The beginning of our world trip: A dream turned into reality

But where did this idea come from?

For some, it’s a childhood dream, fuelled by early adventures and family trips. For others, it’s a wild idea that sneaks up later in life, a craving for something different, something bigger than the everyday routine. 

Travel has always been a part of me. Growing up with parents from different cultures and a deep love for exploration, I was fortunate to experience various corners of the world from an early age. The idea of a long-term journey had been on my mind since high school. With every major life decision, the same question resurfaced: What if now is the time? After putting the idea on hold for several years and completing my studies, I finally felt ready. 

My partner, Gilles, didn’t travel much as a child. It wasn’t until high school, when he started exploring more, that he had to face his fears, like his fear of flying. But the more he ventured out and discovered breathtaking places, the more he fell in love with travel. However, every time he went on vacation, it never felt like enough. He wanted more. More time, more adventures, more chances to immerse himself in new places. That’s when he realized he didn’t just want short trips anymore, he wanted to take a longer break to truly explore. 

Why did we take the leap?

Why do people choose to drop everything and travel the world? 

For us there where several reasons. Not only do we love nature, are very curious and eager to learn more about the world but we are also a generation that witnessed their parents giving up their lives for the companies they worked at, often at the expense of their health, lot’s of us wonder if there isn’t more to life. 

Here are a few more reasons why people might want to travel the world, maybe some resonate with you: 

• To experience other cultures – Meeting new people, priceless.
• To grow personally – Travel forces you out of your comfort zone, making you more adaptable and open-minded.
• To take a break from the rat race – Life can sometimes feel like a never-ending to-do list. A long trip offers a chance to slow down and rethink what really matters.
• For the love of adventure – Let’s be honest, discovering breathtaking landscapes, tasting new foods and experiencing the unknown is just exciting!

How we planned the route?

With nearly 200 countries to choose from, where do you even start? 

I’d always had a fascination for Latin America. The free-spirited energy, the deep connection to nature, and the landscapes that seemed straight out of a dream kept me dreaming about this travel for a long time already. So, that was at the top of my list. 

To make sense of it all, we each wrote down a bucket list of places and/or experiences we wanted to pursue, from sipping coffee in Paris to hiking in Patagonia, there were no restrictions. Then, we prioritized our lists individually before we compared notes. While discussing our thoughts and wishes a rough itinerary sketched out naturally. 

Solo or with a travel partner?

One of the biggest decisions for a long-term trip is whether to go solo or with someone. Solo travel gives you complete freedom: you make the plans, follow your own pace, and learn to rely on yourself in ways you never imagined. On the other hand, traveling with a partner or a friend can be incredibly rewarding, as you share experiences, support each other during tough moments, and create lifelong memories together. 

However, aligning travel styles is key—adventure or relaxation? Fast or slow pace? Clear expectations help, and you don’t have to stick together constantly, taking breaks or do different activities, can make the journey smoother. 

What mattered most to us

For me, being able to truly connect with locals was key. That also meant learning a new language, so I could have real conversations and not just be a passing observer. At the same time, I wanted to make the most of my gap year and discover as much different places as I could. 

Gilles, on the other hand, had an insatiable hunger to see as much different places as possible during this time. But he also wanted to get to the more hidden spots and quickly realised that in order to do this, you need more time (or money ). 

Over the travels we decided that depth was more important to us than speed and so we had to find a balance between exploration and immersion. 

The unexpected start

Originally, South America was meant to be our destination. But then, the pandemic hit. Like everyone else, our plans were turned upside down. So, we started different projects, and waited. At some point, we had the feeling we were stuck in our lives, waiting for something that might never happen? Until one day, we realized, why keep waiting? If we couldn’t start in South America, why not begin in Europe? 

Little did we know, those first months in Europe would change everything. We met incredible people, many of whom were on their own long-term journeys. The idea of a true world trip started to take shape, not just as a dream but as a real possibility. 

Looking Back

Traveling the world or even having a longer travel trip, whether to a single destination or across multiple continents, is one of the most enriching experiences out there. Be open to the unknown, to change, to letting go of expectations. Because travel will shake you up, challenge you, and transform you in ways you never imagined. 

Traveling will teach you one fundamental truth: there is no single way to live, to think, or to be. The more you step outside your everyday world, the more you realize how vast and diverse life truly is. 

Looking back, we are incredibly grateful for this time of our lives and are happy we took this decision. Would we do it all over again? Hell, Yes! 

If we had to sum up our trip in one takeaway, it would be this: life is about balance, no matter where you are. Yes, stepping outside your comfort zone, learning new skills, and overcoming fears are important. But equally important is having a comfort zone, a place where you feel safe, where you can rest and recharge. 

So, if you’ve ever thought, "What if I just packed up and left?" —maybe it’s time to find out.