Around the World in 80 Days: Chasing That Old Adventure in Today’s Chaos

That Jules Verne tale about Phileas Fogg circling the earth in 80 days has stuck with me since I was a kid, all that betting and rushing through exotic spots with nothing but determination and a fat wallet. I gave it a shot once, not dead-on 80 days but a solid three months bouncing around, dealing with delayed flights, dodgy street food that knocked me out for a day, and those quiet nights in hostels where you question your life choices. It wasn't glamorous like the book—more like a mix of awe and exhaustion—but the stories I came back with? Priceless. Nowadays, with cheap flights and apps that book everything on the fly, you can recreate it without the steamships, though you've got to watch for things like pandemics or political messes that weren't in Verne's script. It's less about speed and more about the ride, hitting highlights without turning into a zombie. Based on my mishaps and chats with other travelers, here's how I'd rework that route today, starting from scratch.

Starting Strong and Laying Out the Country Sequence

The kickoff spot is crucial because it builds your rhythm right away. I'd begin in the United Kingdom, specifically London, since it's a hub with endless flights and trains, plus it's got that foggy, historic vibe that echoes the book's start. Spend a couple days there wandering Big Ben, the Thames, and maybe catching a show in the West End to shake off jet lag before diving in. From London, cross to France—take the Eurostar to Paris for ease, where you can climb the Eiffel Tower, stroll the Seine, and hit the Louvre for a quick art fix, maybe three days tops to feel the romance without lingering. Then, train south to Italy; start in Milan for the Duomo and fashion streets, dip into Turin for its old-world cafes, and push to Brindisi on the coast for a ferry feel if you're nostalgic, giving you time for pizza in Naples or ruins in Rome along the way—Italy's food alone makes the detour worth it.

After Italy, fly to Egypt to shift gears into something ancient and dusty; land in Cairo and base there for the pyramids at Giza, where you can ride a camel at dawn and feel like an explorer, then cruise the Nile to Luxor for temples like Karnak that blow your mind with their scale—watch the heat, though, even in cooler months. From Egypt, head to India, flying into Mumbai for the bustling markets like Crawford and the Gateway of India, then train east to Kolkata for its colonial architecture and street chaats; don't miss the Taj Mahal if you detour to Agra, or Varanasi's ghats for that spiritual punch—India's chaos teaches you patience fast. Next, hop to Singapore for a breather; it's modern and clean, so explore Gardens by the Bay, eat hawker center chili crab, and walk Marina Bay Sands—perfect for recharging mid-trip.

Push on to China after that; fly to Beijing for the Forbidden City and a hike on the Great Wall at Mutianyu, where the views stretch forever, then maybe Shanghai for skyscrapers and dumplings—China's scale hits different. From there, bullet train or fly to Japan, landing in Tokyo for Shibuya's crossing madness, sushi in Tsukiji market (or whatever's replaced it), and a side trip to Kyoto for temples like Fushimi Inari with its red gates—Japan's efficiency is a relief after India's hustle. Cross the Pacific to the United States, starting in San Francisco for the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz tours, then drive or train east to places like Yosemite for nature or Chicago for deep-dish pizza, ending in New York for Times Square, Central Park, and the Statue of Liberty—America's vastness makes you appreciate the journey's end. Finally, fly back to London to close the loop, maybe reflecting over pub fish and chips. This sequence—UK, France, Italy, Egypt, India, Singapore, China, Japan, USA—keeps the eastward flow like Fogg's, aiming for 7-10 days per country to hit 80 total, but flex for what calls to you.

Getting Your Act Together Before Hitting the Road

Jumping into a trip this big without prep is a recipe for disaster—I learned that when I forgot to check visa waits and got stuck in an airport lounge for hours. Sort visas first; Egypt's is easy online, but China's might need paperwork and an interview, so start three months out. Pack smart: layers for Europe's chill, light stuff for India's humidity, and sturdy boots for all the walking—my backpack was my home, with a rain jacket that saved me in Tokyo downpours. Grab vaccinations like typhoid for India or hep for everywhere, plus a kit with bandaids, painkillers, and anti-diarrhea meds because street eats can turn on you. Photocopy your passport, stash cash in hidden spots, and get insurance that covers flights and health—mine paid off when I needed stitches after a slip in Cairo. Book big legs like trans-Pacific flights early for deals, but leave gaps for spontaneous trains. Tell folks back home your plan, set up a tracking app, and learn basic phrases—hello and thank you go far in non-English spots.

Stretching Your Bucks Without Skimping on Fun

Money flies on a trip like this, but I managed on about $120 a day by being scrappy, not stingy. In France, skip fancy bistros for baguettes from bakeries; in India, street vendors feed you for pennies if you pick clean spots. Hostels everywhere—dorms in Tokyo or guesthouses in Egypt—cut lodging costs, and couchsurfing apps hooked me up with locals for free stays and insider tips. Use budget airlines like Ryanair in Europe or AirAsia for hops to Singapore, and overnight buses or trains to save on hotels. Track every expense in a little journal; I caught myself overspending on souvenirs in China and dialed back. Freebies add up: walk Paris neighborhoods instead of tours, hike the Great Wall sections without guides, or picnic in New York's parks. Haggle in markets like Mumbai's but know when to walk away—it's part of the fun. Balance splurges, like a nice meal in Italy, with cheap days to keep the wallet happy.

Nabbing That International Driving Permit for Road Freedom

If you want to drive, like renting a car for US highways or Italian countrysides, an International Driving Permit is non-negotiable—I flashed mine during a random check in France and avoided a hassle. It's just a booklet translating your license, good for a year. In the States, AAA does it: bring your license, two photos, and $20 to a branch, or mail it in—takes a week or two. Elsewhere, your local auto club handles it; make sure it's from your license's country. I got mine before leaving and it opened up spontaneous drives, like from San Francisco to Yosemite. Always carry your real license too, and brush up on rules—left-side in Japan threw me at first. Skip it if you're sticking to trains, but for flexibility, it's gold.

Lessons Pulled from the Road's Twists and Turns

Wrapping up a journey like this leaves you changed, not just with stamps in your passport but with hard-won wisdom. I learned flexibility is everything—plans crumble with a canceled flight or sudden rain, so roll with it instead of stressing. Patience pays off in crowded India trains or long US lines, teaching you the world's not on your schedule. Connecting with strangers, like sharing stories in a Singapore hostel, reminds you people are mostly kind despite differences. Budgeting showed me experiences trump stuff; a sunset over the Nile beats any gadget. Most of all, it hammered home that travel's about growth—facing fears alone in Tokyo or bargaining in Cairo builds confidence you didn't know you had. Come back grateful for home, but itching for the next adventure. If you go, savor the mess; that's where the real magic hides.