* France: Raleigh traveled to France in 1569 to fight in the French Wars of Religion. He served under the Protestant leader Gaspard de Coligny.
* Ireland: Raleigh was sent to Ireland in 1580 to help quell the Irish rebellion. He served under the Lord Deputy of Ireland, Arthur Grey, and was knighted for his bravery.
* North America: Raleigh made several voyages to North America in the 1580s and 1590s. He founded the first English colony in North America, Roanoke Island, in 1585.
* South America: Raleigh also explored South America. In 1595, he led an expedition to the Orinoco River in search of the fabled city of El Dorado.
* Africa: Raleigh traveled to Africa in 1602. He explored the coast of West Africa and traded with the local people.