One year ago today, my husband and I packed up our lives into a carry-on bag and boarded a flight to Europe on a one-way ticket.

As I’m writing this, it may appear that I’m more or less right back where I started – drinking coffee at our house in Tampa, Florida.

But I’ve been across the world and back, and although it may sound the same it feels far from it.

It’s hard to sum up a full year’s worth of adventures, experiences and traveling into a single blog post (one that’s tolerable to read, anyway).

We are beyond grateful for the opportunities this past year has brought us – it’s been the adventure of a lifetime. But in the spirit of transparency and at the risk of oversharing, I’m pulling back the curtain on our first year as full-time travelers.

The Internet – Instagram in particular – can paint a rosy picture of other people’s lives. The highlight reel is all that you see.

My goal is to give you, my friends, a real picture of the up’s and down’s, of life on the road and what it’s like to spend a full year away from home.

Did you ever play that game as a kid where you go around the dinner table, and each person shares the high and low points of their week? Example – High: I won my tennis match. Low: I got a B on my English paper.

Keeping in theme, here’s the story of our first year as full-time travelers… A side that you probably haven’t heard yet.

One Year of Travel: The Highs, Lows & What’s Next

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April 2018

HIGH

We purge our belongings at a rate that would make even Marie Kondo proud. We fill an entire Salvation Army truck with our hand-me-down, fraternity-house-chic furniture.

We move out of our house in Tampa, then immediately hop on a plane to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico for the wedding of our good friends.

LOW

I bittersweetly give notice at my medical device job. While it was a conversation I’d played over in my head a million times, when that moment came I felt like I was going to throw up.

After months of debate and planning, the train had left the station and there was no turning back.

Sunset over San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

May 2018

LOW

I wrap up my last day at work, then spend the next three days sleeping until noon, questioning my life choices and laying on the couch watching Outlander.

A group of college girls signs a one-year lease and move into our beloved house. I spend my newfound free time sleuthing for evidence of a dog I hear has moved in with them, violating their lease of our newly renovated house.

HIGH

Our friends throw us a Bon Voyage party. Shit’s getting real. We board a flight to London, then the next thing we know we’ve landed in Croatia.

It’s more beautiful than we could have imagined, and all of the stress that comes with voluntarily uprooting your entire life lifts with the jet lag.

June 2018

HIGH

We spend the month in the coastal city of Šibenik, Croatia. We adjust to life abroad, life without our day jobs and life at a leisurely pace that we’d never before experienced.

We spend our days swimming in the Adriatic, hiking in Krka National Park and doing, well – nothing. Our newfound freedom sinks in.

LOW

We take a weekend trip to the island of Zirje, Croatia to find that all businesses and restaurants are closed for the off-season.

Our Airbnb advertised as “entire place” shares the living space with a chain-smoking German man who wore only a Speedo, visor and a tank top for the duration of our visit.

After watching him clip his toenails at the dinner table next to us, we attempt to leave the island to find the next ferry isn’t for two days. Despite the bad weather that rolls in we stick it out, play cards and eat potato chips and scrambled eggs for dinner.

READ MORE: A Beginner’s Guide to Island Hopping in Croatia

July 2018

HIGH

We visit the Middle East for the first time and tick some major things off the bucket list.

We hike through the Lost City of Petra, float in the Dead Sea, visit King Tut’s tomb in Luxor, and watch the sun rise over the Pyramids of Giza in Cairo.

It was pure magic.

READ MORE: Travel guides for Egypt and Jordan

LOW

I Google “best place for medical tourism in Europe”. The answer – Hungary, and fortunately for all parties involved we were already on our way to Budapest. We make a visit to a private hospital for a minor, but necessary procedure.

I’ll spare you the medical details, but I could have eaten breakfast off of the floor and the lobby had a view of the Széchenyi Chain Bridge. Medical tourism is a real thing, y’all.

READ MORE: A Beginner’s Guide to Budapest, Hungary

August 2018

HIGH

We fall in love with Amsterdam, and what starts out as a 10-day stint quickly turns into a month.

We immerse ourselves in the city, catch up with friends, and attempt to live like locals. If I were to move to Europe for an extended period, I’d set up shop here.

READ MORE: The 10 Essential Things to Do in Amsterdam

LOW

After three months away, homesickness creeps in as we’re packing up our bags (again) for Spain. We receive news of the tragic passing of a family member, and we miss a few big events for family and friends.

The unanticipated side-effects of long-term travel sink in, and despite the amazing experiences and adventures, we can’t deny that we are really, really far away from home.

September 2018

LOW

A high-school football knee injury rears its ugly head on day two of the Camino de Santiago, a 500 mile pilgrimage route across Spain. Travis grits through the remaining 486 miles wearing two knee braces.

I pop a blister the size of a golf ball and calculate how many pedicures lie ahead of me until I can wear sandals in public again.

HIGH

We complete the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in a questionably aggressive 31 days. We push ourselves physically and emotionally to limits we weren’t quite aware that we had.

We walk away (no pun intended) with friends from all over the world, and we vow to hike the Camino again before we turn 40.

READ MORE: 10 Myths about the Camino de Santiago, Debunked

October 2018

LOW

Fearing deportation, a scarlet letter on our passport or at minimum a stern scolding by a customs agent, we flee the Schengen Zone of Europe on the final day of our tourist visa.

Much to our surprise, neither upon exit in Portugal or arrival in the UK did anyone so much as blink an eye… Nor as I had hoped, give us a gold star for following the rules.

All the counting days on our calendars, scouring the Web for punishments for overstaying and researching conditions in Portuguese women’s prisons was for not.

We were in the clear (phew!) but we did feel a little silly.

HIGH

We relish our final month abroad in Lisbon and London. We reunite with old family friends and visit their home in Liverpool before flying home on Halloween, wondering what the hell just happened.

November 2018

HIGH

November brings five months worth of visits with friends, three weddings and a baby shower.

But the true icing on the cake was meeting my new nephew, Jackson, for the first time. Like the Grinch who stole Christmas, I think my heart grew three sizes that day.

LOW

While we moved out of our house in Tampa eight months prior, for the first time we felt homeless. We were home but we weren’t, and we spend the month hopping around Airbnb’s and our (very gracious and hospitable) friends’ guest rooms.

We acknowledge that this isn’t sustainable long-term, so we make plans to set up a home base again after our next stint away.

New to Airbnb? Here’s $40 off your first listing!

December 2018

HIGH

Because at this point it’s normal to pack up everything you own and move to a place you’ve never been, we road trip West to Vail, Colorado. We exchange Epic Passes in lieu of gifts, and we ski on Christmas Day.

LOW

It hits us that for the first time in our lives, we are both away from our families for the holidays… Then immediately invite them out for next year.

Winter 2019

HIGH

We fall in love with winter, mountain life and the complete change of scenery from our home in Florida.

After a 15-year hiatus from skiing, I graduate from the bunny hill to my first black diamond runs by the end of the season.

LOW

After skiing said black diamond run, I slip on an ice patch and tumble down the mountain… With one ski still on.

I spend the next three weeks sitting by the fire nursing my leg injury with a bag of frozen cauliflower rice.

Silver lining- I wrote a few blog posts during my forced hibernation – check them out here.

April 2019

HIGH

After living out of a suitcase for a year, we reestablish a home base back at our place in Tampa… This time not in the house, but in one of the apartments in the backyard!

What was previously a rental unit starts to feel like home again.

LOW

We furnish the apartment from scratch. Our bed gets lost in transit, and we sleep on an air mattress for three weeks.

May 2019

HIGH

We celebrate our five-year wedding anniversary in Longboat Key, Florida, returning to the same spot where we got engaged. With our apartment now furnished, we host our first Airbnb guests and plan to rent it out while we’re away on future travels.

LOW

Not anticipating the last minute Airbnb booking, we clean up after the guests ourselves for the first and last time. Lesson learned – just pay for a cleaning service.

Celebrating five years of marriage in Longboat Key, Florida

So what’s next?

Here we are, one year since we first left, and the million dollar question stands: Are we still traveling?

The short answer: Yes, and we always will be.

They say that some people are genetically predisposed with wanderlust, tracing back to the days when people lived nomadically. Travel is in our blood, and we plan to travel as much as we can for as long as we can throughout our lifetime.

Our goal remains the same as when we set out one year ago – to travel slowly and truly experience a destination, versus breezing through places just to check it off of our list.

In the short term, we will be in the States for the summer as we visit family and friends, catch our breath and regroup for a bit. We plan to maintain a home base going forward, having our cake and eating it too as we rent it out while we’re traveling.

A sunny Wednesday afternoon in St. Pete Beach, Florida

We’re also still pursuing various side hustles to perpetuate our remote lifestyle. I’m keeping my hand in the professional world, and I’m back working part time for my previous employer when we are home.

I’m keeping my focus on my new favorite activity – blogging! While Year One of blogging consisted mainly of throwing things at the wall to see what stuck, I’m thinking bigger picture now.

I’m focusing on the long-term growth of my site, building a brand and attempting to turn this little passion project into an actual business. Speaking of, I’m off to Italy next week for a blogging workshop!

Long story short, there’s no handbook for this. After a full year on the road, what we have learned is long-term travel truly is a marathon, not a sprint.

It seems that the more places I see and experience, the bigger I realize the world to be. The more I become aware of, the more I realize how relatively little I know of it, how many places I have still to go, how much more there is to learn… Perhaps wisdom, at least for me, means realizing how small I am, and unwise, and how far I have yet to go.”

– Anthony Bourdain

I think it’s true that the more places you go, the more you add to your list… Places you’re now dying to visit that were never on your radar before (Mozambique, I’m looking at you).

Catching sunset in Anna Maria Island, Florida

Who knows what the future holds, but for now the Longest Weekend continues.

We’ll never stop learning, exploring, or saying yes to adventures. Like in travel, life is full of ups and downs, but it’s the average of the two that makes it all worthwhile.

So stick around, there’s still a lot more to come and stay tuned for our next big adventure this fall… This time we’re headed South!

Cheers,

Meredith

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When I hear the term “budget travel,” not the best image comes to mind.

I’ll admit it – I tend to associate the term “budget travel” with grungy, dreadlocked backpackers sharing a smelly hostel room with 20 other people.

That’s not me, and with the exception of our first night’s stay on the Camino de Santiago, that’s probably never going to be me. That ship sailed a long time ago.

But there truly is an art to maximizing one’s travel budget, and contrary to popular belief, it is possible to have a five-star experience even when you’re on a two-star budget.

What’s better than a great trip? More great trips, and by implementing some scrappy tactics, tricks and mindsets you can stretch your travel budget further than you’d think.

I’m not here to tell you that Tuesdays are the best days to book cheap flights, or that you should sleep on a stranger’s couch for the night to save a few bucks.

I’m talking about how to travel to the big ticket, bucket list destinations without shelling out your life savings or promising your firstborn to the credit card company.

And how do I know all of this? These are the methods Travis and I have used over the years – in particular this past one, where we’ve traveled more or less constantly for the past ten months.

Whether you’re traveling for a few days or a few months, it is possible to indulge and enjoy yourself without throwing your budget to the wind. You’ll need a plan, some creativity and a little self-discipline, but it can be done and I’m here to tell you how.

Intrigued? I present to you… 25 Scrappy Ways to Stretch Your Travel Budget.

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This post contains affiliate links, and I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. The good news – I only recommend products that I personally use and 100% love, and your support helps to keep this blog up and running.

1. Chase shoulder season.

Heading to Greece in August? So is everybody else, and the prices reflect that.

There’s a reason that this tip is first – traveling during shoulder or even the off season is the most effective way to cut the costs of a trip.

Visiting either just before or just after the majority of tourists is a great way to still hit the hot destinations without breaking the bank.

By heading to a place during shoulder or off seasons, you’ll find that just about everything is cheaper.

A sunny Thanksgiving Day in Positano, Italy

Not only are flights and hotel rooms rates are significantly less, but your dollar goes farther with the little stuff that can really add up.

When the crowds are gone, everybody from store clerks and tour guides to cab drivers are more willing to negotiate on prices.

And don’t be deterred by the farmer’s almanac warnings on weather. If you’re willing to be flexible and be prepared, it can be worth rolling the dice.

People may have questioned our intentions when we traveled to Middle East in the heart of the summer. Was it hot? Of course, but our sweatiness was rewarded by the amazing deals we scored, not to mention we avoided the masses of tourists that flock in the cooler months.

Or there was that time that we went to Italy in late November, supposedly the rainiest month of the year. And what happened? It didn’t rain a drop during our ten day trip, and we had many big attractions all to ourselves.

Traveling during shoulder season is well worth the risk, and your wallet will thank you later.

Braving the 115ºF heat at the Valley of the Kings, Luxor, Egypt

2. Don’t blow your wad at the airport.

If you’re not careful, the airport can be a total vacuum for your precious travel funds.

We’ve all been there. Just when you think you’ve packed everything, one thing leads to another and you’ve spent $29 on water, Swedish Fish and a trashy magazine.

Watch out for these post-security boobytraps that are notorious for taking your cash. Airports are shameless on marking up the prices of just about everything due to the whole “you’re trapped here” factor.

My favorite workaround to unnecessary airport spending is Priority Pass. This membership-based service provides you with access to lounges in almost every major airport around the world.

Waiting out your flight in a lounge not only allows you to escape the mayhem of the main terminal, lounges often come equipped with all the free food, drinks and WiFi your little heart could desire.

Save your precious cash for when you actually arrive at your destination.

3. Know the tipping customs.

Americans are notorious for over tipping.

And understandably so, as the United States is one of the few countries where restaurant staffs’ wages are based primarily on tips.

But in other countries? Not necessarily. Research the tipping customs ahead of your trip, and stick to it.

While it may seem like only a few bucks here and there, tipping more than the socially-appropriate amount over the course of a trip can really add up.

Not sure how much tip to leave? Check out this global tipping guide which features gratuity customs for many countries worldwide.

4. Seek out favorable exchange rates.

It’s no coincidence that we elected to spend a few months Eastern Europe on the first leg of our sabbatical travels. European nations like Croatia, Hungary and Serbia that have held out from converting to the Euro can offer a great bang for your buck.

My advice: Seek out destinations where your home country’s currency is strong. Your money goes farther, and you’ll receive a better deal on everything from lodging to bus tickets to beer.

Think outside of the box and check out some emerging destinations. While a place may have experienced political turmoil a generation ago, often these days it can be a perfectly enjoyable, interesting and safe spot to visit… And one that your friends probably haven’t been to yet.

The beautiful, budget-friendly city of Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina

5. Play the points game.

It’s no secret that credit card reward points are a very real and effective way to subsidize travel. Heck, we’ve paid for entire trips on points.

You’re leaving free money on the table by not hopping on board with at least one reward credit card. When used responsibly, travel reward cards can open up a lot of doors… And hotel rooms.

That room with a view of the pyramids at the Marriott Mena House in Cairo? Booked on points.

Or that suite overlooking the Vatican at the Waldorf Astoria in Rome? Yep, also booked on points.

Coffee with a view at the Marriott Mena House, Cairo, Egypt

We’re big fans of the American Express Platinum Card, whose benefits extend past flights and hotels points to Uber and airline credits, Gold Status with Marriott and Hilton, and even a Priority Pass membership.

Another crowd-pleaser is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. At a lower annual fee than the AmEx Platinum, this one’s a bit more stomach-able if you’re new to the rewards card game. Chase Sapphire’s points are both versatile and valuable due to their travel partnerships with the likes of Hyatt, United and Marriott.

For more on maximizing credit card points, head over to the experts at The Points Guy and The Mad Fientist.

Points are the perfect excuse to splurge and upgrade your experience from what you would have normally sprung for out of your own pocket. Do your research, use them responsibly and reap the rewards.

6. Avoid the foreign transaction fees.

Speaking of credit cards… Imagine you’ve just returned home from a trip to find that literally every time you used your card, whether it was withdrawing cash from an ATM or buying a croissant, your bank has added three percent.

Three percent?! No thanks, I’m good.

If you’re traveling abroad, beware of sneaky foreign transaction fees that can creep up on your credit or debit card.

Many cards have them, so seek out one that waives the fees as an incentive. Both the AmEx Platinum and the Chase Sapphire Reserve waive the foreign transaction fees… Just sayin’.

Soaking it in at Krka National Park in Croatia

7. Pay in the local currency.

“Would you like to pay in Euros or dollars?”

While this may sound like a trick question, when paying by credit card you’ll often be given the option to pay in either the local or your home currency.

Always opt for the local currency, as the merchant’s conversion might not be up to date.

I don’t know about you, but I’d rather have my bank do the math over whatever the small mom-and-pop establishment I’m frequenting at the moment.

8. Skip the souvenirs.

Some souvenirs last a lifetime, evoking joyful memories of your vacation every time you look at them.

And some souvenirs collect dust, are never used and are given away as gag gifts in a White Elephant gift exchange years later.

Call me cynical, but unless something’s extremely unique, timeless and takes up little to no space in my carry-on suitcase, you won’t find me buying them.

Pictures are free, and not splurging on souvenirs will free up some space in your travel budget for other things.

The dreamy cathedral doors in Cusco, Peru

9. Get scrappy on flights.

If you’re not careful, the price of a flight can eat up more of your travel budget than necessary.

Contrary to popular belief, booking your tickets 10 months in advance when a flight first hits the books isn’t always the path to a cheap fare.

These days it’s easier than ever to catch a cheap international flight, thanks to both lower fuel prices and the influx of low-cost international airlines.

Start your search on GoogleFlights. Cast a wide net by searching not only by specific destination but by general region (ie. “Europe” or “Asia”) and fare calendar.

Following GoogleFlights, head over to SkyScanner to cross-reference the fares.

When in doubt, set up a fare alert and you’ll receive an e-mail if and when the price drops.

Catching sunrise and an early-bird flight to Lisbon from Madrid

Still not seeing a reasonable fare?

Searching each flight leg individually can yield drastically different (and cheaper) results than the traditional, round-trip destination search.

The same premise goes for searching by one-way flights – this can also yield a less expensive fare.

Say you’re heading to Europe – search for flights to a hub city like London, Frankfurt or Paris. Once you’re across the pond, hop on a connector on a low-cost regional airline like EasyJet to your final destination. Although it can sometimes be the exact same flight pattern as you saw in the pricier bundle, the fares can differ significantly.

Eyeing a big trip and don’t want to miss any deals? Look no further than Scott’s Cheap Flights. For $39 per year, you’ll receive real, live international flight deals from the airports of your choosing directly to your inbox.

You’ll be alerted of daily bargains that result from flight sales, friendly competition between airlines, or even the unicorn of flight deals – a mistake fare. Scott’s Cheap Flights doesn’t miss a beat and will quickly pay for itself in the hundreds of dollars you can potentially save.

10. Bid for the upgrade.

Never will I ever pay full retail price for a first or business class plane ticket.

And you don’t have to either.

Did you know that many airlines auction off unsold business class seats? In the few weeks prior to your departure, look out for an e-mail or check the airline’s website to see if you’re eligible to bid for an upgraded seat.

Place your bid online, and if you’re lucky you could end up with a coveted place in the premium cabin – for just a fraction of the normal price.

We’ve had success with this on overseas flights on both Alitalia and Norweigan Air, where we placed the minimum bid of around $200 and were rewarded with a premium cabin seat normally valued at a few grand.

11. Book your ground transportation in advance.

There are often big savings to be had when you book train and bus tickets in advance, sometimes upwards of 50 percent.

In lieu of rolling up to the station a few minutes before departure and buying a ticket from the window, check online or even in-person a few days out.

Cost savings aside, you’ll thank yourself later for planning ahead. Travel days are stressful enough, let alone if that train from Barcelona you were banking on is sold out.

Waiting on a train to Sarajevo in Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina

12. Don’t pay up for tours.

There’s a time and a place for a premium for a tour guide. Visiting the Sistine Chapel in Rome, hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu or exploring the Lost City of Petra – those guides are worth every penny.

But your average city walking tour? Eh, not so much.

And thanks to the internet creating competition amongst tour operators, most major cities around the world now offer a smorgasbord of free tours, like those available through FreeTour.com.

Their philosophy – everyone should be able to experience the city, regardless of your budget. The guides work on tips, so you’re encouraged to pay what you can afford.

We’ve done this everywhere from Dubrovnik to London, and each time we end up learning a lot, immersing ourselves into the city and even meeting other travelers in the process.

I’m not sure which is scarier – the Jack the Ripper tour in London or my “scared” face in this picture…

13. Book excursions and activities on-site.

When it comes to booking excursions, more often than not the prices listed online are way more expensive than what you can find when you’re on the ground.

Not only are the initial prices you’ll be quoted in person cheaper, we always have better luck negotiating live.

Unless it’s a rare circumstance that requires a permit that sells out in advance – think the Inca Trail – just wait until you get there.

Make friends with everyone from your Airbnb host to your cab driver – chances are they have a friend who offers the type of activity you are looking for. The prices will be friendlier as well.

14. Go out to lunch.

I’m not ashamed to say it – I love to eat.

Food is a major motivator for me, and I know I’m not alone when I say that embracing the local cuisine is my favorite way to take in a culture.

I’m always on a mission to seek out the best culinary experiences, but if you’re not careful, eating out is a surefire way to blow your travel budget.

The good news – many restaurants open up for lunch, offering a very similar (or even the same) menu… Just significantly cheaper.

If they’re not open for lunch, ask if they serve food in the bar. You’ll still experience the magic of the food and the ambiance, but at a fraction of the price.

A swanky lunch at London’s Dean Street Townhouse / Tapas from heaven at Central in Lima, Peru

Like that time in Lima, Peru when I had my heart set on a meal at Central, the Michelin-starred spot at the time that was revered as the second best restaurant in the world.

Instead of splurging for the chef’s tasting menu who’s price rivaled a compact car payment, we chowed down on small plates in the bar for one-quarter of the price. Heavy on the experience, but lighter on the wallet.

15. Share, share, share.

Speaking of food – always, always share. And if you’re still not sure what to order, share something.

Okay, I know that sounds a little extreme, but splitting a meal with your travel buddy is one of the easiest ways to cut daily costs on a trip and stretch your travel budget a bit further.

In our experience, we’ve never left a restaurant regretting having shared a meal. Both your waistline and your wallet will thank you later.

16. Keep your housing simple.

Let’s talk about lodging.

Like with life in general, the amount that you spend on housing can make or break your budget. Traveling is no different, and keeping your lodging costs down will help maximize your travel budget.

Ten years ago, budget lodging options lied somewhere between a grimy hostel dorm and an averagely appointed, but still expensive hotel room.

Fortunately for all of us, times have changed. Thanks to sites like Airbnb, it’s no longer mandatory to have to fork over an arm and a leg for a decent place to stay.

Airbnb offers everything from entire houses and apartments to private rooms with shared common areas. New to Airbnb? Here’s $40 off your first listing. You’re welcome!

An Airbnb gem in Budapest, Hungary for $55 per night!

And these days, “hostel” isn’t necessarily a dirty word. Many hostels feel more like a small hotel, offering private rooms with private bathrooms.

Not convinced? Check out hostelworld.com and filter by ensuite rooms, and then we’ll talk.

My advice: Keep your housing simple but functional, and opt for a central location over more space. A cheaper place that’s further out may seem like a great idea before you arrive, but once you factor in the extra transportation costs it takes to get to the city center, it may not have been worth it after all.

17. Be flexible.

If you can stomach the uncertainty of the unknown, there are some serious last-minute hotel deals to be had.

Sites like HotelTonight feature last minute deals on hotel rooms that will impress even the most budget-conscious travelers. Plus with the recent news of Airbnb acquiring HotelTonight, the site’s not going away anytime soon, and you can look forward to even more to come from these innovative platforms.

Sounds too good to be true, right? Here’s how it works.

Hotels list unsold rooms at steeply discounted rates on HotelTonight’s platform. As the hotel’s check-in window closes, the rates continue to plummet, sometimes as high as 75 percent if you play your cards right.

A last minute hotel score in the Latin Quartier in Paris

Don’t believe me? One summer evening we went to Paris on a whim, landing in France without a place to lay our head for the night. HotelTonight gave us the hook-up on five nights’ worth of hotels at seriously discounted rates… Hotels we would never have sprung for otherwise.

Want more on Paris? Check out my Complete Travel to Paris here.

Our Euros went much further than if we had booked in advance, and we also ended up exploring some areas of town we otherwise might not have seen. And we never slept on the street.

My advice: If you’re up for an adventure and are looking to save some cash, leave part of your lodging plans open-ended. Have a reservation lined up for when you first arrive, then negotiate the rest when you get on the ground. You never know what kind of deal you’ll end up with.

18. Buy a day pass.

There are few things in life that I love more than a good old fashioned, fancy hotel… Particularly one where I can take advantage of its amenities without paying up for the hefty nightly rate.

Many hotels offer day passes that give you access to their pool, spa and overall facilities.

Soaking in the amenities at the Dead Sea Marriott in Jordan

If you’re a rewards member for the hotel chain, call ahead to ask if they offer day passes as a benefit, like we did at the Dead Sea Marriott in Jordan. We were able to take a dip in the Dead Sea and take advantage of the hotel’s amenities – without actually staying there.

Wondering which hotels offer day passes in the States? Check out the new ResortPass platform that features day passes to hundreds of hotels and resorts starting at $20.

19. Take a walk.

Skip the metro or the city bus and use your own two feet to get from point A to point B. Within reason, make it a habit to walk everywhere you go when you’re exploring a new place.

While public transportation is super handy, the ride costs can creep up on you.

Not only will you see even more of the place you’re visiting, you won’t feel guilty about that daily scoop of gelato.

20. Don’t get admission fee’d to death.

In a big city like London, Amsterdam or Budapest, it’s easy to get caught up trying to check off every tourist attraction in the guidebook.

But what’s actually inside? Do you actually want to see it, or is it just on your list because you feel like it’s a mandatory part of visiting that city?

In my experience, sometimes just walking around the exterior of a monument or attraction is just as enjoyable.

Skipping the line… and the interior at the Tower of Belem in Lisbon, Portugal

My advice: Prioritize. Make a list of all of the experiences and attractions you want to do in a place, including costs. Rank them in order of interest, and do a little homework to see which are actually worth the admission fee.

Most major cities also sell cards featuring bundled, discounted admission fees to the major attractions – think the London Pass or Lisboa Card.

But look through this carefully – if you’re actually going to use it within the set timeframe, it can be a great deal. On the other hand, if you’re only going to hit one or two spots you’re likely better off just buying tickets à la carte.

21. Hang on to your student ID.

If you do end up paying admission to an attraction?

Most museums and attractions offer discounted admission rates to students. Bring your student ID card from college with you, and collect on the discounts whenever possible.

Particularly in Europe with many countries offering subsidized education, university isn’t limited just to those fresh out of high school. I brought my student ID on our recent trip to Europe, and it yielded discounts of all shapes and sizes.

I swear I’m still in college…

22. Don’t be afraid to haggle.

Mastering the art of polite negotiation can save you big time.

It never hurts to throw out a lowball offer, and if done correctly it can stretch your travel budget a bit further.

Vendors expect you to haggle a bit, and often the negotiated rate is already built into the price.

Within reason, don’t be shy about bartering on the price of everything from tuktuk rides to souvenirs. What’s the worst thing that can happen?

23. Pack light.

After traveling for five months through Europe and the Middle East with only a carry-on and a backpack, I can confidently say that packing light is the only way to go.

Not only will you be more light and nimble in transit, you’ll save money on pesky luggage fees that can add up over the course of a trip.

Stick to a carry-on or a backpack. Anything larger than that and you’ll be facing extra baggage fees for every flight, needing a larger car for transport, or even being held back from taking public transportation all together if your suitcase is too large.

For more on packing light, check out How to Pack for 6 Months of Travel in a Carry-On

Packing light while hiking the Camino de Santiago in Spain

24. Get out of vacation mode.

I get it. It’s normal for the urge to treat yo’ self to hit the second you put up your “out of office” message on Outlook.

However if you’re traveling on a budget or for an extended period of time, this mindset just isn’t sustainable.

Get out of “vacation mode,” and treat your spending with the same discretion that you do when you are home. Be deliberate, be sensible and it’s okay to tell yourself no.

If you want to truly maximize your travel budget, don’t throw it to the wind just because you’re on vacay.

25. Travel slowly.

“The value of your travels does not hinge on how many stamps you have in your passport when you get home – and the slow nuanced experience of a single country is always better than the hurried, superficial experience of forty countries.”

Rolf Potts, Vagabonding

Potts says it perfectly in one of my favorite travel memoirs, Vagabonding. Slow travel is not only the best way to truly experience a destination, it’ll stretch your travel budget in the process.

During our recent five month trip through Europe, we found that our largest unanticipated expenses resulted from changing locations too frequently.

Even seemingly cheap flights and train tickets add up, and with that you forgo the weekly or monthly discounts you would otherwise have qualified for if you stuck around longer.

Traveling at a slow pace allows you to immerse yourself in a place, its culture and the reasons why you wanted to go there in the first place.

Our new rule – stay in a place for at least one week. This allows you to get into a routine, not have to cram everything in, and to have a more local experience.

Even if you only have a week, aim to do a deep dive on one or two places. You’ll leave feeling like you actually know the place, versus having spent your trip moving around from city to city.

You can’t see and do it all, and coming to this realization will free up your holiday to be present in the moment, the destination, and the people that you’re with.

Waking up to catch the sun rise in Šibenik, Croatia

I hope that this guide has been helpful and has inspired you to get scrappy and think outside of the box on ways to stretch your travel budget. I want to hear from you – what is your go-to travel hack?

Cheers,

Meredith

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The post 25 Scrappy Ways to Stretch Your Travel Budget appeared first on The Longest Weekend.

The magical Old Town of Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina

It’s the end of an era. The closing of a chapter, the turning of a page.

Making friends with the locals at the pyramids at Giza, Egypt

1. Less actually is more.

Travis and I left Florida with just one carry-on bag and backpack each, and that’s all we came home with.

From a logistics standpoint, we honestly wished we even had less than we did. A bigger bag means more stress packing up each time you move, a tougher walk from the metro station to your Airbnb and more things to potentially lose along the way.

We abided by the “one in, one out” rule with our suitcases. If we bought something new, then we ditched or donated an item that we were no longer using. For more on how to pack for a long trip in a carry-on, click here.

With the exception of probably your honeymoon, you will never regret packing light for a trip. And anything you forgot, you can probably buy wherever you are anyways.

    
The day we left Florida on a one-way ticket to Europe, awaiting the train to Sarajevo in Bosnia & Herzegovina

2. Cab drivers know all the best spots.

Searching for that hidden, locals-only beach in Croatia? The best dim sum in London? The best poffertjes in Amsterdam?

Forget Rick Steve’s, TripAdvisor or Yelp. Ask your cab or Uber driver and they will always point you in the right direction. While these sources can be helpful, most of the spots you’ll find on these sites cater to tourists and thus repel locals.

Our favorite question to ask is, “What’s the one place I can’t leave here without trying?” The answers never disappoint.

I’ll loop bartenders into this category as well.

    Heading off the beaten path in Croatia

3. Don’t point fingers.

The restaurant that you trekked all the way across Paris for is closed. You find yourself on an express train heading out of Amsterdam, but one hour in the wrong direction. The hike in Petra that was described to you as “up just a few steps” actually entails scaling boulders, vertical ascents and putting your life in the hands of a 16 year old guide named Ahmed.

I’m going to take a guess and say that 95 percent of arguments that two travel companions find themselves in results from a scenario like this.

The beauty of travel is to experience the unknown, but with that even the most well-organized and seasoned traveler is bound to encounter some mishaps.

If (ahem, when) things do go wrong, do not point fingers at your travel buddy. What’s the fun in going on an adventure if everyone knows where they’re going anyways?

The nail-biting view of the Treasury from above in Petra, Jordan

4. We’re tougher than we thought.

There were many times along our journey where we surprised even ourselves with our strength and resilience.

Like when Travis walked the entire Camino de Santiago, all 500 miles of it, with a painful knee injury. Or when I yelled expletives at the two women in Belgrade posing as police offers who followed us, demanding we take them to the ATM to pay a fine for a “transit ticket”.

An inner perseverance and scrappiness kicked in that we weren’t aware we had, and that carried us through some stressful and uncomfortable situations.

Upon our return we’ve often been asked if we ever felt unsafe, and through all of this I can honestly say we never did.

Call us self-aware, jaded by the road or just plain lucky, but we have yet to encounter a situation we couldn’t take on… Or at least bail ourselves out of.

     
In Spain with 100 miles to go on the Camino de Santiago, cheers to evading a scam in Belgrade, Serbia

5. Everyone speaks English.

Wait, what?

While of course you should make every effort to speak the language of the country that you’re visiting, more often than not people speak some level of English.

And this goes both ways. Most people can understand a language prior to speaking it fluently. Even if they aren’t saying much, assume everyone can understand what you’re saying.

There’s nothing worse than overhearing a tourist who assumes someone can’t understand them, talking about said person or the country they are visiting in a negative light.

And on that note… Regardless of how strong your language skills are, it never hurts to point to the menu when ordering. After a few times of getting served a completely different entree than I ordered, always point.

A sunny August day in Amsterdam

6. Don’t chase the unicorn.

In the age of Pinterest, blogs and Instagram, it’s easy to be inundated with recommendations for the best or most photogenic restaurants, coffee shops, and lookout points. The FOMO is real, and I’m the first to admit that I’m guilty of constantly searching for the “best” spots.

But over the past five months, I’ve come to terms with the fact that we can’t see everything and we can’t go everywhere.

While I’m all about doing my research ahead of time, there’s something to be said for just winging it and discovering places on your own.

Know a good thing when you see one. It’s okay to eat at that delicious and surprisingly cheap Thai place a few times, even if you are in Portugal.

7. Souvenirs aren’t mandatory.

While the idea of buying a memento at each destination was great in theory, the practicality of it for our travels was non-existent.

Plus photos are free, last forever and don’t clutter your suitcase or your house later on.

    Sunrise in Šibenik, Croatia, the cathedral in Burgos, Spain

8. A little homesickness is normal.

Anyone who claims that they never get homesick is probably lying.

To say that we had fun during our five month stint abroad is an understatement. But we’d be lying if we said there weren’t moments when we didn’t missed the ease of being home in the grand ole’ U.S. of A.

Of course there were times when we craved the creature comforts of living in America – clothing dryers, grocery stores that have everything, Chick-fil-A…

But more than that we missed the daily connections with our family and friends that are just not quite the same when you’re thousands of miles away, battling a big time change.

Fortunately this feeling didn’t last long, and the homesickness usually hit Travis and I at different times, allowing the other person to carry the team and to bring perspective to the situation.

But we were three months in to our journey and had just embarked on the exciting adventure of the Camino de Santiago when the homesickness hit us both simultaneously. For Travis, it was missing his brother’s first football game of his final high school season. For me – it was my best friend’s bridal shower, and it killed me to miss it.

Leaving home and traveling far away from what you know is amazing, but this part was a side effect that caught us off guard.

9. Always, always wear sneakers.

Enough said. One of the best things about Europe is how walkable the cities are.

But even the most comfortable sandals are such until about seven miles in to a long day of walking around London. Anything more than that and you’ll be missing your Nike’s.

    
Walking the halls of Fisherman’s Bastion in Budapest, Hungary and Karnak Temple in Luxor, Egypt

10. Good people are everywhere.

Bad people are everywhere, but more importantly good people are too. Stereotypes aside, universally we found that most people are just trying to make a living and provide for their families.

Whether that looks like the man in Egypt peddling alabaster a little too aggressively, or the guy who charged us twice the price for sodas because we were tourists, universally people are often just making the best of the cards they are dealt.

As a traveler, you are a guest in that country. It’s normal to feel uncomfortable – that place isn’t intended to make you feel comfortable. That’s why home feels so good.

The boogeyman isn’t real. Ask questions, listen, extend kindness and more often than not, you will experience it in return.

     Our guide Sheva in Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina, a new friend in Petra, Jordan

11. Home is a state of mind.

    
Sunset in Budapest, Hungary, exploring the many temples of Luxor, Egypt

The post 11 Lessons Learned from 5 Months Abroad appeared first on The Longest Weekend.

How do you pack for the adventure of a lifetime? Light.

This is always one of the first questions I receive after sharing our extended travel plans. When strategizing on how to pack for our six month stint abroad, my husband and I agreed to abide by two rules:

1. Everything must fit into one carry-on sized bag and a backpack, each.
2. Every man for himself.

The second rule actually meant that I was not allowed to add anything to Travis’s suitcase when he wasn’t looking, like on most prior trips.

He also reminded me that this isn’t a fashion show, we will be living there. The initial thought of fitting my entire wardrobe into a carry-on suitcase gave me heart palpitations, but I knew that the ability to be nimble would be worth it in the long run.

After successfully passing the suitcase test, I’ve gathered my best tips for packing for long-term travel on a small scale:

Pick a color scheme

Envision one of those spreads in a magazine where one item is worn seven different ways – this is the ultimate goal. Only bring something if you can wear it for multiple occasions, in a few different ways.

Picking a color scheme will set yourself up for success and ensure that all of your outfits will go together. For me that was black, grey, olive, white and denim.

Not sure which items should make the cut? Enlist a friend to police your packing. Sometimes you need an impartial party to bear the bad news that the yellow linen sundress isn’t a practical choice.

Follow the rule of two

Allow yourself two of each:

• Dresses
• Leggings
• Tank tops
• Short and long sleeve shirts
• Shorts
• Jeans
• Rompers
• Swimsuits
• Scarves
• Light jackets
• Sandals
• Sneakers/hiking shoes

Start with two of each, then if you have extra room you can go up from there. Also don’t be afraid to shed items you find that you aren’t using along the way.

Keep it organized

Packing cubes are a girl’s best friend. Not only do they keep your stuff in order, you usually can fit more into your suitcase as a result.

I’ve tried a few different ones over the years, but my favorite ones are these compression packing cubes from Gomex.

Buy the basics when you get there

Universal items like shampoo and toothpaste are sold everywhere in the world. Save your precious suitcase real estate for the things you think won’t be able to find abroad.

Bring enough for the first day or two, then stock up when you get settled. I’m a big fan of these clear TSA-approved liquids bags that are water-tight and the perfect size for your 3.4 ounce bottles.

Pamper yourself on the road

Leaving behind our normal lives (and paychecks) also meant saying goodbye to the luxury beauty habits that had crept into my lifestyle over the years. This meant no more regular mani-pedi’s, facials or massages.

Instead of going completely cold-turkey on the beauty regiment, I found that packing a few secret weapons bridge the gap and still make me feel like a human-being while on the road:

Facial mask sheets – These all-in-one facials come in envelope form, slide easily into your dopt-kit and will rejuvenate your skin in 30 minutes or less. Perfect for combating the dehydrating airplane air!

Nail polish remover wipes – Commit to one color of polish, then pack a few of these Karma Naturals organic nail polish remover wipes. They are super portable and allow you to do your nails without the normal mess or toxic smell.

A teeny tiny hair dryer – Unlike in the States, many Airbnb’s we found in Europe did not come equipped with hair dryers, so bringing one with me wasn’t optional. I found the little sister version of my beloved BabyBliss hair dryer on Amazon. It folds in half, is dual-voltage so you won’t fry it overseas, and has a detachable nozzle for styling. Priorities, right?

A tennis ball – Quite possibly my favorite travel hack ever, bringing a tennis ball is the poor man’s answer to a massage. It’s the cheapest, easiest way to soothe your sore shoulders from carrying your backpack or sitting for hours on a plane.

Mail yourself a care package.

For the things that you anticipating are either only sold in the States or that you are nervous about finding on the road, purchase enough for the length of your journey, then divide it by two. Pack half of it in your suitcase, and have a friend mail the remainder to you on the road.

The US Postal Service sells a flat-rate shipping mailer, and it is exactly what it sounds like — a box that you can fill to your heart’s content and pay only a flat fee.

While we left the U.S. with our travel itinerary intentionally open-ended, we had a rendezvous with friends booked in Amsterdam that was scheduled for, coincidentally, exactly half-way through our trip. I also have a friend who lives there who graciously agreed to receive the package on my behalf.

For example, I sent myself the following:

• Hair serum
• Juice Plus vitamins
• Probiotics
• Foundation

While I’m sure I could find replacements for most all of these items abroad, it gave me peace of mind.

Despite the cringe-worthy $69.00 price tag for the flat shipping fee to the Netherlands, I know that my future self will thank me later. A girl’s gotta do…

Pack a crash bag.

We’ve all been there. You arrive home from a 20 hour travel day craving a shower, sleep and French fries only to find all of the laundry is dirty and you’re out of toothpaste.

Add in our scenario, where we’ve gotten rid of most of our worldly possessions and are technically “homeless”, and it would be the recipe for disaster.

Luckily, we thought this through and packed ourselves a “crash bag.”

What’s in it?

• Clean pajamas
• One day’s clothes
• A few days’ worth of essential toiletries

What item can you not travel without? Share in the comments below!

Cheers,

Meredith

The post How to Pack for Six Months of Travel in a Carry-On appeared first on The Longest Weekend.

Traveling for a long period of time is no easy undertaking. In addition to the obvious factor of leaving the comforts of your home, friends and family, there are some crucial logistics that even the savviest traveler should not overlook.

Contrary to getting ready for a long weekend or even a ten-day holiday, preparing for an extended trip abroad requires some strategizing and planning for the unexpected.

Fortunately, I’ve got you covered and have created this guide to ensure that no detail goes unaccounted for. From making sure that your cell phone works to ensuring you receive your friends’ wedding invitations, look no further.

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1. Get on board with Airbnb

Airbnb is one of the biggest game changers to happen to the travel industry in years. It allows you to escape the tourist traps and live like a local in cities all over the world. Whether you’re looking to rent a house with bikes, a chic city apartment, or even a houseboat for the week, Airbnb has something for everybody. New user to Airbnb? Here’s $40 off of your first stay!

We’ve had great success with Airbnb not only in the States but all over the world, from Cuba to Croatia. By staying in an actual home or apartment, Airbnb allows you to truly settle in to a city and make yourself at home.

Hotels are awesome – don’t get me wrong – but the ability to cook your own breakfast, do laundry, and just relax and spread out after a long day is something you can’t put a price on.

Did I mention it’s super affordable? Airbnb is typically much cheaper than staying in hotels.

Million dollar view from our Airbnb in Florence… for half the price of a hotel!

Many of our best experiences in different countries have resulted from the interactions with our Airbnb hosts. From giving you the best restaurant and bar recommendations to cooking you a phenomenal home-cooked meal, most hosts will elevate your stay and take pride in ensuring that you enjoy their home city.

Airbnb is a win for both travelers and homeowners alike, as it provides an income opportunity for families to earn extra money as they open their homes. Sustainable tourism is the future, y’all.

Pro tip: Read the reviews carefully prior to booking. The beauty of Airbnb, like Uber, is that the guests rate the host, and vice versa. This is where you’ll find out the good, the bad and the ugly on a listing.

2. Don’t skip the travel health insurance

While no one likes to think about getting sick or injured on vacation, it’s not something to mess around with. Fortunately there are a number of companies that offer health insurance for all types of travelers, whether you’re on a summer holiday or a full-time expat.

Our pick is IMGlobal, and for around $250 per month we have coverage for anywhere in the world. This includes hospital stays, medical evacuation and repatriation, and even includes coverage for adventure sports like skiing. IMGlobal also provide a medical concierge, trip cancellation coverage and lost luggage insurance.

Considering that it can run you upwards of $350,000 to be airlifted from an international destination, we figured it was worth the additional cost just in case.

Will we use it? Believe it or not, we already have!

Six weeks into our travels we made a visit to a private hospital in Budapest, Hungary for a minor, but necessary issue… and man, were we happy to have the peace of mind of the travel insurance. Should the occasion arise, it will more than pay for itself.

3. Ensure your cell phone will work

Sadly, I broke up with my iPhone. I’m sorry Apple, it’s not you, it’s me.

While I’ve been a loyal iPhone and Mac user for years, when it came to selecting an international cell phone plan there was no way around it.

In addition to the prospect of roaming charges that rivaled a mortgage payment, we also didn’t want to be scrambling for SIM cards upon arrival in a new country. We needed easy, affordable and reliable cell service that would work pretty much anywhere.

Enter, Project Fi.

Project Fi is Google’s solution to a cell phone plan. It’s gaining popularity particularly in the travel community as it works in 170+ countries. Project Fi runs on the Android network and partners with global 4G LTE and WiFi networks. We opted for the Google Pixel 2, which I’ve actually become a big fan of after getting over the initial learning curve.

For $20/month on Project Fi you’ll get unlimited texting and the data is a la carte, meaning you only pay for what you use. International phone calls are $0.20 per minute, but you can easily work around this by using WhatsApp or Skype.

Project Fi’s biggest selling point? The data costs are capped, even internationally, at $80 per month for unlimited data. For more details on the plan see Project Fi’s website.

All other providers we looked into either charge around $10 per day (unsustainable for long-term travel) or offer “unlimited” but slow your data down to a crawling speed after minimal use.

Another major perk is that on Project Fi can use use your phone’s mobile hot spot for free. This is crucial, as it provides reliable, secure internet on the go.

You find WiFi pretty much anywhere, but is it secure? Probably not. Even in our Airbnb we still utilize our locked mobile hot spots for accessing secure sites like online banking and for booking lodging… Just in case.

4. Know the immigration laws

Can’t I just come and go as I please? Nope. Every country has different visa requirements that you must be aware of upon entry.

While some countries are stricter than others, it’s always good to be knowledgeable on how long you can legally stay in a country without applying for a visa. Many countries also require proof of onward travel upon arrival, meaning you need to show when you’re leaving so they know that you’re not overstaying your welcome.

For example, an American traveling to Europe is allowed 90 days in what is referred to as the Schengen Zone. The Schengen Zone is comprised of 26 European countries, and as an American you are allowed a total of 90 days for every 180 days in the zone.

The Schengen Zone as of 2018 – Image courtesy schengenvisainfo.com

But how will they know? Upon exit you can get in biiig trouble if your digital passport record indicates otherwise. Not worth it!

Pro tip: When departing on an international flight, you must have at least six months of validity remaining on your passport. Even if your trip is just for the weekend, the airlines can be real sticklers on this and can deny you from boarding… aka you’ll likely miss your trip! Always check your passport’s expiration when booking your flight, in case you need to get it renewed.

5. Stay in the loop on global security and current events

This almost goes without saying, but make sure to stay up to date with the U.S. Department of State’s Security Warnings. In 2018, the travel warning system changed to a four-tiered system:

1. Exercise normal precautions (green)
2. Exercise increased caution (yellow)
3. Reconsider travel (orange)
4. Do not travel (red)

While a level 2 may sound scary, there are many perfectly safe destinations with this security coding. Think most places in Europe, or even many in the Caribbean that are considered level 2’s. Read the warnings, then make an informed decision.

Be sure to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This free service will register your trip details with the local U.S. Embassy at your destination.

Why does this matter?

• The U.S. Embassy can contact you in the event of an emergency that results from anything like social issues to a natural disaster.
• The U.S. Embassy has your passport information on file, in the event it gets lost or stolen.
• They’ll also have your emergency contact information in the event it was needed.

For example, some friends of ours received a notification through STEP that their upcoming trip to Colombia coincided with the presidential election. Good to know!

6. Get a virtual mailbox

While it seems like the whole world has gone virtual, there are still some things in life that require snail mail: ie. wedding invitations, medical bills, some banking documents…

Traveling Mailbox is the nomad’s answer to receiving your mail, regardless of where you are in the world. You can be blissfully off the grid, but stay in the loop for the important stuff.

Traveling Mailbox is a service that provides you with a real, street postal address and allows you to virtually manage your mail. They scan the outside of envelopes you receive, then open and send you a virtual copy of the letters of your choosing for a small fee. They can even forward it to you directly if you need the document in the flesh.

I credit one of my favorite bloggers, Go Curry Cracker, for introducing me to this travel hack. If you haven’t read their blog yet, check them out! They retired in their 30’s and have been traveling the world ever since. #goals

7. Lock it up

Getting your stuff stolen is a fear that crosses every traveler’s mind. Heck, it might have already happened to you! The last thing you want to deal with while traveling is to fall victim to a pickpocket or bag-slasher (yes, that’s a thing).

The answer: PacSafe.

PacSafe’s bags are equipped with multiple locking mechanisms, slash-guard technology and puncture-resistant zippers. While nothing is completely foolproof, these extra layers of protection prevent the quick grab-and-dash that most commonly occurs.

I am a big fan of the PacSafe’s convertible backpack. This bag converts to a cross-body and is the perfect purse for day-to-day exploring around town. It has plenty of room for all the essentials like your camera, an umbrella, water… Heck, I’ve even fit my jean jacket in there.

     PacSafe’s Convertible Backpack and Carry-On Suitcase

The real advantage is in its engineering: it has an RFID-safe blocking pockets to prevent scanning through your bag of passports and credit cards (yes, that’s also a thing) as well as locking zippers to prevent pick-pockets.

PacSafe’s carry-on bag is also fantastic and what we elected for our travels. It has all of the security features mentioned above, as well as a long locking cable that will come in handy on a long train ride, while waiting at the bus station, or even to lock your bag to your bunk when staying in a hostel. Again, not foolproof but will slow down a potential thief.

Want more packing tips? Check out my post on how I packed for six months of travel in a carry-on. 

8. Leave your jewelry at home!

Engagement rings, nice watches, flashy costume jewelry — I’m looking at you. Prevent yourself from being targeted by blending in as much as possible.

9. Arm yourself with entertainment

No matter how excited you are about the place that you’re visiting, at some point getting  a little homesick is inevitable. We anticipated this when packing for our six month stint in Europe, and packed a few things to make our days feel more normal:

• UE Roll Speaker – The mini version of our favorite Bluetooth speaker is small but mighty, and the perfect companion for a day at the beach. Bonus: it’s waterproof and comes in lots of fun colors.

• Apple TV – Are we sitting on the couch every night watching Netflix? No. However, the ability to catch up on our favorite shows or watch a movie every once and a while has been a real treat.
• A deck of cards and a set of dice – Don’t underestimate the power of a good old fashioned card or dice game. We bring these with us even on quick overnight trips, as you never know when you’ll get stuck in the rain or bored on a bus trip.

10. Stay on budget!

Use an app on your phone to track your spending. We enter everything from our housing costs to dinner and bus tickets.

I like Wallet for Android or Trail Wallet for iOs. The free apps allow you to input your budget for a set time period and will break down your spending by category. It’s easy for tracking your spending on the go, in real time. You can add multiple users to your account, and it works on different currencies so it does the conversions for you.

Do you have any go-to tips for traveling long-term? Share below in the comments!

Cheers,

Meredith

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The post 10 Essential Tips for Long-Term Travel appeared first on The Longest Weekend.