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How to Travel the World for FREE: I did it, and you can do it, too!
The unbelievable feat of traveling 25,000 milesfrom Berlin to Antarcticawithout any money! Join Michael Wigge as he immerses himself into fascinating subcultures, rides with Amish farmers in old-fashioned buggies, sleeps on the street with the homeless, and, with the help from alternative lifestylers, learns to nourish himself with flowers. Wigge had only 3 concerns during his travels: How do I get some food? How will I get to my next destination? Where can I sleep? all without money! This unusual travel diary combines adventure with humor and contains surprising revelations about when money is really neededand when its not. A must-read for every travel and adventure fan!
196 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
December 4, 2017
Not in any way a guide to traveling the world, obviously just marketed that way to lure in readers. It's a description of his own experience doing it, and though it didn't grab me at first, by the time he got to California I found it really interesting. My favorite of his money-making stunts was the pillow fighting in San Francisco, because who wouldn't pay two dollars to have an impromptu pillow fight in the middle of the street?
Actually, I wouldn't. But I would smile as I walked past.
However. I have to admit I didn't notice while I was reading, but several other reviews have pointed out how unethical his behavior is. In the first place, "for free" is a misleading translation; apparently the more correct would be "without money to the end of the world," but even that is deceptive as he actually did work for money that he then used to buy tickets, and couldn't have done it without having friends conveniently placed around the world for him to stay with. Particularly in Central and South America where he, a German journalist, begged for food so he wouldn't have to use his credit card and ruin his experiment, his global irresponsibility puts quite a damper on the amusement. And I actually just want to quote this person's review because she says it perfectly:
Actually, I wouldn't. But I would smile as I walked past.
However. I have to admit I didn't notice while I was reading, but several other reviews have pointed out how unethical his behavior is. In the first place, "for free" is a misleading translation; apparently the more correct would be "without money to the end of the world," but even that is deceptive as he actually did work for money that he then used to buy tickets, and couldn't have done it without having friends conveniently placed around the world for him to stay with. Particularly in Central and South America where he, a German journalist, begged for food so he wouldn't have to use his credit card and ruin his experiment, his global irresponsibility puts quite a damper on the amusement. And I actually just want to quote this person's review because she says it perfectly:
Wigge blindly overlooks the huge amount of privilege, power, and safety he has on his side as a European white male. While traveling is wonderful, doing so by deliberately not pumping any of your first world wealth into the poor communities through which you pass (I'm thinking especially of the Bolivia chapter) is a choice I disagree with to my core.
February 6, 2014
This is a fairly entertaining read of one man's travel experiment: Go from Germany to Antarctica without spending a penny.
He was quite innovative in making money along the way : pillow fights, the human couch, applying sunscreen, shoveling hay etc. He slept on couches, in city parks and buses. He ate well in some places and in others went hungry.
All in all it was interesting reading.
What I didn't like:
The language. ok, technically he didn't really cuss. He would write f****. Hmmmm I wonder what that means? I don't know about you but my brain supplies the missing letters quite easily! So that put me off.
Begging. If someone needs to beg, ok. But for a wealthy German to beg food off poor South Americans just so he doesn't have to use his credit card and ruin his experiment was frankly immoral. And it changed my opinion of him.
The editing. NEEDS NEEDS EDITING. There's hardly any capitalizations at the beginning of sentences. How hard is THAT to spot? Such a small thing but it sure makes a difference.
BOTTOM LINE : Not bad for free.
MY RATING : PG-13 for profanity and coarse speech.
I received a free ebook from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
He was quite innovative in making money along the way : pillow fights, the human couch, applying sunscreen, shoveling hay etc. He slept on couches, in city parks and buses. He ate well in some places and in others went hungry.
All in all it was interesting reading.
What I didn't like:
The language. ok, technically he didn't really cuss. He would write f****. Hmmmm I wonder what that means? I don't know about you but my brain supplies the missing letters quite easily! So that put me off.
Begging. If someone needs to beg, ok. But for a wealthy German to beg food off poor South Americans just so he doesn't have to use his credit card and ruin his experiment was frankly immoral. And it changed my opinion of him.
The editing. NEEDS NEEDS EDITING. There's hardly any capitalizations at the beginning of sentences. How hard is THAT to spot? Such a small thing but it sure makes a difference.
BOTTOM LINE : Not bad for free.
MY RATING : PG-13 for profanity and coarse speech.
I received a free ebook from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
September 25, 2017
"بلا مال حتى آخر العالم" عنوان مجنون لرحلة بتفاصيلها المثيرة نكتشف أنها أكثر جنونًا
من المانيا، تحديدًا برلين حتى جزيرة انتركتيكا (آخر العالم) مرورًا ببلجيكا، كندا، الولايات المتحدة، كوستاريكا، باناما، كولومبية، بيرو، بوليفيا، التشيلي ومن ثم الأرجنتين... وكل هذا بلا مال !!!
وانا اقرأ الكتاب كثيرًا ما كنت اقف واشك فيه.. معقول أنه استطاع فعلا بلا مال مطلقًا (للتوضيح ولا بطاقات ائتمان ولا شيء!) ربما استخدم شيئا يسيرًا ولم يفصح ومن مشاهدتي للوثائقي فعلا صرت اشك به (بالمناسبة الكتاب أفضل من الوثاقي بكثير فهو حتى واقعي أكثر ويتطرق به الكاتب للصعوبات بشكل مفصل) ... المهم نكتشف معه أن الأمر ليس مستحيلا وإن كان جنونيًا !!!
وللإجابة عن السؤال بكيف فعل ذلك بشكل مختصر :
يمكن تلخيص احتياجاته بثلاث لا غير : المبيت والنقل والطعام
بالنسبة للمبيت كان يعتمد بالأساس على couchsurfing
وهو موقع يتيح للمسافر إمكانية البحث عن بيوت يستقبل اصحابها الزوار بلا مقابل
"ولكن في مدن عدة بالطبع لم يتوفر له ذلك فاضطر للمبيت في الخيمة أو في فنادق (لم يدفع مقابل ذلك إنما قدم خدمات لاصحابها أو "شحدة !
اما التنقل (المواصلات) فكما يشير كانت من أصعب الأمور فأحيانا كان يبدع في حيل لتجنب الدفع وأحيانا ترمبات وأحيانا أخرى كان يعمل بوظائف (13 وظيف غريبة عجيبة) ليحصل ثمن التذاكر، مثل دهن واقي الشمس للناس على ظهورهم، لعبة ضرب المخدات، مساعدة في صعود الجبل وحتى أنه عمل نادل ومساعد في سفينة) وبالطبع كان أحيانا يلجأ "للشحدة" والمثير أن الناس كانت تستجيب !
لا سيما في مسألة الطعام - التي كانت بالأساس تعتمد على "الشحدة"- فكان يذهب للمطاعم أو الحوانيت ويطلب شيئا ممن لديهم، إلا أنها أيضا لم تكن تنفع بأي حال دائما، فاضطر للبحث عن نفايات السوبر ماركت أحيانا .. وفي هواي مثلا أكل النباتات! ومن الطرائف يوم قدم له بسكوت واكل منه كثيرًا حتى اكتشف بعدها أن فيه حشيش !
أخيرًا من الأمور الجميلة، غير مغامرات الكاتب الشيقة، هو تعريفنا بمدن وثقافات مختلفة (شخصيا لم يكن لدي تصور جغرافي للقارة الامريكية بمدنها المختلفة) فتعرفت على مدن جديدة، حضارات جديدة وحتى على مستوى الطبيعة والمناخ - وكان يتطرق لها بالتفاصيل في الكتاب
والأجمل برأيه ورأي كيف أنه كان يجد دائما من يساعده (ولو بعد معاناة) وبالأخص في البلاد الفقيرة !
ويختم كتابه بملخص جميل عن الرحلة، ويتطرق للأضرار الجسدية التي حصلت له على اثر الرحلة ولكنه قد عاد بمعاني عظيمة في أهمية العطاء والحياة أصلا بلا مال !
من المانيا، تحديدًا برلين حتى جزيرة انتركتيكا (آخر العالم) مرورًا ببلجيكا، كندا، الولايات المتحدة، كوستاريكا، باناما، كولومبية، بيرو، بوليفيا، التشيلي ومن ثم الأرجنتين... وكل هذا بلا مال !!!
وانا اقرأ الكتاب كثيرًا ما كنت اقف واشك فيه.. معقول أنه استطاع فعلا بلا مال مطلقًا (للتوضيح ولا بطاقات ائتمان ولا شيء!) ربما استخدم شيئا يسيرًا ولم يفصح ومن مشاهدتي للوثائقي فعلا صرت اشك به (بالمناسبة الكتاب أفضل من الوثاقي بكثير فهو حتى واقعي أكثر ويتطرق به الكاتب للصعوبات بشكل مفصل) ... المهم نكتشف معه أن الأمر ليس مستحيلا وإن كان جنونيًا !!!
وللإجابة عن السؤال بكيف فعل ذلك بشكل مختصر :
يمكن تلخيص احتياجاته بثلاث لا غير : المبيت والنقل والطعام
بالنسبة للمبيت كان يعتمد بالأساس على couchsurfing
وهو موقع يتيح للمسافر إمكانية البحث عن بيوت يستقبل اصحابها الزوار بلا مقابل
"ولكن في مدن عدة بالطبع لم يتوفر له ذلك فاضطر للمبيت في الخيمة أو في فنادق (لم يدفع مقابل ذلك إنما قدم خدمات لاصحابها أو "شحدة !
اما التنقل (المواصلات) فكما يشير كانت من أصعب الأمور فأحيانا كان يبدع في حيل لتجنب الدفع وأحيانا ترمبات وأحيانا أخرى كان يعمل بوظائف (13 وظيف غريبة عجيبة) ليحصل ثمن التذاكر، مثل دهن واقي الشمس للناس على ظهورهم، لعبة ضرب المخدات، مساعدة في صعود الجبل وحتى أنه عمل نادل ومساعد في سفينة) وبالطبع كان أحيانا يلجأ "للشحدة" والمثير أن الناس كانت تستجيب !
لا سيما في مسألة الطعام - التي كانت بالأساس تعتمد على "الشحدة"- فكان يذهب للمطاعم أو الحوانيت ويطلب شيئا ممن لديهم، إلا أنها أيضا لم تكن تنفع بأي حال دائما، فاضطر للبحث عن نفايات السوبر ماركت أحيانا .. وفي هواي مثلا أكل النباتات! ومن الطرائف يوم قدم له بسكوت واكل منه كثيرًا حتى اكتشف بعدها أن فيه حشيش !
أخيرًا من الأمور الجميلة، غير مغامرات الكاتب الشيقة، هو تعريفنا بمدن وثقافات مختلفة (شخصيا لم يكن لدي تصور جغرافي للقارة الامريكية بمدنها المختلفة) فتعرفت على مدن جديدة، حضارات جديدة وحتى على مستوى الطبيعة والمناخ - وكان يتطرق لها بالتفاصيل في الكتاب
والأجمل برأيه ورأي كيف أنه كان يجد دائما من يساعده (ولو بعد معاناة) وبالأخص في البلاد الفقيرة !
ويختم كتابه بملخص جميل عن الرحلة، ويتطرق للأضرار الجسدية التي حصلت له على اثر الرحلة ولكنه قد عاد بمعاني عظيمة في أهمية العطاء والحياة أصلا بلا مال !
February 15, 2014
While I loved the idea of traveling across the world relying on the goodwill of others. Wigge's approach to it all, at times made me angry. I had no problem with him paying passage by working on a ship, or making money using odd-ball gimmicks and entertaining schemes. I was really enjoying the book until he started traveling through Central and South America. What made it hard to read, was when he had a perfectly good credit card in his back-pack but was begging for food from fruit and vegetable vendors in countries where national poverty rates were around 50%. *SPOILER* I wanted to throw the book in disgust when in Peru he was given more food than he could eat and he in turn resold it all to buy a bus ticket. That is NOT being a responsible traveler. He took resources from people that could really use it, not because he absolutely needed it, but because he was conducting a pointless "social experiment" Wigge should be ashamed of himself both for the act itself and now because he is making money off of his experience. We should not praise his accomplishments but instead shake our heads in shame.
May 22, 2012
How to travel the world for free. I did it, and you can do it, too! says the title of Michael Wigge’s book. But you’d have to be willing to beg, steal and borrow, sneak past ticket inspectors, endure the stares and scorn of passersby, and walk under a backpack in the heat of the sun till you finally learn what “ready to drop” really means. I certainly couldn’t do it, but reading this book was interesting and entertaining. The author describes the scenery of his trip with vivid immediacy and invites readers into foreign cultures as generously as strangers invite him into their houses. He dumpster dives and we meet the homeless. He surfs couches (via the internet) and we see into homes and lifestyles far from our own. He has friends around the world who generously help, and he meets many strangers as he asks for food on market stalls tickets and bus stations, and a place to sleep in Amish country. He works, and feels guilty for risking his fellow laborer’s jobs with his mistakes. He stares at a free buffet and feels guilty for accepting what he’s been given. Then, at the end of it all, he reaches “the end of the world.”
Travelling from Berlin to Antarctica, using no money of his own, is a pretty impressive feat and makes for a journal well worth reading. I’m not tempted to follow. Sometimes I’m even annoyed at what the author gets away with. But I loved the chance to share the experience through reading this book. And I love the author’s conclusion: “the negative image of humanity, shown to us by the media, is not in alignment with reality.”
Meet great characters, real people with genuinely generous spirits, and enjoy this book. Then watch the TV show. It should be good!
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from PR by the Book in exchange for my honest review.
Travelling from Berlin to Antarctica, using no money of his own, is a pretty impressive feat and makes for a journal well worth reading. I’m not tempted to follow. Sometimes I’m even annoyed at what the author gets away with. But I loved the chance to share the experience through reading this book. And I love the author’s conclusion: “the negative image of humanity, shown to us by the media, is not in alignment with reality.”
Meet great characters, real people with genuinely generous spirits, and enjoy this book. Then watch the TV show. It should be good!
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from PR by the Book in exchange for my honest review.
August 24, 2014
This book was straight-up awful. And It's not even a how-to. It's Michael Wigge talking about his preconceived notions of America and taking advantage of a fair number of people just to travel the world for free. He seems like he might be a nice guy, but he's completely oblivious/immoral/unaware. At one point in the book, he actually says most Americans wish they could be more like Canadians, and we're envious of our neighbors to the north — HAHAHA.
There's another point where he's traveling through Latin America, begging food off people who make maybe a dollar a day. AND THEN — when he's given heaps of fruit, he turns around and sells it for his next travel ticket. That shouldn't have sat right with him, even if paying for something with his credit card would've "ruined" his experiment.
Finally, he needs an editor. No flow, typos and he refers to Saddle Road on the Big Island as "Sattle Road." How do you even make that mistake? I can't even remotely recommend this book.
There's another point where he's traveling through Latin America, begging food off people who make maybe a dollar a day. AND THEN — when he's given heaps of fruit, he turns around and sells it for his next travel ticket. That shouldn't have sat right with him, even if paying for something with his credit card would've "ruined" his experiment.
Finally, he needs an editor. No flow, typos and he refers to Saddle Road on the Big Island as "Sattle Road." How do you even make that mistake? I can't even remotely recommend this book.
September 25, 2020
Title is BS! This is not a "how to" but a "how I" book. He goes to a bakery and tells them he is trying to travel the world for free and they are amused and give him free food. He offers himself as a butler for a day to get travel money. This is not free. it is called "WORK!" If you work odd jobs in foreign countries to get money to pay to continue traveling you are not traveling the world for free. This is not what people are thinking when they read the title to this book and pick it up. Replace "to" in the title with "I", and I might have read on. I did not finish this book. I don't think I even got a quarter into it. Speaking of "Free", I paid $0.00 for this Kindle and that is how much it is worth.
October 7, 2017
I read the book in German so I can only comment that the English title is completely misleading. The original, German one translates into "Without money to the end of the world: an adventurous journey".
Wigge's story and travels are less without money than without *his* money. His narrative style is quite pleasing and the story is extraordinary but he travels without a valid ticket hiding from ticket inspectors, works for money which he then spends on plane/train/bus tickets or is lucky enough to have friends all over the continent he wants to travel through. Because without them and all the freebees he got from them, he would have never made it to Antarctica.
Wigge's story and travels are less without money than without *his* money. His narrative style is quite pleasing and the story is extraordinary but he travels without a valid ticket hiding from ticket inspectors, works for money which he then spends on plane/train/bus tickets or is lucky enough to have friends all over the continent he wants to travel through. Because without them and all the freebees he got from them, he would have never made it to Antarctica.
December 2, 2013
The title is certainly misleading. It implies that the author will be sharing a method for free travel, rather than his account of his own quest to travel from Germany to Antarctica without spending any of his own money. After I realized this and dropped my assumptions, I enjoyed this quick read. The message I took from it was that there are good people in the world, all over the world. There were some nice scenic descriptions and light history lessons which added substance to the work. I'd recommend it to people who like travel memoirs.
September 17, 2015
This is not only the worst travelogue I have ever read but the worst book period.
February 10, 2019
German factotum Michael Wigge manages to finagle his way from Berlin to Antarctica without using any of his own cash.
Relying on contacts made before the trip, and lots of begging for food, he hops, and sometimes crawls, from country to country using nothing but his wits and perseverance. Mostly "couchsurfing", he sometimes has to resort to sleeping outdoors, and sometimes has the good fortune to meet someone who will spring for a hotel room for him.
Raising money with ridiculous stunts such as acting as a personal butler or offering pillow fights for a dollar, he manages to make all of his connections to achieve his goal, and see the sights along the way.
A clever and remarkable journey.
Relying on contacts made before the trip, and lots of begging for food, he hops, and sometimes crawls, from country to country using nothing but his wits and perseverance. Mostly "couchsurfing", he sometimes has to resort to sleeping outdoors, and sometimes has the good fortune to meet someone who will spring for a hotel room for him.
Raising money with ridiculous stunts such as acting as a personal butler or offering pillow fights for a dollar, he manages to make all of his connections to achieve his goal, and see the sights along the way.
A clever and remarkable journey.
February 14, 2023
Entertaining concept and the concept does lead to some interesting situations. On this surface level I'd probably review as a 3.5 star.
However, I'd echo the previous reviews. You would assume the journey was possible due to his position/privilege/occupation. Acknowledging this would have been welcomed. Without acknowledgement, it appears deaf.
Living or travelling without money is a noble and interesting cause in a highly commodified and money-centric world. But no consideration is given to the impact this has on poorer communities.
In the end there is a social and cultural extraction from these communities, which contributes to the authors experience and book sales, without any exchange of value in return (this didn't even need to be money perse).
However, I'd echo the previous reviews. You would assume the journey was possible due to his position/privilege/occupation. Acknowledging this would have been welcomed. Without acknowledgement, it appears deaf.
Living or travelling without money is a noble and interesting cause in a highly commodified and money-centric world. But no consideration is given to the impact this has on poorer communities.
In the end there is a social and cultural extraction from these communities, which contributes to the authors experience and book sales, without any exchange of value in return (this didn't even need to be money perse).
July 4, 2024
While I generally enjoy travelogues, this one just didn't do it for me. First, it wasn't free - he was traveling on someone else's dime/generosity except those few times he dumpster dived/slept outside/worked for it. But it wasn't genuinely "free". But mostly, it tried to both show how the author gained what he needed - begging, asking, working, or stealing (train tickets or dumpster diving) - and also the sights, but it didn't do enough of either. I would have liked a book that picked one focus or the other, or perhaps longer, but this just didn't mesh with me.
For reference, I don't enjoy Bill Bryson travelogues either, and I found the pacing and what was included and not included similar.
Easy read, read in about 2-3 hours.
For reference, I don't enjoy Bill Bryson travelogues either, and I found the pacing and what was included and not included similar.
Easy read, read in about 2-3 hours.
August 25, 2021
A chronicle of a German journalist’s misadventures during his travels (begging, borrowing...and yes, stealing) across Europe and the Americas to reach the Antarctic. While it is of some interest given its insights into joy, judgment, poverty, and generosity across many cultures...I found myself looking forward to putting this book down. It seemed, more often than not, rather sophomoric (lack of introspection and chock full of adolescent profanity); highlighting the author’s preconceived notions and judgements as acceptable and objective. The author is certainly cunning, talented, and resourceful...I just struggle to find redeeming value in this particular work.
August 29, 2021
So I was thinking that this was a travel guide to help you to travel the world for free, but it’s not. It’s really just a travelogue of Michael Wigge’s experience of traveling from Germany, thru Europe and North & South America to get to Antarctica for free.
However, Michael is doing this by asking for handouts, donations, doing odd jobs and dumpster diving.
So while this isn’t something that I would do in my own travels, it was still an entertaining listen (on Audible) anyway.
However, Michael is doing this by asking for handouts, donations, doing odd jobs and dumpster diving.
So while this isn’t something that I would do in my own travels, it was still an entertaining listen (on Audible) anyway.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2021
Was soll ich sagen? Ich fand das Buch grottenschlecht. Eine lieblos und langweilig erzählte Egostory, deren Protagonist sich nur durch banales Schnorren und Schwarzfahren „erfolgreich“ ans Ziel bringen konnte. Was soll man von jemandem halten, der heimlich die Zahnbürste seines Gastgebers benutzt...?
March 14, 2022
HOW TO TRAVEL THE WORLD FOR FREE is not quite what I was expecting. I thought it would be ways to find good deals, cheap eats, and luxury on a dime. Not so. Michael Wigge tries lots of unconventional things including dumpster diving in Berlin, shoveling hay, hiring himself out as a butler. Sounds too much like work, but it seems to have worked for Wigge.
November 14, 2017
Interesting!
July 24, 2018
7.23.18-7.24.18 interesting idea 6/10
September 16, 2018
A motivating book for traveling, hard yet exciting...
November 16, 2019
I think this is way of traveling is safest for man.
December 30, 2021
No literary masterpiece, but kept my interest to see how the author was going to find the funds or non financial means to keep his trip going. Charging for pillow fights – who'd have thought?
February 12, 2022
I really enjoyed this book, very Bill Bryson-esque. I’m looking forward to trying Michael’s other book on audible, too
March 24, 2026
Audiobook
May 18, 2026
Probably not anything to be idolized or duplicated, but at times an interesting portrait of humanity and generosity.
May 18, 2012
BLURB from Goodreads
How to Travel the World for Free The unbelievable feat of traveling 25,000 miles—from Berlin to Antarctica—without any money! Join Michael Wigge as he immerses himself into fascinating subcultures, rides with Amish farmers in old-fashioned buggies, sleeps on the street with the homeless, and, with the help from alternative lifestylers, learns to nourish himself with flowers. Wigge had only 3 concerns during his travels: How do I get some food? How will I get to my next destination? Where can I sleep? …all without money! This unusual travel diary combines adventure with humour and contains surprising revelations about when money is really needed—and when it’s not. A must-read for every travel and adventure fan!
MY REVIEW
Firstly I will say I like the cover and think it depicts the book really well, as it shows Michael Wigge in his now rather shabby dirty clothing, looking rather downtrodden and tired,trying to hitch hike at the side of the road. What a contrast between how Michael looks and the beautiful scenery around him looks!
Initially when I read what Michael planned to do I admit I was sceptical. I mean how on earth was he going to get total strangers to give him food, shelter and money?
Well he did it! He did it on numerous occasions and in numerous cities. Was he ever in danger? Yes at times it seemed he was but just as you fear the worst someone would take pity on him ad take him in for the night or feed him. Was he ever tempted to give up? Yeah he explains in the book he has a few wobbles where he felt like giving up, but he always managed to push the doubts aside and continue his unique journey.
Michael met many different types of people, those that had plenty, that he would do odd jobs like being a butler for the day for, to the simpler life-styled Amish people who took him in when he was at a low ebb and allowed him to rest up and be fed. The Amish then paid him for working with them and gave him a bike which allowed his journey to continue on at a faster pace for a while. Michael then manages to sell the bike and use the money to continue his journey.
Michael does some crazy, wacky things such as being a human sofa! Charging a dollar to be sat on! I really loved the pay a dollar for a pillow fight escapade. Especially when he gets wise and charges some students to fight each other with the pillows whilst he looks on resting and enjoying the show they are putting on.
It always seemed to be the people who had the least seemed to be the ones that gave the greater amounts and most willingly.
One of the great things about this book is that lots of people will love reading it. I mean you don't need to be a big reader to enjoy it. Its the type of book you can dip in and out of. It doesn't need to be read as a whole if you don't want to. Its very easy to slip in an out of. An ideal book to have in your bag when travelling on a boring journey somewhere.
So did I enjoy this book? Yes Would I read more by Michael Wigge? Yes if it were some similar strange journey he was trying to do. In fact I would love for him to travel from the highest tip in Scotland to our Lands End in Cornwall and see if he could do that with no money! Would I recommend this book? Yes, its a great, light,educational yet amusing book. I would have loved to watch the TV series that aired in America.
(This book was sent to me to review by Megan at PRbythebook, so thankyou! )
How to Travel the World for Free The unbelievable feat of traveling 25,000 miles—from Berlin to Antarctica—without any money! Join Michael Wigge as he immerses himself into fascinating subcultures, rides with Amish farmers in old-fashioned buggies, sleeps on the street with the homeless, and, with the help from alternative lifestylers, learns to nourish himself with flowers. Wigge had only 3 concerns during his travels: How do I get some food? How will I get to my next destination? Where can I sleep? …all without money! This unusual travel diary combines adventure with humour and contains surprising revelations about when money is really needed—and when it’s not. A must-read for every travel and adventure fan!
MY REVIEW
Firstly I will say I like the cover and think it depicts the book really well, as it shows Michael Wigge in his now rather shabby dirty clothing, looking rather downtrodden and tired,trying to hitch hike at the side of the road. What a contrast between how Michael looks and the beautiful scenery around him looks!
Initially when I read what Michael planned to do I admit I was sceptical. I mean how on earth was he going to get total strangers to give him food, shelter and money?
Well he did it! He did it on numerous occasions and in numerous cities. Was he ever in danger? Yes at times it seemed he was but just as you fear the worst someone would take pity on him ad take him in for the night or feed him. Was he ever tempted to give up? Yeah he explains in the book he has a few wobbles where he felt like giving up, but he always managed to push the doubts aside and continue his unique journey.
Michael met many different types of people, those that had plenty, that he would do odd jobs like being a butler for the day for, to the simpler life-styled Amish people who took him in when he was at a low ebb and allowed him to rest up and be fed. The Amish then paid him for working with them and gave him a bike which allowed his journey to continue on at a faster pace for a while. Michael then manages to sell the bike and use the money to continue his journey.
Michael does some crazy, wacky things such as being a human sofa! Charging a dollar to be sat on! I really loved the pay a dollar for a pillow fight escapade. Especially when he gets wise and charges some students to fight each other with the pillows whilst he looks on resting and enjoying the show they are putting on.
It always seemed to be the people who had the least seemed to be the ones that gave the greater amounts and most willingly.
One of the great things about this book is that lots of people will love reading it. I mean you don't need to be a big reader to enjoy it. Its the type of book you can dip in and out of. It doesn't need to be read as a whole if you don't want to. Its very easy to slip in an out of. An ideal book to have in your bag when travelling on a boring journey somewhere.
So did I enjoy this book? Yes Would I read more by Michael Wigge? Yes if it were some similar strange journey he was trying to do. In fact I would love for him to travel from the highest tip in Scotland to our Lands End in Cornwall and see if he could do that with no money! Would I recommend this book? Yes, its a great, light,educational yet amusing book. I would have loved to watch the TV series that aired in America.
(This book was sent to me to review by Megan at PRbythebook, so thankyou! )
September 21, 2016
Meine Erkenntnis: Die Reise wäre besser gewesen, wenn der Autor die Hälfte der Zeit vorher gearbeitet hätte und dann Urlaub gemacht hätte - aber dann hätte er kein Buch schreiben können. Er reist quasi nicht, er arbeitet. So ähnlich wie Tim Ferris auch arbeitet, wenn er behauptet Freizeit zu haben.
Es scheint nicht so, als kann er die Reise wirklich genießen.
Außerdem wirkt der Autor leicht unsympathisch, da er permanent wie ein Freeloader agiert.
Positiv: der Autor kann schreiben.
Es scheint nicht so, als kann er die Reise wirklich genießen.
Außerdem wirkt der Autor leicht unsympathisch, da er permanent wie ein Freeloader agiert.
Positiv: der Autor kann schreiben.
March 23, 2014
The title says it all and the explanation mark is rightly placed for Michael Wigge’s enthusiasm for reaching his goal of traveling from Berlin, Germany to Antarctica, visiting 11 countries in total, will keep you entertained. Any author may view oneself as a martyr for taking on so much risk in foreign lands, but he let the reader know that this trek didn’t come easy and he had to do some desperate things to get free food and a place to sleep. He even admits when things got rough how tempted he was to use his emergency credit card, but he resists the temptation and stays on track to get that much closer to his goal. He often has to find creative ways to make a few dollars for a bus ride or a train ticket such as entertaining tourists on the street in unconventional ways, often appearing foolish to some, or working as a porter at an altitude of 14,000 feet which almost broke his spirit, but once again, he got creative and continued to persevere. The author shared his knowledge of ancient history which helped me better understand the countries he visited.He got himself in a few precarious situations like when he hitched ride with an irate bus driver or the odd Las Vegas woman he met couchsurfing. Michael Wigge will remind you that if you are upfront and honest about your situation, most people will generously help and support you. This book leaves me with admiration for Michael Wigge in reaching his final destination-Antarctica! An explanation mark strategically placed from an enthusiastic reader!
December 12, 2013
I received this book via netgalley.
First, let me start of by saying the reason this book caught my eye is because my husband and I are planning a Round the World trip, and the idea of free travel caught my eye.
The reason this book lost a star is because it is not really a how to, but more a story of how he did it.
Once you realize that this is not in fact a how-to but a travel memoir, the book becomes highly entertaining.
Wigge is a journalist from Germany, that decides he wants to go to "The end of the world" and wants to do it for free, so he sets off on an adventure taking him from Germany to Antarctica without a penny to his name.
He has many zany stories along the way that had me cracking up from the very beginning and in fact this book kept me up all night and is the reason I am so tired at work today.
I love travel memoirs, so this book was a fast great read for me.
I just think the title should be a little different, I mean sure you could do the same things he did to travel for free, but personally his style is not my style, but that still makes this book a great fun read.
First, let me start of by saying the reason this book caught my eye is because my husband and I are planning a Round the World trip, and the idea of free travel caught my eye.
The reason this book lost a star is because it is not really a how to, but more a story of how he did it.
Once you realize that this is not in fact a how-to but a travel memoir, the book becomes highly entertaining.
Wigge is a journalist from Germany, that decides he wants to go to "The end of the world" and wants to do it for free, so he sets off on an adventure taking him from Germany to Antarctica without a penny to his name.
He has many zany stories along the way that had me cracking up from the very beginning and in fact this book kept me up all night and is the reason I am so tired at work today.
I love travel memoirs, so this book was a fast great read for me.
I just think the title should be a little different, I mean sure you could do the same things he did to travel for free, but personally his style is not my style, but that still makes this book a great fun read.
July 23, 2016
This book is about the author, Michael Wigge's travels around the world without spending any money. He goes from Germany to Antarctica, without any money he already had. And to do this, he had to do a lot of really interesting things, ranging from being a human sofa to pillow fighting people. His adventures are really interesting, but it also shows that strangers out there actually lead normal lives. They really aren't that scary. Wigge meets a lot of people, and some of them have really amazing life journeys.
It's not just about that though. He goes to a whole lot of countries, like Canada, the U.S, and lots of countries in Central and South America. Because of his travels, you see a lot about these countries and there cultures, and what it is like to stay there.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes action and adventure, because even though it is non-fiction, it is like a adventure. It is really entertaining, you learn a lot and it's a easy read, and I think everyone would enjoy it.
It's not just about that though. He goes to a whole lot of countries, like Canada, the U.S, and lots of countries in Central and South America. Because of his travels, you see a lot about these countries and there cultures, and what it is like to stay there.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes action and adventure, because even though it is non-fiction, it is like a adventure. It is really entertaining, you learn a lot and it's a easy read, and I think everyone would enjoy it.
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