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Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel
by
Rolf Potts
Vagabonding is about taking time off from your normal life—from six weeks to four months to two years—to discover and experience the world on your own terms. Veteran shoestring traveler Rolf Potts shows how anyone armed with an independent spirit can achieve the dream of extended overseas travel. Potts gives the necessary information on:
• financing your travel time
• ...more
• financing your travel time
• ...more
Paperback, 224 pages
Published
December 24th 2002
by Villard
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Rolf Potts gives a ton of good resources for how to travel long-term. This is not for the person who wants to take a week vacation in Cabo, but for someone who wants to hang out in a country or two or however many for a long time -- several weeks to several years. It's inspiring and helpful to know that I'm not the only one who wants to travel this way!
Clackamas
rated it
Recommends it for:
People who always wished they'd lived with the gypsies
Recommended to Clackamas by:
? Someone on Goodreads
***I keep trying to find a better book for the type of travel I plan, and haven't yet, so I re-read this one... I can't quite upgrade it though, even though part of me wants to. Originally read 1/2008***
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 ...more
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 ...more
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"...deliberately not carrying a camera and sedulously avoiding the standard sights, the anti-tourist doesn't have much integrity or agenda beyond his self conscious decision to stand apart from other tourists."
That comes half way into a book that at first states that vagabonding is all about your personal lifestyle choices and not about contrasting with or criticizing other people's choices. I have read of at least 5 labels for travelers which RP stereo typically dismisses....more
That comes half way into a book that at first states that vagabonding is all about your personal lifestyle choices and not about contrasting with or criticizing other people's choices. I have read of at least 5 labels for travelers which RP stereo typically dismisses....more
Vagabonding in one of the best sabbatical books written. First, forget about the strange title, the book is much better. Forget about the word "vagabonding" and what is potentially means. The fact is that Potts deals with all potential issues of long-term travel. He lists tremendous resources, and offers down-to-earth advice through inspiring case studies. He asks the right questions about what you should do with your life. I just love this book, in particular its slightly philosophica...more
Why I Read this Book: Travel and exploration is an essential part of the development of a successful and fulfilled life. Rolf provides an awesome and inspirational guide.
Review:
All I can think of is travel right now. Not just travel, but moreso exploring, adventure and discovery. Where will my next adventure be? I have that excited feeling right now that only the best possibilities bring us. You know, that one we used to all feel the night before Christmas? Something like...more
Review:
All I can think of is travel right now. Not just travel, but moreso exploring, adventure and discovery. Where will my next adventure be? I have that excited feeling right now that only the best possibilities bring us. You know, that one we used to all feel the night before Christmas? Something like...more
More of a reference book and a rousing pep talk than a guide book, I think; that said, it offers a veritable forest of trees to bark up with respect to logistics and specifics (also available and updated on the website). This is a nice, quick read if you're needing a friendly shove off of the couch and some ideas on how to start doing the necessary homework to plan a long-term journey. There's some good perspective in here, particularly as concerns some of the mental pitfalls that may await the ...more
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If you have already gone on open-ended adventures into the world, the first two-thirds (or more) of this book are a bore. Not until I got to the end did I start to enjoy and appreciate it. If you haven't had the opportunity to travel freely then this is a well-grounded book full of lots of great advice. Highlights (for anyone) include; good quotes, interesting excerpts from other travel writers, and tons and tons of resources, links, and other channels for research and planning.
Rolf Potts’ Vagabonding was recommended to me by a friend who apparently thinks I:
a) Need to get out of the house (and the city/state/country)
b) Enjoy books that heavily rely on quoting Walt Whitman’s “Song of the Open Road”
It’s not a bad book, certainly not the type I would pick up on my own, but there’s nothing really life-changing here either. Potts is conversational (almost to a fault), and he makes some fine points about living with less and accepting circumsta...more
a) Need to get out of the house (and the city/state/country)
b) Enjoy books that heavily rely on quoting Walt Whitman’s “Song of the Open Road”
It’s not a bad book, certainly not the type I would pick up on my own, but there’s nothing really life-changing here either. Potts is conversational (almost to a fault), and he makes some fine points about living with less and accepting circumsta...more
I definitely have a bad case of wanderlust. However, this book makes me want to go even further, to pack a small bag, sling it over my shoulder, grab my husband, take the next flight out, and just wander the world without any destination or pre-booked hotel room. When I mentioned this idea to my husband, he rolled his eyes and said it was just because I was reading this book. I agree. I might have gotten carried away. However, somehow, this dream is still sticking with me. This is not a tr...more
This is a wonderfully inspirational book, which delves into the reasons why you might want to take off and go "vagabonding" throughout the world. It offers tips about how to make that a reality, mainly in the form of links to other resources (and it is accompanied by an actively maintained website that keeps those links fresh). This isn't really a how-to book, although it contains many suggestions that will aid in a successful, rewarding trip; it's more about the why-to. The liberal...more
This book about long-term backpacking, or “Vagabonding” as they have so affectionately termed it, is an extremely detailed resource for further reading on the many subjects one should consider before starting to travel for a living. It is also full of short inspirational passages and quotations that can really help the reader get “the fever”, if you will – that desire to sell all of the material possessions in your home, decide which set of clothes you want to live in for the next 6 months, and...more
"Vagabonding" is one of those currently trendy terms for budget travel that aims to make it sound more deep and meaningful than "budget travel". I expected to find a pretentious defense of "travel" vs. "tourism" here, but I didn't really. The author did talk a bit about living in the moment, but was actually fairly balanced and reasonable.
Part inspiration and part travel guide, Vagabonding doesn't cover much ground that isn't covered in other sources ...more
Part inspiration and part travel guide, Vagabonding doesn't cover much ground that isn't covered in other sources ...more
After knowing about this book for a few years, I finally picked up a copy. It was the right time. I've been living in China for 5 months now and so many points the author (Rolf Potts) makes are relevant to me now. I still feel new to China and traveling internationally/long-term, but my fears and misconceptions have dwindled. This book is also giving me renewed confidence and ideas for how I'd like to travel in this next year. I'm halfway through and looking forward to the rest of the book.
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This is a short read that I intend to read over and over. Basically, it explains that you don't have to be in college or retired to experience long-distance travel. Hiking the Appalachian Trail or spending a year in Thailand is completely do-able for even 30 or 40-somethings. It's a reminder for me not to get caught up in the rat race and the sequence of school, job, marriage, kids, more job, 1 week vacations at a time, retirement, and then death. Although I take away a bit of inspiration an...more
Fascinating! I read this because a colleague and her husband are both quitting their jobs and planning to travel for a minimum of 6 months. She told me she was reading this in preparation, and I found the title intriguing. What's really intriguing is the philosophy of working to make money to travel, then living simply on the road for long stretches of time-- and instead of spending lots of money to stay right where you are, spending lots of time to experience the world. Exhilerating quotes ...more
Informative. I honestly couldn't read the whole thing. Towards the end of the book I almost exploded and sold everything so I could go travel and be the free spirit Potts is. Beware: if you catch the travel bug easily, this one is liable to put a hurtin on ya and make you want to sell everything, leave everyone and be a nomad. He makes it sound so good. If that's okay with you and your ready for it, this is one of the most informative how-to books about global travel I've found. I'm personally n...more
This is like a series of reality checks on long-term travel. A bit more space devoted to motivational pep-talk than I found useful as someone who already knows he wants to do this, but for people who are uncertain, it's probably about right. Much of this is not going to be news to people who've already done much short-term independent travel, but if you've never landed somewhere without a definite idea of when or how you're getting to the next destination, this will help convince you that that's...more
When I first read this book I had no idea that people even traveled for longer than a few weeks. I thought vacations were week long affairs involving the entire family being piled into a cramped vehicle, driving across country (eating fast food eery meal along the way), and sprinting through Disneyland for a couple days. After reading Vagabonding though I was shown a better way. Vagabonding provides readers with a no nonsense perspective that encourages you to find a way to make travel happen. I...more
I stumbled upon an interview with Rolf Potts in the basement of the philosophy common room at university. Vagabonding appeared at a time in my life when I sought a role model that defied the notion that college degree equals high paying job equals a life expected, sedentary. More than the text itself, I was inspired by Potts' attitude towards life, culture, and success. As previous reviewers caution, the "guide" part of the book targets the novice traveler, but the inspiration writt...more
One of my favorite books ever! If you are serious about traveling this should be at the top of your list. It is not a travel guide, but provides insight on how to travel for extended periods of time in order to really understand and explore your destination. More of a philosophical look at travel, and some of the "barriers" we tell ourselves we face in regards to traveling for extended periods. Contains great excerpts from other travel writers, quotes, and some thought provoking idea...more
A straightforward and direct book.
This book came across my desk via the Tim Ferriss reading list I put together a while back. Similarities can immediately be drawn, as this book clearly had some impact on The Four Hour Workweek, both in content and in format.
If you're considering escaping your life as it has been prescribed to you (either by your parents, yourself, or anyone else), this book can be both an inspiration and a resource. It touches on all the main considerations ...more
This book came across my desk via the Tim Ferriss reading list I put together a while back. Similarities can immediately be drawn, as this book clearly had some impact on The Four Hour Workweek, both in content and in format.
If you're considering escaping your life as it has been prescribed to you (either by your parents, yourself, or anyone else), this book can be both an inspiration and a resource. It touches on all the main considerations ...more
A travel advice book and self help book all in one. I was expecting a journal type of novel .... instead what you get is some insightful tips about leaving the tour group behind and striking out on your own to distant lands and far away places. Since I enjoy doing this anyway the book was kind of a no brainer for me. For someone that has never traveled solo overseas it would be a God-send. Some great tips and lots of wonderful advice. There is a nice passage in the book about getting over the la...more
Quick read on the practical side of preparing for long-term travel (anything six weeks or longer by his definition.) It covers things to do in advance of your trip, discusses things you'll likely run into on the road and concludes with a brief section on how to handle having to come back home. Some stuff seems kind of common sense, but it's probably best to include that kind of stuff in a guidebook since this is aimed at the neophyte traveler as well as those with a bit more experience.
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Christopher Cordry
rated it
Recommends it for:
neophytes, not acolytes, of the cult of travel
Shelves:
top-shelf
Everything in this book is old news to anyone who has already undertaken "long-term world travel." However, its basic premise is sound, and it would serve as a good wake-up call for those who have previously limited their travel experiences to the safety, comfort, and ease of--for lack of a better word, tourism, or rather the petty-bourgeois approach to travel.
If I sound like a travel snob, it's because I am. Sorry, no apologies.
Potts's core message is this: ...more
If I sound like a travel snob, it's because I am. Sorry, no apologies.
Potts's core message is this: ...more
This book is a perfect example of why I love Amazon. I was doing a search for books about travel in general and came across several which fit the bill. This book got very high praise, however, so I wen ahead and ordered it.
Vagabonding is s great read even if you never plan to be a wanderer yourself. The author talks about the philosophy of going on the road, not with a specific purpose or time constraints in mind, but with an open mind and heart to see and experience the world as it comes a...more
Vagabonding is s great read even if you never plan to be a wanderer yourself. The author talks about the philosophy of going on the road, not with a specific purpose or time constraints in mind, but with an open mind and heart to see and experience the world as it comes a...more
This book was more useful as a motivational read than as an informative one. Most of the information was pretty obvious, but Potts does paint a very beautiful picture of the life of a vagabond, and inspires you to take steps to break free of the things that keep you from taking the leap. In the end, there's no way to write a "how-to" guide on living the life of a long-term traveler; the motivation to get started is the only important step, and I think the author captures that.
A really great general advice book to setting off for extended travel. Some good how-to bits about how to fund it, etc, but lots of good practical advice for when you get worn out, hospitality, etc. A great little paragraph for how to include it on your resume, which I'll be making use of! And most of all, really, really successful in making you want to set out. Lists of resources and links at the end of every chapter, so a good gateway to other resources.
A useful book for first-time travellers, GAP year types considering travel abroad and getting into the mindset needed for long-term travel. I found the structure chaotic and after reading through the first few chapters, found myself skimming through the rest for useful tid-bits – of which there are a smattering. Lots of resources for reference reading and useful websites for independent travellers.
Not groundbreaking for anyone who has read/thought about the issues raised by travel vs. our daily lives. Mostly about philosophy and attitude; not many specifics about how to pursue this unusual approach to travel. Nice compilation of quotations from vagabonders of the past and present, and a few thought-provoking principles to carry forward into daily life as well as travel.
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Rolf Potts has reported from more than sixty countries for the likes of National Geographic Traveler, the New York Times Magazine, Slate.com, Conde Nast Traveler, Outside, The Believer, The Guardian (U.K.), National Public Radio, and the Travel Channel. A veteran travel columnist for the likes of Salon.com and World Hum, his adventures have taken him across six continents, and include piloting a f...more
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“The value of your travels does not hinge on how many stamps you have in your passport when you get home -- and the slow nuanced experience of a single country is always better than the hurried, superficial experience of forty countries.”
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“Work is when you confront the problems you might otherwise be tempted to run away from”
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