The Endless Summer: How to Travel the World — and Improve It — for Free

“Americans who travel abroad for the first time are often shocked to discover that, despite all the progress that has been made in the last 30 years, many foreign people still speak in foreign languages.”

-Dave Barry

Chilling on a Smithsonian research island in Panama. Heaven on earth? Perhaps, but there are hundreds of places like this.

After Memorial Day weekend, many Americans will return to the office and fantasize about taking more time off. If only we could travel the world and experiencing life to its fullest!

What if you could travel the world — and make it a better place — for free?

Swimming with dolphins in New Zealand? Skiing in the Andes? Sumo wrestling and sushi sampling in Japan? Here’s your chance. The first — and possibly last — 4-Hour Workweek Global Challenge.

How would you use 36 extra hours per week?

If you can answer that question in 350 words or less, you could win a roundtrip anywhere in the world, private consulation with me to plan it all, and $1,000 for the cause of your choice.

My goals with this are 1) to get people to take action towards their dreams, and 2) to help people to develop a global consciousness and feel the rewards of contribution.

THE PRIZES:

Grand Prize (one person):

-Roundtrip airfare anywhere in the world, sponsored by the good folks at the BootsnAll Travel Network, who specialize in around-the-world airfare, hostels, travel blogs, and inspiration to get you going on that trip of a lifetime

-Two hours of consultation with me for planning the entire adventure and making it unforgettable…

-$1,000 to contribute to the causes/charities of your choice at your chosen destination (the destination need not be international)

Runner-up Prizes (nine people):

Free DVD copies of the groundbreaking round-the-world travel film, A Map for Saturday. This movie is one of the few cinematic journeys that truly captures the deeper meanings and benefits of travel.

THE JUDGES:

Me, Tim Ferriss, author of the New York Times bestseller, The 4-Hour Workweek

Charles Best, CEO and Founder of educational not-for-profit, Donors Choose

Sean Keener, CEO and Founder, BootsNAll Travel Network

Noah Kagan, Director of Marketing Evangelism, Mint.com

Brook Silva-Braga, Filmmaker, A Map for Saturday

THE BASIC RULES OVERVIEW:

Criteria:

Your answer needs to satisfy the following criteria:

1. It must not only add fulfillment and excitement to your life (and your family’s, if applicable), but also improve the world in some way.

2. It must be 350 words or less. No exceptions.

3. It must be submitted as a comment to this post or via postal mail (the latter for silly legal reasons). No e-mail submission is allowed, and such submission will be ignored. Sorry, but this can’t be a full-time job for the judges. If you have a blog, feel free to encourage your readers to respond on your blog, then pick the best and paste them as comments here. Postal submissions are not preferred.

Selection:

The judges will select the top ten finalists, and readers will vote to determine the grand prize winner.

Deadlines:

All responses to “How would you use 36 extra hours per week?” must be received (as comments on this post or postal mail) no later than June 15th. The top ten finalists will be announced no later than June 25th, and the grand prize winner will be determined no later than July 4, 2007, Independence Day.

Who can’t enter this contest?

For more silly legal reasons, entrants must be a permanent lawful resident of one of the 48 continental United States or District of Columbia and be 18 years of age or older. Entrants under 18 years of age are ineligible. Contest is void in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories and possessions outside the 48 continental United States or District of Columbia, and where prohibited or restricted by law. By participating, entrants agree to these official rules and the decisions of the judges, which are final and binding in all matters related to this contest. My apologies to the rest of the world, but our legal system makes it too much of a hassle to do this any other way.

FINE PRINT — THE OFFICIAL RULES:

THIS IS A CONTEST OF SKILL. NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS CONTEST. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.

1.CONTEST TERM AND DEADLINES: Contest begins May 26, 2007 at 12:00:01 a.m. (Pacific Time [PT]). Online entries must be received by June 15, 2007 at 12:00:01 p.m. PT. Online entries received after June 15, 2007 at 12:00:01 p.m. PT will not be eligible. If mail-in method of entry is chosen, entries must be postmarked on or before June 15, 2007 and received on or before June 21, 2007 to be eligible. Entries will be judged by the panel of judges June 16, 2007 through June 25, 2007. Prize winners will be announced on or around July 4, 2007.

2.

2.ELIGIBILITY: The contest, and any web site pages and advertisements relating thereto, is intended for viewing only within the 48 continental United States or District of Columbia. To enter the contest and qualify therefore, entrants must be a permanent lawful resident of one of the 48 continental United States or District of Columbia and be 18 years of age or older. Entrants under 18 years of age are ineligible. Contest is void in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories and possessions outside the 48 continental United States or District of Columbia, and where prohibited or restricted by law. By participating, entrants agree to these official rules and the decisions of the judges, which are final and binding in all matters related to this contest.

3.

3.there are two (2) Methods by which to enter this contest:

a. On-Line Method of Entry: Entrants may log on to www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog (the “Contest Website”), click the blog entry for this contest and follow the on-screen directions, then submit their entry as a comment on that post. Only one entry per person. Entry length is limited to 350 words.

b. Mail-in Method of Entry: Entrant may also mail his or her entry to: “4-Hour Workweek Challenge” 1702-L Meridian Ave., Box 126, San Jose, CA 95125. Entries must be postmarked by June 16, 2007 and received on or before June 21, 2007 to be eligible. Entry length is limited to 350 words.

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4.SELECTION OF WINNERS:

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a.The entries will be judged by a panel of judges in their sole discretion according to the Judging Criteria. The top 10 finalists will be posted on the website, at which point the grand prize winner will be selected by reader (www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog) voting to end no later than July 4, 2007.

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5.JUDGING CRITERIA FOR ENTRIES: The entries shall be judged based on the following Judging Criteria with equal weight:

a. It must not only add fulfillment and excitement to your life (and your family’s, if applicable), but also improve the world in some way.

b. It must be 350 words or less. No exceptions.

Odds of winning depend upon the number of eligible entries and the quality of the entries.

6.

6.PRIZES: One (1) Grand Prize: Roundtrip airfare anywhere in the world, sponsored by the good folks at the BootsnAll Travel Network; two hours of consultation with Tim Ferriss for planning the entire adventure;$1,000 to contribute to the causes/charities of their choice at your chosen destination (checks to be issued directly to the charities or causes). Nine (9) Runner-up Prizes: Free DVD copy of the groundbreaking round-the-world travel film, A Map for Saturday.

Actual Value of prize may vary depending upon city of origin. Prizes cannot be assigned, transferred, changed or redeemed for cash value. No substitutions of prizes permitted unless prize cannot be awarded as described for any reason. Prizes will not be fulfilled outside the 48 continental United States or the District of Columbia. Tim Ferriss, judges, and any other sponsors reserve the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value at their sole discretion, unless prohibited by law.

7.

7.NOTIFICATION: Prize winners will be notified by telephone and/or email no later than July 10, 2007. If a potential prize winner cannot be reached within twenty-four hours from the first notification attempt, then such person may be disqualified at the judges’ sole discretion and the contestant with the next highest score may be awarded such prize.

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8.PRIZE CONDITIONS: The Winners will be required to execute an Affidavit of Eligibility and a Liability Release (“Affidavit/Releaseâ€?). If a potential prize winner does not complete an Affidavit of Eligibility and a Liability Release by July 21, 2007, then such person may be disqualified at the judges’ sole discretion and the contestant with the next highest score may be awarded such prize.

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9.CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION/RESTRICTIONS: Any entry containing obscenity, crude language, depictions of a sexual nature, pornographic depictions, violence or other inappropriate conduct or language (as defined solely by the judges) will not be accepted and will result in disqualification. Entrants represent that the entry submitted is the entrant’s original creation, has never been published, has not previously won any other contest award, does not infringe third party rights, and is suitable for publication, does not violate any decency or obscenity laws, and the right to submit it is not restricted. Entry may not defame, libel, slander or invade publicity rights or privacy of any person, living or deceased, or otherwise infringe upon any person’s personal or proprietary rights, including trademarks. No mechanically reproduced, illegible, incoherent, unusable, or incomplete entries will be accepted. The judges reserve the absolute right to reject any submission for any reason it deems it to be inappropriate. No correspondence regarding submissions will be entered into with entries except as described herein or otherwise at judges discretion.

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10.WARRANTIES/RESTRICTIONS: Each entrant represents and warrants that he/she is eighteen (18) years of age or older, and is eligible to enter. If a prize winner is under the age of majority at the time the prize is awarded, consent must be provided by parent or guardian prior to award. Judges will not be responsible for lost, misdirected, illegible, incomplete, or delayed entries. Limit of one (1) entry per person and per authorized e-mail account holder. In the event there is a dispute over who submitted any given entry, “authorized e-mail account holder” means the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, Internet service provider, or other organization (e.g. business, educational, government, institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address. If more than one entry is received from the same person, then he/she will be disqualified. Only complete entries will be accepted. If a submission is incomplete or does not comply with the specifications and rules described herein, then the submission will be disqualified. Neither the judges nor Contest Entities will verify receipt of entries. Entrants should retain a copy of all materials submitted for the contest. All mailed entries become the property of judges and will not be returned.

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11.LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: Judges and Contest Entities are not responsible for late, lost, damaged, misdirected, incorrectly addressed, incomplete, illegible, undeliverable, or destroyed materials, for any human error which may occur in the processing of entries, or the acts or omissions of any other entity’s computer(s), or other telecommunications malfunctions which may limit or prevent an entrant’s ability to participate. Judges may prohibit an entrant from participating in this contest or winning a prize if, in its sole discretion, it determines that said entrant is attempting to undermine the legitimate operation of this contest by cheating, hacking, deception, or other unfair practices (including the use of automated quick entry programs) or intending to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other entrants or judge representatives, or if entrant has or had attempted to submit malicious code, .exe files, or any file that contains malicious code. If for any reason this contest is not capable of running as planned, including, but not limited to, infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, or any other causes beyond the reasonable control of judges, which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of the promotion, then judges reserve the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend this contest, except were prohibited by law. No responsibility is assumed for any canceled, rescheduled, unavailable or postponed travel or celebrity availability, production or programming.

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12.RULES/WINNERS LIST: To view the Official Rules and/or obtain a list of the winners of this contest, send a self-addressed stamped envelope in a separate, first class stamped envelope to: “4-Hour Workweek Challenge,� 1702-L Meridian Ave., Box 126, San Jose, CA 95125. Please specify “Rules� or “Winners List�. Winners list available after July 21, 2007. Limit one (1) rules request and one (1) winners list request per person/household.

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13.CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION: This contest is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws. All federal, state and local taxes are the sole responsibility of the winners. Except where prohibited by law, each winner’s entry or acceptance of the prize constitutes permission for the Contest Entities to use, publish, and display the winner’s submission, name, voice, photograph, and other likeness and/or any biographical information the winner may provide, and any statement the winner may make concerning this contest or the prizes, in any and all media now known or hereafter discovered, worldwide and on the Internet and/or the World Wide Web, in perpetuity, for promotional and marketing purposes, without notification, review, approval or compensation, all as detailed in the Publicity Release. Entrant further agrees to permit Contest Entities the right to reproduce such submission in full or to crop or otherwise edit or modify submission for reproduction at judges’ sole discretion. By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the judges, (including interpretations of these Official Rules), the judges and the Contest Administrator, and waive any right to claim ambiguity in this contest or these Official Rules. Winners and contestants also agree at all times, to release, discharge, indemnify and hold harmless the Contest Entities and judges, their respective parent entities, subsidiaries, and affiliated companies, advertising and promotion agencies, broadcast affiliates, and all of their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents of each, from and against any claims, actions, demands, damages or liabilities of any kind whatsoever (including without limitation, attorney’s fees, court costs, settlement and disbursements) due to any injuries, damages or losses to any person (including death) or property of any kind resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from acceptance, redemption, possession, loss, misdirection, misuse or use of any prize or participation in any contest-related activity or participation in this contest, including any claims relating to use, misappropriation or disclosure of any materials submitted herein. All decisions of the judges and the Contest Administrator are final in all matters relating to this contest. If for any reason this contest is not capable of running as planned, then judges reserve the right at their sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the contest. Judges and Contest Entities shall not be liable to any prize winner or any other person for failure to supply a prize or any part thereof by reason of any act of God, any action, regulation, order or request by any governmental or quasi-governmental entity, equipment failure, terrorist acts, earthquake, war, fire, flood, explosion, severe weather, hurricane, embargo, labor dispute or strike, labor or material shortage, transportation interruption of any kind, work slow-down, civil disturbance, insurrection, riot or any similar or dissimilar event beyond their reasonable control.

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14.CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE THE WEBSITE, SUBMIT MALICIOUS CODE, .EXE FILES, OR ANY FILE THAT CONTAINS MALICIOUS CODE, OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE CONTEST MAY BE IN VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK REMEDIES AND DAMAGES (INCLUDING ATTORNEYS’ FEES) FROM ANY SUCH ENTRANT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW, INCLUDING CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. IN NO EVENT WILL SPONSOR, JUDGES, THE CONTEST ENTITIES, THEIR PARENT, AFFILIATED, SUBSIDIARY AND RELATED COMPANIES, THEIR RESPECTIVE ADVERTISING OR PROMOTION AGENCIES, BROADCAST AFFILIATES, OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, REPRESENTATIVES AND AGENTS, BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR LOSSES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF YOUR ACCESS TO AND USE OF THE WEB SITE OR DOWNLOADING FROM AND/OR PRINTING MATERIAL DOWNLOADED FROM www.fourhourworkweek.com. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, EVERYTHING ON THE WEB SITE IS PROVIDED “AS IS� WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. SOME JURISDICTIONS MAY NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES SO SOME OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. CHECK YOUR LOCAL LAWS FOR ANY RESTRICTIONS OR LIMITATIONS REGARDING THESE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS.

The Tim Ferriss Show is one of the most popular podcasts in the world with more than one billion downloads. It has been selected for "Best of Apple Podcasts" three times, it is often the #1 interview podcast across all of Apple Podcasts, and it's been ranked #1 out of 400,000+ podcasts on many occasions. To listen to any of the past episodes for free, check out this page.