Pascal Widmer, Larissa Iseli and their son Linus have been travelling since the end of April. They have set out to circumnavigate the world – in four and a half months without travelling by plane. “We are full of anticipation,” said Pascal Widmer with great enthusiasm when we met in February 2019. “We are finally fulfilling a long-standing dream.”

Both he and his partner, Larissa, have always enjoyed travelling. Australia, South Africa, Asia, South America – these are just some of the destinations that Pascal has already explored.

With child but without planes

But why take a trip around the world now? A year ago, he and Larissa saw a movie about a family who set off around the world without taking a plane. “Afterwards it was clear to us that this kind of adventure was also possible with children.”

Equipped with the bare minimum – a child-carrier backpack, a travel bag and a small daypack – they boarded the train in St. Gallen on 26 April.

Planned around Linus

Their son Linus turned two in May. “From the very start, we planned the journey around him,” says Pascal. They only got started when it was sure that Linus would be able to return to his nursery after their world tour.

Because he is still too young to travel on a cargo ship, they looked for suitable cruises. Only two ships coincided with the time frame between April and September.

This also determined the direction of the journey: ever westwards, by train and bus to Southampton, then seven days to New York following the route taken by the Titanic, two months across the US by camper van following in the footsteps of the early settlers. Once in San Francisco, they will travel by boat via Canada and Alaska through the Bering Sea to Japan. From there they will take the ferry via South Korea to Vladivostok in Russia, the departure point of the Trans-Siberian Railway. Then seven day’s travel to Moscow and on to St. Petersburg, Helsinki and Hamburg and back to St. Gallen.

“Less is more”

For Linus and for themselves, they will take breaks along the way and spend time in different places. “We want to be outside a lot and go walking,” Pascal explained in February. He and his partner – both of whom are former footballers and active members of the fire brigade – are very sporty. They will nevertheless not be hunting for sightseeing attractions. “Less is more,” is the motto of their trip. “Most of all, we are looking forward to the time together – time spent as a family,” stresses Pascal.

“That will also be what Linus will remember of his trip, what will stay with and shape him.” They won’t be taking countless photos, Pascal is sure of that: “We live very much for the moment and prefer to keep those special moments in our hearts!”

Copyright: Vanessa Püntener/Lea Freiburghaus