The Snapshot
- Departure: 2003
- Age at departure: 74
- Duration: 6-12 months
- Budget: enough
- Regions: Europe, South America, Oceania
The Route
Europe – South America – Australia – Vancouver.
2026 note: Route information from early 2000s travel planning; current conditions may differ.
In Their Words
When do you leave?
October 2003
How long do you plan to be away?
6-12 months
How much have you saved?
enough
How old are you?
74
Nationality?
Canadian
Where do you live now?
Canada
Occupation
Retired
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.
What is the route you plan to take/places you plan to visit?
Europe – South America – Australia – Vancouver
Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
At 74 it is hard to know how many more travel years one has, so why not consolidate 3 or 4 trips into one?
What is your biggest fear about this trip?
That it will be too expensive.
Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc., supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the world?
They are used to our travelling, and we don’t much care what their opinion is.
How much planning and preparing have you done?
Just Enough
What are you packing? What do you consider your most indispensable item(s)?
Passports, tickets, comfortable shoes
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?
We will likely come back more fit because of not having a car. We acquire new ideas from the new cultures we encounter.
If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
While we have certain concerns about remaining healthy, the prospect is exciting.
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?
Not everyone should go on an around the world trip. Those who are looking for a restful vacation would be an example. If you like to travel, however, you can see more on a RTW trip than you can see on several one-destination trips.
Why do you like to travel?
I don’t know.
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This profile was originally published on BootsnAll. Budget figures have been adjusted for 2026 context.