We don't all have the lifestyle to support long-term travel. If you have a family or a career you are tied to, then you may need
to wait before packing your bags and setting off an extended travel adventure. But if you don't have anything holding you back,
and you want more from travel than your usual two week holiday abroad, then great! But you do need to prepare
yourself for the journey, both practically and emotionally.
to wait before packing your bags and setting off an extended travel adventure. But if you don't have anything holding you back,
and you want more from travel than your usual two week holiday abroad, then great! But you do need to prepare
yourself for the journey, both practically and emotionally.
We have some tips here which we hope you find useful.
Decide where you want to go
The world is your oyster, so start to make a travel bucket list of places you would like to visit. You
may find some inspiration on our travel pages to get you thinking; http://www.caravansonnet.com/p/travel-adventures.html. Then think about your intentions. Are you going to visit one
place and root yourself there for an extended period? Are you going to hop skip and jump (probably not literally) from one
place to the next, experiencing a range of different cultures and lifestyles? The choice is yours, and once you have an idea
of where you want to go, you can think about all those other things that are explored below.
may find some inspiration on our travel pages to get you thinking; http://www.caravansonnet.com/p/travel-adventures.html. Then think about your intentions. Are you going to visit one
place and root yourself there for an extended period? Are you going to hop skip and jump (probably not literally) from one
place to the next, experiencing a range of different cultures and lifestyles? The choice is yours, and once you have an idea
of where you want to go, you can think about all those other things that are explored below.
Decide where you will stay
If you're flitting from one place to the next, then you may be okay with a tent and a backpack. This is both cheap
and freeing, as you don't need to reside somewhere with all of your usual home comforts. Of course, if the prospect
of cold nights camping doesn't appeal to you, then you might consider hostels, private stays, or (and if you have the money)
hotels. If you're planning on staying somewhere long-term, then you have other options. You could rent a house or an apartment,
for example, or you might consider house sitting if somebody has advertised their home as vacant while they are away. You
might even buy a property if you can afford it. Check out an international mortgage calculator, here; https://rumahdijual.com/kalkulatorkpr.php. This can be a good investment, as you can rent it out to other travellers when
you're in your home country, and you will always have somewhere to return to as
your travel base.
and freeing, as you don't need to reside somewhere with all of your usual home comforts. Of course, if the prospect
of cold nights camping doesn't appeal to you, then you might consider hostels, private stays, or (and if you have the money)
hotels. If you're planning on staying somewhere long-term, then you have other options. You could rent a house or an apartment,
for example, or you might consider house sitting if somebody has advertised their home as vacant while they are away. You
might even buy a property if you can afford it. Check out an international mortgage calculator, here; https://rumahdijual.com/kalkulatorkpr.php. This can be a good investment, as you can rent it out to other travellers when
you're in your home country, and you will always have somewhere to return to as
your travel base.
Work out the costs
You could choose a country that is relatively cheap to live in, such as the examples given in this extensive list of places, here;
https://www.studentuniverse.com/blog/cheapest-places-to-travel, but you still need to factor in all of the costs involved. These include transport costs, travel insurance, lodging, and food.
Depending on how long you intend to travel, you need to break down each of the costs involved, and then start to budget
in earnest to ensure you don't run out of money while you're away. Of course, you can still make money while you are travelling;
check out these ideas, here; https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/13-ways-make-money-while-traveling.html, so even if you don't have a fortune saved up to begin your adventure, you can still make plans to
earn enough to help you get by while away.
https://www.studentuniverse.com/blog/cheapest-places-to-travel, but you still need to factor in all of the costs involved. These include transport costs, travel insurance, lodging, and food.
Depending on how long you intend to travel, you need to break down each of the costs involved, and then start to budget
in earnest to ensure you don't run out of money while you're away. Of course, you can still make money while you are travelling;
check out these ideas, here; https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/13-ways-make-money-while-traveling.html, so even if you don't have a fortune saved up to begin your adventure, you can still make plans to
earn enough to help you get by while away.
Consider what you will leave behind
Very few of us can just get up and go, saying goodbye to life at home while sailing into the blue yonder
(other modes of transport are available). We have a life that we have become accustomed to, and we need to consider
each aspect before travels begin. If you do have a job, will you have to resign from your position? Your boss may be
happy for you to take some time off, and you may have saved up your vacation days. But if you're travelling long-term,
your boss may not be able or willing to keep your job open. Speak to your employer beforehand, ask if they have a
sabbatical program, and look at your options. Then consider your relationships. Are you ready to say goodbye to your
family and friends? Are you in a loving relationship with another? You may be bringing some of these people along
with you on your travels, but if not, you need to accept the fact that you won't be seeing them for a while. Of course,
you can still stay in touch with them through Facetime, etc. but know that you may still feel loneliness when you don't have
that physical face-to-face contact on a regular basis.
each aspect before travels begin. If you do have a job, will you have to resign from your position? Your boss may be
happy for you to take some time off, and you may have saved up your vacation days. But if you're travelling long-term,
your boss may not be able or willing to keep your job open. Speak to your employer beforehand, ask if they have a
sabbatical program, and look at your options. Then consider your relationships. Are you ready to say goodbye to your
family and friends? Are you in a loving relationship with another? You may be bringing some of these people along
with you on your travels, but if not, you need to accept the fact that you won't be seeing them for a while. Of course,
you can still stay in touch with them through Facetime, etc. but know that you may still feel loneliness when you don't have
that physical face-to-face contact on a regular basis.
Educate yourself
You don't want to be unprepared for life away, so now is the time to begin the learning process. For starters, you
won't get very far if you don't learn the lingo, so pick up a language book, buy an audio CD, or download an app, https://www.lingualift.com/best-language-learning-apps/ , and start to practice ahead of time.
Then research the country you are intending to visit. Learn about the culture and the
social etiquette needed, as you don't want to make any blunderous faux pas and have your journey cut short because
you have offended somebody (or the entire nation). Then think about your skills. You might want to take a cookery course,
especially if you are used to a diet of processed meals and junk food. You might also want to learn a few survival skills,
especially useful if you are planning on backpacking your way around your chosen destination.
won't get very far if you don't learn the lingo, so pick up a language book, buy an audio CD, or download an app, https://www.lingualift.com/best-language-learning-apps/ , and start to practice ahead of time.
Then research the country you are intending to visit. Learn about the culture and the
social etiquette needed, as you don't want to make any blunderous faux pas and have your journey cut short because
you have offended somebody (or the entire nation). Then think about your skills. You might want to take a cookery course,
especially if you are used to a diet of processed meals and junk food. You might also want to learn a few survival skills,
especially useful if you are planning on backpacking your way around your chosen destination.
Create a checklist of things you need to do
Before leaving, there will be 101 things you need to do. There is a handy checklist, here; https://www.women-on-the-road.com/travel-checklist.html, giving you a few pointers for the planning process.
Go down the list, sort out the items that are relevant to you, and add anything that isn't mentioned.
You don't want to fly halfway around the world only to remember you have forgotten to cancel your home broadband,
for example, so give yourself plenty of time to get everything organized. Once completed, you will be one step closer
to being ready for your time away.
Go down the list, sort out the items that are relevant to you, and add anything that isn't mentioned.
You don't want to fly halfway around the world only to remember you have forgotten to cancel your home broadband,
for example, so give yourself plenty of time to get everything organized. Once completed, you will be one step closer
to being ready for your time away.
Finally
Before you leave, throw a party, giving yourself time to say those tearful goodbyes to your loved ones. And then
say bon voyage! A world of adventure awaits, and because you have prepared yourself for the journey ahead, you are
ready for whatever experiences long-term travel will throw at you. Just don't forget to send us a postcard!
say bon voyage! A world of adventure awaits, and because you have prepared yourself for the journey ahead, you are
ready for whatever experiences long-term travel will throw at you. Just don't forget to send us a postcard!
This may be a contributed post but all of the thoughts I agree with and match the tone of my blog.
Post a Comment