Brent Holmen is a 46-year-old teacher from Canada who set off on a round-the-world trip in 2004 with his family.
The Snapshot
- Departure: 2004
- Age at departure: 46
- Nationality: Canada
- Location: Canada
- Duration: A few weeks
- Occupation: Teacher
- Original budget: "Not enough!" (not specified)
- Regions: North America, Southeast Asia, Oceania, South Asia, Africa, Europe
The Route
In Their Words
Here's what Brent Holmen shared about their RTW journey:
Is this job one that you actually like, or are you only doing it to pay for the trip?
It’s my career.
Have you traveled around the world before?
No.
Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
We have always wanted to take year off from our teaching positions to travel to various places in the world with our kids. We also get to be their teachers for the year too.
What is your biggest fear about this trip?
Because this involves our children we are particularly concerned about the possibilities of terrorism or disease.
Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc., supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the world?
Most are wholly supportive but a few have wondered if we have taken leave of our senses. Some cannot understand why we would risk such a large financial commitment on a “holiday”.
How much planning and preparing have you done?
Just Enough.
What are you packing? What do you consider your most indispensable item(s)?
Very little. Each of us gets one 26-inch wheel bag with handle grip. A camera and journal will be invaluable.
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?
I expect that it will give each of us some much-needed perspective and a real taste of the various cultures in our world.
If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
Excited!
2026 Context
- Budget inflation: This traveler described the budget only as "not enough" and did not give a figure; early-2000s round-the-world costs are substantially higher in 2026, reflecting roughly 70–80% cumulative inflation.