Our first stop was Paris, France. Because I'd never been and knew it had to be done. Europe was also a nice way to ease in to our year trip. Just different enough to be exciting. But not too difficult (hubby knows a tiny bit of french and german).

Sanfransico was our first stop, trying to keep summer all year for our 12 month trip I sourced the climate of all the countries we were visiting and the route starting there worked out best.
Jean

First stop & start will be London as RTW ticket starting there is much cheaper than a start in Canada.