In the midst of planning my own “trip of a lifetime” and being an experienced digital nomad I’ve found the planning is the only hard bit. It can seem almost unachievable to earn enough to cover the expenses of such a long or eventful trip. It almost daunting to think of all the booking, raising funds and packing that goes into it. Maybe its your first trip or you’re experienced with travelling but unorganised?
Take look at my “Ultimate Guide For Planning And Taking The Trip Of a Lifetime”
1. Know Your Goals
Before you do anything you need to know where you want to go, want you want to see, eat and do. I suggest making a bucket list. My favourite way of doing this is by choosing all the countries I want to go to and the places within them. Then the landmarks and specific locations I don't want to miss out on. Add the local foods I want to try, activities and more. Trip planned, simple as that.
For example on my trip to Italy I wanted to go to Naples, swim in the ocean and eat the best pizza in the world according to the book ‘Eat Pray Love’. Unfortunately it wasn’t successful due the restaurant being refurbished at the time and so we ended up eating across the road, but at least I made it there by figuring out every last thing, down to the bus we needed from our hostel to the restaurant.
2. Do Your Research
Alas my planning wasn’t enough I also needed to do my research, maybe then I would have known the restaurant was under construction.
Check if you need a visa to visit and if you do get it in good time. Visa’s can be very expensive and take a long time to process so really do your research not this one.
Research is so important to ensure your safety while travelling, you should always check reviews from REAL people on accommodation, places to eat and the activities you book. I usually look for the locals advice and listen to warning sings, people will warn of popular pick pocket areas or reveal where its cheaper to eat, usually non tourist towns. You’ll find any of this with a basic google search but my favourite sites for travel tips are Trip Advisor and The Lonely Planet.
Always compare prices, on many occasions i’ve stayed out of the town I’m visiting because its been more cost effective to travel into that town each day then stay in the expensive city, as a bonus you get to see two places in one holiday!. Think about every last cost, how will you be getting around in each place? I suggest being on foot as much as possible, it saves you a ton of money and you get the full backpacking experience!.
3. Time Management and Routing
Time management is one of the hardest things when it comes to travelling, how do you decide what you do and don't have time to see when there is just honestly so much to see! If you followed step one and you know your goals you’ll have narrowed it down.
Now you need to work out what the easiest and most time efficient route is. Where will you start and where will you end. Will they be the same place?. Get a map and pinpoint everything, use online tools and think about how long you’ll need in each place to get everything done!. You can always amend this as you go if your a bit more free spirited. When I travelled Europe with my best friend we booked our travel in and out of our country and one or two of our first hostels prior to the trip. From there on we winged it and booked on the go with apps like Hostelworld. We would get great tips from other travellers along the way and need more time in a city so if nothing was set in stone we didn’t have to leave!. Decide which method works better for you and your trip.
4. Earn The Dolla
Great you’ve got your plan now you must work out how much money you will need to execute it and how you will get the funds. Firstly, when is your trip, have you set a date or will you just go once the desired amount is achieved. Once you have a time period decide how you will raise or earn the money. Right now I have given myself one year to raise the funds for my trip, I've taken on a full-time office job and a fun evening and weekends part-time job for extra money. I do promo jobs, chores, favours for friends and now i’ve started a blog alongside it. I’m going on that trip no matter what.
I just use my banking app, but there are many “money goal apps” out there to manage and track your goal. I’ve worked out my total goal amount, how much I would need to save each month for it to be achievable and where each expense is on the trip PLUS emergency money. I have a simple “3 Page Travel Planner” in my Etsy Shop for you to check out if your struggling.
5. Set It In Stone
Now you’ve done all the research and planning now’s your time to book your inbound and outbound travel to your first/last destinations or perhaps you want to book one way for now, then consider putting enough money aside for the return journey. Write it all down, put it in your diary, book time off work or whatever is necessary to ensure your freedom during this trip.
Then you could start look towards booking some accommodation and in country transport, tours and activities that pay off to book in advance. The fun part, for me anyways, is shopping for all the little travel accessories and mini shampoos. I usually try not to spend too much pre-holiday but are you even going if you don't buy a new wardrobes worth of clothes for it?.
6. Think Of Your Health
Everything is coming together now and your almost there but theres one last important thing to do. Get a health check-up, make sure you have no conditions that will affect you or the trip, get the required vaccines and be in general good health and fitness before you go.
7. Space Efficient Packing and Gadgets
Learn to roll your clothes not fold them, only take the absolute essentials and buy space saver items such as a microfibre travel towel.They’re made to roll small and dry quickly, a lot of backpackers can easily attach these to something on the back of their bags making them a must-buy!.
If you want to read about all the great travel gadgets I own, head to “My Top 10 Travel Gadgets of 2019”
When packing make sure your considering all weather options, think about accessories, all your travel documents and medications. Click here for a FREE downloadable basic packing list and head over to my Easy Shop for more Downloadable & Printables.
Lastly are you one of those who keeps the receipts from certain dinners, the cool stone you found on the beach and that silly hat the drunk guy gave you in the weird pub by the hostel you didn't mean to book?. Yeah thought so. Travelling is all about making memories and we want everything that reminds us of them so remember to leave space for extras you pick up along the way.
8. Be Organised And Keep A Journal
Get a folder, travel documents holder or something to organise all your planning into one place to use and refer back to along the way. Double check everything and then relax. Say your goodbyes and get ready to explore more of the world!.
I love keeping a journal of everything I do during my trips so one day I’ll look back and smile.
9. Be Social
It really is who you know and not what you know sometimes so, be careful, but don’t be shy. Over the years I’ve met up with a lot of people I’ve met travelling, some are my best friends to this day!. I’ve had holidays over in their home towns, went on trips together and had free drinks all night in the bars they’ve worked in. You’ll never know what someone can bring into your life in your don't let them in.
10. Enjoy!
While your there remember all the hard work you put into achieving this and all the amazing things that will come from it. Make every moment count!.
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