The Global Adventure Tour: Eight Cities In Fourteen Days

This trip is designed for the high energy traveler who wants to see as much of the world as possible in a short window. Over 14 days, you will hop between eight different cities across the globe, shifting from the cold air of the North Atlantic to the red sands of Jordan and the harbors of New Zealand and Australia. It is a demanding pace, but it allows you to experience a wide variety of cultures and landscapes in one single journey.

Stop 1: Reykjavik

Days: 1 Leg: Starting Point

You will begin your journey in Reykjavik, a city that feels more like a compact European capital you can explore on foot than a remote island outpost. Your first stop should be the Old Harbour. Here, you can see fishing boats bobbing beside sleek modern yachts. You will want to spend some time watching the tide roll in while sipping a strong coffee at a sidewalk café, where most espresso drinks cost about 5 €.

After your coffee, take a short walk up the hill to find Hallgrímskirkja. The spire of this church dominates the skyline of the city. You should take the 10 minute climb to the top for a panoramic view of the red roofed houses below. For your first meal in Iceland, you will head to Matbar. When the day ends, you will stay at the 22 Hill Hotel.

Stop 2: Interlaken

Days: 2 Leg from Reykjavik: ~2656 km (flight required)

Next, you will fly to Interlaken, which feels like the Swiss version of a well organized base camp. The town is split into two halves. You can visit Interlaken Ost, where the bars and souvenir shops spill onto the lively Höheweg. If you prefer a quieter atmosphere, head to Interlaken West, a stretch that hugs the Aare river with cafés that open onto the lake promenade.

You will find the Höhematte park just a short walk from the main station. This is a wide green space where locals spread blankets for picnics and children play at the playground. For dining, you have a choice between Bären Grill-Stübli or Laterne. You will spend the night at Beausite.

Stop 3: Petra

Days: 3 Leg from Interlaken: ~2985 km (flight required)

Your third stop is Petra, a living museum where the ancient Nabateans still whisper through stone. You will wander the Siq, a narrow gorge that squeezes the sky down to a few meters. This path eventually leads you to the Treasury, where the rose pink façade is lit by the morning sun.

From the Treasury, the trail opens into the Street of Facades. You will pass the Royal Tombs and continue your hike up to the Monastery, a massive structure perched 800 meters above the valley. For a meal, you will visit The Oriental Restaurant. Your home for the night will be the Petra Palace Hotel.

Stop 4: Cape Town

Days: 4 Leg from Petra: ~7365 km (flight required)

You will then travel to Cape Town, a place where the mountains meet the sea. You can start your morning in Sea Point, sipping a flat white and watching the sunrise over the Atlantic. From there, you can take a short Uber to the base of Table Mountain and ride the cable car up for panoramic views that stretch to the horizon.

The neighborhoods here each have their own character. You should explore the pastel houses and Malay heritage of Bo Kaap, the converted warehouses and art spaces of Woodstock, and the long stretch of sand at Camps Bay. For dinner, you will head to The Power & The Glory. You will stay at the Garden Court Victoria Junction.

Stop 5: Cusco

Days: 5 Leg from Cape Town: ~9209 km (flight required)

Your journey continues to Cusco, where Inca stonework breathes beneath colonial facades. To find the real pulse of the city, you will avoid the main square and head to Barrio de San Blas. Wander through the steep, cobbled lanes and stop at Pukara café, where the owner serves chicha in clay cups while Quechua elders debate pachamama offerings.

While you can see the Plaza de Armas, you should skip the overpriced picanterías in that area and instead visit El Rincón de los Cusqueños. For a meal, you will try Cevicheria Las Machitas. You will spend the night at Hospedaje El Negrito.

Stop 6: Vancouver

Days: 6 to 8 Leg from Cusco: ~8591 km (flight required)

You will spend three days in Vancouver, a city stitched together from mountains, water, and diverse neighborhoods. In Gastown, you can hear the clink of glass at the historic Steam Clock. If you are craving sushi, you will want a spot prawn topped bowl at Miku.

A few blocks away is Yaletown, where the streets are filled with boutique coffee shops. You should visit Café Artigiano on Main for a strong pour over and a pastry. For your main meals, you will visit The Cambie. Your accommodation for these three nights will be L' Hermitage.

Stop 7: Queenstown

Days: 9 to 11 Leg from Vancouver: ~12389 km (flight required)

Next, you fly to Queenstown, a compact adventure hub. The beating heart of the town is the Lakefront, where the main strip is lined with cafés serving flat white coffee and whitebait fritters.

You will want to take a short walk or a cheap gondola ride up to Bob's Peak. From the top, you get a panoramic snapshot of the Remarkables and the red brick roofs of the town. For dining, you will visit Mackenzie Coffee Co. You will stay at Deco Backpackers.

Stop 8: Sydney

Days: 12 to 14 Leg from Queenstown: ~1938 km (flight required)

The final leg of your trip takes you to Sydney, a city that is always half sun, half sea. You can start a morning in Surry Hills, eating a buttery meat pie from a tiny bakery on Oxford Street. Afterward, hop on a tram to enjoy a coffee with a view of the Opera House.

In the afternoon, the vibe shifts to the sand at Bondi. You can watch people jog along the promenade or surfers wait for the next set. You will likely find a long line at the fish and chips shop on Campbell Parade. If you want multicultural food, head to Chinatown and eat at Singapore Famous BBQ Pork. You will stay at Hotel Hacienda.

Route Summary

How to adapt this trip

If you only have 10 days, you should cut some of the single day stops. Removing Interlaken and Cusco would reduce the number of long flights and give you more breathing room in the other cities.

If you have 21 days, you can add more time to the final three stops. Adding two extra days each to Vancouver, Queenstown, and Sydney would allow you to explore the neighborhoods of Gastown, Yaletown, and Surry Hills at a slower pace.