The world is calling, and after years of travel restrictions, the urge to explore is stronger than ever. If you’re dreaming of an epic adventure, nothing beats the thrill of planning a trip Travel Around The World.
Perhaps the idea seems daunting? It shouldn’t be. I’ve personally planned and embarked on ten separate journeys travel around the world, exploring over 175 countries across all seven continents. Trust me, it’s more achievable than you think.
You might be wondering why you should even consider such a grand undertaking. Well, ask yourself: Do you crave life-changing experiences? Is your bucket list overflowing with destinations scattered across the globe? If so, then travel around the world isn’t just a vacation; it’s a transformation.
Let’s dive into the essentials.
Taj Mahal Agra India
What Exactly is a Trip Around the World?
The concept is wonderfully simple: travel around the world means circumnavigating the globe. You choose a direction – east or west – and keep going until you return to your starting point. Think of it as drawing a giant circle around the Earth, filled with incredible stops along the way.
Whether you choose to go eastward or westward can impact your journey. Traveling west is often recommended to minimize jet lag, while eastward routes can save travel time and potentially reduce accommodation costs by utilizing overnight flights. Personally, as someone who values both budget and time, I often opt for eastward routes.
Read More: 8 Reasons to Stop Dreaming & Start Planning a Trip “Around the World in 30 Days“
While the core concept of travel around the world is straightforward, the details can be tailored to your preferences and circumstances. One of the first questions many aspiring round-the-world travelers ask is:
How Long Should Your Trip Around the World Be?
The images you see on social media often depict long-term travelers, individuals who have embraced a nomadic lifestyle for a year or more. While that’s a fantastic option for some, it’s not the only way to travel around the world.
My own experiences prove that shorter trips are not only possible but incredibly rewarding. Nine of my ten round-the-world adventures were completed in approximately 30 days each. My tenth, a honeymoon, was a luxurious three-month exception. I’ve also taken 30-day trips focusing on specific regions like Europe, Central America, Oceania, the Balkans, and the Himalayas. These regional trips are excellent if you have limited time or a particular area of interest.
Machu Picchu Peru
For me, a month strikes the perfect balance for travel around the world. It’s enough time to truly immerse yourself in new cultures and disconnect from daily routines, yet short enough to remain manageable and prevent travel fatigue.
Ultimately, the ideal duration for your trip is personal. I’ve heard of someone attempting a five-day sprint around the world (not recommended!) and others who have been on a continuous journey for a decade. Whether you have two weeks, a month, or even six months to dedicate to travel around the world, the best approach is to maximize the time you have available. Life is unpredictable, and seizing the opportunity to travel now is more important than ever.
Key Takeaway: Aim for a trip length that suits your schedule, anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months is a great starting point for travel around the world.
World Trip Dream Vacation Around the World
Making Time for Global Travel: Work and Wanderlust
One of the biggest hurdles to travel around the world for many is the challenge of taking extended time off work. However, the world of work has changed dramatically, particularly in recent years.
The rise of remote work has been a game-changer for travel enthusiasts. Even traditionally rigid companies have embraced work-from-home policies, recognizing that productivity isn’t tied to a physical office. This shift presents an incredible opportunity to integrate travel around the world into your life without derailing your career.
For someone like me, who has worked remotely and traveled extensively for over two decades, this is a welcome validation. My personal philosophy has always been: “My office today is the world.”
Captain Vassilis Chania Crete Greece
Of course, working remotely while traveling around the world requires planning and consideration – time zone differences, reliable internet access, and maintaining work-life balance are all important factors. (I delve into these details in my book). However, the fundamental point is that it’s entirely possible to work from anywhere, turning dream destinations into your temporary office.
Imagine answering emails with a view of the Eiffel Tower, or joining a video call from a beachside bungalow. The work-from-home revolution has opened up unprecedented possibilities for combining career goals with the desire to travel around the world.
The Bottom Line: Leverage remote work to extend your travel time. Add days or weeks to your trip, or plan trips specifically to work from inspiring locations around the globe.
Crafting Your Bucket List Itinerary
Now for the most exciting part: deciding where to go! This is where your personal dreams take center stage.
There’s a unique thrill in unfolding a world map and plotting your dream destinations. Perhaps you already have a long list of must-see places, or maybe you’re just beginning to explore the possibilities.
explora Patagonia Hotel Salto Chico
The beauty of travel around the world is that it transforms seemingly distant locations into easily reachable destinations. Suddenly, that far-flung dream becomes a tangible part of your itinerary.
How Many Destinations Should You Include?
The number of stops on your travel around the world itinerary will depend on the length of your trip and your travel style. My own four-week trips have varied from an ambitious 15 stops on my first round-the-world journey to a more relaxed 8 stops on another.
Here’s a simple three-step approach to planning your itinerary:
- Create your wish list: Brainstorm all the destinations that excite you.
- Consider your time frame: Compare your wish list to the number of days you have available for travel.
- Adjust accordingly: Prioritize your must-see locations and realistically assess how much time you need in each place.
Great Barrier Reef Australia Whitsundays
A good starting point is to allocate 2-3 days per destination for a four-week trip. Dedicate more time to your top priorities and perhaps shorter visits to places that are conveniently located along your route. Remember, a four-week travel around the world trip is about experiencing a taste of many cultures, not in-depth immersion in each one.
Think of it as an “Amazing Race” style adventure, offering a diverse range of experiences and inspiring ideas for future, more focused trips. You might discover that an afternoon at the Pyramids of Giza is sufficient to fulfill your dream, while another traveler might want to spend a week exploring ancient Egypt. It’s all about personal preference.
Need destination inspiration? Here are some resources:
Around the World in 30 Extraordinary Travel Experiences
50 Amazing Places for Your Travel Bucket List (2024)
Travel Experience Essay
Round the World Flights: Mastering the RTW Ticket
For many years of business travel, I accumulated a significant amount of airline miles. This led me to discover the world of Round the World (RTW) airline tickets, a fantastic tool for travel around the world. Initially, I even used miles to book a first-class RTW trip through Delta’s Skyteam Alliance.
Eiffel Tower, Sunset, Paris
Unfortunately, traditional mileage-based RTW tickets became less common after 2015. However, the landscape has evolved, and now most major airlines offer one-way award bookings. This means you can still use your miles to create your own RTW itinerary, booking one-way flights as you go!
This approach provides greater flexibility than the old RTW tickets, which were often restrictive and difficult to book. One-way bookings allow you to customize your route, choose airlines strategically, and even mix cabin classes, opting for business class on longer haul flights while saving miles on shorter segments.
sunset Chao Phraya River Bangkok Thailand
More tips for using miles and points: How to Use Points & Miles to Redeem Your RTW Dream
RTW Tickets Without Miles: Affordable Options
If you don’t have a stockpile of miles, don’t worry. Paid RTW tickets are still available through two of the major airline alliances (Skyteam no longer offers them).
Airline alliance RTW tickets have both advantages and disadvantages:
- Cons: They can be expensive and often involve connecting through airline hub cities, potentially adding travel time.
- Pros: You can earn a significant number of miles and elite status as you travel. These extra miles can be valuable for future trips, and airline status can provide benefits like free baggage and priority boarding.
If you’re interested in this option, explore the websites of airline alliances like Star Alliance and Oneworld.
Airline miles can enhance your trip! 
Budget-Friendly RTW Travel
For the most affordable way to travel around the world, consider specialized round-the-world airfare consolidators like AirTreks and Roundtheworldflights. These agencies work with multiple airlines to create customized itineraries, often resulting in better prices and more direct routes than alliance tickets.
Be warned: Exploring the trip planners on these websites can be addictive! The possibilities for global adventures are truly inspiring.
Tip: My book covers all the details of booking RTW tickets, helping you navigate the options and find the best deals.
Accommodation: Hotels vs. Airbnb for Global Travelers
Hotel points earned through business travel can be incredibly useful for offsetting accommodation costs when you travel around the world. My Marriott and Hilton points have provided me with free stays in hotels and resorts that would otherwise be beyond my budget.
WHere are the Maldives
However, you don’t need hotel points to find great accommodation. Affordable and quality hotels are available worldwide. Booking.com is my go-to website when I’m not using points.
Tip: Join hotel loyalty programs before you travel. They are free to join and allow you to earn points and often receive perks during your stays.
For longer stays in one location (3-4 days or more), consider apartment rentals. Airbnb and Booking.com both offer a wide range of apartments, often at lower prices than hotels. Apartments also provide the সুবিধা of having a kitchen, which can save money on dining out and offer a more local living experience.
Wedding in Tuscany
Travel Companions: Solo or Shared Adventures?
If you’re married, leaving your spouse behind for a trip travel around the world might be unwise! But for solo travelers, the question of companionship is important.
While traveling with friends or family can be appealing, consider the profound rewards of solo travel around the world. It’s an empowering and safe experience, particularly for women, and can be incredibly transformative.
Read More: Why Every Woman Should Travel the World Solo (at Least Once) & How to Stay Safe Doing It
Ahu Tongariki Easter Island Chile
Solo travel around the world offers unparalleled freedom and self-discovery. Of course, traveling with a compatible companion can also be wonderful. The key is to choose your travel partner thoughtfully, whether it’s yourself or someone else.
Packing Light: Carry-On Only for Global Journeys
Yes, you can travel around the world for a month or more with just a carry-on bag!
For men, this might seem obvious. For women, it might sound challenging, but trust me, it’s liberating.
Carry-on bags
With multiple flights involved in a round-the-world itinerary, carry-on luggage is the most practical option. Lost luggage can become a logistical nightmare when you’re constantly changing locations. (I learned this the hard way during a trip where checked baggage delays cost me a day in Paris!).
You truly don’t need as much “stuff” as you think. I’ve traveled for up to three months with just a carry-on (and yes, I’m a woman!). The exception was Antarctica, where checked baggage was necessary for specialized cold-weather gear.
Packing tips: How to Travel Around the World with Just a Carry-On: A Girl’s Guide to Traveling Light
Essential Tips for Planning Your RTW Trip
We’ve covered the major aspects of planning to travel around the world: trip length, destinations, flights, accommodation, travel companions, and packing. But there are a few more crucial details.
- Apps: Currency converters (like Oanda) and translation apps (like Google Translate) are invaluable.
- Visas: Research entry requirements for every country on your itinerary well in advance. Most visa applications can now be completed online.
- Power Adapters: A universal power adapter and converter are essential. Consider bringing multiple if you have many devices.
- Health: Consult your doctor about necessary vaccinations and health precautions for your destinations.
- Travel Insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance is a must for a trip of this scale, especially in the current travel climate.
- Passport Validity: Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months after your planned return date, as many countries have this requirement.
How to Travel Around the World
Ready to Explore? Get the Book!
For in-depth guidance on every aspect of planning your travel around the world adventure, from detailed itinerary planning to booking RTW tickets, my book is your ultimate resource:
Round the World in 30 Days: The Grown-Up’s Guide to Globetrotting
The world awaits! Start planning your dream trip travel around the world today.
As Phil Keoghan says on The Amazing Race: “The world is waiting for you!”
