HOW DO I TRAVEL THE WORLD? HOW?!?

Question

I am 18 years old, and I NEED to see this big, beautiful world that is around me. I have been to Africa for two weeks on a missions trip and that started a fire in my soul that needs to be put out! I can't marry, go to a 4 year college, or have kids UNTIL I do this. Ever since I was little I have had this urgent feeling to see the world around me. I want to travel Europe and go EVERYWHERE. I dont just want to see the tourist attractions... I want to meet the locals, go to the best little resturants no one knows about, and really gain a knowladge about the world around me. If I don't do this now, I will regret it forever. I would sleep on the ground and give up eating if only I could see other countries! I know I would learn SO much about life, and about myself... I can't not do this. I just got a new job at a bank that pays very well so I am starting to save up. My question for all you out there who have had this opportunity is this: Where did you travel to? What was the best part? What are your suggestions for an 18 year old girl traveling the world (I wouldn't be alone)? What should I expect to spend the most money on? The best hostels? Any local secrets? I want to know any and EVERYTHING that I can about this beautiful place God has made!

Help me! How should I save my money? Is a year too long to travel? Or too short? Six months? What?!

All I know is that I can not and will not settle down and feel fullfilled unless I do this. I HAVE to! And I'm going to!

Answer 1

You probably could get through alot on about 5 grand for around 6-9 months, it will cost you more if you go to multiple continents so depends on what you want to do you could go your way through South America or go From Russia- Scandinavia and down through Europe, South East asia up to mongolia and then russia could be done and asia is cheap. Trust me if your smart you can do it cheap, don't go on tours, stay in small cheap backpackers, work along the way, have a look on couchsurfing.com to save money and meet people, Don't do the big tourist things they cost too much find your own adventure and its cheap. Save as much as you can as soon as possible, ebay all of your belongings if you need to, get an extra job for a couple of months.

Make sure you go, you will regret it down the track.

Answer 2

Take plenty of socks, undies and money (and a camera). Save as much as you can, leave enough for a ticket home in your bank, and go. The various travel book franchises (Lonely Planet and Rough Guide) will give you a good start on budgeting costs in various places, but borrow them from the library, or visit their websites rather than spending your travel money on them.

Vietnam is brilliant and cheap. India is a total assault on the senses. Egypt can be cheap. Australia and my homeland, New Zealand, are fabulous. Europe is expensive but overnight trains can combine travel and accomodation costs in one and camping can keep the bills reasonable. Everyone is different but for what it's worth, I've had 2 'world' trips (and quite a few shorter ones) starting with a 20-country jaunt when I was about 22 years old; and I've found 6 months is great but I tire after that. However, you can always stop somewhere, find a flat and get a job and 'rest up' that way.

By the way, the feeling of 'needing to see the world' never seems to leave. I'm 54 now and can't stop planning the next trip. Good luck.

Answer 3

If you want a great place to meet locals and see the most beautiful places on this earth, I would suggest England and Ireland. I went to Ireland for a week and England for another week. Ireland was amazing! It would take years to see all that Ireland has to offer. There are many little towns that are friendly and you get a real taste of culture. We rented a car and traveled from Limerick down to the Killarney. Just imagine driving and seeing castles and beautiful cliff sides. The cliffs of Moher are gorgeous. It rains there all the time, but its a cool mist and it just adds to the background. That is what it was like. We ended our trip in Dublin. Beautiful city with friendly people.Ireland is full of little restaurants and little things here and there. Then we went to London from Dublin. London itself, is like any other big city. However, it has the British Museum and so much more to see and do. While in England, I visited Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and the City of Bath. It was a site where the Romans built spas. They have it so you can see the actual baths and ruins, it was awesome. The entire trip, which was in 2007, cost two of us, around 2500.00 dollars. Trust me, one year traveling, is too short. You will see a lot but then it will only open your eyes to more and more. I hope this helped, if you have any more question, feel free to ask. Goodluck

Answer 4

My aunt is going to go "backpacking" through Europe. There's this program where she travels through Europe and stays a month in a European country doing work there, then moves to another country for a month doing new work. It lasts for a year and I believe its nearly free. Look up backpacking Europe on google and you can find different programs that do this. Sorry I know don't know about any specific programs.

Answer 5

This is my exact question. & I cant wait until I figure it all out. Ive wanted to do this my whole life, and I WILL. :)