Round the World Travel: The Complete Planning Guide
RTW Guides(584)
The BootsnAll TripPlanner
The BootsnAll TripPlanner helps you plan your round-the-world route systematically. Start with regions, add countries, estimate timing and costs, and finalize your itinerary. Planning makes travel organized and less stressful.
The First-time Traveller
First-time long-term travelers often worry excessively about things that won't actually be problems and overlook practical basics. This guide addresses real concerns, gives you permission to stop worrying about invented ones, and sets realistic expectations for your first extended trip.
The First-time Traveller (3 of 4)
Minimal, smart packing transforms travel from exhausting logistics to actual enjoyment. Pack less than you think you need, focus on versatile items, and accept that you'll do laundry frequently. Learn the gear strategy that experienced travelers use.
The First-time Traveller (4 of 4)
Complete the first-time traveler guide with final practical essentials: personal items, safety gear, and specific recommendations for what actually belongs in your pack. These items round out your preparation.
The Next Question
The State of RTW Travel in 2000
RTW travel in 2000 was dramatically different from 2026 - fewer travelers, slower planning, limited internet, costlier flights, harder accommodation booking, no Instagram documentation, slower information access. Understanding how much has changed helps contextualize both improvements (cheap flights, instant communication, vast resources) and challenges (overcrowding, Instagram tourism). The fundamentals remain unchanged - you still need time, money, and flexibility - but the execution has transformed completely.
The State of RTW Travel in 2012
Declining: iconic RTW experiences have become overtouristed, visa processes in some countries have tightened, and costs have risen substantially. Rising: diverse traveler backgrounds and demographics, remote work options, accessible routes and resources, and alternative destinations gaining popularity. RTW travel in 2026 is simultaneously more accessible (cheap flights, easy bookings) and more challenging (crowding, prices, visa restrictions). Understanding these shifts helps you plan strategically - choosing destinations before they become Instagram saturation points, building in flexibility as geopolitical situations change, and being strategic about timing.