It’s really exciting planning a trip around the world. Browsing the web for fun cities to visit, flipping through guidebooks to find cool sights, and talking to friends about places they’ve explored just makes me want to pack up and go tomorrow. But, because we’re planning a pretty extensive/exhaustive trip, we’re putting a lot of thought into the planning of our trip. I’ve listed below the major things we’re thinking about over the next couple of months. What we really need though is your help! Have you globe-trotted? Do you have some great advice, tips or tricks for us? Please share with us! We’ll be eternally grateful.
- Where do we want to go? In a perfect world, we’d like to go, well, everywhere! The 3 of us sat down and came up with our “first round” list of places we’d like to see – and the number of major cities came in at well over 100. While this is certainly an attainable dream, it’s a little unrealistic for this upcoming adventure. We’ll be working to narrow down this list to maybe 20 or so hot spots, which will be featured on the Our Route page. Do you have any suggestions for places that are MUST VISIT?
- How are we going to get there? We already have airfare from Los Angeles to Sydney, Sydney to Hong Kong, HK to London, and then a flight back to LA (thank you, VAustralia!). But for all the other places we’d like to explore, there are often a variety of transportation options available. Should we book flights “on the fly” while we’re on the road, shopping around for the best deals? Where will train/bus transportation be more convenient and/or affordable? We want our trip to have a sense of spontaneity, but at the same time some things will need to be planned out in advance.
- Where are we going to stay? There are tons of different options for lodging: hotels, hostels, B&Bs, and couches are all things that we’re considering. Obviously there are pros and cons to each, and it’s likely we’ll end up experiencing a mix of all these choices. Outside of transportation, we expect that our lodging costs will be one of the more expensive line items in our budget. Have you ever stayed on a stranger’s couch in a foreign country? Did you have a good experience?
- How are we going to keep in touch? We want to share every aspect of our trip online. Through blog posts, photos, and videos, one of the things that makes this trip so exciting is the “share factor.” How have you best maintained communication with the internet world while traveling abroad? Any one using fancy tech to get the job done, or do you stick to internet cafes?
We’ll be posting updates on the trip planning as it really starts to solidify. In the meantime, we’re really excited to hear about your travel planning experiences. Leave a comment and let us know your thoughts!
Image courtesy of VladStudio.com.
Twitter Updates
Best of luck on your travels. You will have a great time. I haven’t met anyone who has regretted traveling around the world.
You guys are about to start an exciting part of your life. Here are a few tips from me. All the best.
1. South America: Colombia, Chilean Patagonia, Bolivia, Ecuador. Since you are going to Oz, I say focus on that. I’m partial to New Zealand. But, better to do one country well than spread yourself too thin. Sounds like you’re skipping Africa. Shame because southern Africa is a treat. When you get to London, try to pop over to Turkey. You won’t regret it. In Asia, Vietnam/Cambodia/Laos are supposed to be amazing. It’s on my list.
2. Plan as you go. Stay flexible. If there truly is a must-see, plan that ahead of time as needed. But, for the rest, let the road be your guide. You will learn more about the places you should see once you are on the road. The info on the road is always better.
3. This is really a matter of taste, preference, individual needs. Most of the time hostels will serve you well. And, with 3 of you, you can probably get a triple in many places. I’ve heard mostly good on couch surfing but never have done it myself. Allow yourself a nice hotel every now and then.
4. Keep it simple. Keep in mind that internet in many parts of the world is slow, metered or unavailable in wifi. It’s getting better all the time. But, you’re better off starting off with a simple web blog and then grow over time as you get used to it.
All the best on your trip.
@Jeff – Thanks for the tips! We’re not going to have the chance to explore South America on this trip, but Oz, NZ, and Asia are definitely hotspots for us.
Hey guys, sorry for the late response. Traveling in general is awesome, so no matter where you choose you to, just enjoy it and live those places up! Someone will always tell you a “better” place to go, but just go, there is plenty of time to see all the places you care about during your lifetime. Advice? Hmmm… as mentioned above, staying flexible is probably the most important advice we can give you. You guys are traveling to many different countries and will be tied down by flight dates, but try to be flexible when in those countries. When Aracely and I arrive to a new destination we converse with other travelers in the hostel and we usually end up with places to go that weren’t on our list. And typically they are great choices that we would have regretted passing up. Leave your itinerary as open as possible beyond those major cities you want to visit. Also, since it’s 3 of you, decide what each of you like or prefer. Does one of you enjoy trekking and the other beaches? Cities or villages. It’s difficult when traveling with others, even your best friends. Try to work those discussions out ahead of time, including money! Do you all have the same budget? What’s most important… meals, treks, tours or lodging? Where are you willing to spend your cash? As far as communication goes, Facebook is the best for real-time conversation. Blogs are sometimes static, or old and don’t allow for real-time discussion as Facebook does. Also, consider purchasing an iTouch for WiFi connections. Internet has become the most widely available communication channel in the world. You will be shocked where you can gain access. Maybe not enough to upload photos, but enough to say hello. We prefer hostels. We get to talk with other travelers, get ideas where to travel and usually have access to kitchens and wifi. That’s all I have for now. Get ready to have the time of your lives. Enjoy!
@Jason – Thanks for the awesome comment! Sounds like you guys have had the best of luck exploring places that you didn’t even know about until you actually got there. We’ll definitely heed your advice and stay as flexible as possible. Looking forward to seeing more of your adventures, and hopefully it’s okay when we come running to you for some extra tips!
While it’s the best thing you will ever do, there are always plenty of downers as well. From missing home to waiting for transport there will probably be times when you just feel like chucking it in, though these always seem to be the moments when good things happen. Staying positive usually means things work out! hope you guys have a great trip.
My advice… take a slow pace. Enjoy the moment where you are without thinking of where you’ll be next.
Sounds like you guys are on an awesome adventure! Just as many before me have said, take it slow, remember to treat each experience as a gift and be in the moment. Regardless of what the experience offers, remember there is always a silver lining. Above all, have a blast!