Customer Reviews

WorldTrek: A Family Odyssey

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World Trek A Family Odyssey by Russell and Carla Fisher

When a friend passed on this travel book to me I was very interested as I am a reasonably seasoned traveler myself and it boggled my mind to think of a family of four (including two teenagers) putting their lives on hold to go on a year long adventure. And what an adventure it turned out to be! This is not just a travel book ; it gives a detailed description of the year long planning that was necessary before the trip. Most people would balk at the idea of taking their children out of school for a year, closing up their house and putting things in storage but Russell and Carla Fisher have shown us that a trip like this is within reach of anyone. It doesn't have to be just a dream; it could turn out to be the dream of a lifetime as it was for them. Very useful planning and budget details are given in the Appendices.

During their trip they visited many of the usual tourist spots but were not afraid to go off the beaten track to explore lesser known places which almost invariably turned out to be most interesting and enjoyable and often surpassed their expectations. A less adventurous traveler will be inspired by their narrative.

It was interesting to see how much fun a family can have while traveling on a budget. Indeed, traveling on a budget gave them better and more honest insights into people and places. I enjoyed their spirit of adventure and thoroughly enjoyed my vicarious journey around the world with them, even when they came upon difficult situations. I wish them good luck with their future travels.

It is difficult to imagine the courage it takes to put your life on hold for one year, sacrificing careers that have taken years to come to fruition, and venture into the unknown for a once in a lifetime experience. The story of this family and their adventure around the globe is an inspiration to all of us who have dreamed of escaping the routine lives we know so well to seek out what the world has to offer. This book reveals the joy and passion of jumping out the norm and following your distant dreams to the wonderous places that they will take you...not knowing what is around the next corner (of the world!) It was a sensory pleasure to discover each new culture and it's offerings along with this mainstream American family who openly shares their excitement and challenges throughout their journey. It was a delight!

Whether you're planning a long trip around the world or a much shorter excursion, "WorldTrek: A Family Odyssey" will not disappoint. This book is a gem. Russell and Carla Fisher and their two daughters travel an entire year to nineteen different countries around the world. The book is well written and easy to read with each stop described in concise and imaginative prose. For those wanting travel tips, "WorldTrek" offers ideas on what to see, how to get there, where to stay, how to pack, and how to stay healthy all within a reasonable budget. In addition, extensive planning ideas and other travel resources are listed in the appendices.

"WorldTrek" is not just a book for those interested in travel. It's an inspiring story about an ordinary family who did an extraordinary thing with their lives. The Fishers did what is unthinkable to most of us. They quit their jobs and took their daughters around the world for a year, home schooling them along the way while giving them an education that no amount of study could possibly provide. Their adventure required a lot of planning, but planning alone did not make it happen. Through their courage and willingness to risk, the Fisher family reminds us that it's possible to turn dreams into reality. Their expansive outlook and passion for seeking opportunities are lessons the reader can apply to his or her own travels as well as many other areas in life.

Russell and Carla Fisher take the reader along an enlightening 376 day family odyssey through Great Britain, Ireland, Scandinavia, Estonia, Russia, The Czech Republic, Germany, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, India, Thailand, China, Japan, Austrailia, and Rarotonga. Filled with insighful observations as well as individual and family epiphanies, the Fisher's live and discover the gifts of other cultures and teach their two daughters lifetime lessons beyond school and home.
A real treat filled with adventure and edification.
A highly recommended read!

The books deals with a small family from Texas; the parents took their children on an unforgettable world trip. If you like detailed travelogues, this one is for you. You can nicely follow their journey and enjoy their experiences. The writing was sometimes a bit flat, though. For a seasoned global traveler, the family's choice of some destinations appears a bit odd - but nobody can argue with the excitement of taking your kids on such an amazing trip overall. If you have a family and are dreaming about long-term travel, World Trek should inspire you to get closer to your own family trip. It could be shorter than the trip of the Fishers and still be very rewarding. One added bonus is Appendix A. Fisher gives detailed information how the family planned and budgeted for the trip. This real life example might be a good complement to any more theoretical books on sabbaticals you might read.

This book is a witty blend of honest, practical travel information, and descriptive snapshots of settings that are as paintings, sprinkled with historical facts and hysterical situations that made me laugh out loud, all making the book a quick, enjoyable read.

I recommend the book for anyone who has traveled or is about to travel to any of these places from his family's journey.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It is a truly inspiration journal of the Fisher family's adventure in taking a year off to travel the world. It is a candid book on the joys, tribulation and rewards of making a monumental journey with two teenagers in tow. The Fishers traveled across Europe, The Mediterranean, India, Thailand, China, Japan, Australia and Rarotonga. The book chronicles not only the places they traveled but more importantly, their cultural encounters as interested visitors rather than tourists.

The book's appendix offers terrific detail information on how to plan a similar trip. Even though I don't see myself taking a year off, the travel information is just as useful in planning a fulfilling two week vacation.

I enjoyed the story as well as the information. I've recommended the book to family and friends who are planning an overseas trip for the great resource section of the book. I've recommended the book to family and friends who have never traveled overseas for the opportunity to vicariously visit wonderfully exotic locations with the Fisher family.
Get this book to learn how to plan a trip or to learn about places you wish you could travel to. You will be inspired.

If you liked this book, you will probably enjoy "A Brilliant Teacher" about a family that had a similar year-long adventure, but with very different experiences because they were on a limited budget. Those limitations lead them to meet lots of interesting people and have quite interesting adventures with their three children.
A Brilliant Teacher: Lessons Learned from One Family's Journey Around the World