According to Chinese numerology, “8 8 8” means “Triple Fortune,” and my journey around the world visiting eight countries traveling on eight different airlines all in just eight days was truly a remarkable experience. In addition to exploring unique destinations featured in Global Traveler, I also experienced many award-winning airlines.

Traveling July 20–28, the eight cities and countries included London, England; Muscat, Oman; Cairo, Egypt; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Almaty, Kazakhstan; New Delhi, India; Singapore; and Chengdu, China. I stayed in each city for less than one day on average, often arriving in the morning and departing at night to the next destination. Why such a hectic schedule and short stay in each country? I blame that mostly on my quirky personality. But as an economics professor, I’m also cognizant of an important behavioral concept called diminishing marginal returns, which means the value of one’s enjoyment of a good or service (or in this case, a travel destination) falls quickly over time. Therefore, given the choice to visit one country for eight days or visit eight countries in the same eight-day period, I opted for the latter. It’s also my quest to visit every country in the world; having visited 81 countries on six continents, I’m still short of the halfway mark!

During my brief stay in each country, I experienced the most important highlights, including the 4,000-year-old pyramids in Egypt, the elaborate souks and malls of Muscat and Dubai, the historical monuments of London and New Delhi, the Kok-Tobe mountain recreation area overlooking the city of Almaty and the many cultural food districts of Singapore. But the highlight of the trip was a visit to the Dujiangyan Panda Base in Chengdu, one of the only places in the world where, for a donation of about $400, one can hug a live panda cub.

Exploring the unique destinations was just half the fun, as getting there was equally enjoyable for an airline enthusiast like myself. On this trip I experienced the premium service classes of eight airlines. This included Delta’s Delta One service and United’s Polaris First (formerly Global First), which is being phased out as United retrofits its wide-body aircraft with its all-aisle-access Polaris business class. I also experienced the spacious business class on Oman Air and EgyptAir and two shorter business-class flights on flyDubai and Air Astana, flying into and out of Kazakhstan (BXJ). But outperforming all were my two fully enclosed Airbus A380 suite experiences on Emirates and Singapore Airlines, with the latter offering a multicourse dinner with lobster and Dom Perignon, a Salvatore Ferragamo amenity kit, Givenchy pajamas and the most attentive service that has allowed Singapore Airlines to win countless awards.

The overall trip went flawlessly with on-time flights, sunny (though hot and humid) weather and relatively easy immigration procedures that included visa-on-arrival in Oman and Egypt. I also took advantage of the 72-hour visa-free transit in China recently implemented in major cities (some cities allow up to 144 hours). To qualify for visa-free transit, you must enter China from a different country than the one you proceed to; beware, officials will not only verify your onward ticket but may also call your hotel to make sure you hold a confirmed reservation for the exact dates of your stay. The only travel visa required in advance was India. No tourist visas were required for U.S. citizens visiting Kazakhstan, Singapore, the U.A.E. and England.

And as far as packing, minimal was key. I left my laptop and gadgets at home and packed very light clothing (with only a few toiletry items that aren’t provided in airline amenity kits) in a small carry-on bag that fits under an airline seat. The only items of value were my passport, smartphone (with my $10 per day AT&T international data roaming plan activated), cash and credit cards. Everything else was expendable if lost or ruined. This strategy allowed me to acquire small souvenirs (e.g., airline menus) as I could leave behind clothes along the way, such as the soaked outfit I was wearing when caught in a New Delhi downpour.

Although the trip was exhausting and not everyone’s cup of tea, my “8 8 8” journey was truly a memorable adventure. Nothing can compare to traveling around the world and experiencing firsthand the many majestic and cultural treasures in a limited number of travel days.

Hugging a panda cub in Chengdu, China

Visiting the Giza pyramids outside of Cairo, Egypt.

Flying over the mighty Himalayas

Singapore Airlines Suites Class

Emirates First Class Suite

— Eric Chiang, guest blogger