Perry and Joyce Brooks are retired travelers from Arkansas, USA, who set off on a round-the-world trip in 2007, aiming to hit every continent in 80 days.
The Snapshot
- Departure: 2007
- Age at departure: 60
- Nationality: USA
- Location: Arkansas, USA
- Duration: 1-6 months
- Occupation: Retired
- Original budget: USD 15,000 (approximately USD 22,500 in 2026 dollars)
In Their Words
Here's what Perry and Joyce Brooks shared about their RTW journey:
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 traveled to Europe and Africa.
What is your biggest fear about this trip?
None.
Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc., supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the world?
Very supportive.
How much planning and preparing have you done?
To the Nth degree.
What are you packing? What do you consider your most indispensable item(s)?
Casual clothes – nothing indispensable.
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?
Get a broader view of the peoples of the world.
If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
We are very excited and will do much reading and planning over the next 2 years.
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?
It’s important to see and understand the world. As Americans, we tend to be too narrow about other people of the world.
What is the biggest myth that people have about round-the-world traveling?
Get too tired; fear unrest and terrorism.
Why do you like to travel?
Get to see places that we have read about.
What is your advice for people planning their own RTW trip?
Study, study, study – plan and save.
2026 Context
- Budget inflation: This traveler's original budget of USD 15,000 would equate to approximately USD 22,500 in 2026 purchasing power, reflecting roughly 50% inflation over the intervening years.