Sarah Bundick was 22 years old when planning their round-the-world journey in 2006. Based in Los Angeles, USA, Sarah was working as research scientist before embarking on their adventure. About the journey, Sarah shared, "Last fall I took a 2.5 month trip to Europe and absolutely fell in love with traveling. After hearing other travelers’ stories about their rtw trips, I decided that that Europe wasn’t enough for me. I wanted to go on a rtw trip too. Why be jealous of other peoples’ trips when I can take my own?"
The Snapshot
Age: 22
Nationality: USA
Duration: 6-12 months
Budget: USD 8,000 (approximately 13100 USD in 2026)
Departure: 2006
The Route
Regions: Europe, Southeast Asia
LA to Bangkok; overland through Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia; Bangkok to Kathmandu or Kolkata; overland to Delhi; Delhi to Athens or Istanbul; overland through Eastern Europe; overland(?) to the south of France; overland northward through France (maybe on foot?); Paris to Dublin; overland through Ireland; Dublin to London; London to LA (all subject to change of course. what’s the fun of having everything planned out?)
Spanning multiple continents, Sarah's itinerary covered europe, southeast asia, offering exposure to diverse cultures, landscapes, and travel experiences.
Note: This interview was conducted in 2006. The travel landscape, accommodation costs, transportation infrastructure, visa requirements, and accessibility have evolved significantly by 2026.
In Their Words
Q: How long do you plan to be away?
6-12 Months
Q: How much have you saved?
$8,000
Q: What is the route you plan to take/places you plan to visit?
LA to Bangkok; overland through Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia; Bangkok to Kathmandu or Kolkata; overland to Delhi; Delhi to Athens or Istanbul; overland through Eastern Europe; overland(?) to the south of France; overland northward through France (maybe on foot?); Paris to Dublin; overland through Ireland; Dublin to London; London to LA (all subject to change of course. what’s the fun of having everything planned out?)
Q: Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
Last fall I took a 2.5 month trip to Europe and absolutely fell in love with traveling. After hearing other travelers’ stories about their rtw trips, I decided that that Europe wasn’t enough for me. I wanted to go on a rtw trip too. Why be jealous of other peoples’ trips when I can take my own?
Q: What is your biggest fear about this trip?
That I will run out of money and have to come home early.
Q: Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc., supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the world?
My friends are super supportive (and jealous.). My parents, not so much. They think that I have spent enough money “gallivanting” overseas already and that I shouldn’t be putting off graduate school “just for a vacation.”
2026 Context
- This profile reflects round-the-world travel perspectives from the mid-2000s. The original budget of USD 8,000 would require approximately 13100 USD in 2026 when accounting for inflation and increased travel costs.
- The destinations and routes mentioned have experienced significant changes in accommodation costs, transportation infrastructure, visa policies, and overall accessibility to travelers.
- The RTW travel community, available travel tools, digital connectivity, and shared travel resources have evolved considerably over the past two decades, creating both new opportunities and challenges for contemporary travelers.