Slow Travel
During 2018, we traveled for 355 days in 9 countries: South Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, India, Nepal (Annapurna Circuit), China, Kenya, Tanzania (including Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar), and Argentina (including Patagonia). This was our first time slow traveling for nearly a year and it proved both humbling and empowering. We returned to the USA briefly in 2019 before setting out once again for six months in Slovenia (Slovenska Planinska Pot), Hungary, South Korea and Vietnam.
We are now back in the United States and re-settled (for now), forever changed by our travels and experiences around the world. Before we left on our trip, we relied extensively on other travelers’ ‘Round the World blogs for inspiration, motivation, and confidence, so we are sharing our experiences traveling slowly through 11 countries to hopefully inspire YOU to take the plunge and go see the world… slowly! The questions we are asked most often are answered here: “How Much Does It Cost to Travel the World?” and “What Did You Do With All Your Stuff?”
By Country 🇰🇷 🇻🇳 🇰🇭 🇮🇳 🇳🇵 🇨🇳 🇰🇪 🇹🇿 🇦🇷 🇸🇮 🇭🇺
South Korea
India
Vietnam
Nepal
Cambodia
China
Kenya
Slovenia
Tanzania
Hungary
Argentina
Trip Highlights
Stages 1 and 2 through the Pohorje Hills of northern Slovenia involved four days of hiking through pine forest, finding our trail legs….
The Kamnik Savinja Alps are a giant mountaineering playground. We had so much fun in this area that we stayed two weeks exploring the peaks of Ojstrica, Grintovec, Skuta, Kočna, Križ and more…
The Julian Alps are the crown jewel of Slovenia, with 8500+ foot peaks, alpine meadows, crystal clear turquoise rivers, and waterfalls galore. During Stages 6 through 8 of the Slovenian Planinska Pot, we climbed to the peaks of Triglav, Cmir, Razor, Prisojnik, Mojstravka, Sleme and Jalovec…
The Slovene Mountain Trail — also known as the Slovenska Planinska Pot, SPP-1 and Transversala — is a nearly 350 mile continuous trail criss-crossing Slovenia through the Alps and to the Mediterranean Sea. In the following posts, we share what we learned about terrain, equipment, cost, accommodation, food, culture, side-trips and other tidbits within the various stages.
We traveled for 355 days in 9 countries. After 50 weeks on the road, we tallied our numbers and share our expense breakdown with you, along with commentary and lessons learned. We hope our data helps you with your Round the World trip planning. Dream big!
While Chile’s W and O trails are the most popular Patagonian trekking circuits, Argentina has its fair share of less-trafficked routes that are just as awesome as Torres del Paine. In this guide, we share a few trails you may not have heard about in Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina, Patagonia.
Have you ever dreamed of an African safari? Seeing the world’s largest animals in their natural environment? During a three day game drive through Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, we saw all the major "stars" and whole lot more!
I completely underestimated what it takes to hike Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa. Every preconception I had about the world’s tallest freestanding mountain was proved a misconception. Truth be told, I got my ass kicked on that mountain, but I learned a lot!
Around the time Jesus was preaching in the Middle East, religious ascetics in Maharashtra province of India began painting and sculpting devotional masterpieces…
Zhangjiajie National Park is one of China’s most popular tourist areas. There are some terrific hiking trails in the park, if you know how to get there and where to find them. In this post, we provide a three day hiking itinerary, maps, and some tips to avoid the crowds.
Guangxi Province is considered the "wild west" in China, an open expanse of mountainous karst-jungle terrain that remains largely untamed to this day. Tourists flock here for all kinds of outdoor activities…
Yunnan in Chinese means "southern clouds". The clouds in Yunnan Province certainly make an impression! The cities in Yunnan Province -- like Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri La -- sit at an elevation higher than Boulder, Colorado…
The Annapurna Circuit is the ideal place to wander, planning each day as it comes based on weather, time, altitude factors, trail conditions, and fatigue. We hiked the circuit in the Spring of 2018, starting in Chamje and ending in Birethanti.
Our motorbike tour through Ha Giang province in Vietnam's northern highlands was the capstone of our two months in Vietnam...
Trekking
The Seoul Dulle Gil is divided into eight sections ideal for day hikes. Each section trailhead is near a subway stop for easy accessibility. Whether you are in Seoul for the weekend, the month, or the year, a hike is just a short metro ride away. We had a blast collecting the 28 stamps as we hiked the 157 kilometer (~97 miles) course.
The Slovene Mountain Trail — also known as the Slovenska Planinska Pot, SPP-1 and Transversala — is a nearly 350 mile continuous trail criss-crossing Slovenia through the Alps and to the Mediterranean Sea. In the following posts, we share what we learned about terrain, equipment, cost, accommodation, food, culture, side-trips and other tidbits within the various stages.
While Chile’s W and O trails are the most popular Patagonian trekking circuits, Argentina has its fair share of less-trafficked routes that are just as awesome as Torres del Paine. In this guide, we share a few trails you may not have heard about in Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina, Patagonia.
I completely underestimated what it takes to hike Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa. Every preconception I had about the world’s tallest freestanding mountain was proved a misconception. Truth be told, I got my ass kicked on that mountain, but I learned a lot!
A breeze gathered strength, pushing fog tendrils up and over the cliff ridge. We had waited all day for Old Man Mountain’s big reveal. He did not disappoint. This is Huangshan, China.
Zhangjiajie National Park is one of China’s most popular tourist areas. There are some terrific hiking trails in the park, if you know how to get there and where to find them. In this post, we provide a three day hiking itinerary, maps, and some tips to avoid the crowds.
When clouds gather along the river valley in China’s Zhangjiajie National Park, the free standing karst peaks can look as if they are floating. We spent three days hiking in the area that inspired Pandora in the movie Avatar...
Featured on the back of the Chinese 20 yuan banknote is Yellow Cloth Shoal, a karst landscape scene along the riverbank in Xingping. By the time you read this, Xingping will have already grown exponentially…
The jungle trail was a complete surprise: dark and mysterious, secluded. Above the crowds, behind the cable car station and costumed tourists, we walked among thick-stalked bamboo and tall pines…
Yunnan in Chinese means "southern clouds". The clouds in Yunnan Province certainly make an impression! The cities in Yunnan Province -- like Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri La -- sit at an elevation higher than Boulder, Colorado…
There is a lot of outdated information on the 'Net about hiking Tiger Leaping Gorge in China's southwestern Yunnan Province. From prices and homestay accommodations, to trail conditions and route, this area is changing fast…
Tiger Leaping Gorge is reported to be China’s best trekking trail. We spent three days hiking 21 miles on the high and low trails in late May 2018. It was relaxed and scenic, though not exactly secluded!
In Dhulikhel, Nepal, the beverages flow, guys boogie in the fields, and karaoke reverberates across the hills. We were there for the hiking trails… and a Buddhist lesson in selfless sacrifice.
Feeling oppressed by the smog of Kathmandu? Fresh air, quiet, and a peaceful lake are just a day-trek away in Chitlang and Markhu. There’s even a cable car to avoid the tough climb to the top of Chandragiri Mountain, if you choose (and if it’s working).
Beaches
Hakuna matata - no worries! That’s the vibe in Jambiani Beach on the east coast of Zanzibar, where the people are quick generous, caring and quick to smile…
Con Dao is a perfect couple's retreat for those who love a quiet beach, an eye-opening dip in the salty bay after a hot morning run, and long stretches of simply staring in amazement at nature's glorious beauty.
Danang has more to offer than just soft sandy beaches. When you’ve had enough sand between your toes, try exploring some of the nearby attractions, including: Marble Mountains, the Danang Fine Arts Museum, or a road trip over the Hai Van Pass to Lan Co for an all-you-can-possibly-eat seafood feast. Read on for more…
Zen Musings
A poem for my son and his bride, on their wedding day. May your journey be long, your burdens be light, and your love remain Zen. Love, Dad
Short story about an unexpected route to happiness and contentment on western Pennsylvania’s 70 mile Laurel Highlands Trail…
Are you considering a move to minimalism? Understand that you are not just disposing of random objects. You are, in fact, eliminating tangible indicators of the person who you wanted others to believe you are (read that twice). What will you do with a blank slate?
Hiking is simple, structured, quiet. I step into nature to calm the mind, soothe the soul, and find a little zen. This post is dedicated to anyone who thinks that hiking is just a hot, tiresome walk without a point. For me, hiking is a walking meditation that calms the monkey-mind and draws me into the present moment.
Our current health care system is not working for Americans. Pricing is irrational and quality is poor. That’s because healthcare in America has been hijacked by conglomerate monopolies that control pricing like cartels. In this post, I discuss the reasons our health care costs so much.
We traveled for 355 days in 9 countries. After 50 weeks on the road, we tallied our numbers and share our expense breakdown with you, along with commentary and lessons learned. We hope our data helps you with your Round the World trip planning. Dream big!
I broke my ankle in Argentina and paid $0 for emergency care, x-rays, doctor analysis, and pain medication…
In preparation for our trip around the world, I read many travel blogs. I was struck by how many long-term travelers were vegetarian. I wondered, do vegetarians travel more? Or was there something about global travel that made people become vegetarian?
I do not deal well with crowds and it is always a challenge for me to find a place of mental calm when faced with a mass of people and perceived pandemonium...
