Round The World Trip

A 7000-cubic-inch suitcase stuffed, fully loaded, with over sixty pounds of supplies; tent, sleeping bag, stove, frying pan, eight changes of clothes, coffee pot, and God only knows what else. That was how I took my first solo trip abroad. By the time my trip was over six weeks later I had sold, lost, thrown away or cursed carrying three quarters of the stuff I’d packed. So please, learn from my mistake. IF YOU DON’T NEED IT, LEAVE IT. That’s the only rule for packing for a trip abroad, which believe it or not can be the most important part of the trip.

If you don’t need it, leave it. I can’t say it enough.

You can almost always tell the seasoned traveler from the new kid on the block simply by the size of their pack. The pack I use now is a small, 2100-cubic-inch backpack. It works perfect as a carry on everywhere I go. Sometimes, it is a real treat to see the professional traveler, someone who has been on the trail for years. These travelers usually have a bag smaller then a lot of purses, with some extra underwear, a toothbrush and a good book. When you think about it, what more do you really need?

My basic philosophy about what to bring on an around-the-world trip stems for the type of trip I like to take, with a comfort level allowing me to buy almost anything I need on the road. When I’m on the road the last thing I want to do is worry about my stuff. I have been on countless buses where bags are coming off at an interim stop and have watched as travelers dutifully study each bag that comes off to make sure it isn’t theirs. I’ve also been walking with people who won’t walk down a very interesting but darkened road because they’re carrying an $800.00 camera. I’ve watched this type of person as they are approached by local towts. They inevitably grab their camera tight, or unconsciously check their money belt.

I make sure I don’t have any stuff on me that’s worth worrying too much about, and walk with the philosophy that if someone robs me, I simply say OK, here you go, and hand it over. People are people all over the world. A thug in the Third World can read body language just as well, if not better, than a thug in the U.S. I have never been robbed while traveling and I’m truly convinced it’s because of my diligence, but even more so due to my maintaining an attitude that if necessary I really don’t care if my stuff disappears.

If you can adopt this approach you will walk differently. Your body language will say, “Hey, I’m not worth the hassle, try someone else.” Since adopting this approach I find I have a greater opportunity to enjoy the local flavor and spend more time observing and participating and less time worrying about my stuff.

I have often though back to that first trip and wondered what I was thinking. So much gear and so many clothes! I can only guess that I must have been nervous about what lay outside the country, thinking, “They might not have what I NEED.” In hindsight I feel pretty silly for thinking that way. Food, clothing and shelter are all you really need. It isn’t difficult to understand that these are the same things all people need. You don’t need to bring the super economy-size toothpaste. People all over the world brush their teeth. There are also people all over the world who rent places to stay. If it a hot camping spot, you will be able to rent all the gear you need.

People all over the world also eat. These people shop in markets, buy bottled water and dine in restaurants. Most places in the world, people take photos and e-mail friends. There are very few places remaining in the world where people still run around naked. Everywhere else in the world people wear clothes, so you will easily be able to buy a new shirt, or pants, socks or underwear. In addition, people all over the world who wear clothes have facilities, services or soap to clean their clothes.

Finally, (this is best part), with very few exceptions the stuff you may need-clothes, food, supplies and services-are readily available and generally much cheaper than in the U.S.

If I have been obnoxious in the section above it was only to prove a point. There is an extremely good chance you could start an around-the-world journey with nothing more than a credit card and passport and have a ball. People all around the world have the same basic needs as you. Here is a list of things I took on my around-the-world adventure. What others choose is up to them. But I really stress; less really amounts to better traveling.

1. The best shoes money can buy-Don’t cheat yourself when it comes to footwear. I made this mistake and hobbled around South America for two months. Make sure to wear your new shoes a lot before your trip. Walk on hard surfaces, to get an idea how your boots will feel after a long hike on concrete. On the road I average 5-15 miles a day, wandering and touring around. A pair of quality sandals also makes a great second pair of shoes. I only bring these two pair.

2. Clothes-When it comes to clothing, durable and comfortable are the two high points. Most travelers aren’t too concerned with fashion, and if the occasion comes up that they need to dress for some sort of occasion they figure out a way to make due. A fine example is when I had to buy a tie in Buenos Aries to attend the opera. Start your packing of clothes considering the way you dress from the inside out. Undergarments, let’s face it, are small so take up little room, although they are also your first line of cleanliness. My first trip I packed five pair of underwear and ended up taking three from then on. Three pair of socks are sufficient. Make sure they are socks that keep moisture away from you skin.

Micro fleece tights and a thermal top, these work great for layering, pajamas, or as an extra top and pants. I pack two pair of pants. I prefer the zip-off style because they also work as shorts or as a bathing suit. Two button-up shirts, long or short-sleeve, whatever is appropriate for where you are starting out. Either way, they will get worn out soon and you will need to buy new ones. A fleece jacket works great for sleeping in if it is chilly as well as doubling as a standard jacket. A good waterproof jacket can be worth its weight in gold if you hit the rainy season in some foreign land.

You’ll want two hats-one winter hat that you can roll down and cover your eyes with when you want to sleep and another for sun or rain. Finally a light pair of gloves. I like the ones you can but in the Peruvian markets. I always pack two bandannas. They work great to keep your neck out of the sun and as wash cloths. That’s it for clothes. I was able to travel for nine months across all seven continents with just this packing list. Remember you will be wearing close to half of it at any given time. If you pack right, the reaming stuff will take up very little room.

A small side note on packing clothes…(Folding your clothes and then rolling them up like a tortilla will take up less room and actually wrinkle less. I like to put items in disposable bags for clean or dirty clothes. By rolling up your fleece items and stuffing them in a sack, they stay smaller and more manageable. All these clothes combined should take up less than half your pack when pack well.)

3. A high quality, panel-loading backpack-In my experience, whatever size pack you get you will always rationalize filling it, so keep it small. If you go to a quality outdoor retailer they should be able set you up with a great carry-on size bag, (don’t let them upsale you into something bigger.) Just make sure the construction is good, taped inner seams and heavy duty zipper, and that the shoulder harness is relatively comfortable. I like panel loading packs because they can be locked, simply meaning the pack closes by a heavy zipper and that the two zipper ends can be locked together. It isn’t Fort Knox, but it will help honest people stay honest, particularly in shared hostel rooms.

Another aspect of the pack that I personally like are pack straps that somehow disappear into some type of compartment. A reasonable hip belt to distribute the load is a must if you plan on doing any trecking. I also like to add a couple of clips to the outside of my pack. It really works well if you are trying to dry off your clothes or boots while you are on the move. If you choose a bigger pack or one that has straps hanging all over, remember to get a light weight stuff sack, like the ones used for sleeping bag storage. This stuff sack works great to put your pack in. Again, it will help honest people stay honest as well as prevent your bag from getting chewed up by some automated baggage system, or being ruined if it sits on top of a dusty, then rainy, then dusty, bus trip. If it has been protected you really won’t mind having to wear it when you have that 2 mile walk from the bus station to the pension.

You may want a small day pack. This really comes down to personal preference. Some larger travel packs do come with zip-off day packs but I have seen many of these break or become impossible to put back on due to an overly stuffed main pack. The important thing is to find something comfortable, durable and easily packable. I like to carry a large bum bag. (The word ‘fanny’ is an extremely vulgar word everywhere but in the U.S. In other countries it is used in a derogatory way when referring to a woman’s vagina.)

I usually wear my “bum” bag in the front rather than in the back for easy access and in avoidance of pickpockets. However, please note, I have a shoulder strap that is always on as well. Bum bags really are not very safe. All it takes is one kid to get your attention, one kid to open the buckle and a third kid to catch you bag and run. Then it is a game of keep away and you are screwed. If you can get away without one that is probably your best bet.

4. First-aid kit-Any good travel Doc should be able to set you up with a list of what you need. Prescription drugs are your best staring point and then get whatever else you need from the pharmacy. It is always a lot cheaper to put together your first-aid kit yourself, but good kits already containing what you need are available for sale.

5. A good guide book-You want a guide book of the area you are starting in. I personally like the Lonely Planet series. However, the most recently updated book is probably best. Don’t worry about getting a book for the other places you are going. After you start there will always be new or used books available for sale for your next destination.

6. Cameras-In the modern age of digital cameras, this may be the best way to go. However, I choose to go with two small, instamatic, point-and-shoot cameras, one with a zoom lens and the other with a simple fixed focus. I take two so that I can always have one loaded with black and white film. After my trip I was more happy with the black and white photos than I was with the color. The cameras I took were nice but not extremely expensive, so when I forgot one in a rick-shaw in India I really didn’t worry about it.

7. Security stuff-There is a ton of stuff on the market to hide your money and lock your stuff up. Most of it is pretty good but I think a lot is made for selling. A few rules to remember are these: If a thief wants your stuff bad enough he or she will get it. However, most thieves are like vultures and will go for the prey that will take the least amount of work so make it a pain in the ass for somebody to rip you off. Spread everything out in different places, meaning don’t keep all your valuables in one place, spread them around in several different hiding places. I personally keep stuff hidden in up to six different places. And finally the most important thing to remember is the closer you keep it to your skin the safer it usually is. Cameras dangeling around your neck, backpacks slung over one shoulder, bum bags and watches are all easy targets for some kid to just run by and see who is stronger. With the added aspect of surprise the kid is almost always stronger.

I usually carry three wallets when I am out and about. A security wallet with money, photocopies, credit cards and passport all tucked into my pants. A money belt-one that actually looks like a belt-for money and passport photocopy. Finally a small money purse in my front pocket that has a twenty-inch string attached to my belt. This small purse is my everyday wallet. I keep one credit card, I.D. and just enough money for the day. The reasons for this are simple, I don’t want to tempt anyone by reaching into my main stash and letting them see more money then they may make in year. Also, if I were ever to be robbed I would just hand over that small purse. The thief looks inside and see money, I.D. and credit card, he smiles, says “thank you, welcome to my country” and leaves. You will then say “thank God I read this book!” and get the hell out of there.

I make several photocopies of all my credit cards (front and back), plane tickets and passport. I then spread out the copies to my pack, travel wallet and leave one at home with someone reliable who is only a phone call or e-mail away. It just makes it easier if something did happen to have all the numbers at hand. I have heard that having a copy of passport makes getting a replacement much easier.

Chicken wire or some kind of knife proof mesh can actually save a lot of aggravation. Simply line the inside of your day bag with this mesh. That way, if someone does slice your bag, all your stuff doesn’t come spilling out. Bag slicing is a favorite of thieves. A common technique used by thieves is for a woman to come up to you asking for money. She will be carrying a baby and have a couple of kids with her. She will stare you down, asking for help while trying to put the baby in your arms. Meanwhile, the two other kids, (actually adult midgets disguised as children)-just kidding!-use a razor blade to slice your bag and take all your valuables. You finally push away from the lady and baby, but by now it is too late, they already have what they wanted. You won’t even realize it until you go to pull something out of your bag.

Another scheme is for a group of people to suddenly surround you in a public place. It could be on a street, in a train station or maybe on a bus. Everybody seems to get shoved around and before you know it, you’re standing there in just your underwear. O.K. maybe it’s not that extreme, but there are many people in the world who make their living just by ripping off tourists. Please note that none of this actually happened to me. A couple of times people tried, but these stories are more traveler lore than anything.

A pack that has zippers which come together and can be locked can be of some comfort. I also cary a small Bike cabel lock. I use it both on the move and in hostels. In the hostels it works great. It allows me to run the cable through the area where the two zippers meet, then through the bed frame, or radiator, or something else in the room that is stable. On buses or trains it really gives me peace of mind to lock the pack up somewhere where I can see it and know that it will be difficult for someone to walk off with it while I am sleeping.

Anyway you use it, a cable lock at least creates one more obstacle for a would-be thief. Also carry a medium-sized padlock. Many hostels have lockers of some sort, but usually they don’t supply a lock. The lockers are great and really easy to use if you have your own lock.

8. Toiletries-This is a very individual area. I think it is important to start simple and buy as you need. A short list of what to pack: toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, razor, small towel, deodorant, and any other basic personal needs. I keep these in a plastic bag. Changes in altitude and pressure seem to always put bottled soap all over the place.

9. Extras-You might want to carry some photos from home, a hiking staff, a micro-recorder, journal, extra eyeglasses, garbage bags, playing cards, maybe even a harmonica. A small stuff sack filled with the little extras works great. I carried extra eyeglasses in case I broke mine, garbage bags to throw the pack in if I was on a small boat, safety pins for all things, sewing kit, harmonica, (traded for a necklace from a Massi Warrior around the Campfire in Kenya), playing cards, corkscrew and cheese knife.

This is strictly an area of personal preference. I believe in minimalism, but if there is something special think about it and if it you want to bring it, great. On my trips I have chosen to bring along a few extras and was always happy that I did. On a long trip anyone is bound to get a bit homesick or feel the need to connect with someone and want to talk about their life at home. I brought along about twenty photos of family, friends and my dog. I was amazed that where ever I went, the young ladies of the world were always most interested in my sister’s wedding photo.

I have had my knee rebuilt three times, and for this reason I would always carry a support bandage and collapsible hiking staff. This really helped save my knee and reduced my vitamin and Ibuprofen intake. I also wrapped about three feet of duct tape on one section of my hiking staff, just to have it in case I needed it. It ended up being very useful when I used the duct tape to repair an embarrassing tear in my pants.

For me, memories are sparked in many different ways, through sight, sound and smell. I brought a small micro-cassette recorder that has created some cherished memories, from elephants trumpeting in Africa to little girls singing in Bolivia. It amazes me just how much of hams kids can be all over the world.

Travelling round the world takes time. Presumably you’ve planned to be away for weeks, if not months. And why not – no doubt you’ve got things you want to see and do.

To survive away from home though, you might need to pack quite efficiently. Of course, ‘efficiently’ doesn’t mean cramming as much into a backpack as possible or taking enough pairs shoes to suit every occasion you might find yourself in. So, we’ve compiled a short-ish ticklist below. Call it a little motherly, if you like. But it’s somewhere to start at least.

Documents

o Flight (and any other travel) tickets

o Passport

o Visa(s)

o Insurance papers

o Vaccination certificates (if required)

o Drivers licence

o Photocopies of all important documentation

o Passport-size photos

o Copy of birth certificate

o Details of British Embassies in the countries being visited

It is a good idea to scan important documents and e-mail them to yourself.

Money

o Travellers cheques

o Credit cards

o Local currency for first stop (US dollars can also be useful)

o Contact details for cancelling cards from abroad

o Details of travellers cheques in case you need replacements (serial numbers, cheque denominations, date and location of purchase)

Health

o Toothbrush and toothpaste

o Suncreams and sunblock

o Make-up (if you wear it, fellas)

o Female hygene products

o Condoms or other contraception

o Any medication you might be taking

o Insect repellent

o Towel(s)

o Toilet roll

o Deodorant

o Washing powder

o Razor and shaving cream

Clothing

o Swimming gear

o Cotton valuables belt

o Footwear for hot weather (flip-flops)

o Sunglasses

o Hat

o We’re not going to go too far by listing underwear and things. Remember though, it’s good to pack for variable weather and take useful clothing that suits multiple circumstances

Accessories

o Camera

o Camera film

o Travel guides

o Maps

o Mobile phone

o Phone card(s)

o Pens

o Paper (and envelopes)

o Alarm clock

o Torch

o Batteries

o Contact details for friends and family

o Safety pins

o String

o Umbrella

o Small first-aid kit

o Entertainment (music, books…)

o Blow-up neck pillow, eye mask and ear plugs (if you need your sleep)

If you’re planning on setting off around the world, it’s worth preparing a few things in advance. There are always a few more risks when you’re in a new country – true for men as well as women. So, the better prepared you are, the more you can relax and enjoy yourself.

Here are 10 tips to set you on your way.

Travelling alone: You don’t often have to travel on your own if you don’t want to. You might be able to join a tour – a group with an experienced guide and 10 to 20 other like-minded people. Another plus is that you can budget cash more easily this way.

Fighting jetlag: One of the very best ways to combat jetlag on long flights is to drink lots of water whilst on the plane. If you arrive before 1pm local time, have a short sleep for no longer than three hours. Later than 1pm and you should try and stay awake as long as you can – try and hold out until 7pm.

Your handbag: The ideal bag for travelling has inner compartments that can be zipped closed. Use a bag with a long strap so you can wear it across your body. The thicker the strap, the better. Thieves sometimes cut a strap to get away with a bag.

Your valuables: Try to keep your valuables in a lightweight money purse under your clothes. In the unlikely event you’re confronted, you can give up your purse with less of a problem. It’s also worth taking a photocopy of your passport, itinerary, travel insurance, credit cards and other important documents. Keep them in a safe place – a different place to the originals, of course.

Culture and customs: It’s really useful to get an idea of local culture and customs. Respecting the way the locals do things will help you avoid uncomfortable scenarios.

Using the phone: If you don’t have a mobile that works in the countries you’re travelling to, carry a pre-paid international calling card. It’s advisable to ring home regularly too. We promise, your mum didn’t slip us a bribe.

Emergency numbers: Write the contact details of a few family members or friends. It’s amazing how you can forget numbers in times of stress. So, although you might think it’s over the top to write them down, it might be worth your while.

Pills and The Pill: You may not be able to get the same medication in the country you’re travelling to, so make sure you take enough supplies to last you. Remember your contraceptive pill, if you take one. And also take precautions against sexually-transmitted diseases – take condoms along.

HIV risk: It’s a good idea to avoid ear-piercing, tattooing, acupuncture and dental work whilst travelling, as there can be HIV risks in each of these cases.

Water: Try not to become dehydrated. Drink bottled water regularly – checking the seal on the bottle is intact. Becoming dehydrated can result in urinary tract infections, which can be very painful.

So you are all ready for your first trip around the world, or perhaps you are still in the process of thinking it over. Well speaking from personal experience I would say just do it! Because you will have the trip of a lifetime.

Now there are some problems that people seem to have when it comes to planning a round the world trip. Firstly the cost involved, after all if you are not planning on working then doing all that travelling is going to hit the bank balance. Second on the list is finding someone to go with, be it a friend or boyfriend/girlfriend. Then the last main issue seems to be the enormity of the task at hand, I mean navigating through all those places and staying in hostels, isn’t that dangerous and daunting? I will answer all these questions in turn.

Ok so money is always going to be an issue, as it is with anything that you would like to do in life. But I think you would be surprised at the cost of a round the world trip, it may not be as expensive as you think.

You can get round the world ticket for around �1200 and that has 6 stops included. Then for accommodation if you stay in hostels you are looking at around �10 per night. As for meals, most hostels have self catering kitchens so if you cook your own meals you could eat for as little as �5 a night (or less).

I budgeted around �50 per day for food and attractions (or bars) and it was pretty much spot on. Some places you need more (USA) and some place you need less (Thailand) but it averages out. You may also want to look into getting 3 day attractions passes for major cities. Things like the New York pass can get you into all the attractions for 3 days for a single fee (that saves you around 30% overall).

Basically for a 2 month trip to Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and America it cost me �4,400 for everything. That even included some internal flights and extra expenses such as the harbour bridge climb in Sydney (a must do if you go there). So it is a lot of money but since it’s a once in a lifetime thing, well worth it. A great tip is to remember to look up relatives or friends of friends that live abroad because the best kind of accommodation is free accommodation.

Now the next issue is finding a travelling companion, well this can be a tough one for some people as not everyone they know has a passion for travel. So many of my friends simply said they would like to travel “some day”, I still have no idea when that is! I ended up going on my own, as do many backpackers both male and female.

This can seem very daunting but really after a couple of cities you get used to it and it becomes no problem. It also encourages you to meet new people, after all you don’t want to be alone for the whole trip. What you find is that at hostels there are so many like minded people there who are very easy to get along with. Don’t think that because you leave by yourself that the entire trip is going to be a solo experience, it will most definitely not be.

Oceania

Finally the issue of staying in hostels and navigating around foreign cities can be daunting and perhaps a little scary. First of if you have never stayed in a hostel before don’t worry most of them are clean and rather fun places. The best way to describe backpacking in hostels is that it’s like your first day of university, repeated every day for a few months!

By that I mean you tend to meet friendly people who are of a similar age and in a similar situation to yourself. Everyone is just mostly looking to meet new people and share their experiences of their journey so far. This can also be an excellent resource for finding good places off the beaten track to visit. Never mind the guide books, just keep your ears open around the hostel and you will get all the tips and information you need.

As for navigating around foreign cities, for the most part its not that difficult. All you need is a city map (which most hostels provide free) and then to feel your way around. Just take a walk around the local area and move on from there, keep the address of you hostel at hand so if you get lost you can always get a taxi back!

Once you have mastered a couple of city’s you can pretty much do them all by using the same principles. The only exception is when you visit Africa or South America which tend to have a more alien feel. But even with those places the same principals applies, after your first couple of places you kind of adapt to your new surrounding and it becomes easier as time passes it just may take a bit longer than in westernised environments.

When you travel to another country it is something that many people dream they could do. So to have an experience where you could travel to many different countries over a long period of sustained time is for many, a dream come true. Indeed travelling around the world is quite possibly the experience of a life time that many aim to do, but few achieve.

There are many people who would love to be able to do this and travel around the world at their leisure but are stuck because of either lack of time or lack of money.

Lack of Money

If there is a lack of money then most people if they try hard enough and are determined, save up so they can go on their dream trip. If it is something that they want to do enough, then this can be achieved by putting money aside to be able to pay for such a trip.

On the other hand if saving money is too much like hard work, then there are some fantastic deals out there that can be had, especially around the internet that mean that the average person could afford a trip like this.

These inexpensive round the world flights are becoming more and more affordable because of good competition in the market place and because of lower flight costs. There are many affordable packages available, especially from the carrier groups such as StarAlliance and OneWorld who are groups of airlines that have got together to form a conglomerate of mutual interest. Together they can provide great deals for people looking to travel from place to place because they are able to offer good deals on their fares collectively.

Other places to find great deals are independent agencies who are looking to undercut each other in order to provide the best deal for the customer. Because of this competition, the customer benefits from lower prices but take care in the kind of trip that you are offered.

Lack of Time

Then there is the issue of time. The kind of people who take round the world trips are those with time on their hands, such as gap year students, or retired people. But often people with no commitments take time out from their work to make these kinds of trips around the world in order to have the experience whilst they are still young and fit. Sometimes companies will give an employee extended leave to make this experience available and invest in them that way. It is always worth asking your employer about this.

In Summary

With both these issues, they can both be overcome with thought and determination. If going round the world is what you really want to, then it can be done no matter what is going on in your life.

A great place to begin a round the world camping trip is the USA with a group camping adventure from New York to Los Angeles, via the Whitehouse, the jazz bars of New Orleans, the stunning Carlsbad Caverns, epic Monument Valley, glitzy Las Vegas, and – of course – the Grand Canyon.

Then, why not fly to Cancun for the next leg of your round the world trip. Here, join a new group and camp all along the Ruta Maya. Some of the highlights include the Mayan ruins at Palenque, the bohemian mountain village of San Cristobal, famous for its Zapatista movement, and the temples of Tikal, deep in the jungles of Guatemala, not to mention the postcard-perfect beaches of Tulum. The trip will bring you back around to Cancun, where you can have a brief rest before continuing to travel around the world.

Next, you can continue travelling around the world with a few months in South America on a camping trip from Quito in Ecuador to Santiago in Chile. In Ecuador, you can explore the dense Amazon Jungle and cycle down volcanoes, in Peru you can follow the footsteps of the Incas on the Inca Trail and hike to Macchu Picchu, and in Bolivia you can stay overnight with local Indians and experience the vastness of the uninhabited Salt Flats of Uyuni. Finally, the South American part of your round the world trip ends in the cosmopolitan capital of Santiago de Chile.

After this, the next logical stop on your round the world trip is New Zealand, where you can take a hop on hop off bus tour, camping as you go. You can follow this with Australia, and see the very best that Eastern and Central Australia has to offer from Sydney to Moreton Island, the Great Barrier Reef and the Northern Rainforests. Travel through the open Savannah country, then up to the tropical Darwin and the World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park. Spend time learning some of the aboriginal ancient ways, head South to Alice Springs, hike Kings Canyon then marvel at the enormity of Ayers Rock and the awe inspiring Kata Tjuta (the Olgas).

Once you’ve explored the Land Down Under, you can continue your round the world trip to Africa, travelling all the way up from Cape Town to Nairobi during an epic overland adventure. On a trip like this, you’ll see incredible landscapes, culture and wildlife you could imagine. From the tropical coast of Zanzibar to the austere Skeleton Coast, the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and Etosha National Parks to Victoria Falls and Swakopmund.

That’s it – a quick guide to camping around the world from the US to Africa. If you’ve got the time and the money, you could even continue travelling around the world, all the way up from Nairobi across Ethiopia and the Sudan to Istanbul and then home through Europe. Of course, there are all kinds of ways to travel around the world, so if camping isn’t your thing, there will definitely be another way to go.

You’re bound to be filled with excitement when planning a round the world expedition, but you should remember to travel responsibly so that others can enjoy the same trip long after you’ve returned home.

One way to make sure that you adopt a sustainable approach to travelling is to read up on the areas you are visiting when preparing for your holiday.

This will give you a greater insight into the different cultures you are hoping to immerse yourself in and help you have a better understanding of their customs. Not only will this enable you to be accepted by local communities better – and give you a richer experience – it will also help keep these traditions alive for many centuries to come.

By adopting their ways of life, you’ll show that you respect locals’ practices and help you develop a better relationship with some members of the community. It will also encourage more westerners to do the same so that customs are not quashed by those of tourists.

This could be as simple as taking off your shoes before entering a building, eating with a different hand or wearing appropriate clothing to a temple but it will make a lot of difference to your trip – and to their society.

It is also valuable to learn the different local laws when travelling to a number of countries on cheap round the world tickets as breaking them could lead to a shift in what is accepted in the community, even if you weren’t aware that what you were doing was illegal.

Another reason why so many people pack their bags and jet off around the world for months on end is to see some of the globe’s most breathtaking sights, such as Patagonia or Ayers Rock.

But, in order to preserve these natural landscapes for generations to come, it is important that travellers do not spoil the attractions in their quest to see them. Remember to respect that natural habitat and do not leave anything behind, for example any litter, man made device or food that might harm animals.

Tourists should also be respectful to indigenous wildlife by keeping quiet, not destroying their environment or buying products made from them that might put their entire existence in danger.

There are many ways you can help make your trip around the world one that doesn’t affect the communities and beautiful places you visit. And after gushing about your journey to all your friends and family, you’ll want to know that you left the locations in the very same condition as you found them.

1. Do the big picture planning first. Rough out a year in full and plan to balance your trip time between expensive and less costly areas. Two months in Europe may equal six months in South East Asia. Do some general searches first to find out cost-of-living and best weather options. Far better and cheaper to spend several months on one continent and get a good feel for a few countries than rush-rush-rush through several. You will enjoy yourself more.

2. Read and research the areas linked with your personal interests so you are indeed a traveler, not a tourist. If you are interested in art, then focus on the major galleries you want to see. If you are focused on an environmental issue, see where you can most get involved.

3. Figure out your biggest expense – transportation – first. When moving from one region to another, compare round-the-world trips from the airline alliances and repositioning cruises in the shoulder season. Many people fly into the major city in the country and then do side trips by train, bus, car, boat, or plane.

4. Become comfortable with on-line technology and information sites. Round-the-world travellers generally book a few months in advance, but not the full year. You will be booking online. Get familiar with some websites, and try them in advance, if possible. Far better to use sites from your home country or from national suppliers that you are confident are going to be around than booking from tiny sites. If possible, book flights through agencies so you are covered if the airline ceases to operate. You will need to get your credit and debit cards in order as well, with cards from both Visa and MasterCard. Have a couple of banks or credit unions, with different systems. Europe and Canada use PIN numbers, while much of the US and South America require signatures.

5. Assemble the electronics you’ll need – camera, netbooks, music, and connectivity. Remember you probably won’t have your current cell phone access. Set up your Skype or Magic Jack accounts at home so you can start using them right away. Set up on-line backup for your photos or plan to bring a portable hard-drive.

6. Reduce or eliminate your home expenses, especially as you come close to leaving. This includes renting or selling your home and vehicles and putting your possessions in storage. Doing this may free up several hundred dollars of on-going monthly expenses.

So, you’re thinking about embarking on a round-the-world trip? And maybe you’re wondering how much ‘one of those’ might cost.

Well, the budget for your trip will depend on many obvious factors: where you want to go, when you want to go, how long you want to travel for, and how plush you want to do it. So, how can you prepare?

Here are a few tips to help you along the way.

Fixed costs + a daily budget

To give you somewhere to start, tot up the fixed costs for the trip: your flights, visas, immunisations, accommodation (look online for basic figures). Then you need to give yourself a daily budget for things like food, entertainment and attractions. A good thing to remember is that the cost of living is a lot cheaper in countries like South East Asia and South America in comparison to Europe.

Budget for non-budget

It’s practically impossible to be a ‘pot-noodle’ backpacker for your whole trip. So, if this was your plan, make sure you account for the times you really won’t be able to budget. You meet people when you’re travelling, and not all of them will have the same eating and accommodation habits as you. Plus, there are always things you’ll want to do that you haven’t planned for. Add a percentage onto your budget for contingency.

Open a separate savings account

If you’re like the average human being, you spend money as soon as you get it. So, put some aside on a regular basis. Open another account (preferably something that’ll pay a little interest), and come up with a realistic amount you can save every week or month – a ‘trip fund’. The best way is to set up a direct debit to leave your current account as soon as you’re paid. Then you’ll never miss it…well, maybe?

Make a bit of extra cash

Can you do a bit of extra work to get some extra cash? Can you make savings anywhere – make a packed lunch if you work, or miss the odd night at the pub? Another option is to sell any large items, especially if you’ll be away for a long time (e.g. your car, if you have one).

Where do you really want to go?

Make a priority list. If you know where you simply can’t miss, you can build your trip budget around these places. Having this in your head, or in black and white, might save you valuable cash when you visit a travel agency.

Your expenses in the UK

If you have a mortgage, rent or other costs to pay, these won’t stop just because you’re out of the country (unless you stay on the run, that is!). Make sure you take these into account. Or, in the case of a house or flat, you could always rent it out?

Coming back

Presumably you are coming back? If so, you should try and budget a little if you need to look for another job. You also need somewhere to live. Perhaps you can crash with a friend or stay with your parents for a short while? It’s worth working this out before you leave.

It was a dream some years ago, specially for the price. Things have begun to change, and something that began for more than 5,000 euros (7,250 US dollars) is now a reality for a bit more than 2,000 euros (3,000 US dollars). As the airlines industry has grown and the sky has been progressively “released” to new competitors, Round the World fares have gone down all of a sudden and now the dream to make a Round the World trip is pure reality.

The thing is… where to begin with the Round the World planning? Sometimes it can be tricky enough to plan a trip to one single country, and now those guys are telling you that they have nearly 1.000 airports available to land and you need to choose between all them. Well, that can be pretty tricky and I am really not going to help you in that. Seriously, this is your choice, and there are no real recommendations, just follow your dreams.

Another thing, is choosing which is the best provider either in price and quality of services to choose when going for this adventure. There is a need to understand that a round the world trip is not something provided by an airline alone but by alliances of airlines instead. The 3 big ones that operate the Round the World option and many more in the market nowadays are Star Alliance, One World and Sky Team. I am going to introduce you to the three of them and let you choose the one that fits best your needs.

Star Alliance puts together 841 airports in 157 countries. Air Canada, Lufthansa, Thai, Air New Zealand, Scandinavian Airlines, United, Singapore Airlines, US Airways, Austrian, Spanair, Swiss… these are some of the most important airlines they work with, making a total of 17. They allow you a maximum of 15 stopovers, which they consider stays in one city that last more than 24 hours, and you can travel a maximum of 39,000 miles.

Regarding the fares, for a Round the World trip they will depend on the class you want to travel in and the number of miles you do, from 26,000 to 39,000, divided in 4 levels of pricing. The only problem is that they don’t offer exact numbers in their web-page and you need to plan all your route, enter your personal data, and then access to a screen where the price will be calculated. The interactive system to plan your trip is very good but I find it a big mistake to do not give any fare estimate.

On the other side, One World has an offer of 10 different airlines. American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Qantas, Royal Jordanian and LAN are some of their best members. Dragonair, considered the best airline in China, joined them recently on the first of November. Even if they have less airlines than their competitor Star Alliance, One World has managed to cover 700 airports in more than 150 countries.

Furthermore, they have two different options for the Round the World tour. One uses this basic airlines and another one, called Global Explorer, for an extra cost will allow you to use airlines that are not members of their alliance. Duration of the trip goes from 10 days up to 12 months, so you have complete freedom to decide depending on your availability

Regarding the price, it will depend on the number of continents you visit and the class you want to travel in. Considering the economy class, fares will vary from 3,900 dollars for the 3-continents route (2700 euros) to 5,300 dollars (3650 euros) for the 6-continents trip, using the non-extended airlines option.

Finally, Sky Team is not left behind at all, with some of the biggest European airlines such as Alitalia, Air France, KLM and Aeroflot. Also offers the rest of the biggest airlines in the world that the other alliances do not include, with names such as Aeromexico, China Southern, Continental Airlines, Delta and Korean Air, totaling 11 plus 3 associated airlines. With 841 cities in 162 countries, it has possibly the widest range of operations.

The situation is the same regarding the time allowed to travel, varying from 10 days to 1 year, and they offer 3 different options depending on your needs, flexibility and pricing. Your choice, as well as with Star Alliance, can vary between 3 and 15 stops along your route. The offer includes 3 price levels for 29,000, 34,000 and 39,000 miles, and also depends on the class. Taking an example with economy class, we could make the 29,000 miles trip for 3450 US dollars (2380 euros), for 4420 dollars the 34,000 miles world tour (3,049 euros), and up to a maximum of 39,000 miles that will cost 5500 dollars (3800 euros) approximately.