The Great Gallivanting is a travel memoir that chronicles my year-long journey around the world, covering the realities of budget travel, cultural and political encounters, and personal transformation along the way. It’s a mix of adventure, self-discovery, and practical travel insights.

Anyone who loves travel, personal growth, or immersive cultural experiences! Whether you're a seasoned traveler, an aspiring nomad, or just someone looking for an inspiring story about transformation and resilience, this book is for you.

The book will be available on Amazon, Kindle, Lulu, IngramSpark, and other major retailers. Pre-orders are available through May 7th, and the book launches May 25th!

I visited 26 countries across 5 continents, including Spain, Ireland, Morocco, Iraq, Turkey, Australia, Cambodia, and Vietnam. I generally travelled east across the world. I didn't want to cross the Pacific Ocean more than once!

That's Easy - Spain! I loved the culture, the food, and the bullfights (I even spend an entire chapter discussing them in the book!). I especially loved the Basque region and Sevilla, and my friend Jo can attest to how great of a place Spain is! Some honourable mentions are: Turkey (for the history), Morocco (for the food), Iraq (for the experience), and Mexico (for the diving).

First and foremost, I stuck to a strict daily budget. That meant prioritising experiences, meals, and accommodations to fit everything I wanted to see and do into a given city or country. Second, I planned this journey for a full ten months before leaving, so I was able to save money to support my travels. I discuss the challenges of staying on budget while experiencing the world throughout the book, and my friend Jo and I had deliberate money discussions several times during our time together.

Stay on a budget – it saves a lot of headache along the way! Leverage free and discounted activities – Many cities in Europe have a CityPass, offer free exhibitions on certain days, and walking tours are usually tip-only, so you can pay what you can afford. Stay flexible – Traveling during off-peak seasons and being open to last-minute deals saved me a ton. Eat local – Street food and markets are cheaper (and often better) than restaurants. Slow travel – Staying longer in one place reduces costs and deepens the experience. Use Cash – It's harder to overspend when you have to pull the bills out of your wallet.

Unsafe is a relative term, and I am much more apt to take on risky situations than most people. That said, I never felt truly unsafe. I followed basic safety practices, like researching destinations beforehand, avoiding high-risk areas, and staying aware of my surroundings. Remember: good people are everywhere!

I spend an entire chapter on this at the end of the book. It completely shifted my perspective on money, happiness, and what truly matters in life. I learned that people are people everywhere, and we all really just want the best for ourselves and our families.

I’d love to share insights on long-term travel, cultural experiences, and personal growth. If you're interested, please reach out using the contact information at the bottom of the page.

You can find me on Instagram (@jrtvoyage) and Threads (@jrtvoyage), where I share travel stories, experiences, and behind-the-scenes updates on my adventures across the world.