Round the World Trips

All trips included a complete circumnavigation of the globe in an eastbound direction. The first trip was exactly 30 days (hence the name of the site!). However, later trips were “approximately” 30 days depending on timing of flights, availability and generally how much time I had available to travel that year.

With the exception of RTW #10 (the honeymoon), each trip took place in the January-February time frame and became the perfect way to kick off the New Year! While many of these posts were written several years ago, all posts are updated regularly to keep the destination information as current as possible.

You’ll notice that as the years progressed I managed to make more and more time to extend the trips. Round the World #10 was definitely the longest at nearly 3 months.

Pyramids Giza Cairo Egypt
Pyramids at Giza, Cairo Egypt

RTW #1: A Globetrotter is Born

My first 30-day trip around the world. The ambitious itinerary included a whirlwind of 15 stops in 12 countries. Highlights: the Pyramids, the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall, and a night at the world’s only 7-star hotel. It was originally intended to be a once-in-a-lifetime trip but soon turned into an annual January adventure!

Machu Picchu Peru
Machu Picchu, Peru

RTW #2: From the Thin Air Up There to the Wonders Down Under

For this trip, I slowed down the pace a bit. I visited 5 new countries and one new continent (Australia). I also returned to two of my favorite countries from my first trip around the world (South Africa & Thailand). Highlights: Machu Picchu, Croatia, Australia & New Zealand.

Koh Phi Phi Thailand
Koh Phi Phi, Thailand

RTW #3: Eat, Pray, Run – From Marathons to Maui

For some reason, I decided it was a good idea to run a marathon on this year’s trip (see Morocco post, it was not). This trip was also my shortest at just 28 days. Highlights: Spain, Israel, Thailand & Vietnam.

Sunrise Angkor Wat Cambodia
Sunrise at Angkor Wat

RTW #4: Thai Beach Perfection to Blue Lagoon Reflection

This trip was another more relaxed itinerary that included four new destinations and four favorites. Highlights: Costa Rica, the Amalfi Coast, sunrise at Angkor Wat, and discovering the beauty of French Polynesia.

Le Meridien Bora Bora French Polynesia
Bora Bora, French Polynesia

RTW #5: In Search of the World’s Most Perfect Beach

Because I get a little smarter every year, this year’s route included a lot more islands. Because you can’t win ’em all, this year’s trip also included riding out a cyclone on one of those islands! Highlights: Petra, Jodan, the Seychelles, Bali, New Caledonia, and Bora Bora.

One Foot Island Aitutaki Cook Islands
Aitutaki, Cook Islands

RTW #6: Here Today, Guam Tomorrow

Back to a more action-packed itinerary this year with 14 stops (and a few extra days)! Lots more islands and dreamy beaches (including one I still consider the most beautiful place I’ve ever been) and a return visit to Tahiti. Highlights: Chile, Uruguay, Cyprus, Laos, Borneo, Palau, Guam, and the Cook Islands.

Easter Island Moai Sunset
Easter Island, Chile

RTW #7: Lounges, Retreats & Business Class Seats

This year, I had more time to spare so I extended the trip to 5 weeks. I was also able to make use of lots of rewards points to really up the luxury level! Lots of incredible new destinations including two that had been on my Bucket List for ages – Easter Island and the Maldives. Other highlights: Malta, Mauritius, Hong Kong, Tasmania, and Vanuatu.

Pleneau Bay Antarctica
Iceberg Graveyard, Antarctica

RTW #8: 7 Continents from (A)ntarctica to (Z)anzibar

This year’s trip was my longest yet at 7 weeks. This was primarily due to the extra time needed to reach my 7th & final continent, Antarctica! I still consider Antarctica the most extraordinary place I’ve ever been. Other highlights: Patagonia, Victoria Falls, Zanzibar, Nikoi Island, and the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

Sunrise at Borobudur Java Indonesia
Sunrise at Borobudur, Indonesia

RTW #9: All About Africa & Southeast Asia

I extended this trip to 6 weeks instead of the usual four. Why not? I focused mostly on southern Africa and Southeast Asia and marked my 150th country visited in Malawi. Highlights: Swaziland, Namibia, Mozambique, Lesotho, Malawi, Borneo, Borobudur, Sulawesi, Gili Islands, and Fiji. (This was also my last RTW trip as a single girl!)

Tuscany Wedding
Wedding in Tuscany

RTW #10: The Epic Honeymoon

After my 9th RTW trip, I met my future husband. So, was there any other way to honeymoon but in true RTW style? We were married in Italy and traveled for two weeks around Italy and Greece right after the wedding. We then returned briefly to the US before embarking on the actual 3-month RTW honeymoon extravaganza to 13 countries!