Daniel W. – Around-the-World Traveler

Daniel W. is a 24-year-old from London, England, who quit his job and set off on a round-the-world trip in 2002.

The Snapshot

• Departure: 2002
• Age at departure: 24
• Nationality: England
• Location: London, England
• Duration: 1-2 years
• Occupation: Unemployed as of 5pm today
• Original budget: Not specified
• Regions: North America, Oceania

The Route

Fly to LA to catch up with people, then out to Rarotonga in the Cook Islands for a month or more, on to Fiji, then New Zealand, and finally Sydney, where he planned to work for a year or more depending on immigration – and after that, who knows.

In Their Words

Here's what Daniel W. shared about their RTW journey:

Why did you decide to take this trip?

I've asked myself a million times why. What in god's name possessed me to walk into STA Travel one day and buy a ticket to Oz. Why am I going? From one side I could tell you that I thought that if I was going to keep drinking in pubs, I may as well see some world while I'm at it. It could have been because I was sick and tired of working my butt off trying to forge a career and lost the fight. But honestly, its a combination of a million things, most of which I can't count. But most importantly it's never ever felt like the wrong thing to do.

What are you packing? What do you consider your most indispensable item(s)?

My camera. Everything else? Well, I've had to carry most of my living possessions round with me this month anyway as I've been bunking on friends' floors. If there's one thing I know, 65 litres of backpack is enough. Period. Most of what's in there is coming out when I get back to the folks'.

Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc., supportive of you?

Well, it took a while to get my family on board, but most of them are behind me. My father's helped no end. As for my friends, they said "If you don't go, having talked so much about it, we'll lynch you." 'Nuff said.

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

Don't procrastinate. I spent 4 years wishing and about 40 minutes from leaving the front door to changing my life entirely. I did that entire trip on autopilot. I just knew this was the time.

Why do you think people should go on round-the-world trips?

Personally? I've not taken a holiday abroad (out of immediate EC) in 9 years, and I've worked my ass off. That's enough reason for me. For anyone else? Hey, its whatever floats your boat!

2026 Context

• Budget inflation: This traveler did not specify a budget, but early-2000s round-the-world costs are substantially higher in 2026 (roughly 75–85% cumulative inflation since 2002).