Angela Weller is a 30-year-old course developer from Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, who was planning a round-the-world trip in 2003.
The Snapshot
- Departure: 2003
- Age at departure: 30
- Nationality: USA
- Location: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Duration: Indefinite
- Occupation: Course developer
- Original budget: USD 20,000 (approximately USD 35,900 in 2026 dollars)
- Regions: Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa, Middle East, Europe
The Route
In Their Words
Here's what Angela Weller shared about their RTW journey:
What are you packing?
I’m very small, so I can’t take as much stuff as the big guys. I’m taking a moderately sized internal-frame pack with a light sleeping bag and solo tent. The most important item is your pack. Get the most comfortable one you can. The most indispensable item for me is always my Swiss Army knife. It comes in so handy! I also carry my Egyptian tie-dye “sarong” everywhere. It’s doubled as a curtain, a sheet, a scarf, a head-covering and a pillow.
Why do you think people should go on round-the-world trips?
I think that RTW travel is not suited for most people, actually. In order to reach a financial and social place in life where such a trip is practical, sacrifices are necessary. I think it is possible to have just as worthwhile experiences on traditional vacations. I feel RTW travel is best for those who view travel as a lifestyle, not as a hobby or a break from the ‘real’ world.
How do you think your round-the-world trip will change your life?
I’ll know more when I complete it! I view the trip as a chance to center myself again. Doing a long trip solo requires really knowing yourself and accepting the good and bad in who you are. I believe that life perpetually changing, whether we travel or not. When I come back from the trip, I’ll be changed in ways that I can’t anticipate now, but hopefully changed for the better.
What is your advice for people planning their own RTW trip?
Don’t try to do too much. On my first trip, I spent most of my time in a very small region (the Middle East) and was able to enjoy the people and sites at a pace that kept me healthy, both mentally and physically. If you’re new to travel, I would recommend choosing areas of the world that are more developed, at least at first. Ease into the ‘hard’ stuff.
Why do you like to travel?
I like to travel because it gives me freedom to create my own schedule and to experience the world on my own terms. I can be the master of my own fate and meet some amazing people at the same time.
Why did you decide to take this trip?
I’ve spent the last 2 years trying to cram European vacations into 2 weeks and decided that I’m tired of doing “short” trips to far-away places. It was really time to do another long-haul jaunt.
2026 Context
- Budget inflation: This traveler's original budget of USD 20,000 would equate to approximately USD 35,900 in 2026 purchasing power, reflecting roughly 80% inflation over the intervening years.