A man has escaped the rat race to travel around the globe on his motorcycle

By Brelaun Douglas via SWNS

A man has spent the last five years traveling the world on his motorcycle, sleeping beneath the stars and living off his savings.

Paolo Cattaneo has biked through Australia, South America, North America and Europe often riding up to 12 hours a day.

But the Covid-19 pandemic stopped his wanderlust in Greece and he's spent the last few months in Italy, his homeland.

The 39-year-old intends to resume his life-on-the-road and explore Asia and Africa once borders reopen.

Paolo Cattaneo traveling through Alaska, USA. (Paolo Cattaneo via SWNS)

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Cattaneo keeps his living costs down by camping and he has been able to travel the world without getting a job for the entirety of his travels.

“Wild camping is beautiful, you can enjoy amazing nights by yourself, it’s very quiet and very relaxing,” he said.

“It becomes the highlight of the trip sometimes.”

He was inspired to set off on his travels after his father passed away in 2014.

Cattaneo said: “It made me realize life is a delicate thing and time was the most valuable asset."

Living in Australia,Cattaneo saved enough money by 2015 to buy his dream KTM 1190 motorcycle, a camera and to support himself on his travels.

He quit his job in IT to travel the continent while budgeting from his savings.

“Australia for me was my first experience riding long distance and I was mind blown by the beauty,” he said.

After months of traveling,Cattaneo decided to keep going.

He had his bike shipped to South America and began traveling through the continent before making his way to North America.

“Traveling through Latin America I learned Spanish and Portuguese,” he said.

“Mexico has some of the best food I ever had and Peru is a close second and Ecuador.”

He has been able to maintain his savings by not drinking, partying and restricting luxuries.

Cattaneo will sometimes ride up to 12 hours a day and the journey is not always smooth and easy.

“I traveled through Canada and the U.S. a couple of years ago and it was one of coldest winters in decades...it was really excruciating to ride a full day in 32-34 degrees [farenheit],” he said.

His bike, which he bought second-hand in Australia, has not required any major repairs since he set off on his trip.

Cattaneo added that while sometimes his biking can be grueling, he does not get lonely.

“Being alone is something I think I learned to cope with.

“The low moments are way fewer than the high moments.”