April Lynn Evans – Around-the-World Traveler

April Lynn Evans is a 27-year-old elementary school teacher from Orange County, California, USA, who set off on a round-the-world trip in 2003.

The Snapshot

• Departure: 2003
• Age at departure: 27
• Nationality: USA
• Location: Orange County, California, USA
• Duration: 6-12 months
• Occupation: Elementary school teacher
• Original budget: Not specified
• Regions: Europe, Southeast Asia, Oceania, South America, Central America

The Route

LA to Chicago (4 days) to New York (2 days) to Ireland to England, Wales, Belgium, France, Italy, Greece, ??? (1½ months) to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam (2 months) to Bali (4 days) to Australia (1 month) to New Zealand (3 weeks) to LA (4 days) to Brazil to Costa Rica (South and Central America for 4 months).

In Their Words

Here's what April Lynn Evans shared about their RTW journey:

Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?

Last summer I met a female RTW traveler in Westport, Ireland. She had been on the road for a year and had a few months to go. She was very inspirational for me and planted the seed for my trip. That same summer I met up with another RTW traveler in Italy who further inspired me. I moved back home with my parents, worked extra jobs, and saved my money to make it all possible.

Why do you think people should go on round-the-world trips? Why not just take a regular old one- or two-week vacation instead?

One or two week vacations are great for escaping the daily ho hum of life, but longer trips provide enough time to explore, experience, and feel as though you belong in a particular country – if you allow yourself to immerse into a culture.

How do you think your round-the-world trip will change your life? How do you think it will affect and change you as a person?

It will hopefully build my character and provide more experiences to shape myself into the person I strive to be.

What is the biggest myth that people have about round-the-world traveling?

Leaving the life that you have worked hard to establish full of family and friends. My thinking is that it will all be here when I get back.

What is your advice for people planning their own RTW trip?

Don’t let anyone tell you it’s not possible. Pick your own destinations and length of time in each place. Start saving money!

2026 Context

• Budget inflation: This traveler's original budget was not recorded in the profile, but early-2000s round-the-world costs are substantially higher in 2026, reflecting roughly 70–80% cumulative inflation over the intervening years.