Today I accepted an offer on my house. I have officially become homeless and confused for real.
From Rio, I will travel around as much of South America as possible in about 3 months. I am willing to go with the flow on the exact itinerary once I get there, but places I have on my list that I definitely want to see include Buenos Aires, Bariloche, Ilha Grande, Santiago, Montevideo and Paraty. This in itself is a bit of a shock, because South America had never been on my radar for travelling to in the near future, but when weighing up the costs compared to Australia and New Zealand, for example, as well as having to decide whether I would want to do some of the more strenuous activities in South America when I was older, I decided now was as good time as any to discover this amazing country.
After South America I will spend time exploring Costa Rica and then head to Mexico. Highlights of Mexico will hopefully include Mexico City, Oaxaca, Palenque, Merida and some beach time in Playa del Carmen (got to justify buying those bikinis, right?).
From Mexico I am considering getting a flight to Cuba, simply because I have heard good things from friends and it appears to have a good ‘vibe’. Also, seeing as how I’m in the vicinity, why not?
From Cuba I will then fly to Asia to start the next leg of the trip. En route I think I may take a detour to a European city such as Amsterdam, partly because it is cheaper to do this flight-wise and partly because it’s a way to cram in a quick city break in a place I’ve never been. However, I have also recently realised that it will be one of my good friend’s weddings in July, so I may have to fly back home for this. This isn’t ideal as I really don’t want to break out of my travelling routine, but I also don’t want to let my friend down. It’s a tough call that will depend mostly on budget and my location in the month of the wedding.
Then it will be on to Malaysia, a place that has been on my list for several years. I actually had a holiday to Malaysia booked a couple of years ago which sadly fell through and have been itching to get there ever since. From Malaysia I will travel as much of S E Asia overland as possible, perhaps encompassing parts of Thailand and Laos and possibly even a quick stop back in my most recent favourite destination, Vietnam. From here I plan on taking a flight to Shanghai and seeing the parts of China that I’m confident enough to brave on my own. I’ll also hopefully get to pop across to Hong Kong at the end of the trip before flying home (boo).
All in all I expect this itinerary to take me around 10 months to a year, although I imagine getting all of it done in this time may mean I end up ‘rushing through’ some destinations, which I’d rather not do. I’m happy to explore somewhere for longer if I fall in love with it.
So, there you have it. My intended itinerary. Stay tuned to see just how closely I end up following this plan!
I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions for the places I’ve mentioned above – after all, this confused girl could use all the help she can get!
Great plan! Consider me a possible lunatic too as I’m considering starting in Rio this November.
Personally I’d feel rushed to do all of them amazing places in 10 months but the key word is “personally” indeed! It could well work for you.
Looking forward to see if your itinerary stays the same.
Great plan! Consider me a possible lunatic too as I’m considering starting in Rio this November.
Personally I’d feel rushed to do all of them amazing places in 10 months but the key word is “personally” indeed! It could well work for you.
Looking forward to see if your itinerary stays the same.
I’ve always wanted to go to Rio for Carnival! Crowded, yes, but you know it’s going to be fun! Anyway, if you do make your way to Hong Kong at some point, let me know! I’d be happy to show you around, provided that I will have found my way around by then! =)
I’ve always wanted to go to Rio for Carnival! Crowded, yes, but you know it’s going to be fun! Anyway, if you do make your way to Hong Kong at some point, let me know! I’d be happy to show you around, provided that I will have found my way around by then! =)
Aww thanks Connie, I may have to take you up on that! 🙂
Anthony – yes, I think I may end up scrapping parts of it or extending my travels for longer depending on budget, but that’s why it’s just a vague plan. Good luck for November!
Aww thanks Connie, I may have to take you up on that! 🙂
Anthony – yes, I think I may end up scrapping parts of it or extending my travels for longer depending on budget, but that’s why it’s just a vague plan. Good luck for November!
I’m trying to put together a RTW trip myself, so seeing others itinerary really helps. Yours sounds awesome!
I’m trying to put together a RTW trip myself, so seeing others itinerary really helps. Yours sounds awesome!
Well done, I did a RTW three years ago and it was unforgettable, now travelling is all I think about! Don’t mind what anyone else thinks about your itinerary, just go with it! You will 100% change this as you start travelling, so make sure you try and keep a realistic frame work. Best of luck and I look forward to hearing about your adventures.
Well done, I did a RTW three years ago and it was unforgettable, now travelling is all I think about! Don’t mind what anyone else thinks about your itinerary, just go with it! You will 100% change this as you start travelling, so make sure you try and keep a realistic frame work. Best of luck and I look forward to hearing about your adventures.
Thanks so much for the encouraging comments! I know it’s still a long way off and I’m sure the itinerary will change, but it’s great just to get something down in writing to prove to myself that I’m going to do it!
Thanks so much for the encouraging comments! I know it’s still a long way off and I’m sure the itinerary will change, but it’s great just to get something down in writing to prove to myself that I’m going to do it!
I hope we cross paths when you are in North America.
If you are heading to Costa Rica I really recommend also going to Nicaragua. It was my favourite country and has the heart of Central America – Costa Rica is big and rich and quite Westernized but Nicaragua has all the beauty for a fraction of the price.
I hope we cross paths when you are in North America.
If you are heading to Costa Rica I really recommend also going to Nicaragua. It was my favourite country and has the heart of Central America – Costa Rica is big and rich and quite Westernized but Nicaragua has all the beauty for a fraction of the price.
Thanks for the tip Ayngelina, I’ll definitely research Nicaragua. It’s advice like that from travellers who’ve been there that is invaluable.
Thanks for the tip Ayngelina, I’ll definitely research Nicaragua. It’s advice like that from travellers who’ve been there that is invaluable.
Julia, I think what you are doing is great. So great I am doing a similar thing, but since I’m taking my dogs I am limiting it to north america in an RV. I have done lots of world traveling and will do more international in the future.
I just found your blog today (via twitter) and I’m looking forward to following you on your journey. And while you do not need to justify why you travel here are some good ones to throw at people:
– the economy sucks and you’re not going to make any money working anyway
– real estate sucks and is only getting worse so it doesn’t make any sense to sink your money in a house where you will loose it all
– you are very young and when you get back after your trip you will have lots of time to make money then
Happy planning!
Anne.
Julia, I think what you are doing is great. So great I am doing a similar thing, but since I’m taking my dogs I am limiting it to north america in an RV. I have done lots of world traveling and will do more international in the future.
I just found your blog today (via twitter) and I’m looking forward to following you on your journey. And while you do not need to justify why you travel here are some good ones to throw at people:
– the economy sucks and you’re not going to make any money working anyway
– real estate sucks and is only getting worse so it doesn’t make any sense to sink your money in a house where you will loose it all
– you are very young and when you get back after your trip you will have lots of time to make money then
Happy planning!
Anne.
Thank you so much for the lovely comment Anne and thanks for reading the blog! You are totally right in everything you have said, it’s so nice to talk to people who feel the same way. Unfortunately, and very sadly for me, I am having to re-home my dogs because of my temporary living situation and subsequent travelling. I only hope in the future when I have dogs again that I can travel with them like you are able to do now.
Thank you so much for the lovely comment Anne and thanks for reading the blog! You are totally right in everything you have said, it’s so nice to talk to people who feel the same way. Unfortunately, and very sadly for me, I am having to re-home my dogs because of my temporary living situation and subsequent travelling. I only hope in the future when I have dogs again that I can travel with them like you are able to do now.
Hi Julia
Having dogs does make traveling more difficult. People always say you can just kennel them but it is not that easy. My dog is now 14.5 years old and I cannot leave him in the last years of his life, so that’s why we decided to do the RV thing. Otherwise I would probably go to Asia or something. But actually travelling with dogs is not so easy! Last year we went to Yosemite and you cannot take dogs on the trails and you cannot leave them in your camper/RV because of bears. California is not very dog friendly we couldn’t take them anywhere! We ended up taking turns sightseeing and babysitting the dogs at the campsite, which was a bit of a hassle.
I hope you found a great home for your dogs. Knowing they will be happy in their new home will make it easier.
Hi Julia
Having dogs does make traveling more difficult. People always say you can just kennel them but it is not that easy. My dog is now 14.5 years old and I cannot leave him in the last years of his life, so that’s why we decided to do the RV thing. Otherwise I would probably go to Asia or something. But actually travelling with dogs is not so easy! Last year we went to Yosemite and you cannot take dogs on the trails and you cannot leave them in your camper/RV because of bears. California is not very dog friendly we couldn’t take them anywhere! We ended up taking turns sightseeing and babysitting the dogs at the campsite, which was a bit of a hassle.
I hope you found a great home for your dogs. Knowing they will be happy in their new home will make it easier.
Congratulations on the sale of your house! Woo Hoo. I remember when Dave and I first sold our home in 2003 to take off to South East Asia. We had plans on never going back to our jobs then, but is took a few more years after that. You won’t regret it! Your itinerary sounds super. We haven’t done a lot of South America so I look forward to following your posts. Enjoy, have fun and we are all behind you!
Congratulations on the sale of your house! Woo Hoo. I remember when Dave and I first sold our home in 2003 to take off to South East Asia. We had plans on never going back to our jobs then, but is took a few more years after that. You won’t regret it! Your itinerary sounds super. We haven’t done a lot of South America so I look forward to following your posts. Enjoy, have fun and we are all behind you!
Thanks so much for the support you two! If I can in any way follow the path that you guys are on the future, travelling the world full time, then I will be one happy bunny! 🙂
Thanks so much for the support you two! If I can in any way follow the path that you guys are on the future, travelling the world full time, then I will be one happy bunny! 🙂
Wow, I am planning on starting my RTW next year in Rio for NYE hopefully. I have a feeling it may be pushed back, but holding out hope. Much congrats on the house sale and maybe we will run into each other down there!
Wow, I am planning on starting my RTW next year in Rio for NYE hopefully. I have a feeling it may be pushed back, but holding out hope. Much congrats on the house sale and maybe we will run into each other down there!
So jealous of your itinerary Julia, it is shaping up brilliantly! I started my RTW trip in Rio and what a way to start! Through yourself in I say. I spent 3 months in South America too and was surprised how much I loved it as was never a huge fan originally but rather going because a friend was keen. I agree you must not miss Ilsa Grande and Buenos Aires – I assume you will do Iguazzu, Machu Picchu and Inca Trail – also suggest you don’t forget Bolivia!! You are going to have an AMAZE time!!!! x
So jealous of your itinerary Julia, it is shaping up brilliantly! I started my RTW trip in Rio and what a way to start! Through yourself in I say. I spent 3 months in South America too and was surprised how much I loved it as was never a huge fan originally but rather going because a friend was keen. I agree you must not miss Ilsa Grande and Buenos Aires – I assume you will do Iguazzu, Machu Picchu and Inca Trail – also suggest you don’t forget Bolivia!! You are going to have an AMAZE time!!!! x
Hi Julia, i suggest you start a spanish course and/or a portugese course because it makes travelling tru south america so much easier.
Your itin. sounds great, have a lot of fun and choose the best route and airlines, because that really will makes a difference.
Hi Julia, i suggest you start a spanish course and/or a portugese course because it makes travelling tru south america so much easier.
Your itin. sounds great, have a lot of fun and choose the best route and airlines, because that really will makes a difference.
Jayne – thanks for the positive comments and the Bolivia suggestion, I’ll definitely look into it because like I said, I don’t really have a set itinerary for S America so am open to as many places as possible.
inez1000 – thanks for the tip on the Spanish. I had already heard that from my sister so may have to learn at least a few basic phrases to help me get by!
Jayne – thanks for the positive comments and the Bolivia suggestion, I’ll definitely look into it because like I said, I don’t really have a set itinerary for S America so am open to as many places as possible.
inez1000 – thanks for the tip on the Spanish. I had already heard that from my sister so may have to learn at least a few basic phrases to help me get by!
Awesome! You’ve done a great job breaking it down in sections and realizing that this all could change. The one thing that we based our trip around were our “must-sees” and it seems like you did something similar, which is the best way to do it, imo. Starting in Rio may seem crazy to some, but hey, you might as well jump right in, right? Especially if Carnivale is high on your list, which it seems it is. Might as well start off with something that you’ve been looking forward to for years.
I think you’re doing a fantastic job in your decision making. Can’t wait to see how it all plays out.
Awesome! You’ve done a great job breaking it down in sections and realizing that this all could change. The one thing that we based our trip around were our “must-sees” and it seems like you did something similar, which is the best way to do it, imo. Starting in Rio may seem crazy to some, but hey, you might as well jump right in, right? Especially if Carnivale is high on your list, which it seems it is. Might as well start off with something that you’ve been looking forward to for years.
I think you’re doing a fantastic job in your decision making. Can’t wait to see how it all plays out.
Thanks so much for the support, Adam. I love reading about your own RTW trip and it has actually inspired certain sections of mine! But yes, I’m so aware how much it could change, although excited too, as it may take me to places I’ve never even dreamt of.
Thanks so much for the support, Adam. I love reading about your own RTW trip and it has actually inspired certain sections of mine! But yes, I’m so aware how much it could change, although excited too, as it may take me to places I’ve never even dreamt of.
I love stumbling across posts like this. Congrats on taking the big step of selling your house and coming up with a concrete plan. Looking forward to following along once your trip starts!!
I love stumbling across posts like this. Congrats on taking the big step of selling your house and coming up with a concrete plan. Looking forward to following along once your trip starts!!