There is a growing number of people around the world throwing their cares to the wind, quitting their jobs, and making a new life for themselves on the open road traveling from country to country. Whether you are making an all-out lifestyle change or easing into it a little at a time, there are tricks and techniques for doing it right.
To life like a star of the travel channel, try these 5 tips:
Tip #1: Carry only the essentials from country to country:
When you embark on your journey, you may find yourself packing two nice, big suitcase full of clothes and goodies from REI. Hint: try narrowing your luggage down to what will fit in a backpack or a single suitcase. Either way, as you travel from country to country, you will notice that your list of essentials grows shorter. All you really need is a bit of cash or travelers checks, your passport, maybe a good travel guide and a couple changes of clothing.
Tip #2: Buy cheap:
If you are going to make a life or significant hobby out of living the travel channel life, you need to learn the insider secrets to buying cheap airfare. Do the research ahead of time. For you, airfare will become as significant an expense as is a mortgage and car payment for your more sedentary friends and family. Do your homework now and save thousands and thousands down the road.
Tip #3: Know the best countries to visit for saving your cash:
As you can imagine, the cost of traveling and living in the various countries of the world differs dramatically from country to country. If you are planning to life for months or years away from home, plan your global route according to your budget. For example, if you are planning to travel Asia, visit South and Southeast Asian (e.g., India, Thailand, and Vietnam) when you are low on cash. If you just made a withdrawal from the bank account in your native country or got a paycheck from your online business, head to East Asia (e.g., Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan) to see the sites there. The same pattern applies in the Americas, Africa, and Europe as well.
Tip #4: Double up when you can:
If you are traveling along, you will find that it is usually very easy to meet people on the road. When you do have the opportunity to meet up with someone you can trust with whom you can share accommodations or even a taxi ride to the airport, I highly suggest doing so. At the same time, you will need to say goodbye to these travel bodies not infrequently, so be big enough to say “I have to go my own way now” then the time comes.
Tip #5: Use Internet cafes to maintain a travel blog:
Traveling this big world can be pretty lonely sometimes. A great option that global travelers have today that was not there even a few years ago is to keep a travel blog. Your regular entries of text and (when possible) photos will give you a sense of continuity and will give your friends and family back home a much better sense of what is going on with you as you have the time of your life.
To live a travel channel life, make sure you educate yourself about how to buy cheap airfare and accommodations. Be sure to pack only the essentials and educate yourself ahead of time about which countries will be cheaper to live in. And, take advantage of the Internet to keep yourself centered and your family and friends up to date.