John Sanders – Around-the-World Traveler

John Sanders is a 28-year-old television producer from the USA who set off on a round-the-world trip in 2002.

The Snapshot

• Departure: 2002
• Age at departure: 28
• Nationality: USA
• Duration: 1-2 years
• Occupation: Television Producer
• Budget: Not specified
• Regions: Central America, South America, Africa, Europe, Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia

The Route

South from the USA through Mexico and Central America to South America. Fly possibly Buenos Aires to Johannesburg, then overland to Ethiopia and somewhere in East Africa. Overland through Mauritania and Morocco to Europe, then through much of Europe to Istanbul, fly to Delhi, overland through India and Nepal. Fly Kathmandu to Yangon for Myanmar, then Yangon to Bangkok to live out the rest of the money in Southeast Asia — though it was all likely to change from day one.

In Their Words

Here's what John Sanders 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.

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

I’d always wanted to take a couple of months off and travel through Europe. Then I realized I could just quit my job and take as long as I wanted.

What is your biggest fear about this trip?

I won’t be as happy as I hope.

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 dunno. I don’t think you can know. When I finished hiking 500 miles of the Appalachian Trail a few years ago, I didn’t think I’d changed much at all. With a few years’ perspective, now it’s very clear how I changed.

If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?

After saving for two-plus years, it’s about damn time.

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?

I don’t know that all people should. In fact, it’d kinda suck if that happened. For some, the regular old one- or two-week vacation is great. If that satisfies one’s urge to travel, great for them. They’ll have nicer cars, clothes, and houses than me. Some of us, though, aren’t satiated by 10 days in Orlando.

2026 Context

• Budget inflation: This traveler did not specify a budget; early-2000s round-the-world costs are substantially higher in 2026, reflecting roughly 84% cumulative inflation since the 2002 departure.