Michelle Traylor is a 20-year-old travel agent from Littleborough, Lancashire, England, who set off on a round-the-world trip in 2007.
The Snapshot
- Departure: 2007
- Age at departure: 20
- Nationality: England
- Location: Littleborough, Lancashire, England
- Duration: 6-12 months
- Occupation: Travel agent
- Original budget: 3,000 (approximately USD 5,100 in 2026 dollars)
- Regions: Oceania
The Route
The Pacific islands, Australia, and New Zealand — not exactly sure yet.
In Their Words
Here's what Michelle Traylor 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.
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?
i have always wanted to travel, and i feel i am mature and responsible enough to do it. i want to see other places, learn new things and see how other people live.
What is your biggest fear about this trip?
getting lost and not finding somebody who can speak english! losing cash. spiders, tics.
Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc., supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the world?
go for it, u only live once!
How much planning and preparing have you done?
Just Enough.
What are you packing? What do you consider your most indispensable item(s)?
camera, toothbrush, insect repellent, those mosquitoes and all the many other bugs seem to like a nible at my skin!
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 think i will be a more knowledgeable person. i think from doing this i would want to then learn another language, as i think i may find this a struggle in some countries.
If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
i hope it’s the best thing i’ll ever do!
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?
because you cant get the real feel of other places in just two weeks, plus some places you may want to visit…
2026 Context
- Budget inflation: This traveler's original budget of 3,000 would equate to approximately USD 5,100 in 2026 purchasing power, reflecting roughly 70% inflation over the intervening years.