Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel

I'm the kind of person who, as a child, the teacher would have to shoo the birds away from the window, because I could never pay attention in class. I couldn't help it. I daydreamt about the freedom of those wonderful winged creatures and how, if they didn't desire this spot or that one, they could easy flap their wings and fly away. I still do this...So when I was working and listening to the Tim Ferriss podcasts and how he sounded so passionate about travel, it rekindled that fire. I picked up a couple of other travel books and it seemed, no matter what or who, this book was mentioned. I hesitated because I couldn't explain the price when so much is free on the net. However, I finally did it when I realized it wasn't a simple purchase but an investment to my desires and dreams.I regret not buying this sooner! It was multiple times more useful from it's impressive amount of knowledge and links and book names to further enhance one's study to wherever in the world one wants to go! For the first time since the Corps, I'm looking at long term travel again - but on my terms! Thank you Rolf, for this work of art, and to all those who helped push this book. I add my name to that list proudly! Again, this isn't a simple purchase of fancy, this is a great self-investment with huge returns!

This book inspired me to leave my home country and travel the world, now it's been 7+ years "vagabonding" wooooo awesome book! A good read for every human.

Not since reading the Jules Verne classic "Around the World in 80 Days" has my imagination been more fired up. I just completed a year of sabbatical of travel around the globe so I could easily act like this book is remedial, which is hardly the case.This book is an intellectual toolkit for any traveler. It not only lays out a dense amount of valuable and practical advice for many travel topics but it will also work out your mind from the easy chair of your living room.I have read Rolf's (the author) writings before and was excited to see he was writing a book. I love many travel writers but Rolf is the first to truly represent a younger and recent generation. To spite his youth he doesn't fall into the Gen-X trap of all cynicism and no substance instead his wit and style fall more into an updated Catcher in the Rye vibe.I recommend if you love his book, become a daily reader of his website, where he posts daily musings and travel quotes. What I strongly recommend against is paying attention to the crackpot that listed the stay at home parenting book as a counter choice to Vagabonding. Clearly this person didn't bother to read Rolf's book, because its clear message isn't about making a life choice of travel over family responsibility, if anything its message is about living your life to its fullest potential so you can experience a life without regret. Something tells me there would be many more happy relationships and families if more people knew more about the big planet out there and followed their unrealized dreams.Take the challenge and read this book.

My wife and I have traveled from the US to 65 countries over three decades. We've flown in an out of London 14 times. We've lived in four countries for three months or longer and built two orphanages in Africa. Professionally, I help people plan for and invest properly for a life of adventure travel. I've bought and given away several copies of this book. The internet links are mostly worthless. The philosophy and mindset of the book is priceless. If you're considering a life of long-term adventuring, you'll need many resources. My copies of this book are dogeared, highlighted, circled and handed out to others. It's a classic, and the tons of great reviews confirm that.

As I’m on my own vagabonding experience currently, this book hits home. Any person that’s interested in travel, not just visiting a destination, should read this book! 10/10 Rolf!

I originally read Vagabonding around 2010 when I was just about to finish college. I had no money, but had big dreams of seeing the world on my terms. Although it would be half a decade before I would really go vagabonding on my own, the book planted a seed I couldn't shake.Five or six years later I re-read it, which helped put into motion a plan that ultimately led to a three-month solo trip in Latin America, my first time outside my own country. I took the book along as my travel companion and appreciated it in a different light compared to when I was just in the planning and dreaming stages.The book is not for every type of traveler, and some of the more logistical advice is probably a bit dated now, but for those that see travel (especially solo travel) as a romantic yet intimidating act, Vagabonding can be your spirit guide to an undertaking that will change your life.

This is a pretty simple book, designed for those who have never traveled but always wanted to. By "travel" I'm referring to long-term, low-budget travel. This is definitely not intended for the independently wealthy or those who don't know how to function without all of the conveniences of home. Nor is meant for the person who has a couple of weeks off of work and just wants to get out of town. There are plenty of other books for people interested in those types of travel.The author describes several different approaches to travel and refrains from passing judgment on any of them. He lays out the pros and cons of each style and lets you decide what's right for you. He provides dozens of resources and is continually adding to them on his website. Somehow, he passes on all of this information without making the book feel like a typical travel book.I took six months off after college and traveled around the U.S. with my then-toddler son. Sustained travel can be difficult even in this country. When my son graduates high school, I plan to try long-term international travel. This book was a great jumping off point for me. I was surprisingly impressed.

What a fantastically heart-warming book; a real pleasure to read and with plenty of honest and very helpful information. It's broken down into sections that have advice and information on: The change in lifestyle/coming away from your current situation or job and putting that into action, working abroad, travel warnings, money saving/dematerialising, traveling with children, older travelers, women & men specific traveling, travel guides, preparation, what to bring, money help, how to travel, attitude, cultural help, communication, hotel tips, etiquette, day to day living, health, open mindedness, practicality, spirituality, trying new things, improvising, volunteering... etc. All contain pages of Rolf's experience with quotes and a more in detail page on another travelers experience related to the section you're reading about. Included are lists of books and websites for help.I really enjoyed reading this book, the language used it very fluent and a joy to read. Quotes from other writing, philosophers, travelers made it all the more appealing. There are some accounts of specific places and situation he visited to go along with the writing. It's fairly organised, but even if you don't feel it is the individual sections help target specific information you may need. It certainly made me feel a ease and provided more insight into traveling.

This is a good book and i really like the general ethos behind it. however, if you have done just a little travelling already yourself, there really is not much in there for you. i think it is ideal for young 18-25 yr olds or older people that have never traveled. If your an older guy who has previously traveled it leaves you a little uninspired.

This book is not a travel guide. Rather its a book dedicated to a way of thinking. It's clear the Author is heavily influenced by "Walden" and "The song on the open road".Shout out to Tim Ferris for recommending this book.I think one can spend their entire life rediscovering aspects of their home town, and therefore life doesn't need to constantly be about travel.

Even though it has links to practical advice it is not a practical book. The links in the book are also a bit outdated from the nineties and begin 2000 but the book itself is timeless. I love it because it is so hopeful and it is very logical but sometimes we need to be reminded. It's more about changing your attitude to possibilities and opening your eyes to the moment. I have many highlighted sentences that are a straight boot up the .... in a helpful analyzing way that will make you analyze yourself. Snap out of that bubble you live in and go live the world which is not a show you attend but the beautiful reality we live in. For me this book was exactly that reassuring first step I needed in a uncertain time where travel seemed impossible. This book is a supportive, honest no bull.... kind of best friend to help your dream of traveling in it's purest form, Vagabonding!!

An amazing insight to what we have yet to discover.This book completely changed my view on travel, and expense!I have put off traveling for too long, thinking that it would cost me far to much, and that I would never be able to sustainsuch adventures long enough due to money.This book has put everything into perspective. I greatly look forward to taking what I have learnt,and to embark on life changing travels across the world.I now know how to do it, how I can afford it, and most importantly; I have no fear of doing it.