Quitting my job!

I have never purchased a RTW ticket so I can't help you much there. But you did not mention visiting either of the Americas in #17 so perhaps a RTW ticket is not in your future.

I know that many countries (it used to be EVERY country) require "proof on onward travel" as a visa or visa waiver condition, so at the very least you'd have to plan your stops 2 or more at a time. Sometimes the rules are relaxed if you enter by ground instead of by air.

Hosteling is easy in NE and much of SE Asia, just buy the Lonely Planet guides as appropriate and go. In western Europe its even easier, almost as easy as getting of the train and asking friendly strangers.

Hi Carly,

I also have a condo in which I currently live in and own. I will be renting it out furnished as this allows for an opportunity for a higher rental income. It also saves you money or a storage facility and you have a home to come back to that is furnished already, also if you decide to pick up and go again, it is easier.

I am still in the process of my planning my trip, starting with South America and then Europe in June 2014. Just trying to figure out where I would like to start in Europe.

Best of luck!

Hello All,

I'm actually in the same boat. I'm a 32 year male and I'm thinking of quitting my job next year to travel. I haven't made the decision officially yet, but I'm looking at my options. I do corporate finance and the pay is probably the main reason why I've stayed as long as I have. The job can be demanding and is why I haven't been able to take more than 7 to 8 days off in a row. This in turn, limits my travel options. I'm planning to take 6 month to a year off and travel the world and the only way to make this work is to quit.

So far I'm planning for around April/May 2014. I'm planning to travel to South America. Maybe Peru>Bolivia>Chile>Argentina>Uruguay then make my way to New Zeland/Austrailia by Nov/Dec and possibly up SEA to India by April. if I do 6 months, I might just end it in New Zealand/Austrailia. I'm definitely going to challenge myself with budget travelling. I'm glad I read this since I was a bit worried about the age of most hostel guest. The last thing i want to do is stay in a place with teenagers who just want to drink and party (I'm not opposed to that, just I find that I'm not able to keep up with it anymore). I'll definitely have to do my research on places to stay.

I'm also a newbie at this so will need to plan a lot.

Hmmm this whole thread is starting to give me fantasies about traveling h world with 4 women. (wink)

Have great trips!

Mouak if you have any interest in hiking and mountains etc. do not miss Chile's Patagonia. It is a hiking Mecca and one of few places on my bucket list.

I have traveled overseas a couple of times before - USA in 2009 on Contiki, Vietnam 2010 and Europe in 2012 on a Topdeck tour which my first solo overseas travel. I loved everywhere that I have been, especially France and am excited to travel through again and spend a bit longer.

I really loved the US and would love to get back there, however it seems to be a little but difficult for a solo traveler to do on a budget. When I went on Contiki tour we traveled the southern part of North Americam from LA to NY on a bus over 3 1/2 weeks. It was the greatest trip I have done, however I think it would be difficult to do alone without flying because everything is extremely spread out. I have also read that there are limited hostels in USA. When I was there we stayed in Howard Johnsons, Best Westerns etc. If anyone disagrees I would love to hear.

I haven't yet been into South America at all and am interested in hearing if any solo girls have been through and what it was like?

Thanks LongislandBob, I'll definitely look into that, althought I think the time I'm choosing is winter and I've read some blogs and articles advising against travelling to Patagonia during winter time as summer provides more accessibility, but we shall see.

Chirpy, I think hostels in the US is somewhat limited to larger cities and even then they can be hard to find. So it makes sense that most budget tour companies would use mid tier/budget hotels like Best Western and Howard Johnson....especially in the middle parts of the US.

At any rate, for everybody taking a break from their current lives, I wish you the best and good luck on your travels.