I like the concept. There are even young people experimenting with retirement but for typically one year, also known as a 'gap year' where they don't work/study - they just explore.

In Europe, a gap year has been a thing for couple decades now, if not more.

Depends where in Europe. Definitely not common in France. I know it’s common in the UK, not sure about other countries

It's been a thing since at least the 1660s, when people called it a "Grand Tour".

Before Covid made it impossible, I wanted to do this for at least 6 months. I still hope I get the chance to travel for an extended period of time .

This gap year has been pretty common in Europe/Aus/NZ for a while. Lots of young people do it. We even have visas for it called "working holidays" so they can work a part-time bar job etc, so you dont need to save up much to do it.

I missed my chance on this. I hope I'll get another after my kids grow up a bit. I believe this is called "sabbatical" (except in this case it'll be self-funded).

Can confirm. Am young person considering this. Though I'll be taking it to study, mostly :)