Thorn Tree travel forum

Welcome to the Gap Year & Round the World Branch

Hi all

There's a chance your question has already been answered somewhere on the Thorn Tree, so use the search function before you post a message - you'll be amazed at what's already here.

This thread will stay at the top of the branch, so check inside for links and info relevant to the destination you're interested in and feel free to add any useful links you have found.

Here are links to three very useful threads to get you started:

All Travel Questions Welcome

Credit Cards and Debit Cards

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Leaving responsibilities behind...

I've not long turned 30, and whilst I've done a fair bit of travelling over the past few years I've never taken that time where it's just dedicated travelling. My longest time off away was Australia for 6 weeks a few years ago.

Now I have no issue with being 30 and thinking that I should be past that kind of thing. Far from it. Instead I'm looking at taking that year out and gettin git done with, heading East into Asia (especially Japan), Aus, NZ, South Pacific, and maybe finsihing off in Argentina.... Who knows, at this point it's just an idea. However, the idea does include trying to organise dates so that I can be in NZ come the next rugby world cup in 2011....

However, I'm looking at advice and some inspiration from others who have been in my position. Despite being so desperately over the hill at 30 (or so I'm told, though thankfully I can still pass for 26) I'm not yet ma... more »

Last Minute Trip

I have found my life suddenly free and open. I would like to start a work (like actually job) my way around the world trip in about 6 months. I will be saving about $500 per month pre air fair, immunization, and visa. I would like to do a 5-10 year trip. Ive backpacked a month around Europe before, but nothing like this. I plan on getting my English Certification (though I will be happy to work any job I can get) and I will be starting in Thailand. So what I'm looking for is your thoughts, suggestions, and how long of an English certification should I get.

UK National Getting China & India Visas Abroad?

Hi everyone!

I've been trawling thorn tree and the internet all evening and can't seem to find the info I need! Please help!

I'm setting off on my RTW adventure at the beginning of Jan 2010. I'll be away for about 6 months. The last 2 months of my trip will be taking place in China (I'll be there from end of April to end of May) and then India (end of May until mid June) respectively. For China I will be taking part in an Intrepid tour for the month. My question is: what shall I do about visas?

-Is it best to apply for 1 year visas for each of these countries as 6 month ones will expire before I get there? (Can I get a one year visa for China even? From what I can work out the multiple entry one isn't quite what I need).
-Can I apply for visas in New Zealand or Australia (where I will be for the 2 months before I get to China)? How easy will that be as a non-residen... more »

When is the ideal time for an RTW?

I'm not asking this for advice, just as a question.

When do you think the ideal time for an RTW is? Is it before college, between college and grad school, before first job, between two jobs early on, or some other time? Why?

Travel insurance if I'm already on the road?

I left for my year of backpacking about 5 weeks ago. My travel insurance (that I had previously) has a max trip length of 45 days. So now I'm shopping around for another policy.

Are there any policies I can get once I have already left for my trip?

(details: US citizen, was living in UK until I started trip 5 weeks ago but have current UK and US address)

Our RTW / gap year trip - all advice welcome

So I'm Dutch and I don't know much. But hey, maybe you'd like to shed some light on our travel plans. After all you can't blame the dutch for wanting to flee their flat and small country now can ya? The girl and myself want to take a gap year off and have started planning. After reading a couple of hours on this forum and reading all those extensive replies, I've come to some conclusions. Maybe you could help us validate or disagree with them. Basically all is open for discussion.

We're taking a year off and have the following itinerary.

• Amsterdam - Sint Petersburg by plane and then;
• Trans-Mongolian express for 3 weeks to Bejing
• Bejing towards China's west border (partial silk route) for 3 weeks and then south towards
• Nepal / Tibet (4 weeks)
• India & Maldives (4 weeks)
• Bangladesh (3 weeks)
• Thailand (2 weeks)
• Cambodja (2 weeks)
• Vietnam (3 weeks)
• Laos (2 ...

Round The World advice and suggestions please!

I am a 30 year old female and have decided that as I currently find myself at a time of life where I am single, have no career ties and no property ties, I want to embark on the Gap year that never was, before it's too late. I will be travelling alone and have no time limit.

This is a relatively new idea but I have been researching routes and thinking about ideas, and ideally I would like to do the trip with as little flying as possible. I am really interested in cargo shipping it across either the Atlantic or Pacific (but not both - for time and expense reasons!) just for the experience.

My initial thoughts (very vague so do forgive me if they are ridiculous) are to fly to Moscow where I will begin my journey on the Trans-Mongolian railway to Beijing. First question, can I get off the train to spend time in Mongolia or will I have to stay on the same train right through? I ... more »