How do you set up an itinerary for a world tour ?
A round-the-world trip is the dream of anyone who loves to travel and discover new cultures and sensational landscapes, but above all wants to take their time without the rush of a 15-day vacation. But deciding which itinerary to follow in such a vast world can be difficult. In this article, we'll give you some pointers on how to create your own itinerary, and we'll also give you a concrete example of a round-the-world trip, the stages of which we'll be following in future articles.
1. Make a list of your priorities
- Which countries or regions have you been dreaming of visiting for a long time?
- What kinds of activities are you most passionate about (hiking, diving, urban exploration, etc.)?
- Do you have any particular cultural or artistic interests?
- Do you prefer well-established destinations or more remote, off-the-beaten-track locations?
Answering these questions will help you draw up a list of potential destinations.
If you're going away with several people, make your own list and then cross-reference them.
2. Take the seasons into account
The season has a significant impact on your itinerary. Some destinations are best at certain times of the year because of the climate, festivals or seasonal activities. Once you've made your list of countries, check out sites like ...to see if you can string them together logically and still have pleasant weather. Avoid monsoons in certain countries, for example!
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3. Draw up a general itinerary
Once you've identified your priorities and taken the seasons into account, start sketching out a general itinerary. Think about the direction you want to take, whether it's west to east, east to west, north to south, or vice versa. This will then enable you to estimate how long you plan to stay in each country, and to make a final selection, as you'll soon realize that if you really want to make the most of your trip, it's better to make fewer stops but discover each destination in depth (we recommend a minimum stay of 1 month).
5. Adapt Your Itinerary to Administrative Formalities
Don't forget about administrative formalities, including visas, vaccinations and health requirements specific to each destination. Plan your itinerary carefully to avoid visa and health problems that could jeopardize your trip. You can make a quick checklist for each destination and especially note the dates on which you'll need to apply for a VISA, for example, to make sure you're on time.
6. Stay flexible - that's the advantage of a round-the-world trip!
While planning is essential, it's just as important to be flexible. Had you planned for 1 month in Australia, but you've still got the whole Outback to discover? Don't hesitate to change your itinerary along the way, if you discover new places or feel like extending your stay in a particularly enchanting location. If you opt for a round-the-world air ticket, travel agencies offer the possibility of changing tickets, often at no extra cost. If you buy your tickets as you go along, no worries.
Example of an 11-month round-the-world itinerary
For this round-the-world trip, we're going from West to East:
Latin America (3 months): Chile - Bolivia - Argentina - Chile - Easter Island
Oceania (3 months): French Polynesia - New Caledonia - New Zealand - Australia
Asia (5 months) : Malaysia - Singapore - Indonesia (4 islands) - Brunei - Nepal
The advantage of this itinerary is that it avoids peak tourist periods, while the seasons are pleasant in each of the destinations visited.
Anne & Olivier