Jules Verne’s classic novel, “Around the World in 80 Days,” follows the protagonist Phileas Fogg and his loyal valet Passepartout as they attempt to circumnavigate the globe in just 80 days to win a bet. While the book was published in 1873, the idea of travelling around the world in a limited amount of time is still an exciting challenge for modern-day adventurers. So, how many countries can you visit in 80 days? Let’s find out.
Firstly, it’s important to note that the number of countries you can visit in 80 days will largely depend on your mode of transportation and your chosen itinerary. If you’re travelling by plane, you can cover more ground in a shorter amount of time, but you may miss out on the experiences of travelling overland. Conversely, if you’re travelling overland, you can visit more countries, but you’ll need to factor in travel time and border crossings.
With that in mind, let’s consider a few sample itineraries:
- By Plane: If you’re travelling by plane, it’s possible to visit around 10-15 countries in 80 days, depending on your route. For example, you could start in Europe and visit countries such as France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Turkey before flying to India, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Japan, and finally Australia. This route would cover a lot of ground but would mean missing out on the overland experience.
- Overland: If you’re travelling overland, you can visit more countries but will need to allow for more travel time. For example, you could start in Europe and travel through Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and Turkey before crossing into Asia and visiting Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, China, and Mongolia. From there, you could travel by train to Russia and continue west through the Baltic States and Scandinavia before returning to Western Europe. This route would allow you to experience a variety of cultures and landscapes but would require careful planning and logistics.
- A Mixture of Overland and Air Travel: Finally, you could combine overland and air travel to visit a variety of countries in different regions. For example, you could start in Europe and travel overland through Eastern Europe and Russia before flying to Japan and then on to Australia. From Australia, you could fly to South America and travel overland through countries such as Chile, Argentina, Peru, and Ecuador before returning to Europe. This route would allow you to visit a range of countries and experience different modes of travel.
In conclusion, the number of countries you can visit in 80 days will depend on your chosen itinerary and mode of transportation. Whether you’re travelling by plane, overland, or a combination of both, careful planning and preparation are essential for a successful trip. And, of course, remember to enjoy the journey, not just the destination!
