Besides being young lawyers, Anita Kim, Sonja Pavic and Ahmad Adam have something else in common: between their call to the bar and their first day as associates, they travelled the world.

Adam says travelling during the break is crucial. “It’s the last big chunk of time you get off before you start your full-time career.”

“Articling can be stressful,” explains Kim, so “it’s nice to be able to reward yourself, do something completely different.” Beyond the personal stuff, “being a lawyer is all about connecting to people,” says Pavic. “I think travelling helps you do that.” Here, these vagabonds share savvy tips and their best travel stories.

Anita Kim

Call: 2013
Firm: Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP
Practice area: Mining and securities
Law school: Dalhousie University
Escape route: Croatia, Serbia, Turkey, France, Mallorca and England

Anita was in Cappadocida, Turkey when she and her pals spotted camels laying in the sun. She went over to get a photo and its keeper convinced her to climb on top. Before she knew it, the beast was on its feet and she was on an unexpected camel ride. “It looks like I’m having a great time, but there’s serious fear behind that smile! To get the most for her money, Kim says she “did half of Europe in lower cost cities and then half of it in the expensive cities.” Although she chose to visit Eastern European countries because of budget restraints, they were the countries that delighted and surprised her the most.

Sonja Pavic

Call: 2013
Firm: Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Practice area: Litigation
Law school: University of Toronto
Escape route: Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Brazil

Pavic surfed in Ecuador, studied yoga in Mexico and hiked to Machu Picchu along the Inca trail. The trail takes four days to hike and, despite Machu Picchu’s singular beauty, she says the trail was the best part. “There’s something really magical about hiking all day and coming across gorgeous ruins where you’re the only people there.” She advises travellers to pack light. “You will want to buy so much while you’re there,” she says. “There are so many beautiful things wherever you go. It’s nice to bring home a few souvenirs.” But her number one tip? “Travel often. Don’t plan a trip in five years. Plan it now, for this year.

Ahmad Adam

Call: 2012
Firm: Job hunting in Dubai
Practice area: Corporate and securities
Law school: University of Western Ontario
Escape route: South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya

Adam’s idea of relaxing is walking with lions and picking fights with mountain gorillas, so he travelled to Africa after articling. Before leaving, he Googled the top 10 things to do on the continent and did as many as he could. He swam at the lip of Victoria Falls, hunted birds in Zambia and chilled with a herd of elephants in the shadow of Kilimanjaro. Adam says planning was pivotal for the success of his trip. Getting a visa for the Democratic Republic of the Congo took three weeks and involved embassies, paper work and giving up his passport for the duration of the process.

Read about three websites that will save you money on your next trip.