Around the world in 3 ways

Where to go on a global adventure.

By Jeremy Rochow
Published: Friday, February 22, 2019

What destinations are on your bucket list? It’s a big question, but everyone’s got some.

Maybe you want to see the Amazon with your own eyes, or climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower with a loved one.

Perhaps you want to visit The Beatles’ famous crossing in London, or catch a show on Broadway in New York. It could be that you just want to go overseas for the first time.

It doesn’t matter if your list is a mile long or you’ve never flown before, an around-the-world jaunt might be just what you’re looking for. Here are a few journeys we’ve compiled to inspire your next overseas escapade.

The three-stop sojourn

A three-stop trip is sometimes cheaper than forking out for an around-the-world ticket.

If this is your first time overseas or you’ve only got a few weeks to spare, the three-stop sojourn is the perfect way to dip your toes in the waters of travel.

Visit: Los Angeles, United States

Take in the glitz and glamour of Hollywood with a few days in Los Angeles.

There’s so much to do in the City of Angels, whether you want to explore the Hollywood Walk of Fame, meander along Venice Beach, relive your childhood at Disneyland or go to a Lakers basketball game.

Must do: Hire a car and visit Yosemite National Park and rollerblade or stroll along the Venice Boardwalk.

 

Venice Beach, Los Angeles.
Visit: New York, United States

You’re probably going to want to visit all the usual touristy locations like Times Square and the Statue of Liberty, but if you’re looking for something a bit different, stroll across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge on a balmy summer evening.

Just across the bridge you’ll find the Brooklyn Ice Creamery which serves eight flavours of pure heaven – the creamy, crunchy butter pecan is a favourite.

Afterwards, watch the sun set over Manhattan from the banks of the East River.

Must do: Go to the top of the Empire State Building, eat a steak at Peter Luger’s Steakhouse (it’s so tender, you can cut it with a spoon), and see a show on Broadway.

Brooklyn Bridge, New York.
Visit: London, England

If you’ve got time in between visits to common English attractions like Big Ben and London Bridge, take a moment to rest your weary feet at Gordon’s Wine Bar – the oldest pub of its kind in London.

This cellar bar offers a medieval experience and has a hugely popular vaulted ‘cave’ where you can taste cheese and wine galore.

Beware though, Gordon’s has a strict no beer, no spirits policy.

Must do: Watch the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, enjoy high tea at The English Tea Room, and visit Westminster Abbey.

Big Ben, London.

The fantastic five

The five-continent adventure is where you can get creative. With thousands of locations and a variety of airlines to choose from, the world truly is your oyster.

While our itinerary is minimal, you don’t need to be restricted – round-the-world tickets usually allow for more than five stops.

Maybe, between Copenhagen and Lima, you’d like a stop in Spain to break up the long flight to South America, or perhaps you want a layover in Hawaii on your return to Australia from Vancouver.

Visit: Tokyo, Japan

In just one day in Tokyo you can learn how to make traditional soba noodles, see the world’s busiest intersection in Shibuya and witness a sumo wrestling match.

Order sushi from a robot at Genki Sushi and explore the Senso-ji temple.

Must do: Cycle around the Tokyo Imperial Palace, explore the quirky Harajuku shopping district, and get a 360-degree view of the city from the Tokyo Skytree.

Tokyo, Japan.
Visit: Copenhagen, Denmark

Danish author Hans Christian Andersen once wrote: “To travel is to live”, making Copenhagen a logical place for the next stop on your global adventure. Andersen’s tales live on in Copenhagen, with a sculpture of the Little Mermaid sitting proudly on a rock in the water at the Langelinie promenade. Denmark is also world famous for its pastries, so it’s worth ditching the diet and tucking into these tasty little treats while you’re here.

Must do: Visit the 19th century Tivoli Gardens amusement park, walk to the top of the Rundetaarn observatory, and take a tour of Freetown Christiania.

Hans Christian Andersen statue outside the Tivoli in Copenhagen.
Visit: Lima, Peru

The first place that comes to mind when you hear Peru is the ancient city of Machu Picchu, but Lima is still worth visiting for a couple of days on transit to Cusco and the Inca Trail. Here, you can get an introduction to Inca history at Huaca Pucllana – a restored clay pyramid which dates back to AD 400.

Must do: Try Peruvian ceviche at Barra Chalaca, explore Plaza de Armas and see a 15-minute play at the MicroTeatro Lima theatre.

Plaza de Armas, Lima.
Visit: Mexico City, Mexico

Did you know the high-altitude capital of Mexico was built on an island in the centre of a lake? In fact, the Aztec’s ancient capital of Taenochtitlan stood in the area before the Spanish conquered and filled the lake with sand.

While here, you’ve got to visit Templo Mayor, an ancient Aztec temple, and if you want to delve even further into Mexican history, take the hour-and-a-half trip to the Pyramid of the Sun.

Must do: Wander through sprawling Chapultepec Park, visit Mexican artist Frida Kahlo’s home-turned museum, and taste Mexican street food.

Pyramid of the Sun, Mexico.
Visit: Vancouver, Canada

Blue waters, green grass and white-capped mountains will welcome you in Vancouver. No matter the season, there’s plenty to do.

In winter you can take the two-hour drive to Whistler and ski or snowboard until your legs ache. If it’s summer, climb Grouse Mountain – Mother Nature’s 2.9km Stairmaster – for a panoramic view of the city.

For those who want to give the workout a miss, take the Skyride to the top of the mountain, where you can visit the Grouse Mountain Refuge for Endangered Wildlife and see the bears that call the sanctuary home.

Must do: Catch a Canucks ice hockey game, go whale watching off Vancouver Island, and cross the Capilano Suspension Bridge.

View of Vancouver from Grouse Mountain.

The relaxing rail journey

Flying is relatively quick and convenient, but sometimes it’s good to see the world from a different perspective – even if it’s just for one leg of your round-the-world junket.

It’s possible to add land journeys (at an extra cost) to your global expedition. And what better way to do that than by taking a trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway across Russia?

Traversing the largest country in the world on the Trans-Mongolian tour – one of three main routes – will see you cover more than 7500km.

Visit: Moscow, Russia

Take in sights like the Kremlin, Red Square and Saint Basil’s Cathedral before you begin your journey.

This train travels across the wide-open expanse of Siberia, which can be carpeted with flowers or blanketed in deep snow depending on the time of year.

Red Square in Moscow, Russia.
Visit: Gobi Desert, Mongolia

As you head south to Mongolia, the Siberian scenery turns into the meadows and turtled-shaped rock formations of the Terelj National Park, before giving way to the rolling red dunes of the Gobi Desert.

Here, you can sleep under the stars and hike up the sand while looking for foxes, deer and wolves. Keep your eyes peeled for yurts and camels along the way.

Camels in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia.
Visit: Beijing, China

The final country on your train trip offers an electrifying melting pot of culture, cuisine and customs that will tease, test and tantalise all your senses.

Bustling Beijing is full of enduring temples, hip hangouts, tempting markets and the rambling Great Wall that’ll beckon you towards the hills.

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