Now I've got small children, we fly instead of taking the long bus, train or boat journey. But the long bus, train and boat journeys and the places we experienced along the way are half of what my wife and I talk about when we reminisce about our travels. In the UK at least we call it "going travelling", which to me acknowledges that the actual travelling is important, not just destination hopping.

And what's the price if you want to stop at all 12 cities listed there?

I think you didn't get the point of the article.

'nothing better to do' is where all of life's greatest surprises are hiding.

I’ve watched a video about a guy who did the same route, and a lot of passengers said they were taking the bus back home because they were afraid of flying.

when traveling and especially backpacking, the road and the experiences and people you meet along is the goal, not tackling a checklist of stuff internet/llms has given you as must-see.