Elevate your Life NOW!
The Travel FOREVER System
for long AND short trips Round the World (RtW)
Travel better, smarter, and more fulfilled!
The 7 Steps to design, plan,
and ENJOY your journey even more!
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6 MONTHS in 2025-2026:
India, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Dubai UAE, Maldives
This CASE STUDY of the Travel Forever System shows what, how we did it, and why!
Design, plan and prepare for long AND short trips Round the World (RtW).
Learn about travel HACKS, TIPS, BEST PRACTICES!
Want to ENJOY ALL PARTS of your journey even MORE?
- SAVE TIME: We spent hours / days / weeks / months, designing and re-designing our itenerary / routing as some elements became clearer to us during further research.
- AVOID MISTAKES: Do NOT travel during the monsoon and the extreme mosquito conditions! After Gene got Dengue in Bali, we are being a lot more careful.
- PLAN WITH MORE CONFIDENCE: Using this "Travel FOREVER System" you achieve a trip that has a higher likelihood for better enjoyment and fulfilment!
JUMP TO the Round the World (RtW) STEP:
RtW STEP 1: DREAM + ASSESS!!!
MY WHY?
- PERSONAL GROWTH: It took me many years "resisting" to go here for various reasons. Now a I am ready!
- GROW THE RELATIONSHIP: I am looking to apply all the things we have learned for a smoother trip during challenging times, and not feel like I just want to go home when we hit relationship conflicts.
- The COVID-TRIP: This trip has been on the bookshelf since it was delayed on account of Covid striking. We're finally doing it! And, thank goodness we had not left before Covid lockdown happened - imagine being stuck in India!?!
RtW STEP 2: DESIGN + DEFINE!!!
Create a PROJECT PLAN!
- ORGANIZE: There will be a lot of moving parts, don't let anything fall through the cracks
- COLLABORATE: Use Google Drive, document decisions, make sure there is only 1 main doc / sheet being modified at a time.
- UPDATE: Take the time to keep the data current.
WHERE?
- Get INSPIRATION: Google search "Top things to do in <destination>; look at your Go To tour operators and sites for their itineraries. ToDo My Go To tour operators and sites
- BUCKET LIST: Do you have one?
- FRIENDS: What inspired you from their stories?
WHEN?
- ANCHOR DATES: List events that are non-negotiable (like Thimpu Tshechu festival, Diwali, Dev Diwali, Camel Festival, NYE!) Also list when the Tiger parks open.
- BEST TIMES TO TRAVEL - Consider: temperature, weather / rainfall / monsoons, mosquitoes and other seasonal "inconveniences"! You might need to compromise one for the other - for example, we decided to go to Nepal later even if colder to avoid the mosquitoes. See my EXAMPLE table.
- MOSQUITOES: See my Blog post on "Mosquitoes time of year"
HOW?
- Start with a rough draft ROUTING, identify SEGMENTS that can be reswizzled as a CHUNK (e.g. every time you go through a major city/airport like Delhi or Jaipur marks a segment), then the routing in the segment, then finally the activities. This trip was challenging because of the ANCHOR DATES, MOSQUITOES / WEATHER.
- Find 2+ Go To Tour Operators to help with the routing and itinerary.
- Look at all possible TRANSPORTATION - how to get from each SEGMENT to the next, to make sure it can be done easily, with minimal cost, and reasonable time. If flexible, shift days in order to get a direct / non-stop flight / ferry / train. Use www.rome2rio.com
- For NON-STOP flights: www.travelmath.com/nonstop-flight/ ... www.flightsfrom.com/
- FLIGHTS: Research air safety for smaller airlines. Make sure you fly to the correct airport, and have the correct airport code!!
- In the DESIGN step, pick your favorite hotel, like Marriott, and get the LOCAL CONTACT email. They can help you figure things out.
- Icon: Change the icons in the settings
Working with a Tour Operator: India North, Bhutan
- Starting from their already-designed OFF THE SHELF TOUR: Look at the day they will be at the Bhutan Festival (Black Crane) and the routing may need to be reswizzled from there. Best to start with their EVERYTHING so that you can decide what to cut. Check with 1 or 2 other Tour company's itineraries.
- # of NIGHTS: Are # of nights enough in each hotel? We typically like 3-4 NTS so there is not much checkin and checkout, and we have time!
- ROUTING: Ask for the locations IDd on a map. If you want to take locations out, it will be good to target the outliers far far away. You can also use Google Maps.
- HIGHLIGHTS: What are the key experiences in each destination. Are these just blah-blah FILLERS that you can do without, to minimize moving around too much? How many Dzongs can we see in one trip, before we get Dzonged out?!? ;-)
- IS THIS RIGHT FOR YOU? Look at distances and difficulty level of hikes / treks, altitude.
- Figure out a way that works for you and your tour operator to communicate efficiently.
AND, consider this ...
- HOMESTAYS: These seem intriguing / interesting in far away exotic lands, BUT! So that you know what you are getting into, ask for pictures AND a description of a typical homestay (freezing and choking with the smoke Northern Vietnam story!)
- Feature: Explain the benefit of your products
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BEFORE finalizing the Itinerary
- VISA: In general, double-extra-check if days are >= 30
- STOICISM PRACTICE: For challenging treks including 4 nights in a different homestay, imagine how difficult it could get and visualize ease. Best to get as much details as possible! And, maybe this is just not for you! (but be courageous as it's only 4 days!)
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RtW STEP 3: DO - PLAN + RESERVE!!!
- AIR: Sort by FASTEST, then CHEAPEST, then BEST. Each traveler's BEST could be difference based on your preferences and values. For example, we are not willing to save $1,500 on a 1-way ticket NYC to Melbourne as 1 Travel Hacker suggested, buy 2 separate 1-way tickets (NYC > LAX, then LAX > MEL)
- HOTEL: Are Farm House stays right for you? Get a description and pictures of the typical place. I read a lot of the TripAdvisor reviews looking for: 1-star (is there a them and how recent), I search for things I care about in a place (for most of India I searched for "noise", at the Desert Camp I searched for "AC" + "heat" + "flies" + "mosquitos" and looked at what time of year this review stay was - date written does not always represent when the stay was)
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RtW STEP 4: PREPARE!!! Get update from the Google Doc
Pro Tip! Maintain a checklist to stay organized - go slow to go fast
CALENDAR
1 YEAR PRIOR: when to???
Buy Air ... before buying non-ref tix?
Buy NYE tix
Reserve NYE hotels
Buy Air
Reserve
1 MONTH PRIOR to departing from our house in Costa Rica
- Last Private Chef order: 1 month ahead of time gives you time to finish everything (if he delivers in bulk, and you freeze future servings)
- Start emptying out fridge and freezer and items: Use up all perishables, and even stuff that can be stored, to minimize what takes up space on the shelves. Plan carefully the orders from Private Chef, and from the Feria farmers market.
- Purge: Great time to purge the storage room, and giveaway things that are not being used. Are there any outstanding items from the previous trip - like copying receipts. You'll have more outstanding items during the next trip!
- Update the "Important info" doc on your phone: For easy access ASAP, account numbers and passwords for banks and travel providers (though normally saved on Chrome or Apple)
1 MONTH PRIOR to departing for Nepal
SHOPPING IN THE US
- Contact lenses: Get a new prescription before leaving Costa Rica (home country)
- Feature: Explain the benefit of your products
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PACKING
Intentional Packing - Minimalistic Packing
- Do you really need to bring it? Some items can stay depending on ... long VS short flights (like neck pillow)
WORK / BUSINESS
- Your TEAM: Empower them to run the business without you! Get yourself out of the loop with as many tasks as possible (e.g. Emails should go to MyDocs@ and not Docs@)
- Feature: Explain the benefit of your products
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FINANCE
- Credit Cards and Bank Cards: What will expire during the time +6months you are traveling? ... specially the card that pays for your RECURRING business expenses!
- Feature: Explain the benefit of your products
- Icon: Change the icons in the settings
HEALTH & PERSONAL
- Vaccinations: need to be in US 1+ month prior: Stay organized and maintain a list of vaccinations you have had, and when, and what can be taken together or how long to wait for the other.
- Baseline get a COVID and flu shot before departure.
- All vaccines within one year of departure, less is better. but more than one month advisable.
- GP diptheria, whooping cough, tetanus done 2024.
- Lou?
- Hair cut: Schedule for days prior to departure.
- Dentist & Eyes: Get a new contact lens prescription
This will be updated during / after our Trip!
RtW STEP 5: ENJOY + ELEVATE!!!
- Be Resourceful and Pivot: Use the resiliency skills and System we used to pivot when I broke my wrist in Italy.
- Feature: Explain the benefit of your products
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RtW STEP 6: THRIVE!!!
RtW STEP 7: SETTLE!!!
ToDo ACTUAL
ARTICLE: Eating our way around the world in India / etc / etc
RtW STEP <?> what hook
<story WHY & HOW>
You might consider these ...
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<<<
This photo shows ...
>>>
For our ~3 MONTH trip to Italy and Malta.
STOP HERE! Delete all below.
10) Luggage
WARNING! It's really better to practice MINIMALISTIC travel, but believe it or not, that is harder to do!!! ...specially when your travel partner's values don't align with yours ;-)
If you MUST travel with lots of stuff ...
The idea is to be able to easily move lots of luggage, with the least amount of people - like just the 2 of you! Of course, you will also have to keep in mind minimalistic packing.
For adding more bags and rolling multiple bags : Piggy back luggage Straps, and Bag Bungees, Adjustable Suitcase Belt Straps.
<<<
This photo shows how the piggy back straps allows you to have many pieces of luggage. Yes, this is NOT minimalistic travel! We were on a ~3 MONTH trip that included Sedona (high dessert hiking and artsy), Las Vegas (glitzy), San Francisco bay are (chic), No Carolina (beach) - lots of different types of clothing! And, this was on a Southwest flight with 2 free luggage, so we did not bother purging and lightening our load.
>>>
For our ~3 MONTH trip to Italy and Malta.
You might consider these ...
Upright 2 Wheel Checked Luggage, Lightweight, Black, 26-Inch.
I LOVE my Travelpros! I also have a Travelpro carryon.
A wheeled bag takes the lugging out (which is so 60s) Expandable add flexibility to go big or small.
with Shoes Compartment, Packable Lightweight Water Repellent, Weekender.
We have 2 of these, collapsed. If we need to expand during travel, and before the next flight, or if we can volunteer to check a bag then we take stuff out to carryon.
4 pack
I use 2 per bag crisscross (horizontal and vertical) for extra protection, and different colors to make mine easy to spot at baggage claim.
Adjustable Suitcase Belt Straps Accessories for Connecting Luggage. (Black-4 Pieces).
This little accessory allowed us to travel ~3 months in Italy and Malta with 1 large + 2 medium + 3 carryons ... and I had a full arm cast in a sling!
9) Light and All-weather, All-Environments
even if I am going to the sunny tropics, in case I find myself in a cold or windy environment, like the airplane ride, or if we go up a mountain ...
Shoes multi-purpose for different applications: water / hiking, Light and multi-use
You might consider these ...
Headbands - Wide Headbands for Women >>>
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8) Make your journey pass quicker and smoother!
<story WHY & HOW>
You might consider these ...
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7) Plan to stay healthy!
Remember a sufficient supply your daily medication, supplements, and pills.
Buying on the road is not easy, and takes time away from enjoying travel.
It's best if you only take what you need for the duration of the trip, stored in clearly marked smaller pill bottles, to minimize weight.
You might consider these ...
for Immune Support
We start taking Vitamin C a few days before travel, during, and after! There are so so many people we get close to, from all over the world at the airport. Some of the supplements I take already have Vitamin C, so I have to consider those.
Waterpik Sidekick Portable Water Flosser >>>
<WHAT>
<WHY>
Advil >>>
<WHAT>
<WHY>
Tylenol >>>
<WHAT>
<WHY>
6) Sleep Smarter - Good Night!
<story WHY & HOW>
You might consider these ...
SoundSleep Noise Sound Machine >>>
for a better night's sleep
Using the Travel Forever System increases your probability for getting a nice room that gives you quiet. However, if you are in a city, or these is an unexpected source of noise, then this could do the trick!
Melatonin >>>
<WHAT>
<WHY>
5) Money Matters (Finance)
Credit cards with no foreign transaction fees.
ATM card with no ATM fees!
You might consider these ...
ToDo Get link.
Chase Marriott >>>
ToDo Get link to refer a friend.
4) The productive and peaceful road warrior!
Tools to keep doing business: Computer, cell phone, key for Wires that some banks require if going above a certain amount.
Have you set up online bank with international access - you might need to arrange this BEFORE you leave your home!
You might consider these ...
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3) Make myself feel like home: Entertainment
<story WHY & HOW>
You might consider these ...
Every pound matters!
<WHAT>
<WHY>
2) Stay Connected
Cell phone with international calling program/ day passes confirmed or purchased ahead for the destination. Hot spots don't help for road emergencies or other emergencies out and about.
You might consider these ...
<WHAT>
<WHY>
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<WHY>
And 1!) Are you travel ready?
This is so obvious but easy to forget! Having your passport (for international trips) or ID is so important, it deserves to go on your checklist that is double-checked BEFORE you leave home!!!
Also, did you bring your other travel documents like your ID, international drivers license if needed?
Also, have you checked in (usually 24 hours prior to departure) so you can possibly get better seats?
Download the airline app and have the Boarding passes available on your phone.
You might consider these ...
Secure Hidden RFID Blocking, Anti-Theft Passport Wallets for Men and Women.
We put this in the hotel safe whenever not needed.
Just remember it before checkout!
<WHAT>
<WHY>
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10) Luggage
9) Light and All-weather, All-Environments
<TEMPLATE> what hook
<story WHY & HOW>
You might consider these ...
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