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Is it really possible to travel around the world in a week?

Is it really possible to travel around the world in a week?
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A crazy bet

At the origin of this trip around the world, made in the company of my friend Jean-Francois, a crazy bet:


Would you dare to go away for a week by stopping every day in a new city… and completing a complete tour of the globe?


Jean-Maximilien


With the changes made on the Aeroplan program,the mini-round the world as we know it (with 3 stops of more than 24 hours) no longer exists since September 1, 2019.

We wanted to make one last one (even if it is not really a mini-round the world since we stopped only twice more than 24 hours, which is still achievable today).

So we booked this trip only a few days before departure!

Is it really possible to travel around the world in a week? - jm jf backpack

The experience of a lifetime

Jean-Francois and I both have:

  • a spouse
  • Children

What’s more, mine are still very young (2 and 4 years), so « experiences » of this type are more difficult than being single / childless.

In addition, being able to tell yourself to have:

  • completed the complete tour of the planet
  • changed time zone every day
  • travelled between 15 and 25 kms on foot in each of the destinations
  • eaten at different local specialties totally different
Is it really possible to travel around the world in a week? - jm jf osaka
  • travelled in many business classes
  • visited family and friends all over the world
  • visited 7 Hard Rock Café in 7 days (Jean-Francois’ passion trip)

… and all this in 1 week, is for us, the experience of a lifetime.

Is it really possible to travel around the world in a week? - jf hard rock

New content

milesopedia is my small business, founded 5 years ago.

This is a site on:

But also, a site with:

Is it really possible to travel around the world in a week? - jm united

In short, it is above all a site of « content » that we create from real-life experiences, not « stock photos ».

While our members’ testimonials play a major role on the site, our reviews and photo reports help our readers and members in their choice of destinations, hotels, airport lounges and airlines.

Is it really possible to travel around the world in a week? - jm ac

The use of loyalty programs

This experiment was also done to demonstrate that:

  • loyalty programs have important powers to experience this type of experience
  • credit cards have undeniable benefits for travellers
  • Knowing each trick of a program can greatly facilitate travel
Is it really possible to travel around the world in a week? - jm ac café

For example, we used:

  • Aeroplan
  • Marriott Bonvoy
  • Best Western Rewards
  • Priority Pass / LoungeKey
  • A credit card with no foreign currency conversion fees
  • A credit card to earn more points for our restaurant and bar expenses

Aeroplan

The Aeroplan loyalty program allowed us to book our multi-stop airfare.

For 150,000 Aeroplan miles and $250 in taxes,we were initially able to book a airline ticket, in business class between:

  • Montreal
  • Boston
  • Copenhagen
  • Istanbul
  • Bangkok
  • Kuala Lumpur
  • Singapore
  • Hong Kong
  • Osaka
  • San Francisco
  • Toronto
  • Montreal

Thanks to our knowledge of the program, we were able to avoid all carrier surcharge and pay only $250 in taxes!

But as in all travel, unexpected events can happen!

A flight delay from Istanbul influenced a flight change (in our favour): Turkish Airlines placed us on the direct flight between Istanbul and Kuala Lumpur (avoiding a 2-hour stopover in Bangkok).

And as the situation deteriorated in Hong Kong with major protests, we decided to call Aeroplan the day before our flight to that city, to change and be placed on a Singapore-Tokyo-Osaka flight. Thanks to our knowledge of the program, this change was made free of charge!

Is it really possible to travel around the world in a week? - jm jf united

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy is our favorite hotel program for two reasons:

Our credit card selection
Credit cardAnnual feeWelcome offer
Annual fee$120Welcome offer
Up to 110,000 pointsEnds Sep 22, 2026
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Annual fee$150Welcome offer
Up to 110,000 pointsEnds Sep 22, 2026
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Annual fee$799Welcome offer
Up to 100,000 points
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Thanks to all this, we make it a priority to stay in one of the 9,000+ hotels in the Marriott Bonvoy group in order to:

  • use Marriott Bonvoy points for free nights
  • earn Marriott Bonvoy points
  • benefit from advantages such as late departure, early arrival, breakfasts, access to hotel lounges…

We’ve taken advantage of all these benefits on several occasions: it’s practical to get your hotel room as early as 10 a.m. when arriving in a city at 7 a.m., or on the contrary to keep it until 4 p.m. for a flight around 8 p.m. after a day on the run in a city.

Is it really possible to travel around the world in a week? - jogging jf jm courtyard

And what about free breakfasts or access to the lounges for glasses of wine and free evening meals.

What’s more, by paying for our Marriott hotels with the Marriott BonvoyTM American ExpressMD Card, I enjoyed an accumulation of 5 points per dollar.

And I was even able to use a 35,000-point free night certificate offered with the renewal of my Marriott BonvoyTM Business American ExpressMD Card.

Is it really possible to travel around the world in a week? - marriott bonvoy moxy certificate

Best Western Rewards

In some cities, the Best Western Rewards program can also be very attractive.

It happened, for example, that Marriott hotels were too expensive in points / money for the need we had. Why spend more when Best Western Rewards offers a more economical solution.

Especially when we also have a very high elite status obtained through the equivalence of statutes!

Priority Pass / DragonPass

By travelling in business class, we had access to all airline airport lounges, which were known to be of the highest standard than other lounges.

On several occasions, however, we preferred to visit a lounge linked to Priority Pass / DragonPass.

This was the case in Copenhagen, for example, where the lounge was much closer to our boarding gate and much less busy than the SAS airline lounge.

With a card like the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card that has access to DragonPass via its Visa Airport Companion program, we get 6 free airport lounge accesses.

A credit card with no foreign currency conversion fees

Having to deal with 6 different currencies on our trip, and having only 15 to 24 hours in each city, it wasn’t appropriate to exchange Canadian dollars for these currencies.

So I used a credit card with no conversion fees for the majority of our expenses, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card. That’s a saving of 2.5% on each foreign currency transaction.

Annual fee
$150
Our valuation
$350
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 35,000 points
Ends Nov 1, 2026
Apply Now

on Scotiabank's website

With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card +* CardMC, you’ll earn 25,000 welcome bonus Scene+ points after charging $2,000 in purchases to your account within the first three months.

Plus, every year, earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points when you charge at least $40,000 in purchases to your account. In total, the offer represents up to 35,000 Scene+ points and a value of up to $1,250 in the first year, including rewards, savings on foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.

With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you earn 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland and participating Co-ops, and 2 points per $1 spent at other grocery stores, restaurants, eligible entertainment and eligible daily transit. You earn 1 point per $1 on all your other everyday purchases.

These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:

  • No fees for foreign currency transactions
  • 6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
  • Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
  • Visa Infinite* Concierge Services

We have named this credit card the Best Credit Card with No Foreign Transaction Fees in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Annual fee

Primary card$150
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000
Household$100,000

Conversion fees

0%

Earning rate

  • 2xGroceries
  • 2xRestaurants
  • 2xTransit
  • 2xEntertainment
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$650
2nd Year Value$397

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$240

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $1,000,000 / 3 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

A credit card to earn more points in restaurant bars

Yet another advantage for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card !

Thanks to its accelerated accumulation of 2x points per dollar for restaurants / bars / grocery stores – even abroad – this makes it the card of choice for these specific expenses!

Annual fee
$150
Our valuation
$350
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 35,000 points
Ends Nov 1, 2026
Apply Now

on Scotiabank's website

With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card +* CardMC, you’ll earn 25,000 welcome bonus Scene+ points after charging $2,000 in purchases to your account within the first three months.

Plus, every year, earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points when you charge at least $40,000 in purchases to your account. In total, the offer represents up to 35,000 Scene+ points and a value of up to $1,250 in the first year, including rewards, savings on foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.

With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you earn 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland and participating Co-ops, and 2 points per $1 spent at other grocery stores, restaurants, eligible entertainment and eligible daily transit. You earn 1 point per $1 on all your other everyday purchases.

These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:

  • No fees for foreign currency transactions
  • 6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
  • Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
  • Visa Infinite* Concierge Services

We have named this credit card the Best Credit Card with No Foreign Transaction Fees in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Annual fee

Primary card$150
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000
Household$100,000

Conversion fees

0%

Earning rate

  • 2xGroceries
  • 2xRestaurants
  • 2xTransit
  • 2xEntertainment
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$650
2nd Year Value$397

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$240

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $1,000,000 / 3 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Itinerary

In the space of a week, we visited 7 destinations, which will be the subject of many articles in the coming weeks.

Those who follow us on Instagram,could have a preview via our stories!

Here is a mini-summary of my experience in each of them:

Boston

We stayed 15 hours in Boston. We both knew this city and decided to start with a 15-kilometre jog mainly along the Freedom Trail.

In my opinion, it is an ideal city to visit for a weekend,especially with family because of its proximity to Quebec.

In addition, there are many Marriott Bonvoy hotels!

If you stop there, the airport is really very close and easy accessible. As long as your stopover lasts more than 12 hours, you’ll have no problem seeing the main attractions the city has to offer.

Is it really possible to travel around the world in a week? - jm boston

Copenhagen

We spent exactly 23:55 in Copenhagen.

Jean-Francois knew the city well, having been there several times, and this destination seems to be « in » with Quebecers, given the number of tourists from La Belle Province we met on the street.

In one day, it is feasible to discover the majority of points of interest. If you’re visiting with children, you’ll need at least 48 hours, especially with the famous Tivoli Park on your agenda.

Is it really possible to travel around the world in a week? - jm copenhague

Istanbul

We had a stopover of just under 15 hours in Istanbul and we didn’t know the city.

At first, we chose to be guided by the free tour offered by Turkish Airlines. Unfortunately, this one didn’t take us to visit the points of interest that we absolutely wanted to see!

So we decided to leave the tour short: during the afternoon and evening we were able to visit Istanbul’s main attractions.

Is it really possible to travel around the world in a week? - jm istanbul

Kuala Lumpur

With a direct flight from Istanbul instead of the original one with a connection in Bangkok, we arrived at 5pm instead of 8pm, leaving us exactly 24 hours on site.

The airport is far from the city center (about 1 hour of public transport), it is a city not recommended for short stops.

Allow a minimum of 24 hours for your visit.

Is it really possible to travel around the world in a week? - jm kuala lumpur

Singapore

Arriving in the evening from Kuala Lumpur, we went directly to the famous Gardens by the Bay to see them at night!

With 24 hours on site, we were able to travel the entire city center, including a 15-kilometre jog! However, it would have taken more time to see, for example, the Singapore Zoo, unique in the world (especially with the night « safari »).

I therefore recommend a minimum of 48 hours on site to enjoy the city.

Is it really possible to travel around the world in a week? - jm singapour

Osaka

Surprise stop of our world tour: Osaka.

Coming to replace Hong Kong – which we both already knew – Osaka conquered us.

For me, it was a first time in Japan and I can’t wait to go back with Audrey and the kids next spring.

Airports are far from the city center (count between 45 and 60 minutes of public transport). So I recommend a minimum of 48 hours on site. But who’s left in Japan for less time than that?!

Is it really possible to travel around the world in a week? - jm osaka

San Francisco

San Francisco, which we both knew, was mainly there to make one more stopover on our return – and cut off the long journey from Japan.

Arriving at 11am and leaving at 11pm, we rented a car to go and re-discover the main points of interest and visit friends!

It’s a city I love and therefore recommends you to devote at least 48 hours, or to integrate it in a circuit from a week to 10 days (in order to discover the surroundings!).

Is it really possible to travel around the world in a week? - jm san francisco

Our articles

This trip allowed us to write a lot of content. Here are the various photo reports on:

  • Aircraft
  • The span class= »term » data-original-term= »c2Fsb24= »>salon>/span>s
  • The hotels
  • Cities

Bottom Line

So to answer the question of the article: yes, it is possible to travel around the world in a week! The proof, we did it thanks to the points and miles!

A lot of people will think we’re crazy. maybe!

Still, in a week, we have:

  • discovered many destinations
  • experienced some highlights
  • tasted new dishes
  • met new cultures
  • experienced new airlines

This has especially given us the desire to go back and visit some of them more deeply with our respective families!

Annual fee
$150
Our valuation
$350
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 35,000 points
Ends Nov 1, 2026
Apply Now

on Scotiabank's website

With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card +* CardMC, you’ll earn 25,000 welcome bonus Scene+ points after charging $2,000 in purchases to your account within the first three months.

Plus, every year, earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points when you charge at least $40,000 in purchases to your account. In total, the offer represents up to 35,000 Scene+ points and a value of up to $1,250 in the first year, including rewards, savings on foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.

With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you earn 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland and participating Co-ops, and 2 points per $1 spent at other grocery stores, restaurants, eligible entertainment and eligible daily transit. You earn 1 point per $1 on all your other everyday purchases.

These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:

  • No fees for foreign currency transactions
  • 6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
  • Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
  • Visa Infinite* Concierge Services

We have named this credit card the Best Credit Card with No Foreign Transaction Fees in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Annual fee

Primary card$150
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000
Household$100,000

Conversion fees

0%

Earning rate

  • 2xGroceries
  • 2xRestaurants
  • 2xTransit
  • 2xEntertainment
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$650
2nd Year Value$397

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$240

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $1,000,000 / 3 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Our featured card

Featured
Annual fee
$120
Our valuation
$990
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$990Total$990Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 110,000 points
Ends Sep 22, 2026
Apply Now

on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).

The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.

New Cardmembers can earn up to 110,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points with the current offer:

  • Earn 80,000 points after you spend $6,000 on your Card in your first 6 months of Cardmembership.
  • Plus, earn 30,000 points by making a purchase during your 15th month of Cardmembership.

This offer ends on September 22, 2026. The annual fee is $120, and there is no annual fee on Additional Cards, so you can add a partner or a family member at no extra cost.

Every year after your first Card anniversary, you receive an Annual Free Night Award good for a redemption of up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide. At a valuation of 0.9 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point, that certificate is worth roughly $315, which on its own more than covers the $120 annual fee. That is the main reason to keep this Card year after year instead of cancelling it.

To get the most out of the certificate, aim it at a night that would otherwise price close to the 35,000 point ceiling.

The Card also gives you 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Those credits count toward the next Elite tier, so you begin every year 15 nights ahead of where you would otherwise start.

You move up to Gold Elite status automatically when you reach $30,000 in purchases on the Card in a year, or when you combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your Card.

Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at 0.9 cents each. On that basis, the 110,000 point welcome offer is worth about $990, and an Annual Free Night Award used at its full 35,000 point ceiling is worth about $315.

Marriott Bonvoy points pull their weight on free nights rather than on gift cards or merchandise, which is why this Card should be judged on the hotel stays it produces.

You earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for free nights with no blackout dates at more than 7,000 hotels around the world.

The Card carries a solid package of coverages: $500,000 travel accident insurance, flight delay, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage and hotel or motel burglary at $500 each, car rental theft and damage up to $85,000 for rentals of up to 48 days, Purchase Protection for 90 days and a one year Extended Warranty.

Two things to plan around: the 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency, and the 21.99% purchase interest rate, which makes this a Card to pay in full every month. Like all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is published for this Card, and you can see whether you would be approved before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.

Annual fee

Primary card$120
Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
  • 2xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,437
2nd Year Value$312

Travel insurance

Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

Our editorial integrity

Our reviews and rankings are based on an objective assessment. Advertisers do not influence our content. We may receive compensation through some links; our analysis and opinions remain independent.