This is a part of the Adventurers Past & Present series, looking at adventurous individuals from both the depths of history and the modern day, to inspire our own everyday adventures.

Adventurers Past & Present: Phileas Fogg

Phileas Fogg is a very particular man, a man who likes things to be done in a very precise way. Each and every day he wakes at the exact same time, leaves the house at the exact same time and returns at the exact same time. He goes to the same places, eats the same meals and takes part in the same activities.

His life runs like clockwork, with nothing out of line, until one day a harmless debate with friends turns into a £20,000 wager. A bet that he cannot circumnavigate the world in eighty days or less.

Over the next few months he visits Egypt, India, Hong Kong, Japan and the USA, to name a few. He rides on trains, boats, horse drawn carriages, and even on elephant back. But will he make it back to London in less than eighty days? You’ll have to read the book to find out!

Around The World In 80 Days by Jules Verne is one of the greatest stories I’ve read in a long time. While I’m ashamed to say that I only read it for the first time very recently, I’m also very pleased to say that reading the book inspired me to start this new series that you’re reading right now!

Whether you’ve read the book or not, most people know the general story, but here’s one thing you might now know; at no point in the book does Phileas Fogg travel by hot air balloon. Yep, you read that right! The movies made that up entirely!

Which explorers inspire your adventures?