What are my purposes for travelling around the world? How to plan an easy RTW trip? I just want to finish my Gap Year which I started in my 20’s- I would like to learn and share my experiences. Now that my children are all growing up, it time to go!!!
1-Despite all the glamorous pictures a RTW is a big decision. It is a timely and a financial commitment and should be seriously considered before embarking upon. As stated in my previous article, I started my RTW in my twenties to only go as far as London- So in a way, I want to finish it. If you want to do a RTW make sure you can commit and this is not an excuse to escape life at home. I talked about RTW for years before taking the firm decision to go.
2- So you access your purposes, ok to commit for several months. Now the soul searching will start. Make a list of places you always wanted to go, what you want to do there. Then take a big map and stick them on it. This is like a brainstorming session.
3- Now the research- Research the places you want to visit. I am been privileged to work in the travel industry and to go to many travel shows. They are a great source of information ( you have all types of travel under one roof). There are many around that one can go to. Use them to do some research, join the talks (very informative).
4- Find how to travel – By this I mean- many country require you to have an exit ticket ( return ticket- they don’t want you to stay there) You can’t just fly in one a one-way ticket- so you have to fly to a neighboring county and by a return ticket- sound complicated but it not. Just have to understand how it works.
5- Time to buy your tickets. There are RTW tickets available with different airlines using their partner for example. Star Alliance, OneWorld, Skyteam give them a call- Look around. I used some of their ideas to plan an easy rtw trip.
6- Where to go first? I used Airtreks to plan an easy rtw route. This gave a good idea on my first destination- Just put your first destination and so on so forth. it is very easy to use.
7- How much time in one place. Everything depends on what you want do and see there. I like to volunteer for 2 weeks in Nepal then trek for 2 weeks. When in India a friend is planning to join me we would likely spend 2 months there. But I might only spend only 5 days in Bhutan. Bhutan is very beautiful but very expensive.
8- Now you are almost ready to go. Do some more research into Visas – Each country is different, visas can be purchased either online prior to departure or upon arrival.
9- Not just yet! Vaccination- this is my pet hate!! But has to be done. The list is long: so the most obvious: tetanus, MMR, Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, Rabies, Yellow fever and malaria pills. There are more depending on where you going. Once all done keep the “certificate of Vaccination” with you. Some of vaccines can be done with your doctors ( keep the cost down) others at Travel Clinic.
10- So that’s it. Now the big question what to pack. Well I guess we don’t need that much- I remembered packing everything I needed for a month in a carry-on. Don’t forget you can always buy things as you go along. nevertheless a travel journal, money belt are must have.
Now got everything- Get out and see the world- I hope my 10 tips on how to plan an easy trip around the world will help you to start a wonderful journey.
Check out more about my Gap Year. See my itinerary-
