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'Round The World Travel Feel like conquering the world? Give us the run down, your game plan, the strategy...

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Old 05-14-2009, 09:47 AM   #21
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I found this thread while google-ing something about best age to travel. I'm 17 and planning to backpack across Europe by railway but my parents say that I should do it next year as I will be 18. Will I possibly face any problems because of my age? For example in case my passport gets stolen or anything, will I be able to go to the consulate and do whatever's needed without facing any problems because of my legal status as a 17 year old? What do you guys think?
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Old 05-14-2009, 09:59 AM   #22
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Solo travel at 17 is fairly common, especially in Europe. Quite a few people on these boards have done it...you should be fine!

And welcome to travelpunk!
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Old 05-14-2009, 02:39 PM   #23
 
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I would presume you will be fine,and welcome to the boards
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Old 05-14-2009, 05:17 PM   #24
 
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I'm thinking that it will be no big deal at all! I'm 17 and in about a month I'm going on a trip to Atlantic Canada for two months on my own, and I don't anticipate any issues as far as my age goes, aside from getting into the country, since I'm supposed to have a permission note from my parents - I don't think they do this in Europe, though. In fact, there are probably lots of benefits that you might encounter being 17, like steep discounts and free stuff and other such things!
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Old 05-14-2009, 07:33 PM   #25
 
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I believe for some, like me, we'll only get more than enough money for traveling by the age of 25-30's, that's the time we already have a stable job, earning huge money and successful in our fields <---???

unless you're young and born with a silver spoon, then you can get to travel really early in life. Or earning dollars have high value in some countries...
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Old 05-14-2009, 10:16 PM   #26
 
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I believe for some, like me, we'll only get more than enough money for traveling by the age of 25-30's, that's the time we already have a stable job, earning huge money and successful in our fields <---???

unless you're young and born with a silver spoon, then you can get to travel really early in life. Or earning dollars have high value in some countries...

I have £83.11 in my bank account,about £10 in cash,I'm crashing at a friends place,with his brother and his mum in london,I'm going to a job with no pay,with my polish girlfriend in France,my french is extremely little,but im smiling and we'll see how things go.

I've travelled with little money, and my jobs have been crap, I'm not going to get anything out of this world, no high paying job,always going place to place,crap little job,always minimum wage, but at the end of the day, if I get to see the world,whether it be one country a week,or a month,I don't care, I'm happy, I'm 22, and got nothing to show for it.

Bring on the world, it's wonders, it's joys and we will see how we cope with one another.


We are all backpackers here, we all make travelling as near a top priority as we can, and we all get around to do doing it, one way or another.
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Old 05-15-2009, 12:35 AM   #27
 
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dont let age, or a job hold you back. you can always get another job when you get home, work to live not like to work
So true i just left my well paid job which i hated and i must say its the best descision ive ever made! im about to go on my 4 month adventure im 22 and cant wait!
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Old 05-15-2009, 08:29 AM   #28
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So, any age is fine...you got the itch, then go!

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As always WWMike is always on point with the truth.

Any age, as long as you want to go! Or rather, I would say, any age where you find yourself lacking any real commitments... although this is a frame of mind more than anything.
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Old 05-15-2009, 01:57 PM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rockababes View Post
I believe for some, like me, we'll only get more than enough money for traveling by the age of 25-30's, that's the time we already have a stable job, earning huge money and successful in our fields <---???
I think there's two sides to the coin...when you're young you have to scrape together whatever you can and maybe when you're traveling you'll have to work in a hostel or on a farm, or make it something like a study abroad program or field course, etc. But you're flexible, you can do just about anything you want.

Once you're past college, working, and making some decent money...now you can afford to travel more easily but good luck getting any time to do it! And it's so tempting to take on responsibilities...a family, or a house/car payment, or you might be in repayment on student loans, a job that you can only get 2 weeks of vacation for, pets, etc.

Bottom line is I think it's never easy, you end up trading one set of problems for another. You're definitely right that being from a country with generally higher pay and stronger currency values is a huge help though.
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Old 05-24-2009, 06:24 PM   #30
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Originally Posted by maracle View Post
I

And it's so tempting to take on responsibilities...a family, or a house/car payment, or you might be in repayment on student loans, a job that you can only get 2 weeks of vacation for, pets, etc.
Ugh I think fighting this temptation can be the worst sometimes!! I have been soo tempted to get a cat or dog the past 6 months or so but know its not realistic as I want to take off for a couple of years and the poor thing would have nowhere to go - i'd feel so bad!

So if your responsibility free go see the wolrd while you can!!
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Old 05-25-2009, 04:12 AM   #31
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I didn't start traveling until I was over 40. I grew up in a family that ALWAYS had money issues & I didn't think traveling outside the US was something I could ever afford to do. I wanted to see all of the different countries & cultures but didn't think it was within my grasp. So I didn't even consider doing it - until I met a traveler, WorldwideMike. (We didn't have the internet when I was in my teens & 20s to find great sites like this.) A month after we started dating I realized I needed a passport & haven't looked back.

Now I have the luxury (here in America) of over 4 weeks vacation per year. Of course, I've been with my employer longer than many of you have been alive. However, the plan is to retire in 9 years with a full pension (yes, those are still available) & get the hell out of Dodge & see everything I've shorted myself of.

It's true, when you're older there's probably a mortgage & kids (I have the mortgage but not the kids) but you have to decide if you REALLY want to do it. If you do, you'll find a way to get there. I was VERY apprehensive about my first solo trip at an "older" age. People of every age travel. I just met a woman in her 60's at a hostel in Scotland just over a week ago! In my dorm room alone we had ladies aged ranging from 18 to 60.

There is no single "best" age to travel. ALL ages are the best to travel.
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Old 05-25-2009, 07:37 AM   #32
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As others have said I don't think there is a best age to travel, I think that when you have the time/money/opportunity and above all the desire, than its the right time to go.
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Old 05-28-2009, 06:45 AM   #33
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Do it NOW! Honestly, I took off the summer after I graduated from high school and backpacked around Europe and Israel for six months. It was one of the best experiences of my life, and I have never regretted it. Sure, I gave my Mom some gray hairs being gone so long, but just promise her you'll e-mail every other day or so, sign up for Skype so that you can call her from internet cafes, and she should be fine.

The sooner you start traveling, the better, I say!

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