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RTW Travel Planning by Comfort and Amenity Level

Before planning an RTW trip, it is important for you to understand the type of traveler you are. For example:

- Do you need your own bathroom at all times?

- Are you comfortable sleeping in dormitory accommodation?

- Do you prefer talking to locals for advice about meals, cultural events, and activities, or do you prefer talking to a concierge, who will make recommendations and all necessary bookings for you?

- Do you need high thread count sheets, or will basic cotton sheets do?

- Can you endure sitting in a small, coach-class seat on a flight lasting 15 or 20 hours?

- How do you feel about sampling food which may have been prepared in conditions that you may not consider fully ideal?

These and many other issues will determine how you approach planning your trip. If you like guaranteed levels of service and comfort with no “wildcards” along the way, or, to put it another way, if you need to be sure ahead of time that you are getting what you bargained for, you may want to consider sticking with established and familiar brands. There is a Sofitel and a Four Seasons Resort located in the village where the Temples of Angkor are located, where you are sure to receive consistent and exceptional service. However, by staying at such places, you will not experience as much of the local culture and life as you otherwise would. You also will be paying hundreds of US dollars per night at those locations, whereas very nice, possibly exceptional, local accommodation would run you $20 or less. It is the willingness to take chances on comfort and amenities combined with the budget at your disposal which will determine how to approach your travel plan.

For travelers seeking a high level of comfort, Fodor’s and Michelin Guides provide good sources of information. At the very high end, it may be worthwhile to check out Relais and Chateaux of the World.

For those who don’t mind some grit or unexpected circumstances here and there, Rough Guides and Lonely Planet are very good options for researching, planning, and executing an RTW trip.