Tilaran, Costa Rica

I took a short boat ride near Arenal to a bus that had us stop at this lookout point. It was the first time I’d seen the rolling hills that are part of the landscape in much of Central and South America. This was the first of many views to leave me breathless.

Glenfinnan, Scotland

Taking the steam train and seeing the very bridge used in the Harry Potter films was, I thought, going to be the highlight of the ride. As we turned a corner, though, this stunning view awaited my eyes. Traveling through it, I had the thought that if God had a paintbrush, he would have painted this scene.

Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland

Seeing the northern lights for the first time was a humbling moment. I felt as if I had met God. Soft light cascaded around me, and, to this day, I feel like the sky is missing something when I look up from other places.

Sa Pa, Vietnam

I did a trek to a homestay in Sa Pa, Vietnam. I didn’t understand why so many women had accompanied us, but as soon as we entered the rough terrain, I was so happy to have their help navigating it and making it up huge stone steps as we went. Along the way, we caught glimpses of the rice fields. I had never seen any before, and I found myself staring in every direction, unable to get enough photos of the tantalizing views.

Devil’s Throat, Iguazú, Argentina

I still cannot understand how nature created this convergence of three waterfalls. It is the most spectacular waterfall convergence I’ve ever seen, and worth getting wet from the violent meeting that turns water into an angry surge, then into droplets that scatter in every direction.

Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina

My trip to Argentina was the first time I saw glaciers — and began to understand the reality of the warming weather on the earth. This photo is from the beginning of my hike on the Perito Moreno Glacier. Being in the place where land ends and ice begins, knowing that I was about to walk onto that ice, was a sensory experience I’ll never forget.

Easter Island, Chile

I, of course, wanted to see the Moai on Easter Island, but I didn’t expect to feel so much around them. I was spellbound by this scene, watching the magical cloud on the horizon that felt like it might engulf us, and feeling like the Moai were somehow protecting us. This is an island where the sky plays as much a role in the magic as its mysterious past.

Machu Picchu, Peru

I had seen countless photos of Machu Picchu, but there is nothing that compares to being there in person. Being one of hundreds of visitors at any given moment but getting a photo that made it look like I was all alone amazed me. I was also awed that people, so long ago, had such intelligence to build structures that are still standing today despite many earthquakes.

Sossusvlei, Namibia (Inside Namib-Naukluft National Park)

This was such an intriguing mix of life and death in nature. The colorful sand dunes surrounding the dead acacia trees; the dead trees against the bright sand. It was like a painting where every element served to highlight the other

Cape Reinga, New Zealand

Before I knew I would spend 2 years in New Zealand, I took a tour out to the lighthouse that stands guard over the merging of two seas (the Pacific and the Tasman). It felt like I was standing at the edge of the world.

Angkor Wat Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

It’s easily recognizable, but there is still magic to the experience of watching the sun rise and set around this beautiful temple.

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

A perfect blend of water, cliffs, and trees, Victoria Falls is an impressive convergence of sights.

Though I was blessed to be marooned in New Zealand for two years during the pandemic, I greatly missed the ability to change countries and explore new horizons. As the COVID restrictions finally abate and international travel resumes, I’m looking forward to making up for all the travel I missed. As a full-time traveler, I have the luxury of time. So, when I think about the places I want to go, I’m more interested in exploring different cultures and daily life than seeing tourist sites in specific cities (with a few exceptions). Here are some of the places I’m looking forward to discovering.

1. Reunion Island

In 1993, I spent a year working in Paris, France. While there, I became friends with a wonderful colleague from Reunion Island. At the time, I had no idea where it was. Over time, my friend moved back to Reunion Island, married, had a family, and came to visit me in New York City, twice! We’ve been discussing that it’s my turn to finally visit her country. It’s a small island near Madagascar and the perfect place to go during a trip to Africa. I had planned to visit in 2020 when I had booked a gorilla trek in Uganda. I had to put those plans on hold, so I’m now looking forward to picking them back up. Reunion Island boasts a volcano, excellent hiking, and beaches. I can’t wait to explore them all.

Pro Tip: The best time to visit is between May and November. The drier, less humid season. January is typically a very wet month.

2. Madagascar

Discovering wildlife in its natural habitat has been one of my favorite parts of traveling the world. Naturally, I can’t wait to see the lemurs. Apparently, there are many varieties of them! Madagascar is also known for producing vanilla, so learning more about it and its fabrication is something I’d like to do. Another allure is the Baobab trees. The variety of trees and plants from one country to another fascinates me and this tree is one I’d like to hug and see first-hand.

Madagascar is right near Reunion Island, making it the perfect place to visit when I get to that part of the world. I loved my time in Southern Africa and can’t wait to explore a lot more of the African continent.

Pro Tip: Similar to Reunion Island, Madagascar has a cyclone season at the beginning of the year. The best time to visit is May through October.

3. Turkey

Turkey has always held a special draw for me since I think of it as the country of East meets West. I’m excited to see the architecture, fabric patterns, and spices. Though I don’t want a Turkish carpet, I find them beautiful and would love to see them in the markets. Of course, there’s the magic of flying carpets and magical cities in the sand from various movies that draw me to this country, as well as Turkish coffee and Turkish food. I’m curious to compare authentic Turkish food with the Turkish restaurants I’ve dined in New York City.

I’m eager to see the balloons in Cappadocia because it’s one of the images that stand out in my mind as a beautiful testament to travel. I’d like to see it with my own eyes.

Pro Tip: Be prepared for the possibility of using a Turkish toilet — a simple hole in the ground. While clean, they may not be comfortable to use if you’re used to a Western toilet.

4. Morocco

Years ago, in Paris, I enjoyed a Moroccan Mint Tea in the fifth arrondissement. A man arrived with a tray on which was a beautiful glass cup and a teapot. In the cup were some pine nuts. I watched, amazed, as he raised the teapot high above the cup, and poured, perfectly, to the top of the glass, without spilling. He then placed everything in front of me. It was one of the most delightful tea experiences I’ve ever had. That was the beginning of my desire to go to Morocco. 

I almost held my 50th birthday party here but felt I wanted more than just a few days to explore it. I’m called by the wonderful markets, the blue city, and of course a camel ride into the desert. I’ve seen sand dunes in Peru, Namibia, and even New Zealand, so seeing cities on the sand will complement my experience with different landscapes. What I love about Morocco is how it’s part of Africa and yet close to Europe, while having an Arab influence. This conjoining of cultures is fascinating to me. I visited Israel years ago and was intrigued at how many different cultures, who we often see fighting one another, live in peace in Jerusalem. The architecture and colors of different Moroccan cities are also something I’d greatly like to see. 

Pro Tip: If you get lost in a Marrakech souk, ask families or women for help instead of young boys because they will insist on a large tip for their help.

5. Montenegro

Years ago I met a lovely couple from Montenegro and have wanted to find my way there ever since. I’ve spent so much time in the classic parts of Western Europe that I’m eager to explore Eastern Europe and the Balkans, where I’ve spent no time at all. My family’s heritage is Eastern European, so I’d like to gain some insight into what it’s like in that part of the world. Montenegro is also perfectly sandwiched between other countries I’d like to explore by train such as Croatia, Albania, and Budapest.

Pro Tip: Travel by train can be nicer than travel by bus.

6. Philippines

I’ve loved traveling throughout Asia. It feels extremely safe as a female, solo traveler. I’m looking forward to seeing a lot more of it. The Philippines seems like an idyllic land of lush beaches and vegetation. I’ve heard the people are wonderful as well. I’m looking forward to the feeling of peace and relaxation on the beaches and exploring the many islands that make me excited to take out my camera and eternalize the moments. Palawan is a region of special interest with its beautiful views and beaches. The idea of being able to spend infinite amounts of time exploring over 7,000 islands is more than a little alluring.

Pro Tip: U.S. citizens can stay in the Philippines for 59 days without a visa and can extend for up to six months.

7. Argentina

There are some places I want to return to because I had wonderful experiences there. In 2019 I spent four months in Argentina. Because I travel slowly, without a planned itinerary, I don’t get to every corner of any country I visit. I often find places I enjoy and stay for a while and explore the culture, rather than trying to see every single tourist site in a week. Four months in this wonderful and huge country was not enough! I made some wonderful friends I’d like to see again and I want to explore some places I didn’t the first time such as Cordoba and Puerto Madryn. Of course, I would also like to enjoy a daily dose of yerba mate once again.

Pro Tip: Learn some Spanish before you go because you’re likely to encounter many people who don’t speak English, especially in smaller towns.

8. South Africa

I fell in love with seeing Table Top mountain every day in Cape Town, and have longed to return since my first visit in 2019. I’m looking forward to exploring some of the neighborhoods I got to know and getting to see the Gods Window this time, a view I missed the last time. This is a vast country full of wonderful people, wildlife, and scenery. I can’t wait to get back to Cape Town and make my way into more of Africa.

Pro Tip: Don’t wander around Cape Town alone after dark.

9. Ecuador

While I spent six months meandering South America in 2019, I didn’t get to Ecuador. One cold afternoon, exploring Rotorua, New Zealand, I happened upon a market. A woman was selling colorful and wonderful jackets. She turned out to be from Ecuador. We had a wonderful conversation, in Spanish, about her life and she invited me to stay with her in New Zealand. I bought one of her jackets and was left with a wonderful experience leaving me wanting to learn more about the people of Ecuador. I love the colorful clothing of South American countries and loved the rolling mountains which greeted me in Colombia and Peru so traveling to Ecuador would be another opportunity to explore these landscapes, colors, and discover something different than what I’ve seen in some of the other South American countries. Obviously, the Galápagos Islands are on my list as well! Another thing I’d like to see is the wildlife. 

Pro Tip: The weather may be colder than you expect.

10. Mexico

This is a newer country on my “I can’t wait to go” list. For much of my life, I associated Mexico with getting “Montezuma’s Revenge” (diarrhea) after drinking water there. In more recent years, good friends have raved about Tulum and others have spent months in places like Guadalajara, Oaxaca, and Mexico City. I’m in love with the colors and designs I see in Mexican artwork. This is another country that I know will have foods that tantalize my senses. I’m eager to experience real Mexican cuisine as an alternative to the Tex-Mex that I’m acquainted with in America.

Pro Tip: Don’t drink tap water or use ice cubes in your drinks. Montezuma’s Revenge is still around.

The truth is, I’m excited to go everywhere! The opening of travel and the reduction of regulations is a welcome relief. My feet have been itching to get back to roaming for a long time and I’m delighted to be able to let them lead me to new destinations.

To those not doing it, full-time travel can sound like “living the dream.” And while it can be a dream life, it isn’t always easy. It definitely isn’t an endless vacation.

In 2017, I quit my job to travel the world. Thus far, I’ve been to six continents and over 25 countries. For those of you contemplating full-time or even part-time travel, here are some ways to determine if this life is the right one for you.

1. You Love Trying New And Strange Foods

I’m lucky that I’ve always been adventurous with new foods.

From the time I was 16, I lived with a French host family. My host brother, one day, offered me a taste of the sheep’s brain he was eating. I recoiled in horror. Fortunately, I realized I had no right to an opinion until I tasted them. So, I did. I can now experientially say that I do not care for sheep’s brains. The important part is that I tried them.

As you travel the world, you’ll constantly encounter strange foods whether it’s meat, fish, fruit, or vegetables. More importantly, you’ll find it difficult to find foods you’re accustomed to. For example, peanut butter is often not readily available. Potato chips in other countries are flavored with bacon, barbecue, spices, and flavor combinations you’ve never considered. Trying to travel the world on a very specific diet can add frustration to the journey because the more you limit your food choices, the harder it will be to find them. Insects can be on the menu, as can innards. If you’re hosted by a family for any part of your travels, it could be considered insulting if you don’t eat what they serve you. Being open to new foods is an essential part of traveling full time.

2. You Can Handle Different Beds Every Night

Have you ever gone on vacation and, as you traveled back home, said, “I loved my vacation, but I can’t wait to sleep in my own bed!” You’ve no doubt purchased a mattress you love, broken it in, and enjoyed a good night’s rest. When you travel full time, you don’t get to come home to that bed anymore. You have to adjust to a new mattress, different pillows (sometimes made by stuffing clothing into a pillowcase), and different bedding (a top-sheet is not part of many cultures) every place you go. While this may seem trite, full-time travel can leave you missing the comforts of home; from your bed to street noise and more, you’ll constantly adapt to new places as you lay your head at night.

3. You Can Live Out Of Your Suitcase

Depending on where you stay and how long you’re there, you may or may not have space or interest to unpack. Your life becomes a series of packing and unpacking every time you change locations. I find that if I’m in a place for a week or more, or if there are drawers and a closet with hangers, I happily unpack. Oftentimes, however, I’m in a spare room with none of the aforementioned luxuries, so I pull things out of my suitcase and try my best not to make a mess. Whenever it’s time to pack again, it amazes me that I can never fit the same amount of belongings into my bags the way I did on my first trip!

4. You’re Prepared To Pack Light And Carry Your Luggage

Unless you’re traveling first class, or with an RV, you’ll be carrying your bags. This can be from trains or bus stations to youth hostels, and it can also be up the stairs to your room in a budget hotel.

Being able to afford full-time travel for more than a few months means staying in places that don’t offer luxury services. You’ll learn, very quickly, that you don’t want to travel with more than you have to. I’ve donated clothing and more to charity, or gifted items that were too heavy to new friends as I’ve traveled. Unless it’s extremely hot, I wear the same shirt two days in a row. After months on the road, if I get tired of a shirt, or it’s seen its last wash, I’ll donate or toss it in exchange for a newer one.

It’s important to note that full-time travel is not glamorous. You won’t have much use for makeup, and you won’t have space for fancy clothes or your dancing shoes.

5. You’re Courageous When It Comes To Personal Development

One of the things that surprised me during my first year of travel was how much I learned about myself. My journey felt like an adult vision quest. It wasn’t always fun.

Along your travels, you’ll face new situations, be challenged, and be pushed outside your comfort zone. These are the experiences that help you grow and become the person you want to be. Sometimes, you won’t enjoy what you learn. Other times, you’ll be delighted to discover how resourceful you can be. The important thing to realize is that when you travel full time, you no longer have the daily distractions of an office or friends and family to keep you from discovering yourself. It takes a degree of courage and perseverance to do this work. Make sure you’re up to the challenge before embarking on a full-time travel journey.

6. You’re Prepared To Do A Lot Of Planning

When you go on vacation, you may feel delighted to pick a location that excites you, book your travel, reserve your hotel and tours, and go! When you travel full time, planning itself becomes a full-time job. Every time you want to move to a new place, you’ll have to sort out how to get there, where to stay, and what to do. The more frequently you move, the more planning you’ll have to do.

I’ve learned to let go of planning every moment and focus instead on transportation and lodging. As far as tours and sightseeing, I let that unfold the moment after I arrive. That takes a lot of stress out of the process.

7. You Won’t Give Up Just Because You Can’t Access Wi-Fi 

If you’re planning to work or blog while you travel, you’ll quickly find that Wi-Fi is the bane of your existence. The signal may be weak, non-existent, or shared with so many people that uploading a photo is either impossible or takes hours. Try having a video call and after numerous call drops, you’ll turn off the video, and curse the network gods.

Consider bringing a Wi-Fi hotspot or a phone that allows you to tether, and purchase a local SIM card. Local SIM cards offer data rates that are significantly less expensive than roaming with your US carrier.

8. You Accept That Boredom And Burnout Are Par For The Course

The same way you get burned out working applies to full-time travel. As previously mentioned, this is not a full-time vacation. Once you’re living the travel lifestyle, you’ll have moments of boredom, disappointment, and burnout.

Here’s an interesting remedy: When I started my travels, I used to move approximately every three days. Several months in, I found myself in a small town in Argentina with no tourism. I booked a three-night stay and asked to add on three more. I then added another few days, and finally, ended up staying for two weeks. The joy of being able to avoid packing, planning, and being able to feel like I had a home base for an extended period was just what I needed. If it happens to you, know that it’s normal. Go with the flow and plan to relax until the burnout subsides.

9. You’re Prepared To Be Viewed As An Ambassador For Your Home Country 

While it’s not an official appointment, you’ll meet people along your travels who have never left their own country. For some, you’ll become their view of your country. Your behavior will become the basis for them to judge other people from your country. I was fortunate to live with a host family as a teenager. I learned to speak fluent French because of them, and in my travels, I learned that Americans who travel and expect everyone to speak English are not always well thought of. This prompted my obsession with learning the local language of every place I traveled to. 

It’s essential to respect local cultures and tune in to how people live, do business, and address one another. American culture often finds us insisting on exemplary customer service and complaining if we don’t get it. Outside of America, I’ve found many cultures move at a much slower pace and tend to be much less demanding. Understanding layers of formality and courtesy is essential. You’ll have much deeper experiences with locals when you respect their ways, rather than argue or try to change them.

Full-time travel is, in my opinion, an experience everyone should have, even if only for a few months. It will change you in extraordinary ways. However, it’s not for everyone. Make sure you set your expectations before embarking.

When I was 16, I lived with a host family in Normandy, France. It was my first foray outside of America without my own family. I went a shy and terrified teenager. I returned fluent in French, more confident, and in love with the idea of discovering a culture and meeting new people. I went on to graduate college and enter the corporate world. In doing so, I traded cultural immersion for quick vacations. 

My vacation goals were to either visit friends, or see every tourist site possible in a small amount of time. Thankfully, I had the courage to quit my job and experience full-time travel. I’ve learned it’s nothing like vacation travel. It’s much better. Here are 10 reasons I love traveling full time.

1. I Can Experience The Culture Instead Of Merely Seeing The Sites

My first destination was Costa Rica in 2018. I had pre-booked my first 2 weeks there. I planned to head to Peru for 2 weeks afterwards, and spend 2 more weeks in Argentina after that. I was used to short vacations, so 6 weeks seemed like forever. I still had that vacation mindset and thought my main priority was to go to as many places as possible.

I fell in love with Costa Rica, and, even though I had booked my flight to Lima, dared to ask myself, “What if I just stay in Costa Rica and see more of it?” That was the beginning of my “slow-travel” experience. I reconnected, immediately, to my summer in France, and felt blessed that I had allowed myself the opportunity to finally discover more of the world in this manner.

As a full-time traveler, I enjoy walks with no destination in mind and sitting in cafes, watching how people behave. I love chatting up people at the next table and finding inspiration for my next destination. There are countless places where I didn’t see all of the main tourist sites. Instead, I discovered places that locals showed me, and ate foods I’ve never heard of. In my opinion, this is the true gift of travel: the unknown places most people don’t know about.

2. I Get To Choose My Happiness Over My Circumstances

One of the most freeing experiences of full-time travel is that, at any moment, you can choose to alter your plans. The Costa Rica experience, where I chose to stay longer, was one example. On another adventure, I went to El Chalten, Argentina. I had booked a two-night stay, but found the town so touristy that I didn’t want to stay. I checked out a day early, and went to El Calefate, where I was much happier. I, of course, lost the money for the hostel I had booked, but the freedom I felt made the money loss worthwhile. Full-time travel gives you an infinite amount of opportunities to understand what you want, and to choose it. It makes you feel like you’re living on purpose, instead of sleepwalking through your best years. 

3. I Expand My Comfort Zone

So much of full-time travel puts you in scenarios you don’t expect; scenarios that allow you to discover your resilience and resourcefulness. Ziplining for the first time, I felt sheer terror, and — oddly enough — excitement. I fell off a bicycle in Vietnam, and, though I’ve never felt completely at ease on a bike again, I have gotten back on several bikes since, proving that I’ll continue to conquer my fears. 

In March of 2020, I found myself with the pivotal choice of being locked into New Zealand, or returning to New York, then the epicenter of COVID-19. I chose to stay in New Zealand, thinking it would be for a few months. If you’ve read my other articles, you’ll know I ended up staying for almost 2 years. I had no friends, relatives, or support network there, and built a life for myself.

I’ve repeatedly solo-traveled to places I only dreamed of, sometimes didn’t speak the language, done things I never thought I would, and still found my way to bathrooms and buses, and the beginning of wonderful friendships.

4. I Develop My Intuition

Along with survival skills, like creating a new life in another country, comes intuition. I think of the classic image of a deer with the white of its tail raised when it senses danger. For me, that tail-raising is experienced as a tingling in my body whenever something seems off. 

One day in Central America, I took a walk to a waterfall and ended up alone on a road. Along the way, a young man began walking towards me. My “Spidey senses” activated immediately. He said, “Hello.” I returned the greeting and, as we passed, I had a feeling he would try to stop me. He did, curious about my accent, and asked if I wanted to “see his special place.” His eyes were on the bulge of my mobile phone in my pocket. Happily, he accepted my “No.” This was the first time I felt how powerfully accurate intuition is, and how I feel it in my body. I love the visceral awareness of others that this sense provides.

5. I Can Take My Time Admiring The World And Avoid Crowds

Instead of racing around seeing places, I can spend an afternoon with a picnic staring out at some beautiful valley in the middle of nowhere. I don’t have to zip through tours that race me to several places a day, I can see each one on my own time. 

Instead of planning every moment and every activity, I allow the day to unfold and take me in unplanned directions. Instead of paying lots of money for tours, I stumble upon sites, or meet friends who share pride in their surroundings and offer me the joy of discovery. Full-time travel is the ultimate way to avoid tourist crowds at every destination. I can travel places off-season, furthering the likelihood I won’t be one of a million tourists.

6. I Challenge My Assumptions And Preconceived Notions

Travel is the best way to learn that the people of a certain country are not the same as the government that runs it. You can read the newspaper, watch movies, and read books about a place, creating an entire belief system of what that country is like. Then, when you arrive, and you’ll realize you got it mostly wrong. 

Colombia is a place that comes to mind. I thought there would be lots of guns and drugs in my naivete. What I received, instead, was a plethora of jaw-dropping views, an introduction to excellent foods, and the chance to spend time with lovely people. 

Rio De Janeiro helped me learn that when we develop fear of dangerous areas from afar, we have no understanding of the geography. I was told that Rio was unsafe at night due to the favelas. Once in Rio, I was surprised to feel very safe. A local told me that the favelas are in the suburbs of Rio, but, because they are so close, Rio gets a bad rap.

7. I Love Escaping Consumerism

When I worked in the daily grind, I was obsessed with money. Money for retirement, money to pay bills, money to go out, money to buy stuff. It felt like a never-ending cycle; like I never had enough of it. When I travel full time, I don’t have space for, or interest in, buying lots of stuff. It took me a while to figure out that my life is actually better without buying stuff on Amazon, filling my house with clutter, and shopping all the time. And, without all that buying, it turns out, I don’t need as much money to have the experiences I want.

8. I Delight In Endless Variety

I’m someone that craves frequent new experiences. There’s nothing like full-time travel to let me choose, not only what I do each day, but where I do it. No 2 days are ever the same, and even if I stay in one place for a few months, I still feel like I’m learning something new every day and getting exposed to wonderful new experiences.

9. I Learn About Myself 

I have an obvious obsession with travel. What I didn’t expect is how traveling would help me grow as a person. Put in situations and places I had never imagined, I’ve had to be creative, understanding, adaptive, open-minded, and more. I’ve certainly felt frustration and came up against parts of myself I didn’t like. The travel process has allowed me to question who I am and who I want to be. I’ve learned to love the parts of myself I’m not going to change and to develop better habits and mindsets for the areas I do want to change. 

While I admire so much about my outer world, and get to practice and deepen my language skills, discover new landscapes, and meet new people, I’m grateful for the ongoing opportunity to develop my inner world as I go.

10. I Can Go Anywhere

COVID-19 complexities aside, it’s wonderful to be able to go anywhere I want. Specifically, I no longer feel bound to certain geographies due to long or multiple flights, big time zone differences, or depth of things to see. I feel, ultimately, free. This is beyond the financial freedom I used to crave working in corporate. I now feel spiritually, mentally, and emotionally free to choose my path.

While full-time travel isn’t for everyone, it’s an amazing lifestyle to experience. Even if you only try it for a few months, it will transform you in beautiful ways.

One of the thoughts on your mind about traveling full time may be concerns about safety. Clearly, anytime we travel, this will be on our mind. But, when travel becomes your life, instead of a vacation, you aren’t returning home for an indefinite period. This means that, if things get stolen or you find yourself feeling unsafe, you won’t be running back home to replenish or take a breath. That’s why keeping yourself, and your belongings, safe can take on a more significant role as you travel. 

I’ve been solo traveling the world since 2018, so I’ve learned a thing or two about traveling safely. Here are nine tips to stay safe as you travel the world.

1. Invest In A VPN

One of the things you’ll need to protect is your money. While you’re at home, you probably don’t think twice about logging into your online bank account to see how much money is in your checking account, or to move money around. When you travel, especially if you’re using Wi-Fi, every time you conduct a financial transaction, such as logging into your bank account or using your credit card to purchase something, you open yourself up to your money being stolen, or your credit cards being hacked.

The solution is to get a Virtual Private Network (VPN). What this does is mask your internet connection from would-be hackers, making it much harder to compromise your accounts. To get one, you simply invest in software, install it on your laptop and your phone, and make sure it’s on at any time you perform financial transactions. 

I use Cyberghost, but Tunnelbear is another popular resource. The only time I had a credit card compromised, since starting my travels in 2018, is the one time I couldn’t connect to my VPN and bought a train ticket online without it. It was compromised instantly, and I’ve never done a financial transaction again without my VPN. 

Pro Tip: While in slow Wi-Fi, it may be difficult to connect to your VPN. Wait until you get to better Wi-Fi instead of making a purchase without protecting your internet connection.

2. Double Up On Credit Cards

Unfortunately, you might have a card compromised. The one time I had my card details stolen, I was in Namibia. The internet and cell phone signal were so bad that I could barely get a call out to American Express to report the fraud. It also turns out, when you’re moving around a lot, it’s difficult to get a replacement card mailed to you, and there are limitations on places that are acceptable to receive it. Fortunately, I was able to take up residency, with my Marriott points, at a Marriott hotel outside Johannesburg where I could receive my card. The process, however, was painful, required daily check-up phone calls, mishaps, and was a general pain-in-the-patooty.

It’s for this reason that I’ve learned to travel with at least two credit cards and place them in separate wallets. This way, if one card gets compromised, I’m not left without access to credit. Always store your cards and cash in separate places so that if someone makes off with something, they don’t take everything at once. I strongly recommend you don’t use any credit cards tied to your bank account. If those get compromised, you may be cut off from access to cash for an extended period of time.

3. Use Your Phone Wallet

If you have an iPhone, you can add your credit cards to your Apple Wallet. I love this feature because every time a charge is made on any card in my wallet, I get an immediate notification. This allows me to report fraud quickly, get the charges removed, and not worry about being liable for tons of money that could squander my travel budget. Another reason to do this is, if you run into replacement card difficulties while on the road, your wallet updates with your new card number much faster than the card gets to you, so you can begin using it quicker.

4. Be Mindful Of Scams

I’ve found the process of adapting to a new city intriguing. When I arrive, I stick out like a sore thumb and am clearly identifiable as a tourist. After about a week, I feel more at home. Once that settling in happens, I become less of a target for scammers, a welcome relief.

In those first few days in a new country, or new city, however, take the time to learn any known tourist scams. For instance, in Chile, I was traveling by bus and was warned that people sometimes dress like an employee of a specific bus company. I met a lovely English couple in their 20s while I was in Santiago. They got taken advantage of by one of these fake employees who offered to put their bags on top of the bus, and they had given him their bag with their passports.

Pro Tip: Never separate yourself from your passport if given the choice. 

5. Inquire About And Avoid Dangerous Areas

The first thing I do when I check into a new place is ask whether there are any parts of town known to be dangerous. Whatever advice I get, I listen. In Cape Town, I asked for directions to walk from my hotel in Greenmarket Square over to the V&A Waterfront. The staff member I spoke to replied, “You don’t walk, you get a taxi.” I found this ridiculous because it was early in the morning, but did as instructed. 

A couple of days later, I walked a few blocks from the hotel towards the waterfront. Within three blocks, I could feel the neighborhood change. I noticed a man looking me up and down assessing whether I had anything of value. I returned to my hotel immediately and never questioned their advice again.

6. Consider A Taxi When Going To Or From The Airport

Luggage is a clear sign to people that you may not be a local. If you’re a full-time traveler, you should have less luggage than the average tourist. However, in many cities, especially after the pandemic has ravaged economies, using public transportation with a suitcase or large backpack could make you a target for theft. Remove the travel tags from your bags so it’s less easy to figure out where you’ve flown in from, unless it’s within the same country. Instead of taking a subway to your lodging, consider a taxi. While it can be expensive, it’s a worthwhile expense to avoid the danger of being pickpocketed, which may cost you more than the taxi depending on how much cash you have on you.

7. Register With Your Government’s Safety Program

If you’re American, this will be the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. If you’re from outside of the U.S., Google “smart traveler enrollment program for [insert country name].” You choose the destinations you plan to visit, and you can input dates you plan to be there. This allows your government to know you’re there. More immediately, you’ll be added to the in-country email list for that U.S. embassy. Those emails tell you about known dangers, planned demonstrations, and generally put you in touch with in-country resources should you need them.

8. Don’t Take Your Phone Out On Public Transit

At least until you get the feel for a new place, do your best to avoid pulling your cell phone out on trains, buses, and even street corners. The more engrossed you become with your screen, the less attentive you are to your surroundings. Also, the camera of your phone is an easy way for would-be-thieves to decide if you have technology they want. I invested in a camera slide cover for my iPhone so it’s not so easy to tell which version of the iPhone I have. If you want to be really safe, bring an old-school phone that nobody would want and use that freely!

9. Get The Insurance

While I’m not sure theft insurance ends up being worth the cost, I do recommend investing in an expat health insurance plan that offers repatriation. If you end up with a bad health issue, you’ll be glad to have coverage, and be able to get back home if you need to. Also, some countries now require proof you’re covered for hospitalization if you get COVID-19, and expat health insurance plans make it easy to get a certificate proving your coverage.

Staying safe as a full-time traveler is an ever-changing set of rules to play by. With each country, you have to learn what allows you to blend in, where it’s dangerous, and where your innate behavior could cause miscommunications or assumptions that are not what you intend. Happily, all this can be learned quickly. It’s important to spend your first few days in a new place observing in order to learn the safety ropes.

For our most recent travel tips, check out these articles:

• 6 Packing Tips For A Long Trip When You’re Only Taking A Carry-On
• 6 Travel Tips For When Getting Around Isn’t As Easy As It Used To Be
• 6 Survival Tips For Vacation Planners On A Go-With-The-Flow Getaway

When I quit my job in 2017 to spend a few months traveling in order to find more meaning and purpose in my life and work, I thought I was crazy. The Great Resignation came along a couple of years later, and it turns out I was a trendsetter! 

I genuinely thought I was taking a career break; I had planned to travel for 3 to 6 months and then return to “real life.” Instead, I fell in love with full-time travel, and, 4 years later, have been to 27 countries on six continents — and the first 2 years were on my initial budget. If you’ve read my other articles, you’ll know I spent 2 years marooned in New Zealand due to the pandemic, and it isn’t cheap! 

More and more people are quitting their jobs and traveling. Some do it solo, others with another. What’s clear is that what started as a few “crazy” people jumping ship is an idea that the pandemic made the new normal. There are many types of full-time travelers; some want to take a break and reconnect to themselves, and others are opting to work remotely and trade a home office for a world office. Still, others have reached retirement, or are about to, and intend to travel the world as the next step in their lives.

The question I’m asked the most often, no matter what kind of full-time traveler they intend to be, is, how do you afford it? As a full-time travel coach, I teach people to afford full-time travel. I’m going to share some of my top tips to help you afford to travel full time, if that’s on your radar. Whether you’re retired, leaving your “normal day job,” or becoming a remote worker, all these tips will help.

Create A Budget

The foundation of affording full-time travel is having a travel budget. There are many factors that go into this, and a lot of the methods have to be customized to your specific goals and assets. That being said, here are some thinking points to guide your travel budget creation.

1. How Long Do You Want To Travel? 

The duration of your travel is hugely important. Obviously, money will stretch farther in a shorter period of time than in a longer one. So, if you’re traveling for 3 months on $10,000, you can afford a lot more than you could if you planned to travel for 6 months on that budget. Your desired timeframe is essential to know to set the right travel budget. That’s just the beginning.

2. Where Do You Want To Travel To?

Next, think about where in the world you want to travel to, and what currency you’re traveling on. If your home currency is the dollar or the euro, much of the world will be more affordable to you than those with other currencies. Parts of Southeast Asia and South America will be so inexpensive you’ll be stunned. But an African safari or trip around Europe or America will be more expensive. The places you go play an important role in how far your budget will stretch. 

3. How Are You Traveling?

Do you plan to fly, rent cars, take trains, buses, or boats? The methods of transportation you choose have a direct impact on your budget. The more willing and able you are to take buses, the less expensive your travels will be. Obviously, long bus rides can be taxing on the body, so it’s a choice that may be less comfortable.

4. Be Honest About Your Travel Style

If you’re used to vacation travel with a corporate job, you may have stayed in luxury hotels and eaten at some of the best restaurants in the world. If you try to travel full time in this style, you won’t be able to travel long, unless you’re wealthy. (And if you are, good for you!) If you want to make travels last longer, then adapting to a more budget-conscious style will afford you more time. This is a choice you have to make.

I’ve shared a few rooms with roaches and lizards, used shared bathrooms, and lugged my own bags up staircases. But that’s not for everyone. I fell in love with traveling, so I do what I can to extend it. If you prefer luxury travel, be honest about that. The worst thing you can do is travel in a style you hate and find yourself frustrated with the entire experience.

Reconsider How You Use Money

The value of money will change when you travel full time. When you’re in a fixed location, you buy bottles of shampoo, olive oil, and lots of stuff on Amazon you don’t need. When you travel, you want to save money and space. You will most likely carry your own bags, so consider reducing the weight of your luggage — this can be a back and money saver, as you’ll frequently see fees for extra baggage. You’ll change from prioritizing the purchase of souvenirs to buying experiences that you’ll remember for the rest of your life.

5. Save Before You Go

You may realize that you need to create a savings padding before you go, but it can be overwhelming to figure out how to do it. I took a Financial Planning 101 class years ago, and it opened my eyes to spending and savings and allowed me to start being smarter with money. If you’re ever looking for some good reading about how you spend your money, there are some good titles by Olivia Mellan. Though they were written some time ago, I found her insights really helpful, especially around understanding your money spending style — and how to fix it.

The more money you can save before you travel full time, the more time you can travel. This is a good time to get clear on your travel goals and then assess each expense as to whether it takes you toward those goals or away from them. Also, cutting out “nice-to-have” and recurring expenses are great places to start cutting down costs. You can then put that money into your savings account and watch it grow.

6. Save On Flights

If you’re flying, there are some great ways to save on airfare. You likely know that choosing flights with stopovers can save you a lot of money, but, of course, take more time. If you get a credit card that helps you rack up points toward future travel, this can make flying virtually free. There are a few other great strategies to help cut down on flight costs.

Be flexible on the dates you travel. Flying mid-week is often significantly cheaper than flying on a weekend. On a recent trip to Florida from New York City, I shaved $300 off the price by flying on a Wednesday. As a bonus, I also find I get upgraded more on the mid-week flights than on the weekends.

Apps like Secret Flying (or following them on Twitter) will keep you informed of amazing flight deals and mistake airfares. Note, though, that mistake airfares come with the risk that your ticket might not be honored.

7. Save On Lodging

Since you’ll need a place to rest and shelter every night, anything you can do to reduce this daily cost is key to affording full-time travel, at least if you intend to do it for more than a few months. One way to save is by staying in the same place for more than a week. This is often when discounts kick in. If they don’t, then speak to the property or hotel manager and see if they will reduce your rate for a longer stay.

Housesitting is an ideal way to cut out the cost of accommodations altogether. You typically look after someone’s pets while they’re away, and you can use their kitchen, which helps reduce your food costs as well. If you adore animals, you have the added bonus of wonderful companionship as you travel. However, it can be hard to leave some of the pets behind, speaking from personal experience. Trusted Housesitters is the best-known one, but you can also find in-country petsitting companies.

The advantage of joining an international housesitting service is being able to build up good reviews. However, depending on in-country competition, member prices, and availability, locals may list on a local website.

There are other options, like Couchsurfing and Host A Sister, where you can get a few nights for free at someone’s home. If you’re able to rent your existing home while you travel, that’s a great way to fund your travels.

Traveling Full Time Can Be For Everyone

As you can see, traveling full time is available to anyone, but it requires some in-depth planning and strategies to make it happen. Your unique situation will determine the best ways to save money, earn money while you travel, and how long you can keep going. I jumped in believing my budget would last 3–6 months. The more I traveled and committed to the lifestyle, the more I was able to make that budget last. In the end, my initial budget lasted for over 2 years. This lifestyle truly is available to anyone who wants to do it.

Further Reading:

• 8 Ways My Full-Time International Adventures Have Expanded My Travel Horizons
• How I Found The Best Job Of My Life During Retirement
• Traveling Solo Over 50: 7 Tips From The Experts
• I’ve Been Stuck In New Zealand For 19 Months — Why I Need To Say Thank You

Until I quit my job, all my travel was within a general comfort zone. As a child, I vacationed in the Caribbean and parts of Europe. I got to know Martinique, Barbados, England, and the Canary Islands. These places were exciting and exotic to me. As a teenager, I lived with a host family in France, studied in Italy, and spent a summer in Switzerland. As an adult, when I finally had my own income and could choose my own vacations, I returned over and over to the Caribbean and the parts of Europe I knew. Even when I worked in France for a year, the most adventurous trips I took were to Norway and Sweden.

Once I gave myself the gift of infinite time to travel, I chose to go places I had never been before. With no limit on how long I could spend in each country, long-haul flights and travel times were no longer an issue. The international travel destinations I chose intimidated me every time, but each of them changed my life forever. Here’s how.

1. I Let Go Of The Need To Plan Out Every Detail Of My Life

Costa Rica was the first place I traveled as a full-time adventurer. Though in some ways it was similar to the Caribbean, it felt wilder. I had no idea what I was doing and treated my first two weeks like a vacation, planning all the details in advance. After that, I felt completely lost, had a meltdown, and then found a better version of myself.

Ironically, there aren’t real street addresses in Costa Rica, so a lot of my journey was spent trying to figure out how to get where I wanted to go — mas o menos (“more or less”), because nothing was precise. What a great life lesson. Letting go of extensive planning was a beautiful choice that took a lot of anxiety out of my life.

2. I Began Trusting Strangers And Accepting Help

As a single person with a corporate job, I learned to be very self-reliant. I felt that asking for help made one weak and needy. Ironically, I love helping other people and frequently go out of my way to offer directions, give advice, hold doors open, and even flag down taxis for the elderly.

Traveling solo in some of the strangest places, however, I learned to accept help with a grateful heart. Complete strangers helped me find my way, offered me rides, gave me travel advice, and treated me to coffee or a meal. I began to feel blessed instead of needy. I remembered how good I felt helping others, and I reminded myself that I was allowing other people to experience the same feeling.

3. I Found A Place That Feels Like Home

Being a nomad with no fixed residence, I have no home. My first experience living overseas was at age 16. Since then, I haven’t felt truly at home anywhere. Having lost that feeling of belonging, I was struck by the visceral connection I felt to the land and people of Africa. Last year marked my first visit, and yet it felt like I was a part of it.

Knowing there’s a place out there that makes me feel this way keeps me exploring. I wonder if there are other places in the world that would feel to me like home. And having spent most of my life in first-world countries, I’m intrigued that I feel much more drawn to second- and third-world countries.

4. I Saw Community And Love Matter More Than Money

The continents of South America and Africa exposed me to more poverty than I’ve ever witnessed. People live with less, expect less, and lead much simpler lives than those of us in the northern hemisphere. And yet, more people come together in small communities, helping fellow shop owners and friends. Someone was always reaching out to me, a solo traveler. Even if many hoped I would buy from them, they’d spend ages asking me questions and getting to know me, so I never felt alone. Family values seemed stronger in these communities, and despite the hardships these people faced, they seemed to value love over money.

5. I Gained Self-Confidence And Positive Thinking

Not only have I traveled alone, but I’ve gone to places where I have no language competency. And I speak six languages, so that’s saying a lot! I really stepped outside of my comfort zone traveling to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. Plenty of people there spoke English, but even when they didn’t, we still managed to communicate.

In South America, after one bad experience, I learned to follow my instincts as a solo traveler. Travel has taught me that if I follow my gut, everything will be okay in the end.

6. I Felt The Power Of Presence

One of the benefits of travel is that it keeps you from daydreaming about where you’d rather be and allows you to enjoy being where you are. I’ve had that opportunity for almost three years now, and the feeling of being present is extraordinary. Perhaps it comes from a combination of following my heart to full-time travel, being very aware of my surroundings as a female solo traveler, and learning to trust and go with the flow. Whatever the reason, I feel like I’m living my life instead of watching it go by.

7. I Realized I Didn’t Need A Travel Goal

When I first set out on my travels, I put a lot of pressure on myself to have a specific goal. I believed I needed to have some life or work goal that justified wandering the globe. My first year of travel, I berated myself because the goal didn’t come.

But last year, on Easter Island, I met a young traveler who had been on the road for 18 months. I asked him about his experiences and why he was traveling. He said, “It’s about the journey, not the destination.” Those words struck me, and I realized he was absolutely right. I didn’t need a goal or even a destination. I was on a mission to explore the world and experience life as it unfolded.

8. I’ve Made Friends I’ll Never Forget

The nature of my travels is that I’m always in transition, never staying in one place for too long. I‘ve met so many wonderful people. Since I’m always leaving, there are too many goodbyes. Each one tugs at my heart, reminding me of the beautiful experiences I’ve shared with strangers-become-friends. But there’s always the promise that we may see each other again someday.