Dreaming of exploring the world? A round the world trip is an amazing opportunity to see new places, meet new people, do fun things and change your outlook on life.
But with so many places you could go, where is best to include on your itinerary and what are some of the most popular activities to do?
View our ultimate guide to taking a round the world trip with ideas and recommendations for where to go, what to do and some important tips so you enjoy a really incredible experience.
Best Places to Visit on a Round the World Trip
Are you wondering where to go on a round the world trip? This is a really difficult decision and What countries you visit on a round the world adventure really depends on where you are departing from, your personal interests, budget and how much time you have available.
A popular route can include Europe, Africa, Thailand, Oceania, South America, North America, then returning to Europe (if you live in Europe).
Below we have put together a list of suggested things to do on a round the world trip with popular destinations. This might be able to give you ideas of where to include on the flight ticket.
Popular Round the World Flight Itinerary
This is a popular and affordable round the world itinerary with stops that allow you to explore more of the regions you visit:
London > Bangkok > Sydney > Los Angeles > London
This itinerary includes four stops and be aware the more flights you add the more expensive the price of the ticket is. Also remember if you choose a flexible ticket which allows changes to be made to the schedule this will usually increase the price.
Usually if you want add Africa or South America to your itinerary, this can put the price much higher, but if you dream of visiting these destinations just pay the higher price.
You can also mix your trip up with flights and also travelling overland. For example, if you want an epic adventure you could include a stop off in an amazing city like Rio de Janiero, then travel discovering the highlights of South America, and working your way overland all the way up through Central America and then have your next flight booked out of somewhere like Mexico City, Los Angeles or New York.
One slightly extended round the world flight ticket we recommend includes this itinerary:
London > Bangkok > Sydney > Auckland > Fiji > Hawaii > Los Angeles > London
Best Things to Do on a Round the World Trip
There are so many amazing places to go on a round the world trip, and below we have included some activities we recommend. We have probably missed some incredible countries and activities, but we think you won’t regret doing these things.
Island Hopping in Thailand
Thailand is a beautiful country with so many adventures for travellers. There are so many beautiful islands in Thailand and spending a few weeks discovering the southern region of the country will stay with your forever. Popular islands to visit include Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Koh Tao and Koh Phanan.
Volunteer with Elephants in Thailand
Volunteering abroad is a really popular activity to do and there are thousands of opportunities around the world. But not many compare to help out at an elephant sanctuary in Thailand. These creatures are intelligent and special, and you will learn so much about them when volunteering in Thailand.
See Sunrise Angkor Wat in Cambodia
Angkor Wat is a really special temple complex located close to the popular city of Siem Reap. Angor Wat has been a essential place to visit in south east Asia and was brought to the worlds attention in the Hollywood blockbuster film Tomb Raider. There are so many temples located here you can easily spend a day or longer see them all. Watching sunrise or sunset over Angor Wat is highly recommended.
Sail Ha Long Bay in Vietnam
Vietnam is a really popular destination with a stunning coastline. There are so many highlights of Vietnam and Ha Long Bay is one of the most spectacular natural wonders in the world, and somewhere you need to see. Located in the north of the country close to the city of Hanoi, you can book cruises of Ha Long Bay to see huge limestone rocks formations jutting out from the ocean.
Relax in Bali
Bali has long been a popular island with foreigners, both budget backpackers and luxury holidaymakers alike. Bali has everything, temples, beaches, bars, clubs, spas and more. There are so many amazing things to do in Bali, if you have never tried yoga, scuba diving or surfing, then this is a great place to try.
Travel the East Coast of Australia
Is there a better travel destination in Oceania than the east coast of Australia? We struggle to name one. There are lots of places to visit in Australia, this country is huge and very spread out, but you have to stop off not the east coast. Sydney is a great city to fly into and then travel north up the coastline to Cairns. Highlights along the way include seeing the Great Barrier Reef, Fraser Island, Whitsunday Islands, Brisbane, Surfers Paradise and Byron Bay. Whether you travel by car, bus, camper van or overland tour, you will be sure to have the trip of your life.
Go in Search of Adventure in New Zealand
New Zealand is a tiny country when you look on a map, but this is the adventure capital of the world with so many different options for thrill seekers. Popular options include skiing, snowboarding, bungee jumping, canyon swings, sky diving, white water rafting, mountain biking and more. There are options all over the country but Queenstown on the South Island is a our top rated places to go. This city is specatacular.
Beaches in Fiji
Fiji is one of the most laid back countries in the world with some of the most welcoming and hospitable people you can meet on the planet. If you are planning to visit Australia or New Zealand, then a stop off in Fiji is almost essential thing to do. This country has so many beautiful islands and beaches, you will fall in love with the pace of life and never want to leave.
Safari in South Africa
A safari really is a bucket list adventure and one of the most special experiences when you see exotic animals in their natural habitat, rather than on tv or YouTube. Although there are lots of amazing safari destinations in Africa, not many compare to South Africa. There are lots of incredible places in South Africa, and for wildlife the Kruger National Park is one of the most popular tourism attractions. Here you can see elephants, rhinos, tigers, lions and giraffes – and lots of animals!
Explore Rio de Janeiro
If South America is calling your name then you have to put Brazil on your itinerary. This country is huge, and is home to Rio de Janeiro which is one of the most spectacular cities in the world. Rio is everything you might of thought about and more, beaches, beautiful people, football, sun, parties and more.
Climb Machu Picchu in Peru
Machu Picchu is undoubtedly one of the highlights of South America, an alluring and iconic travel destination which really needs to be visited once in your life. There are lots of tours to Machu Picchu, you can choose to travel by train, or do a hiking trip which takes in some stunning locations on route.
Celeb Spotting in Los Angeles
The USA is one of the most popular gap year destinations, and a great stop off for any round the world itinerary. Los Angeles is one of the most connected cities in the world and this is usually a perfect stop off if you are coming from South America or Oceania. California has so many highlights from Venice beach, San Francisco to trying to see your favourite celebrities in Hollywood. From LA you could explore other amazing places in the United States like the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas or go on an epic road trip of Route 66.
Round the World Trip Advice
Here are some top tips if you are thinking about taking a round the world trip.
• If you are in full time work and are considering a career break to see the world, get a clear idea of dates as far ahead as possible so you can work out when to depart and how long you can be away for.
• Try to put together a rough itinerary with a list of places you really want to visit. This can really help to shape an itinerary.
• If you are worried about travelling solo, consider going for an organised tour. There are lots of tour companies offering trips for 18 – 35 year olds and older travellers to destinations all over the world. Some last a few days, whilst others you can join for months.
• Be flexible, something having a flexible schedule allows you to travel without rushing and then spending time at places you like for longer
• Try to save as much money as possible before departing, the more money you have the longer your trip can last. You will also be able to afford a much better quality of accommodation and transport comfort.
• If you don’t have much money saved, you could consider different options like working abroad. There are lots of short term jobs and working holidays available all around the world, some of which include accommodation which can help keep costs down.
• If you are going to be visiting places where English isn’t the first language, then be sure to download a language learning app or take classes to pick up at least the very basic of the destination language. This is not only polite, it will really help make travelling abroad easier.
Hopefully our suggestions have given you some ideas and inspiration for where to go and what to do. If you are lucky enough to have the time, money and flexibility to do a round the world trip, go for it. You won’t regret it.
