Dennis Eve wanted to see the world. So he quit his job and did just that.

The 33-year-old rented out his home and went off alone, on a year-long trip through Europe, Africa, Australia, Asia, South America and Antarctica.

He believes it’s an option for anybody who’s a little bit courageous and willing to do lots of planning.

“I didn’t tell many people about my plans,” he said. “I know how people are. They can be very negative when you are talking about chasing a dream.

“It was six years of really planning and saving, but it exceeded everything I imagined I could accomplish. I was able to seek and find what the world has to offer and experience its many fascinations up close. “This is something that the internet can’t provide you with. The way I look at life now has taken a complete 180 degree turn for me.”

Mr Eve had visited parts of Europe, North America and the Caribbean, but it was while holidaying in Spain in 2005 that the travel bug bit him.

“The first time I ever went to Barcelona was when I was in my early 20s. I immediately liked the vibe and fell in love with it.

“There’s so much to do. Everything is there at your fingertips.

“What really sparked it was my passion for the FC Barcelona Football Club. Watching them on television all the time I said, ‘Man, one day I want to go out there and watch them live’ and, eventually, once I got a good job, I was able to go out there and watch them play. On day two of my visit there I knew that was the city for me.”

He returned to Bermuda and worked a job at Ariel Re, determined to save the money that would allow him a big trip.

“You have to be willing to take that risk or else you’re never going to realise what endless possibilities are out there,” Mr Eve said.

“You have to take that first step. One of my biggest mottos is you can’t fail if you never give up. I like to use that phrase when it comes to a lot of things in life — whether it’s travelling, a job or anything really.

“There are so many different ways of seeing the world. I wanted to do it luxuriously because I knew I was by myself and there are certain reasons that backpacking wouldn’t have fit for me.

“I wanted to set myself up so I didn’t have to live like that. Going to certain countries it’s a risk to even live in particular regions so I wanted to make sure I’d be safe.”

He spent around five months in Spain — and used that as his home base between trips.

Travel opportunities came as he met people from different parts of the globe. Cairo, Egypt, Tokyo, Japan, Budapest, Hungary, Cairns, Australia and the Machu Picchu in Peru were among the places he was able to visit.

But the pinnacle for him was his journey to Antarctica — the coldest, driest and windiest continent on Earth.

“Every country I went to gave me a different experience, which was just amazing, but for me Antarctica was just the highlight of my trip,” Mr Eve said.

“I had set out to see all seven continents, but truthfully I didn’t even think it was possible. The opportunity kind of fell into my lap.

“I was in Australia and met people like me who had been to the other six continents. They told me I was part of the ‘Six Club’ and encouraged me by saying I might as well go to Antarctica.

“When I got back to Barcelona I started researching the trip online and couldn’t find a legit site to give me that opportunity. Then one day a website just came up. I Skyped the company and got all the information I needed to go.”

He took an 11-day trip on the ice-strengthened vessel, Ortelius.

It took him from the tip of Ushuaia, Argentina, through the Drake Passage to Antarctica.

“So many people were seasick and going through those waters were the worst,” he said. “The crew tell you what to bring and how to prepare yourself, but unless you’re an extreme water person you are going to have problems.

“But once you get there it’s unreal. I really felt like I was in another world.

“The sunset, to the naked eye, looked like it had been photoshopped. The colours were just so vibrant.

“You get up some mornings and the water is clear as day and there are whales around the boat and penguins around you. I encourage anyone to try it if they want to see anything outside the norm. It’s incredible.”

Now back working as an operations specialist at HSBC Bermuda, Mr Eve believes the experience transformed his life for the better.

“I’m happy to share that I’ve accomplished my dreams and so much more,” he said.

“Even if I went away and everything went horribly, I would have thought at least I tried. I think reality stops a lot of people because everyone has their own lives they are dealing with. You have responsibilities, bills or children and you have a lot of things in your life that you feel will be a hindrance, and to some people those might be, but I feel if there’s a will there’s always a way.