1

Since you want to start Sep. - Oct. I would go to the southern half of the globe as a start or close to the equator, NZ, Australia, South America or Africa, then make my way up as it turns autum there to the northern half again, back to spring and summer unless you like it cold.

That time it should be nice in Morroco not to hot anymore, but don't go to Europe afterwards because winter will be starting, bad weather short daylight, but if you go the other way around you could be in Morroco for spring that's a very nice time too.

If possible I would try to save up for airfare before you go so you have the money that comes in for spending money, in cheap countries you can save and so you will have sufficent funds when you get to more expencive coutries.

Maybe a RTW ticket would work, but I have no idea on the limitations they have.

That is how I would start planning something like this, also you have to look into visas that might be needed or how long you can stay in a place without one, Schengenrule (Europe) 90 days in a 180 day periode, Jordan is very nice and interessting also.

Wish it was me ; )), have fun!!

2

That makes sense about winter, especially since I want to travel through Russia eventually. I was thinking of overlanding it from Europe to Asia.

Maybe I should look into South America to start - make my way south from Canada then fly to Africa or Southern Europe by the time that is over (probably February?)... a month or so in Africa and then I will start to hit the spring in Europe so that should be pleasant and not too hot.

Yes, I definitely want to go to Jordan!

3

South America is a great place to start. Easy to travel there and never get bored even after 4-5 months. And of course, moving on for springtime in Europe is a great idea, But for me personally, when I finally do go to Russia I'll want to go in winter.

And I love so many places in Asia, but to reccomend one place for an extended trip, it would have to be India. India has the longest reaching history of any place in Asia, and has probably the most diversity for any one country. And the food is seriously delicious.

4

I wish I had your problem ;-)

For me,the thing to consider would be...where do I really want to go?

Then...where is the weather ok...and where have I got the budget for.But that comes later.

You have mentioned nearly all the world,,,and there are interesting things everywhere.But what are your interests? what do you like doing when you travel? Why did you dislike Korea but enjoy Thailand?

5

I've made it to six continents in my travels so far - if I hit Australia I will have made it to all seven.

Honestly, I want to go everywhere. My current "top 5" must-sees are Australia (for #7), Russia, Egypt, Chile and Jordan. I'm a big history buff and love to learn about new cultures. I always hit up museums on my travels but I'm also into "outdoorsy" pursuits. Due to some health issues I won't be able to do treks like the Inca trail (a major disappointment for me) or hike to Everest Base Camp, but small day trip hikes are attractive. I'm also an avid scuba diver. I have a list of things I want to do - learn how to surf, hit up a Parisian wine bar, go wine tasting in Mendoza, explore ancient ruins, etc. I also want to travel overland as much as possible.

I spent a semester in Korea and that was honestly more than enough time. I don't want to be offensive but I have no desire to go back and I really feel like I've seen enough of the country.

6

If you like history you have to put Turkey on your list, too bad about Syria at the moment or you could have combined Egypt, Jordan and through Syrya (not possible now) to Turkey over land, so much history in Turkey, very early christian churches in Cappadokia also ancient underground towns and the landscape there is amazing.
Visit Ephesus and walk on the same stones Caesar and Cleopatra did, Istanbul as a very modern city with lots of history, there are 1000 of sites you could visit I just mentioned some as they came to mind.

More and more choices, can't you get them to pay you for the next 10 years ; )), just to the a very small part of this beautiful world, wish I was in your shoes!

7

Hi

I'm also currently planning a solo year long trip to leave next year too. I'm also 29. In the past I've travelled on the trans Mongolian from Moscow to Beijing, I'm off next week to Egypt for the second time this Sunday and I travelled around Jordan for three weeks last year which are on your to do list. I've also travelled lots of Europe and Asia. If there's anything you'd like to ask please feel free to pm me.

Happy trip planning :-)

8

Wow, what great luck!

In regards to Morocco: I don't think safety is a huge issue, but I will say that I did have to deal with a lot of subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) discrimination against women. It really soured my trip there. I will say that it helps to cover your hair and be really firm with men who approach you in the big cities. It also helps to make sure you aren't alone in bus stations after twilight.

Also note that it is illegal in Morocco for an unmarried man and woman to share a hotel room. They generally look the other way with tourists, but it is a good law to know about if you are planning to travel with friends or boyfriends for any portion of your trip.

Really, anything you choose I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time!

In regards to starting in South America, I think that's a lovely idea. If you like history, don't miss Macchu Picchu (climb Winu Picchu while you're there and do splurge for the tour - it's totally worth it). Spend at least a couple days in Cuzco - it's sooo pretty, cobbled, cool.

If you do head to Europe in the spring, I highly recommend spending some time in Italy (Cinque Terre, Venice, Tavernelle, Biassa - all charming and interesting in their own ways). I also found Belgium really wonderful and surprising (Ghent is a city full of artists; Brugge is a fairy tale; Antwerp is sophisticated and bustling). These are my absolute favorite spots if you are interested: http://gigigriffis.com/to-sum-myself-up/my-favorite-places/

Wherever you go in Europe, make sure you spend some time outside the main cities. Some of the coolest places are small towns or mid-sized cities.

Good luck!

9

Hi,
I am also the same age and planning a RTW trip the same time as you and planning on going to many of the same places that you are thinking about. Like you, I'm trying to decide where to go when...Whether I go to SA first or to Europe. I've been to Morocco and I wouldn't discount it just because of travelling solo. Let me know if you would would like a travel partner for different parts of journey.

Have fun planning!

10

"I need help narrowing it down and figuring things out."

NO you don't. You clearly know what interests you and have some travel experience. What you need is to change your viewpoint from having to choose (narrow down) or having a plan (figuring things out).

The biggest plus travel provides us is freedom. Freedom from everyday life and its responsibilities. The freedom to get up each morning and decide what to do today. Why then do so many people who find a way to put together a fair amount of time and money, immediately give that freedom away by coming up with a 'plan'? I think the answer is that we are conditioned by everyday life to living to a schedule.

Here is my advice. Buy a ticket to A; stay until you are ready to leave and when that day comes decide where you are interested in going next; spend as much money each day as you need to spend to enjoy where you are (without throwing money away); when either the time available or the money available runs out, go home. Travel can be that simple if you want it to be.

No matter how long someone has or how much money to spend, the reality is you will never visit everywhere in the world that might interest you. So it is not about quantity, it is about quality. The phrase most often used is, 'to see as much as possible', but most people confuse the word 'much' with the word 'many'. They are not synonymous. The way to see/do as MUCH as possible is to spend time IN places, not in BETWEEN places.

So you don't need a plan that takes you to a list of places in a given time period. What you need is to try and get the most out of each day IN the place you are in at any given time. If you end up spending 6 months each in only 4 places in your 2 years, so what? If it was quality time, how would spending 6 day each in 100 places result in a better overall experience? The answer is it would not. In travel, less is invariably more.

Itineraries so often put blinders on people to opportunities. The story I have told here many times is about a young guy in the south of France. A traveller in a bar made an announcement that he was looking for 2 others to share fuel costs in his VW camper which he planned to take to the running of the bulls in Pamplona. A guy responded with something like, 'Wow, I would so love to do that but I have a hostel booked in Rome from Monday and a flight to Istanbul on Friday. I can't go.'

It is that 'can't go' that is the blinders he was wearing. Chances are that Rome and Istanbul would still be there next month or next year but what are the chances that someone would offer him a ride and a place to sleep for the running of the bulls next year?

Nor is this example atypical of what can happen on the road. Opportunities happen all the time when you are travelling with no set plan. But you have to be free (in your head) to take up those opportunities. Plans/itineraries are not compatible with flexibility.

So go to A meagicano and see where the wind blows you from there. There is a Mark Twain quote often used here on the TT to justify packing in the job and hitting the road. "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." (Mark Twain)

But most misuse and misunderstand the quote. They refer only to the first part about regrets (which actually is nonsense). It is the second part that is important. Throw off the bowlines (leave home). Sail away from the safe harbour. (leave your comfort zone) Catch the trade winds in your sails. (go where the wind blows you) Explore. Dream. Discover. (the unknown)

In simple terms, don't worry about a plan, don't worry if you are uncomfortable, go with the flow, discover the unknown. The total opposite of a planned 'tour'. Tourists take a 'tour' whether self-planned or by a third party tour company, it's a tour if there is a plan. Travellers simply go somewhere and see what happens.