I started my world tour in September 2014. I am currently in Canada and it has been 9 months since I left to travel around the globe. In this article, I will explain my world tour destinations.
Countries to visit during a world tour.
The countries I crossed during my world tour are as follows:
- Turkey,
- South Africa and Zimbabwe for Africa,
- Dubai,
- Cambodia, Thailand, Taiwan, the Philippines for Asia,
- Australia and New Zealand for Oceania,
- The United States and Canada for North America.
I spent 9 weeks in Africa, 3 months in Asia, 9 weeks in Oceania, and I will spend 3 months in North America.
Each of these countries I have listed is worth visiting during a world tour and I will explain why and how I chose the right period.
Choosing the countries for your world tour.
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Why go to Turkey?
I chose to go to Turkey for its cultural richness and some of its landscapes. The best months to go are September and June. During this period, you will avoid all the tourists, and you will have more accommodation options. The climate during these two periods is neither too hot nor too cold.
The cities I recommend during a trip to Turkey are Istanbul for its diversity, Göreme and Pamukkale for the landscapes, Fethiye for the sea.
Must-see places for your world tour: Göreme for the landscape and the sunrise with the hot air balloons.
Here is my two-week itinerary in Turkey where I traveled by bus.
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Choosing South Africa for your world tour.
Few people go to Africa during their world tour and it is a shame because some countries are inexpensive and beautiful like South Africa. The advantage of South Africa is that you will quickly feel a change of scenery compared to other destinations. It is very easy to get around by car and do a road trip of several weeks along the coast from Cape Town to Johannesburg. You have nature, the beach, the mountains, and wildlife.
The cities I recommend during your trip to South Africa are Cape Town for the many activities, Oudtshoorn for the landscapes and visiting ostrich farms, Coffee Bay for its African and Zulu side, the Drakensberg region for the mountains.
Must-see place for your world tour : visit the Cape region, example below, “Camps Bay” beach in Cape Town with the 12 Apostles.
My two-month itinerary in South Africa:
I recommend one month to do this itinerary.
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Take a trip to Zimbabwe at Victoria Falls during your stay in South Africa.
There are three great waterfalls in the world and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe is one of them. If you have time or budget during your trip, I recommend spending three days at Victoria Falls. You can take a cruise on the Zambezi, swim or go rafting at Victoria Falls (October-November), take a trip to Zambia.
Victoria Falls is a must-see.
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Stop by Dubai to go to Asia.
If you take Emirates airline to go to Asia or Africa, you have everything to gain by stopping in Dubai. Dubai is the place where everything is possible. You can go to the desert, visit the tallest tower in the world, see the largest aquarium in the world in one of Dubai’s shopping centers. Go there a little before summer or just after, the temperatures are still tolerable.
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Why choose Cambodia for your world tour.
Much less touristy than its two neighboring countries, Thailand and Vietnam. Cambodia has one of the most beautiful temples in the world. Visiting Cambodia or Southeast Asia without visiting the city of Angkor Wat would be a big mistake.
The cities or places I recommend during your visit to Cambodia: Siem Reap for temple visits, Phnom Penh for history, Kep for the beach, or Koh Rong to enjoy the island’s beauty and everything that comes with it.
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Who hasn’t dreamed of Thailand?
The country that welcomes the most tourists in Southeast Asia. This is the country where all backpackers should start in Southeast Asia because it is the country that makes things easiest for you. It is the country of temple visits, relaxation, beaches, and parties.
The places I recommend: Bangkok to get accustomed to Thailand, Chiang Mai for the charm of a small town, Koh Phi Phi for the beautiful beaches, Koh Tao for diving, Koh Phangan for partying.
To benefit from attractive flight prices for a short stay, travel in early December or early March.
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Why go to Taiwan?
One of the most underrated destinations in Asia. Taiwan is China but more civilized and modern. Taiwan is similar to China in many ways. The main advantages compared to China are: shorter travel distances (you can tour the island quickly in two weeks) and far fewer tourists.
One of the things I really appreciated in Taiwan are the night markets, where you will find delicious food at a reasonable price.
Taiwan has a tropical climate in the south of the island. For mountainous landscapes, go to Hualien at Taroko Gorge, for beaches, go to Kenting. For city atmosphere, you can try Taipei or Kaohsiung. For calm and tranquility, you can go to the Sun Moon Lake near Taichung.
Not to be missed in Taiwan: the “night markets”.
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Go to the Philippines
My only regret is having gone there for only three weeks and also going in February, which is the busiest month of the year (school holidays in Europe or Asia, Chinese New Year period, etc.). Some plane tickets were two to three times the normal price, so too expensive for my budget.
If you love the sea, diving, and water activities, the Philippines are made for you. You can swim with whale sharks, practice scuba diving, or sunbathe on the beach.
For partying, go to Manila or Boracay, for the beach, any place will do. To swim with whale sharks, go to Oslob or Donsol. To dive with thresher sharks, go to Malapascua. To see rice terraces and surf, go to northern Luzon. For volcanoes, go to Legazpi or around Manila.
Tip: traveling from island to island takes time, plan a broad schedule or a long stay.
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Australia, one of the countries you must visit during your world tour
The trip to Australia was very short compared to my first 15-month stay because this time, I only stayed 3 weeks. I will intentionally skip this part about Australia because I have already covered this topic but you can read other articles about Australia: here
Tip: unless you go for New Year’s, avoid the January-February period (Australian holiday period). It is high season, accommodations are expensive during this period. Australia is a large country, focus on specific areas (east coast or Melbourne to Sydney, etc.) or go for several months.
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Nature and mountain lovers will prefer New Zealand
This country was one of my favorites along with South Africa. As with Australia, you should avoid certain times of the year. The best is to go from March or late February. New Zealand is a human-sized country and it is easy to get around very easily. You can use the bus, buy a car, or even hitchhike. In fact, I only used hitchhiking to get around the North and South islands.
My favorites in New Zealand, for mountains and city: go to Queenstown and Wanaka.
To see glaciers, go to the west coast of the South Island at Fox Glacier and Franz Josef. For mountainous landscapes and nature, go to Te Anau for the start of multi-day hikes, or do the Tongariro crossing to put yourself in Frodo’s shoes from Lord of the Rings. For the coast and canoeing, go to the Tasman Peninsula in the north of the South Island.
My 45-day itinerary in New Zealand including the South and North islands. You can easily do it in 30 days as well with your own car (hitchhiking takes a bit more time). Departure from Christchurch and arrival in Auckland.
My favorite region is the southwest including Wanaka, Queenstown, and Te Anau.
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The spirit of Hawaii will put you in a good mood
Several ways are available to cross the Pacific, I personally chose to go through Hawaii but several alternatives are also possible (Japan-USA or New Zealand-Chile, etc.). I chose to go through Hawaii for several reasons, I want to visit North America before summer when prices are higher. Hawaii has islands that make you dream, each island has its own charm.
If you like the beach, go to Maui; if you like volcanoes and some tranquility, go to Big Island. If you like big cities, go to Oahu at Waikiki Beach, it is the most visited beach in Hawaii and you will find everything you need.
I really liked Big Island because I went to see an active volcano and I was lucky to swim with manta rays and turtles.
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Canada, a country of the future and for those who love outdoor activities (west coast).
After the crush I had for South Africa and New Zealand, Canada is my third favorite. I have only been on the west coast and in Alberta but what I liked in these regions are the mountains, a more relaxed atmosphere than in big cities. If you like the mountains, you will immediately like the Banff region.
If you miss the city, you can always stay in the Vancouver region and stay in Vancouver city, where you can do many outdoor activities a few hours away, enjoy the beach because let’s not forget that Vancouver is located on the Pacific Ocean.
Compared to Eastern Canada, the Vancouver region benefits from a temperate climate so it is not so cold in winter whereas temperatures regularly drop below zero in the east.
This region is also much more anglophone so if you want to improve your English, it is perfect.
I visited most of these countries during the first year of my world tour, I specified in this article my airfare expenses for this first year.
Other countries will be added later in a future article.
And you? Which country do you absolutely want to visit during your world tour?
