travel for 80 days

How to travel around the world in 80 days

Jun 3, 2013 • 5 min read

In Jules Verne's classic adventure novel, Phileas Fogg had a devil of a time trying to travel around the world in 80 days. But in the 21st century, circumnavigating the globe has become a bit of a breeze: all you need is a round-the-world (RTW) ticket. In fact, a dedicated (if masochistic) traveller could squeeze it into a few jet-lagged days.

If you have 80 to spare, though, you have enough time for a life-changing trip, and the opportunity to visit places that will stay with you forever. But careful planning is essential if you're going to make the most of your precious time.

Just the ticket

Buying an RTW ticket can be far cheaper than purchasing separate tickets linking each of your destinations. Normally, RTW tickets allow you to visit up to 16 different places with a minimum of three stops. Most airlines are now part of global alliances, so it’s sensible to pick a ticket with an airline that has multiple partners so you can travel with any of them.

The biggest airline partnership is Star Alliance ( www.staralliance.com ), which has 28 airlines covering almost a thousand destinations in 162 countries. They offer four different versions of RTW ticket, depending on the number of miles you want to travel, starting at 26,000 miles and going up to 39,000.

Oneworld ( www.oneworld.com ), with 11 member airlines, is the next best option, again offering a selection of RTW tickets with varying amounts of miles. A number of individual airlines – including Virgin Atlantic ( www.virgin-atlantic.com ), Air New Zealand ( www.airnewzealand.co.uk ), KLM ( www.klm.com ) and Singapore Airlines ( www.singaporeair.com ) – offer RTW tickets too. But their tickets are only valid for their own planes.

Decide whether you plan to travel east or west. All RTW tickets require you to head in one direction or the other and keep moving the same way. And, just like Phileas Fogg, you’ll have to start and finish your journey in the same place.

Stay focused

Do you want an active, adventure-focused experience? Or is seeing glorious landscapes your goal? Are you keener on cities and culture than lazing on a beach?

Whatever you decide, bear in mind that most RTW tickets involve flying in and out of major hubs like London , LA , Sydney , Bangkok and Rio de Janeiro ; adding more out-of-the-way destinations will increase the cost of the ticket dramatically. Talking to travel agencies that specialise in RTW tickets, such as STA Travel ( www.statravel.com ) or Trailfinders ( www.trailfinders.com ), is a good idea. They will know the best way to tailor your ticket to meet your needs.

Remember too that you don’t have to do all your travelling by plane. You can fly to New York  and then drive to LA to catch your next flight, link Beijing and Moscow via the Trans-Siberian Railway , or even overland it from Egypt to South Africa .

Choose your moment

Weather is a crucial factor on any RTW trip. Land in Sydney in December and you can head straight to the beach; arrive in the northern hemisphere a couple of weeks later and it’ll be the depths of winter.

While you will never be able to get perfect weather in every destination, plan ahead if you have specific things you want to do. For example, if you’ve got your heart set on diving in the Andaman Sea, or fancy trekking in the Himalaya , don’t arrive in the middle of monsoon season.

Suggested routes: three ideas for your big trip

For adventure: this route offers everything from deserts and diving to mountains and white-water rafting. Start in London and head east to Delhi and then Nepal for a Himalayan trek. Backtrack overland to India and fly to Bangkok, the gateway for Thailand ’s idyllic diving spots.

Move on to New Zealand ’s South Island and Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world, where you can try everything from bungee jumping to mountain biking and river-boarding. From there, it’s a short hop to Sydney and Australia ’s beaches and deserts. Another flight takes you to LA, from where you can drive Route 66 to the east coast and fly out of New York to London.

For culture and carnivals: if vibrant city life is more your thing, then try this trip. Fly east from London to Cairo for its markets, museums and the Pyramids . From there, you could take a quick cruise down the Nile to Luxor, before heading south to Cape Town and South Africa, where you can tipple your way along the wine-growing routes just outside the city.

After Cape Town, fly to Hong Kong , perhaps via Bangkok or Singapore . One of the world’s most exciting cities, it’s also an essential destination for foodies. The Chinese capital Beijing is a few hours away by plane, allowing you to set foot on the Great Wall , before you make the long haul across the Pacific to San Francisco , the most European of all American cities.

Then drive the Pacific Coast Highway to LA for a taste of Hollywood high life, before flying south to Rio de Janeiro in time for the carnival . A short journey south is Buenos Aires , cultural capital of South America . From there, travel back to London via New York.

For natural wonders: landscape junkies can take this voyage west through some of the most dramatic scenery – deserts, jungle and mountains – on the planet. Begin in Sydney and make your way across Australia, via the Outback, to Perth , before flying to Bangkok. Travel north to Chiang Mai , or make a diversion to Myanmar , currently the hottest destination in Southeast Asia.

Delhi, the starting point for a journey to the deserts of Rajasthan, is just a hop away from Bangkok. Then it’s time for Africa ; a flight to Nairobi and a safari in Kenya . You could then stop off in Cairo before breaking your journey westwards in a European capital.

Afterwards, travel across the Atlantic to Brazil and venture north into the Amazonian rainforests. Back in Rio, fly across the south Pacific to New Zealand’s natural delights, before returning to Sydney.

Check out Lonely Planet's Great Journeys before plotting your own.

Need a bit more help to turn that RTW dream into a reality? Lonely Planet's expert-reviewed hotels, hostels and other accommodation might help.

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Can You Follow The Itinerary Of Around The World in 80 Days?

“Around the World in 80 Days” is a classic adventure novel written by Jules Verne tells the story of Phileas Fogg (and his French valet Passepartout) who attempt to circumnavigate the globe in 80 days. The book which was published in 1873, and is a rip-roaring adventure set primarily in Victorian England. It highlights how technology was advancing rapidly during this period. Railway became a travelling standard which in turn increased global tourism. It inspired people to easily set a schedule, book tickets and travel around the world, which wasn’t common during the Victorian era.

In the story by Jules Verne, Fogg gets into an argument with his fellow members At the Reform Club over an article in  The Daily Telegraph . The article stated that with the opening of a new railway section in India, it is now possible to travel around the world in 80 days. He accepts a wager for £20,000 (which would be equal to about £1.5 million today) from his fellow club members, which he will receive if he makes it around the world in 80 days.

He left London with his French valet Passepartout and followed the route given as follows:

London, the UK to Suez, Egypt

The original itinerary of the book takes Phileas Fogg and his valet Passepartout from London to Suez (Cairo) by taking the Orient Express train. They travel across France and the Alps to reach Venice. Here, they move on to Brindisi (Italy) where they change to a steamer that brings them across the Mediterranean Sea. This takes 7 days.

Suez to Bombay, India

From Suez (Cairo) to Mumbai, Fogg and Passepartout disembark in a steamer across the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. During this journey, they are watched by a Scotland Yard detective, Inspector Fix. Because Fogg matches the description of a bank robber Fix is looking for, he mistakes Fogg for the criminal. Fogg promises the steamer engineer a large reward if he gets them to Bombay early. They dock two days ahead of schedule. This takes a total of 13 days.

Bombay to Calcutta, India

After reaching India, they take a train from Bombay (now Mumbai) to Calcutta (Kolkata) which takes 3 days. Here, Fogg learns that the  Daily Telegraph  article was wrong—the railroad ends at Kholby and starts again 50 miles further on at Allahabad.

In this journey, they meet a young Indian woman called Aouda, who is led to a sanctuary where she is to be sacrificed according to the rite of Sati (suicide on her husband’s funeral pyre) the next day. They rescue Aouda and bring her along on their journey. Even after this rescue operation, Fogg reaches Allahabad for the train ( Via elephant ride).

Obviously now, you don’t get to purchase and ride elephants for your personal transport like that.

Calcutta to Hong Kong and Hong Kong to Yokohama, Japan

For Kolkata to Hong Kong, the travellers catch a steamer going to Hong Kong across the South China Sea which takes 13 days.

Here Fix gets Fogg and Passepartout arrested. Although they jump bail, Fix follows them to Hong Kong. Since without a warrant, he decides that his last chance would be to arrest Fogg on British soil. Fix confides in Passepartout but to prevent Passepartout from informing his master about the premature departure of their next vessel, Fix gets Passepartout drunk and drugs him. Due to this, Passepartout neglects to inform Fogg about the early steamer but manages to catch it himself.

After missing his early ride, Fogg manages to find another steamer headed for Yokohama. Steamer across the China Sea and the Pacific Ocean takes the travellers from Hong Kong to Yokohama (Japan) in 6 days. They are united with Passepartout (who arrived early) in a circus, trying to earn the fare for his homeward journey.

Yokohama to San Francisco, United States

It takes another 22 days for Phileas and Passepartout to travel from Yokohama (Japan) to San Francisco (USA). They take a steamer across the Pacific Ocean for this journey. Fix promises Passepartout that now, he will no longer try to delay Fogg’s journey.

San Francisco to New York City, United States

In San Francisco, they board a transcontinental train to New York which takes another 7 days. During this journey, they encounter a number of obstacles such as a massive herd of bison crossing the tracks, a failing suspension bridge, the train being attacked by Sioux warriors, uncoupling the locomotive from the carriages and Passepartout being kidnapped by the Indians (but Fogg rescues him). They continue by a wind-powered sledge to Omaha, where they get a train to New York.

New York to London

From New York, he finds another steamer to cross the Atlantic Ocean but the steamboat was destined for Bordeaux, France and the captain refused to take them to Liverpool. Fogg manages to bribe the crew to change its course for Liverpool against the captain’s wishes. However,  when the ship runs into bad weather and runs out of coal, Fogg has to buy the ship from the captain. They burn the wooden parts of the ship as fuel, though it was only enough to get them as far as   Queenstown (Cobh), Ireland.

From here, they take an express mail train to Dublin followed by a fast boat to Liverpool. Sadly at Liverpool (as they have reached the British soil), he is arrested by Fix. The misunderstanding is cleared up (the actual robber was caught three days earlier in Edinburgh) and Fogg returns to London five minutes late, certain that he lost the bet. It takes them 9 days to reach London from New York.

But as the party travelled eastward and gained a day, the wager is won by Phileas Fogg!

In the 21st century, however, it seems pretty easy peasy with the round-the-world (RTW) tickets, doesn’t it? While this classic journey took 80 days, today the fastest route can be even less than 80 hours.

Yes, No Kidding! Now, your own “Around the world in 80 Days” depends on what you want to do. Do you want an active, adventure-focused experience? Or would you prefer seeing the magnificent landscapes? Above all, it is to be kept in mind that most RTW tickets involve flying in and out of major hubs which of course will increase the cost of the ticket considerably. So, pick a plan that not just suits your needs but is also easy on the pocket.

Keep the bubbling spirit of adventure alive and replicate the route from Around the World in 80 Days to be the ‘Phileas Fogg’ of the 21st century.

Also Read:  Following The Trail Of The Odyssey In The Modern Day

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Around the World in 80 Days

Gentleman adventurer Phileas Fogg sets out on a quest to travel around the world and back home in a period of 80 days. Gentleman adventurer Phileas Fogg sets out on a quest to travel around the world and back home in a period of 80 days. Gentleman adventurer Phileas Fogg sets out on a quest to travel around the world and back home in a period of 80 days.

• Jules Verne
• David Tennant
• Ibrahim Koma
• Leonie Benesch
• 307 User reviews
• 22 Critic reviews
• 1 win & 5 nominations total

Episodes 16

• Phileas Fogg

• Passepartout

• Abigail 'Fix' Fortescue

• Bernard Fortescue

• Nyle Bellamy

• Thomas Kneedling

• Samuel Fallentin

• New York Times Journalist #1

• Bank Manager Hughes

• New York Times Journalist #2

• Lady Clemency Rowbotham

• Bass Reeves
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Did you know

• Trivia Phileas Fogg's wager of £20,000 would be worth over £1.8 million in 2020.
• Goofs Fogg's hip flask is engraved 'Traveler' this is US spelling, not British spelling. It should be 'Traveller'
• Crazy credits The opening credits are set around a clockwork timepiece that displays moving landscapes around its rim.
• Connections Remake of Around the World in 80 Days (1956)

Technical specs

• Runtime 1 hour

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Around the World in Eighty Days

• 1.1 Publication and adaptations
• 1.2 Real life
• 3.1 London – Paris – Turin – Brindisi by rail and boat
• 3.2 Brindisi – Suez – Aden – Bombay by steamer
• 3.3 Bombay through Allahabad to Calcutta by rail
• 3.4 Calcutta through Singapore to Hong Kong by steamer
• 3.5 Hong Kong – Shanghai – Yokohama by steamer
• 3.6 Yokohama to San Francisco by steamer
• 3.7 San Francisco – Salt Lake City – Medicine Bow – Fort Kearney – Omaha – Chicago – New York City by rail
• 3.8 New York City – Queenstown – Dublin – Liverpool – London by steamer and rail

Around the World in Eighty Days (French: Le tour du monde en quatre-vingt jours ) is a novel by Jules Verne, described contemporaneously as taking place in the last quarter of 1872, as the historical British Empire on which "the sun never sets" was nearing its peak. The story describes Phileas Fogg of London and his French valet Jean Passepartout circumnavigating the world in 80 days in an effort to win a £20,000 wager—a small fortune in that era. The itinerary can, with some difficulty and deviations, be re-created today.

Understand [ edit ]

Unlike much of Verne's work, Around the World in Eighty Days is not a work of science fiction. Widespread deployment of steam power on land and sea was slashing travel times on an unprecedented scale in the mid to late 1800s; an intercity journey by stagecoach that used to take a week was often completed same-day by rail. Advances such as the ceremonial last spike in a first transcontinental railroad in the United States of America (May 10, 1869), construction of the Suez Canal in Egypt (1869) and linking of Indian railways across the sub-continent (1870) were ushering in an era where—at least for a wealthy few—passengers on common carriers would be able to readily purchase around-the-world journeys which formerly were multi-year adventures attempted on sailing ships by a hardy, pioneering minority. The journey, as described in the story, was technically possible with the new technology of its era.

In a certain sense, the story was also a showcase of the vastness of the British Empire at that time, as the majority of places visited by Fogg were British colonies. Such places include Egypt , Yemen , India , Singapore , Hong Kong and Ireland , with Shanghai also home to a British concession at that time.

Publication and adaptations [ edit ]

Around the World in Eighty Days was first published as a serial from October to December 1872, causing some readers to believe that the journey took place in real life. The book was published in 1873. The complete text of the novel is on Wikisource in the original French and in an English translation . The book is available for free from Project Gutenberg with a free companion audio book .

The story was so popular with the public that it has spawned many film and TV adaptations. The 1956 film version starring David Niven and Cantinflas won 5 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It was a star-studded cast featuring cameos by Frank Sinatra, Marlene Dietrich and others. At a time when round-the-world travel was becoming far more accessible due to commercial flights, it sparked massive interest in travel and tourism.

Some of the adaptations have set up Fogg and Passepartout travelling a leg of the journey in a hot air balloon. While balloons were well known in 1872, and Jules Verne described them in other books, the original novel lets Fogg dismiss balloons as useless for travel.

Real life [ edit ]

Since the novel was published, people have been trying to recreate the main characters' adventurous journey. Elizabeth Jane Cochrane ("Nellie Bly" of the Joseph Pulitzer tabloid New York World ) completed an 1889 round the world overland trip in seventy-two days; Elizabeth Bisland (of Cosmopolitan magazine) completed a simultaneous, rival trip in the opposite direction in 76½ days. Michael Palin, famous from Monty Python , completed the journey in 1988 for a BBC TV series, and an accompanying book . Countless others have followed in their footsteps; the starting point and exact list of cities visited varies between travellers.

While trans-oceanic and trans-continental overland journeys have diminished with the growth of air travel , travel round the world overland remains possible. One may see much which would be missed if flying over countries instead of visiting them.

Prepare [ edit ]

Travellers retracing the original 1870s voyage proposal in the modern era will find that much has changed; overland travel times have been slashed by more than half as diesel and electrified rail has replaced twenty mile-per-hour steam trains, while the number of ocean-going passenger vessels has greatly diminished as air travel has taken much of the trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific passenger volume. While one Cunard passenger liner still plies the seas, most passenger ship travel is by cruise ships designed as entertainment rather than as the backbone of an efficient transport system. Departures are less frequent and the entire round-the-world overland journey may need to be structured to accommodate which sea crossings are available on which days; many only run seasonally or infrequently. On some crossings, freighter travel might be an option if there is no passenger ship, but the number of spaces on these vessels is limited; a private ocean-going vessel (such as a yacht ) may also be an option.

The "world cruise" offered (usually as a once-a-year tour) by cruise ship lines cannot be completed in eighty days as it's designed for sightseeing; it takes a hopelessly indirect route, calls in every port, and stops for a day or two to allow the traveller to tour each city. Certainly no replacement for the historic ocean liner , which was built for speed. By the time the passenger returns home, 120 days or so would have passed and any bets or wagers on the rapidity of this seemingly-mighty vessel would have been lost more than a month ago. Phileas Fogg would not be impressed.

Passport and visa restrictions are not to be neglected, especially as overland travel requires entering a long list of multiple nations instead of merely flying over them. The days of passports claiming "An Australian (or Canadian, or whichever realm) citizen is a British subject" and that claim being largely respected throughout a vast Britannic Empire are long gone; every country applies its own arbitrary restrictions to the global traveller. A few points under British control in the depicted era are no longer part of the empire or Commonwealth; the Suez Canal is now controlled by Egypt , the political situation in much of the Middle East and Central Asia leaves much to be desired, and Hong Kong is now under the control of China . In addition to that, visa procedures often differ by port of entry and those for overland or ship entry tend to be harder than those for entry via air.

While fitting a global circumnavigation into an eighty-day schedule is trivial with round the world flights , fitting an entirely-overland journey into this time frame is a challenge; while aviation has greatly reduced travel times, it has also all but ended the tradition of the great liners which once competed for the fastest ocean crossing times by sea. There is still regular transatlantic service (which will cost you), but trans-Pacific services are virtually non-existent and require probably the biggest amount of advance planning.

Select your sea crossings first; scheduling of overland portions needed to reach the docks should then fall into place. Once you have an itinerary and budget, start looking for individual-country visas.

The original itinerary [ edit ]

Phileas Fogg and Passepartout started out in London .

London  – Paris  – Turin  – Brindisi by rail and boat [ edit ]

Fogg travels from 51.5086 -0.1264 1 London , to 48.856 2.351 2 Paris , 45.0667 7.7 3 Turin and 40.633333 17.933333 4 Brindisi within three days. The novel describes this leg indirectly and without detail, through a laconic quote from Fogg's journal. Verne might have implied that Europe was the easiest continent to traverse.

This remains possible; in the modern era one may take Eurostar from St. Pancras in London to Paris, then trains through Munich and Bologna to Brindisi in southeastern Italy , 29 hours total.

While various proposals for a Channel Tunnel had been made as early as 1802, no one had attempted to build one; an 1881–82 attempt was abandoned after the first mile. Fogg would therefore almost certainly have crossed the English Channel by boat. A more authentic way to replicate this route would thus be to take a train from London to Dover , cross the English channel to Calais by ferry, then catch a train onwards to Paris from Calais. From Paris, take the Milan-bound TGV and get off at Turin. You can board a Frecciarossa high-speed train in Turin that takes you to Brindisi.

Brindisi  – Suez  – Aden  – Bombay by steamer [ edit ]

Fogg takes the Mongolia , which arrives at 29.967 32.533 5 Suez in 4 days, stopping in 12.7833 45.0166 6 Aden to take on coal, reaching 19.0318 72.8487 7 Bombay 6 days later. In Suez, a Scotland Yard detective named Fix — who has been sent out from London in pursuit of a bank robber — notes that Fogg fits the description, so he follows them on the rest of the journey.

This may be difficult to replicate as written, as Somali piracy disrupted sea traffic entering the Gulf of Aden from 2000 to 2017. Sailing on a freight ship or on a cruise may be possible. Otherwise it's going to be hard, time-consuming, expensive, bureaucratic and dangerous if you want to duplicate this leg as closely as possible. Additionally, because of Yemen's on-going civil war, stopping off in Aden is very dangerous and strongly discouraged (as of November 2021). Cruise lines no longer ply the route from Europe to Alexandria , so you will have to go either via Malta to Tunisia or via Greece or Cyprus to Israel (though it's a bad idea to get an Israeli stamp in your passport , unless you have more than one) and then travel overland to Egypt. Continue overland down the Red Sea coast at least to Eritrea from where you can get a ferry across the Red Sea to Jeddah —though for this route you would have to convince the Saudi authorities to give you a visa. Another alternative, then, would be travelling down to Djibouti and crossing over to Yemen , one of the world's most dangerous countries. Either way, you'll then continue overland to the United Arab Emirates from where it might be possible to travel by dhow (traditional boat) to India.

A modified version of this would be doing the trip mostly over land . Brindisi has good ferry connections to different ports in Greece , from where you can get by train or bus to Istanbul . Actually, you can skip the Brindisi part altogether and go from Paris via Munich, Budapest and Bucharest directly to Istanbul, approximately following one of the routes of the former Orient Express . Once in Istanbul , you have some options for getting overland to Delhi . Apparently you can pull this off in 15 days. From Delhi , then, take the train to Mumbai .

Bombay through Allahabad to Calcutta by rail [ edit ]

In the novel, Phileas Fogg finds out that the Trans-Indian railroad is 50 miles short of completion between Kholby and 25.44405 81.84454 8 Allahabad , and therefore has to ride an elephant through the jungle. He and Passepartout also rescue a young Parsi woman named Aouda from suttee (suicide on her husband's funeral pyre) and bring her along on their journey. Fogg was nevertheless able to make it to Allahabad in time to catch the train bound for 22.5435 88.3342 9 Calcutta .

The 2000 km from Mumbai to Kolkata is now 27–38 hours by train, or 33 hours by road. Today's travellers don't have to purchase and ride elephants.

Calcutta through Singapore to Hong Kong by steamer [ edit ]

Fogg reaches Calcutta in time to catch the Rangoon bound for Hong Kong. The Rangoon stops in 1.29 103.82 10 Singapore to take on coal, during which Fogg disembarks with Aouda for a horse carriage ride through Singapore, before going on to 22.27 114.17 11 Hong Kong .

Going via Singapore is not the shortest path since China borders India. This border is disputed, the border area is very mountainous, road infrastructure is quite limited and the sole border crossing is only open to traders, not to tourists. The route therefore must make a lengthy detour via a third country, or go by air or sea. Freight ships do frequently ply the route taken by Fogg, but there's likely no passenger ship as direct flights to Hong Kong take about four hours.

Land travel is problematic eastwards from India; some areas of easternmost India require special permits on the top of your visa and Myanmar regulates their land borders fairly strictly in all directions. Going north, you will hardly have any problems getting into Nepal , though crossing into Tibet will require some bureaucracy.

One alternative would be flying to Singapore and travelling from there by land to Hong Kong through Southeast Asia. You can get by train from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur and further to Butterworth and Bangkok . From there, consider the options in the itineraries Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City overland and Ho Chi Minh City to Shanghai overland . Budget a week or so for this alternative.

Another possibility would be to fly from India into China and continue by train to Hong Kong or Shanghai. Perhaps the most interesting route would be to fly from Delhi to Lhasa and continue on routes given in Overland to Tibet , but that risks altitude sickness since Lhasa is at 3,650 m (12,000 ft), and the Chinese government has complex and varying regulations for travel permits for Tibet. A shorter and easier route that avoids both problems would be to fly Kolkata – Kunming (called going "over the hump" during World War II; see Burma Road ), then continue on routes described in Hong Kong to Kunming overland .

Hong Kong  – Shanghai  – Yokohama by steamer [ edit ]

In the novel, Fogg was supposed to catch the Carnatic to Yokohama, but the ship left early, and Passepartout was prevented by Fix from informing Fogg about the change. While Fogg was unable to find another steamer headed for Yokohama, he manages to hire the Tankadere to take him to 31.228611 121.474722 12 Shanghai , where he was then able to board the General Grant , the steamer that he was originally supposed to have boarded in Yokohama.

Modern cruise ships connect Hong Kong's busy seaport to many destinations, including Tokyo and Okinawa . A trip to Tokyo takes 12 days with multiple stops in China and South Korea ; Okinawa can be reached in five days with fewer intermediate stops.

You can also take a train from Hong Kong to Shanghai. High speed trains depart daily from Hong Kong and take 8 hours to reach Shanghai.

Again, if you're a bit flexible with the itinerary, it's possible to travel with regular ferries. Continue north from Hong Kong to e.g. Shanghai, Suzhou or Qingdao . From there, there are ferries to Japan running every few days.

Yokohama to San Francisco by steamer [ edit ]

The General Grant makes its scheduled stop in 35.444167 139.638056 13 Yokohama , where Fogg had intended to board. Fogg was reunited with Passepartout in Yokohama, and they board the General Grant together for the trans-Pacific crossing to 37.783333 -122.416667 14 San Francisco . It took 20 days to get there.

Crossing the Pacific is probably the hardest problem to solve for anyone who'd like to travel around the world without flying. Modern cruises run from both Tokyo and Yokohama; one Princess cruise takes a huge circle from Japan north to Alaska then down through Vancouver , San Francisco and Hawaii , arriving in Australia 45 days later. Modern day cruises usually take about 20 days to complete the journey from Tokyo or Yokohama to San Francisco, almost always stopping in Alaska and Canada on the way. Freighter travel is probably your best bet here.

San Francisco  – Salt Lake City  – Medicine Bow  – Fort Kearney  – Omaha  – Chicago  – New York City by rail [ edit ]

The Jules Verne itinerary (written in 1872) makes its North American transcontinental journey entirely through the United States by rail; a railway across Canada would not exist until 1885 and a system of United States Numbered Highways (which included the once-famous Route 66 ) would not exist until 1926.

In the book, Fogg boarded an Omaha-bound Pacific Railroad train at Oakland Railway Station. From there, the train would make its way via Sacramento and Reno to Ogden , from which Fogg and Passepartout would visit 40.75 -111.883333 15 Salt Lake City via a branch line. The train then proceeded through the Wasatch Range towards Wyoming . It was, however, forced to stop near 41.897778 -106.202778 16 Medicine Bow , as the bridge crossing some rapids on the Medicine Bow River had been damaged by a storm and was not sturdy enough to support the weight of the train. Nevertheless, the engineer made the decision to attempt the crossing at full speed, which allowed the train to barely make it across, with the bridge collapsing immediately after. The train then proceeded on towards Fort Kearney and Omaha, though it was far from smooth-sailing as they would be attacked by a tribe of Sioux on the way, during which the conductor was incapacitated. Though the train was stopped at 40.65 -99 17 Fort Kearney , where soldiers were able to board and chase the Sioux away, Passepartout was kidnapped, leading Fogg to mount a rescue attempt. Though the rescue was successful, Fogg would miss the train, and had to make his way to 41.25 -96 18 Omaha by sled, where he is barely in time to board the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad train for 41.836944 -87.684722 19 Chicago . At Chicago, Fogg then transferred onto a Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railway train, which traversed the states of Indiana , Ohio , Pennsylvania and New Jersey before finally arriving in 40.7127 -74.0059 20 New York .

Covering this route by rail exactly as Phileas Fogg is virtually impossible today. Due to the growing popularity of private car ownership and air travel in the 20th century, rail travel declined; many U.S. rail lines have been dismantled or now only carry heavy freight. In particular, the main transcontinental line no longer passes through Wyoming (which has been left without passenger railroads altogether), instead having been routed further south through Denver , Colorado . Similarly, the train between Chicago and New York City has since been re-routed further north via South Bend , Toledo , Cleveland and Albany , and no longer follows the route taken by Fogg through Fort Wayne , Mansfield , Alliance , Pittsburgh , Philadelphia , Newark and Jersey City .

The novel does not describe how Fogg got from San Francisco to Oakland. As the Oakland Bay Bridge had yet to be built, at that time the most common way for railway passengers to get to Oakland would be to catch a ferry across the San Francisco Bay. The Oakland Long Wharf, which was demolished in the 1960s, was designed to allow passengers to transfer seamlessly onto trains after alighting the ferry. Alternatively, Fogg might have travelled by land down to San Jose and then made his way back up to Oakland. The modern-day Oakland railway station is no longer in use by transcontinental trains, with those now serving Emeryville instead. Today, Amtrak runs a bus service from the Salesforce Transit Center in San Francisco to Emeryville for passengers catching long-distance trains.

Although the experience would be far less authentic, an attempt to retrace the journey by car could allow a closer approximation to the exact route taken by Phileas Fogg in the novel. Nonetheless, the speed of rail travel has increased substantially since the 1870s, despite the priority of freight and the comparatively low general speed limit of 79 mph (127 km/h) in the US.

The modern Amtrak " California Zephyr " Emeryville – Chicago and "Lake Shore Limited" Chicago–NYC take about three and a half days. This section can also be explored by car along Interstate 80 (I-80) which is a direct highway from San Francisco to New York. I-80 passes by the major points listed above this section of the itinerary/article. This section can also be combined with the old Lincoln Highway which consists of US Hwy 30 in combination with other US and state highways, that predate I-80, between San Francisco and New York and may give a closer approximation of the route taken by Phileas Fogg in the novel as there have been changes & re-alignments throughout its existence.

New York City  – Queenstown  – Dublin  – Liverpool  – London by steamer and rail [ edit ]

Phileas Fogg arrives in New York City late, and just misses the sailing of the China , which would have taken him across the Atlantic to Liverpool. However he manages to convince the captain of the Henrietta to take his party on board. While the Henrietta was headed for Bordeaux , Fogg manages to bribe the crew to change its course for Liverpool against the captain's wishes. However, the ship runs into bad weather and runs out of coal, so Fogg purchases the ship from the captain and burns the wooden parts of the ship as fuel, though it was only enough to get him as far as 51.851 -8.2967 21 Queenstown . Fogg catches one of the express mail trains from Queenstown to 53.347778 -6.259722 22 Dublin , followed by a fast boat from Dublin to 53.4 -2.983333 23 Liverpool , where he is arrested by Fix on reaching English soil. Fogg is, however, later found innocent and released, and is able to charter a train to London. His only hope of winning the bet is to report back to the Reform Club within 80 days of departure and, at this point, he no longer has any time to spare.

Today, Cunard's Queen Mary 2 ocean liner runs NYC– Southampton in seven days, with trains onward running twice-hourly to London. This operation is seasonal and the number of departures are limited. There are also occasional sailings to Liverpool for special anniversaries. For those who want to replicate Fogg's journey more faithfully, Cunard's Queen Victoria occasionally makes a stop in Cobh (the modern name of Queenstown) on the way to Southampton, where you can get off and catch a train to Dublin (with a train change in Cork ). You can then catch one of the ferries from Dublin to Liverpool, from which you have multiple options for catching a train onward to London.

See also [ edit ]

• Grand old hotels , staying overnight in the spirit of the late 19th century
• Time management

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The year is 1872.

Welcome to the future..

Phileas Fogg has wagered he can circumnavigate the globe.

Hundreds of journeys, thousands of routes. Travel by steamer, express train, airship, hover-car, hydrofoil, gyrocopter, camel, horse-back, hot-air balloon...

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“This is modern storytelling that engages and delights, and the bold, stylish artwork gives 80 Days almost a graphic novel feel. Pack your case, armchair Passepartout - adventure awaits!” Joystiq

“80 Days captures the original text's wide-eyed spirit of adventure, its fascination with the technological advancements of the time, and the wonders of the world itself - 9/10” EDGE magazine

“One of the finest examples of branching narrative yet created.” The Telegraph

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Travel Around the World in 80 days

London > Suez (Cairo) > Mumbai –  surface  – Calcutta > Hong Kong > Yokohama (Tokyo) > San Francisco –  surface  – New York > London

RTW Ticket from: € 2800  Land services quoted separately

Round the World in 80 days is a classic Adventure novel by the French writer Jules Verne, 1873. In the story, Phileas Fogg had a tough time trying to travel around the world in 80 days.

ORIGINAL ITINERARY:

London  > Suez – Rail and steamer across the Mediterranean Sea – 7 days Suez  > Mumbai – Steamer across the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean – 13 days Mumbai  > Kolkata – Rail – 3 days Kolkata  > Hong Kong – Steamer across the South China Sea – 13 days Hong Kong > Yokohama – Steamer across the China Sea and the Pacific Ocean – 6 days Yokohama > San Francisco – Steamer across the Pacific Ocean – 22 days San Francisco > New York – Rail – 7 days New York > London – Steamer across the Atlantic Ocean and rail – 9 days

In the 21st century, we have replicated the route, but using a comfortable RTW Ticket: London > Suez (Cairo) > Mumbai – surface – Calcutta > Hong Kong > Yokohama (Tokyo) > San Francisco – surface – New York > London. In its classic form this trip takes 80 days, but of course, here you can dedicate whatever time you have available to do it.

Some experiences you should include:

– Visit the Reform Club in London, hoping to become a member – Explore the Corvin, gothic castle in Transylvania – In Paris, go on the trail of Jules Verne – Admire giant oil tankers that seem to slip in the desert at the Suez Canal – Ride an elephant in India – Go in search of a circus and its ‘Passpartout’ in Yokohama, Japan

Map of the Original Tour:

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81-year-old best friends from Texas travel around the world in 80 days, inspiring followers

Ellie and sandy have been friends for more than 20 years and started traveling together after their husbands died a few years ago. they've now been to seven continents together..

Two ladies in their 80s who just finished traveling around the world in 80 days have become social media famous in the process.

Ellie Hamby and Sandy Hazelip began their adventure on Jan. 11, flying from Dallas to Ushuaia, Argentina, the launchpad to Antarctica. Hamby and Hazelip braved 20-foot waves crossing the Drake Passage on the way to the seventh continent and posed with penguins once they got there.

Since then, the widowed best friends from Texas have been to every other continent, ending the journey by exploring the Grand Canyon before returning home to Texas over the weekend.

During nearly three months of travel, Hamby and Hazelip have ridden camels in Egypt, thrown coins in Rome's Trevi Fountain, taken a selfie with a long-tailed macaque in Bali and ridden a dog sled in the Arctic Circle.

And they're not even tired, they told USA TODAY in a video interview from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. 

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"Vacations are tiring. You get worn out on a vacation," Hazelip said. "This is not a vacation, this is an adventure, and an adventure just revs you up to keep going more."

The beginning

Hamby and Hazelip have been friends for about 20 years. When both their husbands died several years ago, they became even closer and started taking trips together. 

The two were sitting around one night when the idea for a grander adventure came to Hazelip.

"Ellie, why don't we take a trip around the world in 80 days when we are 80?" Hazelip recalled. Hamby was shocked for a few seconds, thought about it for a few seconds and then blurted out: "Why not?!"

The two started planning but the pandemic briefly got in their way and forced them to shift their goal of traveling the world at 80 years old and make it 81, instead.

They even created a new catchphrase for themselves: "Now it's around the world in 80 days at 81 and still on the run!" they said in unison. 

Another type of adventure: An Atlanta engineer rode every Disney ride in the world in 12 days. Here's how he did it.

When they started telling friends and family about their travel plans, Hamby estimates that roughly 20% of people really believed they would do it.

"Most people smiled at the beginning thinking that we wouldn't really do this," she said. 

Social media fame

Not only have Hamby and Hazelip accomplished the trip they set out to plan, they gained a healthy number of fans along the way.

Videos of their adventures have more than 800,000 likes on TikTok and they have about 43,000 followers. 

"You both are amazing!!" one user wrote. "Have fun and take care of each other!"

Another wrote that their "husbands are watching you full hearts and open arms and can't wait to listen to all the adventures you have had."

The pair said all the love from people around the world has been a pleasant surprise. 

"It has been so wonderful to us to get comment after comment that we are bringing joy to other people's lives, that we are encouraging them to get up and do some of the same things, and that we are inspiring them," Hazelip said. "That just gives us great joy that we have been a joy to other people. And they feel like they are on our adventure with us."

Flexibility, optimism fuel adventure

Of all their adventures, the women say Bali stands out for how beautiful and budget-friendly it is. They thought Antarctica was a remarkable experience and they felt lucky to catch the Northern Lights when they were in Lapland, Finland. 

During their whole trip, they said they never had one piece of lost luggage or even get into a single fight. 

There have been a couple of minor hiccups, though. 

Three days before they were supposed to start their trip to Peru, it had to be canceled because of the political unrest. So they went to Argentina, instead.

"Sandy did the tango and I went horseback riding and we had a blast," Hamby said.

Flexibility and optimism have been the key to all the smooth sailing, they said.

For instance, they accidentally got on the wrong train in Japan. 

"We didn't just freak out," Hamby said. "We just said, 'Ok, well, let's figure out plan B, how are we going to make this work?' And that's basically our attitude. 'OK, this isn't working, and we just go to plan B. We sometimes go to C, D and E and several other plans."

They also take liquid antacids every morning. "And we don't get sick," Hamby said. 

'Get up out of that easy chair'

Among the most exciting experiences was the time the women went on a dogsled dog sled ride and got more than they bargained for. 

"We just take off and we went several miles," Hamby said. "And we were turning corners, it was minus 4 so it was so cold. And we just didn't know it was gonna be that adventuresome ... We were holding on for dear life."

Now that the pair are back home safe, they're hoping others are inspired to go on their own adventures. 

"My advice is, get up out of that easy chair, step out of your comfort zone, make some plans and live," Hazelip said. "Your age is only a number."

So what's next for the globetrotting octogenarians?

Humby said: "85 and still alive!"

More coverage from USA TODAY

• Sustainable Hawaii tourism: What it's like to stay at Kauai's first zero-waste hotel
• Reservations required: Want to camp at this popular national park this summer? You'll need reservations first.
• When travel goes bad: Can you get a vacation do-over?
• How long is a US passport good for?: Here's what to know — and how to renew it.

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Friends Make the Most of Traveling Around the World in 80 Days at 81

Sandy hazelip and ellie hamby shared the trip of a lifetime.

Robin Westen,

For Sandy Hazelip and Ellie Hamby, both 82, a fondness for the book Around the World in 80 Days prompted them to venture out on their own journey at 80. The pandemic delayed, but didn’t halt, their trip. When Hazelip, a hospice medical director, and Hamby, a documentary photographer, completed their trip at 81, they had visited seven continents and 18 countries.

Hazelip, who lives in Eastland, Texas, and Hamby, who lives in Abilene, Texas, spoke to AARP about their journey and what they learned along the way.

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Sandy Hazelip: Our friendship has always meant travel . Ellie is the codirector of Zambia Medical Mission, and I’m a physician. In 2000, shortly after my husband died, I signed up for my first mission trip to rural Zambia with ZMM, to provide health care in the bush. That’s where Ellie and I became friends.

Ellie Hamby: Five years later, my husband passed away suddenly, right when Sandy was moving her medical practice to our city, Abilene, from her home 60 miles away. She called me and said, “I’ve got a deal for you. I need a place to stay in Abilene two nights a week. If you’ll give me a bed, I’ll take you out to eat.” That was 18 years ago. It’s never stopped. She was just here last night.

Sandy: A few years ago we were talking about our upcoming 80th birthdays , and I blurted out, “Ellie, wouldn’t it be fun to go around the world in 80 days when we turn 80?”

Ellie: I said, “Why not!”

Sandy: We got a little delayed by the COVID pandemic , but this year we did it, before our 82nd birthdays. We toured the globe in exactly 80 days.

Ellie: On our trip, we experienced so many mysteries. The moai statues on Easter Island, with their enormous heads and torsos carved from hardened volcanic ash. Who created them, and why? The incredibly sophisticated toilets in Japan — we couldn’t figure them out!

Sandy: We kept a pretty tight budget for ourselves. We’d decide exactly where we wanted to stay — for example, in Santiago, Chile, we targeted the beautiful old square. Then we’d look up the ratings for local lodgings, and among the top-rated places, we’d book the cheapest one.

Ellie: The ratings aren’t based on the price; they’re based on how much people like it. So our average lodging cost was $29 per night, per person. We always shared a room. The cheapest stay was $13.50 per person for a place in Cairo overlooking the pyramid of Cheops. Which is a million-dollar view.

Sandy: There were so many times when people stepped up to offer help or just to wish us well. What makes the world feel small isn’t the relative ease of traveling great distances by plane, train or ship, or even making hotel reservations with a click on the computer.

Ellie: I agree. The real gift is experiencing firsthand that no matter where you go, no matter how people dress or what language they speak, we’re all much more alike than we are different. ​​

Robin Westen is a contributing writer who covers health, lifestyle and real people features. She has written for publications including  The New York Times  and  Psychology Today.

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Around Europe in 80 Days

If you’re going to interrail europe, you may as well do it all, right.

Ready for a mini gap year? Want to explore Europe’s most famous and up and coming cities? Then our Round Europe in 80 Days is the route for you! Starting in Estonia, you’ll make your way to Portugal through the heart of Europe, taking in all the major sights, as well as discovering some hidden gems.

Route: Tallinn Helsinki Stockholm Oslo Copenhagen Berlin Amsterdam Brussels Paris Zurich Munich Prague Krakow Bratislava Budapest Ljubljana Zagreb   Split Dubrovnik Sarajevo Belgrade Budapest Vienna Venice Rome Nice Barcelona Seville Faro Lisbon Porto

Countries Visited: 22

Transport: Train and Ferry

Sustainability:  This trip creates 536 kg of carbon emissions. Flying the same route would create 3197.6kg. ♻️

Start in the quaint Baltic country of Estonia, then pick your way across Scandinavia taking in the Northern capitals of Finland, Sweden, Norway before crossing The Bridge to reach painfully cool Copenhagen. Carry on through to edgy Berlin and alternative Amsterdam, and take in the sophisticated cafe culture of Brussels and Paris before scooting down to Switzerland to catch some breathtaking alpine views. Next, you’ll head back to experience the Bavarian wonder of Munich, the Gothic allure of Prague and the rich history of Krakow, before continuing your journey through the rest of Eastern Europe.

You’ll be instantly taken by the charms of Slovakia, Austria and Slovenia, followed by a stay in Croatia, where you’ll have a few days to soak up the sun in Split and Dubrovnik. Then, you’ll trail across the Balkans to get a taste of the up-and-coming metropolitan hotspot of Sarajevo, and the Byzantine beauty of Belgrade, before heading back up to Budapest. Then it’s time to stop off in the music capital of Europe before doing as the Romans do, before making your way up to glamorous Nice on the Cote d’Azur. Next up is buzzing Barcelona, before travelling into the heart of Spain to Mediterranean mainstay, Seville. Your final country of the trip is Portugal where you have a few days on the beaches in Faro and experience the medieval wonders of Lisbon & Porto before finishing your trip at the edge of Europe, looking straight across to the Atlantic ocean…

– Train tickets from the first to the last city on the route, as shown in the map.

– Any Interrail or Eurail passes if required, based on the best value for you.

– All possible seat reservations – not just the compulsory ones!

– Accommodation in top-rated, centrally located hostels or hotels – tested by us

– Walking or public transport directions between the stations and your booked accommodation.

– Travel Disruption Protection – alternative travel included if there is a strike or similar disruption.

– 24hr emergency phone number to use while you’re away.

– Personalised travel pack with your travel times, accommodation information, directions, language guides and things to see and do in each location.

– Exclusive discounts on attractions across Europe.

Trip Details

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What's included.

• Travel Disruption Protection - Peace of mind with alternative travel included if there is a strike or similar disruption
• All train and bus tickets between cities including Eurostar to and from London
• Appropriate Interrail Pass
• All possible seat reservations on high-speed trains
• Accommodation in top-rated hostels - tested by us!
• Guided to and from the hostels, included activities and train stations by a Tour Leader
• Unmissable included activities; such as vineyard tours, day trips, cooking classes and historic sights
• The option to do additional sightseeing, pub crawls and other activities
• Breakfast in some hostels (depending on availability)
• A Tour Leader to travel with you and coordinate your trip throughout

Tallinn (2 nights)

Ready to tackle the whole of Europe in 80 days!? Let’s go!

First stop – Tallinn! The Estonian capital looked set to become the next cheap stag party destination but the city has shunned this in favour of preserving the fairy-tale medieval charm of its streets and spires, and whilst is still has its fair share of watering holes, Estonians have not forgotten their rich heritage.

  Visit the museum of (both) occupations

  See the sumptuous Aleksander Nevsky cathedral

  Drink at numerous pubs with local Estonians

    Ferry to Helsinki – 2 hours

Helsinki (2 nights)

For an important harbour town it only seems right that you should take a ferry to or from Helisnki. In summer Finnish people enjoy their open parks, relaxed atmosphere and quirky cafes before they all disappear indoors for winter as temperatures plummet.

  Visit the Finnish folk museum with live actors

  Stroll through the magnificent Sibelius Park

  Take a boozy sightseeing tour on the red pub-tram

    Night Ferry to Stockholm- 17 hours

Stockholm (2 nights)

Stockholm has been described as the most beautiful city in Europe with its calm waterways, colourful buildings and cobbled streets. The Swedes are known for their sleek design, polite manners and propensity to have fun. Forget the meatballs, Stockholm has much more.

  Wander up the cobbled streets of the old town

  Admire the colourful skyline from a boat tour

  Visit the ABBA museum

    Train to Oslo – 5 hours

Oslo (3 nights)

Oslo will take you by surprise. It is not a big city, but it has exceptional museums and you can walk all over and around it into the overlooking hills. Head to the ski jump for a thrilling view but if that’s not your thing go and see    Edvard Munch’s The Scream at The National Gallery.

  See some excellent preserved viking ships

  Understand Norway’s heritage at the Folk Museum

  Have a go at the ski jump overlooking the city

    Train to Copenhagen – 8 hours

Copenhagen (3 nights)

Copenhagen is a place where equal rights and liberal attitudes take precedence, a land where the atmosphere incredibly safe and remarkably relaxed. Make sure you visit the hugely characteristic hippie commune of Christiania where squatters’ rights hold sway.

  Visit the little mermaid

  Go to one of the world’s oldest theme parks

  Sample the fruity beers at plenty of microbreweries

    Train to Berlin – 7 hours

Berlin (3 Nights)

Berlin is the alternative, cool kid of Europe and a pro at being edgy. It’s how people dress, their liberal attitudes, the graffiti, the skaters and BMXers, the art, the clubs and the food. Berlin is also crammed full with fascinating WWII history around every corner.

  See a section of the old Berlin Wall

  Climb the dome of the renovated Reichstag

  Discover the nightlife of Schoneberg and Kreuzberg

    Train to Amsterdam – 7 hours

Amsterdam (3 Nights)

Despite being credited with certain recreational pastimes, there is actually a lot more to the city than the stereotypical picture, with its abundance of engaging museums, beautiful townhouses, and canals. Find out what makes Amsterdam the beating heart of the Netherlands.

  Visit the Van Gogh Museum

  Discover Europe’s biggest historic centre by pedal

  Take a tour of the Red Light District

    Train to Brussels – 2 hours

Brussels (2 Nights)

Belgium’s biggest city accommodates an eclectic mix of old and new, from Europe’s most beautiful square lined with guild houses and continental cafes, to its bureaucratic alter-ego as the capital of the European Union itself. Come for the delicious beer, waffles, and moules frites.

  Visit Mini Europe in the capital of the EU

  See Europe’s most beautiful square, the Grand Place

  Try to find the Manneken Pis fountain statue

    Train to Paris – 1.5 hours

Paris (3 Nights)

Paris is a byword for romance, a synonym for style, and the epitome of elegance. The pride of France and one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Paris needs little introduction, from the Eiffel Tower to the Pont Neuf, it bedazzles visitors and oozes charisma at every turn.

  See the Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum

  Watch a cabaret act at the famous Moulin Rouge

  Experience the colourful nightlife of the Marais

    Train to Zurich  – 4 hours

Zurich (2 nights)

Being a city in a historically neutral country means that the medieval centre of Zurich is untouched by war damage, unlike many of its European neighbours. The city has a lot more going for it than the banks it is associated with and a walk along the picturesque lake Zurich is a must.

  See the glass-stained windows of Fraumünste

  Go to the Lindt chocolate factory outle

  Go window-shopping on Bahnhofstrasse

    Train to Munich  – 4 hours

Munich (3 Nights)

The capital of Bavaria and Germany’s second city will draw you in with its elegance and attractions to match those of the big names in Europe, with its pedestrianised city centre and impressive monuments, museums and art galleries. Let’s not forget the beer, and plenty of it at Oktoberfest!

   Learn about the city at the Stadtmuseum

  Walk across the sprawling Englisher Garten

  Join the Bavarian beer festival of Oktoberfest

    Train to Prague – 5 hours

Prague (2 Nights)

Prague is stunning, there’s no better word to describe it. On any side street or square you’ll find unique buildings full of colourful detail. The Czech Republic is also the home of Pilsner beer, with no lack of establishments to sample it in.

  Cross the enchanting Charles Bridge

  Marvel at the curvy design of the Dancing Building

  Try all the Czech Pilsner beers in the Old Town pub

    Night Train to Krakow – 8 hours

Krakow (2 Nights)

Krakow escaped being reduced to rubble in WWII, preserving the postcard-perfect Old Town and the cellars housing its famous bars and clubs. That’s not to say it doesn’t share a chapter of history in the nearby Auschwitz concentration camp which demands a humble visit.

  See Europe’s largest medieval market square

  Take photos of Poland’s best-preserved city

  Find one of many Gothic cellar bars open until late

    Night Train to Bratislava – 7.5 hours

Bratislava (2 Nights)

Bratislavans are incredibly friendly and, as the city has not yet been discovered by the mainstream tourist (stag-dos aside), food, beer, and wine are still cheap here. It’s just as beautiful as its neighbouring Eastern European capitals, but smaller, quieter, and with an idyllic medieval feel.

  Climb up to the 19th century castle

  Take a night tour to admire Bratislava’s beauty

  Do some folk-art shopping at Úľuv

    Train to Budapest – 2.5 hours

Budapest (2 Nights)

Proudly guarding the Danube, the once twin cities of Buda and Pest show off every architectural style from Baroque to Art Nouveau. With its rickety trams and turn-of-the-century feel, you’ll be charmed by its past while you cure your hangover at any of the multitude of hot baths.

  Relax in the 15th century thermal spas

  Take panoramic photos from the scenic Buda castle

  Go to Sziget rock and indie festival in August

    Train to Ljubljana – 8 hours

Ljubljana (2 Nights)

Ljubljana is a colourful chocolate-box city with a café culture that brings a festival atmosphere to it all summer long. See the castle perched above the city or take a day trip out by train to the picturesque Lake Bled, where you can hire a rowing boat and visit the island in the middle.

  See the 16th century castle on the hill

  Wander through the colourful streets

  Take in 360-views from an art-deco skyscraper terrace

    Train to Zagreb – 2 hours

Zagreb (2 Nights)

A city of flowers and fountains with a curious Mediterranean feel, Zagreb is a year-round destination with a museum-café-theatre culture by day and a lakeside party by night. In winter, a tram ride out of the city provides scenic hiking and skiing opportunities.

  Catch a 360-view from the Lotrščak Tower

  Stroll through the beautiful Mirogoj cemetery

  Have a coffee in Kino Europa, Zagreb’s oldest cinema

    Train to Split- 6 hours

Split (2 nights)

Even though Split is a port for many Croatian islands, sitting elegantly between the Adriatic and the mountains, the country’s second city has two Unesco World Heritage sites within its walls, a marble waterfront walkway and a buzzing atmosphere around its bars and pubs.

  See the amazing ruin of Diocletian’s Palace

  Admire the city as you approach it from the sea

  Stroll along the glittering waterfront

    Bus to Dubrovnik- 4 hours

Dubrovnik (2 nights)

Dubrovnik is an absolute pearl with its wonderful marble streets and Baroque buildings, totally recovered after being bombed in 1991. You won’t be anything but awe-struck at its beauty, a medieval city perched against the Adriatic and positively beaming with charm.

  Unesco World Heritage Medieval City

  Wander the streets of the Old Walled Town

  Sip cocktails at the Hard Jazz Café

    Bus to Sarajevo- 4 hours

Sarajevo (3 nights)

Explore stunning Sarajevo, with its bustling markets, colourful streets and friendly people. This historic city has a distinctly Arabic feel, adding to its unique atmosphere.

  Wander round the historic streets and visit the Arabic inspired markets

  Take a tour with a local guide to find out about the city’s turbulent history

  Sample crazy Bosnian nightlife (with some compulsory Rakja)

    Bus to Belgrade – 6.5 hours

Belgrade (3 Nights)

The capital of Serbia won’t disappoint you. Visitors from surrounding countries come here for the all-night party scene and friendly atmosphere. Tourists also come to see the world’s largest Orthodox church or just wander around the bohemian town centre from a bygone era.

  Visit the 18th century Belgrade Fortress

  Climb the cobbled streets of Skadarlija

  Float down the Danube on the splavovi party boats

    Train to Budapest – 8 hours

Budapest (2 nights)

    Train to Vienna – 2.5 hours

Vienna (3 Nights)

Vienna is crisp, clean, and chic with its biggest draw factor being the multitude of classical palaces and grand imperial buildings. Whether you’re into your royal history or not, the sheer scale of it here will be encapsulating for all, whilst not forgetting the great bars and eateries.

  Visit the Spanish Riding School of Vienna

  Eat real apple strudel and wiener schnitzel

  Go to a classical concert in a city renowned for its music

    Night Train to Venice- 8 hours

Venice (2 Nights)

Venice is nothing short of unique, built on mudbanks in the lagoon, having foregone the convenience of cars for the charisma of canals. Getting lost in Venice is part of the fun, and if you’re on foot you’ll only find small backstreets or large piazzas, not a single street in sight.

  Cross the iconic St Mark’s Square

  Get lost in the alleyways and canals of the city

  Ride a vaporetto down the grand canal

    Train to Rome – 3 hours

Rome (3 Nights)

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. If that means indulging in ice-cream, pizzerias, cafes, and trattorias, then so be it. Rome will delight you with its eateries and mesmerise you with its monuments. Also visit the Vatican City, the world’s smallest country!

  Marvel at the ruins of the Roman Forum

  See the world-famous Colosseum

  Try real Italian coffee, ice-cream, and pizza

    Trains to Nice – 8 hours

Nice (2 Nights)

Looking out on to the French Riviera, Nice is a chic city with some of the best food in the country. Its appeal was future-proofed by 19th century British aristocrats who commissioned the popular Promenade des Anglais beachside walkway by which to stroll at sunset.

  Explore the old-world town of Nice

  See the sunset from the Promenade des Anglais

  Take a sightseeing cruise of the Cote d’Azur

    Trains to Barcelona – 9.5 hours

Barcelona (3 Nights)

Barcelona is a city which offers everything in abundance. Delicious food, awesome nightlife, spectacular views from on high, and architectural and artistic marvels all around. As if that wasn’t enough, there’s plenty of green space (and beach) around… A trip to the Sagrada Familia cathedral, still in construction, is a must.

  See the Picasso Museum in the Gothic Quarter

  Spot Gaudi’s distinctive architecture in Parc Guell

  Crawl the bars around Las Ramblas

    Train to Seville – 6 hours

Seville (2 Nights)

Seville is so unmistakably Spanish, with fierce heat in the middle of the day that rubs off onto its fiery character, its Flamenco dances, its lively conversation. The café and tapas culture here is as good as it gets and the backdrop of the old town exudes charm and elegance.

  Visit the sumptuous Alcazar Palace

  Experience the characterful Flamenco dances

  Have a drink on the terraces of an old town café

    Bus to Faro – 4 hours

Faro (2 nights)

From the city of Seville to the soft sand and sunsoaked coast of the Algarve. Soak up the rays, explore the old towns, try surfing on those famous west coast rolling waves, or even go dolphin-spotting!

Relax on the beach and soak up the sun!

Jump aboard Comboio Turística, or tourist train, which provides a novel way to discover Faro

Go on a dolphin watching boat trip, cave tour, or both!

    Train to Lisbon – 4 hours

Lisbon (3 Nights)

Lisbon doesn’t pretend to be anything it’s not; it’s picturesque and modest whilst maintaining an enthralling urban landscape imbued with exhilarating sights, sounds, and smells. Head to Lisbon for history, hilly heights, hedonism, and a whole lot more.

  Learn about Portugal’s colonial past

  Climb up steep cobbled streets to the castle

  Dance to live rock and electro at the Music Box club

     Train to Porto – 2.5 hours

Porto (3 Nights)

The coastal city of Porto is your final stop on this mammoth trip and it affords the perfect opportunity to stroll along narrow cobbled streets before sampling local cuisine in the pretty riveriside cafes. If you fancy tasting Port, then you’ve come to the right place and you can work that off by climbing the stairs of the Clerigos Tower to view sunset over this up and coming destination.

  Go to the famous 19th century Felgueriaras Lighthouse

  People watch or bar hop your way around The Ribeira district.

  For a different pace, take a cruise on the Duoro river and view the city from a different perspective.

How to get there

You can arrange flights to Tallinn Airport and flights home from Porto International Airport, whilst we take care of the overland transport in between your cities! Alternatively, if you’d like to start or end your trip elsewhere, just let us know and we’ll work a viable route out for you!

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“80 Days tells a wonderful, unpredictable story that gives you a powerful sense of ownership... I had a spectacular, unforgettable adventure story to show for my three-hour adventure, and couldn’t wait to learn more about the world, its characters, and the human desire to discover.” 9.0 – IGN “A fantastical reimagining of Jules Verne's novel, 80 Days captures the joy and melancholy of travel with unusual wit and humanity.” Kotaku “Videogames can take you on a thousand different adventures, but few offer the thrill of travel as 80 Days does. It’s a story game adaptation of Around The World In 80 Days, and it’s accordingly full of exciting, exotic locations to visit, with capers to pull, revolutions to incite and derring-do to perform at many of them... 80 Days is the most human game I’ve ever played. It is also, simply put, one of the best games I’ve ever played.” Rock Paper Shotgun

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About This Game

• Four times BAFTA -nominated and TIME's #1 Game of the Year 2014
• Winner IGF "Excellence in Narrative" award
• "We’ve been dreaming about this future for decades. Guess what? It’s here." - New York Times
• 9/10 -- Edge Magazine
• "Interactive storytelling as its best" - The Guardian
• Plan and strategise - can you find the fastest route?
• Flexible interactive narrative with thousands of choices
• Massively replayable - every journey is unique
• Explore an entire 3D globe, with 170 bespoke cities to visit
• Richly imagined, diverse alternative-history steampunk world
• Stunning art by Jaume Illustration
• Race real people in real-time: every second counts
• Live multiplayer feed, showing journeys of other players as they happen
• Share your journey with friends

System Requirements

• OS *: Windows XP+
• Processor: 2 Ghz with SSE2 instruction set support
• Memory: 2 GB RAM
• Graphics: Hardware support for shader model 3
• DirectX: Version 9.0c
• Storage: 2 GB available space
• Processor: 4 Ghz with SSE2 instruction set support
• Memory: 4 GB RAM
• Graphics: Intel Iris 6100 equivalent or better
• Sound Card: Present
• OS: OS X 10.7+
• Graphics: support for shader model 3

© 2014 inkle Ltd

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80 DAYS is an award-winning, full service creative and digital marketing agency that specialises in hospitality, working with some of the world's most respected hotel and travel brands. 

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Register to attend: https://www.hotelmarketingconference.co.uk   For any other enquiries: [email protected]

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I Backpacked Around Europe for 80 Days, and These Are the Items I Couldn’t Have Traveled Without — From $10

F rom a cooling neck gaiter to my side-loading backpack, these are the things that made a huge difference in the comfort of my trip.

When I have kids I’m going to do two things: first, I’m going to regale them of all the tales (up to PG-13) of my experience backpacking around the world. Second, I’m going to encourage them to go backpacking as well. In fact, as soon as they turn 18, all they’re getting for their birthday and every holiday is backpacking gear .

Personally, my love affair with backpacking began the summer before my junior year of college when my best friend and I bought Eurail passes. For 80 glorious days we gallivanted around Europe, pretty much everywhere you could reach by train, on a shoestring budget. These days the exchange rate is much more favorable for Americans, so I can’t imagine a better time to do it. Plus, we all have smartphones now (my friend and I used walkie talkies). There’s also Google Maps — although half the fun of backpacking is getting lost.

For me, the other half is accumulating quality backpacking gear. Because backpacking involves being a human pack mule, you can’t make any sacrifices when it comes to comfort. Besides international travel essentials like an unlocked phone (so you can swap out SIM cards when you get to a new country), a journal, and a universal adapter, every savvy backpacker has the items below — or some iteration of them. Why? They all make backpacking more comfortable. Even better, many of them are currently on sale, with prices starting at just $10.

Personally, I own most of the items on the list below, and I’ve traveled to all seven continents with them. And the ones I don’t own yet are definitely going in my next shopping cart. 

Kelty Coyote 105 Backpack

The biggest game changer for me was discovering alternatives to top-loading bags. Most backpacks are top-loading which means you have to take the stuff on top out to access what’s in the middle and at the bottom of the bag. But the popular Kelty Coyote 105 has a “J-zipper” on the side for easy access to everything along with tons of pockets and compartments to keep everything organized. One shopper noted that it’s “comfortable,” “incredibly spacious” yet “ still felt compact and streamlined” — and I’d have to agree. Not only did my trusty Kelty survive my epic Euro-trip, but I had it for another 10 years and 50 countries before I decided it was looking a little weathered, and I wanted something shiny and new. 

To buy: amazon.com , $163 (originally $220)

Venture Pal Packable Backpack

While some backpacking backpacks come with removable daypacks for things like sightseeing and hiking, I’ve always used a separate daypack. Full of valuables like my wallet, camera, and passport, I can wear it in front of me while on the move. I know it looks cumbersome to have a backpack on your back and one on your chest, but every good backpacker knows it works! While I had a Dakine backpack back in the day, these days I don’t travel without my Venture Pal Packable Backpack which is spacious (it holds 40 liters) but packs down into its own front pocket when not in use. It’s super lightweight, waterproof and has more than 24,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, with many reviewers raving about how “lightweight” and “roomy” the daypack is.

To buy: amazon.com , $26 (originally $34)  

Packing Cubes

Packing cubes weren’t a thing when I first backpacked, so I kept my clothes and shoes separate by stuffing them in reusable shopping bags. With zippers and a space-saving stackable design, packing cubes, however, are far more practical. Personally, I use Calpak’s 5-Piece Packing Cube Set because I know they’re built to last, but if you need more cubes or have a tighter budget, I’d try this 8-piece BAGAIL Packing Cube Set which is just $25, has more than 13,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, and beloved by travel editors . 

To buy: amazon.com , $25  

Miamica Travel Laundry Bag

I like to think that what made me look more distinguished than other backpackers at the laundromat was my dedicated laundry bag. While my new friends (laundromats are a great place to meet fellow backpackers) were using several flimsy plastic bags, often with holes in them, from grocery stores, I had a lightweight, reusable machine-washable bag like the Miamica Travel Laundry Bag . This expandable bag was big enough to fit a week’s worth of clothes, yet, when it wasn’t in use, it took up about as much space as a handkerchief.

To buy: amazon.com , $11

Rainleaf Microfiber Towel

My travel partner used to refer to my beloved travel towel as my “blankie.” We were inseparable. I used it to shower in hostels (even if hostels supply towels, they’re often dingy and worn) and at the beach where, unless you’re staying at a nice resort, towels aren’t provided. Of course, I also used it as a picnic blanket in Paris and as a regular blanket anytime I got cold. These days I use Amazon’s best-selling Rainleaf Microfiber Towel . It’s the number one best-seller in Camping Towels and has more than 16,000 five-star ratings for a good reason. I love that it comes with a carrying-case, and the XXL size even has a zippered pocket on it.  It has a loop for easy hanging and like all microfiber towels, dries incredibly fast. The Rainleaf also happens to be a massive 50 percent off right now.

To buy : amazon.com , $21 (originally $43)

Padlock 

For the backpacker who plans on staying in hostels, a padlock is a must. Despite staying in dozens of hostels over the years, I’ve never had anything stolen from me. However, I’ve heard horror stories from travelers who didn’t lock up their stuff. Most hostels provide lockers, and while some also provide locks with keys, it’s best to have your own combination lock that only you have the combination to. I like this Padlock 4-digit Combination Lock because it’s keyless (one less thing to lose) and easy to program and reprogram if you want to change your combination. While it’s not the lightest lock out there, it’s a lot more sturdy than TSA-approved locks, and it’s waterproof, so you don’t need to worry about it rusting in damp conditions. 

To buy: amazon.com , $10 (originally $24) 

Chacos Classic Sandals 

I did my grand European tour in the summer, so I opted for comfortable sandals in lieu of comfortable walking shoes . After trying on dozens of pairs, I opted for Chaco’s Z1 Classic Sandals . Not only are they breathable, waterproof, and lightweight, but they were also comfortable enough to hike in. I even wore them while trekking to the top of the highest mountain in the Cyclades Islands where the Greek god Zeus is rumored to have spent his childhood. These popular sandals are available in 15 colors — I got black, so I could wear them with everything in my travel wardrobe. Because they’re strappy, they can even look dressy and be worn with skirts and dresses. 

To buy: amazon.com , $61 (originally $100)

Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet

Remember netbooks? They were those mini $300 laptops that were popular around the mid-2000s. That’s what I used for my first backpacking trip because I didn’t want to bring my $1,500 15-inch laptop. And before that, I used internet cafes. Unless you need your laptop to work remotely while you’re traveling, I recommend packing something smaller like today’s netbook: the tablet. I love the Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet because it wins the most accolades from gear review sites, is super affordable, and based on the nearly 85,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, shoppers love it, too. It works with most apps, and you can even stay up to date on your favorite Netflix shows — although you may have to get a VPN service to watch American shows. 

To buy: amazon.com , $150 

Mission Cooling Neck Gaiter

If you’re going to dress like a backpacker for Halloween, you can’t forget the Buff . But in 2020, I discovered this Amazon lookalike, the Mission Cooling Neck Gaiter , that’s even cooler: literally. In fact, if you dunk it in cold water and then wring it out, in just 30 seconds it cools to 30 degrees below average body temperature. When I’m backpacking, especially in the summer, one of the places I first start sweating is my neck, and this helps a ton. The breathable fabric also blocks out dust and is treated with UPF 50, so I don’t need to worry about an embarrassing neck sunburn either. This versatile neck gaiter has 12 ways to wear it, including as a headband and face mask, and takes up practically no space in my backpack. 

To buy: amazon.com , $15 (originally $20) 

Viori Shampoo Bar 

Backpackers are notorious for smelling like they’re in dire need of a shower. But I like to think that when people meet me out in the wild, the first whiff they get of me comes from my intoxicating hair, courtesy of my Viori Shampoo Bar . This highly-rated shampoo is great for backpacking because it’s a bar. You don’t need to worry about bottles leaking and making a mess in your backpack, and it also takes up a lot less space than its liquid equivalent. I also love that the fresh scent comes from natural ingredients like essential oils, and it works much better than the cheap, watered-down artificial shampoo they offer in most hostels. 

To buy: amazon.com , $17 

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Hi! I’m Laura – a family traveler, blogger, and mom with a goal to travel to 80 countries by the time I am 80 years old. I hope to inspire other families to travel the world one country at a time so you, too, can create your own travel adventures.

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News & features, winter center, news / live updates, live: at least 2 dead, including baby, after overnight tornadoes in oklahoma.

Tornadoes and damaging thunderstorms blasting across the central United States, and will continue to threaten lives and property in more than a dozen states through the weekend.

Updated Apr. 28, 2024 8:28 AM PDT

Severe thunderstorm risk to continue through end of weekend

By Monica Danielle, AccuWeather Managing Editor

Apr. 28, 2024 11:21 AM PDT

Between Thursday and Saturday,  over 550 reports of severe weather  were submitted across the central United States and the threat is not over. AccuWeather meteorologists continue to track the  ongoing outbreak of severe thunderstorms across the center of the nation . Sunday will be the final day of widespread severe weather before thunderstorm activity becomes more localized early in the week.

“The risk for severe weather will continue into a fourth day, Sunday, farther east toward the Mississippi Valley, ” AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said. “ The threat of tornadoes appears to be lower, but instances of damaging winds and hail are still expected, especially across northeastern Texas, northern Louisiana, Arkansas and southern Missouri,”  he added.

Flash flooding is also a concern.  “Repeated rounds of heavy thunderstorms have resulted in instances of flash flooding over portions of the central Plains, Ozarks and mid-Mississippi Valley,” Buckingham noted adding,   “This threat will extend through the end of the weekend  as additional thunderstorm activity passes through the region.”

Heavy rain falling in short amounts of time can lead to additional flash flooding concerns, especially in the form of  ponding on highways and roadways leading to travel delays along portions of interstates 35, 40, 44 and 70.

A least 2 dead, including baby, after overnight tornadoes in Oklahoma

Apr. 28, 2024 9:55 AM PDT

Residents of Holdenville, Oklahoma, are trying to pick up the pieces of their lives this morning after  a violent suspected tornado Saturday night killed at least two people. One of the deaths was a 4-month-old baby,  local news affiliate  KOCO News 5 reported . Holdenville is about 60 miles southeast of Oklahoma City.

Another 60 miles southwest of Holdenville, damage in the city of Sulpher is hard to fathom. The footage below, shot by storm chaser Brandon Clement, shows homes reduced to rubble, cars tossed around, and trees shredded to stumps.

Damage from an intense tornado on April 27 was seen the morning after in Sulphur, Oklahoma. Video shows buildings collapsed, as well as vehicles thrown into debris along the roadside.

The search for more victims lasted into the morning hours, with Hughes County Emergency Management telling KOCO they worked through power outages and the emergency phone call system shutting down. As of Sunday morning, at least 37,000 customers are without power, according to  poweroutage.us .

“Over  200 reports of severe weather  were submitted on Saturday, spanning from Texas to Michigan. Out of those reports, there were  38 reported tornadoes,”  AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said.

In a  statement  released late Saturday night, the Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management reported injuries and damage, including downed power lines in Carter County. Several homes and trees were damaged in the town of Devol in Cotton County. Damage and flooding have been reported across the state, and officials are urging residents impacted by the storms to report damages to their property at damage.ok.gov.  Reporting damage helps local and state emergency managers better coordinate response and recovery efforts.

AccuWeather’s Tony Laubach was driving on Interstate 35 in Tonkawa, Oklahoma, where severe storms caused a muddy mess on the highway on April 27. Road crews were busy clearing mud and debris.

Gov. Kevin Stitt issued a statement early Sunday morning, saying, “My prayers are with those who lost loved ones as tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma last night. Thank you to Oklahoma Emergency Management and those who have worked through the night to keep Oklahomans safe and have worked to clear debris and assess damage.” 

Cleanup begins after tornadoes, severe weather risk to linger through the weekend

Apr. 27, 2024 9:00 PM PDT

Two women help carry a friend's belongings out of their damaged home after a tornado passed through the area in Bennington, Neb., Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Josh Funk)

Residents spent Saturday sifting through what was left of their homes after a powerful tornado ripped through suburban Omaha, Nebraska on Friday, including the hard-hit town of Elkhorn.

People pick through the rubble of a house that was leveled in Elkhorn, Neb., on Saturday, April 27. Residents began sifting through the rubble after a tornado plowed through suburban Omaha, demolishing homes and businesses as it moved for miles through farmland and into subdivisions. (AP Photo/Nick Ingram)

The massive twister destroyed homes and businesses as it moved for miles through neighborhoods and fields before tearing through Minden, Iowa. Incredibly, no deaths have been reported.

Cleanup began for many parts of Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska after tornadic severe storms blasted the region on April 26-27.

Tens of millions from central Texas to eastern Nebraska and Iowa will be at risk once again  from Sunday to Sunday night. Two moderate risk zones are being highlighted around cities like  Omaha , Nebraska, and  Little Rock , Arkansas, as places where the chances for robust storms is greater.

Localized damaging wind gusts of 55-65 mph will be possible with peak winds up to the AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 75 mph. Other s evere weather risks such as hail, intense downpours and isolated tornadoes are also a possibility.

Residents should stay vigilant when the risk for severe weather lasts into the overnight hours . Potent thunderstorms hidden under the cover of darkness, especially when there is an isolated tornado threat, can pose a greater risk to lives.

Tornado-producing storms erupt from Texas to Iowa

By Brian Lada, AccuWeather meteorologist

Apr. 27, 2024 5:19 PM PDT

The next round of severe thunderstorms is well underway with s trong storms capable of producing tornadoes rumbling from northern Texas to southern Iowa  across an area spanning more than 700 miles.  The most intense storms are likely in Oklahoma and northern Texas, where three potent storms are ongoing . Each storm has a history of producing tornadoes. People in and around Wichita Falls, Texas, and Oklahoma City should monitor these storms closely, as well as any more that develop, as  the atmosphere in this region is primed to spin up intense, potentially long-tracked twisters through Saturday evening.

A snapshot of the radar around Oklahoma at 4 p.m. CDT on April 27, 2024. The two storms west of Witchita Falls, Texas, and the storm west of Oklahoma City were capable to producing tornadoes. (AccuWeather)

Storm chaser shows tennis-ball sized hail while tracking storms

Apr. 27, 2024 5:11 PM PDT

AccuWeather’s Tony Laubach reports from a hailstorm in Oklahoma and discusses the severe weather outlook for the rest of the weekend.

AccuWeather meteorologist Tony Laubach encountered  baseball-sized hail during a “pretty hefty hailstorm”  in Tonkawa, Oklahoma, about 100 miles north of Oklahoma City. “The hail was enough to wreck windshields, mine included,” Laubach said during a live report on the  AccuWeather Network  where he revealed his cracked windshield.

(Credit: Tony Laubach)

After seeing a number of people stopping their cars under overpasses, Laubach also reminded people not to do that. 

While it may seem like a good idea to seek shelter from hail under an overpass, it puts other motorists at risk because you’re blocking traffic as you wait for the storm to pass, preventing others from getting out of harm’s way. It reduces visibility for others and increases the potential for a bad accident.

If you encounter hail while driving, slow down and turn on your flashers. If you need to stop, make sure you pull all the way off the road.

'Particularly Dangerous Situation' Tornado Watch issued

By Jesse Ferrell, social media producer and meteorologist

Apr. 27, 2024 1:58 PM PDT

NOAA's Storm Prediction Center issued a rare "particularly dangerous situation" Tornado Watch for parts of Texas and Oklahoma early Saturday afternoon, saying that a few intense tornadoes are likely. The last PDS Tornado Watch was issued on March 31, 2023. Several tornado warnings had also been issued by lunch time CDT but no tornadoes had been reported yet.

Severe weather watches for northern Texas and Oklahoma on the afternoon of April 27, 2024. A "PDS" Tornado Watch is shown in bright red.

On Thursday, AccuWeather meteorologists marked another rare 'high' risk area for severe weather from south-central Oklahoma to east-central Kansas and the western border of Missouri for Saturday, outlining the area with the best prospects for destructive, widespread and dangerous storms.

VIDEO: Stunning destruction in Elkhorn, Nebraska shows power of tornado

Apr. 27, 2024 12:34 PM PDT

Destruction in Elkhorn, Nebraska, a suburb of Omaha, in the wake of a massive tornado that tore through yesterday. pic.twitter.com/JxOAG3ryMD — AccuWeather (@accuweather) April 27, 2024

New video reveals the absolute devastation in hard-hit Elkhorn, Nebraska, a suburb of Omaha, in the wake of a  massive tornado that tore through  yesterday. Crews spent much of the night searching for anyone trapped or injured, local authorities said . Incredibly, no deaths have been reported.

Elkhorn resident Jason Sunday described the tornado as a “freight train,”  affiliate KETV  reported.

“We saw it coming from the southwest, and when it got too close for comfort, we headed downstairs quickly. We were in the downstairs bathtub, and it was just like the movie said, it was like a freight train,” Sunday told  KETV . “And you knew the roof was coming off because that was a loud pop and sucking motion. It was pretty scary.” The tornado caused severe damage to the Sunday family’s dream home to which they had just moved last month.

“We’re thankful to be alive. We’re very thankful,” Sunday added.

More than 35 million people brace for another round of violent storms on Saturday

AccuWeather’s Tony Laubach recalls several of the tornadoes he chased on April 26 and discusses the potential for more through the weekend.

Following a catastrophic day filled with tornadoes and intense storms across the Plains, AccuWeather meteorologists warn that the  pattern on Saturday can pose eerily similar threats .

At least 11 states will be within the danger zone for severe thunderstorms bringing large hail, flash flooding and tornadoes into Saturday night .

Similar to Friday, AccuWeather meteorologists have marked another rare ‘high’ risk for severe weather from south-central Oklahoma to east-central Kansas and the western border of Missouri for Saturday , outlining the area with the highest prospects for destructive, widespread, and dangerous storms.

The risk for severe storms through Saturday night will span roughly 1,400 miles across a chunk of the Central U.S., home to over 35 million people.  Potent thunderstorms can begin to ramp up by the midday and afternoon hours for many locations .

“With such a volatile atmospheric setup favoring severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, AccuWeather meteorologists remain concerned that a second tornado outbreak in as many days may occur [into] Saturday night, which  may once again include some particularly intense or long-track tornadoes,”  AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter said.

WATCH: Tornadoes captured on camera from Texas to Iowa

Apr. 27, 2024 9:26 AM PDT

Tornadoes were captured on camera from Texas to Iowa on April 26 as severe storms raced across the Midwest, damaging airports, knocking out power and leaving communities in ruins . As of Saturday morning, about  27,000 customers  in northeast Texas were without power

This compilation video shows the severe weather recording in several states including supercells, lightning, tornadoes and their destructive aftermath.

From Texas to Nebraska to Iowa, multiple tornadoes carved a trail of damage on April 26.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen released a  statement   saying he extends his deepest prayers to all those impacted by the storms.

“I have ordered that state resources be made available to assist with the emergency response and to support local first responders as they assess the damage. Nebraskans are tough, resilient people, and our neighbors and communities will rally around affected families and businesses to assist them. Nebraskans are no strangers to severe weather and, as they have countless times before, Nebraskans will help Nebraskans to rebuild. ”

Drone footage shows scope of tornado devastation in Iowa

Apr. 27, 2024 8:43 AM PDT

A large tornado ripped through the town of Minden, Iowa, causing extensive damage to property on April 26.

Tornadoes carved several paths of destruction across the midwest on Friday , destroying hundreds of homes and other buildings, many around Omaha, Nebraska.  This drone footage shows the scope of destruction a massive twister left behind in the city of Minden, Iowa.

An enormous tornado devastated Minden, Iowa, on Friday, prompting Governor Reynolds to declare a disaster emergency for Pottawattamie County. pic.twitter.com/EX8T5gEI30 — AccuWeather (@accuweather) April 27, 2024

The small city, located about 30 miles northeast of Omaha, was heavily damaged. “Approximately 40 homes, maybe 50, were destroyed, gas leaks, wires down, a lot of debris. So it’s a very dangerous area. We have shut off the entrance to the city , except for the people that live here,” Jeff Theulen with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office told 6 News . “Obviously, they’re trying to take care of their houses and our thoughts and prayers are with them.”

Theulen said rescue crews pulled many people from damaged and destroyed homes Friday evening. As of Saturday morning, there were  several reports of injuries but no immediate deaths . However, the danger is not over, AccuWeather  forecasters warn another round of volatile storms is expected  Saturday afternoon and evening .

Planes tossed and destroyed at Eppley Airfield, Nebraska

Apr. 26, 2024 8:40 PM PDT

Eppley Airfield in Omaha, Nebraska, released a statement Friday evening saying that a tornado had touched down and the airport was closed for an hour while passengers were in storm shelters. There were no reports of injuries, but several buildings and many planes were destroyed, according to photos and videos posted on X.

More on the destruction at the Eppley Airfield (OMA), Omaha, Nebraska after a massive tornado hit the premises and the area. Eppley Airport says, Passenger terminal was unaffected while a number of buildings and properties of General Aviation terminal sustained damage. Video… pic.twitter.com/69eO2mChFU — FL360aero (@fl360aero) April 27, 2024

Over 75 tornado reports Friday, mostly in Nebraska and Iowa

Apr. 26, 2024 8:33 PM PDT

Over 75 tornado reports have come in today from spotters as of 7:30 PM CDT, mostly in Nebraska and Iowa.

Many reports were likely the same tornado or supercell thunderstorm, as there have been several long-tracking storms.

Over 85 tornado warnings were issued, including some lasting more than 3 hours in which Tornado Emergency Warnings were in effect.

Catastrophic destruction: Emergency crews in Elkhorn, Nebraska checking damaged houses

Apr. 26, 2024 7:08 PM PDT

Photos and videos of catastrophic damage are emerging on social media, showing utter destruction in Elkhorn, Nebraska , a suburb of Omaha, in the wake of a massive tornado that tore through.

Video shows the scary moments as a massive tornado spins toward the town of Elkhorn, Nebraska, on April 26.

The Red Cross has set up an emergency shelter for Elkhorn-area residents, according to the Omaha Police Department. Douglas County authorities report a reunification center is being established at Elkhorn Middle School for parents whose students were held during earlier tornado warnings, according to 6 News WOWT.

During a media briefing at 6:30 p.m. CDT, Omaha police and fire officials say they have extra officers going door-to-door helping people from houses that were "flattened" by the tornado , but no serious injuries or fatalities have been reported. Police say they think media reports regarding warnings helped reduce injuries.

Firefighters work to clear a home damaged by a tornado northwest of Omaha, Nebraska, on Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Margery A. Beck)

Fire Chief Kathy Bossman said damage is also reported in other Nebraska towns, including Arbor Village, Arbor View, and Waterloo. "Right now, we are beginning detailed searches of those neighborhoods; we're going to be looking at each property."

The drone-assisted search will take place overnight and possibly into tomorrow.

A destroyed home is seen northwest of Omaha, Neb., after a storm tore through the area on Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Margery A. Beck)

A destroyed house is seen northwest of Omaha, Nebraska, after storms swept through the area on Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Margery A. Beck)

Debris is seen from a destroyed home northwest of Omaha, Nebraska, after a storm tore through the area on Friday, April 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Margery A. Beck)

"Challenges include power outages; we have power lines down, we have gas leaks, we have unstable structures, we have trees that are down," Chief Bossman said.

The Omaha Police Department tweeted it has established a command center and additional officers are being brought in to assist with 911 calls citywide. Officers are asking everyone to avoid the Elkhorn area “as emergency personnel are assisting those in the path of the tornado.”

As of 7:30 p.m. CDT, poweroutage.us is reporting 7,000 customers are without power in Nebraska.

Another perspective: Tornado rips across Nebraska freeway

Apr. 26, 2024 5:47 PM PDT

Drivers on Interstate 80 got an incredibly scary view of a powerful tornado  on the afternoon of April 26. Officials urged residents in eastern Nebraska to seek shelter “immediately” as massive tornadoes moved through the Lincoln and Omaha metro areas 

Drivers on Interstate 80 got an incredibly scary view of a powerful tornado on the afternoon of April 26.

You can track the severe weather on  AccuWeather’s weather radar . AccuWeather meteorologist Brian Lada has been monitoring the radar throughout the afternoon and said a tornado northwest of Omaha was a “menace on radar” with  a debris ball that appeared to be over a mile wide .

Radar showing a supercell thunderstorm with tornado debris ball moving northwest of Omaha, Nebraska on April 26, 2024.

A debris ball, technically known as a  tornadic debris signature  ( TDS ), is an area of high reflectivity on weather radar caused by a tornado lofting debris into the air.

Storm chaser captures jaw-dropping footage of wedge tornado crossing I-80 in Nebraska

Apr. 26, 2024 4:57 PM PDT

Storm chaser Aaron Jayjack captured this video near Lincoln, Nebraska, on April 26 as a violent tornado tore across a highway, leaving at least one tractor trailer on its side.

Storm chaser Aaron Jayjack was uniquely positioned to record this stunning footage of a massive wedge tornado crossing Interstate 80 in Nebraska Friday afternoon.  “VIOLENT tornado just crossed the Interstate 80 Lincoln, NE,”  he tweeted .

You can see the powerful twister flinging debris across the interstate as motorists attempt to navigate the treacherous roadway. At one point during the video, Jayjack shouts, “Oh, somebody got hit!” 

At least one tractor-trailer was tossed on its side by the intense wind. No word yet on injuries. The Nebraska Department of Transportation caught a different view of the massive twister.

A tornado near Interstate 80 in Lincoln, Nebraska, on April 26, 2024. (Nebraska Department of Transportation)

Wedge tornadoes are the most destructive  and catastrophic tornadoes and can grow to be over a mile in diameter.

Storm chaser captures tall rope tornado tearing across Nebraska field

“Wow!!! What a tornado  just north of Ravenna, Nebraska, this Friday at 12:32 p.m. CDT,” storm chaser Brandon Montgomery  tweeted  after recording this footage. “Incredible experience!”

Storm chaser Brandon Montgomery followed a tall rope tornado as it tore across a field in Ravenna, Nebraska, on April 26.

Ravenna is about 175 miles west of  Omaha , which is  one of the major metro areas that are very close to or within the high-risk area  into Friday night  along with  Kansas City , Missouri; and  Des Moines , Iowa.

Rope tornadoes, named after their long, thin appearance, are the  smallest type of tornado and can be short-lived, lasting just a few minutes but can be just the start of the evolution of a twister. Don’t be fooled by their size!  Even a thin rope tornado can cause damage, although the path of destruction tends to be narrow  compared to other kinds of whirlwinds.

Storm chaser intercepts large tornado in Nebraska

Apr. 26, 2024 2:39 PM PDT

One of the first tornadoes of the day touched down in central Nebraska , and AccuWeather Storm Chaser and Meteorologist Tony Laubach was on the scene.  Laubach came within a few hundred yards of a large tornado near Elba, Nebraska , as it crossed the road in front of him. Watch the heart-pounding video below:

Meteorologist Tony Laubach got up close with a tornado as it crossed a highway in Elba, Nebraska, on April 26.

New tornado watch issued where strongest storms are expected

Apr. 26, 2024 2:06 PM PDT

There is a  high risk of tornadoes, powerful winds and large hail  in part of the central United States today, according to AccuWeather meteorologists, and intense storms are in short order.  A new tornado watch has been issued for eastern Nebraska and western Iowa  in the area where the strongest storms of the day are expected.  A tornado has already been reported  from a storm about 150 miles west of Omaha, Nebraska, according to storm chasers in the area.

A tornado watch is also in effect for northeastern Texas  and part of southeastern Oklahoma where locally severe storms have been rumbling since late Friday morning.  People who are under a tornado watch should remain vigilant and seek shelter if a tornado warning is issued.

'Tornado on the ground': Multiple supercells move over Kansas

Apr. 26, 2024 12:01 PM PDT

Stormchaser Ben McHone captured this  ominous footage of multiple supercells moving across northwest Kansas producing heavy rain, hail and the formation of a ‘needle tornado’  on Thursday afternoon.

Multiple supercells moved across northwest Kansas producing heavy rain, hail and formation of a needle tornado on April 25.

A needle tornado is another name for a  rope tornado  which is the smallest type of tornado and named for its long, thin appearance.

On the thunderstorm spectrum,  supercells are the least common type of thunderstorm.  What makes a supercell unique from all other thunderstorm types is that  it contains a deep and persistent rotating updraft called a mesocyclone.

Supercells have a high propensity to produce severe weather , including damaging winds, very large hail, and even violet tornadoes.

Violent storms likely into Friday night

Apr. 26, 2024 11:16 AM PDT

“ There could be more than a dozen tornadoes spawned from Friday afternoon to Friday night alone ,” AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said. “Into Friday night, the areas most likely to be strewn with intense, discrete thunderstorms -- the type that often produces strong tornadoes -- extends from northeastern Kansas and northwestern Missouri to southeastern Nebraska and southern and central Iowa.”

Major metro areas that are very close to or within the high-risk area into Friday night include  Kansas City , Missouri;  Omaha , Nebraska; and  Des Moines , Iowa.  The AccuWeather Local StormMax™  straight-line wind gust  is 80 mph into Friday night  and is stronger than that of the minimum threshold for a hurricane (74 mph).

People in the severe weather threat zones each day and night are encouraged to  pay attention to the weather, take alerts and warnings seriously and have a plan of action  in place in case violent conditions become imminent. A method to receive audible alerts when sleeping is strongly advised

Thursday’s storms seen from space

Apr. 26, 2024 9:19 AM PDT

High resolution imagery of severe storms erupting tonight across the Central Plains. pic.twitter.com/S6GqdUuKba — CIRA (@CIRA_CSU) April 26, 2024

As severe weather erupted over the Plains on Thursday afternoon, NOAA’s GOES-EAST weather satellite was keeping a close eye on the evolving situation. The satellite was focused on  eastern Colorado, western Kansas, and southern Nebraska, where the strongest storms of the day rumbled to life . There were around  70 reports of large hail from storms in this area, including chunks of ice as large as tennis balls.

Storm chaser nearing 500,000 miles in pursuit of storms, twisters

Apr. 26, 2024 7:39 AM PDT

The miles can add up fast for folks who drive across the country to capture footage of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms, and one storm chaser is closing in on a monumental benchmark. “ I am making my way to half a million storm-chasing miles, ” AccuWeather Meteorologist and Storm Chaser Tony Laubach said.  So far this year, Laubach has logged 5,448 miles , and he will add to that in the coming days as he hunts down dangerous storms across the central United States. Laubach said that  hitting the 500,000-mile mark has been a long-standing goal for his storm-chasing career  and he might finally reach the benchmark later this year.

Blue shelf cloud moves over Arkansas

Apr. 25, 2024 9:23 PM PDT

Heavy rain and hail hit Little Rock, Arkansas, as this shelf cloud passed through the area.

An incredible timelapse of a shelf cloud with blue hues was recorded in Little Rock, Arkansas Thursday afternoon. Flooding was also reported from the storms.

Shelf clouds often form at the leading edge of strong winds  flowing down and outward from a storm.  It is not uncommon for thunderstorms to contain blue or green tinted clouds , but there is no direct correlation to the severity of the storm.

Storm chaser wraps up a day of tracking severe weather, gets ready for tomorrow

AccuWeather meteorologist and storm chaser Tony Laubach is  wrapping up a day of tracking severe weather across Kansas  and is headed east to get set up for tomorrow. AccuWeather Prime’s Melissa Constanzer caught up with Laubach as he traveled through Quinter, Kansas.

“It has been more of a hail day today,”  Laubach said. “Most of the hail we saw was anywhere between nickel and quarter-sized. We had  hail reports in Kansas as big as two-and-a-half inches , that would be tennis ball-sized hail. ”

In the video below, Laubach explains why there was more hail than tornadoes:

Severe thunderstorms produced prolific hail across parts of the Plains on April 25, but cold air undercut the threat for tornadoes.

Tennis-ball-sized hail pelts the Plains

Apr. 25, 2024 8:50 PM PDT

Storm spotters reported  hail as large as 2.5 inches in diameter (about the size of a tennis ball)  near Russell Springs, Kansas, earlier Thursday evening, with 2-inch-diameter hail near Syracuse and Colby, Kansas.  Wind gusts also spiked to 70 mph  at a weather station near Sharon Springs, Kansas.

Hail as large as 4.5 inches in diameter  fell in the Carolinas last weekend.  A hailstone that fell in Vivian, South Dakota, on July 23, 2010 ,  holds the United States' record for largest hail size with  a diameter of 8 inches  and heaviest weight at 1.94 pounds.

Severe weather to escalate on Friday

Apr. 25, 2024 7:59 PM PDT

Thursday is just the start of an extended severe weather event across the central United States . AccuWeather meteorologists say there is a high threat of severe thunderstorms on Friday and Friday night, the second-highest level on AccuWeather’s severe weather index.

Approximately 38 million people could face thunderstorms, the strongest of which may spin up tornadoes and unleash large hail and damaging winds.

Additional rounds of severe weather are in the forecast through the weekend , with some areas at risk of being hit multiple times.

Landspout touches down in Colorado

Apr. 25, 2024 6:34 PM PDT

A landspout tornado touches down in Akron, Colorado as another funnel cloud spins above it.

A landspout tornado touched down today near Akron, Colorado,  while another funnel cloud spun nearby. The landspout was on the ground for only five minutes.  Landspouts start as a column of spinning air near the ground  and aren't always connected to a severe thunderstorm, whereas tornadoes are spawned in a rotating thunderstorm and move down to the ground.

Tornado watches issued as storms erupt

Apr. 25, 2024 6:18 PM PDT

Severe thunderstorms are rumbling over the Plains with  two tornado watches in effect  from eastern Colorado and southern Nebraska to the Texas Panhandle.  One thunderstorm in northwestern Kansas has already produced a tornado , according to a storm chaser in the area. Thunderstorms may become more widespread into Thursday night over the region, with additional watches possible. Three preliminary tornadoes have been reported across the entire region as of 5:10 p.m. CDT.

Tornado watches in the central United States as of 5 p.m. CDT on April 25, 2024. (AccuWeather)

A tornado watch means that weather conditions are prime for severe thunderstorms to develop and spin up twisters. Meanwhile,  a tornado warning means that a tornado is imminent or is happening  and that people in the path of the storm should seek shelter.

Calm before the storm

Apr. 25, 2024 3:03 PM PDT

A clear sky over Colby, Kansas, an area where tornado-producing thunderstorms are possible later Thursday afternoon. (AccuWeather/Tony Laubach)

Storm chasers are in position ahead of an outburst of thunderstorms expected to erupt over part of the Plains later Thursday afternoon.  AccuWeather Meteorologist and Storm Chaser Tony Laubach is in Colby, Kansas , located in the northwest part of the state, and is sitting under a sunny sky with a few patches of clouds.  A much different scene is foreseen to unfold over the region in a few hours, including the potential for tornadoes.

In-depth look at the severe weather threat

Apr. 25, 2024 1:07 PM PDT

AccuWeather Severe Weather Expert Guy Pearson joined Chief Meteorologist Bernie Rayno to talk about the forthcoming severe weather outbreak over the United States,  explaining why the threat of damaging thunderstorms will unfold over several days.  Watch the interview below:

The Plains and Midwest regions of the United States face a weekend of dangerous severe weather including the risk of tornadoes starting on Friday.

Types of tornadoes that may touch down through the weekend

Apr. 25, 2024 11:56 AM PDT

Tornadoes come in all shapes and sizes, but meteorologists can classify each one based on distinct features.  The smallest type of twister is a rope tornado , named after its long, thin appearance. It is one of the most common types of tornadoes and can be short-lived, but  some evolve into larger, more powerful twisters.

A large tornado spinning near Morton, Texas, on May 23, 2022. (Marcus Diaz via Storyful)

Wedge tornadoes are the largest type of tornadoes and can be over a mile wide . Some of the most intense tornadoes in history were wedge tornadoes, including the EF5 that leveled Joplin, Missouri, in 2011.  Click here to see more types of twisters that occur over the United States.

Severe weather outbreak to commence Thursday afternoon

Apr. 25, 2024 10:19 AM PDT

The first round of a multiday severe weather event is about to unfold over the central United States with  each day through the weekend bringing the risk of damaging winds, hail and tornadoe s. On Thursday, the severe weather threat will extend from northern Texas to eastern Wyoming, with  thunderstorms expected to erupt late Thursday afternoon.  The strongest storms are likely from the Texas Panhandle through western Kansas.

An even higher risk of severe weather is in the offing at the end of the week as the next round of thunderstorms unfolds. “ I think the worst days for severe weather, specifically tornadoes, is going to be [Friday] and then on Saturday ,” AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said.  Click here for a full breakdown of the impending severe weather outbreak.

How to stay alert when severe weather nears

By AccuWeather staff

Apr. 25, 2024 8:17 AM PDT

Knowing when  severe weather is approaching can be life-saving information , especially during a severe weather outbreak, like what is unfolding over the South Wednesday. One of the easiest ways to receive severe weather alerts, such as tornado warnings, is by  having the free AccuWeather App on your smartphone .   Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you  subscribe to Premium+  on the  AccuWeather app , which also provides an ad-free experience. AccuWeather Alerts™ are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer. These custom alerts can provide critical time to seek shelter before damaging weather moves into the area . Watching the AccuWeather Network and monitoring  AccuWeather’s website  are two other ways to stay updated with the latest weather information.

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