For many, taking a month or more to explore the world is a distant dream. It can be tough to leave family, friends, work and life behind, even if you’re getting a chance to see new and exciting places. However, if you have the time and money, taking a long trip can be an immensely rewarding experience. Long term travel enables you to see a number of places in one go, or to immerse yourself deeply in the culture of one location.
If you’re interested in a longer getaway, but aren’t sure where to go, here are some tried-and-true trips, recommended by seasoned travelers:
1. Bangkok, Thailand
The perfect home base if you want to explore Southeast Asia, Bangkok is relatively affordable, and easy to navigate because it caters to the many travelers that pass through the city each year. From Bangkok you can easily take low-budget flights or use other modes of transportation to get to Laos, Vietnam, Burma and Cambodia. While in the city, make sure to see the famous and elaborated decorated Buddhist temples Bangkok is famous for. Chatuchak Market, open on the weekends, boasts thousands of stalls with sellers hawking food, home decor, clothing and antiques, among other items. If you’re looking to keep your trip low-budget and want to meet other travelers, Khaosan Road is lined with places to rest your head after a long day. Finally, make sure to take advantage of the spicy Thai food, sold cheap all over the city.
The Wat Traimit temple in Bangkok (image source: Wikipedia).
2. London to Paris
Sure, the prices are going to be steeper, but if you can afford it, seeing these two famous cities is worth the setback to your bank account. Both cities are easy to navigate, as is the travel between London and Paris. This trip is a good fit for those interested in wandering museums, seeing famous sites and soaking up the history of Western Europe, of which there is plenty. Your trip to London is incomplete without a stop at Buckingham Palace to see the changing of the guards, a whirl on the London Eye, and Westminster Abbey. In Paris, be sure to check out the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the stunning Basilica of the Sacred Heart, located at the highest point of the city.
Image source: Flickr
This is less a destination than a host of potential locations, but if you have a sense of where you want to get to, a round the world ticket is an incredible option. These tickets allow you to pay a flat fee for a designated number of stops or miles. They come with limitations: most require that you use the ticket in one year, end your trip in the same country you started in, and they don’t include flights on low-budget airlines, but round the world tickets can be the cheapest way to cross a number of places off of your bucket list. As frequent traveler, Nomadic Matt, says on his fantastic travel blog, round the world tickets are ideal for those who know when and where they are going, and don’t plan on changing their itinerary. If you want more flexibility with your travel, a round the world ticket might not be for you.
A ticket cover from the 1960s (image source: Wikipedia).
Been dreaming of a long term trip? Our travel agents are happy to help you explore your options. If you have long term travel destinations or routes to recommend, let us know in the comment section below.
Sources: Bootsnall, Nomadic Matt
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