Tina Pruett completed an around-the-world journey starting in 2004. Their experiences across multiple continents reshaped how they see the world and travel.
Snapshot
- Departure: 2004
- Age: 23
- Budget: USD 14,000 (USD 14,000, or USD 24,500 in 2026 dollars)
- Location: San Francisco, USA
- Occupation: Before your trip:Office ManagerNow:Office Manager
The Route
I flew from San Francisco to London, visiting London and Bristol before flying to Dublin, Ireland. From there I went to Madrid, Segovia, and Barcellona. After leaving Spain I headed to Carcasonne, France en route to Paris. From Paris I went to Florence, Sorrento, Amalfi, Napples, Rome, and Venice. I left Italy for Vienna, Austria before heading to Budapest, Hungry, and Prauge in the Czech Republic. From there it was on to Berlin, before Amsterdam, and back to London for a few days before heading north to Edinburgh, flying to Paris again for a couple of days, and finally the Cinque Terre in Italy. At which point it was back to London via Milan to catch a flight to Bangkok, before heading south in Thailand to Koh Tao, Koh Phangnan, Krabi, and Koh Phi Phi. After regroupuing in Bangkok, I headed north again to Kanchanaburi and Chaing Mai. From Thailand i flew to Bali, traveled most of the island as well as the Gili islands in Lombok, before heading to Sydney Australia. From Sydney I flew up north to Cairns and worked my way down the east coast stopping in Airlie Beach, the Whitsundays, Hervey Bay, Fraser Island, Bryon Bay, and back to Syndey. From Sydney I flew to Christchurch, New Zealand and then onto Queenstown. Finally returning to San Francisco from Queenstown 5 1/2 months after my departure.
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 have worked in the box office at a festival called Burningman that takes place in the Nevada Desert for the last 2 years. The first year that I was working there, my supervisor was from the UK, and I was chatting with her about how I wanted to travel, and how I had no idea how to fit all the places I wanted to see in time or money wise. Despite extensive domestic travels and mutliple trips to Mexico in the past, I had never really traveled abroad. She was the one who told me about the airline alliances and RTW tickets, and upon returning home circumstances fell into place and my research had led me to a ticket that let me see many of the countries I had always wanted to visit. Almost on impulse, I put a deposit down on a ticket about 4 months before my planned departure.
What is your advice for people planning their own RTW trip?
Planning ahead is great, but the best part of traveling is to have the flexibility to change your itinerary. Be open to suggestions from other travelers or locals you meet along the way. Some of my favorite places were places that I had not originally intended to go, but had learned about from the people I crossed paths with. And while guide books can be helpful, they are not the end all and be all. And more likely than not, will end up being dead weight in your pack.. Use them for your pre-trip reasearch, but don’t rely on them too much on the road.
What is the biggest myth that people have about round-the-world traveling?
That they cannot afford to do it. Many people think it is something that only the very privillaged can do, and that they will never save enough money or have enough time to do it. But the reality is, it is about priorities, and there are many ways that people can save more money by making that goal their priority. And unfortunately many people feel like they cannot leave their jobs or careers.. but what most people don’t realize it that they will likely find something similar or better when they return, and in the long run, will have gained so much more by leaving that they would be giving up in job opportunity by staying.
How did your round-the-world trip change your life? How did it affect and change you as a person?
It affected my life and who I am in so many ways it is impossible to give a simple answer. It made me reevaluate what i want and am looking for in life, and it changed my personal values. It gave me a greater understanding of other cultures, and of myself. It taught me to be more confident and outgoing, and more self-reliant.
If you had to sum up your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
The best thing i have ever done.
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.