Round the world itinerary: Where would you go?

[eyebeebe]

At some point in the future (I figure about 5 years) the GF and I are planning on taking a year out of work and going round the world. The plan is to visit every continent including Antarctica. There are some places that I really want to visit for example Tahiti and the Galapagos islands.

We're planning on visiting historical, cultural and beautiful places as well as going to places to do unique things.

Where would you go? Not talking a whole itinerary, but rather must see/do locations. Budget isn't a huge issue, but equally lets try and be vaguely realistic - my initial thoughts are we would be looking at spending CHF 120-150k (around £75-95k at current rates).

[Famous Graham]

That would get you a pretty cushy lifestyle. I managed Canada, US, Peru, Chile, NZ, Australia with 6k (the RTW plane ticket cost 3k and had a lot more stops than I used as I came home early after 8 months).

From my trip, I'd definitely recommend the Canadian Rockies, North California, Vegas (inc Hoover Dam and Canyon), Arizona (Sedona particularly), Arequipa & Cusco in Peru (inc Machu Picchu), Atacama desert, Melbourne, Brisbane. I don't have much to say about NZ, unfortunately as I saw very little, having already run out of cash and being stuck in a couple of hostels working for keep whilst I sorted my return ticket.

[eyebeebe]

Famous Graham said:

That would get you a pretty cushy lifestyle.

We'll both be mid 30s by then and past the staying in hostels stage of life, though obviously it's not going to be all 5* hotels on that budget.

Famous Graham said:

From my trip, I'd definitely recommend the Canadian Rockies, North California, Vegas (inc Hoover Dam and Canyon), Arizona (Sedona particularly), Arequipa & Cusco in Peru (inc Machu Picchu), Atacama desert, Melbourne, Brisbane. I don't have much to say about NZ, unfortunately as I saw very little, having already run out of cash and being stuck in a couple of hostels working for keep whilst I sorted my return ticket.

Some interesting ideas in there. Machu Picchu is on the list already. Hadn't thought about Vegas. Think that would need to be at the end of the trip, to stop us gambling away the travel money in the hope of scoring above mentioned 5* hotels for a year!

[Famous Graham]

eyebeebe said:

Famous Graham said:

That would get you a pretty cushy lifestyle.

We'll both be mid 30s by then and past the staying in hostels stage of life, though obviously it's not going to be all 5* hotels on that budget.

I was 34 Didn't find it a problem at all. Although I slept in dorms most of the time, a huge percentage of hostels have private rooms (singles & doubles) which are usually a fair amount cheaper than hotels.

[Kneetrembler]

Read 1,000 Places to see before you die, on and off the beaten track.

[edg516]

ometepe island in Nicaragua is good for a couple of days, climb the Volcano tough going but worth it at the top.

[MudasarKhan]

Kashmir - Heaven on earth.

Maybe not the safest of places to go at the moment, but some beautiful scenery. I've not been many places on holiday, and this does not rank for fun or excitement.

However scenery.....heaven on earth.

And Kaghan, north Pakistan. Drove 14hrs non stop from where we were staying, but it was worth it. May not appeal to you, but beautiful scenery. Breathtaking.

Hope you have a brilliant time where ever you go.

[tobeee]

I spent 6 months travelling when I was 30 (12 years ago!) and I stayed in many hostels. They're the places where you hear about places/stuff you'd perhaps not thought of, so are well worth it. Most people I met were fun and articulate (not studenty/yoof types that I imagine you're expecting). Stay in a nice hotel, and you'll probably not speak to anyone beyond the receptionist and waiters!

We (EX-girlfriend* and I) drove from San Francisco, through Yosemite, Death Valley, Grand Canyon etc. (lots of hiking) and back to LA. Onto Fiji. Then to Australia (East Coast and cenrtal, then up to Alice and Darwin). Then to Bali/Lombok and through java, then To India/Nepal for the final month or two. About £1000 each for the flights, and another couple each for everything else. Best thing I ever did!

• Not all couple split up after travelling!

[Bill]

eyebeebe said:

(around £75-95k at current rates).

Right, where to start

Bolivia - Altiplano/Salar de Uyuni, Amazon Basin
Botswana - Okavango Delta and the Kalahari
Chile - Fjordland, Tierra del Fuego (Torres del Paine)
Egypt - Cairo, the pyramids and Nile
Ethiopia - Aksum, Simian mountains, tribal territory in the south
India - Rajastan (yep, pretty much all of it), Goa, Taj Mahal
Iran - Esfahan, Persepolis, Bam if they've rebuilt it.
Libya - Leptis Magna, Sabratha, Ghadames, desert stuff (Ubari lakes, Acacus mountains)
Namibia - Skeleton coast
Nepal - Himalayas, tiger reserve.
Peru - Cusco (Inca trail), Nasca lines
Rwanda/Uganda - mountain gorillas
South Africa - Cape Town, the garden route, great whites
Tanzania - parks and Zanzibar
US - Grand Canyon, Yellowstone
Venezuela - The tepuis and Angel Falls
Zambia - parks and Victoria Falls

[Famous Graham]

Bill said:

US - Yellowstone

Good shout - OP should be aware, though, that a lot of the facilities close during Fall/Winter/Spring.

http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/open_closeda...

[Bill]

Famous Graham said:

Bill said:

US - Yellowstone

Good shout - OP should be aware, though, that a lot of the facilities close during Fall/Winter/Spring.

And the only place on my list I haven't been to

I've just noticed the bit about hostels, in which case some of the places with less developed tourist industries might not suit

[tontoro]

Do yourself a favour and strike Tahiti off the list, it's a dump by and large

[eyebeebe]

Bill said:

eyebeebe said:

(around £75-95k at current rates).

Right, where to start

That's between two Wrt to the hostels - If they are going to be the only way possible to see something, then I guess they are on the list. I just don't want to be sharing dorms with gap year students for a year and do like some basic amenities where possible.

Excellent list btw Bill

Tahiti is staying on the list though. It's just one of those places I've always wanted to visit and realistically, given the distances involved, this will be the only opportunity we get to go.