Around the World Travel Guide

Skip the Jewelry

SkyTeam Round the World Pass RTW Ticket

Even before Continental Airlines switched from the SkyTeam airline alliance to the Star Alliance, the SkyTeam Round the World Pass was not the top choice among RTW tickets offered by airline alliances. Still, when you're comparing round the world tickets it's always good to know about all your opt

Sleeping Bags Are No-Nos

Sleeping Bags, yes or no?

Smaller Guidebook Companies

South America

South America combines dramatic landscapes (Andes, Amazon, Atacama) with vibrant cities and strong traveler infrastructure. Expect high-altitude adventures, incredible food, and affordable travel if you skip Brazil and Argentina, where costs have risen.

Southeast Asia RTW

Stacy Messer – Around-the-World Traveler

Star Alliance RTW Ticket

Staying Active In The Community Now That You're Home

Staying Connected

Staying connected while traveling is simultaneously easier and harder than years past. Easier: every country has internet, cheap SIM cards provide data, and real-time communication is ubiquitous. Harder: constant connectivity removes the escape and forces response expectations. Most RTW travelers benefit from intentional boundaries - specific times for checking messages, understanding which devices you're carrying, and being explicit with people about response expectations. Some travelers embrace always-on; others maintain limited connectivity for genuine escape. Both approaches work depending on your needs.

Staying Healthy While Traveling Long Term

RTW travel stresses your immune system from day one - planes are bacteria farms, new foods mean different microbiomes, and exhaustion lowers immunity. You'll probably get sick at least once. Smart travelers plan for this: sleep enough, eat somewhat consistently, stay hydrated, keep basic medications (electrolyte packets, imodium, pain relievers), and recognize symptoms early. Antibiotics don't work for viral infections (which cause most travel sickness), so your main defense is prevention and rest.