My ultimate goal in real estate is to own enough rentals that I can live off the income, travel the world and experience different cultures. 

A great starting place is to read the Ultimate Beginners Guide to Real Estate Investing.

The Ultimate Beginner's Guide is now course that you can now watch.

Educate yourself using the resources on BP ( check out the Ultimate Beginners Guide and the podcasts).

The Ultimate Beginner's Guide is now a course that you can now watch.

This will allow you to grasp the basics so that your time with a mentor will be better utilized for more advanced material.Since you didn't mention a particular REI area of interest, I added the below links for your review and selection of one of the three most popular niches or all if you so choose.http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/02/22/buying-rental-property/ (how to buy a rental property) http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/01/07/flipping-houses/ (step by step guide to flips)https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/01/31/ultimate-beginners-guide-real-estate-wholesaling-2/ (Ultimate beginners guide to wholesaling)Now that you have made the move, below are some links that will help with the navigation of the site. http://www.biggerpockets.com/startherehttp://www.biggerpockets.com/meethttps://www.biggerpockets.com/alertsHow to Use @Mentions on BiggerPocketshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/ruleshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/termshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/inviteshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/perkshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/categorieshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/courses/a-beginners-introduction-to-real-estate-investing (video courses)https://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing (Ultimate beginner's guide to REI)Before your 1st purchase, please ensure you visit the below link for some tips.https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/12/19/real-estate-investing-success-smart-tips/REI books suggested by BPershttps://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/11/13/7-real-estate-books-beginner-investors/ (7 absolute must read books for beginner REIs)http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/04/14/best-real-estate-books/?

Since you expressed an interest in flips and wholesaling, I added the below links for your review.http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/01/07/flipping-houses/ (step by step guide to flips)https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/01/31/ultimate-beginners-guide-real-estate-wholesaling-2/ (Ultimate beginners guide to wholesaling)https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/10/09/getting-started-real-estate-wholesaler/ (BP Podcast 091 Wholesaling)https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/10/31/wholesaling-podcast-mike-nelson/ (BP Podcast 042 - wholesaling)https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/08/15/wholesaling-business-lamar-cannon/ (BP Podcast 031 - wholesaling)To be more successful, you simply have to work on the other elements to progress your REI pursuit.

Ultimately I would like to move into rehabbing and flipping houses full-time.I'm trying to soak up as much information as possible at the moment, and would love to connect with other investors in my area. 

Since you expressed an interest in wholesaling, I added the below links for you to review the blog and listen to the podcasts then you will get a better feel for what to do next.https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/01/31/ultimate-beginners-guide-real-estate-wholesaling-2/ (Ultimate beginners guide to wholesaling)https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/10/09/getting-started-real-estate-wholesaler/ (BP Podcast 091 Wholesaling)https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/10/31/wholesaling-podcast-mike-nelson/ (BP Podcast 042 - wholesaling)https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/08/15/wholesaling-business-lamar-cannon/ (BP Podcast 031 - wholesaling)To be more successful, you simply have to work on the other elements to progress your REI pursuit.

If you haven't yet, be sure to check out the The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Real Estate Investing and don't forget to set up your Keyword Alerts!