“Eight cities, six countries, three weeks – and one enormous sense of excitement.”
Next year, I’ll be setting off on my most ambitious adventure yet – a round-the-world journey that will take me from Europe to the Middle East, across the Americas and Asia, and finally down to Australia.
Across just over three weeks, I’ll visit Oslo, Doha, Los Angeles, New York, Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong and Sydney – a mix of places I’ve long wanted to see, and a few dream flights that any avgeek would struggle to resist.
It’s part bucket-list trip, part loyalty-status challenge, and (as always) part well-structured spreadsheet.
🧭
The Journey
It all begins with a short hop from Glasgow to Oslo, the first stop on the itinerary and the official start of the trip. I’ve never been to Norway before, so even a single night there feels like the perfect way to set the tone – a fresh, clean start to a global adventure.
From there, it’s on to Doha, where I’ll spend two nights at the Hyatt Regency Oryx. A little pool time, a walk along the Corniche, and maybe a quick look around Souq Waqif before boarding one of the world’s longest flights: Qatar Airways’ flagship A350-1000 to Los Angeles. Sixteen hours in Qsuite, complete with a sliding door and an endless stream of mezze – a true aviation geek’s treat.
🎬 Los Angeles
Los Angeles will be all about movie magic. I’ll be spending a full day on the Universal Studios VIP Experience, which gives access to the studio backlot – those famous sets you’ve seen in films – along with front-of-line access to every ride. It’s the perfect mix of film history and pure fun.
Outside the park, I’ll make time for a relaxed evening in Universal City and maybe a wander down Hollywood Boulevard before heading east across the U.S.
🏙️ New York City
Next stop: New York, where I’ll be staying at Virgin Hotels New York. I’ve been before, but this time I want to see the city from a different angle – quite literally – with a visit to One World Trade Center and a walk along the High Line. Both have been on my list for ages.
Then, it’s time for another bucket-list flight: Japan Airlines’ brand-new A350-1000 all the way across the Pacific to Tokyo.
🗼 Tokyo
Tokyo feels like the beating heart of this whole journey – a place where everything is fast, bright, and somehow perfectly ordered. I’ll be based in Shinjuku, exploring everything from Meiji Shrine and Shibuya Crossing to local ramen spots and late-night arcades.
One thing I’m particularly excited about: taking a ride on the Shinkansen bullet train – not for necessity, but simply for the thrill of watching the Japanese countryside blur by at 200mph.
🌿 Singapore
From Tokyo, it’s south to Singapore – a city that seems to combine futuristic design with total calm. I’m planning to visit Gardens by the Bay, visit the famous Yas Marina F1 Circuit, and I might even visit the famour three towered Marina Bay Hotel. If there’s time, I might even hop across to Sentosa for a beachside wander.
🌇 Hong Kong
Then comes Hong Kong, a city I’ve never been to but have always wanted to experience. From the iconic tram up to Victoria Peak to the Star Ferry across the harbour and some proper dim sum, it promises to be a few days of sensory overload in the best possible way.
🌊 Sydney
Finally, I’ll head down to Sydney, my last stop before heading home. I’ll be staying at the new W Sydney overlooking Darling Harbour – a bit of a showstopper of a hotel to finish on.
I’m planning to tick off the big icons – the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, of course – but also venture further out to the Blue Mountains for a full-day trip of lookouts, cable cars and that spectacular Three Sisters view. A proper finale to the journey.
🛫 Why This Trip?
For me, this journey isn’t just about seeing the world – it’s about how I get there. As a lifelong aviation enthusiast, I’ve always loved the experience of flying, and this trip is a deliberate deep dive into some of the best business class products in the sky.
From Qatar’s Qsuite to JAL’s new A350, Cathay’s refined cabin and even a stretch on the super jumbo A380 – it’s an avgeek adventure as much as it is a travel one. The bonus? By the time I get back, I should have top-tier frequent-flyer status locked in for the next two years.
🌍 A New Chapter in the Adventure
Between this and my upcoming cruise later this year, it feels like I’m entering a new phase of travel – one that’s not just about ticking off destinations, but actually experiencing them properly.
There’s still plenty of planning to do (and yes, a few more spreadsheets to tweak), but watching it all come together has been genuinely exciting.
Over the next few months, I’ll share more about how I’ve pieced it all together – from flight selection and stopover strategy to packing for everything from Oslo’s chill to Singapore’s humidity.
And once I’m on the move, expect plenty of updates – the flights, the food, the hotels, the views, and all the little stories in between.
It’s not just a trip around the world – it’s the start of something much bigger.
1 Comment