Claire Fayers is a 28-year-old communications coordinator from Canada who set off on a round-the-world trip in 2003. She and her boyfriend planned the trip to start and end in London, since his family lives in Northern Ireland; the Canada and U.K. legs were not part of the RTW ticket.
The Snapshot
- Departure: 2003
- Age at departure: 28
- Nationality: Canada
- Location: Canada
- Duration: Not specified
- Occupation: Communications coordinator (communications manager after the trip)
- Original budget: USD 20,000 (approximately USD 35,900 in 2026 dollars)
- Regions: North America, Europe, Oceania, Southeast Asia
The Route
In Their Words
Here's what Claire Fayers shared about their RTW journey:
Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
My partner and I both thought about traveling before we met. I was going to go to the U.K. for a year and he was thinking of teaching and travelling in Asia. When we met we started researching the possibilities and came up with a great itinerary that allowed us to work and travel.
Who is the most memorable person you met on your trip and why?
We met a great crew of people while kiwi-fruit pruning in the Bay of Plenty in New Zealand. Our Hungarian friend kept us in stitches the whole time. He’d ask me to sing Spice Girl songs all the time.
How did your round-the-world trip change your life? How did it affect and change you as a person?
In so many ways… My relationship with my boyfriend was put to the ultimate test - and survived. I met so many amazing people and I gained new philosophical, spiritual and emotional wisdom from the every land and culture. I’m no longer looking at decisions and events from purely a “Canadian” context anymore either.
2026 Context
- Budget inflation: This traveler's original budget of USD 20,000 would equate to approximately USD 35,900 in 2026 purchasing power, reflecting roughly 80% inflation over the intervening years.