My first stop on this journey? Figuring out the best way to actually go around the world. From all the advice I've read, there seem to be 3 main options:
1) Buy a Round-the-World ticket from a major airline alliance, such as OneWorld or Star Alliance, which basically require that you actually go around the world (one pacific and one atlantic crossing - must keep going in a single direction) and charge by the mileage level you expect to use.
2) Use a travel agency that specializes in round-the-world itineraries to plan and book flights across all available airlines - which is apparently cheaper than option 1, but also less flexible, plus you don't earn as many of those sweet, sweet frequent flyer miles.
3) Book flights as you go - buying your next flight(s) from the location you're in. Apparently it's much cheaper to buy flights once you are abroad, and this obviously gives a lot of flexibility, but also requires better budgeting.
So far, I find the Star Alliance option most compelling - they have the most partner airlines, and thus, what seems to be the most flight choices. Also, the price in coach seems to fall around $4-5k for the 10 stops I've used as a sample, so far. Not bad. Plus, could use the United miles I'll earn to plan my follow-up trip.
On to the next step...
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Earth, I Hardly Know Ye
The World.
It's a big place.
Or so I've heard.
Frankly, I wouldn't know. Though I travel constantly, it generally consists of flying back and forth over North America in pursuit of that next great meeting, slice of pizza or haircut (if you know me, you know that's true - sadly).
And so, my friends, I have embarked on a journey. At the moment, it is a journey of the mind and spirit - but if it sticks it out, and appropriately navigates through the grey matter - it should ultimately become a journey of the body, as well. (No, not that kind of journey of the body - let's focus here)
I'm talking about a 'Round-the-World trip. The type where you sell/store your possessions, don a backpack, and hit the open skies, road, land, water, etc. until you run out of steam or money. People who know me will scoff - "John, after 2 days at a hostel you'll be seeking out the nearest Four Seasons", "John, plasma TVs don't fit in a backpack", "John, without a job, won't you cease to exist?", "John, must you keep typing quotes to yourself?". And to all of those (except the last one) I say, that is exactly the point. You see, I'm too comfortable - I make a good living, I live in a nice place, I have a good job - and though I certainly don't take any of it for granted, I do worry that it's lulling me into inaction. I will not go down without a fight.
Today, the planning begins. I've decided on a 3-4 month window of travel. I've decided on a target timeframe (more on that later). I've decided on a general path - which I'm sure will change a hundred times. And, I've decided that while I'd like to go with someone, I'm probably doing this one solo. Lastly, I've decided that since it's easy to talk about this and never do it - a blog is the perfect way to keep the pressure on... and if you stick it out with me, it's also the perfect way to follow my trip when it happens.
I start with a fair bit of flying experience, some 10th grade geography, some 9th grade francais, and not much else - so as I learn, so will this blog.
Onward!
It's a big place.
Or so I've heard.
Frankly, I wouldn't know. Though I travel constantly, it generally consists of flying back and forth over North America in pursuit of that next great meeting, slice of pizza or haircut (if you know me, you know that's true - sadly).
And so, my friends, I have embarked on a journey. At the moment, it is a journey of the mind and spirit - but if it sticks it out, and appropriately navigates through the grey matter - it should ultimately become a journey of the body, as well. (No, not that kind of journey of the body - let's focus here)
I'm talking about a 'Round-the-World trip. The type where you sell/store your possessions, don a backpack, and hit the open skies, road, land, water, etc. until you run out of steam or money. People who know me will scoff - "John, after 2 days at a hostel you'll be seeking out the nearest Four Seasons", "John, plasma TVs don't fit in a backpack", "John, without a job, won't you cease to exist?", "John, must you keep typing quotes to yourself?". And to all of those (except the last one) I say, that is exactly the point. You see, I'm too comfortable - I make a good living, I live in a nice place, I have a good job - and though I certainly don't take any of it for granted, I do worry that it's lulling me into inaction. I will not go down without a fight.
Today, the planning begins. I've decided on a 3-4 month window of travel. I've decided on a target timeframe (more on that later). I've decided on a general path - which I'm sure will change a hundred times. And, I've decided that while I'd like to go with someone, I'm probably doing this one solo. Lastly, I've decided that since it's easy to talk about this and never do it - a blog is the perfect way to keep the pressure on... and if you stick it out with me, it's also the perfect way to follow my trip when it happens.
I start with a fair bit of flying experience, some 10th grade geography, some 9th grade francais, and not much else - so as I learn, so will this blog.
Onward!
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