[russgray]

I'm going to be the voice of dissent here and say only go travelling if you really want to (you say 'part of you' would love to go - how big a part?)

Travelling isn't for everybody. Personally I'm a homebody and I felt pressured to travel when I was younger because all the cool kids were doing it. I never enjoyed it, regret it, and would trade the experience for the money back in a heartbeat.

If you really want to get away from it all, then by all means do so and have a blast. Just do it because you want to, not because the internet tells you to.

As for what I would do, well I was in a similar situation to you when I was about two years older than you are now. I worked at a successful startup and rose through the ranks fairly rapidly, but settled at principal developer level for a number of years and never tried to make the jump into a truly senior role. If I was doing it again, I would either stay aggressive in trying to get ahead, or quit and build my own product. Sounds like you've already done the latter though.

[collyw]

I disagree. After I finished university, I worked as a raft guide and travelled with the seasons. Started here in Europe as that was an easy way to get in to it. It scared the shit out of me when I got a job offer in Chile, but I had told everyone about it so I had to go. I was in it for the rafting / whitewater, but the travelling came bundled with it.

I went and had the best time of my life. It really opens your eyes when you see how different cultures live. Made me a lot less shy as well.

If you really don't like it you can always come home early.

[russgray]

I did come home early. Still regret it.

[collyw]

You could go again. The thought still crosses my mind every so often, and I am nearly 40.

[russgray]

I also am nearly 40. I plan to take my kids on an extended jaunt round Europe when they are 10 or so, but personally I am much more likely to choose resort holidays or cruises for myself rather than extended backpacker-style adventures. It's just not for me.