascaria dinner
• Iguassu falls : Sightseeing with a Local Guide on both the Brazilian and Argentinean sides of Iguassu National Park; Ecological Jungle Train
• Buenos aires : Walking tour; visit the Metropolitan Cathedral and Recoleta Cemetery; empanada cooking class; Tango lesson & show; visit a local estancia
• Bariloche: Sightseeing with a Local Guide; chairlift to Cerro Campanario; Andes lake crossing
• Puerto montt : Sightseeing tour

Best Around the World Tours by Duration

World tours usually span from shorter escapes to extended journeys lasting a few months. Explore our tailored selection of around the world tours by duration, ensuring an efficient and fulfilling use of your precious time away.

Tours, Cruises & Private Trips

Best Around the World Tours by Price

Experience the world without compromising your budget with our selection of around the world tours by price to cater to every financial spectrum. Choose the tour package that perfectly aligns with your budgetary preferences for an unforgettable trip around the world.

Top Around the World Attractions

• Meeting locals from several different countries and discovering wonderful similarities and differences
• Seeing whales breach from the balcony of your cruise stateroom and diving and snorkeling in vibrant coral reefs like the Great Barrier reef
• Enjoying local cuisines, exploring street food markets, and taking cooking classes to learn how to make traditional national dishes
• Wandering around many archaeological ruins and historical sites like Machu Picchu , pyramids of Giza , and the historical city of Petra
• Discovering unique cultures and taking part in traditional festivals or ceremonies like Holi or Día de Muertos 
• Hiking among different landscapes, encountering majestic wildlife on African Safaris , and taking memorable pictures
• Making lifelong friends from around the world
• Indulging in luxury around the world trips featuring traditional Japanese ryokan, floating hotels in the Maldives, or ice hotels in Sweden for a unique experience.
• Visiting all the most famous locations during a single trip with custom-planned tours around the world — No need to pick and choose!

Around the World Tours & Travel

Around the World Attractions & Landmarks Guide

• Winter vs Summer Weather:   Since your tour around the world is likely to cross hemisphere lines more than once, you may experience warm highs and icy lows during your trip — bring clothing that can layer easily. 
• Shoes:   Footwear can easily become a packing challenge since it can take up a lot of space in suitcases. Choose shoes according to the planned activities and terrains. Pack a versatile selection: a pair for relaxation, one for hiking, another for city strolls, and one for a more refined option. 
• Dress Like a Local:   The beauty of a trip around the world is the opportunity to visit many far-flung places with diverse cultures and ways of life. You may encounter many different cultures, some with specific dress expectations. For example, in most Middle Eastern countries, expect to dress modestly—cover shoulders and legs and keep a scarf handy for covering your head. A similar dressing is also a good rule for touring many religious establishments.

Trip Reviews

Travels in the baltics.

A bit of a whirlwind tour although the three Baltic States relatively small, green and flat. I knew virtually nothing about them before I went but learned a lot ...

Great holiday

Really interesting trip made extra special by our guide Melia, whose knowledge was incredible. We were really lucky with the weather and had a really good group o...

Brilliant Trip

This is a well designed trip giving an excellent overview of all three Baltic states. This not only included the capital cities but other towns and much countrysid...

Three small countries with a lot of character

The Baltic countries are interesting and the old towns are charming. They have suffered a lot under various foreign rulers and are proud of their independence. The...

Explore and discover the Baltics

I enjoyed discovering an area of Europe I knew little about. Visiting many areas of all 3 countries. Guide well organized and itinerary good. Only problems were T...

See all Around the World reviews

Around the World Tours FAQ

1. How much does it cost to tour the world?

2. What is the best world tour?

3. What is the best way to travel around the world?

4. How do I plan a world tour?

5. What are the pros and cons of taking a tour around the world?

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How to Travel the World

Last Updated: January 1, 2024 References

This article was co-authored by Carmela Resuma, MPP . Carmela is the Executive Director of FLYTE, a non-profit organization headquartered in Georgetown, Texas that empowers students living in underserved communities through transformative travel experiences. Carmela has a Masters in Public Policy Analysis from New York University and is passionate about youth empowerment, social impact, and traveling. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 79,366 times.

Traveling the world is an enriching way to expand your knowledge of other cultures, find new work experiences, and gain unique educational insights. However, it can also be expensive, and unprepared travelers can soon find themselves in over their heads. World travel takes planning, frugality, and an independent spirit. Through careful planning both before your trip, and when you're on the road, you can have an enjoyable international travel experience.

Planning Ahead for Your Travel

• Certain countries (especially in Asia) can be less expensive for Western travelers, although they may lack some of the amenities that we've grown used to.
• Certain regions are also better set up to accommodate tourists and travelers, by offering hostels and other accommodations. (For example, New Zealand is well set up for travelers, while Japan is less so.)
• However, if you're looking for a more adventurous travel experience and want to avoid places most international travelers visit, you may want to plan to visit less accommodating destinations.

• How long do you want your trip to be? Your schedule will be dramatically different if you want to travel the world for a month, 6 months, or a full year.
• Plan ahead for how your world travel will fit into your life back home. Are you going to quit your job, or will your employer allow you to work while you travel?

• If you know any individuals in a country you'll be traveling too (even if they're only the friend of a friend), get in touch and ask them about any disruptive political or cultural events that may interfere with your travel plan.

Carmela Resuma, MPP

Our Expert Agrees: Research is key. You can look up everything, even something as simple as how to get from the airport to another place, or cultural things like how to dress or how to say a few words of the language. Just being able to say "Hello" or "Thank you" can go such a long way."

• Start planning well ahead of time and decide how you're going to fund your trip. For example, if you're going to pay for everything out of a savings account, you may need to work extra hours for months on end to fund your travel.
• A general rule of thumb is to try not to exceed $50 a day (not including air fare.) [4] X Research source
• Avoid expensive travel options within a country; travel by foot or local transportation whenever possible, and keep an eye out for budget-friendly airline or train options.
• Unless eating in restaurants when you travel is important to you, avoid them. Restaurants quickly become expensive, and you can buy groceries and cook your meals for much less money.
• Put a cap on your spending: an amount that you absolutely cannot exceed, and make sure that your budget doesn't put you over that amount.

• Work for an international teaching organization. Operations like the EKIP Program allow you to teach English overseas for an extended period of time, often with the majority of your expenses paid. [5] X Research source
• Stay at hostels when you travel. [6] X Research source Hostels are inexpensive, generally safe environments to spend a few nights in while you're traveling.
• Work on a cruise ship. These are built to travel, and you'll be generating an income at the same time.

Planning the Specifics of Your Trip

• Greet and thank someone.
• How to agree and disagree (a polite “yes” or “no).
• How to ask how much money something costs.
• How to ask where a place is located (the bathroom, the library, a restaurant, the airport or train station, etc.).

• Although financial saving may be your main goal, also consider the speed and safety of the methods of travel you are considering.

• The passport application process can take 4 to 6 weeks to complete, so give yourself a few months before you plan to travel in order to acquire this documentation.
• If you do not have a passport, the best place to look for instruction is online. There are online forms you can fill out to receive your passport. [7] X Research source
• You can also fill out and submit the passport paperwork at your local post office.

• Some visas last for more time than others. Check before you start traveling. You'll need to know if your visa lasts for five years, three years, or only one year.
• Check the U.S. State Department website to see if you need a travel visa for your intended destination. The State Department can also provide the paperwork you'll fill out to apply for a visa.

• Be sure to heed any travel health warnings in the countries you'll be visiting. Always check local and national health warnings before traveling to a new region.
• Be sure to pack any prescription or over-the-counter medications you need, since these could be difficult to acquire overseas.

Travelling Intelligently and Effectively

• Bring sturdy, comfortable shoes and clothing that can be layered to accommodate changing climates.
• Leave expensive electronics and valuable jewelry at home.

• Get plenty of sleep, especially if you're often changing time zones.
• Avoid drinking too much alcohol, this will dehydrate you and can lead to poor decisions.
• Drink plenty of purified water. Unless you've checked ahead of time, the tap water at your destination may not be as clean and safe to drink as your local water at home.
• Eat a somewhat balanced diet. In unfamiliar countries, it can be tempting to eat an unhealthy diet (or even one comprised of junk food). Keep yourself healthy by eating regular, balanced meals.
• Wash your hands often.

• Before you look into an international cell phone, check with your current cell provider—they may be able to add an international calling plan for an additional monthly charge. [11] X Research source
• Depending on the number of countries you'll be traveling in, and the duration of your stay(s), it may be more practical to rent an international phone in each country, rather than buying a single phone for your entire trip. [12] X Research source
• International cell phones sometimes require that you buy separate SIM cards or recharge it with more minutes, but will keep you in constant contact with familiar people.

Community Q&A

• Always bring a good pair of earplugs; these will come in handy if a location is too loud to sleep, or if you're bothered by constant noise. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
• Bring a headscarf. This is a versatile object that can shield you from the sun, protect you from breathing in dust, and even works as a towel if you need one. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://worldofwanderlust.com/how-i-decide-where-to-travel-to-next/
• ↑ http://www.airtreks.com/ready/create-a-travel-budget/around-the-world-trip-budget/
• ↑ https://alittleadrift.com/rtw-budget-travel-around-the-world/
• ↑ http://expertvagabond.com/best-travel-tips/
• ↑ http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/8-ways-you-can-travel-the-world.html
• ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/03/how-to-get-a-visa_n_4373745.html
• ↑ http://www.bootsnall.com/rtw/round-the-world-tips-rtw-basics.html
• ↑ http://www.independenttraveler.com/travel-tips/stay-connected/international-cell-phone-guide

About This Article

If you want to travel the world, first decide where you’d like to go. You may prefer to visit one place, or you might want to travel to a number of different destinations. Next, decide when you’d like to travel. Consider what the climate will be like during different times of the year, and research whether there are any special festivals or holidays that you can plan your trip around. Finally, set a budget for your trip, and save up as much money as you can before you leave. For tips on how to make your trip pay for itself, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to travel around the world in 80 days

Jun 3, 2013 • 5 min read

In Jules Verne's classic adventure novel, Phileas Fogg had a devil of a time trying to travel around the world in 80 days. But in the 21st century, circumnavigating the globe has become a bit of a breeze: all you need is a round-the-world (RTW) ticket. In fact, a dedicated (if masochistic) traveller could squeeze it into a few jet-lagged days.

If you have 80 to spare, though, you have enough time for a life-changing trip, and the opportunity to visit places that will stay with you forever. But careful planning is essential if you're going to make the most of your precious time.

Just the ticket

Buying an RTW ticket can be far cheaper than purchasing separate tickets linking each of your destinations. Normally, RTW tickets allow you to visit up to 16 different places with a minimum of three stops. Most airlines are now part of global alliances, so it’s sensible to pick a ticket with an airline that has multiple partners so you can travel with any of them.

The biggest airline partnership is Star Alliance ( www.staralliance.com ), which has 28 airlines covering almost a thousand destinations in 162 countries. They offer four different versions of RTW ticket, depending on the number of miles you want to travel, starting at 26,000 miles and going up to 39,000.

Oneworld ( www.oneworld.com ), with 11 member airlines, is the next best option, again offering a selection of RTW tickets with varying amounts of miles. A number of individual airlines – including Virgin Atlantic ( www.virgin-atlantic.com ), Air New Zealand ( www.airnewzealand.co.uk ), KLM ( www.klm.com ) and Singapore Airlines ( www.singaporeair.com ) – offer RTW tickets too. But their tickets are only valid for their own planes.

Decide whether you plan to travel east or west. All RTW tickets require you to head in one direction or the other and keep moving the same way. And, just like Phileas Fogg, you’ll have to start and finish your journey in the same place.

Stay focused

Do you want an active, adventure-focused experience? Or is seeing glorious landscapes your goal? Are you keener on cities and culture than lazing on a beach?

Whatever you decide, bear in mind that most RTW tickets involve flying in and out of major hubs like London , LA , Sydney , Bangkok and Rio de Janeiro ; adding more out-of-the-way destinations will increase the cost of the ticket dramatically. Talking to travel agencies that specialise in RTW tickets, such as STA Travel ( www.statravel.com ) or Trailfinders ( www.trailfinders.com ), is a good idea. They will know the best way to tailor your ticket to meet your needs.

Remember too that you don’t have to do all your travelling by plane. You can fly to New York  and then drive to LA to catch your next flight, link Beijing and Moscow via the Trans-Siberian Railway , or even overland it from Egypt to South Africa .

Choose your moment

Weather is a crucial factor on any RTW trip. Land in Sydney in December and you can head straight to the beach; arrive in the northern hemisphere a couple of weeks later and it’ll be the depths of winter.

While you will never be able to get perfect weather in every destination, plan ahead if you have specific things you want to do. For example, if you’ve got your heart set on diving in the Andaman Sea, or fancy trekking in the Himalaya , don’t arrive in the middle of monsoon season.

Suggested routes: three ideas for your big trip

For adventure: this route offers everything from deserts and diving to mountains and white-water rafting. Start in London and head east to Delhi and then Nepal for a Himalayan trek. Backtrack overland to India and fly to Bangkok, the gateway for Thailand ’s idyllic diving spots.

Move on to New Zealand ’s South Island and Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world, where you can try everything from bungee jumping to mountain biking and river-boarding. From there, it’s a short hop to Sydney and Australia ’s beaches and deserts. Another flight takes you to LA, from where you can drive Route 66 to the east coast and fly out of New York to London.

For culture and carnivals: if vibrant city life is more your thing, then try this trip. Fly east from London to Cairo for its markets, museums and the Pyramids . From there, you could take a quick cruise down the Nile to Luxor, before heading south to Cape Town and South Africa, where you can tipple your way along the wine-growing routes just outside the city.

After Cape Town, fly to Hong Kong , perhaps via Bangkok or Singapore . One of the world’s most exciting cities, it’s also an essential destination for foodies. The Chinese capital Beijing is a few hours away by plane, allowing you to set foot on the Great Wall , before you make the long haul across the Pacific to San Francisco , the most European of all American cities.

Then drive the Pacific Coast Highway to LA for a taste of Hollywood high life, before flying south to Rio de Janeiro in time for the carnival . A short journey south is Buenos Aires , cultural capital of South America . From there, travel back to London via New York.

For natural wonders: landscape junkies can take this voyage west through some of the most dramatic scenery – deserts, jungle and mountains – on the planet. Begin in Sydney and make your way across Australia, via the Outback, to Perth , before flying to Bangkok. Travel north to Chiang Mai , or make a diversion to Myanmar , currently the hottest destination in Southeast Asia.

Delhi, the starting point for a journey to the deserts of Rajasthan, is just a hop away from Bangkok. Then it’s time for Africa ; a flight to Nairobi and a safari in Kenya . You could then stop off in Cairo before breaking your journey westwards in a European capital.

Afterwards, travel across the Atlantic to Brazil and venture north into the Amazonian rainforests. Back in Rio, fly across the south Pacific to New Zealand’s natural delights, before returning to Sydney.

Check out Lonely Planet's Great Journeys before plotting your own.

Need a bit more help to turn that RTW dream into a reality? Lonely Planet's expert-reviewed hotels, hostels and other accommodation might help.

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My Yearlong Around the World Itinerary

Last updated on January 26, 2024 by Shannon

When I look back at my first yearlong trip around the world in 2008-2010, I am in awe of many of the places I had the privilege to visit and the honor to witness on that whirlwind itinerary.

After visiting 21 countries in 15 months on my round-the-world itinerary , I would go on to travel for ten more years, visiting 70+ countries and living in several of them . I traveled with my niece . And then with my nephews . And again with another teen niece . It’s been a long road. I settled in Barcelona in 2018 , where I now live in Spain with my toddler son—we continue to embark on world travel adventures.

As my travels continued long after my first round the world travels, for posterity’s sake, these are the highs and lows of my year+ of backpacking solo around the world from 2008 to 2010.

Table of Contents

My High-Level Route Around the World

How long? 16 months How many countries? 21 Which countries, in order : Australia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, India, Nepal, Italy, Croatia, Bosnia, Slovenia, Czech, the Netherlands, England, Scotland, Ireland, the U.S., Mexico, Cuba, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras Dates of round the world trip : November 4, 2008 – October 2009 How many flights? 17 flights How many miles? How many friends joined? Three friends booked tickets and traveled the world with me! A friend joined in Thailand and Laos, my cousin and I spent four months backpacking through India and Nepal together, and my friend Jenn joined for Italy and Croatia.

Australia: November 4 – January 6

Sydney Blue Mountains Kiama Bateman’s Bay Lake Entrance Melbourne

Great Ocean Road Ayers Rock Great Barrier Reef Whitsundays Fraser Island Byron Bay

My decision to start in Australia mostly stemmed from the fact that I was living in Los Angeles at the time . I booked a one-way ticket from LA to Sydney in June and then spent the next five months planning my RTW trip and downsizing my life .

My RTW trip started with a long trek across the Pacific on November 4, 2008. As a newbie to round the world travel, I landed in Sydney without a single friend and feeling a tad lonely.

Luckily, backpackers are a friendly lot. I got my travel legs under me by  exploring the Opera House , the Taronga Zoo, and the Botanical Gardens. Deciding to stay in the Blue Mountains  was a real highlight, and my penchant for getting incredibly lost  at the least convenient moments started here. This would become a recurring theme of the trip because, yeah, I get lost a lot .

Instead of taking the more common route from Sydney to Cairns, I meandered down the coast of New South Wales  (because, kangaroos !). I eventually landed in  Melbourne , where I couchsurfed for a week with my buddy Row, who had actually couchsurfed with me in LA earlier that year.

Not one to miss the highlights of any new place, I hit up the stunningly pretty Great Ocean Road , and visited the parade of tiny fairy penguins on Phillip Island.

Instead of taking the backpacker bus, I splurged on a quick flight to Alice Springs, which was my launching point to the Australian outback and the iconic Uluru (Ayers Rock) , where it rained until our final day at Kings Canyon . Having seen only very brief sunshine in the outback, which is rare, I needed the coast so I jumped a flight to Cairns.

I had obtained my driver’s certification on Catalina Island near LA just so I was ready to spend several days diving the Great Barrier Reef and the UNESCO World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest. I booked the Greyhound down the east coast of Oz and stopped to sail the Whitsunday Islands for Christmas  and to  drive across Fraser Island for my 25 th birthday. Both were gorgeous and good fun since I was on tours filled with other backpackers.

I joined up with two German women for New Years in Noosa and  surf lessons  in Byron Bay.

After two months exploring Australia, I was ready for my next adventure in Southeast Asia .

Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia: January 6 – February 19

Bangkok Vientiane Vang Vieng Luang Prabang Kuang Si Waterfalls

Hongsa Gibbon Experience Siem Reap/Angkor Wat Phnom Penh Volunteering

My flight to Southeast Asia left out of Sydney and I was psyched. Thailand here I come! Except for, no. I almost missed my flight out of Oz because of a visa issue. Just in the nick of time, I convinced the Aussie flight crew to let me on the plane and for the next six weeks I circled around Southeast Asia .

I wasn’t in love with Thailand —which is funny because I ended up living there later, spending months enjoying Chiang Mai . At the time, however, I had the happy chance to reconnect with an old friend , who I hadn’t realized was also backpacking the region!

Laura and I teamed up and beelined to  Laos . We did all the things.

We took the backpacker rite of passage by  tubing in Vang Vieng, Laos . Then we moved ourselves into a treehouse for the weekend and zip-lined through the forest as a part of the Gibbon Experience. Although elephant trekking has moral quandaries , we rented a logging elephant for the day and trekked through rural Laos .

Laos stood out as one of my favorite stops on the trip. Filled with gorgeous waterfalls , Buddha caves , and gorgeous karst rocks made for  rock climbing , how could I not dream of returning? There was that time I was so sick I nearly died , but even that didn’t taint my love for Laos.

And although SEA is big on the backpacker route, I stepped off of it for a week to volunteer at FLOW in Phnom Penh . Oh, and naturally Angkor Wat, Cambodia was on the list, how could I not!

India: February 19 – March 28

Mumbai Ahmedabad Udaipur Pushkar Holi: Festival of Colors

Taj Majal Amritsar Mcleod Ganj Rishikesh

Saying goodbye to Southeast Asia left me a bit heartbroken. Six weeks was not enough time. I could have spent ages longer in the gorgeous forests, rivers, and sleepy towns of Laos, Cambodia , and Vietnam . But Southeast Asia travels had a hard and fast deadline. I needed to meet up with my cousin in India!

Although I had mostly backpacked solo up until this point, my cousin joined me in Mumbai, India . We had intentionally left our two months in India with a blank slate, so we spent our first day in Mumbai plotting a route north and learning or first lessons in Indian scams .

We head to Ahmedabad to visit  Gandhi’s ashram and then beelined straight to charming Udaipur  renewed our faith that we had chosen a good route. We spent a week there taking it slow , but at the point that I was getting marriage proposals daily, we moved on to Pushkar , a small town with good vibes. We did a  camel safari and some hiking .

We then made our way further north to Jaipur for India’s most colorful and joyful holiday:  Holi The Festival of Colors . This Hindu festival celebrates the triumph of “good” versus “evil” and involves throwing large quantities of colored powder and water on everyone within reach.

The colors died my skin pink for a week after the celebrations! I was so pink, in fact, that if you look closely at the photos of me at the Taj Mahal the next day, there is a distinct rose hue to my skin.

After the Taj, my cousin and I took the sleeper train to Amritsar to take in the beauty of the Sikh’s holy Golden Temple before catching a bus to McLeod Ganj, home of the Tibetan government-in-exile. McLeod Ganj is a pretty mountain town and it was a very different vibe to spend a week living among the Tibetan community there. We hiked in the gorgeous mountains and even learned how to cook tasty Tibetan momos.

I’d love to have stayed even longer, but we had just a week before our volunteer program in Nepal , so we made our way to Delhi, stopping in Rishikesh to raft on the sacred Ganges River .

Nepal: March 28 – May 19

Kathmandu Pharping Teaching English Vipassana Meditation

Annapurna Hike from Pokhara Chitwan National Park Nepali Food

My two-month volunteer program in Nepal teaching English to young Buddhist monks  was a hands-down highlight of my entire year traveling around the world. The young monks were from the poorest regions all over Nepal. They are able to live at the monastery and receive an education, something lacking in many rural areas of Nepal. 

I enjoyed the teaching , and, as is often the case, I undoubtedly learned more than I taught my young monks while living in the charming, rural town of Pharping, Nepal .

My cousin and I wrapped up our time at the monastery  in late April and left our  quiet life in Pharping. Pharping is an hour+ outside of Kathmandu and it was a peaceful town with many monasteries.

Then began some proper exploring on Nepal’s best things to do, including Chitwan National Park , home to elephants , tigers, and endangered rhinos. From there, we took a bus to Pokhara for a 10-day Vipassana meditation course . It was intense, mind-expanding, and something I’m not likely to do in this lifetime. Pokhara is the gateway to the Annapurna treks, so I teamed up with others from my volunteer program and we hiked in the Himalayas for five days .

Italy and Croatia: May 19 – June 10

Cinque Terre Pisa Florence Boboli Gardens

Assisi Milna, Brac Island Krka National Park Plitvice Lakes National Park

By the end of May, the Maoists began heavily protesting in Nepal, so it was an ideal time to leave the developing world and welcome my bestie Jenn to the round-the-world trip.

We met in Milan, Italy and spent a couple of weeks gorging on gelato and exploring. We hiked through Cinque Terre and supported the Leaning Tower of Pisa before landing in Florence.

Then we biked around Tuscany , snapped photos of the David (yes, he is gorgeous), and wandered the Boboli Gardens .

We trained across Italy with a stop in Assisi , before taking the ferry from Ancona, Italy to Split, Croatia .

The ferry to Croatia was a debacle, but that was quickly forgotten as we  rented cottage on the island of Brac  and relaxed for a week. Then we all explored the Krka waterfalls  and the stunning  Plitvice Lakes National Park .

Jenn needed to get home, so we parted ways and I continued traveling.

Bosnia-Herzegovina and Slovenia: June 10 – July 3

Sarajevo Mostar Ljubljana Lake Bled

Bidding adieu to Jenn in Zagreb, I moved into Sarajevo, Bosnia  and met wonderful couchsurfers there. Sarajevo has made my short-list of my favorite capital cities in the world—it’s small and consumable with just the right touch of fun.

I had  food issues in Bosnia traveling as a vegetarian , but also some real non-issues with the Bosnian desserts ! The pretty town of  Mostar still has visible war damage  and the city’s cobbled streets and history are a more sobering look at Bosnia’s war-riddled recent past.

Traveling through Bosnia & Herzegovina was a sleeper favorite from my entire year! I had no idea I would love it so much there.

From Bosnia I moved into Slovenia and couchsurfed with a lovely couple . I fell in love with the sidewalk café culture  in the region.

Like Bosnia, I visited Slovenia on a whim and it wowed me. The Soĉa River  is among the prettiest rivers in the world, and Ljubljana’s Street Theatre Summer Festival  is all kinds of fun. My couchsurfing hosts took me to the Pekel Jama caves on our road trip , and I just enjoyed the unexpectedly pretty country.

Czech Republic and Amsterdam: July 3 – Aug 1

Prague Cesky Krumlov Amsterdam

Leaving Slovenia, I trained to the Czech Republic to take in the peaks and churches of  Prague . And while Prague is undoubtedly pretty, I love small towns and I camped out for one week in the incredibly cute town of Cesky Krumlov, where I sampled all of the Czech desserts and went rafting down the Vltava River .

After visiting the Czech Republic, I finished out the month of July by house-sitting in Amsterdam for two weeks (for free!). Biking around Amsterdam  is the way to go, and I visited dozens of museums, parks, and farmers markets.

England and Scotland: August 1 – Sept 1

London Lakes District Stirling Isle of Skye

Fort Augustus / Loch Ness Cairngorms National Park Dundee Edinburgh Fringe Festival

An all-day from Amsterdam to London had me crashing on a couch there—I met up with friends that I had last met in India during the Holi festival.

London was pricey and fast-paced—and I had spent a week exploring London on my study abroad years earlier—so I headed north.

Highlights from my month in the UK include hiking through  the Lakes District , enjoying  Stirling (of the William Wallace fame) , and taking in the gorgeous scenery on the Isle of Skye —I loved hiking the Old Man of Storr .

I was traveling at a rapid pace, so it didn’t end there. I caught a bus to Fort Augustus to hunt down  Nessie the Loch Ness Monster , and then I might have lost my mind when I hitchhiked in the Cairngorms  before landing in Edinburgh.

I loved Edinburgh. A tweetup connected me with locals , which I squeezed in between watching a dozen shows at the annual Edinburgh Fringe Festival . This festival was a pivotal point on the timeline for my RTW trip. I structured all of my Europe travels to be in  Edinburgh in August for the Festival.

Ireland: Sept 1 – Oct 1

Blarney Castle Ring of Beara Ring of Kerry Dingle Slea Head Drive

Cliffs of Moher Aran Islands Diamond Hill Dublin

The Emerald Isle marked the last leg of my solo round the world trip—I would head home for the holidays for the first time in nearly a year before continuing to travel Central America for another five months.

Sadness and nostalgia were already creeping into me. Seeing the end in sight, I rented a car for my weeks exploring. This was a huge  splurge  on considering I was aiming for a budget under $20,000 for the entire first year.

After a year of witnessing the most incredible sites in the world, I took it low-key in Ireland, with many things well  on the tourist path , and then a lot of things  well off of that path . Kissing the Blarney Stone  and visiting the Cliffs of Moher are arguably some of the “musts” in Ireland, while Dingle’s Slea Head drive and the Aran Islands  are less touristy and filled with incredible Irish music and culture.

With just a week left of my entire first year of world travel, I spent  a week driving around Connemara  and then  hiking in the National Park . My dad sent me money and told me to treat myself to someplace nice, so I stayed in a beautiful bed and breakfast in the Wicklow mountains before ending with a day in Dublin at the Guinness Factory and one last chance to hear  amazing live music .

After two layovers and a handful of hours, somehow I had arrived back in Florida. Although I had travel fatigue at points during the year, I was also used to constant movement. Landing at my parents house was a shock to the senses and I had serious travel blues and culture shock as I readjusted to life back home, enjoyed the holidays, and then planned my next leg of my route around the world: Central America.

Mexico, Cuba and Belize: January 7 – February 16

Cancun Havana Trinidad

Chichen Itza Yucatan Peninsula Belize

As my first round the world travel ended, I realized how well I was able to work from the road . I visited home for the holidays and then set out across Central America. I landed in Cancun as a gateway to meeting up with a travel friend in Cuba.

We started in Havana and then made our way to Trinidad, a colorful city filled with vibrant music, people, and culture.

Louise headed back to the States and I flew back to Cancun, where I explored more of the Yucatan Peninsula before heading south to Belize at the Chetumal border . I had a bad allergic reaction in Belize, so although I found Belizean culture fascinating , I spent a week on Caye Caulker before heading to Guatemala .

Guatemala and Honduras: February 16 – May 18

Tikal Semuc Champey Antigua Semana Santa Coffee Tour

Xela Chichicastenango Rio Dulce Copan Ruins Utila Diving

Guatemala ranks as one of my favorite countries in the world, and it charmed me from the moment I entered on the shuttle from Belize City to Flores. I marveled at the jungle ruins of Tikal and then stomped through caves and waterfalls at Semuc Champey .

It was onward by bus to charming Antigua , where I took a coffee tour , visited a macadamia nut farm , and spent a memorable Semana Santa week learning all about Guatemala’s Easter traditions .

I spent two weeks perfecting my Spanish at lessons in Xela , while volunteering in the rural areas . Then relaxed at Lake Atitlan and did some shopping at Chichicastenango .

I popped over to Honduras to briefly visit Copan Ruinas , and then get my advanced divers certificate on Utila . But then I loved Guatemala so much that I spent my remaining 10 days in the country relaxing on the Rio Dulce .

At that point, I flew to California for a friend’s wedding in Napa, spent the summer catching up with friends who had moved all over the U.S., and then decided to move to Bali by the fall . That set off a whole other adventure living in Thailand and traveling more in Asia as the years passed, as well as a six month solo backpacking trip across Africa.

I’ve now visited more than 70 countries on five continents—find the full list of countries and stories on the site’s destination page , where you can browse by stories or via themes and you can plan your own trip with these world travel resources .

I also have a detailed page dedicated to planning your own round the world itinerary .

You can find my location and travel plans here , as well as my current projects and passions.

Planning Your travels

If you’re in the early stages of planning your travels, the following resources should help.

Dreaming of Travel » Letter to Travel Dreamers | How Do You Make Big Decisions? | Why I Decided to Travel the World | Creating Transformative Travel Experiences | The Best Travel Books

Affording Travel » How to Save for World Travel | How Much Does it Cost to Travel the World | Best Credit and Debit Cards for Travel | Using Geoarbitrage to Live Abroad | How to Work Remotely

Planning Travel » Plan Your World Travel Itinerary | Pack for Long-Term Travel | Homeschooling While Traveling | How to Purge Everything You Own | How to Pick the Right RTW Backpack | Buying RTW Flights

Staying Healthy » Safety and Solo Female Travel | How to Pick the Right Travel Insurance | Travel Vaccines 101 | How to Stay Healthy Abroad

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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

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Welcome to my website! I’m someone with a huge passion for adventure and world travel. My website is currently under some serious construction, so excuse the mess! My site has 9,887 pictures (yes I keep exact track!) taken in over 90 countries from all 7 continents , including six of the Seven Summits I climbed.

I have a dream of visiting every country in the world and will try my best to share my travels!

In May 2016 I finally had an amazing opportunity to attempt Mt. Everest. Sadly the day we attempted to summit we were met with disaster, and I decided to turn around only 300 feet or less than 100 meters from the summit. In 2017 I returned to the Tibet side of the mountain, which I found to be much harder. I had a difficult expedition but on the morning of May 27th I reached the top of the world and successfully climbed Mt. Everest!

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West africa.

It’s on! I’ll be in West Africa in less than a week from writing this. The plan isn’t really there, I’ll just show up and see what happens, but my focus will be in Guinea-Bissau and Gambia, which will put me into the 90’s as far as countries visited.!

Well I’m very disappointed to say that my trip to Iraq did not work out. I can only promise that it was not from a lack of will but things beyond my control! Now that a year has passed I can try again in early 2019…

In July 2014 I finished my quest to visit all 50 states! Now just because I’ve been to every state now doesn’t mean that I’ve seen all the country has to offer. I have a lot left to do, and look forward to continuing domestic trips. My most recent trip was back to Idaho to climb Borah Peak . I’m continuing to focus on doing the highest peak in each state, but the idea of a nice trip to Key West to get away from the cold sounds like the best idea I’ve had in a long time.

Two photos of every country I’ve traveled to and my most important trip; Mt. Everest

Mt. everest, click here to see my climb of mt. everest.

Two photos of every country I’ve traveled to

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Moscow Vacation Packages

Moscow vacations are always a great idea when it comes to traveling in Russia. Plan your trip to Moscow with a leading tour operator for Russia and enjoy the ease and pleasure that comes from it. You will stay at the centrally-located hotels, enjoy guided tours to Moscow's best sights with charming local guides, and, most importantly, feel relaxed and immersed in the Russian culture at all times. Wondering what the ideal way to see the best of Moscow is? Well, with a private tour to Moscow, of course! We will listen to your travel preferences and prepare a custom Moscow itinerary just for you. Let's start talking about your upcoming vacation to the gorgeous capital city of Russia.

Moscow Tour Highlights

Explore the capital of the largest country in the world, Russia.

Learn about the most visited sights in Moscow that are worth adding to your Russian itinerary. Create a fantastic tour to Moscow with a destination, choosing your wished activities.

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Tips for Moscow Travel

Take a look at the good-to-know tips before visiting Moscow and have a fantastic time in the capital.

What to pack

Make sure to check the weather prognosis before your trip and pack accordingly.

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Moscow is beautiful all around the year. Choose traveling time according to preferred activities.

We suggest to always have some cash with you. You will need Rubles (RUB) for Russia.

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Tipping is not required in Russia, but it's considered good etiquette, tip 10%-15% of your bill.

The average summer temperature is approx 18°C (64°F), and winter is around -6°C (22°F).

Some of the most popular souvenirs from Moscow are caviar, Krasnaya Moska perfume.

Best Moscow Sights

One of the highest points in Moscow and one of its most breathtaking places - the Sparrow Hills.

See the 344-feet Cathedral of Christ the Savior - the tallest Orthodox church in the world.

Enjoy masterpieces of Russian opera and ballet in Moscow's legendary Bolshoi Theater.

Being the most recognizable symbol of Russia in the world, Red Square is an absolute must see when in Moscow. 

The famous GUM is a large department store in the Kitai-gorod part of Moscow facing Red Square.

St. Basil’s Cathedral is Moscow’s most famous artistic work of architecture set in the romantic Red Square.

History and luxury is revealed inside the Kremlin as the Armoury Chamber displays treasures like Faberge Eggs.

The symbol of Moscow and entire Russia, the Kremlin is often described as the 8th Wonder of the World.

Moscow Metro is like a whole underground city that holds the world's largest collection of Stalinist Art.

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I have been using the Firebirds (Travel All Russia) services for a while. I am very satisfied.

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WOW. From the choice of hotels, an itinerary that ran to plan, the amazing Guides and drivers, and of course the stunning cities of Moscow and St Petersburg. No long queues for entry to museums, churches, and palaces.  I would gladly recommend using Firebird Tours (Travel All Russia) to anyone.

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I must say from the day I started to book my tip till the day I got home I had one GREAT trip and experience I always felt safe and cared for help was seconds away not that I needed any I will defiantly highly recommend your company to any traveler to Russia WELL DONE to the Whole team THANK YOU for making this happen for me !!!

We enjoyed the whole trip a lot

Overall we enjoyed the whole trip a lot. Moscow is beautiful and clean. Thank you very much for your patience and excellent organization of this tour. Everything ran very smoothly and according to schedule. The guides met us on time at hotels or at our train carriage on arrival. They all spoke good English, had a good local knowledge and were very kind and helpful.

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We had a great time in Moscow!

Everything was perfect and we are very satisfied with services and accommodations.

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The trip was great. Especially want to mention the guides I had on the extra days were exceptional. Both guides and drivers worked out well. Thanks again for all your help and attention. Loved my time in Russia, and still haven’t stopped talking about it.

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Just want to say that our guide in St Petersburg was really outstanding. You really felt like someone was looking after you. Very observant - knowledgeable. We really enjoyed time spent with her.

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The experience was great!!! We had an excellent guide. The hotel was fabulous.

Thank you for your help !!! was an unforgettable trip.

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Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow: The Best of Moscow!

I just got back from one week in Moscow. And, as you might have already guessed, it was a mind-boggling experience. It was not my first trip to the Russian capital. But I hardly ever got enough time to explore this sprawling city. Visiting places for business rarely leaves enough time for sightseeing. I think that if you’ve got one week in Russia, you can also consider splitting your time between its largest cities (i.e. Saint Petersburg ) to get the most out of your trip. Seven days will let you see the majority of the main sights and go beyond just scratching the surface. In this post, I’m going to share with you my idea of the perfect travel itinerary for one week in Moscow.

Moscow is perhaps both the business and cultural hub of Russia. There is a lot more to see here than just the Kremlin and Saint Basil’s Cathedral. Centuries-old churches with onion-shaped domes dotted around the city are in stark contrast with newly completed impressive skyscrapers of Moscow City dominating the skyline. I spent a lot of time thinking about my Moscow itinerary before I left. And this city lived up to all of my expectations.

Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow

Day 1 – red square and the kremlin.

Metro Station: Okhotny Ryad on Red Line.

No trip to Moscow would be complete without seeing its main attraction. The Red Square is just a stone’s throw away from several metro stations. It is home to some of the most impressive architectural masterpieces in the city. The first thing you’ll probably notice after entering it and passing vendors selling weird fur hats is the fairytale-like looking Saint Basil’s Cathedral. It was built to commemorate one of the major victories of Ivan the Terrible. I once spent 20 minutes gazing at it, trying to find the perfect angle to snap it. It was easier said than done because of the hordes of locals and tourists.

As you continue strolling around Red Square, there’s no way you can miss Gum. It was widely known as the main department store during the Soviet Era. Now this large (yet historic) shopping mall is filled with expensive boutiques, pricey eateries, etc. During my trip to Moscow, I was on a tight budget. So I only took a retro-style stroll in Gum to get a rare glimpse of a place where Soviet leaders used to grocery shop and buy their stuff. In case you want some modern shopping experience, head to the Okhotny Ryad Shopping Center with stores like New Yorker, Zara, and Adidas.

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To continue this Moscow itinerary, next you may want to go inside the Kremlin walls. This is the center of Russian political power and the president’s official residence. If you’re planning to pay Kremlin a visit do your best to visit Ivan the Great Bell Tower as well. Go there as early as possible to avoid crowds and get an incredible bird’s-eye view. There are a couple of museums that are available during designated visiting hours. Make sure to book your ticket online and avoid lines.

Day 2 – Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Tretyakov Gallery, and the Arbat Street

Metro Station: Kropotkinskaya on Red Line

As soon as you start creating a Moscow itinerary for your second day, you’ll discover that there are plenty of metro stations that are much closer to certain sites. Depending on your route, take a closer look at the metro map to pick the closest.

The white marble walls of Christ the Saviour Cathedral are awe-inspiring. As you approach this tallest Orthodox Christian church, you may notice the bronze sculptures, magnificent arches, and cupolas that were created to commemorate Russia’s victory against Napoleon.

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Unfortunately, the current Cathedral is a replica, since original was blown to bits in 1931 by the Soviet government. The new cathedral basically follows the original design, but they have added some new elements such as marble high reliefs.

Home to some precious collection of artworks, in Tretyakov Gallery you can find more than 150,000 of works spanning centuries of artistic endeavor. Originally a privately owned gallery, it now has become one of the largest museums in Russia. The Gallery is often considered essential to visit. But I have encountered a lot of locals who have never been there.

Famous for its souvenirs, musicians, and theaters, Arbat street is among the few in Moscow that were turned into pedestrian zones. Arbat street is usually very busy with tourists and locals alike. My local friend once called it the oldest street in Moscow dating back to 1493. It is a kilometer long walking street filled with fancy gift shops, small cozy restaurants, lots of cute cafes, and street artists. It is closed to any vehicular traffic, so you can easily stroll it with kids.

Day 3 – Moscow River Boat Ride, Poklonnaya Hill Victory Park, the Moscow City

Metro Station: Kievskaya and Park Pobedy on Dark Blue Line / Vystavochnaya on Light Blue Line

Voyaging along the Moscow River is definitely one of the best ways to catch a glimpse of the city and see the attractions from a bit different perspective. Depending on your Moscow itinerary, travel budget and the time of the year, there are various types of boats available. In the summer there is no shortage of boats, and you’ll be spoiled for choice.

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If you find yourself in Moscow during the winter months, I’d recommend going with Radisson boat cruise. These are often more expensive (yet comfy). They offer refreshments like tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and, of course, alcoholic drinks. Prices may vary but mostly depend on your food and drink selection. Find their main pier near the opulent Ukraine hotel . The hotel is one of the “Seven Sisters”, so if you’re into the charm of Stalinist architecture don’t miss a chance to stay there.

The area near Poklonnaya Hill has the closest relation to the country’s recent past. The memorial complex was completed in the mid-1990s to commemorate the Victory and WW2 casualties. Also known as the Great Patriotic War Museum, activities here include indoor attractions while the grounds around host an open-air museum with old tanks and other vehicles used on the battlefield.

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The hallmark of the memorial complex and the first thing you see as you exit metro is the statue of Nike mounted to its column. This is a very impressive Obelisk with a statue of Saint George slaying the dragon at its base.

Maybe not as impressive as Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower , the skyscrapers of the Moscow City (otherwise known as Moscow International Business Center) are so drastically different from dull Soviet architecture. With 239 meters and 60 floors, the Empire Tower is the seventh highest building in the business district.

The observation deck occupies 56 floor from where you have some panoramic views of the city. I loved the view in the direction of Moscow State University and Luzhniki stadium as well to the other side with residential quarters. The entrance fee is pricey, but if you’re want to get a bird’s eye view, the skyscraper is one of the best places for doing just that.

Day 4 – VDNKh, Worker and Collective Farm Woman Monument, The Ostankino TV Tower

Metro Station: VDNKh on Orange Line

VDNKh is one of my favorite attractions in Moscow. The weird abbreviation actually stands for Russian vystavka dostizheniy narodnogo khozyaystva (Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy). With more than 200 buildings and 30 pavilions on the grounds, VDNKh serves as an open-air museum. You can easily spend a full day here since the park occupies a very large area.

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First, there are pavilions that used to showcase different cultures the USSR was made of. Additionally, there is a number of shopping pavilions, as well as Moskvarium (an Oceanarium) that features a variety of marine species. VDNKh is a popular venue for events and fairs. There is always something going on, so I’d recommend checking their website if you want to see some particular exhibition.

A stone’s throw away from VDNKh there is a very distinctive 25-meters high monument. Originally built in 1937 for the world fair in Paris, the hulking figures of men and women holding a hammer and a sickle represent the Soviet idea of united workers and farmers. It doesn’t take much time to see the monument, but visiting it gives some idea of the Soviet Union’s grandiose aspirations.

I have a thing for tall buildings. So to continue my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow I decided to climb the fourth highest TV tower in the world. This iconic 540m tower is a fixture of the skyline. You can see it virtually from everywhere in Moscow, and this is where you can get the best panoramic views (yep, even better than Empire skyscraper).

Parts of the floor are made of tempered glass, so it can be quite scary to exit the elevator. But trust me, as you start observing buildings and cars below, you won’t want to leave. There is only a limited number of tickets per day, so you may want to book online. Insider tip: the first tour is cheaper, you can save up to $10 if go there early.

Day 5 – A Tour To Moscow Manor Houses

Metro Station: Kolomenskoye, Tsaritsyno on Dark Green Line / Kuskovo on Purple Line

I love visiting the manor houses and palaces in Moscow. These opulent buildings were generally built to house Russian aristocratic families and monarchs. Houses tend to be rather grand affairs with impressive architecture. And, depending on the whims of the owners, some form of a landscaped garden.

During the early part of the 20th century though, many of Russia’s aristocratic families (including the family of the last emperor) ended up being killed or moving abroad . Their manor houses were nationalized. Some time later (after the fall of the USSR) these were open to the public. It means that today a great many of Moscow’s finest manor houses and palaces are open for touring.

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There are 20 manor houses scattered throughout the city and more than 25 in the area around. But not all of them easily accessible and exploring them often takes a lot of time. I’d recommend focusing on three most popular estates in Moscow that are some 30-minute metro ride away from Kremlin.

Sandwiched between the Moscow River and the Andropov Avenue, Kolomenskoye is a UNESCO site that became a public park in the 1920’s. Once a former royal estate, now it is one of the most tranquil parks in the city with gorgeous views. The Ascension Church, The White Column, and the grounds are a truly grand place to visit.

You could easily spend a full day here, exploring a traditional Russian village (that is, in fact, a market), picnicking by the river, enjoying the Eastern Orthodox church architecture, hiking the grounds as well as and wandering the park and gardens with wildflower meadows, apple orchards, and birch and maple groves. The estate museum showcases Russian nature at its finest year-round.

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If my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow was a family tree, Tsaritsyno Park would probably be the crazy uncle that no-one talks about. It’s a large park in the south of the city of mind-boggling proportions, unbelievable in so many ways, and yet most travelers have never heard of it.

The palace was supposed to be a summer home for Empress Catherine the Great. But since the construction didn’t meet with her approval the palace was abandoned. Since the early 1990’s the palace, the pond, and the grounds have been undergoing renovations. The entire complex is now looking brighter and more elaborately decorated than at possibly any other time during its history. Like most parks in Moscow, you can visit Tsaritsyno free of charge, but there is a small fee if you want to visit the palace.

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Last, but by no means least on my Moscow itinerary is Kuskovo Park . This is definitely an off-the-beaten-path place. While it is not easily accessible, you will be rewarded with a lack of crowds. This 18th-century summer country house of the Sheremetev family was one of the first summer country estates of the Russian nobility. And when you visit you’ll quickly realize why locals love this park.

Like many other estates, Kuskovo has just been renovated. So there are lovely French formal garden, a grotto, and the Dutch house to explore. Make sure to plan your itinerary well because the estate is some way from a metro station.

Day 6 – Explore the Golden Ring

Creating the Moscow itinerary may keep you busy for days with the seemingly endless amount of things to do. Visiting the so-called Golden Ring is like stepping back in time. Golden Ring is a “theme route” devised by promotion-minded journalist and writer Yuri Bychkov.

Having started in Moscow the route will take you through a number of historical cities. It now includes Suzdal, Vladimir, Kostroma, Yaroslavl and Sergiev Posad. All these awe-inspiring towns have their own smaller kremlins and feature dramatic churches with onion-shaped domes, tranquil residential areas, and other architectural landmarks.

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I only visited two out of eight cities included on the route. It is a no-brainer that Sergiev Posad is the nearest and the easiest city to see on a day trip from Moscow. That being said, you can explore its main attractions in just one day. Located some 70 km north-east of the Russian capital, this tiny and overlooked town is home to Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, UNESCO Site.

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Sergiev Posad is often described as being at the heart of Russian spiritual life. So it is uncommon to see the crowds of Russian pilgrims showing a deep reverence for their religion. If you’re traveling independently and using public transport, you can reach Sergiev Posad by bus (departs from VDNKh) or by suburban commuter train from Yaroslavskaya Railway Station (Bahnhof). It takes about one and a half hours to reach the town.

Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius is a great place to get a glimpse of filling and warming Russian lunch, specifically at the “ Gostevaya Izba ” restaurant. Try the duck breast, hearty potato and vegetables, and the awesome Napoleon cake.

Day 7 – Gorky Park, Izmailovo Kremlin, Patriarch’s Ponds

Metro Station: Park Kultury or Oktyabrskaya on Circle Line / Partizanskaya on Dark Blue Line / Pushkinskaya on Dark Green Line

Gorky Park is in the heart of Moscow. It offers many different types of outdoor activities, such as dancing, cycling, skateboarding, walking, jogging, and anything else you can do in a park. Named after Maxim Gorky, this sprawling and lovely park is where locals go on a picnic, relax and enjoy free yoga classes. It’s a popular place to bike around, and there is a Muzeon Art Park not far from here. A dynamic location with a younger vibe. There is also a pier, so you can take a cruise along the river too.

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The Kremlin in Izmailovo is by no means like the one you can find near the Red Square. Originally built for decorative purposes, it now features the Vernissage flea market and a number of frequent fairs, exhibitions, and conferences. Every weekend, there’s a giant flea market in Izmailovo, where dozens of stalls sell Soviet propaganda crap, Russian nesting dolls, vinyl records, jewelry and just about any object you can imagine. Go early in the morning if you want to beat the crowds.

All the Bulgakov’s fans should pay a visit to Patriarch’s Ponds (yup, that is plural). With a lovely small city park and the only one (!) pond in the middle, the location is where the opening scene of Bulgakov’s novel Master and Margarita was set. The novel is centered around a visit by Devil to the atheistic Soviet Union is considered by many critics to be one of the best novels of the 20th century. I spent great two hours strolling the nearby streets and having lunch in the hipster cafe.

Conclusion and Recommendations

To conclude, Moscow is a safe city to visit. I have never had a problem with getting around and most locals are really friendly once they know you’re a foreigner. Moscow has undergone some serious reconstruction over the last few years. So you can expect some places to be completely different. I hope my one week Moscow itinerary was helpful! If you have less time, say 4 days or 5 days, I would cut out day 6 and day 7. You could save the Golden Ring for a separate trip entirely as there’s lots to see!

What are your thoughts on this one week Moscow itinerary? Are you excited about your first time in the city? Let me know in the comments below!

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24 comments.

Ann Snook-Moreau

Moscow looks so beautiful and historic! Thanks for including public transit information for those of us who don’t like to rent cars.

MindTheTravel

Yup, that is me 🙂 Rarely rent + stick to the metro = Full wallet!

Mariella Blago

Looks like you had loads of fun! Well done. Also great value post for travel lovers.

Thanks, Mariella!

I have always wanted to go to Russia, especially Moscow. These sights look absolutely beautiful to see and there is so much history there!

Agree! Moscow is a thousand-year-old city and there is definitely something for everyone.

Tara Pittman

Those are amazing buildings. Looks like a place that would be amazing to visit.

Adriana Lopez

Never been to Moscow or Russia but my family has. Many great spots and a lot of culture. Your itinerary sounds fantastic and covers a lot despite it is only a short period of time.

What was their favourite thing about Russia?

Gladys Parker

I know very little about Moscow or Russia for the\at matter. I do know I would have to see the Red Square and all of its exquisite architectural masterpieces. Also the CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE SAVIOUR. Thanks for shedding some light on visiting Moscow.

Thanks for swinging by! The Red Square is a great starting point, but there way too many places and things to discover aside from it!

Ruthy @ Percolate Kitchen

You are making me so jealous!! I’ve always wanted to see Russia.

Moscow is in my bucket list, I don’t know when I can visit there, your post is really useful. As a culture rich place we need to spend at least week.

DANA GUTKOWSKI

Looks like you had a great trip! Thanks for all the great info! I’ve never been in to Russia, but this post makes me wanna go now!

Wow this is amazing! Moscow is on my bucket list – such an amazing place to visit I can imagine! I can’t wait to go there one day!

The building on the second picture looks familiar. I keep seeing that on TV.

Reesa Lewandowski

What beautiful moments! I always wish I had the personality to travel more like this!

Perfect itinerary for spending a week in Moscow! So many places to visit and it looks like you had a wonderful time. I would love to climb that tower. The views I am sure must have been amazing!

I was lucky enough to see the skyline of Moscow from this TV Tower and it is definitely mind-blowing.

Chelsea Pearl

Moscow is definitely up there on my travel bucket list. So much history and iconic architecture!

Thumbs up! 🙂

Blair Villanueva

OMG I dream to visit Moscow someday! Hope the visa processing would be okay (and become more affordable) so I could pursue my dream trip!

Yup, visa processing is the major downside! Agree! Time and the money consuming process…

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35 Travel Essentials for Any Length of Trip

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There’s something about traveling that is equal parts excitement and stress, especially when it comes time for you to bust out your suitcase and prepare to pack. What comes along with you can vary tremendously depending on the length of your trip and the occasion. Thankfully, the Cut Shop team has traveled far and wide, and has picked up a few tips, tricks, and essentials for packing well. Regardless of whether it’s a quick weekend escapade or a whole month abroad, here are the 39 best travel essentials worth taking along, listed according to the length of time spent away from home.

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➼ For Overnight Trips ➼ Weekend Trips and Excursions ➼ Anywhere From Five Days to a Week and a Half ➼ Two Weeks or Longer ➼ A Month or More

. For Overnight Trips

Whether you’re only traveling ten minutes away for a staycation or venturing to a nearby city for a day, overnight trips can be just as challenging to pack for as longer ones. Our best tip is try to be strategic about stowing all the necessities in a larger tote ba g.

Keep all your chargers and cords organized and untangled in one place. This little case makes sure you can actually find what you are looking for, especially in the depths of a big bucket-shaped bag.

The Nap Dress is comfortable enough for any road trip or train ride or even to sleep in. You really can’t go wrong — it’s like wearing your pajamas but still looking totally presentable. We particularly like the wrinkle-resistant navy dress for easy wear on the road.

This three-pack of pouches might be one of The Cut Shop ream’s favorite purchases. Perfect for everyday use, the pouches are great for housing everything from makeup to dirty clothes to receipts. We always have one in our bags, no matter if we’re leaving the house for a night, an hour, or a whole week.

Perfect for event-specific travel, this tote doubles as a garment bag, protecting those special-occasion outfits. It has just enough space to also pack a pair of shoes you do not want to commute in.

One of the best tinted moisturizers out there, this option from Saie offers hydration and some SPF and will give you light coverage with a dewy glow. When you can’t bring your entire medicine cabinet, this is a great option that combines a bunch of products in a multistep routine.

Because hydration is always important, especially when you’re traveling.

Just because you’re not doing your skin-care routine in your bathroom at home doesn’t mean your skin should suffer. This ice rollers will fit perfectly in your toiletry bag and come in handy first thing in the morning.

Sometimes on those quick trips, we push washing our hair an extra day (or three) so we can leave all our heat tools at home. With some dry shampoo and a cute hair claw , no one has to know.

. Weekend Trips and Excursions

Whether you are heading out of town for a wedding, trying to get away for a little R&R, or traveling for work, when it comes to packing a weekender or a smaller suitcase, organization is key.

There are so many options out there for weekender bags, but this water-repellent tote from Béis ticks all our boxes including the trolley pass-through pocket to attach to your suitcase and save your shoulders. This one is just over $100.

Most of the time, travel is associated with flying, but whether by choice or not, sometimes the trip involves hours of car time. A phone mount changes the game on a long road trip and is definitely safer.

For those longer flights where you are in a confined space and not moving around as much (looking at you, window-seat fliers), compression socks can help reduce swelling and discomfort in the legs and feet.

Weekend trips can sometimes mean a jam-packed itinerary, so when you want to sleep, you want to snooze uninterrupted. Enter Loop, a reusable silicone earplug that allows you to get the ultimate fit (it comes in four sizes) so you can get in that power nap.

Forgetting your sunglasses on vacation, especially when headed somewhere sunny, is a rookie mistake, which is why this pair from Le Specs is perfect to just keep in your weekend bag so you are never without.. They’re stylish, sturdy, and under $70 , in case you end up losing or breaking them.

Normally, travel containers are not the most stylish or multifunctional. But these Cadence capsules are both of those things. Unlike traditional travel containers, these can be used for anything from storing pills and skincare products to necklaces and hand cream. Plus, you can design your own set to include different labels and colors

You can never go wrong with a classic button-up . It’s a must-have for any trip, especially a weekend one when space is limited. Wear it on its own, with a dress or pants, or as a bathing suit cover-up.

The Tower28 spray is our skin-care savior , and if you’re looking to pack minimally for weekend trips, this needs to be in the toiletry bag. Perfect for sensitive skin, it’s multifunctional, and a spritz delivers a refreshing dose of hydration and soothes stressed-out skin.

Not only do books take up valuable real estate in a carry-on, they add a bit of weight too. A Kindle is so low profile and light that we do not even think twice about tossing it in our bag. It also saves us time doing the math on how many books we should be bringing on a trip because our next read is just a Wi-Fi connection away.

If you’re skipping the carry-on, this is an easy way to organize your beauty routine now that you’ve condensed it into teeny bottles and containers. The recycled faux -leather bag zips closed and features enough compartments to keep everything neat and organized.

. Anywhere From Five Days to a Week and a Half

A full-fledged trip that still limits you to a carry-on may be the most difficult to pack for. Europe,Cabo, our parents’ house, it’s all about making the most of the room you have, even if you can’t help but pack all your sunglasses , expensive skin care, and cute outfits.

This cashmere cardigan is amazing on its own or as a layering piece in case you get chilly en route or in your hotel room. When you’re packing a carry-on, the more pieces you have that you can wear multiple different ways, the better.

Sometimes you just can’t decide which sunglasses to bring, especially if you are going somewhere extra-sunny. This protective case from Dagne Dover allows you to bring three pairs in a very compact and convenient case that is easy to hang up when you get to your final destination.

There is a reason you can’t travel without seeing one of these suitcases. It fits in the overhead bin of most major U.S. airlines and allows travelers enough room to store all their belongings while remaining light, sturdy, and sleek. Plus, it comes in seven attractive colors and has a USB external battery for those extra-long travel days. It is an essential for the majority of trips you will probably take.

We love using packing cubes when we need to keep a duffel bag from becoming total chaos or for just staying organized when we’re traveling somewhere where we will be doing a wide range of activities that require very different wardrobe options. These packing cubes from Calpak are cute and will help bring some order to a carry-on.

Whether you are in the window seat and do not want to disturb your neighbors to wash your hands or need to do a quick clean after pumping gas on a road trip, having some sort of hand sanitizer while traveling is a good idea. This one from Aesop obviously smells amazing.

. Two Weeks or Longer

It’s time to check your bags. Fill your carry-on with the essentials and save the rest for your suitcase. Opt for two-in-one products, space-saving containers, and clothes you can dress up or down. Pro tip: Don’t forget to invest in a luggage tracker to make sure your suitcase arrives when you do.

Wearing trousers on a plane not only saves room in your suitcase but also makes you feel more put-together on the go. These comfy but tailored pants from Uniqlo can be worn casually or dressed up, making them the perfect pair to travel in for long periods.

A two-in-one product that is perfect for face and lips is a godsend on the road, and this Merit lightly tinted balm is highly rated. It is the perfect product to throw in your bag for when you want to do a real quick touch-up, no matter where you are. Not to mention it’s one of our senior shopping editor’s favorite cream blushes .

The pinnacle of traveling well comes down to one word: Rimowa. The cases are classic, luxurious, and durable, though definitely a splurge. If you’re traveling for long stretches of time, and often, they can be worth the price point.

Pets under 20 pounds are allowed to fly in a carrier under the seat in front of you, and this stylish option from Wild One opens into a bed so your pet can relax at the gate before you both board.

Most fragrances do not come in a three-ounce bottle, and it can be quite a risk to send a glass bottle in your checked bag, so it might be safer to opt for something like this. Even when you are not traveling, these little cases are convenient to throw in a bag so that you always can carry around your favorite scent.

. A Month or More

We’re way past suggesting hand cream and new luggage because, at this point, you’re practically moving to your destination. These are the things that upgrade you from a casual traveler to a pro and will make your longer flights and longer stays more comfortable

Carrying an extra six pounds might seem a bit excessive, but if you’re on a long flight and you’re staying over a month in your new destination, you might as well be as cozy and comfortable as possible. This travel0size weighted blanket from Bearaby comes in its own duffel bag, so it can easily be your personal item or be checked in with no problem.

Want to be able to still do full glam while you’re away? This rechargeable and slim travel vanity mirror will help your makeup look flawless no matter your lighting situation.

You may have seen this on your TikTok FYP. It allows you to connect your Bluetooth headphones (hello, AirPod Maxes ) to airplane screens, so you can watch your favorite comfort movie or episode of Sex and the City without worrying about bringing a corded pair or needing to purchase those cheap plane headphones in the air.

Like a weighted blanket for your eyes, this eye mask is sleep enhancing (perfect for long flights and jumping through timezones) and made from super soft silk.

Chances you’ll come back from vacation with more clothes than you went there with are high, so consider packing this foldable nylon tote to hold all your overstock.

Travel with ease knowing that your necklaces won’t get tangled and all your earrings are safe and sound in one place.

This pill case also came from our TikTok FYP and is small enough to fit in any purse, but has enough storage to hold all your medicine, vitamins, and supplements.

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Editor’s Picks

My time with the Juanilama community will always stay with me

Rachael Sarra is a First Nations artist from Goreng Goreng Country in Queensland, Australia, specialising in contemporary Aboriginal art. On Intrepid’s Costa Rica Experience trip, Rachael visited the Juanilama community for a homestay and described it as one of the greatest experiences of her life.

As dawn breaks over Santa Rosa in the Northern Plains of Costa Rica – not far from La Leona Reserve – the small, rural community of Juanilama wakes up to chirping birds and rustling leaves. Sunlight peeks through an emerald rainforest canopy onto fields growing crops like pepper, cocoa, pineapple, turmeric and ginger as another day begins with a shared sense of purpose. 

Earlier this year, I was lucky enough to spend some time here on a homestay with the families of Juanilama. Seeing snippets of life in a Costa Rican village, understanding their self-sustainable ways and learning from generational knowledge resonated with my First Nations heritage.  

In the beginning, I felt nervous about the visit. You don’t know what to expect when going into someone’s home. For most people, it’s such an intimate space and you’re essentially entering a family in their home with shared spaces and that feels really scary in some ways.  

After arriving in the village, the homestay quickly became the highlight of my trip. We were welcomed by what I would describe as all the aunties of the community and it felt like home in no time. My time in the village included plenty of dancing, cooking staple dishes like gallo pinto and Casado with aunties, testing my Spanish and celebrating life with shots of homemade moonshine. In a lot of ways, it was like being on Country back home with my aunties. 

These are the kinds of moments that are always my favourite part of Intrepid trips. You can visit all the big touristy places in the world, but it’s those special and intimate moments in local communities that mean the most – when we’re totally immersed in culture and communities. 

The tight-knit community of Juanilama are farmers by tradition. For generations, they have been cultivating their land for agriculture and dairy too while focusing on sustainable farming techniques that work in harmony with their natural environment.  

Living near the protected, biodiverse La Leona Reserve has its perks – fertile soil, a stable microclimate and natural water resources – but it comes with responsibilities, too. The Juanilama people also safeguard the rainforest’s wildlife, medicinal plants, waterfalls and rivers. Being close to the reserve also provides opportunities for eco-tourism, which can bring in extra income and support the local community. 

I learned that the village is part of the Integrated Development Program – an initiative designed by the Costa Rican government to provide land and support for sustainable agricultural and eco-tourism practices. The people can then build homes, farms and gardens that maintain and rebuild the land’s agriculture, and in return, these communities are able to host guests.  

Most inspiring of all was the power of the community. We learned about all the different businesses that are community-led and run. The village is about collective thinking and how we can better live off the land. 

I started to see the similarities in art and cultural ways of thinking between my roots in Goreng Goreng Country back home in Australia and the Juanilama community. 

Our community is also centered around family but it’s not a western way of thinking about family, it’s different for us. We have the biggest families because our idea of family is different. Our family bonds go beyond immediate and extended relations. There’s a lot of humour used and people coming together and putting on a big feed. Like the Juanilama community, I think that’s how we show we care for people back home too, by welcoming them in and putting on a big feed.    

Though my visit was more focused on food and harvesting rather than creative techniques, being in nature and seeing different colours, textures and scents was moving. Travelling as an artist is a really different way to travel. It can be overstimulating because everything is inspiration. What I love most is experiencing different cultures and ways of storytelling, and how that manifests. 

Wherever I go in the world, I carry the stories, colours and of each place. Travel is not just about seeing new places but about allowing those places to become a part of us and however we choose to express ourselves. 

Rachael visited the Juanilama community on Intrepid’s Costa Rica Experience trip.

Feeling inspired?

Rachael Sarra

Rachael Sarra is a multi-disciplinary artist, designer and businesswoman. As a contemporary, mixed-raced, First Nations artist from Goreng Goreng Country, Rachael uses art as a powerful tool and outlet to explore themes and resolve conflict within herself.

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Is Moscow Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

On Feb. 24, 2022, Russia invaded its neighbor country Ukraine, starting a war between these two countries.

This act of invasion caused many Ukrainians to flee their country and seek shelter in places like Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, etc…

At this time, we recommend no travel to Russia or Ukraine, or any neighboring countries for your own safety.

Russia : Safety by City

• Nizhny Novgorod
• Novosibirsk
• Saint Petersburg
• Yekaterinburg

Moscow, the capital of Russia, is a political, scientific, historical, architectural and business center of this huge country.

It’s one of the most visited places in Russia, and for good reason.

The best-known parts of Russia are concentrated precisely in the urban areas and cities like Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

Moscow’s history attracts the most tourists, as they are fascinated by it is a surreal and sometimes brutal but nevertheless thrilling and jaw-dropping national story.

In this city, visited by 17 million tourists annually, the history, told in its numerous museums, some of which are the world’s greatest, interacts with modernity.

For example, in the Garden of Fallen Monuments (Fallen Monument Park), you can see entire clusters of modern art contrasting with the very non-conceptual Communist monuments.

• Warnings & Dangers in Moscow

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

Generally speaking, Moscow today is safe as much as other cities in Europe, despite its problematic history with criminal activity in the 90s. However, if you’re planning on traveling to Moscow, keep in mind that you should always keep your guard up and remain aware of your surroundings, just in case.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Generally speaking, transportation in Moscow is safe, but you should bear in mind that kidnappings have been known to happen, mostly in unlicensed taxis, so be careful when hailing one on the streets. Keep in mind that the most dangerous areas where small crime tends to occur are the underground walkways, called “perekhods”. Only use official services like Yandex Taxi, Uber or Gett taxi.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH

Pickpocketing is very common in Moscow, and surprisingly it is mostly performed by groups of children. Pay attention to your belongings, don’t leave them in plain sight and be especially careful in crowded places like stations or near tourist attractions.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

Moscow isn’t particularly susceptible to natural disasters. Some blizzards and snowstorms are possible during winter which can affect the traffic and delay your flights. During winter, be prepared to face the below-freezing temperatures.

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

The situation improved drastically when it comes to kidnappings and muggings. Generally, never accept free drinks or food when you’re in a club or a bar. Drink spiking and then attacking and robbing the victim have been reported on numerous occasions.

TERRORISM RISK: HIGH

After the recent terrorist attack in the subway in St. Petersburg the probability of this situation happening again in Moscow is very high.

SCAMS RISK: HIGH

There are many scams in Moscow, usually performed by children trying to distract you and then steal some money from you. Never talk to strange kids on the street. Also, you should avoid playing street gambling games.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women are generally safe in Moscow, though you should avoid finding yourself alone in clubs or bars, and of course, apply all normal precaution measures like avoiding remote and poorly lit streets and areas.

• So... How Safe Is Moscow Really?

Moscow experienced a rise when it came to crime rates during the 1990s.

Violent crime, as well as petty crime and scams,  had increased, but the biggest part of the violence was within the criminal groups themselves, and it didn’t affect foreigners that much.

However, it decreased since the 90s, so right now, for tourists, Moscow isn’t more dangerous than any other European city, it’s even less so.

The crime rate in Moscow is fairly lower than one in New York, London or Paris, so you should feel safe here.

Also, you can count on the officials to be uncorrupted – don’t ever try to bribe them: you will be charged with bribery.

Bear in mind that if you are a member of the LGBT community, there is no reason to avoid Moscow altogether but you should refrain from any public displays of affection.

As of June 2013, “homosexual propaganda to minors” is prohibited, which means that any discussion of gay rights or homosexuality issues in the presence of minors is punishable by law.

While you walk around Moscow, you might encounter police officials that may demand to see your papers to check if you have been registered within 7 business days of your arrival into Moscow.

You shouldn’t have any problems with this, because if you stay in a hotel then you are automatically registered and will be handed a confirmation paper.

• How Does Moscow Compare?
• Useful Information

Most countries do need a visa to enter Russia, and if you’re a U.S. citizen you must possess both a valid U.S. passport and a bona fide visa issued by a Russian Embassy or Consulate. None of the nationals that do need a visa can acquire one upon arrival, so make sure you apply for your visa in advance. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.

The Russian ruble is the official currency in Moscow. ATMs are widespread throughout the country and credit cards are accepted everywhere.

Moscow has a highly continental influenced climate characterized by warm to hot and dry summers and extremely cold, freezing winters with temperatures as low as -30°C – sometimes even lower, with heavy snowfall.

Sheremetyevo International Airport is the Russian busiest international airport. It is located in Molzhaninovsky District, Northern Administrative Okrug, in Moscow, about 29 km northwest of central Moscow.

Travel Insurance

Just like anywhere else, we advise getting travel insurance when traveling to Moscow, because it would cover not only medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.

Moscow Weather Averages (Temperatures)

• Average High/Low Temperature

Russia - Safety by City

• Where to Next?

9 Reviews on Moscow

That's just not true.

The person who wrote the text obviously have never been in Moscow and in Russia at all. This is ridiculous. Even about pickpocketing, the risk at most is medium, mugging is zero in historical places but is pretty high in sleeping quarters

Your rating is only two stars for safety though? So I am confused. Are you rating the article to be in poor taste?

I went to Moscow in 2021. I enjoyed the trip. I felt there were “unsafe areas” so I avoided them. So long as you know where you are going and don’t insult the locals, you should be fine.

51% safe?! Is this out of date?

Moscow and Russia in general are MUCH SAFER than Paris or London, yet those latter are more than 15 points ahead?!

Hell, it’s even admitted in the above text: “Moscow isn’t more dangerous than any other European city, IT’S EVEN LESS SO.” Yeah, you bet! And then: “the crime rate in Moscow is fairly lower than one in New York, London or Paris, so you should feel safe here.” So why the low rating? I don’t get it.

Also, the latest terrorist attack in Moscow happened in 2010… so how can you honestly say that the risk is still “high”? Especially for the fact Russia is very much on the edge when it comes to fighting terrorism domestically and over the world.

Sure, it might not be ideal everywhere in Moscow, but it’s WAY SAFER than in Paris, especially at night. You just can’t go out in Paris after the evening anymore, in most areas (I got assaulted for no reason at Châtelet-les-Halles and taking the RER train at dark is becoming more and more risky)… while in Moscow, chances are that you’ll see girls in miniskirts walking home while quietly singing. Or maybe you’ll stumble upon some gorgeous lady asking you for a lighter and then giving you her number for a coffee the next day. So very dangerous!

I sense a serious bias, here. Is it because of that LGBT thing? Could you pick a more extreme case? Yeah, you can totally be gay in Russia, just be so in private. There even are transsexuals, but this is a traditional and respectable country, so you should respect their choice of not publicizing various sexual lifestyles.

Moscow and Saint Petersburg are safe

Moscow and Saint Petersburg are very safe in my opinion! I’ve been to both cities visiting family! There are so many people out on the streets and on public transportation- I felt very safe! You need to change your ratings!!

Any update on Covid-19 to visit Moscow

I visited 118 country and Moscow one of the safest city I have been, st Petersburg as well, I read this article hoping to find any update on covid-19 restrictions upon arrival, so if anyone can update I’m planning to visit Moscow again but I need to know if quarentain is required or mandatory, anyone can share, cheers.

In Russia nobody cares, masks off. I dont know if fiew thousands of infected per day are high for you though. I was never arrested for not wearing mask, but you have to have it on you. Sometimes cops ask to put mask, you just do that and everything ok, some shops can refuse to do service if you dont have mask. I assume they pressured by boss, so just put on mask, they can give you gloves and dont cause any problems.

Written by someone who never visited Russia

A veer biased review. Moscow or St. Petersburg for being such brilliant truly cosmopolitan cities are extremely safe. Pickpocketing in Russia?! By children?! Who wrote this? Clearly by someone who has never been to the great country of Russia.

Have never been there. But wish me well

Bias review, Moscow is much safer than that!

This review is so bias and just wrong! First of all apart from being a political, scientific and etc center, it is an absolutely beautiful city and a very culturally rich city. For tourists there’s a huge range of delicious food, amazing shopping, a lot of cultural activities, and all sorts of entertainment. I’ve travelled there in December 2019, and most of the time I spent walking around and exploring by myself, be it during day time or night, nothing happened to me once. I mostly used subways and sometimes taxi, both safe. Just have a common sense when it comes to safety and you’ll be fine. You need to travel there at least once in a lifetime, it’s a completely different experience and it’s a beautiful one, NOT a communistic terrorist epicenter as some describe it to be.

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Article Contents

• Moscow : Safety by City
• Overall Risk
• Transport & Taxis Risk
• Pickpockets Risk
• Natural Disasters Risk
• Mugging Risk
• Terrorism Risk
• Women Travelers Risk
• Weather Averages (Temperatures)
• User Reviews
• Share Your Experience

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The most expensive travel experiences in the world

Posted: December 20, 2023 | Last updated: December 20, 2023

Most of us are trying to get the best deals on hotels, flights, and even restaurants so as not to overspend on our travel budget . But when you're wealthy, vacationing is a whole other experience. One of the perks that comes with wealth is vacationing in some of the most exclusive destinations on the planet. Indeed, having tons of money means you can escape to unusual destinations and experience out-of-this-world activities and places. But it can come at a big price.

From super yacht soirées to submersible excursions to the Titanic, these are some of the most expensive travel experiences in the world. Click on to discover them.

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The submersible expedition to the Titanic

The pictured sub belonged to OceanGate Expeditions, a private company that provides crewed submersible services for exploration, industry, and research purposes. But on June 18, 2023, one of their submersibles went missing after two hours of getting into the North Atlantic to explore the Titanic wreck—a trip that cost US$250,000 a head. Tragically, the five individuals aboard were all declared dead on June 22.

Fly around the world with Etihad in first class

Etihad’s Residence is practically an apartment in an Airbus A380. Accommodating two, you can get from New York to Abu Dhabi for US$72,000. Oh, and that's one-way fare!

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Private jet tour from Cairo to Cape Town

For US$111,000, you could embark on an exclusive journey with Captain’s Choice that explores the world’s greatest animal migration in Africa. Plus, you'll enjoy fine dining beneath the Great Pyramid of Giza.

Rent a whole town in Colorado

When money is no object, why not rent an entire town? Dunton Hot Springs in Colorado is a former mining spot, which was once left to rot but has been restored to luxury status.

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The world's most expensive guided tour

Thanks to TCS World Travel, you can go on a 24-day tour around the world. Flying on a Boeing 757 jet, stops include Rio de Janeiro, the Galápagos Islands, and Rwanda. Couples pay US$194,000 per person.

Stay at Richard Branson's private island

Richard Branson’s renowned Necker Island offers the epitome of luxury from US$134,500 per night for up to 48 guests. You can also just book an individual room for $5,400.

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The world's most expensive train ride

At around US$4,500 per night for the Presidential Suite, India’s Maharaja’s Express is definitely on the right side of the tracks! Taking you to some of India's most emblematic sights, this train has all the amenities needed for a luxurious ride.

A seven-star hotel

Live like royalty at one of the few seven-star hotels in the world, Burj-Al-Arab in Dubai. The spacious Royal Suite is on the 25th floor and is dripping in 22-karat gold. Pure luxury.

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Sailing with the Queen Mary 2

Queen Mary 2 is the only transatlantic ocean liner in regular service between Southampton, in England, and New York City. Providing a luxurious experience, the liner also offers route options across the world for US$340,000 per person.

The secret suites at Heathrow Airport

Hidden away at Heathrow Airport, the Windsor Suites is the world’s most secretive and expensive airport lounge. Starting at US$5,055 for just three hours, elite flyers have booked out the entire lounge for 100 people for $166,000.

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The Big Seven

Big Seven is an exclusive luxury tour that takes visitors to seven unique destinations around the world, including Paris, London, New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Dubai, and Hong Kong. For US$71,494, travelers will enjoy luxurious accommodations, private transportation, and VIP access to popular attractions.

India's lavish royal palaces

This tour, titled the King of the Castle, takes you on a visit to the most lavish Indian palaces, including Lake, Umaid Bhawan (pictured), and Rambagh. Visitors enjoy a three-night stay at each of the palaces for US$1.67 million per person!

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Explore Antarctica

Starting with a flight from the UK to Cape Town, and then a ship to Antarctica, the expedition is supported by leading polar guides. The cost for the nine-day trip is US$71,000.

Maldives island takeover package

For US$6.8 million, guests can turn the W Maldives resort into their own private sanctuary, with exclusive use of all 78 overwater and beach suites, gourmet dining venues, and an underground nightclub. Not bad, huh?

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The Baccarat heritage trip

The legendary crystal factory of Baccarat was established in France in 1764. Today, you can find their decorations around the world, and this tour aims to show you them. For US$300,000, the 12-day tour will take you to cities of great significance in the company's history, such as New York, Paris, Istanbul, and Seoul. 

An epic wildlife safari

The Journey to Nature's Edge expedition is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for anyone with a spare US$1.4 million. Taking place across 111 days and 12 countries, you will view some of the world’s most vulnerable species, including the Galápagos' marine iguana.

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A Michelin tour

The Michelin Star Hotel Tour is a luxury world tour that takes you to some of the best hotels in the world, including the Ritz-Carlton in London and the Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong. Including luxurious accommodations and world-class cuisine, the tour will cost you US$276,470.

A James Bond experience at Turks and Caicos

For US$244,000 you can holiday like a glamorous 007 agent with Como Hotels and Resorts. Arrive at Parrot Cay by private jet and super yacht, before sipping some expensive champagne on the paradise island.

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A penthouse suite made for royalty

The royal penthouse suite at the President Wilson Hotel in Geneva takes up the entire top floor, making it one of the largest and most luxurious suites in Europe. For US$112,000 a night, it features a wraparound terrace with magnificent views of the Alps.

A place for A-listers

Villa North Island in Seychelles boasts former guests like George and Amal Clooney and Prince William and Kate, who were rumored to have honeymooned here.

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One of the most expensive restaurants

Located at the Hard Rock Hotel in Ibiza, indulge in a 20-couse dinner at one of the world’s most expensive restaurants, SubliMotion. For US$2,379, Michelin-starred chef Paco Roncero will entertain you with virtual reality features, laser light shows, and edible entry tickets.

The trip of a lifetime

Organized by the DreamMaker company for up to 50 people, this trip visits 20 cities, and goes to sites such as the Angkor ruins in Cambodia. Travel is on a private plane, and the trip costs a whopping US$18 million!

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The private charter tour

The epitome of global luxury travel, this US$47,990 trip takes you to the world's most expensive and luxurious hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants, all while traveling on private jets.

The Japanese bonanza

This luxurious tour takes you to some of the most beautiful locations in Japan. From Tokyo to Kyoto, you'll experience majestic Japanese mountains and the gorgeous cherry blossoms.

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An elegant overnight stay in Miami

For US$50,000 per night, guests are greeted with panoramic ocean views thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows at the Faena Hotel Penthouse on Miami Beach.

Paradise in Fiji

Surrounded by rain forests and offering incredible views of the Fijian archipelago, the secluded Laucala Island Resort can be rented for US$210,000 over five nights.

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A luxurious spot in the middle of Manhattan

Decorated with custom furniture by Jacques Grange, the Grand Penthouse Suite at The Mark costs US$106,000 a night. At least you'll get a rooftop terrace that boasts incredible views of Manhattan!

Sources: (Fox Business) (Knowinsiders) (Delicious) 

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WorldTrips Travel Insurance Review

• Coverage Options from WorldTrips

How Much Does WorldTrips Cost?

• How to File A Claim with WorldTrips

Compare WorldTrips Travel Insurance

• Why You Should Trust Us

WorldTrips Travel Insurance Review 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

WorldTrips Travel Insurance has been a reputable travel insurance provider for more than 20 years. WorldTrips offers various plans and tiers that can suit your travel insurance needs. Read on to learn more about WorldTrips.

Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost and trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable base plans that can be customized with add-ons including rental car, pet care, hunting and fishing, and vacation rental coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Insurance plans available for international student travelers
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip delay coverage benefit that kicks in after just five hours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Pre-existing conditions waiver can be purchased within 21 days of initial trip payment
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Lower medical, evacuation and accidental death limits
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited, secondary baggage loss coverage although baggage protection can be upgraded at a low cost
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No special coverages for pets, sports equipment, etc.

WorldTrips has been a reputable travel insurance provider for more than 20 years. Unsurprisingly, it boasts an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and positive reviews from thousands of customers.

• Travel medical insurance (Premium, Group, Annual, and International Student options)
• Trip cancellation insurance
• Trip protection insurance

WorldTrips Travel Insurance is among the best travel insurance companies , with plans to cover a wide range of needs. It provides group plans, annual multi-trip plans, and multiple plans for travel and medical protection. Its plans are also well below the average cost for travel insurance, though some competitors have higher coverage limits than WorldTrips.

WorldTrips also sports a wide range of add-ons including CFAR coverage, destination wedding cancellation coverage, and adventure sports coverage. 

Coverage Options by WorldTrips

WorldTrips offers several unique products for travelers, including a dedicated plan for students pursuing study abroad programs. Within these plans, there are additional tiers of coverage that offer higher coverage limits. This section will help you understand the different plans available through WorldTrips.

Most plans include COVID-19 coverage by default. Many also allow you to customize the plan to include optional upgrades for additional protection.

Medical coverage for travelers

Atlas Travel

Flagship product Atlas Travel provides travel medical insurance for travelers of various nationalities — a valuable product for anyone seeking financial support while exploring the world. The maximum coverage available through an Atlas Travel plan goes up to $2 million.

It's worth noting Atlas Travel does not cover US citizens and residents. However, US citizens and residents can purchase international travel insurance coverage  for countries outside the United States under an Atlas International plan. In addition, non-US citizens outside of the United States are also eligible for coverage within the US under the Atlas America plan. The site automatically selects it for the traveler at the time of purchase.

Atlas Premium

Atlas Premium is an upgraded version of Atlas Travel offering more flexibility on deductibles, coverage duration, and coverage maximums. This plan is ideal for several types of travelers, including parents covering an entire family, travelers planning adventurous activities carrying some risk, and people planning luxury or expensive travel.

Atlas Group

Atlas Group offers Atlas Travel benefits at a 10% discount for people traveling in groups of five or more. This policy is ideal for traveler profiles such as youth groups, missionaries, students studying abroad, larger families, and organizations planning international travel.

Atlas MultiTrip

Digital nomads and frequent international travelers can benefit from an Atlas MultiTrip plan. It provides global health coverage for any number of pre-planned or last-minute trips within 364 days, as long as each trip lasts fewer than 30 or 45 days. The duration guidelines vary depending on the coverage selected.

StudentSecure

Students studying abroad can purchase StudentSecure, an international health insurance policy for full-time students and scholars pursuing academic studies outside their home country. StudentSecure comes in four levels of coverage to meet each student's specific needs and meets or exceeds most country or school insurance requirements.

Trip cancellation and interruption

Atlas On-The-Go

Atlas On-The-Go covers you if you only need financial reassurance for your travel plans. This trip protection insurance is for US residents traveling worldwide. In addition, it provides medical coverage for unexpected sickness, injury, lost or stolen bags, or travel cancellations. 

Atlas Journey

Atlas Journey offers trip protection coverage for US citizens and residents on domestic and international travel. You can choose from three tiers of coverage: Premier, Preferred, or Economy, with up to 150% of trip costs covered in the case of travel interruptions, as well as up to $1 million in medical evacuation expenses.

Additional Coverage Options (Riders)

Buyers can customize many WorldTrips policies to enhance the overall benefits of the insurance plan. Here are some of the available riders and purposes.

Cancel-for-any-reason (CFAR) coverage

Cancel-for-any-reason insurance coverage, often abbreviated as CFAR, is an optional upgrade for Atlas Journey Premier and Preferred. It allows you to claim a percentage of your nonrefundable travel costs if you cancel your trip for any reason.

CFAR is available as an add-on on specific WorldTrips policies and can cover either 50% or 75% of your total nonrefundable travel forfeited when you cancel. However, you'll have to purchase CFAR coverage within a specific time limit after your first payment for travel expenses. You must cancel your trip more than 48 hours before the scheduled departure to make an eligible CFAR claim.

Adventure activities coverage

WorldTrips offers additional coverage options for adventurous travelers pursuing risky or challenging activities. This add-on increases your medical and evacuation benefits in the event of an incident.

Pet care coverage

If you're traveling with a pet, this coverage will help cover some of the costs associated with pet travel, including medical expenses if needed.

Rental accommodations coverage

This add-on covers expenses you may incur if your accommodations are double-booked or uninhabitable.

Rental car coverage

If you rent a car during your travels, you can purchase this add-on to forego the coverage offered at the rental car desk. Note, if you hold a premium credit card with travel benefits, you may already have access to free rental car insurance meeting or exceeding any ceilings offered through WorldTrips, even with this upgrade.

School activities interruption/cancellation coverage

If a school schedule change impacts your travel plans, this add-on will reimburse you for nonrefundable travel expenses associated with the travel cancellation or interruption.

Hunting and fishing cancellation/interruption

This add-on will help defray your cost if changes to your local government restrictions or equipment delays impact your travel plans. Unfortunately, this policy does not cover big game hunting.

Destination wedding cancellation or interruption coverage

This policy add-on protects guests attending a destination wedding. If the couple cancels the wedding or the event is delayed or canceled due to other circumstances, this policy will help cover expenses incurred by the change in plans.

Travel insurance coverage varies greatly, and the amount you pay reflects the range of protection. However, since travel insurance protects your financial investment, it's typically worth spending a few extra dollars for higher coverage maximums, especially for medical insurance and evacuation expenses.

To receive a quote with WorldTrips, you need to enter your state of residence, trip cost, duration, traveler(s) age, and date of initial trip payment.

We ran a few simulations to offer examples of how much a WorldTrips policy might cost. You'll see that costs usually fall between 1% to 4% of the total trip cost, but can go up to 8% under certain plans and conditions.

As of April 2024, a 23-year-old from Illinois taking a week-long, $3,000 budget trip to Italy would have the following  WorldTrips travel insurance quotes:

• Atlas Premium Insurance: $28.08
• Atlas Journey: $86-$120

Premiums for WorldTrips plans are between .9% and 4% of the trip's cost, well below the average cost of travel insurance .

WorldTrips provides the following quotes for a 30-year-old traveler from California heading to Japan for two weeks on a $4,000 trip:

• Atlas Premium Insurance: $56.85
• Atlas Journey: $112-$157

Once again, premiums for WorldTrips plans are between 1.4% and 3.9%, below the average cost for travel insurance.

A 65-year-old couple looking to escape New Jersey for Mexico for two weeks with a trip cost of $6,000 would have the following WorldTrips quotes:

• Atlas Premium Insurance: $253.20
• Atlas Journey: $326-$494

Premiums for WorldTrips plans are between 4.2% and 8.2%, once again below the average cost for travel insurance. This is especially impressive as travel insurance is often more expensive for older travelers.

Annual Plan

WorldTrips offers a multi-trip plan, that can cover multiple trips over a year. This plan has two tiers, which affect how long each covered trip can last. The cost of annual travel insurance with WorldTrips for a 35-year-old is as follows:

• 30-day trips: $193
• 45-day trips: $236

How to File a Claim with WorldTrips

Unfortunately, the WorldTrips claim filing process leaves much to be desired. WorldTrips customers need to keep their travel insurance policy handy to know which claims process to follow. Additionally, WorldTrips lacks a mobile app, so you'll have to manage your WorldTrips policy through its website. 

You'll also need to have some other information on hand, such as whether or not a medical provider would bill WorldTrips directly on your behalf or if you have to pay out of pocket at the time of your service.

Atlas Travel, Atlas Premium, Atlas Group, Atlas MultiTrip, and StudentSecure travel medical insurance

If you hold a policy under one of the travel medical insurance products above, you can submit your claim via email or regular mail using the following contact information:

Phone: (800) 605-2282 (within the US) and +1 (317) 262-2132 (outside the US).

Non-emergency calls are taken Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET.

Mail: WorldTrips Claims Department PO Box 240358 Apple Valley, MN 55124 U.S.A.

You can also submit your claim electronically through your customer portal: Client Zone for most policyholders and Student Zone for students.

Atlas Journey and Atlas On-The-Go trip protection insurance

If you have an Atlas Journey or Atlas On-The-Go plan, you'll have to complete an online form that includes supporting document for every claim. If you cannot upload your documents, you can send them to WorldTrips's claims team at [email protected].

If you're a student, you must submit additional documents for your claim proving you are a full-time student and any necessary education-related visas or I-20/DS2019. Having the proper records can make your claim much less frustrating.

See how WorldTrips Travel Insurance stacks up against the competition. 

WorldTrips Travel Insurance vs. Nationwide Travel Insurance

WorldTrips compares favorably to Nationwide Travel Insurance . While Nationwide is also a reputable insurance provider with great reviews, the company offers just two standard plans customizable with unique add-ons. Nationwide does offer some of the most affordable travel insurance rates with a large and recognizable company name behind it. However, unique add-ons like sports equipment and pet coverage are not available.

Thus, travelers seeking more customized travel protection may prefer the unique plans offered through WorldTrips, especially those looking for specialized coverage for destination weddings, group travel, study abroad programs, and more. On the other hand, travelers without special coverage needs looking for cheap travel insurance may want to stick with Nationwide.

Karen S posted about her trip to Turks & Caicos on insuremytrip.com, saying, "It was easy to find a plan with the coverage that I needed. My travel companion is my 92-year-old mother so it was imperative that I have the best coverage at a reasonable cost."

Read our Nationwide travel insurance review here.

WorldTrips Travel Insurance vs. Berkshire Hathaway Travel Insurance

WorldTrips and Berkshire Hathaway are well-known insurance companies in the travel protection industry, offering various plans to meet the needs of any traveler. If you're planning a particular trip with multiple variables, WorldTrips has more customizable options with different types of add-ons and upgrades. However, Berkshire Hathaway offers a significantly easier claim filing process through its proprietary app, which can help you submit photos and other evidence for your claim in just a few seconds.

Both companies have customer reviews suggesting coverage provides peace of mind. But claims filing gets mixed reviews.

Read our Berkshire Hathaway travel insurance review here.

Customer Service and Support Experience From WorldTrips

Compared to other travel insurance companies, WorldTrips doesn't have many customer reviews. However, existing customer reviews of WorldTrips are mixed.

It received an average of 4.2 stars out of five on its Trustpilot page across over 500 reviews and 4.3 stars across over 400 reviews on SquareMouth. Many of its negative reviews concern problems with its website, which is especially concerning since it doesn't have a mobile app like many of its competitors. 

Google reviews on its headquarters in Caramel, Indiana are even worse, averaging 3 stars across 120 reviews. Customers mentioned difficulty receiving a payout for medical costs. Several customers reported filing a claim on a medical expense that occurred while traveling, which WorldTrips denied because it was a pre-existing condition. Additionally, customers reported waiting months for their claims to be answered. 

WorldTrips Travel Insurance FAQs

You can extend your WorldTrips Atlas Travel Insurance coverage for up to 364 days from the initial effective date.

WorldTrip's travel medical insurance will cover expenses related to COVID-19.

WorldTrips will cover pre-existing conditions if you purchase your policy within 21 days of the initial trip deposit date.

To file a claim with World Trips, you'll need documentation such as medical records, receipts for expenses incurred, and a completed claims form. If you're a student, you will also need to prove your full-time enrollment and, if applicable, your education-related visa.

Whether you can purchase World Trips insurance after starting your trip depends on their policy. Some insurers may allow this, but there may be restrictions or limitations. Contact World Trips directly to inquire about purchasing insurance after your journey has begun.

Why You Should Trust Us: What Went Into Our WorldTrips Travel Insurance Review

We evaluated WorldTrips against the best travel insurance companies by comparing the options offered, customizations available, coverage ceilings, and ease of filing a claim. A licensed insurance agent reviews our articles. Our rating system is available to read in-depth here .

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Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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How Biden’s New Immigration Policy Works

The new policy will give some 500,000 people a pathway to citizenship.

• Share full article

By Hamed Aleaziz

President Biden’s new immigration policy protects some 500,000 people who are married to U.S. citizens from deportation and gives them a pathway to citizenship.

The election-year move comes just two weeks after Mr. Biden imposed a major crackdown at the U.S.-Mexico border, cutting off access to asylum for people who crossed into the United States illegally.

The policy announced on Tuesday is aimed at people who have been living in the United States for more than a decade and have built their lives and families here.

Here is how it works:

Why do the spouses of American citizens need protection?

Marrying an American citizen generally provides a pathway to U.S. citizenship. But people who crossed the southern border illegally — rather than arriving in the country with a visa — must return to their home countries to complete the process for a green card, something that can take years. The new program allows families to remain in the country while they pursue legal status.

Who is eligible?

There are roughly 1.1 million undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens in the United States, according to Fwd.us , an immigration advocacy group, but not all of them are eligible for the program.

The spouses must have lived in the United States for 10 years and have been married to an American citizen as of June 17. They cannot have a criminal record. Officials estimate that the policy will provide legal status and protections for about 500,000 people. The benefits would also extend to the roughly 50,000 children of undocumented spouses who became stepchildren to American citizens.

When will the program take effect?

Biden administration officials said they expected the program to start by the end of the summer. Those eligible will then be able to apply for the benefits.

Why is President Biden doing this now?

Mr. Biden is trying to strike a tricky balance on immigration, which is a serious political vulnerability for him. Polls show Americans want tougher policies. Just two weeks ago, Mr. Biden announced a crackdown on asylum at the southern border.

His new policy, giving hundreds of thousands of immigrants new legal protections, is a way for him to answer the calls from the progressive base of the Democratic Party, which has accused the White House of betraying campaign promises to enact a more humane approach to immigrants.

Hamed Aleaziz covers the Department of Homeland Security and immigration policy. More about Hamed Aleaziz

Ukraine-Russia war latest: North Korea warns US over 'new world war'; Ukraine's EU dream inches closer

A top North Korean military official says US support for Ukraine could provoke a "new world war", days after Kim Jong Un signed a defence pact with Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, EU accession talks with Ukraine are approaching, in a political blow for the Russian leader.

Monday 24 June 2024 11:27, UK

• North Korea warns US over 'new world war'
• Ukraine inches closer to EU dream
• Big picture: What you need to know as we enter new week
• Analysis: Putin wants to prove he still has friends
• Listen to the Daily above and tap here to follow wherever you get your podcasts
• Live reporting by Niamh Lynch and (earlier)  Brad Young

Russia has tried to link Ukraine to deadly attacks that killed at least 19 people in Russia's southern republic of Dagestan. 

Dagestan's governor Sergei Melikov claimed in a video statement on Monday, without providing evidence, that the attacks might have been prepared from abroad. 

He also referenced what the Kremlin calls "the special military operation" in Ukraine.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks, which killed at least 15 police officers and four civilians, including an Orthdox priest.

Gunmen opened fire on two Orthodox churches, a synagogue and a police post in two cities in Dagestan on Sunday.

Russia's National Anti-Terrorist Committee described the attacks - in a predominantly Muslim region with a history of armed insurgency - as terrorist acts.

The committee said five gunmen were "eliminated" while the governor said six "bandits" had been "liquidated". 

Mr Melikov vowed that the investigation will continue until "all the sleeping cells" of the militants are uncovered.

In March, gunmen opened fire on a crowd at a concert hall in suburban Moscow, killing 145 people.

An affiliate of the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, but Russian officials also sought to link Ukraine to the attack without providing any evidence. Kyiv has vehemently denied any involvement.

Read our reporting on the Dagestan attack below...

New pictures showing the devastation after a Russian attack on Ukraine's southern city of Odesa have been released (see 7.52am post). 

At least three people - a 19-year-old boy and two middle-aged men - were injured in the attack, regional governor Oleh Kiper said this morning.

Mr Kiper also added that around 5,000sq m had been damaged in the attack and that a fire had spread over 3,000sq m. 

The strike damaged a storage facility where some 50 people were working.

Ukraine's air force said it had prevented one of two cruise missiles launched by Russia from reaching the target. 

Vladimir Putin has thanked North Korean leader Kim Jong Un this morning for his hospitality during his visit last week. 

Mr Putin sent a similar message of gratitude to the leadership of Vietnam where he also visited last week, the Kremlin said. 

The Russian president's trip to Pyongyang last week brought bilateral ties to an unprecedented level, the Kremlin said. 

Meanwhile, another North Korean military official has criticised the US for sending an aircraft carrier to join joint drills with South Korea and Japan, state media reported. 

The country's vice minister of defence, Kim Kang Il, said the US's actions were a "very dangerous" show of force, leaving doors open for North Korea's "overwhelming, new demonstration of deterrence".

Earlier, another top official warned the US that its military assistance to Ukraine may result in a "new world war" (see 7.04am post).

The European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has said this morning that he would put forward a proposal that would ensure a member state could not block the use of proceeds from frozen Russian financial funds to support Ukraine. 

"We have a legal procedure in order to avoid any kind of blockage," Mr Borrell said before a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.

His proposal will be put on the table at today's meeting. 

Mr Borrell also added that the decision on funds for Ukraine must be taken immediately.

EU countries also agreed on Monday to a new package of sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine. 

The bloc's 14th package of sanctions against Russia includes a ban on reloading Russian liquefied natural gas in the EU for further shipment to third countries. 

It also offers the EU more tools to crack down on the circumvention of sanctions, as well as targeting an additional 116 individuals and entities for actions against Ukraine.

A Russian attack on Ukraine's southern city of Odesa has struck civilian infrastructure and caused casualties, the region's governor says.

A massive cloud of smoke could be seen rising from the site where emergency services were working to put out a fire in photos published by Ukraine's interior ministry.

The Ukrainian air force had warned the city's residents of the threat of incoming missiles before the explosions sounded.

Odesa has been a frequent target of Russian forces, with many attacks aimed at the city's port facilities. 

Russia denies targeting civilians or civilian infrastructure.

Polish President Andrzej Duda is in China, which he says holds the key to peace in Ukraine.

He is scheduled to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping, whose country claims it is neutral while blaming NATO for Russia's invasion and maintaining robust trade with Moscow.

Conversations will include Belarus exerting migration pressure on the border with Poland as part of a hybrid war that has also seen cyberattacks, he said.

"I am trying to maintain friendly relations with China, Poland has always had decent relations with China and I would like that to be continued," Mr Duda told Radio Zet.

Asked if he believed China was holding a key to peace, he said: "I think that to a large degree, yes."

Trade and immigration between Poland and China will also be subjects of the talks.

The European Union will formally begin Ukrainian accession talks tomorrow, rejecting Russia's attempts to force its former Soviet neighbour not to join Western alliances.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to give a speech at the launch ceremony, in what Ukraine's top official for Europe, Olga Stefanishyna, described as a "big day".

Despite the war, the country would not be seeking special treatment during negotiations, she said.

"This is the utmost will of the Ukrainian people. And this is the irreversibility. And you've seen Ukrainians stand up for their choice," said Olga Stefanishyna, the deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

"It's a big day for everybody," said Stefanishyna, who frequently showed emotion while describing the integration process. 

"It has been around two years since Ukraine applied for membership. The war is still raging on, but the accession is starting right now."

While praised for making progress since its application, Ukraine must carry out dozens of institutional and legal reforms required for membership. 

A top North Korean military official has criticised the US over its expanding military assistance to Ukraine, according to state media KCNA. 

Pak Jong Chon, one of North Korea's leading military officials, said Russia had the "right to opt for any kind of retaliatory strike", adding if Washington kept pushing Ukraine to a "proxy war" against Russia, it could provoke a stronger response from Moscow and a "new world war".

The US and South Korea have been increasingly alarmed by deepening military cooperation between Russia and the North, and have accused them of violating international laws by trading arms.

Russia may have received about 1.6 million artillery shells from North Korea from August to January, the Washington Post reported on Saturday.

Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un signed a pact during Mr Putin's visit to Pyongyang last week committing each side to provide immediate military assistance to the other in the event of armed aggression.

Welcome back to our live coverage of the Ukraine war.

Before we begin, here's a quick rundown of what you need to know as we head into a new week.

Putin's North Korea visit

Last week saw Vladimir Putin make his first visit to North Korea in more than 24 years as the countries deepen their ties under the watchful eye of the West.

Mr Putin and Kim Jong Un signed an agreement vowing to help each other in case of invasion, in what appeared to mark the strongest connection between Moscow and Pyongyang since the end of the Cold War.

Mr Kim said the pact amounted to an "alliance", while Mr Putin hailed it as a "breakthrough document".

During the pomp-filled visit, the two leaders also took turns to drive each other around in a Russian-built Aurus limousine - a vehicle which the Kremlin said the Russian president had gifted Mr Kim.

Mr Putin said in a later news briefing that Moscow was not ruling out the possibility of sending weapons to Pyongyang.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the Russia-North Korea defence pact pointed to a closer alignment of "authoritarian powers", while the US said Mr Putin's remarks about possible weapons supplies to North Korea were "incredibly concerning".

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Russia must abide by UN sanctions on North Korea.

Russian officials on Sunday accused Ukraine of attacking the major Crimean port city of Sevastopol using five US-supplied ATACMS missiles.

At least five people were killed, including three children, and over 100 more were hurt, officials said.

The Russian defence ministry claimed four of the missiles were shot down by air defences, while a fifth detonated in mid air. It accused Washington of being primarily responsible for the reported attack.

Video shown on Russian state TV captured what sounded like explosions, as people were seen running for cover on a beach in Sevastopol.

Meanwhile, the governor of Russia's Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine, said one person was killed when three Ukrainian drones attacked the city of Grayvoron on Sunday.

On the same day as Russia claimed multiple attacks inside Ukraine, Moscow's latest attack on Ukraine's second-largest city of Kharkiv killed one person and wounded four others.

Mayor Ihor Terekhov said Kharkiv had been attacked by a guided bomb - a day after three people were killed in the city when Russian bombs hit a five-storey residential building.

The US said it would redirect planned deliveries of Patriot and other missiles intended for its other partner countries towards Kyiv.

White House spokesman John Kirby said the decision was "difficult but necessary" as Ukrainian forces were in "desperate need" of more air defence capabilities in the face of accelerated Russian attacks.

According to Mr Kirby, Kyiv will be handed prioritised shipments as they come off assembly lines over the next 16 months or so.

Trial of jailed journalist

Russia announced last week that the espionage trial of detained US journalist Evan Gershkovich would be held behind closed doors later this month.

The Wall Street Journal reporter, 32, is accused of "gathering secret information" for the CIA about Uralvagonzavod, a facility that produces and repairs military equipment.

The first hearing is scheduled for 26 June.

The Wall Street Journal has denied the charges against Mr Gershkovich and Joe Biden has called his detention "totally illegal".

Vladimir Putin said there had been contact with Washington about a potential prisoner swap involving the reporter, but gave no further detail.

While we haven't been able to bring you our regular live coverage, we have been keeping an eye on today's latest developments. 

Here are the key updates: 

• The Ukrainian military issued a rare statement confirming it had struck four oil refineries in Russia during an early morning drone attack;
• South Korea summoned the Russian ambassador over the country's new defence pact with North Korea;
• A Russian guided bomb killed two people and wounded three others in the eastern Ukrainian town of Selydove, according to regional prosecutors;
• European Union countries have formally approved the launch of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova next week;
• Vladimir Putin said Russia would keep developing its arsenal of nuclear weapons to preserve the "balance of power in the world". 

Here's a look at the latest situation on the ground: 

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