Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/843585
And now that the perfect-ish time has arrived, here's the latest snag. You're not exactly sure which way to go. To Europe with a belated backpack. To Bali with a yoga mat. To Route 66 with your kicks. If you're newly retired, between demanding jobs or ready-and-able to fi nally cash in on some serious carpe diem-style extended vacation points somewhere out there in the world, your fi rst step (we would suggest) is to rejoice that "gap years" needn't be restricted to footloose high school grads. Turns out the rest of us still suffi ciently curious, adventurous, wiser-with- age types are entitled to them, too, whenever they come and wherever they lead. Ready to seize that time and fi ll the gap? Here are a few personality- tailored, big-league journeys to rock your world. JET-SETTER: FLY AROUND THE WORLD Booking a long-awaited fl ight to some faraway place way beyond the usual radar screen is always exciting. When that fl ight is a round-the-world ticket featuring 16 stops across several continents over a span of up to 12 months, it's offi cially the journey of a lifetime. Flying around the world properly (you want to see and experience this planet, not just soar over it) takes time, money, planning, fl exibility and extra reserves of stamina. The good news: The variety and versatility of today's RT W fl ight programs make it easier than ever to arrange with just a few courageous clicks. For a glimpse of what's possible, check out oneworld's Explorer and Global Explorer fares, which enable world travelers to tailor their itineraries based on either the continents or distance they want to travel. Your host: An alliance of 15 top airlines plus about 30 additional affi liates servicing more than 1,000 destinations in nearly 160 countries. Until now, maybe it's been that big trip simmering forever on the backburner. Waiting for something called "the perfect time" — that hypothetical windfall of wide-open days, weeks, months – a whole year? – forever sidelined by work, family, ceaseless responsibilities and every other reality check. 18 | | Summer 2017