Timothy Kingshott completed an around-the-world journey starting in 1999. Their experiences across multiple continents reshaped how they see the world and travel.
Snapshot
- Departure: 1999
- Age: 27
- Budget: USD 15,000 (USD 15,000, or USD 29,700 in 2026 dollars)
- Location: Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
- Occupation: Before your trip:Seasonal Contract Worker
The Route
We started in New Zealand, flew to Australia, than to Singapore. We went overland to Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, and Laos. We went back to Singapore and flew to Nepal where we spent two months, before moving on to India. We flew to Turkey then to the U.K. and finally ended up in Norway.
In Their Words
Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
I had been travelling a lot before I metMari. She and I met while working a contract for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. While we were dating I worked contracts in Alaska, Mexico, and one in Madagascar. When she finished her university degree we decided to get married, save some cash and travel the globe.
What is your advice for people planning their own RTW trip?
Don’t worry about money and planning, just buy your tickets and go. Drop me a line while you’re there.
What is the biggest myth that people have about round-the-world traveling?
There is a myth that you will have a very difficult time getting around, and you have to book all accommodation from home before you leave. This is nonsense. Just go, meet other travellers, eat and sleep wherever you end up.
How did your round-the-world trip change your life? How did it affect and change you as a person?
I think the biggest change was the way people want to talk to us about travel. Many people want us to summarize our trip in 5 minutes or less. I think the biggest change is how I see life. I always want to be back on the road, and I get really, really restless if I see a travel film or read a travelogue.
If you had to sum up your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
I would do it again in a heartbeat.
2026 Context
- European travel has become significantly more expensive, with accommodation and transport costs rising across the continent.
- Open borders within the Schengen area remain consistent, but Brexit has added complexity for UK travelers.
- Southeast Asia backpacker infrastructure has grown significantly, with better accommodation standards and higher prices than in the early 2000s.