How to Travel the World for Free

One Man, 150 Days, Eleven Countries, No Money!

By: Michael Wigge

Narrated by: Stephen Bel Davies

Length: 5 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's Summary

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 three 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 needed - and when it's not. A must-listen for every travel and adventure fan!

©2013 Michael Wigge (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

How to travel the world for free (If you're a man)

What did you like best about How to Travel the World for Free? What did you like least?

The concept of the book is great, the adventures he goes on are interesting. However, a lot of this would be dangerous if a woman were to do it (unfortuantely). Because of this, I didn't find the book very useful. There's no way I'd hitchhike with strangers or walk alone in certain countries at night.

A Bit Disappointing

Any additional comments?

I found the cultural references and descriptions in this book interesting. What turned me off was the author's "Uber" Western attitude. Why would you agree to take a multicultural trip around the world, and then critique and complain about all the cultures you visit?! Deal, Dude! It's free! The bus-driver in Chile wouldn't keep driving that way if it weren't somewhat successful?! The author should have relaxed into his experiences a little more and focused on the learning aspect. He also took an overly professorial tone when he described Black jack, and Niagara Falls, in detail--like the educated people who read these types of books need those things VERY carefully described. I read Mr. Wigge's next book in the series , about bartering (actually before this one), and it is better.

A story of privilege

I will admit, I only made it as far as chapter 5. I kept wanting to not be ruffled by this tale. The fact is the wonderful storytelling was interrupted too frequently by the storytellers distasteful persona, privilege and elements of nuanced writing which gave appearance of a slightly misogynistic character with antiquated ideas about race, diversity and ethnicity. The author divulges some useful and interesting information and observations are rich and keen. The privilege isn't entirely unchecked, though some moribund history is relayed piece by piece as if a funny joke full of gaffaws is being made about a younger self between drinks of scotch around a fire with aging baby boomers, you know, years later- so it's "ok". When he proceeded to mention Angelina Jolie for a second time, referencing a woman apparently too refined looking for a rough job it was just a build up of grime around the story. Like the cake was looking edible, even yummy but someone put it in a dirty Tupperware. Hmm. My review.

Advocates theft of services.

It turns out the author is the lowest form of human being.
He wanted to go on a grand adventure without paying for it.
I have no problem with him working on an Amish farm or painting railings on a transatlantic container ship. in fact I applaud those things.
But when he eats at a homeless shelter literally taking food from the mouth of someone who NEEDS it or when he accepts charity from people trying to live on a couple of dollars a day I can't help but be outraged by his greed.
Then there are the two occasions he commits outright theft.
To take from those with little or nothing because you don't WANT to spend any money is a sin and a shame.
But hey. it got this jerk a book deal.

A very odd way to make a point?

The author shows how good natured people really are by freeloading around the world. It was tough for me to be excited for Michael's success in taking food, shelter, and favors from others (sometimes from people with very little) with a credit card in his pocket.

Judgmental - poster child of what’s wrong with the media.

Stoped listening once he labeled the mid-west as racist because they don’t believe with his politics.

?

It could be very exciting book. Little bit blunt and little bit boring.. I do not want to say anymore.

Entertaining

It was a fun and adventurous story to listen to. It’s an interesting idea to travel with out money.

Incredible journey

I found the people he met on his journey were mostly helpful and kind. I am amazed he managed to survive with the help of others and the drive to continue when things sometimes looked hopeless.

Unexpected-ly great!

What an excellent book. Keeps you entertained all through and also well informed about all the places visited during his journey!
I wish it was as simple to travel around as the author made it sound in the book.

P.S.: Technically not a completely free travel :)

Interesting but slightly uncomfortable

As a travel enthusiast i was intrigued by the premise and stories of this book.. and i did enjoy the observations and the kindness of people all throughout the trip.. however i felt slightly uncomfortable by how much the author took (begged) from people with not much money.. I can’t describe it but it just didnt feel right.

Free loading

I liked the idea and there is some small things that would help you travel low cost but I strongly disliked getting people that are struggling to afford the basics and would never have proper health care to finance his trip.

Thought a journalist would write better.

He said at the end that giving without expecting anything in return makes you richer but the only person that was richer was him. I would doubt very much that the people in South America would say that they felt richer after giving him accommodation, food and money.

I think if he had work his way round and had money for food and the bare enchiladas he would have enjoyed his travel much more than hiding in toilets and under table in trains and convincing business owners that he could do things that not only he couldn’t but thing that would jeopardised other workers jobs and paying guest experience.

Hopefully he will be returning the kindness by donating profits from the book to the people he meet and having a just given pages on his website for charity’s in the areas he travel to. That would be a happy ending.

Great story

Inspiring stories, I was at times on the edge as he was overcoming things that scare me, lots can be learned from this book

Rich European uses western white privilege to travel for free

Turns out how to travel for free is be a reporter and take advantage of poor Latin Americans.
I hope he paid them back but there’s no word of it

Great examples of lifestyles

I want travel the world and this book give us nice examples of different lifestyle and cultures

The narrator for this book is completely wrong

The narrator of this book makes the author sound like an arrogant person and the story just sounds really dull.

Entertaining

I loved it! He has humour and wit. Very entertaining! I also am astounded at how giving the World can be.

Chancer, thief, fraudster

This guy is a joke. He has a well paid job, in one of the most economically advanced nations on the face of the planet. He then decides to literally beg borrow and lie his way through a pointless trip. I say pointless because before he’d even left Germany, he’d failed his ‘no money’ objective.

Here’s how it works - using other peoples money is still using money.

He exploits his way through country after country. And the whole time has his credit card in his pocket. So he could’ve paid his way and contributed positively, but actively chose to take whatever he could from whoever he could.

Then has the audacity to say that travelling is about giving!


The guy should be utterly ashamed of himself.

The ‘crazy stories’ he constantly refers to and trades off are plain dull. How any of them convinced anybody to give him anything is beyond me.


The narrator was awful. Every time a clashes syllable was apparent, he inserts some weird pregnant pause. He mispronounced multiple words and added unnecessary drama to a boring story.

Inspiring story.

Enjoyed this, the way he tells the story is very genuine and engaging. A great read throughout.

Utterly delightful

Michael Wiig's challenge is to travel from Berlin to Antarctica with no cent on his pocket.. he makes his way using his wits and charisma turning his hand from ventriloquism to organising pillow fights. as is the adage, this is all about the journey not the destination. so.many funny moments including the bus ride in Chile to the puppet show featuring the cookie monster's twin brother. absolute genius. I loved this !!!