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Hi everyone,
Apologies in advance for the long post — just trying to give a bit of context for what we’re planning.
We’re planning a 5-month round-the-world trip as a family starting in August 2026 — two adults and two kids (age 10) — and I’d love to hear thoughts from this brilliant community. We’re planning to travel eastward and are aiming for a mix of low-cost carriers and clever points redemptions where they really shine.
I’ve read through the threads about building a multi-carrier ticket with Avios, but it seems that’s now virtually impossible. I’m unsure whether it’s worth investing time down that route — any suggestions or recent workarounds would be much appreciated.
We haven’t locked in any destinations yet, but we’re trying to shape the route around places where unusual or rare things are happening. For example, earlier this year we returned to Japan to go to the Osaka Expo 2025 (off course we also visited other parts of Japan never seen before). For this trip, we’re considering starting in a country where we can experience the total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026. We love events like that — natural phenomena, quirky festivals, or places with a unique energy at a particular time — and are happy to build around them.
Our current “dream list” includes Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vanuatu, some of the other South Pacific islands, Hawaii, South Africa, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and possibly a return to the Maldives. I know that’s a lot, but these are just starting ideas to help guide the planning. In Asia, we’re not considering China (apart from Hong Kong), Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, or Japan this time, as we’ve visited recently — with the possible exception of Thailand.
We’ll mostly be flying economy (likely lots of low cost carrier), but I’d love suggestions for high-value Avios uses that could work for a family of four. We’re open to off-peak awards, lesser-known partner routes, or quirky redemption opportunities where the value really stands out. We’re flexible with timing and routing, so happy to take detours for something special. By end of summer, we will also have 2 companion vouchers to use each.
I also have a stash of Hilton points and was thinking of using them for a 5-for-4 redemption at a resort. We loved Conrad Rangali in the past, but would prefer to avoid the pricey seaplane transfer this time. I’m open to other Hilton options or even unique, non-chain hotels if the experience is memorable. I also have a good number of Radisson points from before the programme changes — I’ve been keeping them alive in case better opportunities come along.
We hold the Amex Platinum Card and have used the travel insurance multiple times without issues, but I’m aware the cover only extends up to 90 days per trip — so if anyone has good solutions for extended travel insurance beyond that, I’d really appreciate the advice.I’ll be diving back into the old “My Favourite Hotel” series for more inspiration, but would love to hear any fresh suggestions or recent experiences. Thanks in advance — always grateful for the insight and generosity on here!
If you’re not wedded to the avios options you could look at an alliance that actually encourages RTW tickets – https://roundtheworld.staralliance.com/staralliance/en/round-the-world
One World also offer RTW fares …
What’s the plan for the children’s schooling?
What’s the plan for the children’s schooling?
If I understood correctly I will need to take them out of school for one term and homeschool them while travelling. Then sign them up again when we are back.
I forgot to mention that I will have some paid time off work that is why I’m planning this trip. I’m not leaving my work to travel the world indefinitely unfortunately.
My first question is – are you doing a true round the world trip and hence not returning to the UK or are you backtracking?
Any RTW ticket by any alliance does not allow full ‘backtracking’ though they permit it to an extent, say arrive Bangkok depart Hong Kong if there are no direct routes to the next destination from Bangkok. It severely limits your choices, but reduces the overall cost.
I have been going to São Tomé and Principe every other year since 2017 (minus pandemic). It can only be reached via Lisbon with TAP at very high prices, especially in summer or via Accra with BA and overnights in Ghana to catch the TAP flights. The 1h30 flight in economy can cost £400 for basic ticket and no luggage. Going to STP and visiting Principe Island will cost an extra cca 160-200 euros pp depending on the time of booking. It’s not a low-cost destination although if you manage to get there food is cheap. If you want decent accommodation on Principe you’ll need to fork out £400 per room per night. Some have managed to find local cheaper options, but you’ll forgo comfort and sometimes electricity can be patchy. Similar situation on Saõ Tomé island. You will need a car to get anywhere or pay local guides to take you to places which can cost quite a bit. It’s a wonderful unspoilt place, but it is not set up for cheap tourism as IG posts would led you to believe. And also very few people speak English, some know French.
Is there any reason why you are not considering South America? I think it would be a missed opportunity and region is also well connected with low cost carriers.
There are various threads here on STP, South America, Taiwan. You’ll need to do some digging.
I’d also keep Asia for last month or so due to weather which is not great in many parts August-November (with exception of Bali).
You mentioned the Maldives and Conrad Rangali avoiding the seaplane. You should note that a speedboat to Rangali takes 4-5 hours and costs $3,000! It also crosses the open ocean so could get very choppy if the weather is not with you.
Given the length of the trip and you wanting to control budget, as suggested by other comments, there are much cheaper resorts. Have you considered one of the local islands? The only real drawback for most people is that they are dry. Search for local islands with bikini beaches which I’ll give you some ideas of places most catered to westerners regardless of whether you want to wear a bikini. You can still get great food, snorkelling, etc. Some of them are accessible by ferry from Male.
And +1 for South America. We’ve only started dipping our toes into it recently and just love what we’ve done so far.
Just a quick 1ppenyworth of thoughts
“For this trip, we’re considering starting in a country where we can experience the total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026.”
Spain is the obvious choice here but you need to look verey carefully at the predicted weather (cloud cover) Also the time of the eclipse IIRC it is just before sunset in Southern Spain.
LCC are a good way to hop between sites, with Air Asia and Scoot coming to mind. These with One way AVIOS trips can be more flexible than a “RTW” ticket IMHO
Luggage-Pack very light so keep down the luggage charges on LCC.
Do you have any America Airlines miles? I found them invaluable for our South Pacific trip to Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu and Raratonga.
Look at the seasons and weather where you are going as you may cross into off seasons as you travel.
Visa:-Do you need any and can they be procured before the trip? It’s can be a PITA to have to sort them whilst on the move.
Travel Insurance. Possibly look at MSE for ideas.
@Meta.
That’s interesting. Somewhere you must have a connection to in order to keep returning despite the expense and faffy route. It’s a place that interests me but I’ve not done any serious research yet. Must say, reading your description of the associated costs has put me off somewhat.@meta, as above interesting you mention São Tomé and Príncipe. OH and I got our DNA done recently and some of his comes back to there so it’s piqued my interest!
I can’t really add anything to the RTW suggestions as we’ve never done anything that adventurous. At one time I wouldn’t have felt comfortable with taking children out of school but during the pandemic some of my son’s teachers just seemed to give up altogether and I ended up coaching him through some of his GCSE subjects! Travel definitely broadens young minds as well.
I’d love to hear about your travels, @Princess, once you get underway 👍
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